If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

The mall conversion trend is picking up steam around the country. Now, reports Stacy Wescoe in Central Penn Business Journal, a bill making its way through the Pennsylvania state legislature “would authorize cities, boroughs, incorporated towns and townships to provide developers special tax incentives for redeveloping languishing shopping malls.”
The bill, which heads to the state Senate, was introduced as a way to revitalize underutilized commercial space that seems increasingly unlikely to bounce back as consumer preferences and land use patterns change.
According to Wescoe, “The legislation would create a committee that would provide guidance for the redevelopment of shopping malls. This board would be composed of members with expertise in areas such as real estate development, municipal planning, economic development and land use planning.”
FULL STORY: Bill to aid in adaptive reuse of vacant mall space passes Pa. House

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.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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