With a $17 billion federal investment, every city's public transit could look like Chicago's.

With public transportation taking a beating during the pandemic, transit advocates hope that the incoming Biden administration will approve federal funding to support floundering systems and improve service across the country. New research from the Urban Institute shows that an annual investment of $17 billion into public transit systems in urban areas with over 100,000 would make most cities' transit systems comparable to that of Chicago—a standard cited by President-elect Biden in his transition plan.
In addition to providing a vital lifeline for the millions of Americans who don't own cars, transit funding has a high return on investment, writes Skip Descant. According to the report, spending 35% more on transit expenditures would yield around 131% increase in service and prop up the ailing bus systems that many essential workers depend on daily and that have experienced steep cuts during 2020. Experts fear that pandemic-induced service cuts will become permanent, causing long-term damage to the economies of entire regions.
Although public transit is often seen as a local issue, the Urban Institute's Yonah Freemark argues that Congress should treat it as a nationwide concern. While federal funds often go to major projects such as new rail lines and bridges, funneling some of this money to operational costs would help maintain and improve existing systems and temper the effects of this year's plummeting revenues.
FULL STORY: Report Stresses Transit Funding Needs Under Biden WH

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

Skyline-Defining High-Rise Potentially Coming to Boise
A rendering making the rounds in Boise depicts a 40-story apartment building that would be taller than all other buildings in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

The ‘Goldilocks Zone’ for Office Conversion
A formula for the ideal office-to-housing candidate.

Parking Reform Gains Momentum
More cities and states around the country are recognizing the value of eliminating parking requirements.

Pittsburgh Developers Push Back on Zoning Review Fees
An increase in fees for commercial construction projects is raising concerns from local developers who say the industry already faces rising costs to build in the city.

MTA Proposes Pollution Mitigation Spending for the Bronx
Acknowledging the impact the city’s proposed congestion pricing program could have on underserved neighborhoods, the agency plans to spend over $130 million in revenue from the program on air filtration, trees, and other pollution reduction measures.
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City of Kingsville
Princeton Planning
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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