Kicking off their new long-form Forefront initiative, Josh Stephens writes for Next American City on the killing of the country’s largest redevelopment program, and its implications for economic and real estate development.
In focusing on case studies of the East Bay cities of Emeryville and Oakland, where the program's chief executioner, Governor Jerry Brown, used redevelopment funds as a key tool in improving the city's physical environment and economy during his successful run as mayor in the last decade, Stephens "explores the efficacy of redevelopment efforts and the financing tool that powered them, Tax Increment Financing."
Stephens also tells the wider story of the "controversial, if much-imitated, method of funding blight clearance and redevelopment" which has been used by California and 48 other states to "create redevelopment plans, fund local infrastructure improvements, assemble parcels, assist developers, broker deals and sell bonds to pay for all of the above."
With a tool described as "the only consistent source of funding for local economic and real estate development" hastily removed from their belts, Stephens asks the philosophical question underpinning the entire redevelopment discussion -- how will cities develop new financing mechanisms to "create an appealing, functional urban landscape," or will they even need to?
"Though redevelopment professionals readily point to cause and effect between redevelopment funds and new projects, critics question whether projects would've moved forward, even without the government assistance. They further question whether projects built in redevelopment project areas would not have simply been built nearby: Are states spending billions to subsidize business relocations?"
FULL STORY: Out of Cash

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

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.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont