Houston joins cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, and Minneapolis in demanding a greater return on public dollars.
Houston's city council has voted to require a greater set of community benefits from development projects seeking public incentives.
Next City writer Jared Brey explains that in order to receive tax abatements, developments will have to make commitments in at least one of eight social impact categories, which range from the standard—local hiring, job training, public improvements, and affordable housing—to the creative, like participation in re-entry programs, paid internships for low-income students, and crime prevention through environmental design.
The new requirements represent a victory for a coalition of advocacy groups led by the Texas Organizing Project, which has long pressured the city to seek stronger social commitments from private partners. A recent audit from the controller's office echoed TOP's concerns, finding that the city often failed to follow up on commitments that did exist.
Read the full story: Houston Controller Finds Fault with Key Economic Development Program
Cleveland City Council Wants More Community Benefits From Developers
A proposed measure would require developers receiving city incentives to provide more benefits to local stakeholders and increase local hiring.
A Menu of Proposed Housing Policy Reforms
The Mercatus Center published a list of 16 policy recommendations designed to help states clear local obstacles for housing construction.
Tax Abatements for Residential Projects Under the Microscope
The Cleveland City Council is considering legislation that would launch a process of re-examining the city's tax abatement program.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing
The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Raised interest rates may kill financially vulnerable construction projects
The chief economist at ConstructConnect warns that if construction project owners are negatively impacted by the raised rates, it could result in delayed payments to contractors.
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.
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello