Posts about Development
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We need better loading and performance parking around the Hilton
Last night, the Dupont Circle ANC passed a thoughtfully crafted resolution on the Hilton proposed development. The ANC opposes the landmarking, and also opposes the project as presented. They objected to the inadequate loading docks, insufficient parking, the mass of the development, and the swimming pool. But as Commissioner Mike Silverstein emphasized, the primary concern… Keep reading…
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Dinner links: Make BRT not war edition
Rapid buses coming rapidly: WMATA has a priority list of 24 corridors to get the rapid bus treatment including limited-stop express service and “signal priority” technology to hold yellow lights for buses, reports BeyondDC. Last night, Jim Hamre of WMATA presented details to Maryland’s Action Committee for Transit. Tops on the list for DC are the 16th Street… Keep reading…
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ANC, HPRB should reject Hilton landmarking
I’ve been researching the Hilton hotel’s expansion plans and thinking hard about its landmarking. I endorsed landmarking the HUD building, but in contrast, the Hilton’s qualification under the landmark critera is questionable at best. Still, I pondered that perhaps the parking exemption might be a worthwhile tradeoff. After finding out more about the… Keep reading…
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Van Ness Walgreens’ drive-thru isn’t even the worst part
As I reported last week, Walgreens is proposing a new store with a drive-thru and 27 parking spaces on the former site of a gas station at Veazey and Connecticut, right by the Van Ness Metro. Keep reading…
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Late night links: familiar battle lines edition
Moran, Oberstar defend transit: Virginia’s Burke Connection covered Monday’s town hall meeting in Tysons. Oberstar, the chair of the House Transportation Committee, got most of the quotes in the article, defending light rail and criticizing the federal funding formula which ignores many factors. And, like all pro-transit officials, he expressed a clear hope that… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: People aren’t so dumb edition
It might be well past breakfast for you, but thanks to fog in Boston and AirTran’s crappy customer service, I got home at 3 am last night, so it’s breakfast time for me. Keep reading…
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Adams Morgan ANC narrowly endorses less parking at Hilton
The Hilton Hotel is planning an as-of-right expansion to add a condominium tower in their east courtyard. Residents are concerned about loading (the loading docks are right on 19th Street, very close to homes, and with very little space for trucks to turn around), and the possible loss to the community of the pool (which will probably be moved and may become less public) and grounds… Keep reading…
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“Mall people” and Montgomery County’s downtowns
Imagine, DC reimagines Langley Park with a stronger street grid, a transit center for the Purple Line and buses. Could Langley Park, like Silver Spring, transform from a depressed, sprawly, and mostly low-income set of strip malls into a desirable and more diverse destination? Keep reading…
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Smart Growth’s core debate
If you missed the great comment thread on this morning’s Breakfast Links, it’s a great microcosm of the Smart Growth debate, from the desirability of greater density to the question of whether families with children can live in a walkable city. Keep reading…
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OP proposing neighborhood-based zoning
The DC Office of Planning presented early draft recommendations to the Low & Moderate Density zoning working group last Thursday. Their approach revolves around a basic idea: the current zones (R-1A, R-1B, R-2, etc.) are too inflexible, imposing a one-size-fits-all approach on very diverse neighborhoods. Keep reading…