Planners in Philadelphia believe that the Franklin Square Station will achieve higher ridership figures than when the station closed 40 years ago, thanks to numerous large developments in the area.

"People visiting Independence Hall, Chinatown or Old City are one step closer to a transit option that’s been out commission for 40 years," reports Catalina Jaramillo.
"PATCO has won a $12.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to repair, remodel and reopen its abandoned Franklin Square Station located at Race Street between 6th and 7th streets. The station closed in 1979," adds Jamarillo. The grant was among the $900 million in BUILD grant funding announced earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
"The project has been in the works for over 10 years, with the design phase starting two years ago. Its has a total budget of $30 million which includes civil, structural, mechanical and electrical improvements to bring it up to code. A new entrance building will be located at the corner of 7th and Race Street, with elevators to bring the station into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. PATCO executives said the rest of the budget will be funded by the Delaware River Port Authority."
FULL STORY: PATCO gets $12.6M federal grant to reopen abandoned Franklin Square Station

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?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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