Main street retail can work well in the suburbs -- when the project draws on its surroundings.
"The idea is to mix as many elements as possible: not just housing and shops but also offices, hotels, even civic buildings... Even though they're artificial, the best projects draw strength from their surroundings. One success story is downtown Brea in Orange County, where 60 acres in the heart of a suburb of 35,000 people was redeveloped over several years to include houses on one edge, a supermarket on another and a curved central street with offices and lofts above shops."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Main Street design plan can work well in suburbs

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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