Reposted by Mike
This is *exactly* what happened in my South Austin neighborhood- we now have great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, stores, movie theatre, etc because of the 10-15 nearby apartment buildings built since early 2000s.
Almost all of which were opposed by the local neighborhood associations.
Almost all of which were opposed by the local neighborhood associations.
If we built more apartments in a .5 mile radius from my house, the new people would support new businesses which would drive up my home's value and also provide a larger tax base to improve my city's services. I would much prefer that over parking for chuds and their pickup trucks.
many YIMBYs i know are actually quite explicit about working against their own financial interest
November 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
This is *exactly* what happened in my South Austin neighborhood- we now have great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, stores, movie theatre, etc because of the 10-15 nearby apartment buildings built since early 2000s.
Almost all of which were opposed by the local neighborhood associations.
Almost all of which were opposed by the local neighborhood associations.
Reposted by Mike
a big runoff last night, in New Orleans:
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan wins Orleans clerk of court race - Verite News New Orleans
Duncan, a political newcomer and former prisoner, defeated incumbent Darren Lombard by a wide margin in Saturday's runoff.
veritenews.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
a big runoff last night, in New Orleans:
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Reposted by Mike
for years i've written that trees and density are two great tastes that go great together
but it requires both land use *and* building codes that prioritize this. no US cities have land use that does this well.
www.theurbanist.org/2018/05/07/t...
but it requires both land use *and* building codes that prioritize this. no US cities have land use that does this well.
www.theurbanist.org/2018/05/07/t...
Trees + Density = Livability - The Urbanist
# Last October, Seattle Weekly republished an article headlined, ‘Will Seattle Finally Protect its tree canopy’, which was followed a few days later by Seattle Mag’s ‘The Struggle to Save Seattle’s Ur...
www.theurbanist.org
April 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
for years i've written that trees and density are two great tastes that go great together
but it requires both land use *and* building codes that prioritize this. no US cities have land use that does this well.
www.theurbanist.org/2018/05/07/t...
but it requires both land use *and* building codes that prioritize this. no US cities have land use that does this well.
www.theurbanist.org/2018/05/07/t...
Going out to dinner at the ungodly hour of 8pm. 😵
November 16, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Going out to dinner at the ungodly hour of 8pm. 😵
I’m really enjoying Pluribus. Really thought provoking premise with LOL outcomes. Why not fly around in Air Force One?
November 15, 2025 at 11:05 PM
I’m really enjoying Pluribus. Really thought provoking premise with LOL outcomes. Why not fly around in Air Force One?
Can anyone point me to the project page for the construction happening on I-5 just south of downtown Portland?
November 15, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Can anyone point me to the project page for the construction happening on I-5 just south of downtown Portland?
Reposted by Mike
The formula is set. Any crony who committed crimes in the past sues the government now, then DOJ “settles” with a vast payout.
Result: limitless payments straight from Treasury to cronies.
Breathtaking corruption poisons us. It steals money from every Conservative and Liberal American taxpayer.
Result: limitless payments straight from Treasury to cronies.
Breathtaking corruption poisons us. It steals money from every Conservative and Liberal American taxpayer.
Michael Flynn, DOJ in Settlement Talks Over $50 Million Claim
The Justice Department has been discussing settlements with two former officials from Donald Trump’s first term who — like the president — claim they’re owed major payouts from the US government as vi...
www.bloomberg.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:40 AM
The formula is set. Any crony who committed crimes in the past sues the government now, then DOJ “settles” with a vast payout.
Result: limitless payments straight from Treasury to cronies.
Breathtaking corruption poisons us. It steals money from every Conservative and Liberal American taxpayer.
Result: limitless payments straight from Treasury to cronies.
Breathtaking corruption poisons us. It steals money from every Conservative and Liberal American taxpayer.
Reposted by Mike
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
I want to build this in Portland. I’ve got the money, who’s got the expertise?
Very cool co-housing concept in Oak Park
Future residents developed the project themselves: private condos + big shared 5th-floor commons, group kitchen, guest suite, terrace and rooftop garden.
twice-weekly community dinners + ~20 hours/mo shared work
www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-...
Future residents developed the project themselves: private condos + big shared 5th-floor commons, group kitchen, guest suite, terrace and rooftop garden.
twice-weekly community dinners + ~20 hours/mo shared work
www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-...
First of their kind co-housing condos nearing move-in date in Oak Park
Condos in the 24-unit Oak Park Commons on Madison Street come with twice-weekly group dinners, a 20 hour-a-month work requirement and an emphasis on reaching consensus.
www.chicagobusiness.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I want to build this in Portland. I’ve got the money, who’s got the expertise?
Reposted by Mike
"Everyone - whether driving, walking or cycling has a role to play in keeping our community safe."
-Mayor Andrea Horwath
My question is simple: What about those who design, approve, build and maintain hostile road design? Do they have a role?
-Mayor Andrea Horwath
My question is simple: What about those who design, approve, build and maintain hostile road design? Do they have a role?
A crossing guard was killed by the driver of a dump truck yesterday. absolutely heartbreaking.
Look at our intersections, look how hostile these are for people/children - this is what we continue to build and defend at all costs. These aren't accidents, these are results. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Look at our intersections, look how hostile these are for people/children - this is what we continue to build and defend at all costs. These aren't accidents, these are results. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
November 14, 2025 at 3:21 PM
"Everyone - whether driving, walking or cycling has a role to play in keeping our community safe."
-Mayor Andrea Horwath
My question is simple: What about those who design, approve, build and maintain hostile road design? Do they have a role?
-Mayor Andrea Horwath
My question is simple: What about those who design, approve, build and maintain hostile road design? Do they have a role?
Reposted by Mike
The 26ft clear road width requirement from the US model fire code, Appendix D:
Not only making road diets ineffective and brownfield redevelopment boring and car-centric, but now also being used to prevent construction of taller, safer buildings on streets that don't comply.
This rule needs to go.
Not only making road diets ineffective and brownfield redevelopment boring and car-centric, but now also being used to prevent construction of taller, safer buildings on streets that don't comply.
This rule needs to go.
The good news: Portland is opting into Oregon's optional 4-story single-stair code section.
The bad news: Portland's fire marshal has managed to insert a poison pill into what appeared to be a take-it-or-leave-it appendix text, likely making it unusable in most cases.
djcoregon.com/news/2025/11...
The bad news: Portland's fire marshal has managed to insert a poison pill into what appeared to be a take-it-or-leave-it appendix text, likely making it unusable in most cases.
djcoregon.com/news/2025/11...
Portland’s new single-staircase rule faces big hurdles
The city now allows single-staircase buildings as tall as four stories, but a fire access rule may make most projects unbuildable, one designer warns.
djcoregon.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The 26ft clear road width requirement from the US model fire code, Appendix D:
Not only making road diets ineffective and brownfield redevelopment boring and car-centric, but now also being used to prevent construction of taller, safer buildings on streets that don't comply.
This rule needs to go.
Not only making road diets ineffective and brownfield redevelopment boring and car-centric, but now also being used to prevent construction of taller, safer buildings on streets that don't comply.
This rule needs to go.
Reposted by Mike
My most woke opinion is that cities should completely ignore suburban commuters and design the city we aspire to be. They’ll either begrudgingly commute in by car, mode shift, or be replaced by others in foot traffic
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
My most woke opinion is that cities should completely ignore suburban commuters and design the city we aspire to be. They’ll either begrudgingly commute in by car, mode shift, or be replaced by others in foot traffic
Reposted by Mike
And we knew this. This wasn't speculation. We studied it, we had the talking points. We trained volunteers to explain this to people. It's not a surprise. Rich people don't flee places with good quality of life when we increase the quality of life. They might try to cheat us, but they don't leave.
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:16 AM
And we knew this. This wasn't speculation. We studied it, we had the talking points. We trained volunteers to explain this to people. It's not a surprise. Rich people don't flee places with good quality of life when we increase the quality of life. They might try to cheat us, but they don't leave.
If you’re increasingly disappointed and concerned with BlueSky moderation decisions, there is a social media platform which is different because billionaires can’t own it. www.tbray.org/ongoing/When...
Time to Migrate
www.tbray.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:33 AM
If you’re increasingly disappointed and concerned with BlueSky moderation decisions, there is a social media platform which is different because billionaires can’t own it. www.tbray.org/ongoing/When...
Reposted by Mike
Beyond the obvious top-line—that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law failed to change the equation of transit funding—this also highlights just how important it is to get transit construction costs under control.
It's lighting money on fire.
Great thread by @yonahfreemark.com:
It's lighting money on fire.
Great thread by @yonahfreemark.com:
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed 4 years ago. In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we study its effects.
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
Federal Infrastructure Spending on Transportation, Four Years after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is up for reauthorization in 2026. New analysis shows that the act increased spending on transportation infrastructure, but…
www.urban.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Beyond the obvious top-line—that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law failed to change the equation of transit funding—this also highlights just how important it is to get transit construction costs under control.
It's lighting money on fire.
Great thread by @yonahfreemark.com:
It's lighting money on fire.
Great thread by @yonahfreemark.com:
Reposted by Mike
People really need to stop framing it is a question of getting more evidence. I mean, sure, that too. But we know. We all know. The president of the United States raped children. Say that. When they get mad at you for saying it, say it again and treat them like an idiot for pretending they doubt it.
November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
People really need to stop framing it is a question of getting more evidence. I mean, sure, that too. But we know. We all know. The president of the United States raped children. Say that. When they get mad at you for saying it, say it again and treat them like an idiot for pretending they doubt it.
The lack of safe bike infrastructure here traps me in my car more than anything else. RIP.
It's not heavily used by bike riders, but it's reasonable that someone would use this route to get between Sellwood and Lake Oswego.
bikeportland.org/2025/11/12/b...
bikeportland.org/2025/11/12/b...
Bicycle rider killed in collision on Hwy 43 south of Sellwood Bridge
Despite high speed drivers and a narrow shoulder, this route is still an important connection.
bikeportland.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The lack of safe bike infrastructure here traps me in my car more than anything else. RIP.
Reposted by Mike
This will ignite conversations about the old plan to make a rail-trail next to this hwy and some folks are already talking about how this underscores the need for a more reliable bike route in this area when River View cemetery road is closed.
It's not heavily used by bike riders, but it's reasonable that someone would use this route to get between Sellwood and Lake Oswego.
bikeportland.org/2025/11/12/b...
bikeportland.org/2025/11/12/b...
Bicycle rider killed in collision on Hwy 43 south of Sellwood Bridge
Despite high speed drivers and a narrow shoulder, this route is still an important connection.
bikeportland.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:35 PM
This will ignite conversations about the old plan to make a rail-trail next to this hwy and some folks are already talking about how this underscores the need for a more reliable bike route in this area when River View cemetery road is closed.
Reposted by Mike
By learning from other countries and adopting international best practices, California High Speed Rail was able to cut its costs by $14 billion and cut 70% of tunnels.
This is a big lesson for transit projects both in NY & around the US: start by learning from other countries.
tinyurl.com/mvsmfxa2
This is a big lesson for transit projects both in NY & around the US: start by learning from other countries.
tinyurl.com/mvsmfxa2
November 11, 2025 at 10:29 PM
By learning from other countries and adopting international best practices, California High Speed Rail was able to cut its costs by $14 billion and cut 70% of tunnels.
This is a big lesson for transit projects both in NY & around the US: start by learning from other countries.
tinyurl.com/mvsmfxa2
This is a big lesson for transit projects both in NY & around the US: start by learning from other countries.
tinyurl.com/mvsmfxa2
Reposted by Mike
Most local parties are run by people who've done the job for years because no one stepped up. So step up.
Be authentically you. Speak to your community.
There is a MASSIVE leadership vacuum at the local level almost everywhere outside major cities. Fill it.
Be authentically you. Speak to your community.
There is a MASSIVE leadership vacuum at the local level almost everywhere outside major cities. Fill it.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Most local parties are run by people who've done the job for years because no one stepped up. So step up.
Be authentically you. Speak to your community.
There is a MASSIVE leadership vacuum at the local level almost everywhere outside major cities. Fill it.
Be authentically you. Speak to your community.
There is a MASSIVE leadership vacuum at the local level almost everywhere outside major cities. Fill it.
Reposted by Mike
In my old town the GOP had run basically without serious challenge for decades. A bunch of us "millennials" joined the local Dem party and basically asked to help.
We were running it in a year. Within 4 years we had a majority of town seats flipped Dem. A FAR more progressive Dem than old party
We were running it in a year. Within 4 years we had a majority of town seats flipped Dem. A FAR more progressive Dem than old party
“Rather than taking over the Democratic Party the same way the right took over the Republican Party, we should take the easier route and just start up a new party ourselves!”
I’m about to fill my pockets with stones and walk into the sea.
I’m about to fill my pockets with stones and walk into the sea.
November 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
In my old town the GOP had run basically without serious challenge for decades. A bunch of us "millennials" joined the local Dem party and basically asked to help.
We were running it in a year. Within 4 years we had a majority of town seats flipped Dem. A FAR more progressive Dem than old party
We were running it in a year. Within 4 years we had a majority of town seats flipped Dem. A FAR more progressive Dem than old party
What on earth is happening here? Sorting by species?
November 11, 2025 at 2:26 AM
What on earth is happening here? Sorting by species?
Amazing what governments can do when they decide to stop the endless planning and just do it.
Meanwhile, '3rd world' India has almost electrified all of its vast network in record time. infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/railway...
Over 99% electrification of Indian Railways network complete
Indian Railways Electrification: The Indian Railways has completed over 99% electrification of its broad-gauge network, with a significant push towards renewable energy, including rooftop solar panels...
infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Amazing what governments can do when they decide to stop the endless planning and just do it.
incredible that half of Jamaica was destroyed last week and it‘s just not in the news cycle anymore. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘We need help’: devastated Jamaican communities still await aid after Hurricane Melissa
Ravaged communities near Montego Bay recount what last week’s category 5 storm took from them
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:53 AM
incredible that half of Jamaica was destroyed last week and it‘s just not in the news cycle anymore. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...