Nelson joins Councilmember Lin, Byrd Barr's Tiffany Kelly-Gray, and Joel Ing with Edge Developers to lead newly-formed housing advisory group. 

Association adopts a new name that more clearly represents its members, their work, and its role as the leading voice for commercial real estate development

FIFA World Cup 26™ has arrived in Seattle! In April, as our city prepared for the world stage, our DEI Committee hosted their Building for All: A World Cup Legacy event at HITT Contracting. The event gathered industry partners for a hosted happy hour and panel discussion exploring the Seattle FWC26 Planning Committee's efforts through a commercial real estate and DEI lens.

NAIOP Washington State celebrates 50 years as a chapter this year. Founded in 1976 as the Puget Sound Chapter of the National Association of Industrial Parks, NAIOPWA has since evolved into an association that elevates all sectors of the commercial real estate development industry, from industrial and office properties to residential and retail projects and everything in between. In recognition of the past five decades of commercial real estate development, we are looking back at the iconic projects that have shaped skylines, defined cities, and powered economic growth throughout our region.

Panattoni’s Whirlpool Distribution Center Ignited Frederickson Industrial Frenzy

Today, the Frederickson area is practically synonymous with industrial development, with Amazon’s massive $219 million acquisition making headlines earlier this year. The confluence of available land, local labor, and convenient access to transit corridors and nearby ports makes Frederickson prime for warehousing and logistics operations. But this is a relatively recent evolution for the area, and it would not have been possible without Panattoni Development Company’s Seattle office planting a 900,000-square-foot flag in this South Sound industrial hub back in 2007.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - End of Session

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

The 2026 legislative session officially adjourned on March 12, wrapping a fast-paced, 60-day sprint that brought major debates on taxes, housing, insurance and long-term budget pressures. It was a meaningful year for our advocacy, and a year of real wins. 

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 9

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 8

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 7

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 6

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

Advocacy in Action

with Carter Nelson, Director of Government Affairs

NAIOPWA Board Member Carl Shorett Appointed to Governor’s Housing Task Force

We’re excited to share that Carl Shorett, Senior Director of Development at AvalonBay Communities and a member of the NAIOPWA Board of Directors, has been appointed to the Washington State Task Force on the Establishment of a Department of Housing.This is a meaningful opportunity for our organization and our industry. NAIOPWA has been deeply engaged in statewide housing conversations, and Carl’s appointment ensures that the development community’s practical, on‑the‑ground expertise is represented in one of the most consequential housing policy efforts underway in Washington.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 5

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 4

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

The first major cutoff of the 2026 legislative session has come and gone. The House of Origin policy cutoff occurred on Wednesday, February 4, marking a key milestone in determining which bills will continue to advance this session.

Several bills of concern did not move out of their respective policy committees and are now considered “dead” for the year, including HB 2141, HB 2209, and SB 5848. Development related bills that are still alive and under active discussion include the Environmental Justice Act (HB 1303) and Commercial Corridors bill (SB 6026).

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 3

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

Week three marked the final full week before the House of Origin policy committee cutoff, driving a sharp increase in hearings, negotiations, and amendments as lawmakers worked to move policy bills across the first big checkpoint.

Looking ahead, next week brings two critical deadlines: the House of Origin policy committee cutoff on Wednesday, February 4, followed closely by the fiscal committee cutoff on Saturday, February 7. As a result, our Government Affairs team will be working through the weekend to engage on priority legislation and respond quickly as bills advance.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 2

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

Week two of the legislative session was a pivotal one for CREDAWA, marked by strong engagement with lawmakers, candid policy discussions, and a clear focus on the real-world impacts facing commercial and industrial development across Washington.

We hosted our legislative reception, which brought key legislative leaders from both chambers and both parties together with CREDAWA members. The reception allowed for meaningful relationship-building and open dialogue around the policies shaping development, housing supply, and economic growth. Conversations were constructive—and at times challenging—reflecting the seriousness of the issues before the Legislature and the trust CREDAWA has built as a credible voice in Olympia.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 1

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

The first week of the Washington State legislative session set the tone for a fast-paced 60-day sprint, with sharp contrasts emerging in leadership messages. In his opening remarks, Governor Bob Ferguson emphasized stability and continuity, urging lawmakers to stay focused on protecting core services, addressing affordability, and navigating ongoing fiscal pressures while advancing long-term priorities.

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck struck a notably bipartisan note, calling on members of both chambers to work across party lines, respect institutional norms, and remember that durable policy outcomes depend on collaboration—particularly in a short session with limited time for major course corrections.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 0

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

The Washington State Legislature convened today, Monday, January 12, for the start of the 2026 legislative session, a 60-day “short session” marking the second half of the 2025–27 biennium. All bills that did not pass in the 2025 Legislative Session remain alive and in play. 

As is customary, legislators will begin their budget work using the Governor’s proposed supplemental operating budget as the baseline. Governor Ferguson’s proposal reflects a roughly $79 billion operating budget - a $1.2 billion (1.5%) increase over the prior 2025 -27 biennial budgets - and prioritizes housing, disaster response, and core state services. The Governor continues to support a so-called “millionaire tax,” a 9.9% tax on adjusted gross income above $1 million, but despite his public support of the proposal,  Governor Ferguson’s supplemental budget does not rely on revenue from that proposal to fund appropriations, leaving any tax debate largely separate from immediate budget balancing. 

NAIOPWA, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Announces 2025 Night of the Stars Finalists & First Winners: Community Impact Project in Kirkland, Bothell Spec Industrial Building 

People’s Choice Award with Daily Voting on the NAIOPWA website begins Wednesday, September 17

SEATTLE – NAIOP Washington State, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, announced the finalists for the 2025 Night of the Stars Awards, showcasing the premier developments revitalizing the Puget Sound region, from office and residential towers to historic renovations and eye-catching hotel projects.  

This year, finalists include three candidates for Developer of the Year: local multifamily and mixed-use developer MainStreet Property Group, industrial powerhouse Panattoni Development Company, and headline-grabbing office developer Skanska USA Commercial Development.