With some construction projects behind schedule, municipal governments are asking the Harper government to extend their "spend-it-or-lose-it" deadline of March 31 2011.
A report from the parliamentary budget office has raised the possibility that the full allotment of stimulus monies intended for municipal infrastructure may not have been spent by the deadline imposed by the federal government, which could leave projects half-built and the financial responsibility of other levels of government.
"Canadian cities are calling on Ottawa to extend its deadline for some stimulus projects in response to a report showing up to half a billion dollars of infrastructure funds could go unspent, or dropped on municipalities' laps. When Ottawa cuts off its funding on March 31, 2011, the worst-case scenario is that $500.5-million in federal money will not have been claimed because of the delays...the situation is particularly acute in Saskatchewan, where heavy rains this spring and summer stalled work.
But Prime Minister Stephen Harper said it was premature to speculate about whether the clock will run out on some projects, saying all federal work is on time and he believes a vast majority of municipal projects will also be completed."
FULL STORY: Extend deadline for stimulus: cities

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.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.

‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Guts EV Tax Credits
The bill eliminates federal subsidies for electric vehicle buyers and charging stations.
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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont