ASC's Intersections Newsletter — June 25, 2026
Welcome back to ASC, Allison!
🎧 Listen to this article
Nora's Note
Some people leave. The best ones come back—and when they do, they come back with more. Allison Simmons-Jacobi spent 9 years building her foundation at ASC. Then she went and did something remarkable: she took the Federal Highway Administration's Public Roads magazine from 2,543 digital subscribers to more than 38,000—in five years, with no paid media. She launched the first-ever student writing competitions in the magazine's history. She directed special issues, reader surveys, and left a mark across multiple federal sectors.
Now she's made her decision. She's back. Allison rejoins ASC as Project Director, Federal Contracts, and she's here to open up our federal contracting pipeline. Nine years of knowing us. Five years of proving what she can do at the highest levels of government work. The same contagious enthusiasm and relentless drive for excellence that everyone who's worked with her already knows.
Welcome home, Allison. Let's build something big.
Transportation
Despite bustling streets congested with vehicles and delivery trucks, many of the Financial District (FiDi)’s storefronts remain empty due to narrow walkways. Between FiDi and Battery Park, 21.1% of storefronts sit vacant, despite the foot traffic being the second highest of all NYC neighborhoods. The Downtown Alliance is spearheading an effort in the area to limit this traffic by implementing low-traffic neighborhood policies that were supported by Mamdani during his campaign. Learn more about how car-free streets could positively impact local businesses in FiDi. (Source: Streetsblog)
Gothamist: Amtrak calls for MTA to partner on the Penn Station rebuild it once led
AMNY: 63-block stretch of Manhattan’s 6th Avenue will get a busway under DOT proposal
Mass Transit Magazine: Denter RTD, GoTriangle host K-12 career development events, internships to foster next generation of transit professionals
Climate
As cities face growing threats from extreme heat, flooding, and air pollution, urban climate resilience strategies are proving they can protect both people and public budgets at the same time. Ahmedabad, India, cut heat-related deaths significantly after launching a Heat Action Plan following a 2010 heatwave that killed more than 1,300 people, while Philadelphia's investment in green stormwater infrastructure reduced flooding risks at lower costs than conventional drainage systems. Read more to discover how cities across four continents are turning targeted investments into measurable gains for public health, community access, and long-term economic savings. (Source: Happy Eco News)
Inside Climate News: How a tiny Texas river agency plans to build the largest desalination plant in the country
Grist: America’s data center backlash is bipartisan—can it stay that way?
Canary Media: Installing a head pump might increase the value of your home
Economic Development
With deferred maintenance growing and capital budgets stretched thin, municipalities are increasingly turning to Energy Savings Performance Contracts(ESPCs) to fund building and infrastructure upgrades through future operational savings. Used in the U.S. for nearly 50 years, ESPCs allow energy service companies (ESCOs) to design and implement projects while guaranteeing energy savings that help offset costs. Common improvements include HVAC replacements, lighting retrofits, building automation systems, and renewable energy installations. Read more here about how municipalities are using ESPCs to modernize aging facilities, the companies delivering these projects, and examples of financing approaches and outcomes. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
Planetizen: A South Dakota hospital is funding a new subdivision for its employees
The City Reporter: Think tank pitches city-owned pharmacies to lower drug prices
Multi-Housing News: NYC launches supportive preservation program for 39,000 units
Digital
Social media is increasingly becoming a primary source of news for people of all ages, calling into question the objectivity of information we consume as news. As algorithms are tailored to a user’s tastes and beliefs, many are only shown and consume news that aligns closely with topics they already frequent. Influencers and AI chatbots are also notable for promoting biased or false information on social media as sponsorships can skew information or fabricate information entirely. Read more to learn how social media sites are shaping our news landscape. (Source: Social Media Today)
Forbes: The fastest-growing energy source under the sun
GovTech: Essex County, NJ gets a jump on predicting rat populations
Route Fifty: A ‘bottom-up’ and ‘in-house’ approach to AI workforce training gains traction in San Jose
About Arch Street Communications
At ASC, we help government agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations across the globe communicate issues that affect people’s lives. We’re the bold, nimble, women-owned small business (WBE) that has supported strategic communications programs to build stronger communities for 30 years.
Ready to find the “simple truth” solutions to build a better future? We want to hear from you! Get in touch to learn how our signature approach can work for you.
Subscribe to Arch Street Communications' Newsletter Intersections
