Posts from June 2013
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Breakfast links: Off to the races
Who won; Who’s running, leaving; Struck around the region; Church wants to move bike lane; Slow down in Arlington; Takoma TOD plan 2.0; Is artificial turf hazardous?; Fundrise: investment or donation?; On the calendar. Keep reading…
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K Street reconstruction misses key ped and bike features
Last Saturday, DC officials cut a ribbon on a project to rebuild on K Street NW between 3rd and 7th Streets. The road is better than it was before, but some elements that would have helped pedestrians and cyclists disappeared between earlier studies and the final project. Keep reading…
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Metro riders need to know when service will be good again
Unlike its off-peak trains, Metrorail’s rebuilding program is moving full steam ahead. When will it actually be done? After years of deferred maintenance, WMATA is neck deep with major track work every weekend. The work is clearly necessary for Metrorail’s long term viability, but it’s awful for riders now. With headways approaching a half hour, weekend… Keep reading…
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Residents organize for positive change in Bluemont
Arlington’s Bluemont neighborhood fought plans to rebuild the local Safeway and add apartments. Now that the project’s stalled, a new group called Bluemont Forward wants to change the debate over growth. In April, the Bluemont Civic Association voted to oppose a proposal from Safeway and developer Silverwood Companies to replace the 1960’s-era store… Keep reading…
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Dan Reed debates BRT opponents
Greater Greater Washington staff editor Dan Reed appeared on Fox 5 to talk about Montgomery County’s BRT plans along with opponent Paula Bienenfeld. Visually, even just the scene on set brings into sharp relief the changes the county is undergoing. Keep reading…
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Catania’s reforms, part 1: School funding and autonomy
Four days ago, Councilmember David Catania announced 7 proposals to restructure DC Public Schools’ operations. I’ll look at each of his proposals in turn, starting in this article with a proposal to change how much money each school receives, and who controls it. Presently, DCPS gives funds to each school based on the size of its student body. With a few exceptions,… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: What’s up elected officials
Brown is guilty; Taxi Commission still over-regulating; Who are you voting for, VA?; Fix the laws; Housing prices keep rising; Rail isn’t so necessary?; Runway shifts, DC shrinks. Keep reading…
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Greenbelt roundabout includes innovative bike bypass
Last summer, the city of Greenbelt built a roundabout at the entrance to the Metro station with an innovative bike bypass. This improves access to the Metro for cyclists, motorists and transit riders alike. Keep reading…
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DC schools are trying out a Common Core-aligned test
Critics predict that the introduction of the Common Core State Standards will engender a host of problems. This week, a tryout of one of the Common Core-aligned tests in 25 DC schools may provide a glimpse of things to come. The Common Core, which has been adopted by 45 states and DC, promises to shake up the way American children are educated, placing more emphasis on analytical… Keep reading…
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1886 plan would have built atop Rock Creek
Tom from Ghosts of DC found an 1886 Post article about a plan to put Rock Creek in a tunnel from about M Street to just north of R Street, fill in the ravine, and create city blocks between Georgetown and Dupont. Proponents estimated it would create 50 “squares” (generally city blocks) of space, for a cost of about $600,000 to $650,000, or about $15-16 million in today’s… Keep reading…