A controversial and unprecedented deal that would have privatized 280 acres of state-owned Bandon State Natural Area have fizzled out thanks to new requirements from the Bureau of Land Management.
"Golf course developer Mike Keiser has abandoned plans to build a golf course on state park land on the southern Oregon coast," reports Kelly House.
An earlier article by House broke the news that new Bureau of Land Management requirements for the purchase of the land threatened the deal. Those requirements would have added an additional $450,000 to the price tag for the land. Keiser cited the new requirements and a lack of water on the park property as reasons for the deal's demise.
Describing the significance of the proposal, House writes: "The announcement marks the demise of a lengthy, complicated and controversial deal that also would have been unprecedented in Oregon. Until Keiser made his offer, the state had never considered shedding active state park land at the behest of a private entity."
As for why the project was ever even considered: "The Oregon State Parks Commission agreed in 2014 to give Keiser a chunk of the 878-acre park in exchange for $2.5 million, 216 acres of land elsewhere on the coast and money to control an invasive plant known as gorse." Additional context on the proposal is available in more coverage from House and The Oregonian in May.
FULL STORY: Golf course developer abandons plans to buy Oregon state park land
Oregon Moves Forward With 'Unprecedented' Plans for Coastal Golf Course
Inside the deal that could open a huge swatch of highly protected Oregon coastal land to a developer with plans for a golf course.
BLM To Rescind Public Lands Rule
The change will downgrade conservation, once again putting federal land at risk for mining and other extractive uses.
New Executive Order Renews Attack on Public Lands
An order issued late last week pushes for increased mineral extraction on federally owned public lands.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service