The City of Newark, New Jersey misused its power to condemn 14 acres for a private development, rules a New Jersey judge.
"A New Jersey judge effectively killed an ambitious downtown redevelopment project in Newark yesterday, ruling that the city's decision to condemn 14 acres of property on behalf of a private developer was ill-conceived and wrong. The project, the Mulberry Street Redevelopment Project, a proposed collection of 2,000 market-rate apartments and stores in the shadow of the city's new hockey arena, would have been the largest development initiative here in decades.
In her decision, Judge Marie P. Simonelli of Superior Court said the administration of Mayor Sharpe James misused the state's rules on condemnation when it declared 62 parcels "an area in need of redevelopment." She said the row houses, mechanics' shops and parking lots, while somewhat tattered, were not "blighted" and suggested that the decision to condemn the property was politically motivated."
FULL STORY: Judge Stops Newark Redevelopment Project

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.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
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San Diego Swaps Parking Lane for Kid-Friendly Mini Park
The block-long greenway will feature interactive play equipment and landscaping.

Tracking the Invisible: Methane Leaks From LA’s Neighborhood Oil Sites
Environmental advocates are using infrared technology to monitor and document methane leaks from neighborhood oil sites, filling regulatory gaps and pushing for stronger protections to safeguard community health and the climate.

Montana Bill Promotes Parking Reform
A bill before the Montana state senate would bar cities from requiring more than one parking spot per new housing unit.
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