For more than 30 years, the mall industry has depended on department stores -- which are now struggling against discounters and specialty stores.
"So, can the shopping center industry live without [Department Stores]? The answer is no or at least not yet and not for conventional malls. However, new mall formats are cropping up around the country that don't depend so heavily on department store anchors.. That makes the evolution of the department store a vital development for owners, developers and investors to follow. After all, nobody wants to be stuck with empty anchor stores and the chances of that continue to rise thanks to bankruptcies and consolidation."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Future of the Department Store

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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