Neal Peirce writes that there is a strong new national commitment to recovering brownfields.
The biggest breakthrough isn't the increased federal money (now up to $250 million a year) in the bill the president signed Jan. 11. Rather, it's the new, crystal-clear national affirmation that recovering these brownfields are an important part of the country's 21st century agenda. Investors have shunned brownfields, even at prize locations, because of the 1980 federal Superfund act and its state counterparts. Those laws established "joint and several" liability for any corporation or individual or government that's ever owned a tiny piece of a polluted site. Gradually, the states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been limiting the scope of these liability laws. But the new law goes much further. It offers legal protections for such innocent parties as prospective purchasers, landlords and owners of contiguous properties."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Brownfields Bill: A Historic Breakthrough

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

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.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

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.

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.

California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling
An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.
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
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)