Stephen Jacob Smith
@stephenjacobsmith.com
Executive director of the Center for Building in North America, [email protected]. Personal account. Brooklyn, NY.
I encountered an interesting tip trick for the first time tonight: the options were 25%, 22%, and 18%, in that order. And that is the story of how, for the first time I can remember, I tipped less than 20%!
December 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I encountered an interesting tip trick for the first time tonight: the options were 25%, 22%, and 18%, in that order. And that is the story of how, for the first time I can remember, I tipped less than 20%!
3BR/7BA. Three kitchens. Cooked and thoroughly bathed.
December 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
3BR/7BA. Three kitchens. Cooked and thoroughly bathed.
It’s a beautiful building and in a city where the government had the competence to do things a city government should be capable of, I’d like to see the city acquire the building and renovate it for a public use, while facilitating a ton of housing near and far. But…this is New York.
15 years of Gale Brewer promising and failing to get money for a church to do some repairs, while insisting the crumbling building just keep existing gothamist.com/news/upper-w...
December 1, 2025 at 5:13 PM
It’s a beautiful building and in a city where the government had the competence to do things a city government should be capable of, I’d like to see the city acquire the building and renovate it for a public use, while facilitating a ton of housing near and far. But…this is New York.
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
Los Angeles is planning 10 minute off peak service levels for its new transit line towards the westside of LA.
media.metro.net/board/Items/...
They had a title VI hearing over the summer. Most of the N-S buses are already set up to feed the 20/720 buses on Wilshire, so the changes will be minimal. 210 will end at Wilshire/La Brea and they'll have a new route 610 to cover the northern portion.
They had a title VI hearing over the summer. Most of the N-S buses are already set up to feed the 20/720 buses on Wilshire, so the changes will be minimal. 210 will end at Wilshire/La Brea and they'll have a new route 610 to cover the northern portion.
media.metro.net
December 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Los Angeles is planning 10 minute off peak service levels for its new transit line towards the westside of LA.
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
I am consistently amazed the Building Safety Regulator isn’t a much bigger story. It’s brought house building in London to a total halt, but it’s also brought cladding remedy works to a halt, too. Which is costing leaseholders FORTUNES, halting sales, and leaving people living in unsafe buildings.
... at the Building Safety Regulator - which has lead to 9 month delays at this stage alone:
www.building.co.uk/news/nine-mo...
www.building.co.uk/news/nine-mo...
Nine month wait to get building safety sign-off for new builds, regulator admits
When new regulations were introduced 18 months, planned target was to get decisions made with 12 weeks
www.building.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:28 AM
I am consistently amazed the Building Safety Regulator isn’t a much bigger story. It’s brought house building in London to a total halt, but it’s also brought cladding remedy works to a halt, too. Which is costing leaseholders FORTUNES, halting sales, and leaving people living in unsafe buildings.
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
Meteorologists are surprised that the weather model that did the best job forecasting hurricanes this year was a new one, introduced by Google. AI may be the beginning of a new era of forecasting. n.pr/49MFa1M
As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season ends, the future of forecasting is AI
Meteorologists are surprised that the weather model that did the best job forecasting hurricanes this year was a new one, introduced by Google. AI may be the beginning of a new era of forecasting.
n.pr
November 30, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Meteorologists are surprised that the weather model that did the best job forecasting hurricanes this year was a new one, introduced by Google. AI may be the beginning of a new era of forecasting. n.pr/49MFa1M
I wonder if other countries have these requirements about which floor children can be educated on according to age?
Not applicable for WA, but another barrier can be building codes: NFPA 101 (and some jurisdictions' IBC amendments, e.g. NC, CA) ban many elementary students from upper floors. Here's a real case where this almost caused huge problems.
www.ncosfm.gov/formal-inter...
www.facebook.com/hpclearningc...
www.ncosfm.gov/formal-inter...
www.facebook.com/hpclearningc...
December 1, 2025 at 1:18 PM
I wonder if other countries have these requirements about which floor children can be educated on according to age?
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
This summer India cut their tariffs from 115% to 15%. Hopefully they are rich enough to start seeing similar BEV numbers soon
December 1, 2025 at 3:19 AM
This summer India cut their tariffs from 115% to 15%. Hopefully they are rich enough to start seeing similar BEV numbers soon
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
The REM is great, but the tragedy might be that expertise fading away without another project
REM de l'Est was rejected because some people disliked the elevated portion above a 6-lane road
When projects get derailed so easily, each new project takes a long time and you always lose your experience
REM de l'Est was rejected because some people disliked the elevated portion above a 6-lane road
When projects get derailed so easily, each new project takes a long time and you always lose your experience
November 30, 2025 at 11:41 PM
The REM is great, but the tragedy might be that expertise fading away without another project
REM de l'Est was rejected because some people disliked the elevated portion above a 6-lane road
When projects get derailed so easily, each new project takes a long time and you always lose your experience
REM de l'Est was rejected because some people disliked the elevated portion above a 6-lane road
When projects get derailed so easily, each new project takes a long time and you always lose your experience
BYD EVs made up 40% of all new passenger cars registered in Albania in October 2025, and BEVs generally make up 57%. Albania is not in the European Union, and therefore does not levy punishing tariffs on Chinese imports (same with European leader Norway). cleantechnica.com/2025/11/28/a...
Albania — 57% BEV Share in October! - CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica's work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe. 57 BEV Share! In Albania!!! Here’s a super quick special report on the Albanian EV market for you all. Despite being a small ...
cleantechnica.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:45 AM
BYD EVs made up 40% of all new passenger cars registered in Albania in October 2025, and BEVs generally make up 57%. Albania is not in the European Union, and therefore does not levy punishing tariffs on Chinese imports (same with European leader Norway). cleantechnica.com/2025/11/28/a...
I’m…intrigued.
DoorDash Plans to Send Autonomous Robots into Bike Lanes.
momentummag.com/doordash-pla...
momentummag.com/doordash-pla...
DoorDash Plans to Send Autonomous Robots into Bike Lanes | Momentum Mag | Momentum Mag
DoorDash has begun rolling out Dot, its new autonomous delivery robot — a sleek, all-electric bot that can hit speeds of up to 20mph.
momentummag.com
November 30, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I’m…intrigued.
One of my grandmas went blind and was driven by my grandpa. He learned late in life and drove avidly and poorly until he hit a cyclist and got his license taken away. The got stuck in a suburban house when she stopped driving and developed dementia, I think because of the lack of stimulation.
November 30, 2025 at 10:36 PM
One of my grandmas went blind and was driven by my grandpa. He learned late in life and drove avidly and poorly until he hit a cyclist and got his license taken away. The got stuck in a suburban house when she stopped driving and developed dementia, I think because of the lack of stimulation.
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
The former FDNY Commissioner — and Mamdani Transition Team member — wants the agency to stop taking a back seat on street safety.
Vision Zero Hero! Former FDNY Commish Wants Agency To Join the Safe Streets Fight - Streetsblog New York City
Former FDNY Commissioner wants the agency to stop taking a back seat on street safety.
buff.ly
November 30, 2025 at 9:23 PM
The former FDNY Commissioner — and Mamdani Transition Team member — wants the agency to stop taking a back seat on street safety.
NYC’s big lawsuit over racial discrimination within FDNY was not settled until 2014. As of March 2024, fire was 70% white male; EMS was 33% white male. Two-thirds of FDNY’s workforce is fire, while most calls are EMS. Compensation for fire is much higher than for EMS. council.nyc.gov/budget/wp-co...
November 30, 2025 at 7:02 PM
NYC’s big lawsuit over racial discrimination within FDNY was not settled until 2014. As of March 2024, fire was 70% white male; EMS was 33% white male. Two-thirds of FDNY’s workforce is fire, while most calls are EMS. Compensation for fire is much higher than for EMS. council.nyc.gov/budget/wp-co...
"Uganda is among a raft of poorer countries pulling back the welcome mat, which officials here blame on deep cuts to American aid. The move is the latest sign that impoverished nations are joining far wealthier states in turning desperate people away." www.wsj.com/world/africa... (🎁 🔗)
Now Poorer Countries Are Shutting the Door on Refugees Too
Uganda had been a notable exception to a worldwide pull-up-the-drawbridge trend—until now.
www.wsj.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
"Uganda is among a raft of poorer countries pulling back the welcome mat, which officials here blame on deep cuts to American aid. The move is the latest sign that impoverished nations are joining far wealthier states in turning desperate people away." www.wsj.com/world/africa... (🎁 🔗)
"Near the temple, we measured PM2.5 at a little over 10 times above the level for safe breathing. But a mile down the road, where the traffic restrictions ended, the reading was nearly double." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/w... (🎁 🔗)
India Is a Rising Power, but Its Capital Is a Lethal Gas Chamber
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
"Near the temple, we measured PM2.5 at a little over 10 times above the level for safe breathing. But a mile down the road, where the traffic restrictions ended, the reading was nearly double." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/w... (🎁 🔗)
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
This, of course, constitutes major progress for urban North Jersey--but there is still more work to do!
- HBLR service levels during off-peak hours are below 2006
- Regional rail service to Paterson/Hackensack/Plainfield runs well below potential
- Bus network complexity remains a source of friction
- HBLR service levels during off-peak hours are below 2006
- Regional rail service to Paterson/Hackensack/Plainfield runs well below potential
- Bus network complexity remains a source of friction
November 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
This, of course, constitutes major progress for urban North Jersey--but there is still more work to do!
- HBLR service levels during off-peak hours are below 2006
- Regional rail service to Paterson/Hackensack/Plainfield runs well below potential
- Bus network complexity remains a source of friction
- HBLR service levels during off-peak hours are below 2006
- Regional rail service to Paterson/Hackensack/Plainfield runs well below potential
- Bus network complexity remains a source of friction
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
A few weeks ago, PATH announced a series of service expansions that will finally reverse this trend. Though paired with a rather steep fare increase, these changes will finally put weekend PATH service levels above where they were 25 years ago. Huge congrats to all the advicates who made this happen
November 30, 2025 at 3:26 PM
A few weeks ago, PATH announced a series of service expansions that will finally reverse this trend. Though paired with a rather steep fare increase, these changes will finally put weekend PATH service levels above where they were 25 years ago. Huge congrats to all the advicates who made this happen
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
This is true and it goes deeper than this.
EMS in the United states is a poorly regulated enterprise, and is typically supported in whole or in part by local *fire* departments that have had to adapt over the last generation or two to increasing emergency medical services needs.
EMS in the United states is a poorly regulated enterprise, and is typically supported in whole or in part by local *fire* departments that have had to adapt over the last generation or two to increasing emergency medical services needs.
Ex-official explained this in a way that will stick with me forever: Within fire departments, the EMTs are overworked and underpaid and don’t have time to advocate for policy. The fire chiefs, on the other hand, have a lot more time on their hands. So fire response, not medical, dictates policy.
November 30, 2025 at 2:26 PM
This is true and it goes deeper than this.
EMS in the United states is a poorly regulated enterprise, and is typically supported in whole or in part by local *fire* departments that have had to adapt over the last generation or two to increasing emergency medical services needs.
EMS in the United states is a poorly regulated enterprise, and is typically supported in whole or in part by local *fire* departments that have had to adapt over the last generation or two to increasing emergency medical services needs.
Ex-official explained this in a way that will stick with me forever: Within fire departments, the EMTs are overworked and underpaid and don’t have time to advocate for policy. The fire chiefs, on the other hand, have a lot more time on their hands. So fire response, not medical, dictates policy.
November 30, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Ex-official explained this in a way that will stick with me forever: Within fire departments, the EMTs are overworked and underpaid and don’t have time to advocate for policy. The fire chiefs, on the other hand, have a lot more time on their hands. So fire response, not medical, dictates policy.
So, what if I told you that you can run more buses for the same cost if they are faster…! (In his defense, I’ve never seen the MTA announce that since buses are running faster, they’re going to reduce headways.) nypost.com/2025/11/29/u...
November 29, 2025 at 10:01 PM
So, what if I told you that you can run more buses for the same cost if they are faster…! (In his defense, I’ve never seen the MTA announce that since buses are running faster, they’re going to reduce headways.) nypost.com/2025/11/29/u...
I see a strong generic case for city-owned and subsidized bike share networks, but given how bad we are in New York in particular at building and managing transportation infrastructure, I’d prefer to leave Citi Bike as-is. Build a library for less than $1,000 psf and then I’ll reconsider.
It's too damn expensive to ride a Citi Bike. buff.ly/cZCvWJq
November 29, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I see a strong generic case for city-owned and subsidized bike share networks, but given how bad we are in New York in particular at building and managing transportation infrastructure, I’d prefer to leave Citi Bike as-is. Build a library for less than $1,000 psf and then I’ll reconsider.
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
"Big Paychecks Can’t Woo Enough Sailors for America’s Commercial Fleet: The U.S. faces a growing sailor shortage despite maritime jobs offering big pay and significant perks" www.wsj.com/business/log... #EndTheJonesAct
November 29, 2025 at 7:08 PM
"Big Paychecks Can’t Woo Enough Sailors for America’s Commercial Fleet: The U.S. faces a growing sailor shortage despite maritime jobs offering big pay and significant perks" www.wsj.com/business/log... #EndTheJonesAct
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
While Los Angeles fights to undermine SB 79 infill upzoning, Howard Hughes is building a 37,000 acre, 300,000 person city in the desert of Arizona
November 28, 2025 at 11:33 PM
While Los Angeles fights to undermine SB 79 infill upzoning, Howard Hughes is building a 37,000 acre, 300,000 person city in the desert of Arizona
Reposted by Stephen Jacob Smith
Footnote: this superfluous federal parking garage should have been an affordable housing development site years ago
ICE garage blockaded in lower Manhattan with dozens of agents stuck inside as more and more New Yorkers gather.
NYPD observed staging on Canal & Broadway, expected come over for crowd control.
NYPD observed staging on Canal & Broadway, expected come over for crowd control.
November 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Footnote: this superfluous federal parking garage should have been an affordable housing development site years ago