The Portland City Council has approved Oregon Metro's Southwest Corridor plan.
"Portland's elected leaders unanimously threw their support Thursday behind a proposed 12-mile light-rail extension from downtown to Bridgeport Village," reports Andrew Theen.
"The estimated $2.6 billion to $2.9 billion project would give passengers a 30-minute ride between downtown and the suburban shopping center by 2027," adds Theen.
The Southwest Corridor plan includes 13 stations, seven park and ride facilities, "miles of sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and a dramatic overhaul for how motorists get to and from the Ross Island Bridge." Development along the route could be aided by a $652.8 million housing bond under consideration by voters on Tuesday, as well.
The city must decide how much of the total cost it will pay on its own, but the extension is expected to be a centerpiece of a 2020 regional transportation bond.
Read the full story: $2 billion Barbur MAX line plan gets unanimous Portland council OK
Portland Transit Vote Kills SW Transit Corridor Light Rail Project
In a pair of articles, Jonathan Maus reports on the final moments of the SW Corridor Light Rail Project, as project supporters deals with a loss at the ballot box.
State and Local Votes Reveal Widespread Support for Public Transit
There's a narrative to be built from the results of state and local elections on issues of public transit funding: voters continue to support more funding for public transit projects and programs.
Details on the Portland Region's Proposed $2.7 Billion Light Rail Line
The Southwest Corridor light rail project has a preferred alternative route, but there's still a lot of work to do before the ambitious project can begin construction, much less begin shuttling riders between Portland and Bridgeport Village.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority