Posts about Public Spaces
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Pianos as public art both look and sound beautiful
Lancaster, Pennsylvania has a brilliant public art exhibit on display, Keys for the City. The exhibit contains twenty pianos dispersed throughout the city, each ready for a pianist to sit down and start playing. The exhibit, a joint-venture between public and private interests, has been chiefly organized by a non-profit organization, Music for Everyone. … Keep reading…
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How great are tree grates?
DDOT will soon be bidding contracts to reconstruct 18th Street in Adams Morgan. Adams Morgan Main Street is trying to persuade them to replace the standard tree boxes with grates. Tree boxes fence off an area for the tree’s soil and roots. Meanwhile, tree grates cover that space with a surface that people can walk on, but which allow rainwater to run down to the soil beneath. Keep reading…
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Weekend open thread, massive crowds, and Flickr pool
Some readers have suggested we start posting “weekend open threads” for readers to discuss other issues besides those in recent posts.. The theme for today’s thread is: how did you enjoy our walkable urban places this weekend? I watched half the World Cup match between England and the US in Dupont Circle, which was packed with people far beyond anything… Keep reading…
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How to make a successful urban park
This Saturday, June 12, organizers will be showing the U.S.-England World Cup game at 2:30pm in Dupont Circle. Dupont Circle is an ideal location for a locally-oriented public gathering because it’s our region’s most celebrated small urban park. While most Washingtonians recognize Dupont Circle as a celebrated park, its current venerated status is… Keep reading…
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Should East Falls Church have a waterfront?
As Arlington County prepares a redevelopment plan for East Falls Church, the City of Falls Church is considering its own options. One is to use Four Mile Run as the centerpiece of an East Falls Church Waterfront District. Yes that’s right, a waterfront district. Falls Church may be 6 miles from the Potomac, but why let that stop them? The waterfront plan was prepared… Keep reading…
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The quotable Rollin Stanley
I’ve never been shy about professing my planner crush on Rollin Stanley, director of the Montgomery County Planning Department. Last week, I saw him speak before the White Flint Partnership, a group leading the push to redevelop that area, at White Flint Mall. If you ever get a chance to hear him talk, go. It’s inspiring to hear about everything he’s done in… Keep reading…
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Middle Georgia Avenue getting “Great Streets” treatment
On May 17, 2010, work on the $7.9 million Middle Georgia Avenue Great Streets project began. The project is expected to last approximately 18 months and will include the area between Webster Street and Otis Place, NW, and include Upshur Street between 8th and 9th Streets. The District’s stated goals and objectives with their Great Streets projects are: Improve the quality… Keep reading…
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On the calendar: Big plans to testify, see panels, take tours
One little plan you should make; Support wires; Support buildings at East Falls Church; Online engagement and sustainable mobility; And a panel on cycling; Tour U Street and Tysons; Support restaurants and bars. Keep reading…
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Reflecting on Greater Washington’s changes over 10 years
As advocates, we spend a lot of time on Greater Greater Washington discussing visions and practical plans to make Greater Washington Greater. While we have lots of room to become Greater, I think it’s important to celebrate things that are currently Great but weren’t always. Two Wednesdays ago, I attended DC United’s friendly game against A.C. Milan. … Keep reading…
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Bridge will connect trail, Edgewood to RI Ave Metro
The Rhode Island Avenue Metro station sits high above Rhode Island Avenue, east of and above the railroad tracks. Riders who want to get to the Edgewood neighborhood to the northwest must follow a very circuitous route. They must descend on a long, sloping, and ugly pedestrian ramp across the avenue, then curve in a sort of pedestrian cloverleaf around to the sidewalk. They must… Keep reading…