Month: November 2009
Streetsblog LA
Just How Regressive is America’s Federal Housing Policy?
(ed. note. Please welcome contributor Chris Bradford, author of the economics blog Austin Contrarian.) As this recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report reminds us, the answer is “very regressive.” Even in lean economic times, the average rent in San Francisco (above) is close to $2,000/mo. (Photo: BinBin.net) The disparity between the federal government’s support for … Continued
November 20, 2009
Compromise In the Air for Downtown Connector, Expo Phase II
Yesterday, transit advocates received a double-dose of good news as the air of compromise blew in and the debate over two light rail projects was changed. In Santa Monica, the City Council endorsed a "compromise" plan on the location of a light rail yard for Expo Phase II. Downtown, Metro staff unveiled a new potential design for an entirely below-grade Downtown Connector that could address all of the concerns of the Little Tokyo community.
November 20, 2009
New Study Quantifies High Personal Costs of Building CA Cities for Cars
(editor's note: The section with area specific data for Southern California isn't done yet. When it is, we'll have a post specific to our region. In the meantime, this statewide article prepared by Matthew Roth in San Francisco is a great read.)
November 20, 2009
Wanted: Your Photos of Kids on Bikes
Hey,
we need your help again for our next slide show. This one is going to
make you feel good. We're looking for pictures of kids on bikes -- on
their own, with their parents, on trailers and seats and Xtracycles and
whatever other kind of rig there is. Show us what you've got.
November 20, 2009
Are You Paying Attention City Hall?: Chicago Ripped Off in Parking Privatization
City parking meters are a gold mine, and in Chicago, Morgan Stanley is rolling in parking riches. Secret company documents leaked to reporters show the company will rake in a 70 percent profit margin this year from its $1.15 billion, 75-year lease of Chicago’s parking meters. This profit is on top of the millions Morgan … Continued
November 20, 2009
To Thrive, Suburbs Might Become More Urban
A very interesting article in USA Today on the future viability of suburbs came up in our Twitter feed this morning, via Community Research Partners of Columbus, Ohio.
November 20, 2009
“Cartoon Thursday:” Eastside Blog Punks Metro on Gold Line Safety
Last week, LA Eastside decided to take a poke at Metro and posted a series of fake signs in "local lingo" to help keep Eastsiders safe from the Gold Line Extension trains. One look at the above example, and you can probably guess that the signs at LA Eastside are a parody. However, not everyone got the joke, as evidenced by commenters at LA Eastside and the lecture posted today at The Source.
November 19, 2009
Help D.A. Mary Stone Keep the Road Rage Doc Behind Bars
Next Monday, District Attorney Mary Stone will file her motion recommending a prison sentence for Dr. Christopher Thompson, the "Road Rage Doctor" who intentionally used his car as a weapon against recreational cyclists on Mandeville Canyon on July 4, 2008. With her motion she'll also hand over a packet of letters of support for stricter sentencing from a community that has been effected by Thompson's aggressive act.
November 19, 2009
A Warning From America’s Cities: The Recession Has Only Just Begun to Hit
President Obama may be optimistic about continued U.S. economic growth as 2009 ends, but the reality on the ground in urban America — which an estimated two-thirds of the population calls home — is undeniably, disturbingly bleak. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (Photo: PennLive) That was the message delivered today by two economists and a bipartisan … Continued
November 19, 2009