Recently, our city led a public input survey to understand what the public would like to see in a planned downtown redevelopment project.
American Bridges Are Falling Apart and There’s No Plan to Fix Them
Today, hundreds of bridges are as “healthy” as the collapsed I-5, and many more, like the Fairfax Bridge, are in far worse shape. Lives are at stake. It’s time DOTs acted like it.
Today, hundreds of bridges are as “healthy” as the collapsed I-5, and many more, like the Fairfax Bridge, are in far worse shape. Lives are at stake. It’s time DOTs acted like it.
Why Traffic Enforcement Isn’t Enough to Save Lives
It’s also a very common story, one that plays out tens of thousands of times each year.
It’s also a very common story, one that plays out tens of thousands of times each year.
From Hang out to Hurry: Why Starbucks Wants to Redefine “Third Place”
The company prided itself on being a hideaway between home and work, even billing itself as the “world’s conference room.”
The company prided itself on being a hideaway between home and work, even billing itself as the “world’s conference room.”
3 Reasons Your Neighborhood Should Start Throwing Block Parties
Gatherings with no agenda or goal other than spending time together are the kind that will draw people in, much more so than meetings to address problems or issues.
Gatherings with no agenda or goal other than spending time together are the kind that will draw people in, much more so than meetings to address problems or issues.
Mixed Messages: Is Car Design Making Streets Less Safe?
I counted at least five broken-down cars on the shoulder. At one exit, I gasped at the sight of a young man pushing his truck along a slip-lane-style exit by a notoriously busy Buccee’s gas station.
I counted at least five broken-down cars on the shoulder. At one exit, I gasped at the sight of a young man pushing his truck along a slip-lane-style exit by a notoriously busy Buccee’s gas station.
The Multitasking Marvel: How Street Trees Can Solve Many Municipal Problems
There was a lot to learn, and I took from it a tendency to see almost any urban challenge as something that could be helped by the presence of street trees.
There was a lot to learn, and I took from it a tendency to see almost any urban challenge as something that could be helped by the presence of street trees.
How to Build a Biking Culture That Makes Your City Stronger
Tiffany goes on to suggest a few things that would demonstrate real leadership and be more effective, such as installing temporary bike lanes and taking the time to talk to people and really understand their thoughts about biking.
Tiffany goes on to suggest a few things that would demonstrate real leadership and be more effective, such as installing temporary bike lanes and taking the time to talk to people and really understand their thoughts about biking.
You Can’t Arrest a Housing Shortage: Why Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Did this “meanness” work as a strategy? Emphatically, no.
Did this “meanness” work as a strategy? Emphatically, no.
The Blame Game: Why Elmer the Safety Elephant Can’t Protect Kids
Every time there’s a pedestrian or cyclist accident in my city, there is one thing I can count on, and it's that people will be talking about Elmer the Safety Elephant. “Bring back Elmer!” they cry. “Elmer’s rules are common sense!”
Every time there’s a pedestrian or cyclist accident in my city, there is one thing I can count on, and it’s that people will be talking about Elmer the Safety Elephant. “Bring back Elmer!” they cry. “Elmer’s rules are common sense!”
It’s Obvious: Gutting Your Downtown for Parking Won’t Help Local Businesses
The service mindset recognizes that what is good for businesses must also be good for the community and that the two can’t exist in a rivalrous relationship.
The service mindset recognizes that what is good for businesses must also be good for the community and that the two can’t exist in a rivalrous relationship.
Secrecy, Death and Deceit: This Is What We’re up Against
After failing to pry names out of the agency spokespeople, she filed an open records request. A month later, she got her answer — and realized that the difficulty of getting to this point was only the tip of the iceberg.
After failing to pry names out of the agency spokespeople, she filed an open records request. A month later, she got her answer — and realized that the difficulty of getting to this point was only the tip of the iceberg.
How Flower Power Can Grow Strong, Walkable Cities
Certain cities have taken bold steps to make at least parts of downtowns a riot of color by way of plants and flowers.
Certain cities have taken bold steps to make at least parts of downtowns a riot of color by way of plants and flowers.
3 Ways To Handle Church Parking That’s Only Needed Some of the Time
In many cities throughout the South, churches require a lot of parking. A lot.
In many cities throughout the South, churches require a lot of parking. A lot.
The Key to a Strong Downtown Is Smart Policy Changes, Not Big Projects
Rather than growing the city’s wealth, the "Big Project Approach" often requires significant public investment and incentives, which put cities in the risky financial position of making large, expensive bets in the present and hoping to recoup that money down the line.
Rather than growing the city’s wealth, the “Big Project Approach” often requires significant public investment and incentives, which put cities in the risky financial position of making large, expensive bets in the present and hoping to recoup that money down the line.
City Finance That Depends on Magic Is a Recipe for Disaster
The truth is, there’s actually nothing preventing city councils from raising property taxes when the economy grows. And if we can’t afford a property tax increase, how will we magically afford a new sales or income tax?
The truth is, there’s actually nothing preventing city councils from raising property taxes when the economy grows. And if we can’t afford a property tax increase, how will we magically afford a new sales or income tax?