A Michigan Senate committee voted against a bill to create a public-private partnership to oversee land acquisition, construction and management of the planned Detroit River International Crossing, putting the project on hold until at least 2011.
Supporters, chief among them outgoing Governor Jennifer Granholm, hoped the project would be an economic boon for the state by facilitating the exchange of goods between the U.S. and Canada, says Jeff Bennett. Currently, $1.2 billion of goods cross Michigan's border points each day, a significant portion consisting of auto parts and completed vehicles.
Approval of the project was ultimately complicated by the proposed public-private ownership structure and the state's braoder economic situation, Bennett writes:
"The issue became embroiled in politics as supporters and opponents argued over whether a private individual, specifically billionaire businessman Manuel Moroun, should have control of an international crossing. Supporters...said a new bridge would also create jobs and millions of dollars in annual toll revenue for Michigan. Opponents questioned why an economically depressed state would want to build another bridge."
FULL STORY: Detroit-Windsor Bridge Won't Proceed This Year
New International Bridge Rising Over the Detroit River
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is under construction, towering over the Detroit River at a height of 772 feet on the U.S. side of the river.
Why Canadian Cities Avoided Detroit's Fate
Simply put, this scholar says, it comes down to race. With far fewer non-white urban residents, Canadian cities didn't fall prey to the redlining, white flight, and incarceration problems that so heavily impacted cities like Detroit.
Pedestrian and Bike Access Included at Planned U.S.-Canada Border Crossing
A request for proposals for the planned Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Detroit to Windsor, includes a mandate to include pedestrian and bike infrastructure across the span.
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.
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.
Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
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