San Mateo County, hotbed of opposition to high speed rail, including numerous lawsuits, might be better served by following the 1960s Berkeley example in passing a bond to tunnel the train through the impacted cities, suggests local editor.
Jon Mays, editor of the San Mateo Daily Journal that sees the
>daily influx of letters attacking the High Speed Rail project planned to run up the Peninsula from San Jose to San Francisco, suggests an alternative approach to tunnel the train - the aim of many San Mateo cities if they are unable to stop it altogether. His column also provides insight into the history of BART, noting that San Mateo County dropped out in 1962.
"(I)t is becoming increasingly clear that (the High Speed Rail Authority) is aiming to run its train through the Peninsula and those trains will not be in a tunnel.
The history of BART and its construction could be seen as a case study in navigating a challenging political and economic climate...The comparison to the current push for a new high-speed rail system from Los Angeles to San Francisco is not hard to make.
It may be time for Peninsula residents to take a cue from the people of Berkeley in the 1960s and find a way to ensure the system is one that does not destroy the character of the communities through which it will run.
It might be a regional bond... It's a massive political and financial undertaking, but one that is becoming increasingly clear in its necessity."
FULL STORY: With high-speed rail, we must help ourselves
Planning Commission Calls for More Density at Berkeley BART Stations
Berkeley planning commissioners recommend taller buildings, more density as the city evaluates zoning changes near BART stations.
Groundbreaking Affordable Housing and Homeless Shelter Project Underway in Berkeley
A new Berkeley development, the largest affordable housing development in city history, is slated to house 200 low-income and homeless residents by May 2022.
Bay Area Ordered to Shelter in Place
Six Bay Area counties have taken drastic action to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. "Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both."
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
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)