Top Stories
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which sets our regional transportation policy, will meet next week to adopt its final CAMPO 2040 long-range plan for the next 25 years of mobility investments. Activists, including some of our City Council members, are out in full force opposing plans to add two tolled lanes in each direction to MoPac South. As we at RECA listen to their claims about the allegedly negative consequences, we have one question: What are the consequences of doing nothing?
Visit http://www.reca.org/blog/post/our-transportation-crisis-is-too-severe-to-limit-our-options to view the full article online.
|
A mobile app released May 6 in Austin offers drivers rewards for using its navigation technology to provide drivers with the most efficient route to their destination. The app, called Metropia, differs from other traffic navigation apps such as Waze, which users access at the beginning of a trip. Metropia allows users to schedule trips in advance to find not only the best route but the best time to depart.
Visit http://impactnews.com/austin-metro/new-app-incentivizes-austin-drivers-for-using-navigation-technology/ to view the full article online.
|
Advocacy
A pair of representatives on the House Ways & Means Committee are making a new effort to change the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA), arguing that it discourages foreign investment in U.S. real estate. Reps Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Joe Crowley (D-NY) have re-introduced The Real Estate Investment and Jobs Act of 2015 (HR 2128); a 2013 version of the bill passed the House but never received a full vote in the Senate. The legislation would alter FIRPTA by doubling the tax exemption from five percent to 10 percent for foreign shareholders in U.S. public real estate investment trusts while exempting foreign pension funds from the FIRPTA tax entirely. The representatives cited a recent Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE) member survey, which stated 76 percent of respondents believed that changing the FIRPTA tax set-up would spur their investment in U.S. real estate.
Visit http://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news/53829/new-bill-seeks-change-taxes-foreign-real-estate-investments to view the full article online.
|
Local News
City staffers and a renowned shorefront planning expert are helping drum up interest on a South Central Waterfront Initiative that outlines efforts to redevelop 97 acres immediately south of downtown Austin. The city and Downtown Austin Alliance hosted Alex Krieger, a Harvard professor, international architect and urban planner, to share other examples of high-density waterfront redevelopment projects throughout the world, including some he personally helped design. Krieger spoke May 6 to Austin residents at the Mexican American Cultural Center and again May 7 at the Hyatt Regency Austin during a DAA breakfast event. Approximately 350 people attended both events, according to organizers.
Visit http://impactnews.com/austin-metro/central-austin/waterfront-planning-experts-stress-patience-with-south-central-shoreline-redevelopment/ to view the full article online.
|
Mayor: Funding will make plans a reality After spending tens of thousands of dollars throughout more than a decade to investigate ways to breathe life into Old Town Pflugerville, the city has developed a new vision for revitalizing the downtown area. The proposal—Pflugerville’s fourth downtown vision plan—was introduced before City Council on March 24 and includes suggestions such as fresh landscaping, a new park and goals to attract boutique hotels and a brewery/restaurant.
Visit http://impactnews.com/austin-metro/round-rock-pflugerville-hutto/pflugerville-could-revamp-downtown/ to view the full article online.
|
The nation’s changing demographic landscape has vast implications for retail development and investment. Current projections indicate that by 2060, the United States will become a "majority minority" nation, as more than half the population will be non-white. To explore the impact of this transformation, CPE teamed up with Nielsen for a special report in the May issue.
Visit http://www.cpexecutive.com/property-types/retail/multicultural-markets/1004118194.html to view the full article online.
|
National News
When Ben Miller decided to use crowdfunding as a means to rehabilitate a beaten-down building in one of Washington, D.C.'s transitional neighborhoods, he didn't really know crowdfunding was a thing, That's because it wasn't, at least not in real estate, yet.
Visit http://www.cnbc.com/id/102667711 to view the full article online.
|
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas said on Friday a malware attack may have allowed hackers to steal credit card information used at its retail and service locations. The potential breach may have included names, credit card numbers and their CVV security codes but not PIN numbers or other sensitive customer information, the company said in a statement.
Visit http://www.cnbc.com/id/102644470 to view the full article online.
|
Events
When: Thursday, June 11 From 2 PM to 3 PM Where: Online Webinar Contact: Ryan Poulos ryan.poulos@reca.org Phone: 512-320-4151 If you regularly work on Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) then you need to watch this webinar. You’ll learn everything you need to know about TIA requirements for new development projects as well as how and when to effectively incorporate a traffic engineer into your project team. You’ll also learn about the differences between a TIA, Traffic Study and Parking Study.
Visit http://recaonline.site-ym.com/events/event_details.asp?id=634611&group= to view the full article online.
|
|