Lines between public and private blur as Flats East Bank takes on the mantle of a special tax district. If the measure goes through to completion, revenue will be used to fund public improvements.
An upscale riverfront property encompassing apartments, restaurants, offices, and a hotel, Flats East Bank symbolizes Cleveland’s rejuvenating downtown. Leila Atassi reports on the City’s Council’s decision to let the developers (The Wolstein Group and Fairmount Properties) tax future patrons. The decision faces a continued state review process.
To dispel council members’ concerns, Adam Fishman of Fairmount maintained that “the money will be spent on improvements to public spaces, such as roads, sidewalks, landscaping, public parking, parks, utility infrastructure, bike paths and a public boardwalk, as well as security in the district […]. It cannot, however, be spent on improving buildings owned by the developer.”
The fees in question would primarily affect visitors, and include sales, bed, and parking taxes over and above what the city levies. A committee of Flats East Bank residents and business owners will determine allocation. The article provides background on the fraught politicking that accompanied the decision.
FULL STORY: Cleveland City Council authorizes Flats East Bank developer to tax patrons to pay for improvements
Special Tax District Proposed for Cleveland Riverfront Development
The developers of a high profile, $421 million development in Cleveland are requesting a special tax district that could raise $30 million over three decades.
How Cities Can Help Retail Catch Up with Residential
Scott Beyer details the old real estate wisdom of "retail follows rooftops," especially as evidenced by cities like Cleveland in recent years.
60 Years of Midwestern Urban Renewal
Researchers at the Institute for Quality Communities at the University of Oklahoma prepared a set of images to show the indelible impact of mid-20th century urban renewal on Midwestern cities.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
