Orlando starts Phase I of Church St “Festival Street”: what changes first
After a July 7 groundbreaking, Orlando’s Church Street “Festival Street” Phase I (Garland Ave to the railroad tracks) is moving ahead—here’s what changes.
City Government
-
-
Wichita City Council OKs water reuse pilot to test advanced purification
Wichita City Council voted 7-0 on July 7 to fund a water reuse pilot for advanced purification. Pilot water won’t enter the drinking supply during testing.
-
Tacoma planning commission to hold public hearing on proposed off-street parking code overhaul
Tacoma’s Planning Commission will hold an Aug. 5 public hearing on an off-street parking code overhaul; written comments are due Aug. 7.
-
Buckhannon to receive $33.3M for water infrastructure upgrades—what it means for the new water plant project
Buckhannon WV – USDA Rural Development has obligated a $33.31M low-interest loan plus $2M grant for a $47.31M water plant project. Here’s what’s next.
-
Scottsdale buys $8.25M in Harquahala water credits—what residents should know
Scottsdale AZ – City Council approved buying 15,000 acre-feet of Harquahala long-term storage credits for $8.25M. The question: how that “stored” water becomes usable.
-
Bakersfield high-speed rail: HSRA shifts interim station north of 7th Standard Road
HSRA’s board adopted its Final 2026 Business Plan June 1, placing Bakersfield’s interim station north of 7th Standard Road—City leaders object.
-
Austin removes decorative crosswalks and murals after TxDOT rejects exemptions
Austin, TX – TxDOT rejected parts of Austin’s exception request, and the city is removing targeted crosswalk art downtown, on East 11th Street and near UT.
-
Dallas furloughs 4,200 city workers as budget gap pressures services
Dallas will furlough more than 4,200 city workers for three unpaid days starting July 10 as officials work to close a roughly $30 million gap.
-
DallasGo water billing upgrade: 3.15% fee and setup protections (May 18)
Dallas TX – DWU says the DallasGo upgrade is integrated as of May 18, 2026. Here’s when the 3.15% fee applies—and why no disconnects apply.
-
Houston City Council to hold public hearing on proposed park “fees in lieu” changes to comply with Texas law
Houston City Council will hold a 9 a.m. public hearing Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on proposed amendments to Chapter 42, Division 7 (Parks and Private Parks) aimed at bringing Houston’s parkland “fees in lieu” approach into compliance with Texas Local Government Code Chapter 212 (effective Jan. 1, 2024).
-
Minneapolis steps up open-air drug market enforcement with services
Minneapolis moved July 2 to step up patrols, cameras and arrests around open-air drug markets while keeping treatment and outreach in place.
-
St. Louis board passes $255M Rams settlement plan for tornado recovery, infrastructure and downtown
St. Louis MO – The Board of Aldermen passed Board Bill 22 on July 2 by a 12-3 vote. The $255 million Rams settlement plan now heads to Mayor Cara Spencer and is not law yet.
-
Austin names Public Works LLC as recommended awardee for efficiency assessment
Austin TX – The city has picked Public Works LLC for its recurring efficiency assessment, but the contract still needs City Council approval. ([austintexas.gov](https://www.austintexas.gov/communications/news/city-austin-announces-public-works-llc-recommended-awardee-conduct-sweeping))
-
Homestead opens FY 2027 budget survey ahead of July 29 workshop
Homestead opened its FY 2027 budget survey and set a July 29 workshop, giving residents two chances to weigh in on city spending priorities.
-
Orlando housing plan comment period runs through July 6
Orlando residents can review the draft 2026 housing plan and speak at a July 6 hearing before the city finalizes HUD-funded priorities.
-
St. Louis approves water-rate hike starting July 1
St. Louis MO – New water rates start July 1, with phased increases through 2032 and average bills rising by about $7 to $9 this year.
-
Charlotte names Robert Harrington interim mayor as Vi Lyles exits June 30
Charlotte NC – Charlotte City Council picked Robert Harrington as interim mayor; Vi Lyles resigns June 30 and Harrington takes office July 1 through December 2027.
-
Heavy rain disrupts Lexington recycling and floods cleanup
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government says mechanical problems after wet recyclables mean no curbside recycling Tuesday, June 23—and urges 311 flood reporting.
-
Blue Hill Avenue fight pivots from bus lanes to Orange Line extension talk
Boston City Councilors Miniard Culpepper and Brian Worrell urge MBTA to drop Blue Hill’s center bus lanes and study Orange Line to Mattapan Square.
-
Cleveland Flock Safety renewal stalls as council questions surveillance value
Cleveland OH – City Council Safety Committee voted 3-1 against renewing Flock ALPR days before June 29 contract expires, sparking privacy and value questions.
-
Austin to remove painted crosswalks, street-art markings after TxDOT order
TxDOT says some Austin colored crosswalks and road-art markings aren’t MUTCD/TMUTCD-compliant. City’s June 22 plan targets covering/removal by end of July.
-
Fort Worth impact fee increase June 1, 2026; MTP adopted June 9
Fort Worth’s residential transportation impact fees increase June 1, 2026. City Council also adopted a new Master Transportation Plan June 9.