The city of Chicago has leased four parking garages to generate more than $122 million for improvements to the city's parks.
"Money from leasing four publicly owned downtown parking garages will provide financing for about 100 neighborhood park-improvement projects, from new fieldhouses at five parks to new playgrounds at 50 others, Mayor Richard Daley announced Thursday."
"The $122 million for the projects also will help pay for what were described as major renovations for existing park facilities."
"The garage funds represent the bulk of Park District money available for construction projects during the next two years, according to the district's five-year capital improvement plan. The district typically is able to budget only about $35 million annually for such expenses, but will spend about $60 million in both 2007 and 2008."
"But as with other public agencies, what is needed still far exceeds the resources available, said parks General Supt. Timothy Mitchell."
FULL STORY: Garage leases to fuel park upgrades

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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