Property values have skyrocketed on St. Simons Island, a popular resort destination on Georgia's coast, and developers are now pressuring the island's black residents to sell their landholdings.
"Elouise Spears, 70, is sitting on a developer's dream: 21 acres of live oak-shaded waterfront high ground on St. Simons Island; property her family has owned in the island's historically black Harrington community since the Civil War. Tired of strangers knocking on her door with offers to buy her land, Spears recently posted a sign: "Don't Ask, Won't Sell." "I put the sign out because I don't want to be bothered again," said Spears, a retired registered nurse. "I've lived on St. Simons most of my life. If I do sell, where will I go?" Soaring property values have prompted realtors and developers to target St. Simons' three historically black communities where some of the island's last large landholdings are available for development. Like Spears, many other longtime black property owners have erected the "Don't Ask, Won't Sell" signs."
Thanks to Christian Peralta
FULL STORY: ST. SIMONS ISLAND: Black owners hold tight to land
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Dear Tesla Driver: “It’s not You, It’s Him.”
Amidst a booming bumper sticker industry, one writer offers solace to those asking, “Does this car make me look fascist?”
A Visual Celebration of Manhattan’s Chinatown Elder Community, Through Food
Lanterns, cafeteria trays, and community connection take center stage in this stunning photo essay.
How to Make US Trains Faster
Changes to boarding platforms and a switch to electric trains could improve U.S. passenger rail service without the added cost of high-speed rail.
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 Santa Clarita
Ascent Environmental
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service