The ‘biggest little city’ plans to hire consultants to develop a plan for a more vibrant, more walkable downtown strip.

The Reno City Council will consider hiring a consultant to create a redesign for the city’s downtown, reports Bob Conrad in This is Reno.
“City officials are focusing on changes to Virginia Street, while a Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) study about downtown is still ongoing and survey results have yet to be reported,” Conrad explains.
“Phase one ideas include a ‘streetscape furnishing zone’ and ‘facade improvements,’ wherein the city will pay 50% to applicants for changes to building exteriors and up to $50,000 for interior improvements.” One city councilmember expressed concern about adding more public seating, much of which was removed in 2016 to prevent unhoused people from using it.
“Ky Plaskon with the Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance said the city should emphasize public safety first before implementing these changes,” calling on the city to improve its bike infrastructure.
FULL STORY: Council preview: Downtown makeover plans up for consideration

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

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?

In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving
Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.

Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.

Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
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