The city of Louisville is making the most of the Opportunity Zone program in the early stages of the new federal program.
"Louisville Metro Government has released an interactive map of the 19 census tracts in Louisville dubbed Opportunity Zones, an effort to point deep-pocketed investors to properties ripe for investment," according to an article by Caitlin Bowling.
The Opportunity Zones program was created as a part of the GOP tax reform bill approved in 2017. Since then, states have nominated qualifying census tracts for a new tax break for redevelopment investments. The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated 144 opportunity zones in Kentucky.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer is clearly embracing the program, touting the "significant social impact" of investments encouraged by the program. In other state's, concerns have been raised about whether the Opportunity Zones program will provide investment steroids to gentrifying communities. Planetizen collected articles scrutinizing the potential impacts of the program in April 2018.
Bowling notes that despite Kentucky's designations, the state still lacks a lot of information about how Opportunity Zones will work: "The U.S. Department of the Treasury is expected to release regulations surrounding the Opportunity Zones program before the end of 2018."
FULL STORY: City launches map to help investors identify properties in Opportunity Zones
Opinion: Congress Should Expand the Opportunity Zone Program
The federal economic development program has brought over $100 billion in private investment to revitalize struggling communities.
Lawyers Connect Breonna Taylor's Murder to Choice Neighborhoods Initiative in Louisville
The lawyers for Breonna Taylor accuse police in Louisville of acting on behalf of a redevelopment plan led by the city with funding support from the federal government.
Opportunity Zones a 'Windfall for the Rich'
Opportunity zones are so far only benefitting the moneyed interests of the real estate industry.
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?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
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.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions