The State of Virginia wants to put up 2/3rds of the cost of a new private railyard in Montgomery County. County officials say it doesn't fit the character of the rural area, and have sued to stop it from being built.
The case is currently before the Virginia Supreme Court. Montogomery County hopes the decision will be to invalidate the public-private funding structure created by the state. The case was thrown out in a lower court, so the county pressed on to the higher court.
Reporter Jeff Sturgeon writes, "In spite of being the target of a lawsuit, the railroad bought some of the land for the project and demolished two houses, a barn and silo. But since those preliminary steps, it paused efforts to construct the Elliston yard."
Read the full story: Elliston intermodal rail yard remains source of discord
NYC's New Atlantic Yards Plan Would Bring Taller Towers and Raise Income Limits
The area around Barclays Center could get 10,000 new housing units, with those deemed affordable available to households making as much as $200,000.
Restoring the Vacant Middle: Creating Middle Housing Through Historic Preservation
How flexible zoning in historic districts can support preservation and create affordable housing.
Virginia’s Intercity Rail Investments Paying Off in New Ridership
State-supported rail lines in Virginia set a new ridership record in July.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic Place Names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority