The 80s-era convention center on the far west side of Manhattan would be turned into a mixed-use development and a Malaysian gambling company would instead redevelop the Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens.
"New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the Aqueduct plan 'a great idea.'"
"Steve Malanga, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a nonprofit research group that favors lower taxes and reduced government spending, questioned the wisdom of a building a convention center at Aqueduct.
'There's no incremental business to be gained, even by the top players in the business,' he said in an e-mail, noting occupancy at McCormick Place is stuck at around 55 percent. 'Additionally, the lure of New York is of course the attractions of Manhattan, but I question whether putting a big facility in Queens would be effective in luring major conventions.'"
Thanks to Michael Snidal
FULL STORY: Cuomo Calls for Biggest Convention Center in U.S. at New York’s Aqueduct

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
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie