San Francisco is starting a program to recognize and protect long-standing local businesses based on their community value, not architectural significance.
Perhaps more than other cities, San Francisco is famed for its semi-historic places: local gems and storied gathering spots that contribute to the city's texture and lore, but don't qualify for landmark status. (Green Apple Books is one example featured in the New York Daily News.) Because their buildings don't meet the standards for preservation, locals fear these businesses could be displaced by the tech boom, taking meaningful expressions of the city's character and culture with them.
To address that fear, San Francisco will soon begin awarding grants to some such establishments through a new Legacy Business Preservation Fund. Approved by voters in November 2015, the program will award up to $50,000 each to small businesses at least 30 years old that have "contributed to the neighborhood's history and/or identity." It also offers landlords up to $22,500 a year for entering a 10-year lease with a legacy business.
Writing for the Daily News, Sarah Goodyear looks at San Francisco's program alongside similar efforts still struggling for support in New York, as well as other approaches to supporting small business—noting that major European cities have tended to adopt more creative solutions.
FULL STORY: Malls of America
Gentrification Enters Preservation Debate Surrounding NYC's Strand Bookstore
The Renaissance Revival building that houses New York City's beloved Strand Bookstore is under consideration by the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission. The case has provoked debate between rival advocates.
Study Finds More Reasons to Worry About Airbnb's Effect in the Housing Market
The new study, published by the Urban Politics and Governance research group at McGill University, comes with a major disclaimer: it was funded by the Hotel Trades Council, AFL-CIO, among other.
A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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