MTA Chair Joe Lhota has resigned after 16 months on the job, announcing his departure just days after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo won reelection.
"Joe Lhota has resigned as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the latest in a series of departures from the administration of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he prepares for a third term," reports Jimmy Vielkind in a paywalled article for the Wall Street Journal.
David Meyer follows up on the news for Streetsblog NYC and asks the hopeful question on the mind of a lot of subway commuters in mind: "Could real leadership be around the corner?"
Meyer critiques Lhota's tenure, assesses the state of the MTA at the moment of Lhota's departure, and makes one key recommendation for the next person to hold the position: "One thing is certain: another part-time chief executive won’t cut it."
FULL STORY: New York’s MTA Chairman Joe Lhota Resigns [paywall]
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association