News and media articles

The Largest Visioning Process

Matt I. — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:46:19 -0600

John Lewis is the president of Intelligent Futures and communications coordinator of Imagine Calgary. Imagine Calgary asked citizens four key questions to find out what Calgarians sought for the future of their city. The discussion took place in person, online, and more than 18,000 residents contributed their ideas. The result is a 100 year vision for Calgary. Read more >

New York City Transit is facing hard times

Matt I. — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:11:35 -0600

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority moves 8.5 million people every day with a $10.8 billion operating budget. At the monthly board meeting scheduled for this Thursday the news is bleak. Currently the authority is looking at $1.2 billion deficit. You read that correctly, $1.2 billion. Read more >

The Future of Convenience?

Matt I. — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:51:42 -0600

What will “convenience” stores look like in five years? What about 10? Some forward-thinking strategists at SuperAmerica, Holiday Stationstores, Kwik Trip or Oasis Markets had better be rethinking their prototype store model because the convenience retail landscape is going to be changing very dramatically and very quickly. Read more >

Car Sharing

Matt I. — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:16:34 -0600

As a carless resident of the Twin Cities I find that my need to use a car is rare. Sometimes life and work create situations where you just need one for a few hours or even a day. I woke up and today was one of those days. I walked over this morning and got into a hybrid prius Hour Car. Read more >

Open House Today for the Rondo Frogtown Partnership's new Community Change Center

Lisa Bender — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:31:36 -0600

The Frogtown Rondo Partnership is holding an open house this afternoon, Thursday, November 13 at 4:30pm for its new Community Change Center. The Community Change Center office is located at 533 North Dale Street. Read more >

President-elect Obama proposes office of Urban Policy

Matthew Lang — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:58:26 -0600

President-elect Barack Obama is creating the first Office of Urban Policy in the history of the United States. The public can vote for and suggest the priorities of the office at a new website. Read more >

$60 million in federal funds for Minnesota and the foreclosure crisis

Matt I. — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:40:37 -0600

A new program is being established by HUD, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which is going to provide $60 million in federal funds to Minnesota with the aim to sell and rehabilitate foreclosed and vacant properties. Read more >

Twin Cities Bike Sharing Program Moves Forward

Lisa Bender — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:10:45 -0600

The City of Minneapolis is on track to launch a new bike-sharing program in the spring of 2009. Extremely popular in Paris, Barcelona and Stockholm, the bike sharing program will allow subscribers to pick up and drop off bicycles at locations throughout a large area of Minneapolis and, in later phases, throughout both St. Paul and Minneapolis. Read more >

Washington County Commissioner-Elect wants out of transit tax

Natalie Collins — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:27:32 -0600

The election has reversed the Washington County Commission's slim 3-2 margin in favor of the 1/4 cent sales tax for transit. Washington County was expected to contribute about $5 million to the pool.

Commuter Cycling Soaring in NYC

Matthew Lang — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:51:31 -0500

Recent data collected by the New York City Department of Transportation shows a 35% increase in commuter cycling between 2007 and 2008. This data backs up other research and experience that shows well designed bicycle facilities invite more people to use bicycling as a means to take care of their daily mobility needs. Read more >