In an effort to reclaim a public plaza at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge that was demolished in the 1960s by Robert Moses, artist Brian Tolle is reconstructing the statues that once adorned the plaza.
"Just in time for the bridge's 100th birthday, artist Brian Tolle is busy rectifying this unhappy situation."
"'It is becoming a new kind of public space,' Tolle said, wearing black overalls and a scarf in his chilly Williamsburg studio. 'When Robert Moses demolished the plaza in the 60s, I think the attitude was that art got in the way of progress.'"
"In 2007, Tolle won a Design Award from New York City and with it the commission to create a permanent installation at the bridge -- a work that should help reclaim the area for human beings."
"Tolle is constructing near-replicas of a pair of sculptures by Daniel Chester French. The allegorical figures representing Manhattan and Brooklyn in female form sat at the bridge's entrance from 1916 until 1963."
FULL STORY: Art, People Triumph Over Traffic in $23 Million Brooklyn Rehab

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)