Land Use
Greater Greater Washington writes about where we live, work, and play, why we make the location choices we do, and what forces shape these places.
Many people would like to live in safe, diverse, walkable neighborhoods with access to transit, stores, parks, good schools, and other amenities. While our region has more walkable urban places than most, the demand still exceeds available housing, making these places more expensive (and prices keep rising rapidly).
We must ensure that there are enough housing choices so everyone who wants to live in such a neighborhood can choose to do so. We should ensure that housing in desirable areas is available to people at many points along the income spectrum, and take action to fight segregation. And we can improve the vitality of all neighborhoods by encouraging new retail and amenities to improve the quality of life for all residents.
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Condos are missing from Fairfax County’s revitalization story
Apartments are becoming a tough sell in revitalizing areas of Fairfax County. Market support for rental units appears tepid, and the community is often opposed. Condominiums may be an attractive alternative, but so far nobody is talking about the them. In January 2011, Redbrick Development Group announced a mixed-use development with 290 luxury apartment units in Fairfax… Keep reading…
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Redskins will train in Richmond
The Washington Redskins will move their training camp to Richmond, Virginia, according to reports. Their headquarters and other training will stay in Ashburn, but they will have the camp in Richmond starting in 2013. Keep reading…
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Leave the ‘50s behind and learn about DC’s zoning update
The walkable neighborhoods of the DC region are growing more popular with residents of all ages. More and more people are speaking up for amenities such as restaurants and shops within walking distance and a convenient transit line to work. Join Pro-DC for a public forum on modernizing DC’s zoning code. What does it mean for our city? With Harriet Tregoning, Director,… Keep reading…
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Evans withdraws ticket plan, blasts criticism
Thanks to the many of you who sent letters yesterday, Jack Evans decided not to propose his budget amendment to allocate free sports tickets among councilmembers. Evans is also, not surprisingly, displeased that I compared his attitude over tickets to malfeasance from Harry Thomas Jr, Kwame Brown, and Harriette Walters. Primarily, he argues that it was inappropriate to criticize… Keep reading…
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Breakfast Links: Bring the buses
Buses growing more quickly than rail; It’s affordable, but not mortgagable; What’s up with Walter Reed; District budget approved; Council shuffle creates new development committee; Memorial Circle still dangerous; What is the Corcoran thinking?; Time running out on transpo bill; How Battery Park City became rich. Keep reading…
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Plan revitalizes Burtonsville with housing, street grid, parks
Burtonsville’s had a hard time over the past few years. A highway bypass hurt local businesses, the beloved Dutch Country Farmers Market skipped town, and nearly a third of the village center is vacant. But that could soon change if a redevelopment plan is adopted. Montgomery County planners say they know how to stop the bleeding. Their Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Not easy being a business
Secondhand stores safe; DC not so easy for small business; Corcoran of Alexandria?; Will Tysons lose more trees?; Congress considers more monuments; Better sewers benefit all; Listen car-free; And…. Keep reading…
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Public land deals give hot neighborhoods affordable housing
Someone sitting in the lively plaza in the heart of Columbia Heights or enjoying a bite to eat at 5th & K’s Busboys and Poets might not know that the shiny new apartment buildings nearby house both well-off residents and and those earning modest to very low incomes. The new mixed-income buildings, built on formerly city-owned land, contain 20-35% affordable housing that… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Neglect
Entrepreneur lets estate decay; Where’s the exit, Metro?; Building falls down; Some live off the beaten path; Walkable North Bethesda vs. U Street; Time to shuffle committees?; Soccer proposal gets numbers; McDonnell backing off Silver Line. Keep reading…
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Weekend links: Come see DC
DC almost top vacation spot; Right-wing group fighting Silver Line; Take the boring out of transit; Kwame divides, Brown unites; Restaurant pavilion right for St. E’s?; Who doesn’t want Alexandria bikeshare?; Fewer, smaller gulps?. Keep reading…