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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Wheaton residents attracted to Paris-esque features
In 2001, Montgomery County brought in representatives from the Mass Transit Administration to conduct a “Visual Preference Survey” for downtown Wheaton. Created by Anton Nelessen, the survey has been in use since the 1970’s as a visioning exercise, determining what kind of places people like or don’t like. It’s been used throughout the country,… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Neighborhoods speaking up
Libraries + architecture + DC gov = controversy; Scattershot humps no longer; H Street shuttle saved; Metro didn’t “bar” inspectors, but just said yes very slowly?; Transit-oriented concrete plant; Warner suggests BRAC congestion pricing; Cargo without the car. Keep reading…
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Then and Now: Ben’s Chili Bowl
Ben Ali, founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl, passed away two months ago. Lines stretched out the door of the Ali family’s business as the DC community and the media gathered to honor Ben’s legacy on October 7, 2009. For many of us in DC, Ben’s Chili Bowl goes far beyond the half-smokes, shakes and chili served in the historical U Street corridor. … Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Debating density
Four stories? Professional offices?; A walkable Herndon?; Good questions; I-66 metering now two-way; More water for bank deserts?; Locking the canal again; Free car with condo. Keep reading…
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Wheaton sector plan recommends taller buildings, more open space
People have been talking about how to revitalize Wheaton since before I was born. Even if a slew of meetings in the past year have restarted the conversation with increased fervor, there’s been little focus on what exactly it’ll take to make the Wheaton CBD a better place. Yesterday, Planning Board staff made preliminary recommendations on revisions to the 1990… Keep reading…
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Will tax incentives make food deserts bloom?
With hunger spreading across America at levels unseen since the Great Depression and with low-income urban communities continuing to be disproportionately affected by a lack of access to healthy food, many are asking questions about the best way to reach communities without adequate food sources. One option that has been tried in many places, including Washington, DC, is… Keep reading…
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On the calendar: Party, performance parking, public plazas, and park pathways
The Greater Greater Washington holiday party is in four days! Join us at RFD, in the back room, starting at 7 pm on Tuesday, December 8th. You can enter the back room directly from 8th Street, NW between H and I or walk through from the front entrance on 7th. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Cutting the bureaucracy
No Mo’neme II; Ask about buses; Less red tape, more food carts; CHRS now really opposes wires; Neon coming back; The state of sprawl; Enough industrial plants?. Keep reading…
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Afternoon links: Everything that’s not the Metro budget
Big space, little space; No more mobile lounges; News flash: There’s lots of traffic; From hostile shortcut to “entrance to a park”; “Beauty and the Bike”; Sorry, we spent your savings; Senator’s daughter carjacked. Keep reading…