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.
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.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.
Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.
Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions