The Emanuel Administration has yet to secure needed funding for a big project to update Chicago's Union Station. Now it's up to the Trump Administration to supply a needed loan.
Greg Hinz reports: "Mayor Rahm Emanuel is getting ready for his first big ask from President-elect Donald Trump: a low-interest federal loan of up to $1 billion to modernize and expand Chicago's Union Station."
According to Hinz, Mayor Emanuel has been working hard to advocate for the project in Washington, D.C. The effort has also enlisted members of Congress from the state of Illinois, including Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and former Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., who "pushed legislation to ensure that the project would qualify for a Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan."
So far, however, the "President Barack Obama's Department of Transportation agreed only to sign an Emerging Projects Agreement under which 'Chicago can closely work with USDOT with the ultimate goal of seeking' the grant," reports Hinz.
If the term "Emerging Projects Agreement" (EmPA) seems unfamiliar, that's because it's only ever been granted one other project—the PATH tunnel project connecting New Jersey and New York under the Hudson River.
FULL STORY: Emanuel wants $1 billion from Trump for Union Station
Emanuel Campaign Announces Neighborhood-Level Infrastructure Plans
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, busy on the campaign trail for re-election this week, made a big push for infrastructure investments at the neighborhood level.
Chicago Bets on Buses
Yonah Freemark reports on Chicago's commitment of $7.3 million, supplementing $24.6 million in federal funds already in place, to improve bus service between Union Station and Navy Pier.
Trade War With China Impacts Transit Investments in Chicago
A 25 percent tariff on steel imports could eventually be passed to transit riders in the form of higher fares.
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