Two ramps that have minimal impact on traffic could make way for apartments, commercial spaces, or much-needed parks.

Bill Lindeke argues that "a pair of one-lane viaducts looming in the middle of a lovely neighborhood, blotting out the sun atop massive concrete pillars surrounded by surface parking" have no place in their otherwise "thriving, cosmopolitan part of downtown" Minneapolis. According to Lindeke, the ramps likely "do more harm than good," saving about 15,000 drivers per day "maybe two minutes of travel time, and that’s if you are being very generous with route mapping." Meanwhile, the "marginally useful" ramps are surrounded by "some of the hottest real estate in the country."
"Back in the 1950s, building urban freeways through the downtown core seemed like a good idea with few drawbacks. But now, when downtowns are adding tens of thousands of new residents, it might be time to shift urban planning priorities." With freeway removal projects "becoming a hot trend" around the country, Lindeke argues the North Loop is an ideal candidate. "Based on the property tax receipts of the adjacent block, the land underneath the viaducts is worth at least $5 million of property tax revenue annually" and could be developed into housing, offices, and parks. "This example is as clear-cut a case as you’ll find in Minnesota of addition by subtraction, taking out an unneeded section of freeway, improving the downtown economy, and greening one of the city’s thriving neighborhoods."

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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