Stephen Smith at rationalitate picked up on a Wired article and posted Thomas Edison builds the first el: today is 125th anniversary of the debut of Thomas Edison's elevated electric railway demonstration in Chicago. The project was financed with $2 million in private funds, through the … [Read more...]
Rent Control Part 4: Conclusion and Solutions
Welcome to the final post in the series discussing the consequences of rent control. Thank you to the subscribers who have patiently awaited each new post. I hope everyone found it enlightening. If you haven't read the entire series, you can catch up with these links: Rent Control Part One: … [Read more...]
Watch as “Expediters” Become Scapegoats of Corruption and Incompetence
It's easier to look at the symptom: corruption, than treat the disease: government over-regulation: Chicago Tribune: Role of expediters under scrutiny as federal probe targets City Hall corruption The unsung and highly specialized role these private individuals play in the workings of city … [Read more...]
Bribery for Property Rights: Federal Charges in Chicago
NBC5 has an update listing the people involved and video here: New Corruption Charges Hit Building, Zoning Departments Chicago Tribune: U.S. to announce charges against 15 in city bribe-taking probe (thanks to Dan M. for the tip) Federal authorities are set to announce charges Thursday against … [Read more...]
“Green” Parking Garage in Chicago. Oxymoron?
Developer, Al Friedman plans to build a "green" parking garage in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, where development has replaced many surface lots. (Crain's) Environmentally speaking, it's probably better than a surface lot and frees up more space for productive development. But, can the … [Read more...]
University of Chicago Creates Milton Friedman Institute
Crain's Chicago Business: U of C honors Friedman with $200M center Eventually, the Friedman Institute will be housed in buildings now occupied by the Chicago Theological Seminary on 58th Street between Woodlawn and University avenues. The U of C is buying the buildings and has agreed to build a … [Read more...]
Privatize Midway Airport
If Chicago's Midway Airport is privatized, I'll be looking forward to flying in there. (And it won't just be to satisfy cravings of Italian beef sandwiches and hot dogs at the food court.) It's success may depend on the how much (or hopefully how little) the city regulates the airport's contracts … [Read more...]
Markets for Parking
Matthew Yglesias: Parking How much will they pay? Well, it's hard to know in advance which is why you need markets. But that's what you should have -- as much parking as the market will bear. Not government-mandated parking, and not government-provided free or discount parking. Let people build … [Read more...]