City of Dublin, CA’s Post

Take notes St. Louis leaders; we could learn a lot from the rebirth of Detroit’s downtown. Detroit’s resurgence from its bankruptcy only a decade ago is a result of a purpose-driven partnership between government, developers and community leaders. As a result, billions of dollars have been invested and their downtown has been completely transformed in a short period of time. In 2016, Detroit became the first major city in the United States to adopt a Community Benefits Ordinance which requires Neighborhood Advisory Councils for major projects. Every neighborhood has a voice from residents not just politicians. This legislation has yielded transparency and millions in community benefits. St. Louis’ current “scorecard system” is not providing the engagement needed from local residents and investment in their specific neighborhoods. Just ask local residents. Instead, we are taking benefits from neighborhoods impacted by developments and giving them to other communities. This shell game is just pushing lower income residents from one neighborhood to another. Detroit also passed an ordinance (2017) requiring developers to set aside at least 20% of their units for affordable housing if they reach certain incentive thresholds. In St. Louis, we do not have this affordable housing requirement which means there is a lack of transparency with residential developers on what requirements will be imposed on any proposed project seeking incentives. If you set it in stone, these developers will present projects that include affordable housing allocations in their underwriting rather than a moving target that only harms residents that need this type of housing. Finally, St. Louis needs to develop a comprehensive long-term master plan for our Downtown and implement legislation to make it happen. Detroit has one and they are following through on what it says. There is a lot we can learn from Motown. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”! City of St. Louis L. Jared Boyd Megan-Ellyia Green Cara Spencer St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) Neal Richardson, MBA City of Detroit Bedrock Detroit Olympia Development of Michigan Related Companies Henry Ford Health #community #development #affordablehousing #realestate

New Post: Shreveport Mayor Outlines Progress and Plans in Optimistic State of the City Address - https://lnkd.in/gBWsKkf2 his State of the City address, Mayor Tom Arceneaux outlined Shreveport's progress and challenges, emphasizing fiscal stability and proactive initiatives like a Small Business Task Force. He acknowledged remaining issues such as blight and crime while highlighting strides in economic development, projecting a hopeful future for the city. SHREVEPORT, Louisiana - In a comprehensive and optimistic State of the City address, Mayor Tom Arceneaux detailed Shreveport's progress under his administration, alongside existing challenges and strategic plans aimed at fostering the city's growth and wellbeing. The Mayor's report painted a picture of a financially robust Shreveport, marked by a significant general operating reserve and a balanced operating budget for 2024, signaling the city's strong fiscal management and future readiness. Among the key achievements highlighted were Shreveport's effective response to weather-related emergencies, strategic amendments to the 2023 budget to better align with administration priorities, and a clean audit report confirming the city's fiscal responsibility. These accomplishments underscore the administration's commitment to maintaining financial stability and enhancing city services and infrastructure. Further, Arceneaux's announcement of the formation of a Small Business Task Force and a Citizens Capital Improvements Committee marks a proactive approach towards stimulating economic growth and addressing long-standing infrastructure needs. These initiatives are poised to foster a conducive environment for business development and community engagement in capital planning processes. Despite the positive developments, the Mayor acknowledged persisting challenges, including blight, inefficiencies in zoning and permits processes, and litter, which continue to detract from the city's quality of life. However, Arceneaux emphasized the administration's dedication to combating these issues, with ongoing efforts to reduce crime rates through proactive policing and recruitment strategies showing promising results. The Mayor also pointed to significant strides in economic development, notably through new business openings and a landmark lease agreement with G-Unit Film & Television Inc., which is expected to rejuvenate the local film industry and generate economic benefits. Concluding his address, Mayor Arceneaux reiterated his commitment to tackling crime, underemployment, and fostering city growth, framing hope and hard work as the cornerstones of Shreveport's path forward. The Mayor's optimistic outlook and comprehensive reporting highlight a city on the rise, facing its challenges head-on while building on its strengths for a prosperous future. Danyell ManigoThe Shreveport Sun

Vision Board, staff, sponsors and members of the LI Lobby Coalition all contributed to the LI Business News Outlook for 2024 for their recent cover story. Pretty cool reading to get these and other many different perspectives for the upcoming year. We are biased but check out the messages from Vision Board members James Bonner from NY Atlantic Railway, Certilman Balin’s Howard Stein and National Grid’s Brian Sapp. Messages from Vision supporters included principals from B2K Development, H2M Architects and Engineers, Nassau County IDA, NICE Bus, Forcelli Deegan Terrana, Eisner Amper, Harris Beech and Hofstra University. Members of the LI Lobby Coalition Randi Dresner of Island Harvest and Jeff Reynolds from Family and Childrens Association also had messages included. Vision’s Director also contributed what they are seeing from local communities: The revelation that housing and zoning mandates are not coming back in 2024 should bring us more opportunities to plan changes in our communities locally with less interference from New York City or New York State interests. Over 50 downtowns already have some sort of revitalization plan that envisions new redevelopment. 10,000 units of multifamily housing are going through the planning process now. Innovation in ADU’s; ownership units; and smaller, more affordable housing types can help provide options for young and old alike. By the third quarter of this year we are hopeful that banks and other financial investors are comfortable lending to projects. Where interest rates land and their relationship to making homeownership out of reach is unclear. Communities have identified over 50 areas for pedestrian and bike safety improvements on our many dangerous roadways. How Department of Transportation and County DPWs deal with this crisis is well within their control. Numerous sewer infrastructure, transportation and clean energy projects are underway as well. The high cost of everything due to inflation will continue to impact middle class, working class and lower income folks. The trouble most Long Islanders have paying for the basic needs of food, gas and other essentials is the major issue we hear on Main Streets. Building the trust of Long Islanders particularly among NYS and federal officials will be a big issue this year. The revelation that we are sending over $40 billion more in taxes to these levels of government than we are getting back in projects and services is galling, but could begin the process of Long Island receiving its fair share of resources. Check it out…… https://lnkd.in/e3KGQypi

I found myself looking for clues last night about what Mary might have said to Rachel about High Streets when they met in a cafe last week. As a broad brush document the Labour Party Manifesto does not give a lot away about a proposed focus on place. Certainly, there are no mentions of place-specific towns funding or injections of cash for active travel, that were bubbling beneath the surface the last time the people went to the polls. A section tantalisingly titled “take back our streets” focused on tackling anti-social behaviour and crime, consistent with earlier policy pronouncements about high streets. Similarly, stamping out late payments to small businesses got another mention; though I didn’t realise it was particularly prevalent on high streets. The already previewed bold commitment to replace business rates with a new system of business property taxation remains. This commitment it is said, “levels the playing field between our high streets and online giants, better incentivise investment, tackle empty properties and support entrepreneurship.” An earlier pledge to roll-out banking hubs became rolled-in to a wider commitment to strengthen the Post Office network. I couldn’t find mention of already heralded proposals to revamp empty shops, pubs and community spaces by giving communities a strong new ‘right to buy’, though that may resurface as part of future detail. A key policy impacting on existing and ‘new’ places may be the firm commitment to build 1.5 million new homes on brown, grey and green shades of designated land. A strengthened planning system it seems will be focused on delivering housing and growth with more resources devolved to combined authorities that are effective at enabling this. I’m scratching my head about whether an evolved version of Neighbourhood Planning will have a role in ensuring new homes can become a connected part of places. On the subject of evolving initiatives, I have read no speculation as to whether ongoing commitments to places through UKSPF, High Street Accelerator or Long-term Plan for Towns, will be honoured. For all these billions spent in towns and cities through Levelling Up, it is arguable that the hundreds of thousands spent on a limited number of Portas Pilots and enabling widespread Town Teams, had more cut-through with the public. I wonder if that was a part of Mary’s story, that particularly caught Rachel’s ear?! #towncentre #citycentre #communityengagement #economicdevelopment #housing #labourmanifesto #generalelection #placemanagement

Vision Board, staff, sponsors and members of the LI Lobby Coalition all contributed to the LI Business News Outlook for 2024 for their recent cover story. Pretty cool reading to get these and other many different perspectives for the upcoming year. We are biased but check out the messages from Vision Board members James Bonner from NY Atlantic Railway, Certilman Balin’s Howard Stein and National Grid’s Brian Sapp. Messages from Vision supporters included principals from B2K Development, H2M Architects and Engineers, Nassau County IDA, NICE Bus, Forcelli Deegan Terrana, Eisner Amper, Harris Beech and Hofstra University. Members of the LI Lobby Coalition Randi Dresner of Island Harvest and Jeff Reynolds from Family and Childrens Association also had messages included. Vision’s Director also contributed what they are seeing from local communities: The revelation that housing and zoning mandates are not coming back in 2024 should bring us more opportunities to plan changes in our communities locally with less interference from New York City or New York State interests. Over 50 downtowns already have some sort of revitalization plan that envisions new redevelopment. 10,000 units of multifamily housing are going through the planning process now. Innovation in ADU’s; ownership units; and smaller, more affordable housing types can help provide options for young and old alike. By the third quarter of this year we are hopeful that banks and other financial investors are comfortable lending to projects. Where interest rates land and their relationship to making homeownership out of reach is unclear. Communities have identified over 50 areas for pedestrian and bike safety improvements on our many dangerous roadways. How Department of Transportation and County DPWs deal with this crisis is well within their control. Numerous sewer infrastructure, transportation and clean energy projects are underway as well. The high cost of everything due to inflation will continue to impact middle class, working class and lower income folks. The trouble most Long Islanders have paying for the basic needs of food, gas and other essentials is the major issue we hear on Main Streets. Building the trust of Long Islanders particularly among NYS and federal officials will be a big issue this year. The revelation that we are sending over $40 billion more in taxes to these levels of government than we are getting back in projects and services is galling, but could begin the process of Long Island receiving its fair share of resources. Check it out…… https://lnkd.in/e77dufta

I'm cautiously optimistic that San Diego is about to get housing reform back on track after a frustrating detour. Last month, the San Diego City Council rejected proposals that would have boosted affordable and accessible housing across the city - including on underused public land and dying strip malls. The council members bickered over one tiny element, enough to reject the entire package and derail months of progress toward alleviating this crisis. The result? More hardship for regular San Diegans priced out Thankfully, rational heads prevailed. The original incentives around affordable, accessible housing are back tomorrow - this time appeasing all parties. With the City of Sacramento setting the pace on groundbreaking new reforms last month and San Francisco passing legislation to reduce building barriers, San Diego will hopefully join the other major California cities in developing more homes. Californians' median income is much higher than most states, but none of that matters if your salary is eaten up by mortgage or rent costs. The housing crisis won’t disappear overnight, even with these reforms. But progress compounds when leaders make more homes a priority. Our city and state desperately need action on affordability NOW - not more political paralysis. City leaders 👋 , if you're reading this: no more kowtowing to NIMBY noise. Stand up for the San Diegans who need your leadership and vote yes on tomorrow's package.

When the TOD program was announced, we said it was big, bold and blunt. With the announcement that 12 councils have entered into agreements with the NSW Government to deliver joint housing strategies, we're upgrading our judgment to big, bold and balanced >> https://lnkd.in/gxwpuUr9 We all want these policies to succeed and to deliver great results for the people of Sydney. Taking the time to work with councils who know their places best, means there's a good chance these reforms will strike the balance between unlocking housing supply, while building the social license for future expansion. We can’t forget Sydney is in the midst of an internationally-significant housing crisis. We need big policy shifts to address this crisis, and the scale of this announcement, expanding the TOD program to six more locations, reflects that.    It's rare to see this amount of progress achieved in just under a year. And it's an indication of effective leadership to see state and local government working together, and taking a big step forward that will see more housing in the right places. One area that needs more work is the requirement for 2% affordable housing, it's not enough and we're looking forward to working with government to examine how we push this higher. Read more on the TOD SEPP program >> https://lnkd.in/gmPPwqhy Read our work on Rethinking Station Precincts >> https://lnkd.in/gQMC-uKE Paul Scully, Paul Levins, Kate Bryant, NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Kiersten Fishburn, Chris Minns, Eamon Waterford, Estelle Grech, Zack Solomon, Julian Frecklington, James Rosenwax, James Grant, Giulia Vignaroli, Stephen Taylor, Kevin Brake, Michael Kurtz, Andrew Cortese, Mark Gilder, Ken Maher, David Tickle, Thomas Hale, Christopher Kelly, Ben Hendriks, Joe Bell, Pat Fensham, Alison Holloway, Ben Taylor, Daniel West, Naomi Ryan, Yvette Carr, Monica Gibson, Christine Covington, Llew Gartrell, David Borger, Chris Taylor, Ash Nicholson, Michelle Mason, Bob Rutledge, Peter Bodkin, Scott Langford

These cities represent the 10 most affordable metros in America ⬇ With few exceptions, the majority of middle-class households (including lower-middle-class families) can decidedly qualify for a home in America’s 10 most affordable metro areas. Apart from El Paso, Syracuse, and Little Rock—which became out of reach for the lower-middle class—the following metros have held their own on affordability over the past half-decade. One state that makes several appearances on our most affordable list is Ohio. This is due in part to the state’s generous homeowner subsidies in the form of grants and tax credits, coupled with ongoing investments in home construction and affordable housing. Another catalyst has been the low down payment threshold throughout the Buckeye State, which, at $35,250, is outdone only by Iowa and Mississippi. Gary Painter, Ph.D, real estate professor at Carl H. University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business, stated: “Given the relatively robust economy, a young household’s ability to afford a down payment in Cincinnati and other Ohio cities is quite high relative to regions of similar size across the United States.” ✅ Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/d8B5KK7M #housingaffordability #ushousing

Significant policy changes ahead. Here’s some insight from #rennie “Land assembly is going to be a growing segment of our market because we have limited land supply and it’s the way we can add density.”

🚗 The Battle for Free Parking in Dudley Borough: 🏙️ We've been down this road before, and so has every council across the country: the dilemma of free parking in town centres. Dudley Borough, home to towns like Stourbridge, Dudley, and Halesowen, is experiencing something of a revival. Nearly 40 years ago, the arrival of the Merry Hill Centre severely impacted these once-thriving communities but now evolution is seeing green shoots of improvement for them. I'm a fan of both out-of-town and town centre shopping—they each have their place and I do use both. For a while now, Dudley Council has provided 2 hours of free parking in its car parks, many of which by the way are not pleasant places to be but that’s another story. This has significantly boosted footfall and breathed new life into our town centres. The out of town option does give almost unlimited free parking and covers many other activities too. How shortsighted would it be to now remove this free benefit? Free parking allows people to "pop into town" for a few things, to meet others…a million reasons, using their own convenient means of transport. It drives trade, builds communities and encourages investment. But that's councils for you. They often fail to see the bigger picture. The nearly £1 million in revenue they expect to gain in a year will be overshadowed by the repeated cycle of failing town centres caused by myopic decisions that lack business experience and common sense. Jam today sadly on a play repeat play doom loop. Oh for more far sighted leadership. Sorry but I’m taxed enough just locally, including for hospital visits which I dare not start ranting about, without returning to the mistakes of the past. 😡 Cmon Patrick Harley and all of you in cabinet and council. You’re better than this…..aren’t you? 🤔 Mike Wood Express & Star #SupportLocal #FreeParking #DudleyRevival #TownCentreBoost #CommunityMatters #BusinessSense #UrbanRevival #DudleyCouncil #Stourbridge #Halesowen #Dudley