Some of Denver's leaders are sounding the alarm over rising household income levels and the threat to affordable housing. But in an editorial in The Denver Post, Vincent Carroll argues that an exclusive downtown Denver is better than the alternative.
"We have reached the point in the development of downtown Denver when people are complaining — or at least seriously worried — about its successful transformation," writes Carroll.
"Denver really runs the risk of becoming an elitist city," Councilwoman Judy Montero told The Post. "With development and transportation build-out and all of these transit stops, the idea was for this to be mixed income and equitable. ... We have to find a middle. We have to find a balance."
"Good luck locating that middle," answers Carroll. "When neighborhoods gentrify with the sweeping speed that has occurred downtown (as well as in Highland in north Denver, and years ago in Cherry Creek), the pressure on prices can prove irresistible. Preserving or expanding 'affordable housing' in such an environment — meaning residential units that people with median household incomes can afford — becomes an increasingly difficult task."
"Yet why cavil? Many cities would give anything to possess the allure of Denver's downtown — a magnet for educated professionals in their 20s and 30s."
FULL STORY: Carroll: Downtown Denver too exclusive? Better than the alternative

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.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
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