After a four-year closure, a downtown Anchorage transit center will once again provide indoor waiting areas and services for bus travelers.

Amidst a rash of bus depot closures around the country, one bus depot in Anchorage, Alaska will reopen after a deal to redevelop the site into a hotel fell through, reports Alex DeMarban for Anchorage Daily News.
“The Anchorage Community Development Authority ended the deal with 6th Avenue Center LLC on Nov. 1, halting plans that called for construction of a 12-story hotel on Sixth Avenue between G and H streets, people involved in the project said.” The depot has been closed for the last four years, forcing passengers to wait outdoors.
DeMarban explains that the deal was canceled after the developer failed to meet deadlines to move the project forward. The reopened transit center features new seating and restrooms, as well as customer service, ticketing, and lost baggage services.
FULL STORY: Anchorage’s downtown bus depot to reopen after decision to terminate hotel 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.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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)