After three years, an ambitious placemaking plan for downtown Detroit has delivered results, but not as quickly as its architects hoped.

Three years ago, Quicken Loans chairman Dan Gilbert spearheaded a plan to revive downtown Detroit. Kirk Pinho discusses the ongoing results of that effort, which has continued despite falling short on its initial timeline.
Several high-profile projects have encountered setbacks. "What was intended to be completed by the end of 2015 is a checklist of the projects and ambitious plans the city still needs done: completion of the $137 million M-1 Rail project, [...] the redevelopment of the 2-acre former Hudson's department store site [...] and a pair of complex projects that would reimagine two key city arteries: Woodward and Jefferson avenues."
Bob Gregory, president of the Detroit 300 Conservancy, joined other backers of the plan in their continued optimism. "'You can go back three or four years ago, and people felt very uncomfortable, whether because of crime, dope or overgrown landscaping [...] These are not big, skyscraping kinds of projects, but we went in there, working off that plan and opened up the pathways, removed the hedges, adding programming and chairs and umbrellas. People are coming back there.'"
FULL STORY: Three years later, Detroit place-making plan still a work in progress

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.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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