Posts from December 2011
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Development remains elusive at Poplar Point
“Don’t eat any dirt. And when you get home take a shower,” warned park ranger Jim Rosenstock as he led a dozen residents on a walking tour of Poplar Point this weekend. Despite a flurry of public meetings and development plans in recent years, Poplar Point remains unrealized. Changes in ownership, pollution, and lack of a consistent vision have hampered efforts… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Sports talk
Skins envy explained; DC to get a velodrome; Streecar stop stops moving; Memorials are stubborn things; ICC pays homage to history; Company helps riders dodge fares; Ethics bill passes; Housing costs change poverty stats; And…. Keep reading…
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The next black swan for transportation: self-driving cars
Whether we are prepared for it or not, the next revolution in transportation will be here soon, and it won’t be streetcars, monorails, segways, or electric vehicles. It will be self-driving cars, and the adoption of this technology will change everything we accept as a given in the field of transportation planning. There is a fundamental flaw in the practice of transportation… Keep reading…
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New skyscraper will raise the roof on White Flint
For most of the past 3 decades, the tallest skyscraper in Montgomery County has been Gaithersburg’s 275 foot tall Washingtonian Tower. Earlier this year, Washingtonian Tower was eclipsed by the 289 foot tall North Bethesda Market. Now, developers in White Flint are proposing another, even taller tower. Oh, and it’s crazy-looking:… Keep reading…
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Offices aren’t enough to turn downtown Wheaton around
County Executive Ike Leggett says the best way to kick-start the revitalization of downtown Wheaton is by moving the Montgomery County Park and Planning Commission there. Will government offices be enough to get the ball rolling? Past experience says it’s unlikely. In October, the Commission received a $200,000 grant to study moving its offices. Its 400 employees work… Keep reading…
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State Dept. tells Congo to remove unauthorized paving
The US Department of State has instructed the Republic of Congo to restore the front yard of their new chancery to planted green space. In a recent letter, the State Department says it “expects the Embassy to comply” with a DDOT request to return the yard to landscaping. The embassy paved over the entire front yard of the historic Toutorsky Mansion, at 16th and Riggs… Keep reading…
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Transit Near Me shows your transit choices
For the last few months, I’ve been working with Eric Fidler and David Alpert at the Mobility Lab in Arlington to build tools to help people better understand transit. We’d like you to beta test one of our first creations, Transit Near Me. Transit Near Me is a web application that shows you transit options around your location, or any other spot in the region. Load the… Keep reading…
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MARC’s new Brunswick schedule worsens service for many
On Thursday, MARC announced a new schedule on the Brunswick Line, to go into effect on January 30. For riders at the far end of the line, it will mean a faster trip. But for riders in Frederick and closer-in Montgomery County, it will mean fewer trains and longer waits. MARC says the rationale for the change is the reduction of delays, something every Brunswick Line rider naturally… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Federal raid roundup
Feds raid councilmember’s house; Structure sparks conflict in McPherson Sq; Group questions NPS contracts; Antis get their just desserts; Johnson sought quid pro quo; Parking at all costs; Public spaces require good design; And…. Keep reading…
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Weekend video: Metro’s Christmas caroler returns
For 10 straight years a man known as the Metro caroler has been singing Christmas songs while riding the train. Keep reading…