Purple Line preview: Maryland’s Purple Line light rail project, an extension of the Washington Metrorail, is set to see the first railcars this year.
LA still rising: Despite everything, a major hotel and condominium high-rise is set to rise in Los Angeles.
Still stay at home: Washington’s stay at home order will extend at least through the end of May ($), though the state may progressively reopen activities in phases every three weeks or so.
Inspirational: Artists in Seattle are creating beautiful murals on a closed, boarded stores.
Some relaxation: Washington will begin to relax outdoor activities and state parks next week ($).
A different leadership: What could a Joe Biden presidency accomplish for affordable housing?
Penny wise, pound foolish: Despite record lows for gas, Massachusetts state legislators appear set on giving up on a needed gas tax increase.
Slowed expansion: Google is slowing its real estate expansion significantly for the first time in years.
Urbanizing Cali: With the coronavirus, what does that mean for urbanization in California ($)?
Trump’s great recession: The American economy shrank 4.8% in the last quarter while unemployment numbers have crossed 30 million ($) after another 3.8 million sought unemployment benefits last week.
Cancel the rent: Nationwide, there is an effort to cancel rent and mortgage payments amid the COVID-19 epidemic and it is getting some serious attention by lawmakers.
Temperature checks: Paine Field has implemented infrared screening temperature checks for passengers ($).
Rise of the bike: In post-lockdown Paris, bikes are taking priority in moving people around.
Subway highs and lows: The New York City Subway’s L Train construction work has wrapped up ahead of schedule and under budget, but due to cratering ridership, nighttime service will be curtailed across the system.
Fate of transit: Will suburban commuter trains ever see ridership recover post-pandemic? And how can American transit agencies survive the pandemic?
Jane’s Walks: Jane’s Walks are going to have to get creative this year.
Safer ATL streets: Atlanta is making a big move in lowering speed limits across the city to 25mph.
Economic driver: How can local construction projects spur a COVID-19 economic recovery?
Failure to act: Mass layoffs of city, county, and state government employees are beginning to happen across the country ($).
Stalling out: A signature campaign for massive affordable housing by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appears set to shrink drastically in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Vilnius goes outside: A European capital, Vilnius, is set to become one big open air plaza and cafe to help restaurants get back to work.
Open streets: New York City is committing to 100 miles of “open streets”. Meanwhile, Portland is taking on a 100-mile “slow streets, safe streets” effort in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.
Houston: America’s oil capital has just released a climate action resiliency plan with carbon neutrality by 2050.
Unaccounted for: Vehicle safety standards are meant to protect passengers and drivers, not pedestrians.
Liability concerns: Will businesses fear liability over COVID-19 and remain closed ($)?
Taking on gentle density: A major comprehensive plan proposal for Washington, D.C. would include “gentle density” housing in areas zoned for single-family housing.
