Florida
Big Transit Happenings Expected for the Sun Belt in 2016
A streak of landmark years for public transit in Sun Belt cities from the West Coast to the Florida Panhandle will continue in 2016.
Germane Barnes' Vision for Opa-Locka
Known for its unique Moorish Revival architecture, and beset by a host of urban problems, the Miami suburb may have found its savior in Germane Barnes. The young architect and planner aims to revitalize the area without gentrifying it.
25 Years of Rails-To-Trails Success on St. Petersburg's Pinellas Trail
A bike trail can be much more than a bike trail.
Downtown St. Petersburg Ready for Bus System Changes
St. Petersburg will overhaul its bus system in early 2016, expecting improved efficiency from operating on the downtown city grid as well as upgrades to the area that serves as the current hub of the system.
$1.75 Billion Bond Sale Delayed for All Aboard Florida
High-yield funds have less money to spend these days, leaving large infrastructure projects like the All Aboard Florida high-speed rail project waiting at the station.
27,000 Passenger Complaints Show Room for Improvement on Miami-Dade's Metrobus
An investigation of passenger complaints provides the starting point for an in-depth investigation of the service provided by Florida's largest transit system.
Louisiana, Gulf Coast Push for New Passenger Rail Service
A new passenger rail line between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is just one of the links being proposed along the Gulf Coast.
SunRail Phase II Receives $93.4 Million FTA Grant
Florida's SunRail commuter rail received a $93.4 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to extend the 61-mile line. The grant will cover half the capital costs for the 17.2-mile extension from Orlando to Osceola County.
From the Bridge to Nowhere Files: Florida's West Bay Parkway
An examination of the proposed plan for the West Bay Parkway in Florida reveals many holes, a wasteful project, and the need for more accountability in transportation planning.
The Dangers of Dumb Luck for Hurricane-Zone Transplants
The relative calm of the last decade may be luring hundreds of thousands of new coastal residents into a false sense of comfort.
Thoughts on Seaside at 35
Seaside, Florida: what’s possible when vision, tradition, creativity, adaptation, and, yes, time converge in ways that allow for careful study and consideration.
Revealed: James Corner Field Operations Designs of the 'Underline' in Miami
After transforming opinions about public space with the High Line in New York, James Corner Field Operations will shift focus below the tracks—the Underline park under the MetroRail line in Miami.
$36 Million Affordable Housing Scam Exposed in Miami
Two prominent developers have plead guilty to federal fraud charges for stealing millions of tax-payer dollars intended for low-income housing developments.
Commuter Rail Service Between Miami and Palm Beach County Moving Forward
New service connecting Miami and Palm Beach is expected to add 2,000 riders to the Tri-Rail system.
Hopes for Restoring New Orleans-Florida Amtrak Service Pinned on Transportation Bill
Included in the draft version of the DRIVE Act: funding to study the restoration of Amtrak's Sunset Limited route along the Gulf Coast until Hurricane Katrina.
Florida Counties Alter Development Fees to Encourage Compact, Mixed Uses
Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, has already shifted its "transportation concurrency fees" to encourage compact development and a mix of uses. Nearby Osceola County is following their lead.
Florida County Commissioners to Vote on Increased Gas Tax
Florida counties have their own gas taxes and can raise them without going to a vote by the people. Due to a road budget shortfall, the Santa Rosa County Commission will vote on August 13 whether to raise the gas tax as much as six cents per gallon.
Restoring the First Cross Country Interstate in the Southern States*
Partly absorbed by 1-10 and party given over the ravages of time—the Old Spanish Trail was the first to highway to connect the East Coast to the West Coast through the southern states.
All Aboard Florida Receives Crucial State Backing for $1.75 Billion Loan
The Florida Development Finance Commission voted 3-0 at a contentious meeting to approve the 125 mph, Orlando-Miami privately funded train's request for tax-exempt status. It does not put the state at risk in terms of repaying the loan though.
Coming Soon to Toll Roads in Florida: Express Lane Charges
Critics of express lanes have often described the tolling as a double-tax for the use of highways. In a first, Florida is planning to charge for express lanes on toll roads. Triple tax?
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
