San Diego is considering a plan to block off an eight-block portion of its Downtown, known as the Gaslamp Quarter, to automobile traffic.

"San Diego officials and community leaders are exploring plans to create an eight-block pedestrian plaza in the Gaslamp Quarter by closing Fifth Avenue to vehicles between Broadway and L Street," reports David Garrick.
The Gaslamp Promenade, as the idea is currently known, would feature street furniture, public art, trees, painted murals and possibly outdoor entertainment venues," according to Garrick, who mentions Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade as inspiration for the idea.
Project boosters are hoping the car-free area would attract new volumes of tourist and regional traffic, potentially decreasing vacancies along Fifth Avenue and nearby streets, and "boosting property values and sparking a flurry of renovations to the Gaslamp’s older buildings," according to Garrick.
As a supplement to Garrick's news coverage of the Gaslamp Promenade plans, see also a column by Philip Molnar that includes a survey of local planning and development experts for their opinion on the proposal. Spoiler: not one of the respondents says the city should not proceed with the plan.
FULL STORY: San Diego may create ‘Gaslamp Promenade’ by banning cars from Fifth Avenue

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards
Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

NYC Outdoor Dining Could Get a Re-Do
The city council is considering making the al fresco dining program year-round to address cost concerns from small businesses.

HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City
The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service