Posts by David Alpert — Founder
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Dulles rail decision from a backroom deal?
Is the DOT and FTA trying to force Virginia to sell the Dulles Toll Road? Did the FTA work out a deal with private investors ahead of time to reject public financing? BeyondDC picks up on an interesting angle from the Post’s report that private investors are floating an idea to finance the Dulles rail extension by privatizing the Dulles Toll Road (which will require raising tolls). Keep reading…
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From spaghetti maze to grande allée
The area around the Kennedy Center is surely one of DC’s greatest failures of urban planning. Earlier this decade the Kennedy Center attempted to fix the situation with a new plaza, until its funding was blocked in 2005. But the idea is still a great one. Today, DC Metrocentric found a concept study by architects Ehrenkrantz Eckstut and Kuhn, which takes the idea even… Keep reading…
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Monday morning links
San Francisco is considering a bill to reform parking requirements, removing the requirements forcing developers to build parking in certain types of housing developments, “unbundling” parking so condo purchasers can choose whether to pay for a parking space or not, and allowing mechanical or valet parking to save space if the building wants it. Keep reading…
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Get off the road! No, get on the road!
At dinner the other day, some friends expressed surprise that DC law allows riding a bicycle on the sidewalk (except in the central business district, basically between Massachusetts Avenue and the Mall). One person commented that when she is walking, bikes seem to be in the way on the sidewalk, but when she is biking, it’s the people who seem to be in the way. It’s the natural… Keep reading…
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Sen. Wyden’s favored economic stimulus: road resurfacing
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), a progressive Senator from America’s most Smart Growth-oriented city of Portland, apparently feels that the best economic stimulus would be more money for road resurfacing. No wonder America has such a hard time weaning itself from road-building. According to Bloomberg, Oregon’s senior Senator thinks “infrastructure spending—specifically… Keep reading…
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Long Islanders crave alternatives to suburbia
Long Island’s lack of walkable downtowns containing apartments and townhouses is hurting the region and causing young people to leave, according to Long Island Index, and a third of Long Islanders would like to have the option to live in that kind of downtown. Keep reading…
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Chicken, meet egg on Dulles rail line
Yesterday, many wrote about the FTA and DOT Secretary Mary Peters’ decision to deny funding for the Metro extension to Dulles, at least unless the project meets a new set of criteria over and above the many hurdles it’s already surmounted. Some are livid. Others doubt the project’s wisdom. But Peters and FTA chief James Simpson advance unreasonable chicken-and-egg… Keep reading…
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Another side of Capitol Quarter
Via DCist, new documentary Chocolate City examines gentrification from the point of view of Capper/Carrollsburg residents, who feel the new mixed-income Capitol Quarter development doesn’t do enough to enable previous residents to return to the community. Keep reading…
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Chiang Mai
I was surprised by Chiang Mai. It’s an old city, dating back to 1296, and consists of an “old city” surrounded by a moat and a wall, with newer areas outside. Therefore, I expected the old city to have pretty, old buildings and dramatic public squares. But that’s not the way it is. Keep reading…
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“I’m all for bike lanes but” not enough room to double park
Today’s Gridlock Sam column in the NY Daily News contains this letter that reveals the amazing absurdity of New York’s parking mess. This truck driver depends on double parking to make deliveries, but new bike lanes interfere with space for the double parking. Does he criticize the lack of loading zones? No, it’s clearly the bike lanes at fault. And rather… Keep reading…