Daniel Denvir's article will have you thinking twice about whether your elected officials should be dedicating public resources to support the newest mega-project in your city as he explores "Great Moments in the History of Boondoggles."
As cities compete with one another to attract increasingly mobile jobs and investment, a wide variety of private players, from corporations to sports franchises, are demanding public subsidies to support their pet projects, writes Denvir.
"As a public service to the city council members and mayors of the world (not to mention the taxpayers they serve!) who are currently pushing for big subsidies, tax increment finance deals, or abatements for their pet mega-projects, we offer this quick look back at three of the most embarrassing municipal boondoggles in American history. Don't say we didn't warn you."
Philadelphia's "Disney Quest" project, Flint, Michigan's "AutoWorld" amusement park, and New York City's 1998 luxury package of subsidies, cash and tax breaks intended to keep Wall Street from moving to Jersey City all make Denvir's municipal subsidy hall of shame.
FULL STORY: Great Moments in the History of Boondoggles
Houston Requires Community Benefits for Development Subsidies
Houston joins cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, and Minneapolis in demanding a greater return on public dollars.
The Great Debate: How to Attract Investment in Neglected Urban Areas
With the key assumption that more of Philadelphia needs to see the benefits of the recent wave of investment that has come to the city's urban core, politicians at varying levels of government are considering multiple policy options.
Detroit Strikes Deal to Move Red Wings Stadium Forward
A plan to build a new, $450 million hockey arena along the Cass Avenue corridor near Downtown Detroit has already faced criticism for its generous public subsidies. The City Council recently made sure the public will get something in return.
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