A proposed land exchange would give the company over 700 acres of coastal land.
A potential land deal between the federal government and SpaceX could give Elon Musk’s company 775 acres of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in south Texas in exchange for land elsewhere in the county, reports Ayden Runnels for The Texas Tribune.
According to Runnels, “The exchange would allow SpaceX to add to its rocket launch operation site, which critics have long warned may cause ecological damage and threats to nearby wildlife habitats.”
In May, SpaceX got approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to increase the number of rocket launches from its Texas base. In June, the state allowed it to close a beach for its launches. “It is unclear whether the deal would require SpaceX to take any steps to preserve wildlife in the land, according to the [New York] Times.”
Read the full story: Trump administration weighing new South Texas land exchange with Elon Musk’s SpaceX
15 million people rely on the Rio Grande — in 2 years, it may run dry
The river fuels billions of dollars in agricultural production. Reducing agricultural water use may be the only way to save it.
Home values, property tax rises in Texas county after the arrival of SpaceX
The median property tax bill in Cameron County increased by more than 57% over six years.
SpaceX to build its largest-ever, $100 billion spaceport in Louisiana
The Louisiana Economic Development agency expects the project to create 3,000 direct jobs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Brightline West’s future may rely on $6 billion federal loan
The company has until Nov. 2 to make a $400 million equity investment into its proposed high-speed rail line.
LA Metro’s ultimatum: no extra buses for LA28 if federal funding isn’t imminently secured
If Metro does not provide additional buses, LA28 organizers will have to find a new way to manage Olympic traffic. LA28’s budget does not include a line item for transit.
Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing
The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association