Mary E. Morrison reports on a precipitous drop in the percentage of renters leasing parking spaces in new downtown Chicago residential buildings, causing developers to rethink the way they build and market their buildings.
The general drop in parking space demand has been observed by developers for the past decade, but has increased markedly over the past three years. According to Morrison, "It's unclear if the drop in demand for parking spots, which can cost $200 to $300 a month at downtown apartment buildings, reflects a lasting change in lifestyle or a temporary response to the economic downturn-or both."
One developer notes a demand for spaces by only 40% of renters, seemingly well below the range of 0.55 to one space per unit required by the city's zoning code.
While not all buildings have seen a decline, and condos seem immune, developers are adding amenities for car-free tenants nonetheless. Such amenities include Zipcar rentals, bike-sharing services, larger and more accessible bike rooms, and higher ratios of bike stalls.
FULL STORY: Parking demand declines at new buildings

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.

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.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie