sustainable communities
Catalyst Projects Need More Than Gold Stars
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 2 September 2010 - 11:34amMaybe there is reason to hope we can get development right in the future.
That’s the conclusion I draw after looking over the list of projects that the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) recently named “catalyst projects.” It's largely rhetoric, the state has put its seal of approval on -- and given valuable publicity to -- some promising, progressive projects. In general, projects are mixed-use, mixed-income infill projects that attempt – to varying degrees – to de-emphasize the automobile and improve the public realm. It’s nice to see the state recognize the planning behind such projects, even if the state isn’t willing to attach much money to that recognition.
Are Federal Agencies Finally On The Same Page?
Submitted by Bill Fulton on 7 February 2010 - 3:02pmThere's an old joke that what the locals fear more than a federal government in disarray is a federal government that has its act together. Well, now the joke's being put to the test.