The city has so far issued two requests for proposals from developers to build mixed-income housing on city-owned lots.
The city of Phoenix is considering a 3.2-acre city-owned site in Park Central for affordable housing as part of its goal to build or preserve 50,000 housing units by the end of the decade, reports Corina Vanek for Arizona Republic. “The development must offer at least half of the units as affordable to people earning less than 80% of the area median income. The site's zoning allows for buildings reaching up to 100 feet, so a new project could bring hundreds of new units.”
The city will also ask for proposals that include public-facing commercial space on the ground floor, a component frequently cited as important in public meetings about the site.
According to Vanek, “The city recently designated the area as a ‘bioscience hub,’ a nod to the growth of medical companies and Creighton University’s medical campus, which has plans to expand in the mall’s former parking lot.”
The Park Central site is the second city-owned lot being evaluated by the city for affordable housing. In late 2022, the city issued a request for proposals to build housing for seniors on a 2-acre lot.
FULL STORY: Phoenix looks to turn city-owned land into affordable housing; parcel near Park Central is up next
Omaha Program Promotes Infill Development
Budding developers can access funding and low-cost vacant lots for affordable housing construction.
Philadelphia Mayor Hopefuls Want More Affordable Housing on Vacant Lots
Many of the candidates agree that a slow, complex sales process and strong councilmanic prerogative hinder the development of city-owned lots.
How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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