Transit advocates thought a public-private partnership to modernize transit shelters and enhance the public realm was a done deal.
Seattle has put a public-private partnership that would have modernized the city's transit shelters "on ice," potentially scuttling between $97 million and $167 million in revenue over 20 years.
"The city had selected Intersection, a winning bidder, which promised installation of modern transit shelters and high-tech information and WiFi kiosks throughout Downtown Seattle and South Lake Union at no cost to the city. Intersection had also offered to pay the city between $97 million and $167 million over 20 years as compensation for sole operational rights," reports Stephen Fesler.
Fesler reports that Mayor Jenny Durkan is responsible for putting the project "on ice some time between late last year and early this year." The news came after The Urbanist spoke with Seattle Department of Transportation official, who report that "priorities had since changed and that the contract had been put on an indefinite hold, likely meaning permanent cancellation."
The article includes a lot more detail about the deal that would have created the public-private partnership, the city's intended private sector partner, and the look and feel of the proposed transit shelters.
FULL STORY: Durkan Torpedoes Transit Shelter Modernization Plan, Forgoing $97 Million Or More In Revenue
Vehicles Restrictions for COVID-19 Made Permanent for Seattle Streets
The temporary measures of the coronavirus pandemic are being made permanent fixtures on 20 miles of streets in Seattle.
Getting the Politics of Cordon Tolling Right
With Mayor Jenny Durkan's announcement that Seattle will pursue cordon area congestion pricing coming five days after New York dropped its plan, a Washington State pro-business publication looks at the difficulties in getting the politics right.
Seattle Planning Commission Urges Reimagining of the City’s Streets
In a set of recommendations submitted to the city, the commission calls for revised land use and transportation policies that reclaim public space from cars and shift focus away from vehicle throughput to more pedestrian-oriented uses.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service