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San Francisco Approves First Housing Development Under Mayor Lurie's Family Zoning Plan on Anza Street

San Francisco Approves First Housing Development Under Mayor Lurie's Family Zoning Plan on Anza Street

The San Francisco Planning Commission has unanimously approved the first housing development under Mayor Daniel Lurie’s new Family Zoning Plan. This project, located on Anza Street near Collins Street in the Laurel Heights neighborhood, will replace a two-story, rent-controlled, two-unit residential building with an 85-foot-tall, eight-story condominium building containing eight units. The new building will include a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom unit designated as affordable replacement units at 80% Area Median Income (AMI), in exchange for the lost rent-controlled housing. The project is exempted from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under California State law AB130. This development is seen as a significant step in implementing the Family Zoning Plan, which aims to address San Francisco's housing shortage by allowing taller buildings along transit corridors.
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Dover City Council to Revisit Controversial Residential Sprinkler System Rule Amid Cost Concerns

Dover City Council to Revisit Controversial Residential Sprinkler System Rule Amid Cost Concerns

The Dover City Council is reconsidering a new construction code provision that mandates residential sprinkler systems in all new homes, a rule adopted just last month. The council voted to rescind the updated code due to what city officials described as incorrect language. This decision follows significant pushback from residents and local developers who expressed concerns about the potential increase in housing costs. While some other Delaware municipalities, including Lewes, Newark, and Middletown, already have such requirements, Dover would be the largest city in the state to implement it. The city's Fire Marshal, Jason Osika, advocates for adopting the complete 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) without amendments, citing life safety issues due to the flammability of modern lightweight building materials. However, Councilman David Anderson, chair of the Legislative, Finance and Administration Committee, believes it is a "bad time" for the sprinkler requirement and intends to have the committee r...
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Washington County Seeks Senior Planner for Land Use and Development Projects in Hillsboro, Oregon

Washington County Seeks Senior Planner for Land Use and Development Projects in Hillsboro, Oregon

The Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation is actively recruiting for a Senior Planner position within its Land Use Planning Section. This role is crucial for managing development projects, reviewing land use applications, and drafting amendments to the development code. The Senior Planner will primarily focus on development activities in Washington County's unincorporated areas that fall within the regional urban growth boundary. Additionally, the position involves supervisory duties, tracking development activity, and contributing to updates of the Community Development Code (CDC). The department emphasizes its mission to foster a safe, livable, and economically thriving community through technical innovation, predictable processes, and empowered staff. Candidates are expected to possess a Bachelor's Degree in urban or regional planning or a related field with five years of experience, or a Master's Degree with three years of experience.
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Kingswood Community Center Opens $56 Million Facility Amidst Riverside Revitalization in Wilmington

Kingswood Community Center Opens $56 Million Facility Amidst Riverside Revitalization in Wilmington

The Kingswood Community Center in Wilmington, Delaware, has opened a newly constructed $56 million facility, marking its 80th anniversary and contributing to the broader Riverside neighborhood revitalization efforts. The new two-story building, nearly five times the size of its predecessor, was funded through a mix of public and private dollars, with over $45 million coming from state and federal governments. The opening ceremony was attended by over 200 staff, community members, and elected officials, including Governor Matt Meyer. The facility houses the Ernest L. Webster Montessori Academy, a Nemours Children’s Health clinic, and recreational activities, aiming to provide a 'one-stop shop' for education and family services. Logan Herring, CEO of the WRK Group, which runs the facility, stated that the center is designed to benefit the historically vulnerable Riverside community and help families achieve self-sufficiency.
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Roanoke Task Force Proposes Plan to Address Rising Homelessness Crisis

Roanoke Task Force Proposes Plan to Address Rising Homelessness Crisis

A task force in Roanoke, Virginia, has presented a plan to tackle the city's growing homelessness challenge, which has seen a 467% increase in unsheltered homelessness between 2019 and 2025. Roanoke City Public Schools identified over 700 individuals experiencing homelessness during the 2024-25 school year. The 'Hope and Home' task force report highlights a significant housing shortage, with approximately 5,000 fewer housing units than needed, and a 63% increase in fair-market rent for a one-bedroom apartment from 2019 to 2026. Recommendations include establishing a regional access hub for shelter and services, and a pilot small-home village for chronically homeless individuals, estimated to cost between $750,000 and $1 million. Lee Clark, CEO of the Rescue Mission of Roanoke, noted that while the area is 'resource rich,' it is 'connection poor' in terms of navigating available services.
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Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols Highlights City Progress in Second State of the City Address

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols Highlights City Progress in Second State of the City Address

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols delivered his second State of the City address, emphasizing significant progress across several key areas. The Mayor highlighted a decline in crime rates, indicating improved public safety within the city. He also pointed to regional job growth, suggesting a strengthening local economy and increased employment opportunities. Furthermore, Mayor Nichols underscored investments made in affordable housing initiatives, addressing a critical need for many residents. Efforts to reduce homelessness were also a central theme, showcasing the city's commitment to supporting its vulnerable populations. These points collectively paint a picture of a city experiencing positive momentum under his leadership.
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Knoxville's Gay Street 200 Block Underwent Significant Transformation in the 1970s

Knoxville's Gay Street 200 Block Underwent Significant Transformation in the 1970s

The 200 block of Gay Street in Knoxville, Tennessee, experienced dramatic changes in the mid-1970s due to the construction of Summit Hill Drive and the development of two TVA towers. This urban renewal project led to the demolition of numerous buildings along the new road route, including all structures on the 200 block and some on its western fringe, such as the old Lawson McGhee Library building on Market Street. The project was driven by the Downtown Knoxville Association and Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, aiming to create a sweeping divided-highway-style connector. This initiative faced opposition from groups like 'Citizens for the Humane Revitalization of Downtown Knoxville,' who highlighted the loss of character-filled buildings, including the terra-cotta-clad Lawson McGhee Library.
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U.S. Commercial Real Estate Market Shows Improving Conditions in Q3 2026

U.S. Commercial Real Estate Market Shows Improving Conditions in Q3 2026

U.S. Commercial Real Estate Market Shows Improving Conditions in Q3 2026
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Faith-Based Organizations Convert Underused Properties into Community Assets Across U.S.

Faith-Based Organizations Convert Underused Properties into Community Assets Across U.S.

Faith-based organizations across the United States are increasingly transforming their underused properties into affordable housing, childcare centers, arts and cultural centers, and social enterprise hubs. A Rutgers University survey identified 200 faith properties converted into affordable housing and shelters over the past decade. This trend addresses the challenge faced by many houses of worship with emptying properties and declining congregations, which often struggle with the financial and environmental burden of maintaining large, underutilized buildings. While 20 conversions per year is a modest number compared to the tens of thousands of struggling properties, it highlights a growing movement to repurpose these assets for community benefit. Several states, including California, Florida, and Virginia, have passed 'YIGBY' (yes in God’s backyard) legislation, offering incentives for religious institutions to redevelop their properties into affordable housing. Municipal governments in cities like Atla...
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San Diego City Council Approves $4.2 Billion Midway Rising Project, Featuring Largest Affordable Housing Development

San Diego City Council Approves $4.2 Billion Midway Rising Project, Featuring Largest Affordable Housing Development

The San Diego City Council has approved the $4.2 billion Midway Rising project, a significant overhaul of the city's Midway District. This development, led by billionaire Stan Kroenke, will replace the existing Sports Arena with a new 16,000-seat arena and introduce 4,224 housing units, with 2,000 designated as affordable. This makes it the largest affordable housing project on public land in state history. The plan also includes 130,000 square feet of retail space, a 15-acre park, and $460 million in infrastructure improvements. The city will forgo major lease payments for the 49-acre parcel, instead receiving a portion of ticket sales until the new venue is complete, after which the Midway Rising team will retain ticket revenue to cover arena costs. The Independent Budget Analyst estimates the city will collect between $38.1 and $68.5 million in combined arena and development revenue over the 105-year deal, not accounting for inflation.
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Voris R. Vigee Leads Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana in Expanding Affordable Housing and Community Services

Voris R. Vigee Leads Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana in Expanding Affordable Housing and Community Services

Voris R. Vigee, President & CEO of Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana (VOA), is spearheading significant efforts in developing affordable workforce housing and impactful community services across Louisiana. Under her leadership, the VOA currently provides low-cost housing for 529 seniors and apartments for 1,136 individuals across various complexes. Recently, the organization completed 232 new apartments, with an additional 226 units currently in the pipeline. Vigee emphasizes the importance of teamwork and investing in people, drawing lessons from her first job as a cashier at Burger King, where she learned about staying calm under pressure and the necessity of collective effort for success. She advocates for patience in achieving meaningful change and maintaining compassion as the core of their mission.
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Inner-City Real Estate Deals Face Challenges Due to Developer Missteps and Financing Complexities

Inner-City Real Estate Deals Face Challenges Due to Developer Missteps and Financing Complexities

Inner-City Real Estate Deals Face Challenges Due to Developer Missteps and Financing Complexities