What We're Reading: Free the Transit, Pedestrianizing Lower Manhattan, and Dutch the Parking

Free the transit: Paris could be on the way to having the largest urban fare-free public transit zone in the world while Estonia will go fare-free country-wide this summer. Sketchy lawyering: Sound Transit staff has tried to dash the hopes of a First Hill station with a very questionable legal interpretation. Hard to predict: Why is it hard to predict when the bus will turn up? Bad faith player: Despite lots of noise and threats, Amazon is back to constructing the company’s Block 18 tower. Right-on-red: Perhaps it’s time to rethink right-on-red for safety. Greenwashing: Oregon is trying to greenwash a dirty urban highway expansion in Portland. Making PTC progress: Railroads in the region appear to be making on-time progress toward implementing positive train control. Coalescing opposition to shelter: A coalition has formed and raising funding to oppose a new citywide tax on wealthy businesses dedicated to shelter and housing attainment. #1 for bikes: Minneapolis is America’s most bikeable city. Pedestrianizing Lower Manhattan: In New York City, a strong coalition is supporting pedestrianization of the Financial District. Reinvesting in Detroit: A plan is affoot to continue improving Detroit neighborhoods as the city recovers from its long-standing economic and population decline. All-in for TOD: Montréal’s transit agency is venturing directly into investing in transit-oriented, mixed-use development at a planned metro station. Sickening: Michigan could pass a very draconian Medicaid bill meant to strip people in need of vital healthcare benefits. Parking reform angst: Despite the success of slashing parking requirements several years ago in Philadelphia, political opposition to the policy change. Build Cascadia HSR: The Cascadia Innovation Corridor will need substantial changes to movements across the Canadian border if it’s to become reality ($), according to its proponents. Saving Cougar Mountain: A last-ditch effort is underway to save Cougar Mountain, an important regional conservation area, from further urban development. Dutch the parking: Dutch residents are transforming street parking to better uses like gardens, terraces, and play areas. Rent in decline: Rent for housing is falling in New York City with the onset of rising housing supply. Falling behind the pack: In spite of skyrocketing healthcare costs since the 1980s, American life expectancy gains has essentially flatlined while it grows in other wealthy nations ($). Public versus private: In Washington, D.C., private dockless rental bikes are growing shared bike use, but it is likely serving a very different market from public dock-based bikeshare, which remains successful. Housing now: Could the American housing crisis become the next national political issue? 20 is plenty: Scotland could soon make it national policy to set street speed maximums in cities, towns, and villages at 20mph. Map of the Week: If Massimo Vignelli had his way, Washington, D.C. would have a much more abstract transit map.