A proposed tax abatement program would promote the conversion of office buildings to housing.
A new Washington, D.C. tax abatement program will promote the conversion of office buildings into residential units. As Venable’s Zachary G. Williams and Alexaida Collet Echevarría explain, “The program provides a 20-year tax abatement—beginning upon issuance of the certificate of occupancy—as an incentive for property owners to convert all or a portion of their property to residential uses.”
The proposed rules require that a project create at least 10 housing units, 10 percent of which must be affordable. “In addition to the above, property owners must agree to contract with a Certified Business Enterprise for at least 35 percent of the contract dollar volume of construction and operations and execute a First Source Agreement (which prioritizes employment of District residents) for operation of the development project.”
The program is designed to grow the District’s housing stock and utilize office buildings that have lower demand after the pandemic.
California Law Would Streamline Adaptive Reuse Process
A bill passed by the state senate would ease the permitting process for office conversions in central city neighborhoods.
Downtown Pittsburgh Set to Gain 1,300 New Housing Units
Pittsburgh’s office buildings, many of which date back to the early 20th century, are prime candidates for conversion to housing.
Minnesota Seeks State Support for Office Conversions
The 30% “CUB credit” would support the conversion of buildings 15 years or older into any use that “will return that vacant area to an income-producing, habitable condition.”
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?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
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Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions