With the referendum approaching, the debate over rent control is heating up in California. This video is pretty balanced in showing both sides. There are some memorable quotes, like "social security and pension plan would not pay the market rent, so I just wouldn't eat." I guess this guy values … [Read more...]
Rent Control Part 3: Mobility, Regional Growth, Development and Class Conflict
Part One of this series was a refresher on the Microeconomics of Rent Control and touched on how it encourages hoarding Part Two discussed rent controls influence on the black market for apartments, rental property deterioration and housing discrimination. Here in Part Three, we will discuss how … [Read more...]
Rent Control Part 2: Black Market, Deterioration and Discrimination
With New York's new Governor's rent subsidized by his landlord and California debating the best ways to end rent control through Proposition 98, I thought it was a good opportunity to discuss the negative aspects of rent control.This post is the second in a four part series on the rent control. … [Read more...]
Bribery for Property Rights: Federal Charges in Chicago
NBC5 has an update listing the people involved and video here: New Corruption Charges Hit Building, Zoning DepartmentsChicago Tribune: U.S. to announce charges against 15 in city bribe-taking probe (thanks to Dan M. for the tip) Federal authorities are set to announce charges Thursday against … [Read more...]
“Green” Parking Garage in Chicago. Oxymoron?
Developer, Al Friedman plans to build a "green" parking garage in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, where development has replaced many surface lots. (Crain's)Environmentally speaking, it's probably better than a surface lot and frees up more space for productive development. But, can the … [Read more...]
Lower East Side Now “Endangered”?
photo by flickr user paytoncThe National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that New York City's Lower East Side, famous for it's history of tenements and slums, is one of 11 architectural, cultural, and natural heritage sites that are most at risk "for destruction or irreparable damage." … [Read more...]
Rent Control Part 1: Microeconomics Lesson & Hoarding
This post has been released as the first in a four part series: Rent Control Part One: Microeconomics Lesson and Hoarding Rent Control Part Two: Black Market, Deterioration, and Discrimination Rent Control Part Three: Mobility, Regional Growth, Development, and Class Conflict Rent Control Part … [Read more...]
$12.8b Bid for PA Turnpike
From Toll Road News: With a bid of $12.8 billion an Abertis/Citi team has been selected as the concessionaire in a 75 year lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The bids were received in a second round of best-&-final offer bids last Friday (May 16). #2 bidder was Transurban/Goldman Sachs at … [Read more...]