The plan to historically designate downtown Brooklyn's skyscrapers, which has been approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, is facing backlash from the city's Real Estate Board.
"Preservationists have hailed the role of districts in preserving the city's stock of historically significant architecture, which often results in higher property values. But in many cases, districts curb new development and add to bureaucratic red tape, said officials with the Real Estate Board of New York, an industry association.
REBNY conducted an analysis of five commercial buildings within the proposed district and found that property owners will collectively have to pay an additional $4.7 million over about the next five years to comply with landmark regulations.
Costs would rise because property owners would need to pay expediters, who help speed applications for building permits and other regulatory paperwork through the review process, and architects for additional hours worked. Retail tenants also would need to comply with new rules if they need to change their storefronts."
FULL STORY: District Plan Sparks Fight

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

Has Anyone at USDOT Read Donald Shoup?
USDOT employees, who are required to go back to the office, will receive free parking at the agency’s D.C. offices — flying in the face of a growing research body that calls for pricing parking at its real value.

EPA Terminates $116 Million in Grants for Reducing Emissions from Construction Materials
C-MORE grants were earmarked for industry trade groups and universities.

BART Closes $35 Million Deficit
Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.
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