Status Check: U.S. Mega Projects

Despite the economic uncertainty and reports of a massive upheaval in patterns of living and working in the United States, developers are continuing to spend billions of dollars on massive development projects all over the country.

1 minute read

November 3, 2020, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Mega-Developments

A conceptual rendering of the $8 billion Related Santa Clara development, located adjacent to Levi's Stadium and the San Francisco Bay. | Related Santa Clara / Related Companies

Kim Slowey details the status of mega-project development around the United States, as the country deals with the economic fallout of an ongoing public health crisis after a decade of steady growth in the mega-project market. According to an FMI Corp study published in the fall of 2019. The annual value of mega-project startups increased from 3 percent to 33 percent over the past decade.

"As the COVID-19 outbreak hit, many massive, mixed-use projects were in various stages of development. For those that were already underway, the pandemic hasn't seemed to significantly change developers' decision-making," explains Slowey before checking on the status of the country's largest mega-projects, including an $8 billion development by Related Cos. in Santa Clara, the $6 billion Lincoln Yards project by Sterling Bay Companies in Chicago, the $5.5 billion Port Covington development by Weller Development in Baltimore, and more. Other mega-projects listed in the article are found all over the country—from Rochester, Minnesota to Atlanta to Islip, New York to Frisco, Texas.

"It remains to be seen, however, what the ultimate effect will be as remote working has gained popularity, and potential tenants and residents have eschewed urban living for the suburbs in order to gain some physical distance from each other," writes Slowey.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020 in Smart Cities Dive

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

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).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

5 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

7 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post