The most recent citywide election in Chicago was considered a referendum on the old way of operating the city. The $6 billion Lincoln Yards project, on the brink of approval, could be included in that referendum.
Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot called her election a "mandate for change." There's no denying the margin of the victory: almost 74 percent of all voters supported Lightfoot, winning all wards, and comes into office with 14 new aldermen.
"The old guard has been grievously wounded," according to a column by Eric Zorn that makes the argument that the city's lame duck leadership should avoid action on Lincoln Yards, the controversial $6 billion mega-development planned for 55 acres of former industrial property between Bucktown and Lincoln Park.
The City Council already approved zoning changes for the project in March. The critical question of the tax increment financing district, approved by the Community Development Commission in February, was scheduled for a City Council vote during the lame duck session.
Mayor-elect Lightfoot has not supported the project as proposed, citing its lack of affordable housing and calling to delay the project's approval.
FULL STORY: Lori Lightfoot's landslide victory is a case for delaying the Lincoln Yards TIF vote
Multi-Modal Bridge Coming Soon to Lincoln Yards Mega-Project in Chicago
Residents of Chicago will soon see some of the fruits of the controversial tax increment financing for the Lincoln Yards project in Chicago's North Side.
Lincoln Yards Mega-Development Clears Final Legislative Hurdle
A Chicago City Council vote to approve tax increment financing for the massive Lincoln Yards redevelopment proposal scored a surprising reversal and a big win for outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel, with an assist from Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot.
Chicago's Largest-Ever Tax Increment Financing District Approved for Lincoln Yards Development
The new TIF is expected to generate $900 million. Opponents wanted to wait until a new mayor is elected to decide on the TIF.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.
Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.
In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont