Posts by Eve Zhurbinskiy — Editorial Board
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Urbanist heroes of the week: The college students who won discounted bikeshare passes
Last week, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced that college students at DC-based universities will be able to purchase discounted $25 Capital Bikeshare passes, thanks to the efforts of student advocates. The passes, which typically cost $85 annually, will be available for purchase immediately for George Washington University students. Keep reading…
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DC pledged to end homelessness by 2020, yet 54 people died without a home this year
On December 20, advocates, faith leaders, and community members gathered for the annual Homeless Memorial Vigil to remember the 54 people who died without the dignity of a home in DC in 2018 thus far. Those who died ranged in age from 25 to 87, with the median age being 57. Keep reading…
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A new report highlights the stark racial disparities in Metro fare enforcement
As Metro Police have ramped up enforcement of the fare evasion law, a disproportionate number of people issued citations are black, a new report from the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs shows. The study comes as activists push the DC Council to vote on a bill to decriminalize fare evasion in the District. Keep reading…
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Rigid DC election requirements keep DC college students off the ballot
For many candidates, gathering 25 signatures is as simple as knocking a few blocks worth of doors, or standing outside a large apartment complex in their Single Member District. But for college students, whose districts consist solely or mostly of dorms, getting 25 signatures is next to impossible. Keep reading…
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DC councilmembers are exempt from some parking regulations. That doesn’t mean they should flout the rules.
DC’s parking immunity law for councilmembers is back in the news again, thanks to Ward 2 Councilmember and Metro Board Chair Jack Evans telling a concerned citizen on Saturday that “if I park illegally, that opens up a spot for you.” It’s not the first time that Evans has made headlines for flouting parking rules. Keep reading…
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Let’s build a piazza in Dupont Circle!
Dupont Circle is getting a plaza over busy Connecticut Avenue between the Dupont Circle and Q Street. This is a great opportunity to build more community space, and based on reader feedback it’s clear that the best option here is a park that prioritizes people over cars. Keep reading…
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The District Department of Transportation may build a shared street in Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle could be getting a plaza over the busy Connecticut Avenue, which currently slices the area in half and makes it unfriendly to people walking. Last week at a community meeting, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) presented initial concepts for a “deck-over” project that would stretch from Dupont Circle to California Street NW. Keep reading…
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DC has spent hundreds of thousands on encampment removals. Now, people experiencing homelessness are suing.
Last month, several people experiencing homelessness filed a class-action lawsuit against the District, claiming that their belongings were being improperly thrown away during sweeps of encampments. As the lawsuit progresses through the courts, one thing is certain: until DC is able to provide mental health services and safe housing for all of those who need it, people will continue to live in encampments. Keep reading…
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A new short documentary highlights the dire consequences of DC’s maternal care desert
The result of hospital closures in DC is a maternal care desert for women who live east of the Anacostia, who now have to trek half an hour by car or more (and further by transit) to access a maternity ward and prenatal care. A new seven-minute documentary from The Atlantic highlights the deadly, discriminatory consequences of these closures. Keep reading…
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A bill before the DC Council would decriminalize fare evasion. Here’s why activists say it’s necessary.
As Metro cracks down on fare evasion, this decriminalization act would remove the criminal penalty and lower the maximum fine to $100. Local activists and councilmembers say the current policies have a disproportionate racial impact. Keep reading…