Posts by Cavan Wilk — Guest Contributor
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Mass transit: gain riders, lose stigma
In yesterday’s Breakfast Links, David posted a link to this story in the Post about transit usage continuing to grow, despite the recent drop in gasoline prices. Keep reading…
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A new Third Place enhances a walkable space
Life has come to a new, small commercial building on University Avenue in Wheaton after months of construction. First, local favorite poultry eatery El Pollo Rico has finally re-opened at its new location after a fire destroyed its old place of business. Second, there is now a brand new coffee shop, Dejabel Cafe. I could not resist trying a mocha latte. It was tasty. I made sure… Keep reading…
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Affordable housing clashes with the suburban mindset in Wheaton/Kensington
The interaction of supply and demand is one of the most fundamental relationships governing prices in any kind of market. Housing prices in Montgomery County, and the Washington region as a whole, remain unaffordable for many middle-income workers. Keep reading…
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Purple Line opposition has “tarnished” the Town of Chevy Chase
Not everyone in Chevy Chase wants to block the light rail Purple Line. I don’t want to start another Purple Line flame war, but this testimony at the recent Purple Line hearing, from long-time Town of Chevy Chase resident Arthur T. Rowse, bring a unique and valuable perspective on the super-local, anti-Purple Line politics:… Keep reading…
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Residents support the Purple Line at Bethesda/Chevy Chase hearing
I testified at the Bethesda/Chevy Chase Purple Line hearing last night. Most speakers rehashed the same arguments made back and forth in western Montgomery County over the past few years. The “Save the Trail” crowd repeated their parochial concerns. Keep reading…
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Cutting transit: a 1958 solution to a 2008 problem
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has proposed budget cuts to RideOn that would reduce service. Meanwhile, Leggett doesn’t plan to cut any road projects. Every little road “upgrade” (and by “upgrade” I mean widening, making cars go faster, and causing more pedestrian injuries) in the county is still going forward as planned. Keep reading…
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Prince George’s and the Post back light rail Purple Line
On Saturday, the first Purple Line DEIS hearing took place in New Carrolton. Every elected official in attendance spoke in favor of the light rail Purple Line. Of the first 30 speakers from the general public, 27 spoke specifically for a light rail Purple Line. Only one person spoke in favor of the Jones Bridge bus option. Keep reading…
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Urban planning meets the raw material shortage
As we discussed the big highway projects in the news, like the I-66 widening in Arlington and the Intercounty Connector, I began to think about their long-term sustainability once they get built, cost overruns and all. Keep reading…
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Urbanism in the public realm: the Silver Spring library
Last Thursday, I attended the public meeting on the new Silver Spring Library. As David already posted, the consultants, RKTL, have proposed a variety of options for discussion. Only four options remain: 1b, 1c, 6a, and 6b. The others had to be disqualified, as some were impractical for the library, while others wouldn’t attract a private developer to build the residential… Keep reading…
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Wheaton’s butterfly effect
Despite being a thoroughly walkable urban location, downtown Wheaton has a few empty parcels of land, particularly on its borders. One such parcel is the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Blueridge Avenue, a ten minute walk north of the Wheaton Metro and currently owned by WMATA. WMATA plans to sell this land to a developer for a mixed-use project including residences, office space,… Keep reading…