At long last, Boston's Columbus Center will break ground this year. Upon completion, the 35-story mixed-use project will finally reconnect four blocks of the Back Bay and South End neighborhoods, which have long been separated by Interstate 90.
"When Kenneth A. Himmel finished building Copley Place over the Massachusetts Turnpike in 1984, he figured it would soon be part of a long line of development that would hide the highway and connect neighborhoods.
Two decades later I-90 still divides the city.
'I thought it would all be covered,' said Himmel, who was Copley Place's project manager and is now chief executive of Related Urban Development of New York, a development company. 'It would be a sort of boulevard of height running from downtown.'
This spring, after a decade in the planning, the next project over the turnpike is set to break ground. The $624 million Columbus Center will rise above a 1,500-foot-long deck over the highway, extending the Prudential Center tunnel to the east and joining Boston's historic Back Bay and South End neighborhoods."
FULL STORY: Building On The Pike

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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