Whatever Atlanta area voters decide when they head to the polls tomorrow to vote on a proposed 10-year, 1 percent sales tax to fund transit and road projects, the outcome will be a historic moment in the area's history. Ariel Hart puts it in context.
In case you haven't been paying attention, voters in 10 counties in the metropolitan Atlanta region will vote tomorrow on a transportation sales tax referendum - referred to as T-SPLOST - that would raise $6.14 billion over a decade for regional transportation projects and another $1 billion for smaller, local projects.
With advocates calling the referendum "an Olympic moment" for the region and opponents calling it "a potential mistake of historic proportions," Hart calls the vote "Atlanta's next historic move" and argues that "[n]ot many decisions in Atlanta's past carry more weight."
With recent polls suggesting the referendum will fail, Hart takes a look at some other notably divisive initiatives that have changed the trajectory of the city.
FULL STORY: T-SPLOST vote: Another historic move for Atlanta
Can Atlanta Solve Its Transit Problems by Taxing Parking?
In the aftermath of the disappointing defeat of a one-cent regional sales tax transportation measure, the city council is considering two measures to raise transportation revenue, one being a parking tax based on a Georgia Tech masters thesis.
Light Rail Plans Could Become Bus Rapid Transit Plans in Atlanta
Light rail on the Clifton Corridor was once a centerpiece of a $2.7 billion, 40-year transit expansion plans funded by a voter-approved sales tax. Now MARTA is considering using bus rapid transit on the corridor instead.
Atlanta to Use Transportation Sales Tax Money on Park Expansion
Transportation tax funding has suddenly been diverted to a park project in Atlanta, and a few voices want to know why. The project still gained approval, however.
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.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.
Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?
Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
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