In this edition of The Atlantic Cities' weekly look at bans of note from across the country, John Metcalfe examines Jackson, Michigan's new anti-graffiti ordinance, and the lone street artist it is thought to target.
A prolific street artist has been busy at work in Jackson, Michigan, located 45 minutes west of Ann Arbor. And his handy work, featuring a whimsical one-eyed monster, has local officials all aflutter.
According to Metcalfe, "Jackson has acted as an incubator to some sweet aerosol-based art for some time – see this paint-crazed old factory, now demolished – but the monster struck such a nerve that officials formed a task force to head off the perceived acts of vandalism. In March, Jackson's police chief announced that his men were 'getting close' to arresting the suspect, but so far their can-carrying quarry appears to have eluded the dragnet."
Read the full story: This Week in Bans: Michigan Town Terrorized by 'Monster' Graffiti
Winter Storm Knocks Out Drinking Water Systems in the South, Including in Jackson
Jackson, Mississippi made headlines and incurred a civil rights investigation earlier this year when flooding knocked out the city’s drinking water supply. This week’s winter storm had the same effect on Jackson as well as other Southern cities.
Mississippi Investigated for Civil Rights Violations in Jackson Water Crisis
The NAACP has accused a pair of Mississippi departments of discrimination against Black Mississippians, leading to the loss of drinking water in the state's capital city at the end of the summer.
Costs to Fix Jackson's Water System Estimated at $1 Billion
Planning and funding are both in dire need in Jackson, Mississippi. The question is who should be in charge of all the planning and funding.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
U.S.-Iran war may have ‘devastating’ impact on cost to warm homes
Vermont and Maine residents may see a 76% increase in the cost of warming their homes this winter.
Senate bill would ‘overhaul’ environmental permitting laws
Under the proposed act, government agencies would also not be able to suspend or rescind permits after granting them.
Exemption applications for NYC’s pied-à-terre tax see 55% success rate
The city sent nearly 40% of its initial pied-à-terre tax warnings erroneously.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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