A pilot project in Tampa is closing select streets to cars to allow more space for dine-in restaurant service.

"In an effort to help further stimulate businesses throughout Tampa, the city proposed closing down select streets to cars entirely," reports Andrew Harlan.
"[R]estaurants and retailers in Tampa can begin catering to customers on premises with 25% occupancy inside, and tables spaced 6 feet apart outside."
The new Business Recovery Zones pilot program launched on Monday May 4, and will run for 14 days during a pilot program. Several streets in the historic district of Ybor City are designated the Business Recovery Zones, as are streets in the neighborhoods of Downtown Tampa, Hyde Park, Hyde Park Village, Tampa Heights, West River, and SoHo, according to a separate article published by Tampa Bay Metro.
Jason Fernandez, owner of Tequilas Taqueria & Tequila Bar in Ybor City, posted a picture on Facebook of his restaurant all decked out in preparation for the Cinco de mayo celebration yesterday.
By closing streets to cars to allow more room for local businesses to operate with enough space for social distancing, Tampa follows in the footsteps of Vilnius, Lithuania and Brookhaven, Georgia. New York City could also follow suit.
FULL STORY: City of Tampa to shut down select streets to cars to help small businesses

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.

Detroit Says Problems With Property Tax Assessments are Fixed. Advocates Disagree.
With higher-valued properties under assessed and lower-valued properties over assessed, advocates say there's still a problem with Detroit's property tax system.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
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