Recent Posts
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Rail to Dulles, Loudoun has a silver lining
The highly controversial and much anticipated Silver Line has its faults. But it has the potential to profoundly impact Washington area transportation well into the future. Undoubtedly this new transit connection has some shortcomings. The elevated design through Tysons Corner will likely have a negative impact on walkability in that area. Its high price tag, well into the… Keep reading…
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Let the parking debate begin
Jack Evans’ parking comments yesterday generated some interesting debate here and on TBD, with many people both for and against changing meter rates. It’s clear drivers aren’t as unified in their recommendations as might appear at first blush. I’ll be appearing on TBD’s NewsTalk with Bruce DePuyt this morning to discuss the issue. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Is the Park Service serving us?
They control the parks, but won’t tell you which; Rosslyn boathouse may happen; The savage Mall; Please help pedestrians at RI Ave; Will Mayor Gray kill Smart Growth?; Wireless streetcars from Japan; Pentagon Metro won’t be so bad; Using trees to slow traffic. Keep reading…
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Lost Washington: The “Notorious” Sterling Hotel
The Sterling Hotel, originally the Hotel Johnson, once stood on the southeast corner of 13th and E Streets, NW, a corner that now fronts on Freedom Plaza and is just north of Pennsylvania Avenue. This was never one of Washington’s great hostelries, but it was listed as one of the 30 “principal hotels” of Washington in Rand McNally’s Pictorial Guide to… Keep reading…
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What would “sanity” in parking look like?
Councilmember Jack Evans said on TBD NewsTalk today that he planned to propose a rollback of parking meter charges on weeknights and Saturdays, saying, “I’m going to introduce legislation at our next meeting that brings us all back to sanity.” TBD reports that Evans has identified a source of funding, but is keeping mum so Councilmembers don’t try… Keep reading…
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Dedicated parking not optimal for Clarendon Trader Joe’s
Excitement is building around the arrival of Trader Joe’s in the heart of Clarendon. Before they move in, the grocery chain wants Arlington County to guarantee reserved parking spaces. But handing over free dedicated spaces isn’t the only option. Last week ARLnow confirmed the long-standing rumor that Trader Joe’s is interested in occupying retail space… Keep reading…
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Keep inclusionary zoning housing affordable
Inclusionary zoning, a new affordable housing tool in DC, has a long and successful track record in other (and adjacent) communities to create mixed income housing. However, pockets of resistance to DC’s inclusionary zoning (IZ) law remain. In a recent Washington Post Capital Business commentary, Manna, Inc., a non-profit housing developer and the D.C. Building… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Go free
Car Free Day is today; Metro ridership up; San Francisco transit chief to WMATA?; Thinking outside the big box; Bag tax seems successful; Parking karma; O’Malley unveils light rail spending; Rent control, landlords a challenge. Keep reading…
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A Cleveland Park pedestrian chronicles her experience
Since I gave up my car a few years ago, I have relied on public transportation leavened with a considerable amount of walking, both around Cleveland Park and further afield. I have become increasingly disturbed about my safety as a pedestrian, having frequently encountered reckless drivers who seem oblivious to or uncaring of my presence. After encountering two… Keep reading…
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Maps show racial divides in Greater Washington
Eric Fischer created amazing maps showing the racial and ethnic distribution of people in various American cities using data from the 2000 Census. I’ve added jurisdiction boundaries, freeways, and Metrorail lines to put the DC region’s map in context: In DC, the division between white and black neighborhoods seems to be fairly stark. Rock Creek Park appears… Keep reading…