In response to the City of Stockton's attempts to block a lawsuit by citizens' group Save Old Stockton concerning demolition of several historic hotels, a California judge granted a temporary injunction to allow time for the lawsuit to proceed.
Preservationists have a temporary triumph, but the next phase of the litigation process awaits them. The group, called "SOS", has sued to block the demolition of up to seven historic hotels in Stockton's downtown core. The City intends to raze the historic hotels for surface parking lots.
"The ruling, a temporary injunction, prohibits the city from demolishing the hotels until a lawsuit challenging the demolition is heard. A group of preservationists, Save Old Stockton, claim the City Council violated state law in its vote last year to demolish four hotels and to put parking lots in their place. The council put off the razing of three others, opting to first seek a developer who might renovate them."
"San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Humphreys ruled Save Old Stockton's lawsuit has a "reasonable likelihood of success" at trial."
Thanks to David Siders
FULL STORY: Judge blocks downtown hotel destruction (5:55 p.m.)
City Of Stockton Gives Preservationists A Leg Up
The City of Stockton, California votes to impose a temporary moratorium on the demolition of potentially historic buildings to allow staff time to create a permanent ordinance.
9 New Jersey Mayors Sue Over State Affordable Housing Law
Plaintiffs claim the new state law strips local control of growth, but affordable housing advocates say the lawsuit is just a delay tactic.
ACLU Sues Washington State for Anti-Camping Laws
In the first legal challenges since June’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that cities can enforce outdoor sleeping bans, the ACLU filed a lawsuit alleging Washington’s anti-camping laws violate the state constitution.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research