Balancing Oakland's Budget
Closing the city’s structural deficit to move toward fiscal solvency and economic growth
When Transit Goes Awry
Urbanist Article / From The Year in Urbanism: When BART went on strike twice in 2013, the Bay Area learned just how dependent it is on a functioning transit system. How do we make sure BART continues to expand to handle more riders as the region grows — and how do we make sure strikes don’t happen in the future?
The Uneven Housing Recovery
Urbanist Article / From The Year in Urbanism: In 2013, housing prices exploded in San Francisco while lagging at pre-recession levels in other parts of the region. Could some of the demand for the hottest markets be met by other, more affordable locations that are well served by regional transit?
Getting to Great Places
SPUR Report / The City of San Jose's ambitious new General Plan imagines a dramatic shift away from traditional suburban landscapes to “complete neighborhoods” that provide basic services and amenities close to homes, jobs and transit. Achieving this transformation will be a daunting challenge. SPUR diagnoses the impediments San Jose faces in creating excellent, walkable urban places and recommends changes in policy and practice to get there.
Lease Deals Point to Positive Signs for Downtown San Jose
News / Two big lease deals in downtown San Jose indicate that the city center’s underappreciated assets may be proving attractive to those seeking more urban workplaces in Silicon Valley. Why did these two tenants choose downtown over other nearby competitors? Four reasons: access to transit, urban amenities, real estate costs and a responsive government.
A Vision for the Future of School Meals in SF
News / San Francisco’s school meals could look quite a bit different in the coming years. That’s the overarching theme of a report that the San Francisco Unified School District released in September, laying out a long-term vision for the future of the district's school meals program, which currently serves 22,000 lunches and 5,500 breakfasts each day.