Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

What’s happening? Some moons ago, post Black Lives Matter, in the new world we have before us, Knoxville created a task force to consider the amount of reparations to the Black Community for the forced urban removal that the Black Community endured. Why is this important? Urban “renewal” efforts disproportionately impacted Black and Biopic communities […]

What’s happening? NYC Council is considering requiring disclosure of the sale of vacant buildings so that the City has first choice to buy the property in stead of using eminent domain to acquire property to build schools, or municipal works. Why is this important? Cities across the country are talking about using eminent domain to […]

What’s happening? Alameda Co., CA wants to build wildlife bridges over I-580. That’s going to take acquiring some easements across land. So, to get to that point, Alameda County created the Altamont Landfill Open Space Committee to build trust. Why is this important? Before talk of easements, the local county government is building relationships, and […]

What’s happening? After the condo collapse in Surfside, FL, the state bar of Florida will organize a committee to review and recommend to the Governor and Legislature. Why is this important? In Florida after initial building approval, the recertification occurs at year 40 with no inspection visits in between year 0 and year 45. How […]

What’s happening? Texas Governor announced that the state will build a border wall at the Texas- Mexico Border using state and private funds. The hurdle is acquiring the mostly private lands. To that end, quote from the Governor: ” …the combination of state land as well as volunteer land will yield hundreds of miles to […]

What’s happening? California Legislature agreed to convert former hotels into permanent homeless housing with federal coronavirus relief dollars & will provide another $2 billion over 2 years to local governments Why is this important? Other localities, like Ausitn, TX are considering purchasing existing facilities to house homeless. How will this be important? This serves as […]

What’s happening? Amazon is donating $40 million to Arlington County, Va to build affordable housing around its 2nd HQ Why is this important? Amazon has pledged $2 billion for affordable housing near its facilities in Virginia, Seattle and Nashville, Tenn How will this be important? We just talked about Apple having a similar program to […]

What’s happening? A consideration that National heritage Site Designations can preserve and protect rural property. Why is this important? Think o the major eminent domain battles- pipelines, border walls, rail lines- the majority of the property at issue is rural property. How will this be important? We’ve seen the use of conservation easements to protect […]

What’s happening? There is a “current [federal] rule that prohibits property acquisition for affordable housing use in the first 10 years after a change in the property’s ownership” Why is this important? it is seen as an obstacle to building new affordable housing. How will this be important? Whether states follow suit to change laws […]

What’s happening? Apple is putting $1Billion into affordable housing around California. Why is this important? Apple has a $2.5 Billion commitment to improve affordability of housing in California. How will this be important? Apple’s project includes “new housing development and construction, assisted first-time buyers purchase homes, and expanded programs to reduce homelessness” Apple | Apple […]