The Emanuel Administration has yet to secure needed funding for a big project to update Chicago's Union Station. Now it's up to the Trump Administration to supply a needed loan.
Greg Hinz reports: "Mayor Rahm Emanuel is getting ready for his first big ask from President-elect Donald Trump: a low-interest federal loan of up to $1 billion to modernize and expand Chicago's Union Station."
According to Hinz, Mayor Emanuel has been working hard to advocate for the project in Washington, D.C. The effort has also enlisted members of Congress from the state of Illinois, including Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and former Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., who "pushed legislation to ensure that the project would qualify for a Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan."
So far, however, the "President Barack Obama's Department of Transportation agreed only to sign an Emerging Projects Agreement under which 'Chicago can closely work with USDOT with the ultimate goal of seeking' the grant," reports Hinz.
If the term "Emerging Projects Agreement" (EmPA) seems unfamiliar, that's because it's only ever been granted one other project—the PATH tunnel project connecting New Jersey and New York under the Hudson River.
FULL STORY: Emanuel wants $1 billion from Trump for Union Station
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.