Detroit has become the nation's largest testing ground for urban casinos. Now Oakland, CA is considering its own inner-city gambling.
"In the Bay Area, the cities of Oakland and San Pablo are looking to follow Detroit's lead, angling to bring the big-money glitz of Vegas casinos to the region's urban areas. They see an unbeatable jackpot in the millions of tax dollars that would pour into city coffers, with the added bonus of creating jobs and drawing tourists.... In Oakland, Mayor Jerry Brown and City Manager Robert Bobb have visions of a casino on the former Oakland Army Base, at the foot of the Bay Bridge. Casino revenues would fuel development of a luxury hotel -- which Brown foresees as an architectural wonder designed by famed architect Frank Gehry -- and an American Indian history museum. "
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: THE URBAN GAMBLE: High-stakes dreams

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

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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