#transit-oriented-development

#transit-oriented-development

Palo Alto City Council on Wednesday (Oct. 22) will discuss the impacts of a new state law that could allow seven-story residential buildings within a quarter mile of the city's three Caltrain stations. The buildings could be even taller - nine stories - if they're right next to the train station, under Senate Bill 79 by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco.

I love taking Caltrain to work. It's always fun to look at the highway and be like, 'Hahaha sucks to be a commuter right now,' I've always been fascinated with California high-speed rail, I think it's a great idea. A lot of other countries have high-speed rail; getting from here to LA in an eco-friendly manner is great, Infrastructure projects, they take time,

A $255 million loan will finance the first construction phase of a massive $1 billion Hudson River development in Bergen County. S3 Capital said it originated the construction loan which will finance the initial phase of the mixed-use development at 615 River Road in Edgewater. The project aims to reshape Edgewater's waterfront with luxury housing, transit connections, and public amenities.

SB 79 is a historic step toward tackling the root cause of California's affordability crisis - our profound shortage of homes and too few people having access to transit," Wiener (D-San Francisco) said in a statement.

Curry discussed her recent article for the California Planning and Development Report on Sacramento's attempt to use an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) to revitalize its downtown. The financing tool, designed to help cities fund projects like affordable housing and transit-oriented development without raising taxes, has struggled to gain traction statewide. Sacramento's effort to launch a district around its downtown railyards hit obstacles due to political disagreements and questions about long-term revenue streams.

Ledcor Development, a Southern California firm, had previously planned to build 476 apartments on nearly 4.5 acres of land divided across three parcels just off the San Pablo Bay. The proposal was part of a larger three-part development effort dubbed the Hercules Bayfront Community. Ledcor has already seen the completion of two other apartment projects - The Exchange and The Dylan - that brought 403 units to the city.

A young undocumented honor student walks into an immigration hearing with her mother - she walks out deported to Guatemala, wearing only the clothes on her back. She doesn't even speak Spanish, not a trace of an accent. What was achieved here? Who was made safer? Who benefited? These are not criminals. They pay taxes. They contribute. Now their jobs are empty, waiting for Americans who will never step forward to take them.

Once again, we hear of another in an endless string of uniquely American single-shooter mass casualty events, this time at a Catholic school in Minneapolis. Two children are dead, many more are seriously injured, and the well-armed alleged assailant committed suicide. Initial reports echo the all too familiar responses, including, absolutely incomprehensible unspeakable tragedy horrific, and Pope Leo XIV is praying for the families of the dead. My heart bleeds for the families who sent their children to school, and will now plan their funerals

SB 79, authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, mandates that six- to seven-story residential buildings be built within a half-mile radius of any qualifying transit stops, which include some bus stops. This is beyond what has already been mandated along linear corridors and with the housing elements plan. A single-family home neighborhood currently has about eight houses per acre. These will be near developments that cannot be stopped if this bill passes.

A one-size-fits-all mandate from Sacramento is not safe, and it's not responsible,

These megastructures offer clear advantages-economic efficiency, high development returns, and convenience for transit users-but often ignore urban context and environment.