Posts by Andrew Fichter — Contributor
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These five R’s can help DC reduce its trash
Thoughtfully managing waste at a household level is an important component of keeping our city clean, and it's easier than you think. Keep reading…
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You can’t talk about homelessness in DC without discussing Maryland and Virginia, too
“I make $100 too much [to qualify for housing subsidies]. I work full time, I work part time, I work Saturdays. I want to pay rent, it’s the right thing to do. I’m responsible…and I keep getting pushed to the wall. It’s just me and my automobile. Where is the help for a single, working, decent, tax-paying, law abiding citizen?” Keep reading…
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Should the RFK parking lot become sports fields? Our contributors weigh in.
The land currently occupied by RFK Stadium is going to undergo significant changes in the coming years. With the stadium’s lone remaining tenant (DC United) set to move into a brand new soccer stadium by 2019, attention is shifting towards redevelopment efforts on the massive waterfront property, which in total is roughly half the size of the National Mall. I asked GGWash's contributors what should happen with that space. Keep reading…
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How five local businesspeople would tackle gentrification on 14th Street
As recently as ten years ago, DC’s bustling 14th Street corridor was riddled with crime and blight. Its rapid transformation is one version of the same story you can find all over the District. How can change of this magnitude serve existing communities rather than displace them? Keep reading…
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Can anyone build affordable housing without public money?
The US has less affordable housing than it needs, and that’s because of a fundamental problem: the cost of building and operating affordable units adds up to more than what those units bring in in rent. The Urban Institute launched a tool that illustrates this problem first-hand. Keep reading…
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Is a gondola across the Potomac realistic? We’re about to find out.
Is it a crazy idea to link Georgetown and Rosslyn by building a gondola over the Potomac? We’re about to find out. A study of the idea has begun in earnest, and by the fall we should know more about whether building one is possible and how many people might use it. Keep reading…
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Just blocks from the White House… new bike and bus lanes?
A new protected bikeway could go in along Pennsylvania Avenue west of the White House, along with a contraflow bus lane on nearby H Street. DDOT is launching a study to review these possibilities, and is seeking public input. Keep reading…
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DC’s population is exploding
DC’s population is growing, and it’s likely to surpass the all-time high in the next decade. It’s also getting whiter overall, and seeing more international immigrants and childbirths. These are some of the key takeaways from a population trends study that the Office of Planning published in April. Keep reading…
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In DC’s West End, construction projects are endangering cyclists and pedestrians
In DC’s West End, portions of the bikeways on L and M Streets, along with the adjacent sidewalks, are closed because of construction projects. The detours are confusing, and the result is that people on both bikes and foot are sharing narrow, unsafe spaces. Keep reading…
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Here’s how to bike in the city safely and confidently
Our region is more bike-friendly than ever, but lots of people still doubt whether riding a bike is a safe or viable form of regular transportation. The truth is that riding a bike is a great way to get around. I’ve written some tips for getting started. Keep reading…