Posts about Development
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Environmentalists and development: a complex relationship in a hyperbolic election season
In election races in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, candidates are claiming they “support the environment” or “are for smart growth.” Some of those candidates also seem to be against most development while others are more supportive. It’s hard to make sense of all this. What’s the green view of growth? Keep reading…
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This parking lot in Deanwood is going to be redeveloped. What should it be?
WMATA wants residents to weigh in on its plan to offer its 1.6-acre parking lot at Deanwood Metro station as a site for a future joint mixed-use transit-oriented development. This will be the third time that WMATA has sought to develop this station in the District’s East End, just across the border from Prince George’s County. Keep reading…
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Why DC has so many rowhomes, and how they’re different from townhomes
Many neighborhoods in DC, from Capitol Hill to Petworth to Georgetown, have streets lined with rowhomes. This style evolved in response to the city’s constraints on space, and these houses also help fill the need for a type of housing that’s between detached homes and large apartment buildings. Keep reading…
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Ellicott City flooded again. Was this a man-made or natural disaster?
All eyes are on stormwater management in Howard County following Memorial Day weekend's stunning images of floods rampaging through historic Ellicott City in Maryland. Why are these floods happening, and can anything be done about it? Keep reading…
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A new housing development in Bloomingdale faces its fifth delay in 11 years
Residents have been waiting for over a decade to see a vacant lot at the corner of North Capitol Street and Rhode Island Avenue turn into a mixed-use building. Now, its owner is asking for a fifth extension in 11 years, which could push construction back to 2020. What’s the hold-up? Keep reading…
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Historic preservation in DC needs reform
DC is undoubtedly a historic place, and it is essential that we use the tools we have to protect that history. However, DC is also a growing place, and a number of historic preservation cases and debates have revealed a preservation system in need of reform. Keep reading…
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Activists say a small office and retail building will gentrify Takoma Park. It’s already gentrified.
The City of Takoma Park has spent the better part of two decades trying to develop a publicly-owned parking lot in Takoma Junction, a prominent but downtrodden commercial area adjoining what is now one of the city’s most posh neighborhoods. The project is nearing final approval, but not everyone is happy. Keep reading…
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Why Marc Elrich is not the right choice for Montgomery County Executive
Marc Elrich is considered by many to be the front-runner in the Montgomery County Executive’s race. Greater Greater Washington has endorsed George Leventhal, but we know that many activists we agree with but for whom housing is not their top issue are supporting Marc Elrich. We wanted to explain why we believe he would be a dangerous choice for County Executive. Keep reading…
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Here are the top five issues you said GGWash should advocate on
The GGWash community cares about walkable, equitable urban places — that’s what we write and read about every day. We also take action when the right opportunity arises and do our best to take our cues from you, faithful readers, on what issues are worth organizing about. Keep reading…
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A small group just pushed through a historic district in my neighborhood. Here’s what happened.
Last week, DC’s Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) voted to designate our neighborhood, Kingman Park, as a historic district. This happened even though a review of comments to HPRB found a majority of residents opposed the designation. Keep reading…