Michael Cooper examines the factors leading to the death of a once-promising plan to connect Tampa and Orlando by bullet train.
It was not so long ago that Florida's high-speed rail project stood to be a "showpiece" for the rest of the country, writes Cooper. The federal government had agreed to fund $2.4 of $2.6 billion in construction costs, and railroad companies were competing to operate the new line. However, Cooper says, the project was doomed by both planning shortfalls and politics, with newly elected Governor Scott Walker ultimately killing it last month.
Cooper chronicles the political rise and fall of Florida's high-speed rail, from early championing by Governor Charlie Christ, a Republican with national ambitions, to more recent debates that echo a national trend of Republican governors opposing rail projects. Furthermore, he argues, the chief problem plaguing the project from the start was Tampa and Orlando's relative proximity. The two cities are only 84 miles apart.
Cooper writes:
"The Tampa-to-Orlando route had obvious drawbacks: It would have linked two cities that are virtually unnavigable without cars, and that are so close that the new train would have been little faster than driving. But the Obama administration chose it anyway because it was seen as the line that could be built first...In the end, though, the state's new governor decided not to build it at all, worried that those very drawbacks would ultimately make it a boondoggle."
FULL STORY: How Flaws Undid Obama’s Hope for High-Speed Rail in Florida

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.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie