Inclusionary zoning is a bad enough idea, but at least it doesn't cost taxpayers anything directly. But New York State's Housing Finance Agency is taking the worst of both worlds – affordable housing mandates and public subsidies – and plopping them down in new luxury construction in the heart of … [Read more...]
Weekend links
1. Lydia DePillis responds. I'm all for upzoning only(/mostly) poor neighborhoods if that's all the extra density we can get (though here at Market Urbanism we're kind of utopians – we don't care much about political feasibility), but I'm not nearly as optimistic about inclusionary zoning as she … [Read more...]
Just give Access-a-Ride users cash!
The New York City MTA is starting a paratransit pilot program whereby it seeks to control skyrocketing Access-a-Ride costs by basically handing out unlimited vouchers for cabs for handicapped residents traveling below 96th Street in Manhattan, who would only have to pay $2.25 for each ride. I'm no … [Read more...]
The problem with “public” transportation
The blog 2nd Ave. Sagas has written something that I think sums up pretty well transit advocates' poor knowledge of private mass transit history: Of course, public transit is vital to the city’s well being. Because Manhattan is an island, it can’t handle the traffic. It’s a commercial hub … [Read more...]
Midweek link list
1. Mumbai is rethinking its density bonuses for developers who build parking lots and hand them over free of charge to the city.2. Tort liability driving away possible MARC operators.3. San Mateo County legislators threaten to charge San Franciscans a congestion charge similar to the one … [Read more...]
Free parking outside the $1,000/mo garage
This $1,000+/mo. parking space (without the 18+% parking tax! but one Curbed commenters calls bullshit) on the Upper East Side has been bouncing around the NYC blogosphere, and Curbed commenter low baller just about sums up my thoughts on the matter: And people howl because street parking is going … [Read more...]
NYC & DC links
New York City1. A while ago I wrote about how Manhattanville's blight, and therefore Columbia's ability to use eminent domain, was the fault of bad zoning. The nearby neighborhood of West Harlem looks like it's learned that lesson, and is seeking to protect itself against encroachment from … [Read more...]
A question and a link list
Hey guys, before I start this link list, I wanted to ask: Has anybody had trouble posting comments here with Disqus lately? Either you can't post them, or once you do they disappear? I've gotten two complaints in the last few days, so if you've been experiencing any problems please don't hesitate … [Read more...]