The expansive Beltline transit and parkspace development planned for Atlanta is being hindered by one man's lawsuits over the legality of the funding used to build it.
"The project, which promises to transform a largely forgotten freight rail corridor into a showpiece loop of transit, trails, parks and new development, has captured the city's imagination and stands to become a legacy of Mayor Shirley Franklin's administration."
"But a significant obstacle remains in the Beltline's way. His name is John Woodham."
"Woodham, a little-known 41-year-old Buckhead real estate lawyer, has filed a series of legal challenges and appeals that have tied up the Beltline in court for the past year and a half."
"In a June 2006 lawsuit, Woodham argues the Beltline violates a provision of the state constitution he says mandates that school property taxes be spent only on education-related projects. More than $850 million in school property taxes are projected to be spent on the Beltline during the next 25 years."
"Lawyers for the city say the Beltline funding mechanism is legal, citing a different part of the state constitution that allows for the creation of tax allocation districts like the one funding the Beltline."
FULL STORY: Funding lawsuit ties up Beltline
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop
When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.
How Orphan Oil Wells Threaten West Texas Communities
Abandoned and orphaned oil wells in West Texas are causing costly environmental hazards like sinkholes and leaks, prompting urgent calls for increased funding and regulation to address a growing statewide and national crisis.
Protecting Birds From Window Glass
Glass windows kill billions of birds each year. Simple fixes can help.
Research Shows More Roads = More Driving
A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.
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.
Florida Atlantic University
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland