Developers and concerned residents tussle in Orange County, California, as a property meant to host an art museum moves toward redevelopment as high-rise luxury condos instead.
"It never was the intent of Irvine Company to see its gifts to public culture turn into a private development. We hope the City of Newport Beach will continue to use the entire property as intended, for cultural purposes." So reads a statement from the Irvine Company about a Newport Beach property it donated to the Orange County Museum of Art in 1977.
As it moves to Costa Mesa, "the museum has entered into an agreement to sell its Newport Center site to Related California Urban Housing, LLC." On the site, Related has proposed Museum House, a 25-story, 100-unit residential project. Units will sell for $2-4 million each.
On Oct. 20, the Newport Beach Planning Commission approved the project. And now, the Newport Beach City Council has also approved the controversial plan. Local residents are joining the Irvine Company's objections with protests of their own, citing concerns about density and traffic around the Newport Center commercial district.
FULL STORY: Irvine Co. Voices Objection to Museum House
Austin's Tallest Tower Rising Quickly
Sixth and Guadalupe, which will top out at 875 feet, will soon be crowned the tallest building in Austin, and the fifth-tallest building in Texas.
Acting Mayor Pulls Boston's Downtown Harbor Plan
Intrigue continues for waterfront development plans in Boston and nearby cities.
World Trade Center Rebuild Almost Complete With Approval of 900-Foot Mixed-Use Tower
Plans have been approved for the development of 5 World Trade Center, in place of a building damaged on September 11 and eventually torn down.
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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