91% of Downtown Sacramento Partnership members vote to assess themselves $1.4 million annually.
The Downtown Sacramento Partnership, an association of over 200 property owners is California's first-ever business improvement association. The partnership was established five years ago to promote downtown Sacramento as a destination. Steam washing sidewalks and streets under their "clean and safe" program, posting 20 visitor "guides" in the downtown area, and successfully lobbying City officials to focus development efforts in the downtown area are among the association's major accomplishments. Lobbying successes included securing a moratorium on multi-screen movie complexes anywhere but in the downtown district. The renewed Downtown Sacramento Partnership will be promoting the revived downtown area's attractions including the new IMAX theater as well as concerts, farmer's markets, and other activities in the recently renovated Cesar Chavez Plaza.
Thanks to William Davis
FULL STORY: Downtown Partnership Given Extended Lease on Life

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.

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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