March 2024

March 14, 2024

Rick Cole on the Need for Community Empowerment

After a three-decade career in municipal management, Rick Cole is reclaiming his old seat on the Pasadena City Council, representing District 2. In the March primary, he defeated incumbent Felicia Williams by a 60% margin, the first challenger to unseat a sitting member of the Council since 1987. Decrying what he called the “complacency” of Pasadena City Hall, Cole ran on bringing a “sense of urgency” to the issues of homelessness, climate change, housing affordability, city planning, public education and a changing economy. He takes office in December and reflects here on his aspirations to “move the needle” and “make Pasadena a leader again.”

March 14, 2024

David Waite on How California is Trying to Legislate Housing

With numerous bills, executive orders, and local measures all stirring the pot of how, when, and where housing in the State of California should happen -amongst those Mayor Bass’ own Executive Directive 1- the answer of just how successful the legislative efforts have been continues to be elusive, especially with similar attempts in Vancouver, Chicago, and Syndey having appeared to miss the mark. TPR, to inform the debate, spoke with David Waite, partner and real estate guru at Cox Castle, about how the many legislative efforts are aiming to change how housing in California is done. In the interview, Waite talks about ED1, California’s supply-demand paradox, and UCLA’s exciting acquisition of the Westside Pavilion shopping mall.

March 14, 2024

LA Councilmember Blumenfield on CD3’s Big Investment’s in Public Projects

Over the past decade, the San Fernando Valley has witnessed a transformative period marked by significant economic development, cultural revitalization, and community-driven initiatives. Councilmember Bob Blumenfield has played a pivotal role in steering the region's trajectory, leveraging funds from former CRA resources to kickstart the Reseda Rising Initiative, channeling over $100 million into Reseda. In this interview with TPR, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield provides a comprehensive overview of his impactful initiatives, developing community hubs, and his approach to revitalizing Ventura Boulevard and the Warner Center. Blumenfield further explores housing challenges, his strategies for effective communication with constituents and concern over diminishing media coverage of public interest stories in Los Angeles county.

March 1, 2024

David White Bringing City of Santa Monica Back Online Post-Pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced worldwide shutdowns in tourism, retail, dining, and public events, few cities took it harder than Santa Monica, a city which had long utilized its massive dining, retail, and hotel tax revenues to superfund their city budget. Post-pandemic, the city continues to be challenged by COVID related revenue losses, homelessness, crime, as well as pricey court rulings. TPR, in this exclusive interview, spoke with Santa Monica City Manager David White on how the city is successfully recovering from its difficult position and why he maintains a positive outlook on Santa Monica’s future. In the interview, White talks about reviving the 3rd Street Promenade, civic engagement, their novel approaches to homelessness and crime, as well as projects like the Civic Auditorium and the potential Santa Monica Airport park.

March 1, 2024

CNN’s Homelessness In America Series Starting in LA with L.A. Mayor Karen Bass

Homelessness increased by more than 12% in 2023, reaching 653,104 people according to @USHUD —the sharpest increase and biggest population of homeless people in the US since the government began keeping these records. Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper, Los Angeles’ Mayor Bass announced a lofty goal of ending street homeless in Los Angeles by 2026. TPR presents an excerpt from that program and the appearance of Mayor Bass who ,when asked by Tapper what she hopes to accomplish by the end of her elected term, doubled down on what was one of, if not her biggest, campaign promise — making a massive dent in the homeless crisis.

March 1, 2024

UBC Panel: Is Local Democracy in the Way of Affordable Housing?

University of British Columbia’s Professor Patrick Condon, James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Liveable Environments in early February hosted the first of what will be a series of panels addressing the question: Is local Government the reason why Housing costs so much in Metro’s like Vancouver, Brisbane, and Phoenix? If yes - what should be done about that? TPR, with permission, shares excerpts of two of the panelists (Brisbane Australia’s Dr. Cameron Murray & Dr. Mark Roseland, Arizona State University) featured at this Vancouver, BC. forum. Later this month, TPR will feature more from Professor’s Condon’s UBC Series.

Advertisement

Advertise with us
© 2024 The Planning Report | David Abel, Publisher, ABL, Inc.