Potomac Yard Metro station celebration opening banner. by WMATA.

Metro system expands to 98 stations with the opening of Potomac Yard station

After several years of planning and delays, Metro’s 98th station, Potomac Yard-VT is open to the public. The station opened at 5 am to passengers, but there will be formal grand opening festivities later in the morning. There is no parking or kiss-and-ride at the station, but there’s room for 49 bikes in a secure bike room that will be accessible by SmarTrip card. Several apartment and townhome communities, a Target and several other big-box stores, a branch of healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente and offices exist including the future Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, which is why the station is named Potomac Yard-VT.  (Jordan Pascale / DCist, Michael Laris / Post)  

New DC ballot initiative proposes ranked-choice voting and open primaries

Local voting rights activists have started the process of filing paperwork for a ballot initiative to bring ranked-choice voting and open primaries to DC. Advocates will need to collect more than 25,000 signatures to get the initiative on the ballot. It would mark a major reform to the District’s election process and also make the city one of the few places in the country where RCV is an option.  (Martin Austermuhle / DCist)  

Maryland AG says Montgomery County Council may have sworn in Planning Board too quickly

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown’s office has warned the Montgomery County Council that it may have violated the law by swearing in the new Planning Board just six days after its appointment in February, rather than waiting for the 30-day window in which the county executive can veto an appointment. The County Council received legal guidance from the County’s legal team prior to moving forward with the swearing-ins, determining that it was appropriate to do so.  (Ginny Bixby / MoCo360)  

Residents express strong feelings about upcoming vision for the future of Langston Boulevard

Last year, Arlington County announced plans to further develop Langston Boulevard, which runs through affluent neighborhoods in North Arlington. The county plans to release a more detailed plan soon, which will incorporate input from residents. The feedback has been mixed — while many residents agree roads need to be safer, some oppose increased density and upzoning.  (Jo DeVoe / ARLNow)  

Candidates for Virginia’s 7th District House of Delegates seat have different solutions to the housing crisis

During a candidate forum in Reston on Wednesday evening, candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates’ newly-drawn 7th District discussed their positions on multiple topics, including housing affordability. All candidates agree that it’s necessary to oppose state efforts to block local zoning ordinances, but they disagree on how to handle housing supply (or lack thereof.)  (Fatimah Waseem / FFXNow)  

Vacant DC space is filled by satellite campuses

With office vacancy rates still low, developers have found a creative solution: Leasing and selling to the nation’s most prestigious universities for satellite campuses. Schools like Princeton, Johns Hopkins, and USC have campuses for programs focused on government affairs and international relations. The campuses will be multifunctional as classrooms, student and faculty space, and housing.  (Emily Wishingrad / Bisnow)  

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