We at Greater Ohio Policy Center monitor the news daily to learn more about the smart growth initiatives and news happening in our state and beyond that affect Ohio. Below are articles that caught our attention over the past two weeks, and we thought they might interest you as well. Furthermore, we’re pleased to report that the 2012-13 budget included a $45 million allocation for a first-of-its-kind initiative called the Innovation Fund and Program, which Greater Ohio had a significant role in creating. The fund is an important initial step in promoting strategic and thoughtful government restructuring in Ohio. For more information, read Greater Ohio's letter announcing this important project.
Governance Reform
Decades ago, they split apart. Now, Moreland Hills, Orange, Pepper Pike and Woodmere are considering merging in the most significant step toward regionalism Cuyahoga County has ever seen.
The Columbus Dispatch – 6-24-11 By Mary Beth Lane
Governance Reform
Decades ago, they split apart. Now, Moreland Hills, Orange, Pepper Pike and Woodmere are considering merging in the most significant step toward regionalism Cuyahoga County has ever seen.
The Plain Dealer – 6-22-11 By Laura Johnston
Housing
When the housing bubble burst, homeowners on the financial margin couldn’t keep up with their mortgage payments. Both lenders and homeowners alike were shellacked by the double whammy of lower home prices and high unemployment. Foreclosures skyrocketed.
Governing – 6-11 By John O’Leary
Transportation
While American cities are synchronizing green lights to improve traffic flow and offering apps to help drivers find parking, many European cities are doing the opposite: creating environments openly hostile to cars. The methods vary, but the mission is clear — to make car use expensive and just plain miserable enough to tilt drivers toward more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.
The New York Times – 6-26-11 By Elisabeth Rosenthal
Transportation
Want to get the most job-creation bang for your infrastructure buck? Focus on meeting the needs of cyclists and pedestrians.
StreetsBlogNetwork – 6-21-11 By Angie Schmitt
Transportation
By most accounts, transportation infrastructure in the United States is in serious disrepair. As roads and bridges across the country continue to age and deteriorate, governments at all levels are struggling to pay for maintenance and upkeep -- not to mention investments in much-needed upgrades and new projects.
Governing – 6-11 By Russell Nichols, Ryan Holeywell
Transportation
A poll released last week shatters the conventional wisdom that Americans are divided about climate change and its potential cures.
Transportation for America – 6-21-11 By Sean Barry
Land Bank
The attorney for Trumbull County’s new land bank, Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Adler, has filed foreclosures on 49 properties so far and expects them to be ready for purchase by September.
The Youngstown Vindicator – 6-22-11 By Ed Runyan
Sprawl
The near-term future of real estate development isn’t downtown or in the far-flung suburbs. It’s in between.
The Wall Street Journal – 6-16-11 By Kris Hudson
Shrinking Cities
In January of this year, Newsweek published its list of “America’s Dying Cities.” The story declared that these were cities “with bleak futures ahead.” Not surprisingly, the list contained many cities that have struggled in past decade, losing both population and industry.
The Infrastructurist – 6-13-11 By Peter Kageyama
Economy
Gov. Mitch Daniels sits in his grand cave of a Renaissance Revival office and reviews Indiana’s economic fortunes, his self-effacing manner not entirely disguising satisfaction. The state’s pension funds are relatively healthy, the unemployment rate is dropping slowly and per capita income is ticking up, slowly.
The New York Times – 6-23-11 By Michael Powell, Monica Davey