The Minneapolis City Council will consider initial mixed-use development plans for critical riverfront industrial site surrounded by a struggling residential neighborhood.

"On Friday, the Minneapolis City Council will vote on a massive plan to turn 48 acres of riverfront land into housing, businesses and an outdoor performance venue," reports Jessica Lee. "The project — the Upper Harbor Terminal — is city officials’ No. 1 construction priority right now."
With the City Council's vote forthcoming, Lee digs into details of the project, which is considered "critical" to the city's economic development plans. The site housed a barge shipping terminal until fears of invasive carp forced the facility to close in 2014.
The project site is surrounded by a federal Promise Zone and a city Green Zone. The surrounding residential areas are defined by median household incomes below the city and regional average.
The City Council will consider the project's "General Land-Use Concept" on Friday, which lays the groundwork for more detailed design and planning work to follow.
Lee provides additional details about the funding challenges facing the project, as well as the tough political path the plan had to arrive at this point in its evolution.
FULL STORY: Everything you need to know, for now, about Minneapolis’ Upper Harbor Terminal project

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.

Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.

Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland