"Getting There" columnist Cathy Woodruff investigates the use of cobblestones in Albany's historic neighborhoods.
In Albany, NY, a number of the intersections in the old part of the city have cobblestones inside the box (inside the crosswalk perimeter). Although the cobblestones look historical, they have actually only been there for a few years - they were installed in the 1990s to bolster the historic look of the downtown.
Construction on one of the city's major thoroughfares, Central Ave, has revealed many more cobblestones underneath the asphalt. An Albany resident wrote to the Times Union to ask, "Why not bring back the cobble stones at the intersections to beautify the area, which definitely needs some beautification, much like has been done on Lark Street in Center Square?
If there are no plans to do that, why not pull out stones and sell them to the residents? I'd bet those stones are worth at least $5 each on the market, and millions of stones could be sold and reused. I would love to put in a stone driveway and have a bit of history on my property."
Thanks to Franny Ritchie
FULL STORY: Conundrum continues with Albany's Cobblestones

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie