A population increase of 70 million is expected in the United States over the next three decades. As the population continues to grow, so does the nation’s infrastructure deficit. The strains are already being felt nationwide. Government officials at all levels and in all jurisdictions are being forced to make difficult choices about where to […]
Partnerships involving hotels, universities and developers are becoming extremely common. And, while not widely known, hotels, developers and institutions of higher education have collaborated in a myriad of ways for decades. Most notable in Texas, the University of Houston has enjoyed an enviable relationship for many years with Hilton Hotels through the university’s Conrad N. […]
Make no mistake about it. As long as budget gaps continue at the state level and population growth persists, state transportation infrastructure will continue to deteriorate. State officials are exploring a variety of financing methods that might provide solutions. And, according to a recent report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the number of […]
Private-sector contractors are eagerly awaiting the outcome March 15 of a North Carolina referendum (“Connect NC”) that could result in $1.35 billion in government contracting opportunities on the campuses of North Carolina public universities and community colleges. Voters in the Tar Heel State will decide a ballot issue that would allow the state to borrow […]
Local government officials are often asked, “What keeps you awake at night?” With an up-and-down economy in recent years, the Great Recession, declining tax revenues and widening budget gaps, there’s no shortage of answers to that question. The nation’s mayors were recently surveyed regarding the most important, and most challenging, issues their respective cities are […]
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is in an enviable position. Unlike in most other states, Minnesota’s state treasury is sitting pretty with a $1.9 billion surplus. With those funds securely in hand, Dayton recently proposed borrowing $1.4 billion to finance more than 100 public projects throughout the state – from construction at public college campuses to supporting the […]
Cities look for innovative parking solutions — are there any? Parking has become a critical problem for many large cities. As downtown areas experience historic growth and popularity, developers rush in to construct high-rise condos and apartments. Restaurants and other retail stores scramble to find downtown locations. Convention centers (usually located downtown) become more active, […]