One unclear illustration almost reaped a $1 million reward for the Illitch family, owners of the Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Tigers, and the Detroit Red Wings.
"The Detroit City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday to update the city's parking lot regulations following a Free Press investigation of lots owned by the Ilitch family near Little Caesars Arena," reports Joe Guillen.
"The ordinance amends the zoning code to remove any ambiguity that would allow the city's buildings department to issue permits for parking lots without interior landscaping," according to Guillen.
Guillen reported in January that favorable approvals made by the Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department since 2016 had the potential to produce a $1 million windfall for the Illitch organization. The organization was allowed "to build or renovate 18 parking lots throughout the Cass Corridor without including any landscaping inside the lots, which is required under the city’s zoning code." The Illitch family owns the Little Caesars Arena as well as the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers.
The change to the zoning code updates an illustration that shows how landscaping should look in a parking lot.
FULL STORY: No more skirting rules for parking-lot greenery after Free Press exposé
A Grand Opening for Detroit's New Downtown Sports and Entertainment Arena
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Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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