Over 30 organizations show their support for the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act

The National Brownfields Coalition, with support from over 30 national organizations, released a letter in support of the reintroduction of the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act. This bill, introduced by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ) and Rep. Michael Turner (OH), will allow taxpayers to fully deduct the cleanup costs of contaminated property in the year … Continued

Land Use and Development

Commercial to Residential? White House Highlights Programs that Could Help Vacancies in Downtowns

In the face of the well-documented housing crisis, and amidst a changing landscape for office and commercial buildings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the White House released a guidebook of programs that would assist commercial to residential conversions. As local government leaders, developers, policymakers, and other stakeholders debate strategies to revitalize their downtowns, this guidebook … Continued

Land Use and Development LOCUS

Beyond infrastructure development: Fostering sustainable, urban development in cities across the globe

In a moderated panel discussion, hosted in New Delhi, India, several land use experts brainstormed how governments can advance people-centered communities that include green infrastructure as a central focal point of the community. Additionally, they examined the similarities between developing communities in the Global South and smaller communities in the U.S. Good communities don’t just … Continued

Land Use and Development

Advancing Equitable Development in Massachusetts

Thanks to generous funding by the Barr Foundation, SGA has been providing technical assistance over the last several months to two Massachusetts-based community organizations: Westside Legends of Pittsfield, MA and CultureHouse of Somerville, MA. These technical assistance partnerships with both community organizations are oriented around the goal of advancing equitable zoning reform and affordable housing … Continued

Land Use and Development Technical assistance

An Active Roadmap: Best Practices in Rural Mobility

Rural communities in America vary across many dimensions including population and demographic trends, economic and health indicators, and others. Some communities have continued to thrive with improving quality of life and stable or growing economies, while others have experienced a long and slow decline. What is clear is that there are many strategies, including improving … Continued

Rural Development

Active Roadmap Case Study: Montpelier, VT

CREATING CONNECTIONS IN MONTPELIER, VT Location: Montpelier, VT Population: 7,434 (2020) Typologies: Traditional main street Key takeaway: In small cities and rural areas, the effects of emergency situations like a global pandemic can hit especially hard. Finding ways to connect the community during crisis can be essential for resiliency in rural areas Vermont’s capital city, … Continued

Complete Streets Rural Development

Active Roadmap Case Study: Ruston, LA

QUALITY OF LIFE IS KEY IN RUSTON, LA Location: Ruston, LA Population: 21,987 (2020) Typologies: Retirement, second-home; Traditional main street; College Key takeaway: Ruston is implementing changes to their built environment to encourage walking and to connect their communities. These changes have enabled them, in spite of their distance from a large metropolitan area, to … Continued

Rural Development

Active Roadmap Case Study: Oxford, MS

OXFORD’S COMPLETE STREETS ADD ECONOMIC BENEFITS Location: Oxford, MS Population: 27,662 (2020) Typologies: Traditional main street community; College community. Key takeaway: Improving safety and comfort for people walking, biking, and rolling can improve not only the safety and enjoyment of people in a rural community but also the economy of the community. Oxford, MS, is … Continued

Complete Streets Rural Development

Active Roadmap Case Study: Erwin, TN

ERWIN’S THRIVING DOWNTOWN ACTIVITY CENTER Location: Erwin, TN Population: 5,910 (2020) Typologies: Retirement, second-home; Traditional main street; Edge Key takeaway: By focusing on attracting investment to its historic downtown, expanding broadband, and improving access to local amenities and commercial areas, Erwin has created a thriving downtown activity center, where residents can safely walk to the … Continued

Complete Streets Rural Development

Active Roadmap Case Study: Excelsior Springs, MO

EXCELSIOR SPRING RESILIENCY CAPABILITIES Location: Excelsior Springs, MO Population: 11,688 Typologies: Traditional main street; Edge Key takeaway: By applying a combination of strategies to support local businesses during a global health crisis, Excelsior Springs was able to minimize negative effects to their local economy, continue to attract visitors, and maintain the healthy, stable community that … Continued

Complete Streets Rural Development