St. Petersburg will overhaul its bus system in early 2016, expecting improved efficiency from operating on the downtown city grid as well as upgrades to the area that serves as the current hub of the system.
According to an article by Kate Bradshaw, the city of St. Petersburg has approved changes to the "hub and spokes" model for operating buses in its downtown. "The move, which officials said was decades in the making, comes just over a year after voters rejected a sales tax proposal that would have funded a dramatic enhancement and overhaul of the county's bus system," writes Bradshaw.
Instead of the hub and spokes, the buses will now operate more along the framework laid out by the city's grid. The implications of that change include a new role for Williams Park—the former hub in the system. "It would clear downtown's William's Park, the current bus hub, of multiple bus shelters and the smog and heavy traffic that accompany them."
The city council members on hand to announce the new system noted that cities around the country have moved away from the hub and spokes model. The city of Houston has made perhaps the most ambitious effort to implement a high frequency grid system in recent years. The article also notes that the changes, scheduled to be in place by February 14, 2016, will only affect are only downtown.
FULL STORY: It's official: come Valentine's Day next year, Williams Park won't be a bus hub anymore

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

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont