Photo by Balal Mahmood on Flickr.

Lighting up Sherman Circle

Eleanor Holmes Norton has asked the NPS to install lights in Petworth’s Sherman Circle, the site of a recent murder.  Norton recently introduced a bill to transfer several NPS reservations to the District. Could she push the CaBi issue, too?  (via Housing Complex, Eric Fidler)  

New parks in NE Capitol Hill?

For her thesis, a Virginia Tech landscape architecture student is designing a better green space system for eastern Capitol Hill and Rosedale. She is seeking input from residents and potential users. (CSTNE Project, Ken G.)  (Tip: Ken G.)  

Benefits of school integration

A study in Montgomery County shows the benefits of socioeconomic integration.  Children from poor families perform better in schools with low poverty rates. (Post, Eric Fidler)  

Too cool for school

Should the 150-year-old Franklin School be sold to a private hotel or restored into an educational institution? Either way, renovations will be costly. (The Other 35%, Eric Fidler)  

New 11th Street bridges on track

The new 11th Street bridges over the Anacostia are nearly a quarter finished and on schedule for the planned 2013 completion. (Post)  

PG County gets first “high-end” grocery

The long anticipated Wegmans opened yesterday morning near FedEx Field. One shopper described it as “a new era for groceries in Prince George’s County” which is the wealthiest majority black county in the US, but has often been slighted by upscale retailers. (Post)  

Church housing

One DC developer helps local churches build affordable housing on their excess property. The partnership connects willing churches with the development and financial expertise to see these projects through.  (Housing Complex, Eric Fidler)  

Fairfax wants chunk of VA surplus

Fairfax County has requested $350 million of Virginia’s “newfound” surplus of funds. Even excluding the $100 million to cover the Silver Line Phase II shortfall, more than a quarter of funds requested are for transit and bike/ped projects. (Post, mcs)  (Tip: mcs)  

No more back doors

The Brass Knob Back Doors Warehouse is closing, a victim of rising rents in the Truxton Circle area. The affiliated Adams Morgan store, which sells smaller (and often more desirable) historic fixtures like doorknobs, will stay. (Housing Complex)