Developers complain that lenders are reluctant to invest in downtown urban residential development in Los Angeles, CA. Lenders are concerned about the risk of investing in such projects.
"Major banks and other lenders are nervous to the point of being reluctant to invest in Downtown urban residential projects. At least, that's the view of developers who complain that lenders are dragging their feet to finance projects. The result is that many business and real estate leaders fear for the long-term viability of the Downtown building boom at a time when the city core can least afford it... On the one hand, experts are saying that Downtown is the one place in overbuilt L.A. where growth is not just inevitable but also relatively unaffected by the current economic downturn... bankers have to think twice, thrice, and more before approving residential projects Downtown because the notion of urban living is still so new..."
Thanks to Claudia Lima
FULL STORY: The Slow No

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.

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.

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