Metropolitan Park in Pentagon City facing northward by Lukas Jackson via Amazon used with permission.

Part one of Amazon HQ2 opens

A few hundred employees started work at Amazon HQ2 on Monday, the first of approximately 8,000 employees that *will move into the new complex over the summer. Most of them will be required to be in the office three days a week. ARLNow has photos and a list of the amenities, which include “8 different food concepts” and “two rooftop dog terraces.”  (Jon Banister / Bisnow, ARLNow)  

Driver arrested for Rock Creek Parkway crash that killed three has a long history of dangerous driving

The driver, Nakita Marie Walker, had been convicted three times of driving under the influence, and in addition had twice settled civil suits related to accusations that her careless and negligent driving injured others. She was twice sentenced to short jail terms as a result of two of the DUI convictions, as well as required to take traffic safety classes and meet other terms of probation. It is unclear whether she completed most of those requirements, or whether she was a legal driver at the time of the fatal crash.  (Washington Post, David Andrews / WTOP)  

Baltimore historic homeowners are fighting outdoor BGE gas meters

Some Baltimore homeowners are pushing back against the installation of natural gas line monitors on the exteriors of their homes by BGE. Residents are calling the lines “obtrusive and unsightly”  and are unhappy with the choice to install them or lose natural gas service to their homes. State and local officials are questioning the spending on such infrastructure, rather than working to move residences away from using natural gas. (Note: This article is behind a paywall).  (Lorraine Mirabella / Baltimore Sun)  

Arlington NAACP expresses concerns about voter outreach on ranked choice voting

The Arlington County Board race will feature ranked choice voting (RCV) in the June 20 primary, the first time RCV has been implemented in an Arlington election. While a voter education campaign is underway, the Arlington NAACP expressed concerns that the effort isn’t enough given the significance of the change to voting processes and would prefer to see local funds, not just state funds, spent to expand outreach.  (Jo DeVoe / ARLNow)  

DC Historic Preservation Office recommends approving condos on church site

The 45-unit development in Shaw, on a site owned by Shiloh Baptist Church and facing scrutiny from nearby residents, has taken one more step closer to construction with recommended approval from the District’s Historic Preservation Office. The next stop will be the Historic Preservation Review Board, and the developers are also looking to rezone the site. The project is currently designed to deliver mostly 1- and 2-bedroom units.  (UrbanTurf)  

Maryland state trooper on Capitol Beltway hit, injured by man suspected of impaired driving

A Maryland state trooper was working on the Capitol Beltway Monday morning when his vehicle, which was parked near a work zone with its lights flashing, was hit from behind. Both the driver, who is suspected of driving while impaired, and the trooper were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Photos from the early-morning scene show the trooper’s vehicle was significantly damaged and appears to have been pushed into a concrete carrier by the force of the crash.  (Andrew Alsbrooks / WTOP)  

Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.

Continue the conversation about urbanism in the Washington region and support GGWash’s news and advocacy when you join the GGWash Neighborhood!

Tagged: alexandria, arlington, baltimore, dc, development, fairfax, housing, links, maryland, montgomery county, planning, public spaces, virginia, zoning

Tamara Saltman knows that people are happier and healthier when their cities work well. She grew up in New Haven, CT, and Austin, TX in between long family roadtrips and a few short stints in Berkeley, Chicago, and Zurich. She now lives in Kingman Park. She has degrees in environmental sciences and clinical social work, and currently works for a federal agency. She loves wandering around new cities, biking, and people-watching, as well as gardening and cooking.