Payton Chung
@westnorth.com
Card-carrying urbanist since 1998; housing developer, author, museum docent, board member, single-issue #climate voter. Opine solely for myself. Ex-CHI, BOS, RDU 🚄🚋🚴♂️🌇🏗️🚰🏳️🌈
Words @ggwash.org @citybuilder.bsky.social
Words @ggwash.org @citybuilder.bsky.social
Pinned
Payton Chung
@westnorth.com
· Nov 22
www.fastcompany.com
👋 new followers! #GreatestHits from the Other Site to get acquainted.
A 3750 sq. ft. McMansion is legal just about everywhere in America. But the exact same lot, with the exact same number of residential square feet, divided into eight tiny houses? No!
www.fastcompany.com/90348777/thi...
A 3750 sq. ft. McMansion is legal just about everywhere in America. But the exact same lot, with the exact same number of residential square feet, divided into eight tiny houses? No!
www.fastcompany.com/90348777/thi...
Reposted by Payton Chung
The distraction is much more unpopular than the Epstein files.
January 21, 2026 at 6:37 PM
The distraction is much more unpopular than the Epstein files.
Reposted by Payton Chung
Congressional Republicans are floating axing DC’s traffic camera program. Everyone, including MPD, would hate this.
If you don't like traffic cameras, you’ll hate the police
View this post on ggwash.org
ggwash.org
January 21, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Congressional Republicans are floating axing DC’s traffic camera program. Everyone, including MPD, would hate this.
We know that urban IZ isn't the most effective way to *produce* many affordable housing units. But it also turns out not to be the most effective way to *integrate* AH into exclusionary neighborhoods.
(Suburban IZ can be more effective.)
(Suburban IZ can be more effective.)
Would changing IZ model to one that enabled developers to pay a fee/higher taxes rather than provide on-site units be effective?
We find that this would make market-rate projects more feasible, increase total number of affordable units & allow city to focus affordability in high-opportunity areas.
We find that this would make market-rate projects more feasible, increase total number of affordable units & allow city to focus affordability in high-opportunity areas.
January 21, 2026 at 4:54 PM
We know that urban IZ isn't the most effective way to *produce* many affordable housing units. But it also turns out not to be the most effective way to *integrate* AH into exclusionary neighborhoods.
(Suburban IZ can be more effective.)
(Suburban IZ can be more effective.)
Reposted by Payton Chung
the western alliance was born in the fires of the most catastrophic conflict in the history of the world. republicans are spitting on the graves of the dead. these men and women are human filth.
Genuinely insane we are living in a world where the Danish have to deploy a battlegroup to protect themselves against America. Makes my blood turn molten, honestly
11/
January 20, 2026 at 10:32 PM
the western alliance was born in the fires of the most catastrophic conflict in the history of the world. republicans are spitting on the graves of the dead. these men and women are human filth.
"That's not how any of this works"
Novak: "At the end of the day, Ms. Halligan's Response asserts that she is free to act in an unlawful capacity, because she disagrees that she does so unlawfully. But that's not how our legal system works."
![The Court’s authority to issue an order in this matter and to ultimately strike Ms. Halligan’s unlawful assertion that she serves as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia falls comfortably within its inherent power to impose both “respecf’ for, and
'compliance with[,] lawful mandates.” Shaffer, 11 F.3d at 461. Ms. Halligan’s insistence on including “United States Attorney” in her signature block exhibits disrespect not just for this Court,butalsoflauntstheRuleofLawmorebroadly.Italsoself-evidentlymanifests noncompliance with Judge Currie’s Orders. The Court’s remedy of striking the words “United States Attorney” from Ms. Halligan’s signature block constitutes a minimally invasive approach to reestablish respect for, and compliance with, the law in an active case before the undersigned.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreib3kwvnrpprdyiwl4aqhyuo7v6qwugqd7ie52cksfdsly4t6myhaq@jpeg)
![At the end of the day, Ms. Halligan's Response asserts that she is free to act in an unlawful capacity, because she disagrees that she does so unlawfully. But that's not how our legal system works. By having continued to exercise a position to which she was unconstitutionally appointed, including by signing the indictment in this case as "United States Attorney," Ms. Halligan exercised "power that [she] did not lawfully possess." Collins v. Yellen,
594 U.S. 220, 258 (2021). In the words of Justice Gorsuch, since Ms. Halligan was
"unconstitutionally installed," she "cannot wield executive power except as Article Il provides.
Attempts to do so are void." Id. at 283 (Gorsuch, J., concurring in part) (emphasis added); see United States v. United Mine Workers of Am., 330 U.S. 258, 293 (1947) ("[A]n order issued by a court with jurisdiction over the subject matter and person must be obeyed by the parties until it is reversed by orderly and proper proceedings."). Consequently, the Court must void Ms.
Halligan's attempts to exercise power before this Court that she "did not lawfully possess."
Collins, 594 U.S. at 258.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreicsb6n3coytjxl7sq7dzc3fung7la3d5xvjqna4embac4ciatdmgy@jpeg)
January 20, 2026 at 7:14 PM
"That's not how any of this works"
Reposted by Payton Chung
Join CITYBUILDER to discuss Building for People by Micheal Eliason, led by Ben Cappellacci.
We’ll meet at PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails in Raleigh on Wed, Jan 28 from 12 to 1pm
👉 RSVP: https://loom.ly/TaykfQo
🌐Read about Building for People here: https://loom.ly/ChlrvXE
#raleigh #bookclub #yimby
We’ll meet at PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails in Raleigh on Wed, Jan 28 from 12 to 1pm
👉 RSVP: https://loom.ly/TaykfQo
🌐Read about Building for People here: https://loom.ly/ChlrvXE
#raleigh #bookclub #yimby
January 20, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Join CITYBUILDER to discuss Building for People by Micheal Eliason, led by Ben Cappellacci.
We’ll meet at PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails in Raleigh on Wed, Jan 28 from 12 to 1pm
👉 RSVP: https://loom.ly/TaykfQo
🌐Read about Building for People here: https://loom.ly/ChlrvXE
#raleigh #bookclub #yimby
We’ll meet at PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails in Raleigh on Wed, Jan 28 from 12 to 1pm
👉 RSVP: https://loom.ly/TaykfQo
🌐Read about Building for People here: https://loom.ly/ChlrvXE
#raleigh #bookclub #yimby
Reposted by Payton Chung
fox news: new york is a hellhole. you can’t even take the subway
literally bernie goetz: “NYC is nothing like it was 40 years ago. Good shopping and you don’t have to own a car.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/b...
literally bernie goetz: “NYC is nothing like it was 40 years ago. Good shopping and you don’t have to own a car.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/b...
The Subway Vigilante Who Never Left Is Back
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:02 PM
fox news: new york is a hellhole. you can’t even take the subway
literally bernie goetz: “NYC is nothing like it was 40 years ago. Good shopping and you don’t have to own a car.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/b...
literally bernie goetz: “NYC is nothing like it was 40 years ago. Good shopping and you don’t have to own a car.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/b...
Reposted by Payton Chung
Reposted by Payton Chung
“Undocumented immigrants are outbidding tech workers in the Bay Area for $2 million homes” vs “Property management firms who own ~2% of all single family homes started the decades long housing crisis”
this entire thing was designed in a lab to cause me as much psychic damage as possible
January 17, 2026 at 6:24 PM
“Undocumented immigrants are outbidding tech workers in the Bay Area for $2 million homes” vs “Property management firms who own ~2% of all single family homes started the decades long housing crisis”
Reposted by Payton Chung
“Noem: U.S. Citizens Should Be Prepared To Show Proof.”
Did you vote for a “Show Me Your Papers” society?
Did you vote for a “Show Me Your Papers” society?
January 15, 2026 at 11:04 PM
“Noem: U.S. Citizens Should Be Prepared To Show Proof.”
Did you vote for a “Show Me Your Papers” society?
Did you vote for a “Show Me Your Papers” society?
Suburban sprawl was invented in an era when seniors simply *did not exist*: US life expectancy in 1950 was just 68. Transportation and housing policy in sprawling suburbs are not at all prepared for what happens next.
A top firm is warning that the "silver tsunami" will have big implications for the climate, unless U.S. communities act fast.
A 'Demographic Time Bomb' Is About To Go Off — And the Transportation Sector Isn't Ready — Streetsblog USA
A top firm is warning that the "silver tsunami" will have big implications for the climate, unless U.S. communities act fast.
buff.ly
January 15, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Suburban sprawl was invented in an era when seniors simply *did not exist*: US life expectancy in 1950 was just 68. Transportation and housing policy in sprawling suburbs are not at all prepared for what happens next.
Reposted by Payton Chung
This is not the language of the government of a free country.
January 14, 2026 at 1:16 PM
This is not the language of the government of a free country.
Reposted by Payton Chung
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 10:40 PM
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
Reposted by Payton Chung
Congratulations again to everyone who legitimized MAHA
Breaking News: The EPA will stop considering lives saved when setting pollution limits and instead calculate only the cost to businesses.
E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved by Limiting Air Pollution
In a reversal, the agency plans to calculate only the cost to industry when setting pollution limits, and not the monetary value of saving human lives, documents show.
nyti.ms
January 12, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Congratulations again to everyone who legitimized MAHA
Reposted by Payton Chung
Never forget that our lives are worthless to them
Breaking News: The EPA will stop considering lives saved when setting pollution limits and instead calculate only the cost to businesses.
E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved by Limiting Air Pollution
In a reversal, the agency plans to calculate only the cost to industry when setting pollution limits, and not the monetary value of saving human lives, documents show.
nyti.ms
January 12, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Never forget that our lives are worthless to them
Once again, the man who bankrupted six casinos does not understand the value of a high credit rating, or what that even means.
BERNANKE/YELLEN/GREENSPAN JOINT STATEMENT:
“.. this is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets ..”
(via @apnews.com)
“.. this is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets ..”
(via @apnews.com)
January 12, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Once again, the man who bankrupted six casinos does not understand the value of a high credit rating, or what that even means.
Reposted by Payton Chung
Unlicensed drivers killed nearly 300 pedestrians, cyclists and motorists on city streets between 2021-2024 — and their percentage share of the carnage soared in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, new city data analyzed by Streetsblog shows.
Unlicensed Drivers Comprise One-Quarter Of Street Fatalities: Data - Streetsblog New York City
Unlicensed drivers are now responsible for one-quarter of road fatalities — and are linked to fatal crashes much more often now than pre-pandemic, a new Streetsblog analysis shows.
buff.ly
January 12, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Unlicensed drivers killed nearly 300 pedestrians, cyclists and motorists on city streets between 2021-2024 — and their percentage share of the carnage soared in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, new city data analyzed by Streetsblog shows.
Reposted by Payton Chung
This is a cartoon about housing.
January 11, 2026 at 12:51 PM
This is a cartoon about housing.
Reposted by Payton Chung
Oregon's net population growth has slowed. But even if it stopped *completely*, state economists estimate we'd still need to add 50k more homes in the next 20 years.
That's because longer lives & smaller families mean we'll have many more small households. It's about 1/3 of all our future need.
That's because longer lives & smaller families mean we'll have many more small households. It's about 1/3 of all our future need.
January 9, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Oregon's net population growth has slowed. But even if it stopped *completely*, state economists estimate we'd still need to add 50k more homes in the next 20 years.
That's because longer lives & smaller families mean we'll have many more small households. It's about 1/3 of all our future need.
That's because longer lives & smaller families mean we'll have many more small households. It's about 1/3 of all our future need.
Reposted by Payton Chung
Legalize alley lots in DC! Send a letter COB 1/11, testify virtually 1/12! DC has hundreds of alley lots that could be sites for new homes, but regulatory restrictions make it difficult, if not impossible, to build. Support key reforms & demand removal of burdensome parking mandates! bit.ly/4qpJEAA
January 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Legalize alley lots in DC! Send a letter COB 1/11, testify virtually 1/12! DC has hundreds of alley lots that could be sites for new homes, but regulatory restrictions make it difficult, if not impossible, to build. Support key reforms & demand removal of burdensome parking mandates! bit.ly/4qpJEAA
Reposted by Payton Chung
USDOT and a major outlet are framing DC's traffic cameras as a cash grab. They're essential for keeping people safe on our streets. But the revenues should go to Vision Zero as the Council planned, not DC's general budget.
What the Politico story got wrong about automated traffic enforcement, and what it got right
View this post on ggwash.org
ggwash.org
January 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM
USDOT and a major outlet are framing DC's traffic cameras as a cash grab. They're essential for keeping people safe on our streets. But the revenues should go to Vision Zero as the Council planned, not DC's general budget.
Reposted by Payton Chung
"He has ... sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people. ... He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislatures."
The Declaration of Independence was referring to King George, but the description also fits the dictator Trump.
The Declaration of Independence was referring to King George, but the description also fits the dictator Trump.
January 7, 2026 at 5:55 PM
"He has ... sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people. ... He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislatures."
The Declaration of Independence was referring to King George, but the description also fits the dictator Trump.
The Declaration of Independence was referring to King George, but the description also fits the dictator Trump.
Reposted by Payton Chung
ICE caught shooting & lying yet again.
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
Anne Arundel County Police dispute ICE’s account of Glen Burnie shooting
A deadly shooting by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis on Wednesday renewed scrutiny of a violent Christmas Eve incident involving ICE agents in Glen Burnie, with Anne Arundel County ...
www.thebanner.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:48 PM
ICE caught shooting & lying yet again.
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
Reposted by Payton Chung
"...it's also important to remember the role that car dependency itself plays in our housing crisis, and how inextricably intertwined the two crises are." - @keawilson.bsky.social
The 'Affordability Crisis' Conversation Can't Leave Out the Cost of Cars — Streetsblog USA
We can't talk about Americans' empty wallets without talking about our empty buses and sidewalks and overall dependence on automobiles.
usa.streetsblog.org
January 8, 2026 at 12:56 PM
"...it's also important to remember the role that car dependency itself plays in our housing crisis, and how inextricably intertwined the two crises are." - @keawilson.bsky.social
"Many companies see $50 a barrel as a threshold below which it becomes unprofitable to drill... the president's backers in the oil industry might not be happy."
Potential all-time backfire. Decades of reckless boom/bust cycles, finally tamed by an improbable and industrywide commitment capital allocation discipline. Only to be blown up by a $50/bbl federal policy from the administration the industry was so determined to elect.
Exclusive | Trump Team Works Up Sweeping Plan to Control Venezuelan Oil for Years to Come
The U.S. president believes the effort could lower oil prices to his target price of $50 a barrel.
www.wsj.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:14 PM
"Many companies see $50 a barrel as a threshold below which it becomes unprofitable to drill... the president's backers in the oil industry might not be happy."