Purple Line preview: Maryland’s Purple Line light rail project, an extension of the Washington Metrorail, is set to see the first railcars this year.
LA still rising: Despite everything, a major hotel and condominium high-rise is set to rise in Los Angeles.
Still stay at home: Washington’s stay at home order will extend at least through the end of May ($), though the state may progressively reopen activities in phases every three weeks or so.
Inspirational: Artists in Seattle are creating beautiful murals on a closed, boarded stores.
Some relaxation: Washington will begin to relax outdoor activities and state parks next week ($).
A different leadership: What could a Joe Biden presidency accomplish for affordable housing?
Penny wise, pound foolish: Despite record lows for gas, Massachusetts state legislators appear set on giving up on a needed gas tax increase.
Slowed expansion: Google is slowing its real estate expansion significantly for the first time in years.
Urbanizing Cali: With the coronavirus, what does that mean for urbanization in California ($)?
Trump’s great recession: The American economy shrank 4.8% in the last quarter while unemployment numbers have crossed 30 million ($) after another 3.8 million sought unemployment benefits last week.
Cancel the rent: Nationwide, there is an effort to cancel rent and mortgage payments amid the COVID-19 epidemic and it is getting some serious attention by lawmakers.
Temperature checks: Paine Field has implemented infrared screening temperature checks for passengers ($).
Rise of the bike: In post-lockdown Paris, bikes are taking priority in moving people around.
Subway highs and lows: The New York City Subway’s L Train construction work has wrapped up ahead of schedule and under budget, but due to cratering ridership, nighttime service will be curtailed across the system.
Fate of transit: Will suburban commuter trains ever see ridership recover post-pandemic? And how can American transit agencies survive the pandemic?
Jane’s Walks: Jane’s Walks are going to have to get creative this year.
Safer ATL streets: Atlanta is making a big move in lowering speed limits across the city to 25mph.
Economic driver: How can local construction projects spur a COVID-19 economic recovery?
Failure to act: Mass layoffs of city, county, and state government employees are beginning to happen across the country ($).
Stalling out: A signature campaign for massive affordable housing by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appears set to shrink drastically in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Vilnius goes outside: A European capital, Vilnius, is set to become one big open air plaza and cafe to help restaurants get back to work.
Open streets: New York City is committing to 100 miles of “open streets”. Meanwhile, Portland is taking on a 100-mile “slow streets, safe streets” effort in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.
Houston: America’s oil capital has just released a climate action resiliency plan with carbon neutrality by 2050.
Unaccounted for: Vehicle safety standards are meant to protect passengers and drivers, not pedestrians.
Liability concerns: Will businesses fear liability over COVID-19 and remain closed ($)?
Taking on gentle density: A major comprehensive plan proposal for Washington, D.C. would include “gentle density” housing in areas zoned for single-family housing.
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.