Rising interest rates threaten viability of project; arbitration could decide controlling interest.
The Wall Street Journal reports that real estate heavyweight Robert F. Maguire III entered into arbitration with partner Playa Capital over plans to sell a commercial parcel at Playa Vista. At issue are the rights to develop Playa Vista, which includes six million square feet of office and retail space, 750 hotel rooms, 13,000 housing units -- all valued at $8 billion. McGuire would need as much as $500 million to buy out his Playa Vista partners on the 1,087-acre commercial and residential project. Construction has already begun on a 400+ unit apartment building and visitor center, although last year DreamWorks SKG dropped plans to build a studio on the site.
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Playa Vista Project Faces Arbitration

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
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