The specialty grocery store chain Trader Joe's is often wooed by communities around California -- but the chain remains secretive about its location selection process.
"For communities in search of a TJ's, that void gives rise to copious amounts of speculation, rumor and even desperation. Take San Jose, for example. In hopes of boosting its struggling downtown, city officials proposed a $2.9 million subsidy to help lure the reluctant market to a shopping center.
Last month, Auburn, Calif., city council members ditched their suits and ties in exchange for Hawaiian shirts and leis in a stunt to grab the attention of Trader Joe's corporate offices. According to the Auburn Journal, the council is considering an ordinance requiring property owners to give TJ's first crack at vacant retail space and offering a public TV channel as incentive.
Downtown Los Angeles hasn't escaped the cultish zeal. For at least the last five years, since the rush of new loft buildings kicked off the current residential boom, one burning question has been on everyone's lips: When are we going to get a Trader Joe's?"
Read the full story: Searching for Trader Joe's
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Seattle passes record-breaking transit services expansion
Proposition 1 will double the city’s transit tax to add 95,000 more bus trips and preserve 180,000 bus trips annually.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority