The town of Quintana, Texas, located along the coast to the South of Houston, provides a "unique chapter in the story of the American energy renaissance," according to Ryan Holeywell. An expanding energy company’s facility might wipe it off the map.
“While there's been a litany of narratives about boom towns from North Dakota to South Texas, Quintana may be the only community that could shrink - or even vanish, some holdout homeowners fear - in response to the country's surge in energy production,” writes Ryan Holeywell.
The reason for the threat to Quintana is a plan proposed by Freeport LNG, which is hoping to invest $14 billion in its Quintana facility to expand export capacity amid the shale-driven natural gas boom.
Freeport LNG has made two propositions to residents of Quintana to smooth the way for the expansion. The first is two buy houses in the nearby town for market rate, plus $25,000. “The company doesn't know exactly what it's going to do with the houses,” writes Holeywell. “Ones in poor shape probably will be demolished… while others could house construction workers and eventually employees.”
Mark Mallett, Freeport LNG's senior vice president for operations and projects, told Holeywell that the company’s buy-out proposition is meant to address the concerns of residents living near the facility, not to “take over the island.” Freeport LNG has “also offered to pay for $1 million in infrastructure improvements for the town, once the project receives all the permits it needs.”
FULL STORY: Boom for Brazoria economy may spell doom for town

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.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie