Posts from August 2017
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DC has over 200 public schools named for people. Here’s how they got their names.
Since the first “modern” DC public school was built in 1864, and promptly named for the mayor who built it, the public school and charter school systems have named 255 schools for individual people. Among them are 32 known slave owners, 10 former slaves, 10 abolitionists, 2 people who joined the Confederacy, 17 civil rights leaders, 26 presidents and 32 mayors or other city officials. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Photographs unveil DC’s transit history
DDOT launched a photo archive for DC transit nerds everywhere. A new lawsuit alleges that DC's food stamp program is troubled. Capital Bikeshare members tend to be white and affluent. Keep reading…
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After 31 years, the Purple Line finally breaks ground
It's official: after three decades of debate and several brushes with death, the Purple Line broke ground this morning in New Carrollton. Keep reading…
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Will the Purple Line appear on the Metro map?
The Purple Line finally starts construction today, but one question still lingers: when it opens, will it appear on the Metro map? This 2015 post from Peter Dovak looks at how that might work. Keep reading…
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What’s so great about the Purple Line, anyway?
This morning, community leaders and advocates will break ground on the Purple Line after three decades of debate and legal battles, some of which are ongoing. Why has the Purple Line kept moving forward? This post from last summer takes a look at why so many people continue to fight for it, from local environmental groups to Governor Hogan. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Happy groundbreaking day, Purple Line!
Purple Line construction kicks off today with a groundbreaking ceremony to be attended by US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Governor Hogan. Purple Line opponents say construction should wait until their lawsuit is completely settled. Metro isn't quite ready to handle repairs of its new 7000-series railcars. Keep reading…
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(Un)built in the Flickr pool
Enjoy a few of our favorite new images from the Greater and Lesser Washington Flickr pool, showcasing the best and worst of urbanism and the Washington, DC region. Keep reading…
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YIMBYism: More housing, but how?
A growing movement called YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) wants to build more housing in our high-cost cities. But as I’ve learned more about YIMBYism, I’m realizing that not everyone agrees on how we can make housing more affordable. Keep reading…
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This new building includes parts of three old buildings
As DC grows, new buildings are often required to incorporate historic structures. That’s easier said than done, but the results can be worth the effort. Here’s how one new apartment building in Mount Vernon Triangle incorporated three historic buildings for new uses. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: It’s a rumble in the court over shady landlord practices
A new lawsuit challenges rent concessions, a common and shady landlord practice. Multiple DC school playgrounds have closed after failing shock absorption tests. We don't really know how Uber and Lyft affect our region's traffic. Keep reading…