Public officials in Los Angeles are floating ideas to bring back its historic downtown streetcar.
"Momentum for reviving the iconic streetcar appears to be building, thanks to a new plan aimed at enlivening the historic Broadway theater district. Fourteenth District City Councilman José Huizar, who is heading the Bringing Back Broadway initiative to turn the corridor into a shopping and nightlife destination, said the Red Car is a key component of that effort."
"Experts have put the cost north of $60 million. Still, Huizar hopes to have it designed, funded and operational within a decade."
"'The streetcar revival will be great for Bringing Back Broadway and is important for Downtown,' Huizar said. 'It will provide a historic connection between Broadway and the great new developments in our urban core, and will help the business owners on Broadway because it will literally deliver people to their doorsteps. Other Western cities have benefited greatly from streetcar systems, and the same will be true here.'"
FULL STORY: Resurrecting the Red Car

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)