A new report finds that Houston might not be holding private partners accountable for promised infrastructure improvements.
A city program meant to improve infrastructure and spur economic development lacks oversight and accountability for private partners, according to Houston’s city controller.
The controller's audit concerns agreements in which a private company completes infrastructure improvements and is later reimbursed by the city.
But several companies selected for projects did not fulfill all their commitments before being reimbursed, the audit found. Documentation of the process was also inconsistent, from eligibility requirements and project evaluation to fee payment.
City officials have disputed some conclusions of the report, but also agreed that they could "a better job" documenting and formalizing procedures.
FULL STORY: Controller’s audit raises questions about Houston economic development program
Mounting Evidence of the Houston Housing Authority's Poor Performance
Both the local newspaper and the controller's office have found evidence that the Houston Housing Authority fails to deliver projects that match the amount of funding it receives.
Texas 288 Tollway: Big Public-Private Partnership Plans
A public-private partnership to build a large tollway south of Houston has taken important first steps. Construction will commence later this year.
55% of Houston renters are cost-burdened, analysis shows
Of America’s 10 largest cities, Houston had the second-most renters spending more than 30% of their income on housing in 2024.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
New Jersey’s second-largest city bans standalone data centers
Jersey City will continue to allow co-location facilities, such as those meant for research institutions that store their own data.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses
Both new services will launch in October, and are part of Phoenix's Project Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association