California
BART Employees On Strike This Monday
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors voted yesterday to enforce a one-year contract for the unionized transit workers- a contract the workers had rejected earlier in the week. BART employees plan to walk off the job Monday morning.
Losing Business Because of Pay Parking? Charge More!
Parking guru Don Shoup was invited to speak in Santa Rosa as an expert on parking policies. Though the city is the only one in Sonoma County to charge for parking (to the chagrin of downtown merchants), it is considering building a 545-space garage.
Huge Redevelopment Project Coming to Sacramento
12,000 new homes could be coming to Sacramento over the next two decades -- part of a $5.3 billion redevelopment focused on the city's historic railyards.
Farms Finding "New Roots" in Cities
On abandoned lots and in backyards across the country, urban land is being turned over to agriculture as a means of improving food security.
Developers Eye High-Density Opportunities in California's High Speed Rail Hubs
Southern California developers are gearing up to pounce on the areas surrounding proposed high speed rail hubs that will make up California's statewide high speed rail line.
Redevelopment Funds Take a Hard Hit in California
More than $2 billion has been cut from redevelopment programs in California's budget, which many say will exacerbate the building slowdown in the state.
Why Public Transit Doesn't Work In The U.S.
Gas taxes, parking charges, toll roads - these are the ingredients to making transit successful, according to experts who state that it's not enough to offer good transit - driving must become more expensive. Add to that high density land use.
Turf Troubles
When mandatory water conservation rules took effect in Glendale, California, homeowner David Wood installed artificial turf to maintain the green front yard emblematic of the American Dream. But his new fake lawn is against the law.
Solar Thermal Power Tower Debuts in U.S.
This week, eSolar debuted the first solar thermal power tower in the U.S., which they say is a step forward in technology and affordability.
Smooth Maneuvers on the SF Bay Bridge
This Labor Day, a 300-ft. section of the east span of the San Francisco Bay Bridge will be cut out and pushed aside, connecting to a new detour that will facilitate the switch from a double-decker configuration to a side-by-side one.
Becoming an Energy-Independent City
The City of San Jose, California is on its way to becoming the nation's first energy-independent city, deriving all of its energy from renewable sources.
San Francisco's 7-Bike Sharing System
The City of San Francisco has taken a babystep towards developing a citywide bike sharing system. The city recently hosted a bike sharing sampler, with 7 bikes being displayed and available for use at Golden Gate Park.
Funds to Stabilize Neighborhoods, But Which Ones?
Funding from the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program is finding a lot of use in foreclosure-swamped California's San Bernardino County. But one city is deep in debate over how those funds should be used, and which areas should be saved.
'Smart Studs' Will Open New Freeway Lanes Automatically
A new high-tech system from New Zealand will be installed on L.A.'s 110 freeway, which will feature sensors that will know when traffic slows and open an alternate lane automatically.
Friday Funny: Public Comment Gold
A sample of public comments from meetings in the eccentrically out-there city of Santa Cruz, California.
Urban Farm Plot Violates Zoning
A small strip of land in Los Angeles is being used to grow vegetables for the cafe next door. But officials say the plot violates zoning rules.
California Bill Seeks Sharp Cuts in Per-Capita Water Use
The state of California is looking to reduce its per-capita water usage 20% by 2020, a plan that's moving forward in the state legislature. The plan could mean drastic changes for many cities in the arid parts of the state.
Budweiser Beach, CA?
With the new California budget slashing state park funding, as many as 100 parks and beaches could close. Park officials are seeking funding to keep parks open, including corporate sponsorship opportunities.
California's Budget Undercuts Climate Change Policy
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cultivates the image of a climate change warrior. But the state budget he signed this week portrays very different priorities.
Water Tunnel Beneath Bay to Protect San Francisco in Face of Quake
Utilities officials in the San Francisco Bay Area are hoping to secure their water resources in the face of another devastating earthquake by building a 5-mile long water tunnel beneath the Bay.
Pagination
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