The Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District recently released its State of Downtown report. Downtown D.C.'s transformation over the last two decades has created an incredible revenue generator for the city.
Mike DeBonis provides insight on the recent State of Downtown report, released earlier this week by the Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District. The report describes a Downtown D.C. on the other side of two decades of transformation "from a 9-to-5 oriented hub of commerce to a 24-hour destination to live and play," according to DeBonis.
"Together with the neighboring Golden Triangle area, the Downtown D.C. BID estimates downtown now represents a net impact of $1 billion on the city’s yearly revenue — about one-sixth of the city’s entire local-funds budget."
The article also includes a striking GIF that shows the rapid disappearance of Downtown D.C.'s surface parking lots and empty buildings—a trend that is expected to continue as new buildings come online.
Read the full story: Twenty years of downtown D.C. development in one GIF
D.C. Council Chooses Commercial Property Tax Breaks Over Homeless Funding
Carolyn Gallaher, an associate professor at American University, makes the case for local political leadership to better support Washington, D.C.'s homeless population. The D.C. Council has been focusing its resources elsewhere.
Apartments Near Transit Generate More Tax Revenue
A study from the Urban Land Institute shows developments near transit generate almost twice as many tax dollars per dollar spent.
From robotaxis to robotrains: LA, DC weigh driverless transit
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic place names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority