Recent Posts
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Illuminating the Flickr pool
Here are our favorite new images from the Greater and Lesser Washington Flickr pool, showcasing the best and worst of the Washington region. Keep reading…
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DDoh’T! Parking kiosk exacerbates the U Street squeeze
The bicycle trap streetcar grates we told you about in May have been fixed. Reader Greg DuRoss has found another little transportation snafu: a multispace meter blocking an already-narrow sidewalk. The southern side of U Street’s 1300 block is a busy one. In addition to the regular heavy foot traffic on U Street, this particular block leads up to the Metro station entrance. Keep reading…
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Are tour guide licenses unconstitutional?
Washington, DC is one of a handful of cities that requires tour guide licenses. As a guide in DC, I’m required to fill out some forms, pay some fees, and sit down for a written test. Thanks to some recent reforms within the District’s Department of Consumer Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), this a relatively painless process. I did it in DC and New York, and am none the worse… Keep reading…
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Dulles Airport must reduce its carbon “toeprint”
It’s well known that air travel generates a large “carbon footprint” because of its greenhouse gas pollution. Less discussed is the carbon impact merely of getting to the airport — the “toeprint” of the flight. The more single-vehicle trips, the bigger the impact. Of many culprit airports across the country, one of the worst is Dulles. Technically,… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Skating into the weekend
Cities on the radio; Imagine the Mall; Really, we’re one city; Inside a liquor license protest; SEPTA gives back; SmarTrip changes to be delayed; Protesting homeowners’ association rules; DC tour guide licensing. Keep reading…
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Crystal City plan makes BRAC lemons into lemonade
Crystal City is changing whether Arlingtonians like it or not. Yesterday, the county’s Planning Commission reviewed proposed plans to seize the opportunities and bring much-needed changes to Crystal City. The plan area’s building stock and infrastructure is aging and needs renovation and modernization. On top of this, the Base Realignment and Closure… Keep reading…
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Arlington chair says keep Tregoning and Klein
Arlington County Board chairman Jay Fisette encouraged Vince Gray to keep Gabe Klein and Harriet Tregoning, saying, “they’re regional, not insular or parochial,” and “I can’t imagine having better folks in those jobs than they do now.” We completely agree. Keep reading…
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Live chat with NCPC on activating federal places
Welcome to our live chat with NCPC planners Shane Dettman and David Zaidan, to discuss the federal government’s effort to better activate the plazas and street facades of their buildings in and around Washington, DC. Keep reading…
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WMATA plans new X9, Virginia and Greenbelt bus changes
This morning, a committee of the WMATA Board approved a set of changes to bus service including a new X9 line in DC, replacing the 16A and 16B 13A and 13B with extended 16F and 7E routes in Arlington and Fairfax, and a restructuring of bus service in Greenbelt. The new X9 line would add limited-stop service on the high ridership H Street and Benning Road line. The express would connect… Keep reading…
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Even bike owners will benefit from joining Capital Bikeshare
Next Monday, I will take to the roads on DC on a brand new bike that is not mine. Despite owning my own bike, I decided to invest in a Capital Bikeshare membership. Other DC bike owners should, too. The new Capital Bikeshare program kicks off next week and will offer 1,000 bikes at over 100 stations spread across the District and Arlington’s Crystal City neighborhood. … Keep reading…