A half-cent sales tax to fund an expansion of MARTA has been paired back to $2.5 billion and the city limits of Atlanta instead of $8 billion for the region, but Atlanta voters will have a chance to decide on the new tax despite its near demise.
Andria Simmons reports on the reborn efforts to fund transit in Atlanta, a few weeks after the Georgia State Legislature killed an $8 billion transit sales tax proposal.
Simmons provides a dispatch from a recent public appearance by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, where the mayor "shared his thoughts…"on what an additional $2.5 billion of transit funding could mean for the city." This proposal has the necessary backing from the State Legislature, as of Simmons's writing. The final decision will come from the city's voters, who will consider a half-cent sales tax, to be added to the existing 1 percent sales tax that funds MARTA.
The article includes an interview between Mayor Reed and Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff writer J. Scott Trubey. One point that emerges immediately: the sales tax initiative only decides the funding mechanism for the MARTA expansion, while only creating what Mayor Reed describes as "a very nice runway to structure the project list and to have a very robust public discussion about what that should look like."
Angie Schmitt offers additional commentary on the back-from-the-dead trick pulled by the transit sales tax.
FULL STORY: Mayor Kasim Reed expands on Atlanta’s new transit plans
Update: Atlanta's $8 Billion Transit Plan Moving Forward
A once-in-a-generation moment for transit is taking shape in Atlanta.
Atlanta Transit Plans Stall Due to Budget Concerns
With MARTA facing a potential billion dollar shortfall, the agency says it can’t fulfill its system expansion plan.
Light Rail Plans Could Become Bus Rapid Transit Plans in Atlanta
Light rail on the Clifton Corridor was once a centerpiece of a $2.7 billion, 40-year transit expansion plans funded by a voter-approved sales tax. Now MARTA is considering using bus rapid transit on the corridor instead.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.
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
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service