A few things to know this week: June 4, 2021
This week’s things to know:
The Republican Roadmap on Infrastructure (It's Not a Real Plan) (StrongTowns)
Chuck Marohn from Strong Towns dropped another great article on the infrastructure bill negotiations, this time on the Republican's "plan". In addition to explaining why both parties are completely off base with their proposals, Chuck also references an example from Littleton, CO to highlight something very important about local street funding: "The page goes on to present a misdiagnosis of their problem, pinning Littleton’s (street funding) woes on rising costs and a lack of tax revenue as opposed to the reality: Littleton, like nearly every American city, has an unproductive development pattern and it is slowly bankrupting them, making them unable to sustain even their essential services." I can give countless examples of places we've worked where this is the case. We simply cannot afford to continue the status quo approach to development and infrastructure in this country. We also can't afford to throw trillions of federal dollars at infrastructure if it doesn't help close the gap, which currently, neither party's proposal will do. If we want to build cities and a country that everyone can afford and prosper in, we need a completely different approach that reduces the amount of infrastructure we're building (especially roads), not expands it. -Kevin
Note: If you'd like help quantifying your infrastructure funding gap and communicating how changes to your development model can close the gap without insane tax increases to your community, that's the heart of what we do here at Verdunity. Contact me and I'd be happy to share examples from communities we're working with and how this process is helping cities to stop ignoring the problem and start addressing it.
Freeways Without Futures 2021 (CNU)
The demolition, re-purposing, and reconfiguration of urban highways has been a topic of conversation that has gained a lot of traction across the country since the beginning of last year. Our environment and the outdoor spaces that we occupied for recreation and commuting became so much more important because it was all we had outside the confines of our own homes for some time. This list of urban highways that have questionable futures brings this whole narrative to a head. The article compiles the most plausible and practical urban highway projects that would benefit their city more by not existing in their current form. Are one of these highways in your city or town? Let us know and share what you think about it’s utility and the prospect of it existing as a different level of thoroughfare. -Ryan
What's in the Biden Administration's Housing Plan (CityLab)
As discussions about the pending infrastructure bill continue, the Biden administration has been advocating its case that housing is infrastructure. This article provides some background into the affordable housing challenge and how federal assistance could be helpful. -Kevin
Reinvesting in urban cores can revitalize entire regions (Brookings)
I love when the folks at Brookings release new research reports. This one digs into how the past 70 years of suburban expansion in metro areas across the country has impacted the urban core of metros and the fiscal health of regions and communities. As data shows, reinvesting in urban cores is critical to bridging resource gaps and cultivating prosperous cities, suburbs, and rural towns. -Kevin
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