Although power has been restored to much of Lower Manhattan, tenants of many of the area's residential and commercial buildings face a long and uncertain recovery before they can return. What will be the long-term effects on waterfront development?
With their lights back on and elevators operating, the easy part of repairing the many commercial and residential buildings in downtown Manhattan that suffered flood damage as a result of Superstorm Sandy is complete. However, according to N. R. Kleinfield, "the full extent of the damage to these buildings, which include major
office towers along Water, State and Front Streets, remains unclear.
Many owners are still furiously pumping out water, some of it
contaminated by toxins."
With "mechanical and
electrical systems destroyed by millions of gallons of water from
swollen rivers," and special cleanups required to clear contaminants, residents and office tenants like the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Morgan Stanley, The Daily News, and the Department of Homeless Services are learning that they may not be able to return to their homes and offices until Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or long after that.
With the potential adverse impacts of living and working near the city's waterfront now clear, Michelle Higgins looks at the prognosis for continued waterfront development. "Although real estate experts say property values are unlikely to suffer
in the long term, it is possible that new zoning and planning
regulations - and buyers' expectations - could reshape how residential
housing along the water is built, marketed and sold."
FULL STORY: Future Is in Limbo for the Damaged Buildings Close to the Water’s Edge

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power
The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing
Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths
Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply
New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?
Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas
The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.
City of Madera
City of Santa Clarita
Borough of Carlisle
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Colorado Energy Office
Pima County Community College District
City of Piedmont, CA
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