In a debate held on Tuesday, and in a subsequent radio interview, leading New York City mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio indicated he'd like to study whether to bring back automobiles to a stretch of Broadway that had been closed for pedestrians.
"After doubting the Prospect Park West bike lane, opposing congestion pricing, and calling NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan 'a radical' he argued that on urban planning issues he'd come around to a more progressive stance. He even promised, if elected, to increase biking eight fold," writes Andrea Bernstein.
But when asked at a recent debate if he'd remove the tables and chairs from Times Square and Herald Square, De Blasio answered, "For me the jury's out on that particular question. I think its worth assessing what the impact has been on traffic what the impact has been on surrounding businesses. I would keep an open mind."
Except the jury isn't out, says Bernstein, "this is one area where the data is in, publicized, and long-settled. Since the two squares have undergone their pedestrian-friendly designs, traffic and pollution are down, commercial rents are up, and business satisfaction in the neighborhood is way up."
FULL STORY: On Times Square Pedestrian Plaza, It's Back To the Future for de Blasio
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A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
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New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
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U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
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