Boston will create a general fund for hotel financing to jump-start economic development in the City.
"Worried that tighter bank lending has stalled momentum on a half-dozen planned hotels, city officials are moving to provide 'gap financing' to speed up a few big lodging projects -- and boost the new Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in the process....Gap financing is needed because traditional lenders have been scaling back on financing for hotels, city officials and developers said." The mayor of Boston says that "the loan program would spur developments that would bring about 1,500 hotel rooms to Boston, add about $12 million in annual tax revenue, and create about 1,000 jobs." The city stands to gain from the investment, by using interest payments on loans for economic development in Boston neighborhoods. In addition, it would also reap about $6 million in linkage fees, which would be placed in the City's affordable housing trust fund.
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Key for new hotels

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

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.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
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