Funding and zoning changes are likely necessary but insufficient on their own, to borrow a phrase from Nolan Gray. Pittsburgh hopes to deploy both to spur adaptive reuse in the city.

Pittsburgh is using $2.1 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund a portion of a pilot program to make it easier to convert vacant or obsolete commercial buildings into housing. The reinvigorated focus on adaptive reuse in the Steel City is also made possible by a slate of zoning changes under consideration by the city in September. Adaptive reuse is a hot topic in 2022, as cities look to shift downtown land uses as significant numbers of downtown workers continue to work from home in the third year of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to an article by Julia Felton, the zoning changes would remove the requirement for planning commission review for new residential development in the Golden Triangle area of the city. “The legislation also looks to change a requirement that all exterior renovations with a price tag of $50,000 or more earn Planning Commission approval. That piece of the zoning code dates back to at least 1983,” reports Felton. The new price threshold would be $250,000.
Felton also reported in July on the city’s planned using of American Rescue Plan Act funding for its adaptive reuse program, which was part of the OnePGH program launched by former mayor Bill Peduto.
FULL STORY: Proposed zoning changes would make it easier to convert unused Downtown office space into housing

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.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
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