The city has been awarded $2 million in federal funding to support the conversion of a downtown parking structure into an affordable housing project.

"The City of Santa Monica has been granted $2 million dollars in federal funding for the affordable housing project that has been proposed on the site of Parking Structure Three in downtown Santa Monica," reports Dolores Quintana for the Santa Monica Mirror. "The demolition of Parking Structure Three had just begun as the approval of the funds was announced. The efforts to save the parking structure from demolition by local business owners was dealt a final blow on March 2 when their case appeal was not accepted by the Court of Appeals."
"The other projects that are part of this package include $1.5 million for City of LA’s Crisis and Incident Response through Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE), a pilot program that will deal with “non-emergency calls to 911 involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis and/or homelessness.”, according to a statement from Congressman Lieu’s office, $1 million for the City of Torrance’s Homelessness Response Project, $749,650 for renovation of Arnold Avenue at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center Campus and $600,000 for UCLA’s Mobile Healthcare Program."
According to the article, "Developer EAH, Incorporated was selected by the City Council in January and negotiations have been ongoing since then to develop the plans to build the new structure."
FULL STORY: Santa Monica Granted $2 Million in Federal Funds for Parking Structure Affordable Housing Project

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)