Chicago’s alderman have control of millions of dollars of street resurfacing "menu money" for local projects. Inspector General Joe Ferguson argues that money would be better spent in a coordinated effort.
Chicago’s Aldermen, who make up the city council, each have control over their own fund for infrastructure. Some see this as a bad use of resources. "Inspector General Joe Ferguson argued that a 'holistic approach to core infrastructure' would help the city 'realize significant savings for its taxpayers and the infrastructure they depend on,'" Fran Spielman reports for the Sun-Times.
The city has 50 wards, and by breaking the funding into 50 pieces the city erodes its power and is sometimes operates at cross purposes, Ferguson argues. Beyond the lack of coordination, there's also an issue of who gets what funds. "In an audit that sent shock waves through the City Council, Ferguson said the program was under-funded by $122.9 million a year and '…bears no relationship to the actual infrastructure needs' of each ward and includes significant 'funding disparities,'" Spielman reports.
Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel criticized the proposal of abolishing menu money as unrealistic, describing it as something some one might dream up while they "walk around with a glass of white wine."
Elon Musk Company Closes in on Chicago's Airport Express
The announcement of the finalists to build the O'Hare Express has critics even more concerned about the project's viability.
Rahm Emanuel's Chicago Infrastructure Trust Expensive and Redundant?
The Infrastructure Trust was conceived of by Emanuel's administration to help gain private funds to restore the Uptown Theater. It hasn't done that, and some are questioning if it can serve any other useful purpose.
Money for Blighted Neighborhoods Pushed to Chicago Tourist Attraction
The administration of Rahm Emanuel okayed a financial scheme to move money for poor neighborhoods into a fund for Navy Pier, a downtown mall and theater.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Surf’s Upcycling: Hawai‘i’s Latest Green Building Material is Recycled Surf Boards
“Surf Blocks” are fire-resistant, termite-proof, and close the loop on mountains of waste from the state’s beloved sport.
Building Age-Friendly Homes
Designing for the unique needs of elderly people can help them maintain social connections and mental acuity.
Nightlife and the 15-Minute City
Plans for compact, walkable cities often don’t address nighttime concerns like transportation and lighting, which can make neighborhoods more vibrant and safe around the clock.
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.
Florida Atlantic University
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service