There's a surprising amount of vacancies and blight in the nation's capital, and District officials aren't doing everything in their power to address the challenge.
"The District could be losing millions in revenue from taxes and fines every year because of its failure to crack down on vacant and blighted properties," reports Peter Jamison.
That news come via a D.C. auditor's report released this week on the enforcement performance of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). "D.C. Auditor Kathleen Patterson, found that the city agency in charge of code enforcement did not strictly regulate unoccupied or derelict buildings, and frequently granted exemptions from those rules that did not appear to be justified," according to Jamison. The article includes a lot more of the detail of the auditor's report, and the causes and consequences of the DCRA's performance.
Add the problems at DCRA with the District's ongoing problem of "how to deal with decrepit buildings owned by foreign governments in the nation’s capital." A separate article by Jenna Portnoy details that only-in-D.C. blight challenge.
Read the full story: cs D.C. failing to crack down on abandoned buildings, report finds
$160 Million in Bond Funding for Demolitions on the Ballot in Detroit
Proposal N, on the ballot for Detroit voters next week, will provide $160 million in bond funding for demolitions and $90 million to mothball homes for future rehab, but, according to this opinion, it won't solve the city's blight challenges.
Detroit Continues Demolition Program After Lead Risks Revealed
The city of Detroit said it would halt a demolition program after a report revealed the amount of lead released by demolitions into the environment, risking the health of children and other local residents.
Demolitions Can't Keep Pace With Vacancies in Baltimore
As the city of Baltimore grapples with a declining population, it faces obstinate challenges in controlling the problems associated with vacant buildings, including the "vicious cycle" of vacancies causing more vacancies.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking
New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.
Why does it take an emergency for the U.S. to expedite infrastructure projects?
In June 2023, Philadelphia repaired a melted interstate in 12 days thanks to an emergency order.
Federal government nominates new FTA administrator
Mark Aesch is currently the founder and CEO of a transportation management consulting firm.
Developers reveal $10 billion stadium plan as ‘Hail Mary’ to keep Bears in Chicago
The plan would also boast a public park, high- and mid-rise buildings and a youth sports complex.
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.
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City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
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Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
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