Ron Nyren examines the various types of projects that will be negatively impacted by California's decision to abandon redevelopment.
Affordable housing, public-private partnerships, public parks, fire stations, brownfield redevelopment -- this is just a sample of the types of projects that will be compromised by the dissolution of the state's redevelopment agencies.
According to Nyren, cities have few alternatives to redevelopment. Infrastructure financing districts (IFDs) are mentioned as one possibility. Unfortunately, the same conditions that put redevelopment agencies into the sights of public agencies starved for funding will diminish the likelihood of finding ample revenue streams for bond sales.
"There are mechanisms by which public improvements can occur," says [Kim] Kilkenny, [chairman of Centre City Development Corp.]. "The trick is identifying funding sources. It is exceedingly difficult to generate new revenues when we are in a recession."
FULL STORY: Abandoning Redevelopment: California’s Big Experiment
Report: The Potential for Affordable Housing Partnerships in Nashville
Incentivizing development on institutionally owned land could help boost the city’s affordable housing supply.
New Housing Law Quickly Enacted in Bay Area
A four-month-old California housing law that applies only to 100% affordable housing near transit has dramatically changed a housing proposal in an affluent Peninsula city, though it is too soon to say if the additional two-stories will be approved.
Could Los Angeles Have Made Better Use of Former Redevelopment Funds?
After a state decision to abolish California's redevelopment agencies seven years ago, Los Angeles still received some of that money, directing it to city services instead of affordable housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie