After navigating some confusion about construction timelines last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio took steps this week to ensure New York City's water security.
David Giambusso reports: "Mayor Bill de Blasio will allocate $300 million toward the construction of New York City's third water tunnel, following through on assurances he made in April after facing criticism over the tunnel's progress."
The allocation will speed up completion of the tunnel, which is part of the city's ten-year capital plan and will deliver water from upstate. Now the city expects the tunnel to be fully operational by 2025, and available for emergencies by the end of the year.
Mayor de Blasio ran into some controversy in April 2016 when Jim Dwyer reported that the mayor had delayed construction of the tunnel.
Read the full story: De Blasio to allocate $300M for water tunnel
Sales Tax to Fund Water Projects Extended in Las Vegas Region
The Clark County Commission is extending a sales tax, created in 1998, which could have drawn to a close after raising $2.3 billion or the year 2025, whichever came first. The tax will remain in place indefinitely.
A Tale of Two Cities: San Jose and Flint
The fixed costs of infrastructure projects leave cities like Flint struggling to pay their bills with fewer people pooling their resources.
A 'Grim Diagnosis': Houston's Suburbs are Running out of Water
Rapidly growing cities are struggling to build out water infrastructure to meet the needs of new residents.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority