Cincinnati recently hired Oscar Bedolla as its new trade and development director. Bedolla will play a key role in facilitating development in a city hoping to maintain its current upswing.
Chris Wetterich introduces Oscar Bedolla and then produces a long interview with Oscar Bedolla and City Manager Harry Black. The interview provides insight into how Cincinnati plans to continue its current upswing. For instance, here is Black discussing development incentives: "I think that our approach should always be just enough incentive just in time. That's really where I think we need to be in terms of striking a balance. Offering incentives is an integral part of development. But we want to make certain it makes good economic sense for the city."
For the record, Bedolla does avoid a direct answer when asked about the role of streetcars in economic development. Cincinnati's planned streetcar sparked controversy last year, but is under construction and expected for completion in 2016.
Read the full story: Cincinnati's new development chief: I want to be part of thought leadership on how cities grow
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.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court
The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.
Non-stop party: Chicago voters weigh permanent festival grounds
A stable place for bleachers, stages and drainage may streamline the setup and teardown of large events.
Metra may invest $9.1 billion in regional rail
The agency released a draft of a study examining potential ways to offer more frequent train service.
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