Stephen Jacob Smith
@stephenjacobsmith.com
Executive director of the Center for Building in North America, [email protected]. Personal account. Brooklyn, NY.
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
New research confirms what many of us see: there's a large internal migration of LGBTQ people in the US, especially trans people, to friendlier states & cities.
Since 11/2024, 9% of all trans people have moved to another state, 43% have considered moving.
www.mapresearch.org/2025-norc-su...
Since 11/2024, 9% of all trans people have moved to another state, 43% have considered moving.
www.mapresearch.org/2025-norc-su...
January 10, 2026 at 7:17 PM
New research confirms what many of us see: there's a large internal migration of LGBTQ people in the US, especially trans people, to friendlier states & cities.
Since 11/2024, 9% of all trans people have moved to another state, 43% have considered moving.
www.mapresearch.org/2025-norc-su...
Since 11/2024, 9% of all trans people have moved to another state, 43% have considered moving.
www.mapresearch.org/2025-norc-su...
Just watched this Ossetian movie (Unclenching the Fists on Mubi), in which the main character has health issues from being involved in the Beslan school siege, and it just got me thinking about how wild the whole Chechen (?) terrorism (?) spree in the early 2000s was
January 11, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Just watched this Ossetian movie (Unclenching the Fists on Mubi), in which the main character has health issues from being involved in the Beslan school siege, and it just got me thinking about how wild the whole Chechen (?) terrorism (?) spree in the early 2000s was
Based on the bathroom, what cuisine would you say this restaurant was serving?
January 11, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Based on the bathroom, what cuisine would you say this restaurant was serving?
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
PennDOT got bullied into designing subway stations without mezzanines and the per-station cost was pegged at $120M each. Unfortunately we're also broke
January 10, 2026 at 9:36 PM
PennDOT got bullied into designing subway stations without mezzanines and the per-station cost was pegged at $120M each. Unfortunately we're also broke
Something I've noticed: GOP state lawmakers who intro single-stair or elevator reform bills are often themselves in construction. Rep. Mike Jones in MO owns a painting company, Rep. Doug Miller in IN is a homebuilder and active in NAHB, Gov. Bill Lee in TN was an HVAC contractor (among other things)
January 10, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Something I've noticed: GOP state lawmakers who intro single-stair or elevator reform bills are often themselves in construction. Rep. Mike Jones in MO owns a painting company, Rep. Doug Miller in IN is a homebuilder and active in NAHB, Gov. Bill Lee in TN was an HVAC contractor (among other things)
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
There is just zero medium/long range planning capacity and corresponding high-level ability to design and scope anywhere in the American transit universe — a problem we rediscover every 20 years, and then lay everyone off five years subsequent to that rediscovery.
January 10, 2026 at 7:25 PM
There is just zero medium/long range planning capacity and corresponding high-level ability to design and scope anywhere in the American transit universe — a problem we rediscover every 20 years, and then lay everyone off five years subsequent to that rediscovery.
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
A *30%* staffing cut at the FTA, which now only has ~500 people -- www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
January 10, 2026 at 7:20 PM
A *30%* staffing cut at the FTA, which now only has ~500 people -- www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
So is it normal Amtrak practice to close train doors on a NEC train 4 minutes before departure? I was later than I wanted to be because of subway issues, but still arrive 4 mins before departure – and the train just sat there with doors closed for 2 more mins before leaving 2 mins early!
January 10, 2026 at 6:08 PM
So is it normal Amtrak practice to close train doors on a NEC train 4 minutes before departure? I was later than I wanted to be because of subway issues, but still arrive 4 mins before departure – and the train just sat there with doors closed for 2 more mins before leaving 2 mins early!
Got asked to donate to a Dem candidate last year. I said only if I won’t be spammed. They said yes, I’ll delete immediately so it doesn’t get passed along. I now get at least half a dozen spam texts a day. Not giving a penny until they make this stop and guarantee it won’t happen again.
January 10, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Got asked to donate to a Dem candidate last year. I said only if I won’t be spammed. They said yes, I’ll delete immediately so it doesn’t get passed along. I now get at least half a dozen spam texts a day. Not giving a penny until they make this stop and guarantee it won’t happen again.
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
Extremely cool policy job opening for anyone interested in transportation. Can be fully remote (US only)! www.metroabundance.org/jobs/transpo...
Transportation Research Associate - Metropolitan Abundance Project
The Organization The Metropolitan Abundance Project (MAP) works to make American cities prosperous, affordable, sustainable, and joyous places to live and raise families. We help advocates and legisla...
www.metroabundance.org
January 9, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Extremely cool policy job opening for anyone interested in transportation. Can be fully remote (US only)! www.metroabundance.org/jobs/transpo...
After all the complaints about Airbnbs displacing housing, now we’re complaining about replacing an empty two-story building with a real hotel? And an argument for preserving the old building is that the ground floor *used to be* a famous Senegalese restaurant? Spanish NIMBYism is on another level
January 10, 2026 at 2:36 PM
After all the complaints about Airbnbs displacing housing, now we’re complaining about replacing an empty two-story building with a real hotel? And an argument for preserving the old building is that the ground floor *used to be* a famous Senegalese restaurant? Spanish NIMBYism is on another level
The great thing about being a transit nerd is that I’ve never respected Elon Musk
January 10, 2026 at 2:17 PM
The great thing about being a transit nerd is that I’ve never respected Elon Musk
Next I’d like to see the city get authorization to install box-blocking cameras in Midtown. It could save a lot of money on traffic cops, and make it cheaper to do any kind of business that involves a lot of deliveries or site visits (groceries, building maintenance, construction, etc.)
NYC to quadruple intersections with red light cameras by end of year, officials say https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-to-quadruple-intersections-with-red-light-cameras-by-end-of-year-officials-say
NYC to quadruple intersections with red light cameras by end of year, officials say
Red light cameras are coming to hundreds more intersections across the city.
The expanded program is allowed thanks to a law passed by state lawmakers in 2024. [ more › ]
gothamist.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Next I’d like to see the city get authorization to install box-blocking cameras in Midtown. It could save a lot of money on traffic cops, and make it cheaper to do any kind of business that involves a lot of deliveries or site visits (groceries, building maintenance, construction, etc.)
“The most important piece of news for the future of the [South American] lift market is the agreement to be signed between the European Union (EU) and MERCOSUR.” Small EU exporters and consumers have the most to benefit. elevatorworld.com/pdf/online_e...
elevatorworld.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:52 PM
“The most important piece of news for the future of the [South American] lift market is the agreement to be signed between the European Union (EU) and MERCOSUR.” Small EU exporters and consumers have the most to benefit. elevatorworld.com/pdf/online_e...
The main failure was the self-closing doors, and as a condo board president, I have received zero communication in the years since from the city about the importance of maintaining these, suggestions for inspecting them, etc. Feels like no lessons were learned.
Four years ago, seventeen of our neighbors perished at Twin Parks in one of the deadliest fires in modern New York City history.
January 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM
The main failure was the self-closing doors, and as a condo board president, I have received zero communication in the years since from the city about the importance of maintaining these, suggestions for inspecting them, etc. Feels like no lessons were learned.
Should there not be a stop at Magnolia Blvd?
January 10, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Should there not be a stop at Magnolia Blvd?
Code nerds: any idea how this building got away with not enclosing either of its stairways?
January 9, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Code nerds: any idea how this building got away with not enclosing either of its stairways?
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
For the two Iowa metro areas:
1. Ames used to be ~100 in ‘14.
2. Iowa City Transit, 1/3 agencies in IC, went fare free but the metro slipped from 11th to 16th.
3. Both metros have lost ridership in last decade to *walking*, as new mid/high-rise student-serving apartments were built near campus.
1. Ames used to be ~100 in ‘14.
2. Iowa City Transit, 1/3 agencies in IC, went fare free but the metro slipped from 11th to 16th.
3. Both metros have lost ridership in last decade to *walking*, as new mid/high-rise student-serving apartments were built near campus.
Here are the 20 US urban areas that had the highest per-capita transit ridership in 2024.
New York, unsurprisingly, dominated. Among the big urban areas, the other leaders were SF, DC & Boston.
A lot of small towns—like Ames, IA or Champaign, IL—did well, too. That's because they're college towns!
New York, unsurprisingly, dominated. Among the big urban areas, the other leaders were SF, DC & Boston.
A lot of small towns—like Ames, IA or Champaign, IL—did well, too. That's because they're college towns!
January 9, 2026 at 2:35 PM
For the two Iowa metro areas:
1. Ames used to be ~100 in ‘14.
2. Iowa City Transit, 1/3 agencies in IC, went fare free but the metro slipped from 11th to 16th.
3. Both metros have lost ridership in last decade to *walking*, as new mid/high-rise student-serving apartments were built near campus.
1. Ames used to be ~100 in ‘14.
2. Iowa City Transit, 1/3 agencies in IC, went fare free but the metro slipped from 11th to 16th.
3. Both metros have lost ridership in last decade to *walking*, as new mid/high-rise student-serving apartments were built near campus.
The sharp rise in unemployment among foreign-born workers during the immigration surge during the Biden years (and fall after Biden and Trump closed the border) does explain why Latino voters turned sharply for Trump in 2024
Unsurprisingly, Trump's immigration crackdown is not delivering labor market improvements for the US-born
Over the last year, native-born unemployment is up from 3.9% to 4.3% while native-born employment has decreased by a similar amount
Over the last year, native-born unemployment is up from 3.9% to 4.3% while native-born employment has decreased by a similar amount
January 9, 2026 at 2:33 PM
The sharp rise in unemployment among foreign-born workers during the immigration surge during the Biden years (and fall after Biden and Trump closed the border) does explain why Latino voters turned sharply for Trump in 2024
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
I can’t understand how the restoration of the Houses of Parliament will cost…
£15 billion!
That’s…. £133,000 a square metre!
For context, to build a brand new skyscraper in London is around £10,000 /m2. What the hell?
www.politico.eu/article/mp-q...
£15 billion!
That’s…. £133,000 a square metre!
For context, to build a brand new skyscraper in London is around £10,000 /m2. What the hell?
www.politico.eu/article/mp-q...
January 9, 2026 at 7:17 AM
I can’t understand how the restoration of the Houses of Parliament will cost…
£15 billion!
That’s…. £133,000 a square metre!
For context, to build a brand new skyscraper in London is around £10,000 /m2. What the hell?
www.politico.eu/article/mp-q...
£15 billion!
That’s…. £133,000 a square metre!
For context, to build a brand new skyscraper in London is around £10,000 /m2. What the hell?
www.politico.eu/article/mp-q...
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
Strong Towns' Chuck Marohn betraying all of his principles on behalf of the Michigan League in opposition to a pro-housing package of bills that would (among other things) legalize duplexes and ADUs, reduce parking requirements, and speed up permitting. This guy has completely lost the plot.
January 9, 2026 at 3:45 AM
Strong Towns' Chuck Marohn betraying all of his principles on behalf of the Michigan League in opposition to a pro-housing package of bills that would (among other things) legalize duplexes and ADUs, reduce parking requirements, and speed up permitting. This guy has completely lost the plot.
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
I'm very happy by the imminent signing of the EU-Mercosur agreement.
Important diplomatic and economic win for Lula as he faces a still strong authoritarian right.
Important win for the EU as we refuse to be taken hostage by the deranged farmer fringe.
Important diplomatic and economic win for Lula as he faces a still strong authoritarian right.
Important win for the EU as we refuse to be taken hostage by the deranged farmer fringe.
January 9, 2026 at 12:15 PM
I'm very happy by the imminent signing of the EU-Mercosur agreement.
Important diplomatic and economic win for Lula as he faces a still strong authoritarian right.
Important win for the EU as we refuse to be taken hostage by the deranged farmer fringe.
Important diplomatic and economic win for Lula as he faces a still strong authoritarian right.
Important win for the EU as we refuse to be taken hostage by the deranged farmer fringe.
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
January 9, 2026 at 12:35 PM
The EU ratified the trade deal with Mercosur, creating one of the largest free trade areas in the world and allowing Europe to sell things like cars and wine and for South America to sell agricultural products like beef more easily www.wsj.com/world/europe...
EU Approves Long-Awaited South American Trade Deal
The agreement would remove tariffs on EU products such as cars and wine, and enable agricultural goods to enter the bloc more easily.
www.wsj.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:24 PM
The EU ratified the trade deal with Mercosur, creating one of the largest free trade areas in the world and allowing Europe to sell things like cars and wine and for South America to sell agricultural products like beef more easily www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Wow – legalizes single-stair up to six stories *and* wheelchair-sized elevators (cuts the stretcher requirement). Does anybody have any contact with the legislators or their staffers? I'm interested in talking to them...
Welp, pigs have flown and Indiana Republicans have gone full YIMBY iga.in.gov/legislative/...
Indiana General Assembly
Website for Indiana's General Assembly
iga.in.gov
January 9, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Wow – legalizes single-stair up to six stories *and* wheelchair-sized elevators (cuts the stretcher requirement). Does anybody have any contact with the legislators or their staffers? I'm interested in talking to them...