The mayor of Aurora has lofty ambitions for a new “Main Street” along its forthcoming 10-mile light rail route, but will the market deliver, especially with the rise of real estate prices?
A new 10.5-mile RTD light rail line is already getting built through Aurora, a suburb of Denver, but will mixed-use development come? The new stretch connects major destinations, including the Aurora City Center, the Anschutz/Fitzsimons Medical Campus and Denver International Airport, so the ingredients are there for solid ridership numbers.
But the city’s goals for the project go beyond good ridership, according to an article by Ryan Parker. “Plans at some stops call for vertical development, whether higher-end condos in seven- or eight-story buildings or similar office buildings. A mix of retail and commercial within a quarter- or half-mile of the station will mean people can live, work and play all in a walkable area.”
"It's an opportunity for Aurora to stop accepting average and start shooting for the stars," says Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan in the article.
Less optimistic city leaders, however, point to the unrealistic expectations for the cost of real estate near the station could sink the city's lofty TOD ambitions. Old concerns about how much the city's zoning code prohibits the type of high-rise, mixed-use development are still present, as well.
FULL STORY: Aurora has high hopes for light-rail development
A Transit and Land Use Planning Shift in Federal Way, Washington
Federal funding for Sound Transit's Federal Way Link extension and a new transit-oriented land use plan are changing the future of Federal Way.
Denver's New R Line Light Rail Open to the Public Today
New to Denver today: 22 miles of light rail, two new system connections, and service to 16 stations. The Regional Transportation District's (RTD) new R Line will also be offering free rides on its first day of service.
A Planning Controversy of the Transit Oriented Variety in Suburban Denver
A controversy has erupted over a proposed vision for transit oriented mixed in a Denver suburb.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
Platform Pilsner: Vancouver Transit Agency Releases... a Beer?
TransLink will receive a portion of every sale of the four-pack.
Toronto Weighs Cheaper Transit, Parking Hikes for Major Events
Special event rates would take effect during large festivals, sports games and concerts to ‘discourage driving, manage congestion and free up space for transit.”
Berlin to Consider Car-Free Zone Larger Than Manhattan
The area bound by the 22-mile Ringbahn would still allow 12 uses of a private automobile per year per person, and several other exemptions.
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
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)