Cherry Blossom Metrorail train at an underground station platform by Joe Flood licensed under Creative Commons.

Blossom boom: Sunday was a blooming good day for Metrorail, with highest ridership since 2015

WMATA’s Metrorail had its “hands” full Sunday moving over 340,000 people through the faregates, many of whom were visiting the cherry blossoms at the tidal basin. This was one of the highest use days since the pandemic began and the highest Sunday usage since 2015. The system mostly performed well, with frequent trains and lots of staff on hand to help ease crowding on the busiest platforms and direct crowds to other nearby stations. This was in stark contrast to the difficulties many drivers faced, especially at Hains Point.  (Justin George / Washington Post)  

Amazon affordable housing fund lead steps down

Catherine Buell, the head of Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund, will step down on Friday. She started at Amazon in June 2020 as head of community development for Amazon in the Community and then helmed the Amazon Housing Equity Fund, negotiating funding for several Washington-region affordable housing projects along with similar projects in Seattle/Puget Sound and Nashville, Tennessee.  (Hannah Denham / Business Journal)  

White’s Ferry owner to sell ferry to Montgomery County government

The owner of White’s Ferry, which connected Montgomery County and Loudoun County upstream of the American Legion Bridge, announced that he has run out of options to get the ferry started again and has decided to turn over the ferry operations to Montgomery County. The ferry, which carried 600-800 cars per day, closed in 2020.  (Martin Austermuhle / DCist)  

Hearing on rent increases today in Montgomery County

The hearing, on two different bills the Montgomery County Council is considering, begins at 1:30pm and is expected to last well into the evening with at least 80 people signed up to speak. The two bills propose different limits on rent increases, a topic many people in the county feel strongly about as pandemic-era rent support disappears and residents worry that evictions will increase sharply.  (Kate Ryan / WTOP)  

Removal of people experiencing homelessness from closed Rosslyn hotel prompts discussion about its use

The highly visible clearing of people experiencing homelessness from the Key Bridge Marriott and subsequent condemnation of the building has generated discussion in Arlington about how to use the site. One Arlington candidate for the County Board is suggesting the county purchase the property and turn it into a mixed-use site with housing, sports facilities, arts space, and green space.  (ARLNow)  

VDOT Richmond Highway traffic calming project raising equity concerns among residents and business owners

The Virginia Department of Transportation is already moving forward with its planned 2029 expansion of Richmond Highway in Fairfax County which, in addition to adding new bike lanes and a bus lane, will add two new traffic lanes to a 3.1-mile stretch. Dozens of small businesses, many owned by people of color, will ultimately be forced to close or relocate, and perhaps dozens more will be affected in other ways. At least one business owner says VDOT’s compensation is below market.  (Matt Blitz / DCist)  

New affordable housing incentives coming to Fairfax County

The new policy would incentivize the replacement of “naturally affordable” units, not just those that were set aside as income-restricted affordable units. The subsidies could include financial assistance or variances for height or density requirements. The sole “no” vote on the County Board of Supervisors raised concerns about the effectiveness of the proposal in creating new affordable housing and the cost of government subsidies contributing to high housing costs in the county.  (Vernon Miles / FFXNow)  

Local organization partners with JPMorgan Chase to make investment in eight Black women led community-focused nonprofits

Eight Black women leaders of nonprofits with missions focused on communities in Wards 7 and 8 have received grants through the Center for Nonprofit Advancement for business development services. The grants, funded by JPMorgan Chase, will support the business side of the nonprofits in areas such as financial management, leadership development, and coaching. The organizations focus on safety, reentry after incarceration, healthy food, and the arts.  (Megan Sayles / Afro)  

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