District Apartments in Logan Circle by Ted Eytan licensed under Creative Commons.

DC one-bedrooms are seventh-most expensive in the US

Newly listed one-bedroom apartments in DC cost a median of $2,410, making it the seventh most expensive city in the US. The District comes behind Miami and San Diego, but is more expensive than Los Angeles and Oakland. The nationwide median cost is $1,450.  (Martine Paris / Bloomberg)  

MoCo passes gender inclusive restroom bill

Montgomery County council passed a bill that, if signed by the County Executive, would require single-use bathrooms in County buildings and some businesses to be usable by all. DC has had a similar law in place for over four years.  (Steve Bohnel / Bethesda Beat)  

New WMATA GM/CEO spends bulk of first day with riders and frontline staff

New WMATA General Manager/CEO Randy Clarke spent most of his first day Monday speaking with frontline employees and transit riders, pen and paper in hand. Additionally, he shared multiple photos and tweets of these interactions, expressing lots of enthusiasm and a willingness to tackle problems immediately.   (Jordan Pascale / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)  

Historically Black Fairfax County community seeks preservation

Gum Springs advocates push to become a “historical overlay district” with more historic markers and historic building protections. They are also challenging the widening of a thirteen-lane highway through town amidst rising housing costs that are pushing out Black residents. The community was founded by West Ford in 1833 after being emancipated from nearby Mt. Vernon.  (Matt Blitz / FFXNow)  

Arlington NAACP chapter hosts discussion on proposed missing middle housing

Attendees discussed the potential impacts of adding small-scale multifamily homes in Arlington on the Black community. Some raised concerns they would likely be unaffordable for many Black residents to buy, while others noted they may increase rentals.  (Mavis Chan / ARLNow)  

Arlington presents pedestrian and cyclist friendly road designs for S. George Mason Drive

The County has put forth potential designs for key stretches of S. George Mason Drive for public comment through August 7. All proposals include expanded multi-use trails or dedicated bike lanes.   (Mavis Chan / ARLNow)  

Alexandria residents worry Polk Avenue sidewalk extension will impact parking

The sidewalk on Polk Avenue in west Alexandria would connect two sections of sidewalk not currently attached near a local elementary and middle school next to a park’s underbrush. Opponents also cite environmental concerns affecting the park, but a city study found minimal impact.  (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)  

Maryland short on general election staff

As a statutory delay in ballot counting is already prolonging election decisions in Maryland, county officials throughout the state also worry about having too few poll workers and election judges in the general election and plan to step up recruitment. Meanwhile, many races remain contested, while others, such as the governor’s race, have shifted into their campaigns for the general election.  (Post)  

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