Posts by Jonathan Neeley — Former Staff Editor
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Happy Pride month! Check out this map of historic LGBTQ spaces in DC
Pride month has just begun. It’s a time of celebration, but also of protest, as the fight for rights for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities is still very much ongoing. The above map and its accompanying history tell the story of the bars, bookstores, group homes, clinics, and churches that have played essential roles in DC’s gay community for the past half century. Keep reading…
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Here’s a timeline of local LGBTQ places and history
This interactive maps out the places and spaces that have been important to DC's LGBTQ community for more than 50 years. Keep reading…
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2017’s greatest hits: Brookland Manor offers a crash course in why housing in DC is so complicated
East of the the Rhode Island Avenue Metro, there’s a gigantic housing complex called Brookland Manor. The owners plan to redevelop it and say they’re building far more affordable housing than DC law requires. The people who live there now say the owners aren’t coming close to meeting the area’s need for affordable housing. They’re both right. This was one of our top posts from 2017. Keep reading…
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Build the Purple Line, visit more breweries
Whether you're into running, cycling, library visits, or University of Maryland sports, the Purple Line is going to be your friend. Keep reading…
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Sorry, Elon Musk. “Verbal govt approval” for the Hyperloop is not a thing.
A few hours ago, Hyperloop creator Elon Musk tweeted that he had received “verbal govt approval” for building his tube train technology from DC to New York, with stops in Baltimore and Philadelphia. That's… not how it works. Keep reading…
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Gentrification. What does that word even mean?!
DC is a much different place than it was twenty, ten, and even just five years ago. In fact, many might call it a national posterchild for “gentrification.” But what does that word actually mean? Is it that wealthy people live where poor people use to? That retailers are different, or that vacant lots are now home to apartment buildings? Something else? We discussed in this week's contributor chat. Keep reading…
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Charles Allen to Park Police: Handcuffing black teens for selling water is ridiculous
On Thursday, undercover US Park Police handcuffed four black teenagers for selling bottled water without a permit on the National Mall. The next day, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen basically asked the police chief if, in the name of enforcing park rules, his officers would do the same if they caught little girls selling lemonade. Keep reading…
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David Grosso wants DC to ditch “mayor” and “councilmember” for “governor” and “representative”
DC Councilmember David Grosso (At-large) wants to start calling DC's mayor its governor, for the council to be the “legislative assembly,” and for councilmembers to be referred to as “representatives.” Would Grosso's idea of having DC refer to its own government as though it’s a state move the District anywhere closer to statehood? Keep reading…
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Chat: How should reporters write about “up and coming” neighborhoods?
Last week, an article called “River Terrace is a modest jewel tucked away in NE Washington” ran in the Washington Post’s Real Estate section. The next day, DCist staff writer Christina Sturdivant, who grew up in River Terrace, wrote that article’s author left out a lot of important detail about the neighborhood. Christina, some GGWash editorial board members, and I recently talked about the matter. Keep reading…
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Chat: What infrastructure do we need, and how do we build it?
Today, GGWash contributors Patrick Kennedy, Tracy Loh, and Joanne Pierce traded thoughts on whether building infrastructure means pitting equality against equity, and how government can make more choices that actually benefit constituents. Check out their conversation! Keep reading…