Opinion Posts
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Why do so many queer folks love urbanism?
OPINION: For the vast majority of queer people, cities serve as the backdrop for the first time they find safety, community, and romance, but do we queers only flock to urban spaces for the relative acceptance they provide, or does our love affair go deeper — to the unique ways cities allow us to live, move, and connect. Keep reading…
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From parking to a park: can one Richmond surface lot prove the value of depaving?
Op-ed: The Science Museum of Virginia is transforming two acres of asphalt surface parking along Richmond’s Broad Street into a new public green space. Keep reading…
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What WMATA’s new general manager should focus on
Love it or hate it, WMATA’s bus and rail networks form a large part of the area’s transportation lifeline. The stakes are high, but there are steps that WMATA’s incoming General Manager Clarke can take to improve the region’s beleaguered transit agency. Keep reading…
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What ever happened to those city-owned parcels Richmond pledged to affordable housing?
During his last run for mayor, Levar Stoney announced he would transfer 53 city-owned parcels to affordable housing providers. He won his reelection, but what ever happened to the promised parcels? Keep reading…
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The Chevy Chase Library: A surprising victory, and a new responsibility
Op-ed: Fresh off a Montgomery County Council vote to approve housing as part of the Chevy Chase Library revamp, advocates now need to set their expectations about what happens next. Keep reading…
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Zoning reform is looking viable in Northern Virginia
On the heels of Arlington County and Alexandria City’s latest push to build denser housing, YIMBYs of Northern Virginia weigh in on the implications of these reform initiatives. Keep reading…
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How single-staircase buildings could impact Virginia’s housing market
Some planners in Virginia are looking at new ways to diversify housing types that can be built in the state, including authorizing single staircase buildings up to six stories. Keep reading…
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Many bathrooms have been closed during the pandemic. Who suffers?
Since the onset of the pandemic a year ago, many restrooms have been closed to the public. Public restroom access is important, as many people depend on them. And yet, in the past 12 months of the pandemic, we have seen many businesses, institutions, and parks shut their restrooms to anyone but employees and staff – and sometimes to anyone at all. Keep reading…
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From pews to parking: can plans to turn a historic Richmond church into asphalt be stopped?
OPINION: Unless hotelier Bill Goodwin can be convinced to pursue adaptive reuse or if his demolition permit is revoked in less than a month, a parking lot could replace the imposing neoclassical Second Baptist Church in Richmond’s Monroe Ward. Keep reading…
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Region’s transportation project list largely ignores public input, but the plan can still be improved
OPINION: Though Visualize 2045 remains largely unchanged from the 2018 version, there is still time to improve the plan. Keep reading…