One of the most politically treacherous proposals of Detroit's bankruptcy plan has finally gained approval—a regional water authority.
"Detroit cleared another potential roadblock in bankruptcy court Tuesday, with a deal between the city and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to create a regional water authority," reports Steve Pardo, Robert Snell, and Darren A. Nichols.
"Lawyers for Wayne and Oakland counties told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes they will drop their opposition to the city’s bankruptcy exit plan now that a plan has been hammered out for a Great Lakes Water Authority. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel also backed the water deal."
Here's what the reports have discovered about the terms of the deal so far: "The city will lease infrastructure to suburban communities in exchange for a 40-year, $50 million annual fee and an annual $4.5 million payment assistance fund. It’s not clear exactly how much each county will contribute, but officials said the money already exists within the system and rate increases will be capped at 4 percent over the next 10 years."
The plan still requires approval by the Detroit City Council or Emergency Mayor Kevin Orr must still approve the proposal by October 10.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
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
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.