When California shuttered its hundreds of local redevelopment agencies, many believed a new (if smaller) system for funding affordable housing and development in blighted areas would soon follow. Two years later, the state is still waiting.
Though there was much discussion this year in California's legislature about resurrecting some form of redevelopment, the session ended without any bill being passed.
"Gov. Jerry Brown is so down on a new redevelopment regime that Senate leader Darrell Steinberg didn’t even both [sic] to put legislation on his desk this year, even though the new legislation won’t affect the state’s general fund and even though he could have gotten it passed in the Legislature," reports Bill Fulton. "Meanwhile, most cities that had active redevelopment agencies are snarled in the redevelopment wind-down process."
"Meanwhile, urban redevelopment in California remains a major challenge – and, not surprisingly, the fundamental problem is finding the money required to make urban projects and urban neighborhoods work."
FULL STORY: Still Waiting for Redevelopment 2.0
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
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.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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