The National Trust for Historic Preservation releases A Best Practices Toolkit for Historic Preservationand Redevelopment.
"Abandoned buildings can break a neighborhoods heart. Demolished buildings can destroy its soul.When disinvestment, poor maintenance and abandonment leave a neighborhood pock marked withvacant or dilapidated buildings, public officials and citizens often seek a quick solution to the communityswoes by razing the deteriorated structures. Demolition may effect a dramatic change in theneighborhoods appearance, but its rarely a change for the better. Years of experience, much of itforged in the crucible of misguided programs such as urban renewal, have clearly demonstrated thefolly of destroying a place in order to save it.The National Trust for Historic Preservation believes there is a better way. Having encouraged andassisted neighborhood revitalization efforts in cities and towns all over America, we are convinced thatthe best way to restore vitality and livability to a community is to build on its strengths, to save andenhance the character and ambience that make each neighborhood unique, to preserve and celebratethe tangible evidence of the communitys history instead of smashing it to rubble and carting it off tothe landfill."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Rebuilding Community [PDF, 504 KB]

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
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