Where Have All the Metropolitan Statistical Areas Gone?
A total of 144 metropolitan statistical areas might lose their federal designation if a proposal under discussion at the Office of Management and Budget is approved. March 9, 2021, 5am PST | James Brasuell |
Dragan Jovanovic
Mike Schneider, writing for the Associated Press, reveals the details of a plan under consideration at the federal Office of Management and Budget that would remove metropolitan statistical area (MSA) designations for 144 locations in the United States. The change would mean 144 MSAs with populations between 50,000 and 100,000 would be designated as micropolitan statistical areas instead. The 144 MSAs targeted for the change in designation represent a full third of the nation s total MSAs.
Pandemic Watch: We ve Been Here Before (but at Lower Case Levels)
The White House COVID-19 Response Team explains why governors are wrong to lift mask mandates and ease restrictions by putting the current level of coronavirus infections in the country in perspective, i.e., comparing it to the two prior surges. March 8, 2021, 9am PST | Irvin Dawid Share
Newark Launches Land Bank to Revive Long-Vacant Properties
The land bank will assess proposals for the sale and redevelopment of 100 city-owned properties in neglected neighborhoods. March 7, 2021, 7am PST | Diana Ionescu |
Following in the steps of other cities in the eastern United States, Newark has launched a land bank aimed at reducing blight and activating vacant and abandoned properties, writes Jared Brey in Next City. Managed by Invest Newark, the land bank is now accepting bids and proposals for around 100 vacant lots and buildings formerly under city ownership.
Generally managed by a non-profit or government agency, a land bank is designed to expedite the sale and redevelopment of vacant and blighted properties. Invest Newark hopes the land bank will extend the revitalization of Newark’s downtown out into its neighborhoods, promote business ownership, create opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses and contractors, establish new parks and green sp
Opinion: Stop Paving Seattle Playgrounds for Parking Lots
Seattle schools are often forced to reduce their playground space in favor of parking and circulation for private cars, but altering the city code could change that. March 5, 2021, 7am PST | Diana Ionescu |
An analysis of recent retrofits at two Seattle schools shows that if the Seattle School District had complied with the City requirement for private car storage in the recent retrofits at Magnolia and Queen Anne Elementaries it would have obliterated all outdoor play space and a significant amount of indoor education space. Margaret McCauley argues that city code requiring Seattle schools to replace playground and activity space with surface parking and car traffic doesn t address the needs of bike riders and pedestrians and takes away valuable outdoor space.
L.A. Metro Will Pilot Free Fares for Most Riders
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will let low-income residents and K-12 students ride for free starting in January 2022. March 4, 2021, 8am PST | Diana Ionescu |
In an attempt to study the potential for switching to a fare-free system, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is implementing a two-phase pilot program that will let low-income riders ride for free. Ryan Fonseca reports on the plan, which is projected to save commuters up to $1,200 per year. According to Metro, about 70% of its current riders earn less than $35,000 annually and would qualify for free fares under the current proposal. The second phase of the proposed program, set to launch in August 2022, would extend free fares to K-12 students. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti praised the proposal, saying it s time for us to treat public transit as a public good.