Several alternative routes are still under consideration for a planned light rail route included in Houston's METRONext long-range transit plan, in progress ahead of a vote by residents in November.

Planning for the Hobby Line light rail route in Houston hasn't gone smoothly, and that's before the city's residents vote to weigh in on the larger long-range transit plan of which the route is a component.
Officials with the city of Houston are hammering out details of a proposed light rail route from Houston's East End to Hobby Airport, and finding controversy and disagreement along the way.
"In a sometimes-testy back and forth, District I Councilman Robert Gallegos and Metropolitan Transit Authority Chairwoman Carrin Patman sparred over various scenarios to route rail from the Green Line’s terminus along Harrisburg near 75th to Hobby," according to an article by Dug Begley following a public hearing on Tuesday of this week.
"The route is the most intricately-debated part of a long-range transit plan Metro is scheduled to approve next month. After that, the plan heads to the November ballot, giving Harris County voters their say on whether to allow additional borrowing for most of a $7.5 billion list of projects over the next 20 years," according to Begley.
To be clear, Councilmember Robert Gallegos is against the project, saying the route would destroy neighborhoods by requiring demolition of homes and business. Begley provides additional details of the various routing proposals for the line.
FULL STORY: Rail route to Hobby still up for debate, Washington Avenue line to wait

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.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie