Breakfast links: DC commercial building owners want new tax options
District office owners call for municipal budget changes
Taxes on commercial office space has accounted for over 10% of the District’s annual tax revenues, but today 25% of class B buildings are vacant and many buildings are likely to be given back to lenders to avoid foreclosure. Local business leaders want the District to take the problem more seriously and act now to prevent future financial difficulties in the city budget. (Jacob Wallace / BisNow)
Arlington proposes cycling- and pedestrian-friendly alternatives for Arlington Boulevard Trail
Arlington County has released a set of proposed changes to a key 1.3-mile stretch near Rt. 50 where there is little separation between trail users and road users, and is asking for public comment by Monday, December 5. Many of the proposals involve widening the trail by reducing the width of on- and off-ramps or closing some lanes of traffic. (Joe DeVoe / ARLNow)
Rapid rehousing program for Alexandria residents gets $2.5 million
The grant to the Carpenter’s Shelter is one of several for “compassionate, needle-moving work” from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. Carpenter’s Shelter currently serves 270 people a year, who wait an average of 2-3 months for permanent housing. (James Cullum / ALXNow)
“Green New Deal for Housing” proposed in DC Council
The plan would redirect federal Housing Protection Trust Fund allotments to the District for purchasing apartment buildings where low-income and market-rate residents would both live. Currently, the funds are funneled to private companies that build minimum amounts of affordable housing into their projects. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (Ward 4) authored the proposal, which has the support of 7 of the 13 councilmembers. (Julie Zauzmer Weil / Post)
Maryland state regulators want to create independent oversight over its power grid
The Office of People’s Counsel, a consumer watchdog group would like for Maryland to create an independent oversight committee on its power grid and electrical utilities to improve operations and efficiency. Currently. the electric utilities submit a 10-year report each year to the Public Services Commission, in lieu of submitting to independent oversight. (Maryland Matters)
Baltimore City pole shortage holding back sign installations
While Baltimore City has installed a record number of speed humps, a shortage of poles has stalled efforts to install more stop signs, notices of speed humps, and other traffic safety signs. (Adam Willis / Baltimore Banner)
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