Explore

TrendlineTrendline
Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Urges Planning Commission to Reconsider Bel-Red Land Use Code Amendments

Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Urges Planning Commission to Reconsider Bel-Red Land Use Code Amendments

Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Urges Planning Commission to Reconsider Bel-Red Land Use Code Amendments
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Nashville Initiates Affordable Housing First Strategy for New Nissan Stadium Development

Nashville Initiates Affordable Housing First Strategy for New Nissan Stadium Development

Nashville is undertaking an unusual urban development strategy for the area surrounding the new $2.2 billion Tennessee Titans stadium, which is scheduled to open next year. Unlike typical stadium megaprojects that prioritize market-rate housing, retail, and entertainment, Nashville is leading with affordable housing. The first building to break ground on a 30-acre city-owned parcel near the new Nissan Stadium site is Eastpoint Flats, an apartment complex designed for renters earning 80% or less of the area median income. This initial phase includes 323 affordable units, approximately 20,000 square feet of retail space, and a daycare center. The Boston-based master developer, Fallon, agreed with the city to launch the project with this affordable housing component. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, who previously opposed the stadium as a council member, advocated for this sequencing to ensure that individuals who work in or help build the stadium have the opportunity to live in the adjacent neighborhood. T...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Overland Park Residents Challenge $36 Million Street Improvement Project

Overland Park Residents Challenge $36 Million Street Improvement Project

A $36 million street improvement project in Overland Park, Kansas, is facing significant pushback from local residents. The project, slated for the area of 175th Street from 179th Street to Antioch Road, includes plans for a median, sidewalks, bike trails, roundabouts, storm sewers, and street lighting. Funding for the initiative is primarily sourced from the city and county, supplemented by federal money, as part of a broader South Streets improvement plan. Residents like Jennifer Watkins and Gail Radke express concerns that the scope of the work is excessive, with Radke specifically citing a planned 10-foot walkway on her property and the removal of numerous trees. While residents acknowledge the need for some infrastructure upgrades, particularly for safety near schools, they are advocating for a scaled-back version of the project. City of Overland Park spokesperson Meg Ralph stated that the project will proceed due to the necessity of enhancing safety in a rapidly growing area, emphasizing the importan...
TrendlineTrendline
Data Center Developer Withdraws Minneapolis Project Amid Community Opposition

Data Center Developer Withdraws Minneapolis Project Amid Community Opposition

Data Center Developer Withdraws Minneapolis Project Amid Community Opposition
Savannah Morning NewsSavannah Morning News
Savannah council rejects zoning measure aimed at increasing housing

Savannah council rejects zoning measure aimed at increasing housing

Savannah City Council narrowly rejected a zoning proposal intended to address the city's growing housing shortage.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Austin City Council Mandates On-Site Affordable Housing for Developments Near Light Rail

Austin City Council Mandates On-Site Affordable Housing for Developments Near Light Rail

The Austin City Council has unanimously approved new regulations requiring developers to include affordable housing directly within their projects if those projects are located near future light-rail stations. This decision eliminates the previous option for developers to pay a fee to the city's Housing Trust Fund instead of building affordable units on-site. The change specifically tightens the citywide density bonus program, a zoning tool that allows for larger developments in exchange for community benefits like affordable housing. While developers in other parts of the city can still opt for the fee-in-lieu payment, this option is no longer available for projects situated along the future Project Connect light rail corridor. This move aims to ensure that lower-income residents can afford to live near public transit, a key goal for the city as it encourages denser development in these areas.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Congressman McGovern, Senator Warren, and Congresswoman Pressley Advance Housing Legislation to Combat Costs and Support Grandfamilies

Congressman McGovern, Senator Warren, and Congresswoman Pressley Advance Housing Legislation to Combat Costs and Support Grandfamilies

Congressman Jim McGovern, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, along with U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, visited the Worcester YMCA to discuss the recently passed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. This new law aims to facilitate new housing construction, reduce housing costs, and, for the first time, prevent private equity firms from purchasing single-family homes. The lawmakers also addressed the development of Grandfamily Villages, an initiative by Senior Connection designed to provide affordable housing for seniors and their families in Worcester. During the discussion, they gathered input from families and community leaders regarding further actions needed to tackle the housing crisis in Massachusetts. Congressman McGovern has consistently advocated for grandparents raising grandchildren, securing $1.2 million in federal funding for a Grandparents Raising Grandkids Resource Center in Worcester. This center connects grandparent-led households with essential serv...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
European Investment Bank Lends €25 Million to Tartu for Green Urban Infrastructure

European Investment Bank Lends €25 Million to Tartu for Green Urban Infrastructure

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €25 million loan to the Estonian city of Tartu. This financing is earmarked for promoting energy efficiency and enhancing sustainable mobility within the city. The funds will be utilized to renovate public buildings, including schools and kindergartens, to improve their energy efficiency and indoor climates. Additionally, a significant portion of the loan will go towards upgrading and expanding Tartu’s bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This initiative is part of Tartu's broader commitment to becoming climate-neutral by 2050, aligning with the EU’s 'Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities' initiative. The €25 million loan is a component of a larger €51 million investment program extending to 2030, which is co-financed by EU funds and Tartu’s own resources.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
HUD Expands Private Capital Access for Public Housing Redevelopment

HUD Expands Private Capital Access for Public Housing Redevelopment

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued new guidance to expand the flexibility for public housing authorities (PHAs) to utilize private-sector financing for aging properties. This update to Section 18 of the Public Housing Act aims to address the estimated $170 billion backlog in public housing capital needs. The changes broaden eligibility for the program, allowing more PHAs to transition eligible units to voucher-backed funding structures, such as Section 8 and Tenant Protection Vouchers. This model enables properties to move away from reliance on federal public housing operating and capital funds, facilitating partnerships with private developers and lenders for improvements that federal allocations might not cover. Key changes include clarifying what qualifies as 'functional obsolescence' for older buildings, expanding eligibility for small agencies, and including mixed-finance properties nearing the end of their initial Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) period.
TrendlineTrendline
Kigali City Recognized as One of Africa's Cleanest and Safest Capitals

Kigali City Recognized as One of Africa's Cleanest and Safest Capitals

Kigali City Recognized as One of Africa's Cleanest and Safest Capitals
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Chicago Celebrates Completion of First Loop Office-to-Residential Conversion at The Bellwether Residences

Chicago Celebrates Completion of First Loop Office-to-Residential Conversion at The Bellwether Residences

Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside R2 Development and city officials, celebrated the grand opening of The Bellwether Residences in Chicago's Loop. This project marks the first completed office-to-residential conversion in the area, transforming 11 floors of vacant office space at the historic Rector building into 117 mixed-income residential units and ground-floor retail. The $64.2 million adaptive reuse initiative is a key component of the Johnson administration's strategy to revitalize downtown Chicago, aiming to create a 24-hour live, work, and play environment. Of the 117 units, 41 are designated as affordable housing for households earning an average of 60% of the area median income. City funding for the project included $28 million in Tax Increment Financing and a landmark designation in 2025, which facilitated $7.8 million in federal historic tax credits. The Bellwether is part of the broader LaSalle Street Reimagined initiative, which seeks to convert underutilized office spaces into mixed-income res...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Durham Residents Advocate for Stricter Data Center Construction Regulations

Durham Residents Advocate for Stricter Data Center Construction Regulations

Durham County residents are urging county commissioners to implement a more stringent pause on data center construction. This call comes after the commissioners approved a moratorium last month, effective until May 2027, which only applies to facilities exceeding 100,000 square feet. Residents argue that data centers smaller than this threshold can still cause significant environmental and community harm. During a recent work session, residents voiced concerns about the substantial energy consumption, potential utility cost increases, and various forms of pollution, including water, air, and noise. They also highlighted fears of job displacement and increased surveillance associated with these developments. The community's push is driven by a desire to prevent Durham from becoming a 'bedroom community for high-paid tech workers' and to ensure economic opportunities for existing residents, particularly those who have historically built the city.