A local opinion writer proposes a land value tax in Detroit to combat downtown parking lot proliferation by the Ilitch family and other local developers.
Detroit News opinion contributor David Guenther, the founder of the Detroit: City Resurgent blog, writes of support for a land value property tax system to spur development in downtown Detroit. According to Guenther, developers have failed to deliver housing in a city struggling with gentrification, instead opting for parking lots. There has been widespread national attention paid to the Illitch family and their unwilingness and/or inability to follow-through on developing "The District Detroit," a large mixed-use plan that was advertised prior to receiving large public subsidy to construct a new Detroit Red Wings arena.
Mayor Mike Duggan has seemingly thrown his hands up on the matter, pleading that his absence in drawing up the contractual subsidy agreement obviates any personal responsibility and going as far as to say, “making them live up to their promise to build more housing downtown is not a priority.”
As a solution, Guenther proposes a land value tax, which would base taxes on what is allowable by the zoning code rather than what is actually built. In effect, this change would increase the property tax bill for parking lot owners, making underdeveloped lots untenable.
FULL STORY: Opinion: How to tackle Detroit's empty parking lots
$616 Million in Development Incentives Approved for District Detroit
The “Transformational Brownfield” incentives approved by the Detroit City Council for the $1.5 billion District Detroit still require approval by the state.
Big Redevelopment Plan for Detroit Neighborhood, But Little Progress
The Detroit project was slated to become a massive sports and entertainment district. After five years, little has changed.
Detroit Transit Agency Requests $20M Budget Increase
The Detroit Department of Transportation wants to boost ridership by hiring more drivers, buying new buses, and enhancing station infrastructure.
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.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions