Land rights and high costs are proving to be major hurdles in Kansas City's bid to build a 27-mile light rail system.
"An assistant city attorney told the council that the light-rail route voters approved in November raised significant legal questions, including how the route could be built through existing park land."
"Another lawyer said it will take at least eight to 10 years for Kansas City to secure federal financing for a light-rail line."
"In November, Kansas City voters approved a measure to extend the city's current three-eighths-cent transportation sales tax for 25 years to build a $1 billion, 27-mile light-rail line. The initiative called for about 50 percent of the line's cost to be paid with federal money."
FULL STORY: KC Council considers obstacles to light-rail plan

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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