Posts tagged Preservation
-
Town, DC’s largest gay bar, is closing. What does it mean?
Town, the massive gay dance club in Shaw, announced last week that it will close next summer after rumors to the contrary. The owner sold it to a developer who plans to build an apartment building in its place. What does Town closing mean for the city’s gay community? Contributors agree that the “gayborhood” isn’t going anywhere, but it won’t look the same in the future. Keep reading…
-
As Chinatown grows, some long-time residents wonder where they fit
“Chinatown’s identity is the people who live there.” That’s what Chinatown means to Yi Chen, a documentary filmmaker and adjunct professor at George Mason University. But what happens when those people can’t connect with other District residents, or when they can’t live in Chinatown? Keep reading…
-
Should these Anacostia homes become affordable housing?
Four homes in Historic Anacostia have sat vacant and in disrepair for decades, despite years of neighbors’ efforts to redevelop and preserve them. The DC government owns these blighted properties and just recently designated them to be rehabilitated and turned into affordable housing. But some neighbors and DC Councilmembers say an earlier plan— one that would make them market rate homes— should be the one moving forward. Keep reading…
-
Let’s allow the Zoning Commission to do its job
DC's Comprehensive Plan should make it clear that the Zoning Commission has the authority to make the final decision about what the plan says can and cannot happen. Keep reading…
-
Let’s make sure there are homes for families in DC
As DC booms, housing for families, with three or more bedrooms, has not boomed with it. That's a problem. Keep reading…
-
Compare Cuba’s urbanism to DC’s with these fascinating pictures
I recently visited Havana, Cuba, where I saw a few things that aren't unfamiliar to our region: a metropolitan area trying to provide for its current residents while preparing for growth, a blending of old architecture and new, and the fact that a place is more inviting when its easy to walk around there. Below are some photos, along with more specific thoughts, from my trip. Keep reading…
-
That house is too tall… said someone in 1751
Arguments that new buildings are too tall, too large, etc. are quite familiar. They're also nothing new; a Smithsonian exhibit shows a case of NIMBYism even 266 years ago. Keep reading…
-
2016’s greatest hits: How development and green space go hand in hand
If you’ve ever flown out of National Airport, you might try to pick out the geographic landmarks you recognize: the Washington Monument, Rock Creek Park, or the Potomac River. Next time you’re heading west, keep an eye on the river as it passes through Maryland and Virginia, and you’ll notice one big difference between each state. Keep reading…
-
This great tool will teach you about historic buildings
Historic preservation is constantly battling a reputation for being low-tech, but two weeks ago, DC’s Historic Preservation Office took a major technological step forward. HistoryQuest DC, an interactive map from HPO, provides detailed and valuable information about more than 125,000 Washington buildings. Keep reading…
-
A court just halted DC’s McMillan development
DC’s highest court just blocked development at the McMillan Sand Filtration Site. This is a setback for the city’s effort to turn an empty yet historic field, which previously served to filter drinking water, into a complex of housing, offices, and more active parks. This may not be end of the project, but it’s added some significant new hurdles. Keep reading…