What should have been a hugely successful retail development in Hollywood is instead a huge flop.
"Hollywood and Highland is the present-day 'Heaven's Gate' of commercial real estate. Anticipated to become the keystone of Hollywood redevelopment, this $615 million extravaganza has been the victim of climbing budgets, poor taste, and a possible miscalculation of its core audience. After taking two enormous charges, worth a total $400 million, Chicago-based owner-developer Trizec Properties finally sold the problematic project last month to CIM Group of Los Angeles, for a modest $201 million. Now CIM has some ideas, albeit preliminary, on how to turn the Blue Elephant of Hollywood Boulevard, crouching on its hind legs atop a 73-foot Babylonian column, into something hipper and more oriented towards locals than tourists."
Thanks to Peter Slatin
FULL STORY: When Blue Elephants Turn White

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

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

Berkeley Approves ‘Middle Housing’ Ordinance
The city that invented single-family zoning is finally reckoning with its history of exclusion.

SEPTA Budget Slashes Service by 45 Percent
The Philadelphia-area transit agency is legally tasked with maintaining a balanced budget. Officials hope the state will come to the rescue with additional funding.

Connecticut Governor Vetoes Housing Bill
Gov. Lamont reversed his view on a controversial affordable housing bill that would have required municipalities to zone for set amounts of affordable housing to receive state funding.
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