Anacostia River from Poplar Point by BeyondDC licensed under Creative Commons.

Anacostia River swimming event postponed due to sewage overflows

After a week of heavy rains and sewer infrastructure work led to sewage overflow, the organizers of an Anacostia River swimming event off Kingman Island postponed the event originally scheduled on Saturday, July 8 until September. The event was sold out with about 150 people planning to take a legal dip in the river. Sewage outflows into the Anacostia River have decreased 92% since 2018.  (Jacob Fenston / DCist)  

Pepco ordered to repay ratepayers after mishandling community solar program

The DC Public Service Commission has ordered Pepco to pay back $800,000 to community solar program ratepayers. The commission found that the utility violated the law by installing its own meters at 300 community solar facilities and also failed to administer payments in a timely manner. The majority of community solar subscribers participate for free through an initiative aimed at helping DC households making less than 80% of AMI participate in the savings and sustainability offered by solar energy.  (Jacob Fenston / DCist)  

DC councilmembers introduce bills to get dangerous drivers off the streets

A bill introduced by DC Councilmember Christina Henderson would suspend the drivers license and vehicle registration of drivers who are arrested for homicide associated with a vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash in which there is an injury, or DUI, for the duration of court proceedings. DC Councilmember Charles Allen introduced a bill that would enable moving violations caught by cameras to result in points on a license and increase the booting and towing of violators’ vehicles, among a slew of other changes.  (Neal Augenstein / WTOP, WJLA)  

More retailers opened than closed in DC so far this year

More than two times as many retail businesses opened than closed thus far in 2023, a good economic indicator even with high-profile closures like the H Street NW Walmart and the Marshalls in the National Press Building. Georgetown was a key neighborhood with restaurant openings, along with the expansion of Tatte Bakery and Cafe and the long-anticipated opening of Love, Maketto near Union Station on Massachusetts Avenue NW. (This article is behind a paywall)  (Daniel J. Sernovitz / Business Journal)  

Southwest quadrant of I-95 and Franconia Road interchange set for development

Developers hope to combine eight parcels totaling 4.5 acres of land and turn them into a multifamily development adjacent to I-95 and Franconia Road in Springfield. Originally, the project was slated to become a hotel, but financing fell through in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. (This article is behind a paywall)  (Dan Brendel / Business Journal)  

Amazon’s HQ2 generated office occupancy gains in Northern Virginia

If it wasn’t for HQ2, NoVA would have seen a net loss of office occupancy, according to a new report. The area now has just four major new development projects underway.  (Jeff Clabaugh / WTOP)  

Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.