Urban Dispatch
@urbandispatch.bsky.social
Safe streets & Transit. People need somewhere to sleep and the sidewalk isn’t it. Believer that better more livable cities are possible. Let's stop letting perfection get in the way of progress.
Anon here but happy to chat/meet up IRL
Hartford, CT
Anon here but happy to chat/meet up IRL
Hartford, CT
Pinned
CT Needs Homes
Connecticut needs more homes, there is a shortage of housing, email campaign to tell governor Lamont and other elected leaders to pass housing reform
CTneedshomes.org
It's officially September and still no word from Governor Lamont about taking action on the festering #CTHousingCrisis
Tell Ned its time to act, sign and send the We Need More Homes petition today!
CTneedshomes.org
Tell Ned its time to act, sign and send the We Need More Homes petition today!
CTneedshomes.org
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
It’s #BlackFridayParking day, so we took a visit to the Danbury Fair Mall in Danbury, CT.
Even on the busiest day of the year—a day where the front side of the mall is packed—the back side and parking garage has more than enough space!
Even on the busiest day of the year—a day where the front side of the mall is packed—the back side and parking garage has more than enough space!
November 28, 2025 at 7:10 PM
It’s #BlackFridayParking day, so we took a visit to the Danbury Fair Mall in Danbury, CT.
Even on the busiest day of the year—a day where the front side of the mall is packed—the back side and parking garage has more than enough space!
Even on the busiest day of the year—a day where the front side of the mall is packed—the back side and parking garage has more than enough space!
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
Why does this matter? For so many reasons, but the Danbury Mall and the surrounding strip plazas were built over a massive wetlands area (you can see them right next to the huge parking lot).
Every excess parking space means more runoff pollution that goes into Connecticut’s precious ecosystems.
Every excess parking space means more runoff pollution that goes into Connecticut’s precious ecosystems.
November 28, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Why does this matter? For so many reasons, but the Danbury Mall and the surrounding strip plazas were built over a massive wetlands area (you can see them right next to the huge parking lot).
Every excess parking space means more runoff pollution that goes into Connecticut’s precious ecosystems.
Every excess parking space means more runoff pollution that goes into Connecticut’s precious ecosystems.
Connecticut is so freaking quaint
This is just 9 miles from the center of Hartford
This is just 9 miles from the center of Hartford
ICYMI: CT DOT Plans Upgrades To Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry #ctnewsjunkie #ctpolitics
CT DOT Plans Upgrades To Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry
The ferry has been carrying passengers and vehicles across the Connecticut River since 1655.
dlvr.it
November 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Connecticut is so freaking quaint
This is just 9 miles from the center of Hartford
This is just 9 miles from the center of Hartford
More housing = lower rents for everyone
The only way out of the #CThousingcrisis is to build our ass off. The goal should be to 5x our current building rate, we are short 250,000 homes in Connecticut alone
Building at present 5k homes per year = a perpetual simmering crisis
The only way out of the #CThousingcrisis is to build our ass off. The goal should be to 5x our current building rate, we are short 250,000 homes in Connecticut alone
Building at present 5k homes per year = a perpetual simmering crisis
Interesting new working paper that studies chains of movers after the construction of a new apartment building in Honolulu.
Paper finds that the project resulted in the opening up other, lower cost, housing on the island, benefiting the housing market overall.
Paper finds that the project resulted in the opening up other, lower cost, housing on the island, benefiting the housing market overall.
uhero.hawaii.edu
November 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
More housing = lower rents for everyone
The only way out of the #CThousingcrisis is to build our ass off. The goal should be to 5x our current building rate, we are short 250,000 homes in Connecticut alone
Building at present 5k homes per year = a perpetual simmering crisis
The only way out of the #CThousingcrisis is to build our ass off. The goal should be to 5x our current building rate, we are short 250,000 homes in Connecticut alone
Building at present 5k homes per year = a perpetual simmering crisis
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
Dem Senators and MoCs shouldn’t be voting for DoD authorization spending legislation as long as Hegseth remains in charge of DoD. This should be basic and a position that Dem Leadership should be whipping while loudly speaking out against war crimes/extra judicial killings funded by our tax dollars.
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Dem Senators and MoCs shouldn’t be voting for DoD authorization spending legislation as long as Hegseth remains in charge of DoD. This should be basic and a position that Dem Leadership should be whipping while loudly speaking out against war crimes/extra judicial killings funded by our tax dollars.
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
The biggest technological revolution of our lifetime is underway and it's not AI:
Official data is in this week, and US solar continues to grow rapidly, with generation up 30% compared to last year!
November 29, 2025 at 12:21 AM
The biggest technological revolution of our lifetime is underway and it's not AI:
Hey @kateforct.bsky.social and @nickmenapace.bsky.social
Can we get this in Connecticut in 2026? This is superrrrrr cool and I want it for us
www.volts.wtf/p/whats-the-...
Can we get this in Connecticut in 2026? This is superrrrrr cool and I want it for us
www.volts.wtf/p/whats-the-...
What's the deal with balcony solar?
Cora Stryker joins me to explain how "plug-in" solar took Europe by storm and is finally, via Utah (?), making its way to America.
www.volts.wtf
November 27, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Hey @kateforct.bsky.social and @nickmenapace.bsky.social
Can we get this in Connecticut in 2026? This is superrrrrr cool and I want it for us
www.volts.wtf/p/whats-the-...
Can we get this in Connecticut in 2026? This is superrrrrr cool and I want it for us
www.volts.wtf/p/whats-the-...
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
My inlaws were supposed to drive to Philadelphia from Boston on Sunday.
For reasons entirely within their control, they're going today.
They don't exactly move, uh, swiftly. My MIL shares her location with me so today I'll be tracking their progress at
#BOSPHL25
For reasons entirely within their control, they're going today.
They don't exactly move, uh, swiftly. My MIL shares her location with me so today I'll be tracking their progress at
#BOSPHL25
November 26, 2025 at 2:18 PM
My inlaws were supposed to drive to Philadelphia from Boston on Sunday.
For reasons entirely within their control, they're going today.
They don't exactly move, uh, swiftly. My MIL shares her location with me so today I'll be tracking their progress at
#BOSPHL25
For reasons entirely within their control, they're going today.
They don't exactly move, uh, swiftly. My MIL shares her location with me so today I'll be tracking their progress at
#BOSPHL25
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
this plus CT's single stair reform = big housing wins
Great news! Connecticut governor Ned Lamont, a noted coward, has finally located his big-boy pants and signed the legislature's amazing, ambitious housing bill. Among other things, it nukes parking mandates!
Gov. Lamont signs much-debated CT affordable housing bill after vetoing previous version
The bill is Connecticut's most significant housing legislation in decades.
www.ctinsider.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
this plus CT's single stair reform = big housing wins
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
Which building looks better, the older ornamented box or the new one with upper floor stepbacks, massing breaks, and numerous facade colors?
November 26, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Which building looks better, the older ornamented box or the new one with upper floor stepbacks, massing breaks, and numerous facade colors?
I am thrilled to report that the bike lanes funded and on Hartford's striping plan in *2022* have officially been stripped. This now connects Charter Oak Landing (Riverfront) over to the Main Street/Wethersfield Ave lanes! 🎉
November 26, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I am thrilled to report that the bike lanes funded and on Hartford's striping plan in *2022* have officially been stripped. This now connects Charter Oak Landing (Riverfront) over to the Main Street/Wethersfield Ave lanes! 🎉
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
Now onto commercial parking mandates 🫡🫡🫡💪💪💪
Great news! Connecticut governor Ned Lamont, a noted coward, has finally located his big-boy pants and signed the legislature's amazing, ambitious housing bill. Among other things, it nukes parking mandates!
Gov. Lamont signs much-debated CT affordable housing bill after vetoing previous version
The bill is Connecticut's most significant housing legislation in decades.
www.ctinsider.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Now onto commercial parking mandates 🫡🫡🫡💪💪💪
Ladies and Gentlemen, we did it! Parking Mandates for new homes have been abolished in Connecticut.
We're, piece by piece, relegalizing the traditional Connecticut town center. The momentum is real
We're, piece by piece, relegalizing the traditional Connecticut town center. The momentum is real
November 26, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen, we did it! Parking Mandates for new homes have been abolished in Connecticut.
We're, piece by piece, relegalizing the traditional Connecticut town center. The momentum is real
We're, piece by piece, relegalizing the traditional Connecticut town center. The momentum is real
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
Relegalize SROs. Relegalize single stair buildings to enable larger, family sized homes. Legalize townhomes everywhere. Legalize ADUs everywhere. Legalize apartment buildings in more places. Yes to all the homes.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
The ‘New’ Solution for the N.Y.C. Housing Crisis: Single-Room Apartments
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Relegalize SROs. Relegalize single stair buildings to enable larger, family sized homes. Legalize townhomes everywhere. Legalize ADUs everywhere. Legalize apartment buildings in more places. Yes to all the homes.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
This week, the 'Kentucky Housing Task Force' issued a Final Report recommending key building code reforms to bring down construction costs
Included is a suggestion to change state building code to allow single-stair housing(although it is already allowed up to 3-stories)
www.klc.org/News/13091/k...
Included is a suggestion to change state building code to allow single-stair housing(although it is already allowed up to 3-stories)
www.klc.org/News/13091/k...
November 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This week, the 'Kentucky Housing Task Force' issued a Final Report recommending key building code reforms to bring down construction costs
Included is a suggestion to change state building code to allow single-stair housing(although it is already allowed up to 3-stories)
www.klc.org/News/13091/k...
Included is a suggestion to change state building code to allow single-stair housing(although it is already allowed up to 3-stories)
www.klc.org/News/13091/k...
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
Why does this matter?
Parking costs a lot to build! There are financial costs that get imbedded in rents AND there are special costs.
Less wasted asphalt = more lower cost housing
www.sightline.org/2024/12/10/p...
Parking costs a lot to build! There are financial costs that get imbedded in rents AND there are special costs.
Less wasted asphalt = more lower cost housing
www.sightline.org/2024/12/10/p...
Parking Reform Alone Can Boost Homebuilding by 40 to 70 Percent
More evidence that parking flexibility is key to housing abundance.
www.sightline.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Why does this matter?
Parking costs a lot to build! There are financial costs that get imbedded in rents AND there are special costs.
Less wasted asphalt = more lower cost housing
www.sightline.org/2024/12/10/p...
Parking costs a lot to build! There are financial costs that get imbedded in rents AND there are special costs.
Less wasted asphalt = more lower cost housing
www.sightline.org/2024/12/10/p...
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
As of July 1, 2026 Connecticut will be henceforth known as the land without residential Parking Mandates!!!
A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in, testimony, emails, calls, op-eds, this was truly a statewide grassroots groundswell. What started as a silly idea is now reality
A victory 🏆🧵
A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in, testimony, emails, calls, op-eds, this was truly a statewide grassroots groundswell. What started as a silly idea is now reality
A victory 🏆🧵
Gov. Lamont signs much-debated CT affordable housing bill after vetoing previous version
The bill is Connecticut's most significant housing legislation in decades.
www.ctinsider.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:22 PM
As of July 1, 2026 Connecticut will be henceforth known as the land without residential Parking Mandates!!!
A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in, testimony, emails, calls, op-eds, this was truly a statewide grassroots groundswell. What started as a silly idea is now reality
A victory 🏆🧵
A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in, testimony, emails, calls, op-eds, this was truly a statewide grassroots groundswell. What started as a silly idea is now reality
A victory 🏆🧵
Jealous of Utah? Fear not! We won't let them best us. The Hartford Region needs your help
Use this link 👇👇👇 to provide feedback and help design our very own regional "freeway system" for bikes, walking, running, and rolling.
experience.arcgis.com/experience/3...
Use this link 👇👇👇 to provide feedback and help design our very own regional "freeway system" for bikes, walking, running, and rolling.
experience.arcgis.com/experience/3...
November 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Jealous of Utah? Fear not! We won't let them best us. The Hartford Region needs your help
Use this link 👇👇👇 to provide feedback and help design our very own regional "freeway system" for bikes, walking, running, and rolling.
experience.arcgis.com/experience/3...
Use this link 👇👇👇 to provide feedback and help design our very own regional "freeway system" for bikes, walking, running, and rolling.
experience.arcgis.com/experience/3...
Reading comprehension is essential
Article Tenth:
The general assembly shall by general law delegate such legislative authority as from time to time it deems appropriate to towns, cities and boroughs relative to the powers, organization, and form of government of such political subdivisions.
Article Tenth:
The general assembly shall by general law delegate such legislative authority as from time to time it deems appropriate to towns, cities and boroughs relative to the powers, organization, and form of government of such political subdivisions.
November 26, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Reading comprehension is essential
Article Tenth:
The general assembly shall by general law delegate such legislative authority as from time to time it deems appropriate to towns, cities and boroughs relative to the powers, organization, and form of government of such political subdivisions.
Article Tenth:
The general assembly shall by general law delegate such legislative authority as from time to time it deems appropriate to towns, cities and boroughs relative to the powers, organization, and form of government of such political subdivisions.
Single Stair, transit adjacent housing completed in Windsor Connecticut
The future is here
hartfordbusiness.com/article/firs...
The future is here
hartfordbusiness.com/article/firs...
First phase of $35M Windsor transit-oriented redevelopment completed
First phase of $35M Windsor transit-oriented redevelopment completed
hartfordbusiness.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Single Stair, transit adjacent housing completed in Windsor Connecticut
The future is here
hartfordbusiness.com/article/firs...
The future is here
hartfordbusiness.com/article/firs...
Reposted by Urban Dispatch
The implications of this are simple. Affordable housing isn’t free. Any commitment to inclusionary zoning that isn’t also a commitment to a robust gap financing program is a de facto tax on housing.
Good news: New data suggest that Portland's inclusionary zoning program is finally working as intended, after being fully funded in 2024 www.sightline.org/2025/11/25/p...
Portland’s Inclusionary Zoning Program Is Finally Performing, New Data Suggests | Sightline Institute
Because for the first time, the city fully funded it.
www.sightline.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The implications of this are simple. Affordable housing isn’t free. Any commitment to inclusionary zoning that isn’t also a commitment to a robust gap financing program is a de facto tax on housing.
Better buses behind the scenes infrastructure coming to Windham and UConn
www.thechronicle.com/news/wrtd-re...
www.thechronicle.com/news/wrtd-re...
WRTD receives $35.7 million federal grant
MANSFIELD — The Windham Regional Transit District-UConn Bus Infrastructure has much to celebrate after they were awarded a $35.7 million Infrastructure Law Grant.
www.thechronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Better buses behind the scenes infrastructure coming to Windham and UConn
www.thechronicle.com/news/wrtd-re...
www.thechronicle.com/news/wrtd-re...