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Private Sector Investment?
Ok, the nay-sayers will point out all the non-private sector points of this situation, but regardless here’s what is going down. The Federal Government with all their regulatory red tape would hold up the process so much, they’ve moved to fund light rail in Detroit via private means. They’ve collected over $100 Million so far. They’re also talking about getting it built in two years! That’s slightly faster than the 6+ years most of the projects take in Portland, and Portland is pretty snappy about it compared to many cities.
THAT is the kind of action that will rebuild America. All it takes is some private, individualistic, AMERICAN style motivation and we could be booming like nobody could imagine. All the red tape loving, pro-regulatory, screw the individual, political loving ninnies need to move out of the way. If there is ONE THING the US Federal Government (and states in some places) could do to get this country moving again is to make it easier to do things like this. To basically get out of the way of funding and remove the regulatory red tape, the asinine laws, the frivolous anti-business efforts (especially here in Portland) and let us - yeah, you know, the citizenry step up to the plate and get these things done!
Anyway, I know it is hard to tell I’m pro-citizen, pro-individualist, and pro-entrepreneurial effort. It is, after all what built the nation in the first place. It sure as hell wasn’t all the red tape.
With that, I send my congratulations to Detroit! Maybe the city will have a life again one day, rid of the car and moving smoothly on welded rail.
Hoover’s Legacy: Bad Zoning Codes
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
As Secretary of Commerce, Herbert Hoover championed the Standard Zoning Enabling Act. Rick Cole argues it is time to leave Hoover’s legacy behind.
Architecture’s ‘Bilbao Era’ Could Be Over
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
The age of iconic architecture may be ending. The recession is a major factor, but much of the shift may be due to changing perceptions about what architecture is supposed to do for a place, according to critic Robert Campbell.
New Highways ‘A Catastrophic Choice’
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
Alex Steffen of WorldChanging looks at the Obama administration’s moves towards funding more highways, the appointment of Ray LaHood, and argues that we can do much better.
New York’s Plan to Avoid Blight
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
New York City has announced plans to use $24 million in federal financing to repair and resell more than 100 foreclosed homes in the city.
Will Massachusetts Form A Transportation Super Agency?
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
In an effort to save billions of dollars, the State of Massachusetts may merge the MBTA, the Highway Department, and the Turnpike Authority into what is being called the Massachusetts Surface Transportation Authority.
NIMBY’s Warm to WalMart
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
According to a new survey conducted by The Saint Consulting Group, opposition to WalMart developments has fallen while malls, casinos and landfills have increased.
‘Distinctive Destinations’ for 2009
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has released their annual dozen ‘distinctive destinations’, vacation spots that rank high in authenticity, beauty, and of course, preservation. Franklin, Tennessee is one of the lesser-known locales.
Economic Stimulus Needs to be More Than "Big Digs"
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
The image of tens of thousands of people being put to work on massive public works projects may be a thing of the past, some economists argue.
Putting a Furnace Under the Economy
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network
If we’re looking for a way to kick-start a green economy, we could do worse than investing in American-made, high-efficiency furnaces, argues Paul Loeb.
