With Galveston, Texas as their model, city leaders in the Jersey Shore town of Highlands are considering whether to raise the entire downtown as a bulwark against storm damage and rising seas.
Peter Applebome looks at the long shot solution that officials in Highlands, New Jersey view as the best option to save their town: "...Highlands officials are increasingly focused on one bit of radical surgery from the past and the idea that their best option might be to import perhaps 3.5 million cubic yards of dredged material and elevate the entire downtown, rather than face an eternity of flooded streets and regular disruption."
They're looking to history as the model for a project that could cost upwards of $25 million. After more than 6,000 people perished in the great hurricane of 1900, Galveston, Texas was raised as much as 17 feet.
“'Right now, there’s no endgame,' said Frank Nolan, mayor of this community of 5,000 residents where 1,250 of the 1,500 homes and virtually all the businesses were destroyed or badly damaged by the hurricane. 'We’re still going to flood. We’re still going to have businesses that are not going to make it.'"
“We believe the only way to fix this town long-term is to raise the town.”
FULL STORY: Lifting a Town to Escape the Next Storm

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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