The Navajo Nation is not moving forward with a controversial plan to build a tram that would connect tourists from the rim of the bottom of the Grand Canyon, along with commercial and retail space. The proposal isn't totally dead yet, however.
"The Navajo Nation Council will not take up a controversial Grand Canyon gondola-ride proposal during its spring session," reports Ron Dungan.
"The heart of the project, known as the Grand Canyon Escalade, is a 1.6-mile gondola tram ride that would drop 3,200 feet into the Canyon, taking visitors from rim to river in about 10 minutes," explains Dungan. "The project would also include commercial and retail space, multimedia complex, a river walk and administrative buildings."
The proposed project has provoked opposition from the National Park Service, the National Trust for Historic Places, and the American Rivers advocacy organization.
The proposal so far lacks the support necessary from the Navajo Nation Council and the four committees that must consider it before the full council. According to Dungan's assessment of the political situation, the bill could remain alive until late 2018, when a new council is elected.
FULL STORY: Grand Canyon gondola proposal stalls in Navajo council: 'They don't have the votes'
Grand Canyon Development Plans Opposed by National Park Service
Two projects proposed for the South Rim plateau of the Grand Canyon have raised alarms at the National Park Service, who see a serious threat from impacts to the views, water supply, and ecology of the canyon.
A Battle Over Grand Canyon Development Nears A Grand Finale
Ken Belson reports on a massive development planned for a town located five miles from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and the decades long battle amongst high powered interests and 600 local townspeople over the future of the area.
California Native Tribe to Co-Manage National Park Land
A historic agreement returns 125 acres — a fraction of the tribe’s historic lands — that will be used to build a cultural center and park facilities.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
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
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
