ASC's Intersections Newsletter — October 16, 2026
Nora's Note
Remembering Arnie Bloch. I was saddened to learn of the passing of Arnie Bloch, a dear friend, trusted colleague, and longtime friend of ASC. Arnie was a pioneer in public engagement, considered by many to be the father of the field. His influence continues to shape how we work today, including through training courses he developed for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Arnie and I first worked together on the Tappan Zee Bridge project, beginning a friendship and professional partnership that continued for many years. He was a wonderful teacher, a generous spirit, and someone who believed deeply in the importance of giving people a voice in decisions that affect their communities.
I will miss him and the wisdom and the joy he brought to our work. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and everyone fortunate enough to have known him.
Transportation
Transit leaders from three major cities, Seattle, Chicago and New York City, recently shared their insights and innovative approaches to addressing financial gaps and shortfalls in transit funding. At an American Public Transportation Association conference, leaders spoke of tapping European models for guidance, building the world's first light rail floating bridge and utilizing congestion pricing as approaches that helped avert a fiscal crisis, improve the environment and strengthen their cities' transit systems. Read more about how transit leaders are funding major projects. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
Streetsblog Massachusetts: MBTA Debuts Two New Ways to Track Your Ride
amNewYork: Second Avenue Subway: MTA kicks off environmental review, public comments period for boring westward tunnels through Harlem
Gothamist: Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
Climate
A new California law, the Home Energy Choice Act (Assembly Bill 2313), will let residents choose to electrify their homes instead of replacing gas service lines, the pipes connecting homes to gas mains. The bill provides eligible households with financial incentives to transition away from natural gas, which could cost less than replacing the service line, thereby saving customers and utilities money. It remains unclear what the incentive programs will look like, but utilities must have approved implementation plans by January 1, 2028. Read more about the new law. (Source: Canary Media)
Grist: Illinois passed the nation’s first climate migration law. The effort has languished since.
Canary Media: Will New York’s 1GW storage contracts finally break the state’s big battery impasse?
Happy Eco News: Beaver restoration in the Colorado wetlands brings two struggling creeks back to life
Economic Development
New York City is advancing plans to transform a city-owned property near the Brooklyn Bridge into a major residential development featuring 4,000 homes, a fitness center and 40,000 square feet of neighborhood amenities. Approximately 25% of the apartments at 100 Gold Street will be permanently affordable and rent-stabilized. The proposal, now larger than the version introduced in 2025, reflects Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s strategy to address the housing crisis by repurposing underutilized public property. Two public hearings scheduled for October 29 will provide opportunities for community input on the project's development and its implications for the surrounding neighborhood. Read more about the proposed redevelopment. (Source: amNewYork)
Smart Cities Dive: With its first office-to-housing project done, Chicago advances ‘next chapter’ for its downtown.
Planetizen: Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment.
Smart Cities Dive: $467M affordable housing funding round gets LA City Council legal tool helping workers know their legal rights, reclaim stolen wages, and more
Digital
The algorithms behind social media feeds influence which information people encounter, making control over recommendations an important issue for users. Facebook’s new “Your Algorithm” feature lets people describe their content preferences in everyday language, with recommendations changing immediately, according to Meta. Read more about how the tools work in Feed and Reels and where users can find the new feedback options. (Source: TechCrunch)
Social Media Today: AI favors brands with an active social media presence
Social Media Today: LinkedIn exec offers insight into the battle against AI slop
amNewYork: $5M granted for New York-based nonprofit to expand AI legal tool helping workers know their legal rights, reclaim stolen wages, and more
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