Land Use
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Photo by jennifer yin licensed under Creative Commons
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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Afternoon links: New developments on old issues edition
Union Station in the Post: Raw Fisher reports that Union Station’s movie theater will close, rumors of which we discussed in July. And Dr. Gridlock posts a letter wondering why pedestrians aren’t hit more often in Columbus Circle; Gridlock mentions the circle’s planned redesign. Keep reading…
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Big box retail at Poplar Point?
And Now, Anacostia discovers a WBJ article reporting that private developers are planning big-box retail at the southern edge of Poplar Point, near the Anacostia Metro. According to the article (most of which is behind a pay wall): Keep reading…
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Are bus shelters too “urban” for Chevy Chase?
Chevy Chase, DC not only sits at the edge of DC, it straddles the psychological line between feeling like part of the city and feeling like a suburb. Its name even matches the bordering suburban town, but its older, urban street grid and decent walkability relate more closely to the surrounding DC neighborhoods. Keep reading…
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Afternoon links: More about Maryland edition
Girding for battle in Columbia: General Growth Properties, the owners of the commercial areas of Columbia, will release a plan soon to redevelop the mall and surrounding areas into a higher density, mixed use district (probably something like this. Is it a good plan to create a walkable downtown or overdevelopment in Smart Growth’s clothing? A new group just formed to advocate… Keep reading…
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Transforming Tysons with four unique districts
Last week, the Tysons Land Use Task Force released the most detailed vision report thus far. It divides Tysons into eight districts, four denser clusters (like villages) centered around each of the planned Metro stations, and four along the edges which will transition between the central density and the suburban surrounding neighborhoods. Keep reading…
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Arts groups trying to re-open Dupont’s underground tunnels
A coalition of arts groups is trying to raise money and get a lease from the city to re-open the old trolley tunnels under Dupont Circle as a new art gallery and event space. Here’s their flyer. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Development outside the beltway edition
MD cuts everything but the one project they should: Facing a shortfall in gas tax revenue due to people driving less, Maryland is cutting transportation projects across the board except for the ICC, which is “protected” under its financing agreement. With people trimming their driving, the ICC is exactly what Maryland no longer needs, while the Purple Line and Corridor… Keep reading…
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Be car free in DC
Monday, September 22nd is World Car-Free Day, a day to try getting around without a car (if you use a car for everyday activities) or to celebrate not using cars (if you don’t). The Washington region is celebrating the day with a Car-Free Challenge, where you can pledge to “eliminate or reduce [your] driving.”… Keep reading…
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Tenant abuse among several controversies at the Dupont ANC
At the first few meetings of the Dupont Circle ANC I attended, the Commission voted unanimously on almost every issue. I criticized the appearance, if not also the reality, that Commissioners were voting on important resolutions without much discussion, or going along to vote for resolutions even when some privately told me they disagreed. Keep reading…
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FBI building has few friends
The FBI Building creates a “dead zone” in the middle of downtown DC, with oppressive, blank walls on four very large block faces. In its National Capital Framework Plan, NCPC suggests tearing it down and redeveloping the block into newer federal offices above street-level retail. Keep reading…