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Cuyahoga County Agencies Launch Collaborative Transit-Oriented Development Initiative

Cuyahoga County Agencies Launch Collaborative Transit-Oriented Development Initiative

Five regional organizations in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, have launched 'Cuyahoga TOD,' a long-term, collaborative effort to advance transit-oriented development (TOD) within the county's communities. The participating entities are the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA), the City of Cleveland, the Port of Cleveland, and Cuyahoga County. This initiative aims to align planning, zoning, and development resources to facilitate building around transit corridors. A new website, CuyahogaTOD.org, has been unveiled to centralize relevant information, including resources, financing tools, project tracking, and design guidance. The goal is to empower communities and partners to create vibrant, connected neighborhoods anchored by high-frequency rail and bus services. The initiative emerged from a 2021 TOD Zoning Study, which identified inconsistencies and barriers in existing zoning and land use conditions across transit corridors, highlighting the need for a more...

Cleveland City Council Debates Future of Burke Lakefront Airport Amid Calls for Closure and Preservation

Cleveland City Council Debates Future of Burke Lakefront Airport Amid Calls for Closure and Preservation

Cleveland City Council's Transportation and Mobility Committee recently discussed the future of Burke Lakefront Airport. Mayor Justin Bibb's administration has advocated for closing the airport to transform the 450-acre property into park space, promenades, hotels, a youth sports complex, and an 18-hole golf course. This vision, if realized, could generate approximately $3 million per year in tax benefits and a one-time impact of about $800 million through development. Conversely, a coalition of airport experts, former commissioners, student pilots, and local proponents, including the Lakefront Airport Preservation Partnership (LAPP), argue for keeping Burke Lakefront Airport open. They contend that the airport is not a financial burden as often portrayed, citing a statewide economic output of $200 million, including contributions from the annual Air Show, two flight schools, and medevac tenants like Aitheras. LAPP also states that Burke handles around 50,000 operations annually, generates $1.3 million, an...

Las Vegas Sees Settlements in Detective Crash, Arts District BID Opposition, and Proposed Parking Reductions

Las Vegas Sees Settlements in Detective Crash, Arts District BID Opposition, and Proposed Parking Reductions

Several significant local developments are unfolding in Las Vegas. Two businesses have reached settlement agreements in a lawsuit stemming from a 2022 highway crash that killed Las Vegas police Detective Justin Terry. D.H. Charles Engineering agreed to pay over $4.5 million to Terry's family, and Western States Contracting also reached a partial settlement. A civil trial is still scheduled for later this month. Separately, the 18b Las Vegas Arts District neighborhood association has voted to oppose the proposed Las Vegas Arts District Business Improvement District (BID) in its current form, arguing it falls short for artists, small businesses, and residents. The BID proposal aims to invest in public safety and economic development, requiring signatures from property owners representing at least 50% of the district's assessed value to advance. Additionally, the Las Vegas City Council is considering amendments to city code that would reduce parking requirements for new developments, including a general 15% c...

Chattanooga Riverfront Undergoing $45 Million Redevelopment, Raising Concerns Among Event Organizers

Chattanooga Riverfront Undergoing $45 Million Redevelopment, Raising Concerns Among Event Organizers

Chattanooga's riverfront is set to undergo a significant $45 million redevelopment project, known as Riverfront Parks Next, with construction anticipated to commence in mid-November and last approximately 18 months. This public-private partnership has successfully exceeded its $25 million fundraising goal, with the state contributing $15 million, the city and county each providing $5 million, and River City Company raising over $25 million privately. The project aims to transform the riverfront from primarily an event space into a more accessible area for daily enjoyment, incorporating new restaurants, public restrooms, shade structures, seating, and recreational activities. However, the 18-month construction timeline has sparked concerns among local event organizers, who had reportedly expected a phased construction plan to minimize disruption. Events like Riverfront Nights will need to find temporary locations in 2027, though officials anticipate their return to the refreshed riverfront in 2028.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun Announces Statewide Initiative to Enhance Community Quality of Place

Indiana Governor Mike Braun Announces Statewide Initiative to Enhance Community Quality of Place

Indiana Governor Mike Braun has announced a new statewide initiative, the Indiana Quality of Place Learning Partnership, aimed at understanding and improving what makes communities vibrant and desirable places to live, work, and play. This initiative brings together designers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to explore effective strategies for creating high-quality public spaces. The effort is set to commence with a three-day event in Columbus, Indiana, titled 'Prove It: A National Summit on Design Excellence as Civic Practice.' The Landmark Columbus Foundation, led by Executive Director Richard McCoy, will spearhead this initiative. Governor Braun emphasized that investments in quality of place, including affordable housing, parks, and community improvements, are already underway across the state. The state supports these efforts through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), which provides grants for projects focused on arts, culture, economic, and historic improvemen...

Jacksonville City Council, JEA, and Planners Address Public Concerns Over Hyperscale Data Centers

Jacksonville City Council, JEA, and Planners Address Public Concerns Over Hyperscale Data Centers

Jacksonville City Council members, JEA officials, and city planners recently convened to address residents' questions regarding the potential impacts of large-scale data centers on the city. JEA has received approximately 50 inquiries about data centers, none of which are currently considered 'hyperscale' facilities. A hyperscale data center typically requires at least 50 megawatts of power, a capacity JEA does not currently possess. Jordan Pope, JEA’s interim chief administrator, stated that the utility would need to construct a new substation to support such a facility. Residents voiced concerns about increased water usage, potential pollution, noise, and the possibility of existing JEA customers bearing the costs of infrastructure improvements. City Councilman Jimmy Peluso suggested a possible moratorium on new data center projects while the city researches the issue and considers new regulations. He also proposed forming a working group comprising City Council, the Planning Department, and JEA to devel...

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb Proposes New Tax Credit to Retain Grocery Stores and Combat Food Deserts

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb Proposes New Tax Credit to Retain Grocery Stores and Combat Food Deserts

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is proposing new legislation aimed at retaining existing grocery stores and attracting new ones to the city. The proposed plan would offer job retention tax credits of up to 100% to certified 'Good Food Retailers,' directly subsidizing one of grocers' largest expenses: staff salaries. This initiative marks a shift from the city's current policy, which primarily offers job creation tax credits for companies that generate new employment. According to Deputy Director of Business Growth David Lukas, the city is willing to forgo income tax dollars to support grocers already operating within Cleveland. This move comes after the closure of two major grocery stores during Mayor Bibb's tenure—Dave’s Market in Collinwood and Heinen’s downtown—both of which cited challenging economic conditions. Historically, many of Cleveland's redlined neighborhoods have suffered from a lack of grocery stores and limited access to fresh, healthy food, with a 2018 Cuyahoga County report indicating that ha...

BXP Plans Residential Transformation of Office Parks in Waltham and Weston, Massachusetts

BXP Plans Residential Transformation of Office Parks in Waltham and Weston, Massachusetts

BXP Plans Residential Transformation of Office Parks in Waltham and Weston, Massachusetts

Omaha Streetcar Authority Seeks Executive Director for New Transit System

Omaha Streetcar Authority Seeks Executive Director for New Transit System

The Omaha Streetcar Authority (OSA) is actively seeking an Executive Director to lead the development and operation of the city's new 3-mile streetcar system. This key leadership role involves overseeing capital construction, transit operations, financial stewardship, and strategic urban growth related to the streetcar project. The Executive Director will report directly to the OSA Board and will be responsible for implementing policies, plans, and daily operations. This job posting signifies a critical step in establishing the operational leadership for Omaha's significant new public transit infrastructure, which aims to connect Downtown Omaha and the Blackstone District and drive economic development.

North Carolina Gov. Stein Promotes Affordable Housing Initiatives During Raleigh Complex Tour

North Carolina Gov. Stein Promotes Affordable Housing Initiatives During Raleigh Complex Tour

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein recently toured a new affordable housing complex in Southeast Raleigh, highlighting his administration's efforts to expand housing opportunities and affordability across the state. The complex, developed by Southeast Raleigh Promise, features 25 units designed to serve households at various income levels, with rents ranging from $580 to over $1,650 per month. Governor Stein emphasized that stable housing is crucial for economic opportunity and generational wealth. He pointed to recent legislative actions, including the removal of minimum parking space requirements and restrictions on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), as well as the creation of mixed-use zoning. These measures aim to increase housing density and variety. Additionally, Governor Stein signed an executive order in May to further boost housing supply and affordability statewide. He expressed hope that Raleigh's successful implementation of these changes would encourage broader state-level reforms.

Delaware Implements New Land-Use Laws to Address Housing Shortage and Infrastructure Gaps

Delaware Implements New Land-Use Laws to Address Housing Shortage and Infrastructure Gaps

Delaware has recently enacted two new land-use laws, House Bill 450 and Senate Bill 23, aimed at tackling the state's infrastructure deficiencies and the critical shortage of affordable housing. These legislative changes mandate that local governments modify their zoning codes to facilitate development. Senate Bill 23, also known as the 'Housing for Every Delawarean Act,' specifically seeks to expand the housing supply by requiring local jurisdictions to integrate affordable housing plans into their comprehensive plans. This applies to municipalities with populations exceeding 2,000 people. The plans must outline strategies to achieve a goal of 20% affordable housing units and diversify housing types. House Bill 450 complements this by increasing maximum permitted residential density, starting at four units per acre. These laws also introduce changes to the development approval process, including modifications to public hearing requirements for 'by-right' projects, which has drawn some concern from local l...

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Addresses Concerns Over Data Center Proposal Near Osawatomie State Hospital

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Addresses Concerns Over Data Center Proposal Near Osawatomie State Hospital

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has publicly addressed concerns regarding 'Project Catalyst,' a proposed data center development in Osawatomie, Kansas. The project, which has expanded from 115 to 283 acres, is planned to be built directly across the street from the Osawatomie State Hospital, a state-run psychiatric facility. Community members, including former hospital staff, have voiced significant worries about the potential impact on vulnerable patients, citing issues such as noise, light, and vibrations from the data center's construction and ongoing operation. These factors, they argue, could interfere with patient treatment, particularly for those suffering from delusions or psychosis. KDADS has clarified that there are no plans to close the hospital, relocate patients, or eliminate jobs due to this proposal. While acknowledging the city's role in land-use decisions, KDADS emphasizes its commitment to protecting patients and staff, and ensuring hospital operations are ...