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.
-
Breakfast links: Step up on the streets
MPD ticketing distracted drivers at record rate; New York City enforcing speed limit, bike laws; Arena Stage reopens tomorrow; Infill moves forward; A new Metro map?; Not so much will change under Gray; MoCo Council on pedestrian safety; No more helmet hair; And…. Keep reading…
-
Chris Zimmerman for Arlington County Board
It is without reservation that we endorse Chris Zimmerman for re-election to the Arlington County Board. Mr. Zimmerman is one of region’s strongest leaders on sustainable transportation and smart growth issues. His list of positive accomplishments, and consequently this article, goes on and on. Mr. Zimmerman serves actively on the WMATA board, the VRE board, the Northern… Keep reading…
-
Gentrification needn’t displace if we do more than shrug
Megan McArdle, the Atlantic‘s business and economics editor, has purchased a property in Eckington (after a challenging real estate search). Her latest post, titled “The Gentrifier’s Lament,” is a brief glance toward her contribution to the neighborhood. It’s laudable to raise the question of one’s location in a gentrifiying neighborhood—those… Keep reading…
-
Dupont tunnels likely to contain arts and a winery
The Arts Coalition for the Dupont Underground, which seeks to develop the old trolley tunnels into arts space, is the only eligible bidder and will likely soon begin lease negotiations, representatives from the coalition announced last night. Besides including arts space, they hope to include a restaurant and winery. The coalition will seek a 50- or 100-year lease on the space… Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: More ups and downs
Two slots at DCA up for grabs; Virginia to raise speed limits; Height debate continued; Gray softens on lower parking rates; Bethesda escalator repair nears end; Arlington Trader Joe’s to get parking; L’Enfant Plaza-Future Banneker Memorial Station?; Is there an answer to gentrification?; And…. Keep reading…
-
Changing Height Act not biggest priority, speakers argue
Does the 1910 Height Act enhance or detract from Washington’s livability? This debate goes to the heart of the tension between the nation’s desire for an attractive and symbolic capital and the interests of those who call the city home, now and in the future. The District’s 1972 Home Rule Charter lists building height amongst ten issue areas that the District… Keep reading…
-
NPS, Secret Service close to approving 15th Street bike lane
DDOT could start extending the 15th Street bike lane as early as Friday, DCist reported yesterday. By the time construction gets down to the White House area, DDOT believes they will have final approvals from the Park Service and Secret Service for the segments around Lafayette Park and the White House. The new lanes will extend the current 15th Street bike lane south to E Street,… Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Ups and downs
Raise the height in places; Metrobus ridership down, rail ridership up; Exurban write-downs; Where are the food deserts?; Phase I of Moynihan Station starts; Don’t walk to school; And…. Keep reading…
-
Afternoon links: The Park Service’s party Line
More from the front Line; We’ll get to it one day, maybe; Is it just the National Paving Service?; DHS settles photography suit; Development approvals not stopping; Wal-Mart wants less parking; Latest round of the Height Limit debate. Keep reading…
-
Olson ignores smart growth basics on Book Exchange project
An array of officials who are usually reliably pro-Smart Growth have teamed up with College Park’s Old Town Civic Association (OTCA) in an effort to quash the proposed Book Exchange project. The 6-story mixed-use development could bring 830 student beds to downtown College Park along with roughly 170 beds geared towards grad students and young professionals. But opponents… Keep reading…