Posts by Mitch Wander — Contributor
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Valencia shows new ideas for signs and public space
Most people associate Valencia, Spain with oranges, paella or the fireworks-packed Las Fallas celebrations. Valencia also boasts innovative ways to mark subway stairs and crosswalks, access its bike sharing program, and park cars along its neighborhood commercial districts. Frequent Metro riders in the DC area struggle with the right way to explain the local custom… Keep reading…
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Black homicide rate drops but remains high
Homicide rates in DC have decreased sharply over the past several years. However, even with this overall improvement, the rate of homicide of black DC residents remains significantly higher than that of whites. In 2009, DC dropped off the list of the cities with the top 10 homicide rates. The absolute number of homicides and the number of homicides per 100,000 residents decreased… Keep reading…
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Painting “Gray” over “Fenty” on signs now official priority
When Mayor Gray took office, we suggested he ask agency directors not to spend precious funds replacing all mentions of previous mayors with his own name on signs. DC Water instead made a video showing them changing their own sign. Now, an anonymous yet fiscally responsible source shared an administration email asking agencies to make it “a priority” to replace… Keep reading…
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Should cows pay for zoo parking problems?
The National Zoo plans to close its popular Kids’ Farm this summer because of budget cuts. Instead of hastily shutting down a popular educational venue, the Zoo could pay for it by increasing parking revenue by just 10 percent through the recommendations of its own reports. The Kids’ Farm is very popular. Unofficial estimates by the zoo calculate that almost 30%… Keep reading…
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Three quick fixes to DC Council credibility
The DC Council has bruised its reputation with a pair of self-inflicted wounds: over-priced leased SUVs and Verizon Center ticket squabbles. It can take steps to regain credibility by repealing its members’ parking ticket exemption, stop accepting free sports and entertainment tickets, and release data on official credit card purchases. The District deserves respect… Keep reading…
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Glover Park organizes neighborhood snow shovel team
Last month, DDOT and DPW asked residents whether they had organized their neighborhood snow shoveling teams. In the snow announcement, then-DDOT Director Gabe Klein specifically mentioned elderly and disabled residents who may need assistance with accumulated ice or snow. It’s worthwhile to examine the activities that one specific neighborhood, Glover Park, undertook… Keep reading…
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Could transit benefits attract zoo members?
Any avid “zoogoer” will tell you that becoming a Friend of the National Zoo (FONZ) is a no-brainer. For car owners, one perk stands out among the generous benefits: free parking. A quick cost-benefit analysis shows why drivers appreciate the free parking benefit, in particular. Up to three hours of parking in the zoo lots would cost $15 according to the recently revised… Keep reading…
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Release the CapStat results
During his final two weeks in office, Mayor Adrian Fenty should publicly post all CapStat Action Item Reports that weren’t yet released. CapStat Action Items propose and require specific, measurable changes to agency operations “to make District government run more efficiently, while providing a higher quality of service to its residents.” Incoming… Keep reading…
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Don’t use the incoming mayor’s name in vain (on signs)
On his first day as mayor, Vincent Gray should advise his agency directors and direct reports not to put his name on anything that doesn’t require it. Mayor Gray should issue clear guidance from the start in order to save the District money and avoid easily preventable criticism. He can send a message that progress for the city is more important than promoting the name of the… Keep reading…
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Open DC’s neighborhood libraries on Sundays
The DC Public Library (DCPL) should open some neighborhood libraries on Sundays and instead stagger closings on other days of the week. Currently, DCPL closes all locations other than the main branch, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, on the same day of the week: Sunday. Residents and visitors are left with no neighborhood branch options every Sunday of the year. My… Keep reading…