EPA confirms recycling, waste infrastructure grants on track for disbursement

EPA will move forward with awarding the second round of solid waste and recycling grants. The news comes after uncertainty over the status of numerous federal funding opportunities for the waste and recycling sectors.

Prepare now to protect urban forests from storms

As FEMA funding fades and disasters intensify, risk assessments, standing contracts and debris-management plans are crucial, one conservation director says.

Authorium steps into growing field of AI-supported government procurement products

Authorium's new AI tool was trained on 15 million government procurement documents and can generate statements of work “in minutes," the company says.

Brockton, Mass., leverages energy savings contract to preserve, improve two historic buildings

New window, lighting and HVAC systems aim to reduce energy and improve air quality, including in one building that has been unusable in extreme weather. 

More Baltimore office-to-residential conversions face foreclosure

At least three conversions in Baltimore have faced loan defaults or bankruptcies in the past year, but the companies related to them have had successes in other cities.

More public EV charging, including curbside, envisioned in Chicago plan

“By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago,” CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney said.

MassDOT CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt wants to connect the Commonwealth

Early exposure to public transit was one step on her journey to Massachusetts transportation secretary and CEO of its Department of Transportation, she says. 

Denver adds flexibility to building performance guidelines

Following public input, including some backlash from building owners, the new rules will push back compliance deadlines, remove electrification report requirements and reduce penalty rates, the city said. 

Court orders Baltimore to spend $44M on sidewalk upgrades for ADA compliance

The agreement follows others requiring public right-of-way improvements in Boston, Philadelphia, New York City and Los Angeles.

MTA plans to build through federal, New York budget uncertainty

The Second Avenue subway extension, Interborough Express light rail and other projects are progressing, but the transit agency’s long-term capital funding remains a concern.

Denver tenants awarded $13.5M in class action lawsuit

The plaintiffs argued that the owners and operator of the Mint Urban Infinity Apartments had violated the state’s warranty of habitability law.

Solving LA’s housing crisis hinges on policy, zoning reform: experts

Wildfire reconstruction policies could provide a road map for lowering housing construction costs and adding more housing citywide, experts say.

Housing, utilities, food among top US needs in 2024: United Way survey

“At a moment when individuals and communities need more support, but national and local resources are uncertain,” the survey results can help identify cross-sector solutions, United Way Worldwide CEO Angela Williams said.

‘Direct vision’ truck designs could reduce injuries, fatalities on city streets, stakeholder group says

Together for Safer Roads has launched a group to advocate for integrating direct vision trucks into waste truck and other fleets to reduce crashes and fatalities, particularly in urban areas.

Public spaces could better meet community needs: survey

Too little funding and too much bureaucracy make city public space improvements difficult, according to a new report from the Project for Public Spaces.

Where 5 transportation innovators are working with cities and counties

These communities are working with some of the businesses Fast Company named as most innovative in transportation in 2024.

RealPage sues Berkeley, California, over rent pricing technology ban

The software provider claims the California city’s recent ordinance on pricing technology imposes a “sweeping and unconstitutional ban on lawful speech.”

New York congestion pricing is working, but threats remain: MIT panel

Traffic congestion is down; transit, theater and restaurant indicators are up in New York City's central business district, but Trump administration efforts and lawsuits are putting the program at risk, the MIT webinar panelists said.

Why urban areas are a challenge for casual restaurant chains

High rents, difficult buildouts and space limitations are among many reasons why casual full-service chains often avoid locations in cities. But urban siting opportunities exist, experts say.

Preparing manufactured homes for extreme weather: 5 barriers

Zoning, financing and other regulations can leave this more affordable form of housing vulnerable. Some communities are addressing the risk.

Drones, sidewalk robots, other AVs among Walmart and Uber food delivery strategies

The technologies are helping their companies speed up "need-it-now" delivery trips, executives said during a Grocery Dive virtual event.

America’s aging water infrastructure faces new threats

The U.S. urgently needs to increase funding to shore up facilities, experts say, as climate change and emerging contaminants like PFAS pose growing threats.

Where battery and hydrogen-powered trains are coming to US commuter rail

Three global train manufacturers with zero-emission trains operating in Europe are vying for U.S. contracts.

Trump administration considers using federal land for affordable housing

Western states could be the most impacted, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Others say the move is unlikely to meet some of the biggest housing needs in high-cost markets.

New Mexico occupational safety bureau advances heat safety rule

If passed, the state would be the sixth to implement its own heat-related guidance, after a federal standard appears to have lost steam.