Let’s start with the good news. Gov. Mark Dayton announced that the Metrodome is “the only workable site” for a new Vikings stadium. LandOf.org applauds this decision. The Metrodome site, as a centralized location, is what’s best for the region. It has the infrastructure including light rail and helps prevent sprawl. Read more about this news on the Star Tribune.
And now for the bad news. The St. Croix bridge legislation, which grants environmental clearances, passed the US Senate. This was not necessarily a surprise. It still needs to pass the House where Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison have brought a common sense in their opposition to the mega bridge. Read more about this news on the Star Tribune.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Week in Review 1/6-1/13/2012
Congress Tells Americans: Commute by Car, Not Transit
By Steven Dornfeld, Minnpost
From the article: “The federal tax code is riddled with questionable provisions designed to encourage or reward certain kinds of behavior. And it only seems to get worse.” Read more.
St. Croix River Crossing Is an Albatross
Article, which appeared in the Star Tribune editorial section, is by Betty McCollum.
From the article: “The Klobuchar-Bachmann legislation, which I strongly oppose, specifically dictates the bridge's design, requiring MnDOT to build an exotic and enormous 'extradosed'-style bridge. By mandating the largest possible bridge, their legislation, if passed by Congress, would establish a precedent that essentially guts the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, putting some 200 protected rivers at risk.” Read more.
State Not Rushing to Act on Vikings Stadium
By Mike Kaszuba and Eric Roper, Star Tribune
From the article: “Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said the city's proposal was the ‘only plan that puts significant dollars on the table without raising new taxes.’” Read more.
Do Cities Need Universities to Survive?
By Nate Berg, The Atlantic Cities
From the article: “The so-called ‘town and gown’ relationship between cities and universities has become increasingly important in recent years. As universities contribute more and more to the local economy through research, reputation and building, they’re seen not only as educational and cultural institutions, but economic development tools. But how much should cities rely on universities?” Read more.
When Shops and Services Are within Walking Distance, We Walk More and Drive Less
By Kaid Benfield, Switchboard NRDC Blog
From the article: “New research from Southern California has found that residents of neighborhoods with a central core of shops and services—a pattern typically found in older, traditional communities—walk nearly three times more often than do residents of neighborhoods whose nearest shops and services lie along a major arterial roadway—a pattern typically found in newer suburban development.” Read more.
By Steven Dornfeld, Minnpost
From the article: “The federal tax code is riddled with questionable provisions designed to encourage or reward certain kinds of behavior. And it only seems to get worse.” Read more.
St. Croix River Crossing Is an Albatross
Article, which appeared in the Star Tribune editorial section, is by Betty McCollum.
From the article: “The Klobuchar-Bachmann legislation, which I strongly oppose, specifically dictates the bridge's design, requiring MnDOT to build an exotic and enormous 'extradosed'-style bridge. By mandating the largest possible bridge, their legislation, if passed by Congress, would establish a precedent that essentially guts the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, putting some 200 protected rivers at risk.” Read more.
State Not Rushing to Act on Vikings Stadium
By Mike Kaszuba and Eric Roper, Star Tribune
From the article: “Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said the city's proposal was the ‘only plan that puts significant dollars on the table without raising new taxes.’” Read more.
Do Cities Need Universities to Survive?
By Nate Berg, The Atlantic Cities
From the article: “The so-called ‘town and gown’ relationship between cities and universities has become increasingly important in recent years. As universities contribute more and more to the local economy through research, reputation and building, they’re seen not only as educational and cultural institutions, but economic development tools. But how much should cities rely on universities?” Read more.
When Shops and Services Are within Walking Distance, We Walk More and Drive Less
By Kaid Benfield, Switchboard NRDC Blog
From the article: “New research from Southern California has found that residents of neighborhoods with a central core of shops and services—a pattern typically found in older, traditional communities—walk nearly three times more often than do residents of neighborhoods whose nearest shops and services lie along a major arterial roadway—a pattern typically found in newer suburban development.” Read more.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Eight Parking Spots for Every Car in the Country
Some estimates say if there are 500 million parking spaces in the country, that would occupy about 3,590 square miles, or about the equivalent of Delaware and Rhode Island combined. Other estimates say it could be as many as 2 billion parking spaces. Some cities are setting limits on parking, but most still have outdated zoning that requires abundant parking.
Check out these two articles:
“Paved, but Still Alive” by Michael Kimmelman, New York Times
Excerpt: “These rules about minimum parking spaces have driven up the costs of apartments for developers and residents, damaged the environment, diverted money that could have gone to mass transit and created a government-mandated cityscape that’s largely unused. We keep adding to the glut of parking lots.” Read more.
“Time to Develop on the Target Midtown Parking Lot” by Sam Newberg on Joe Urban blog
Includes a great photo of a parking lot on what’s considered the busiest parking day of the year. Read the post.
Check out these two articles:
“Paved, but Still Alive” by Michael Kimmelman, New York Times
Excerpt: “These rules about minimum parking spaces have driven up the costs of apartments for developers and residents, damaged the environment, diverted money that could have gone to mass transit and created a government-mandated cityscape that’s largely unused. We keep adding to the glut of parking lots.” Read more.
“Time to Develop on the Target Midtown Parking Lot” by Sam Newberg on Joe Urban blog
Includes a great photo of a parking lot on what’s considered the busiest parking day of the year. Read the post.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Week in Review 12/30/2011-1/6/2012
Is It Time to Get Rid of Those Pesky Skyways?
By Sam Newberg, Joe Urban blog
“Isn’t it about time to start removing our skyways?” Read more.
LRT Helping to Spur Redevelopment Efforts
By Steven Dornfeld, MinnPost
“Although it won't be completed for another two years, the Central Corridor light-rail transit (LRT) project appears to be helping spur redevelopment and revitalization efforts along the corridor.” Read more.
Map of the Day: Good News for Public Transportation
By Amanda Erickson, The Atlantic Cities
“If you need a little cheering up.” Read more.
'Pocket Neighborhoods' for Sustainable Suburbs
By Kaid Benfield, The Atlantic Cities
“…one can also have sustainably designed neighborhoods of single-family homes on moderately sized lots.” Read more.
America's Healthiest Metros
By Richard Florida, The Atlantic Cities
“Smoking and obesity comprise two of the most significant health problems confronting American citizens and other advanced industrial nations today.” Read more.
Editorial: Refresh the Reality, Image of Downtown
Star Tribune
“The solution lies less with policing than with what city planners call placemaking. The key is to crowd out objectionable manners by putting more people, and greater varieties of people, on the street.” Read more.
Editorial: Rental Caps Go Too Far, Could Backfire
Star Tribune
“In an already difficult housing market, capping rentals could also produce unintended consequences such as more vacant buildings and even fewer home sales.” Read more.
By Sam Newberg, Joe Urban blog
“Isn’t it about time to start removing our skyways?” Read more.
LRT Helping to Spur Redevelopment Efforts
By Steven Dornfeld, MinnPost
“Although it won't be completed for another two years, the Central Corridor light-rail transit (LRT) project appears to be helping spur redevelopment and revitalization efforts along the corridor.” Read more.
Map of the Day: Good News for Public Transportation
By Amanda Erickson, The Atlantic Cities
“If you need a little cheering up.” Read more.
'Pocket Neighborhoods' for Sustainable Suburbs
By Kaid Benfield, The Atlantic Cities
“…one can also have sustainably designed neighborhoods of single-family homes on moderately sized lots.” Read more.
America's Healthiest Metros
By Richard Florida, The Atlantic Cities
“Smoking and obesity comprise two of the most significant health problems confronting American citizens and other advanced industrial nations today.” Read more.
Editorial: Refresh the Reality, Image of Downtown
Star Tribune
“The solution lies less with policing than with what city planners call placemaking. The key is to crowd out objectionable manners by putting more people, and greater varieties of people, on the street.” Read more.
Editorial: Rental Caps Go Too Far, Could Backfire
Star Tribune
“In an already difficult housing market, capping rentals could also produce unintended consequences such as more vacant buildings and even fewer home sales.” Read more.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Recommended: Upcoming Panel Discussion
Foreclosures. Rail corridors. Changing demographics. What do these things mean to the future of our region?
That’s what you’re invited to dig into at the upcoming panel discussion “Neighborhoods and Housing Markets.” It is free of charge (you’re invited) and hosted by The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Department and Twin Cities LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation).
The event on Monday, January 23 will include speakers, a national panel (live broadcast) and regional panel.
Regional panel includes:
Get involved in the discussion. Learn more about this event and register early.
That’s what you’re invited to dig into at the upcoming panel discussion “Neighborhoods and Housing Markets.” It is free of charge (you’re invited) and hosted by The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Department and Twin Cities LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation).
The event on Monday, January 23 will include speakers, a national panel (live broadcast) and regional panel.
Regional panel includes:
- Cathy Capone Bennett, Housing Initiative Director, Urban Land Institute
- Melvin Carter, Council Member, Saint Paul City Council
- Kathy Wetzel-Mastel, Executive Director, PRG
- Moderator: Susan Haigh, Chair, Metropolitan Council
Get involved in the discussion. Learn more about this event and register early.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Best of 2011 Smart Growth Books
It’s the time of year when there is a “best of” list for nearly everything—including smart growth books. Check out these titles and get reading!
The Best CityReads of 2011 from The Atlantic Cities
By Nate Berg
Read it here. >
Top 10 Books from Planetizen
Authors: David Zeetser, George Haugh, Josh Stephens, Kayla Gordon, Kristopher Fortin, Michael Dudley, Mike Lydon and Tim Halbur
Read it here. >
Best Books of 2011 from American Society of Landscape Architects, The Dirt Blog
Read it here. >
Two of these lists include the book Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier by Edward L. Glaeser. Check out this video of when he was on The Daily Show.
The Best CityReads of 2011 from The Atlantic Cities
By Nate Berg
Read it here. >
Top 10 Books from Planetizen
Authors: David Zeetser, George Haugh, Josh Stephens, Kayla Gordon, Kristopher Fortin, Michael Dudley, Mike Lydon and Tim Halbur
Read it here. >
Best Books of 2011 from American Society of Landscape Architects, The Dirt Blog
Read it here. >
Two of these lists include the book Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier by Edward L. Glaeser. Check out this video of when he was on The Daily Show.
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