WMATA electric Metrobus at a demonstration event in October of 2023 by WMATA.

WMATA launches first two in-service electric Metrobuses on DC’s W4 bus route

The two Metrobuses are the first of what WMATA hopes will be a transformation in its fleet, which is currently powered by fossil fuels. The buses have a distinctive green stripe and electric plug sandwiched between the usual blue and red stripes and are exclusively on the W4 line, which goes between the Anacostia Metro station and Deanwood Metro stations. They can be tracked using WMATA’s live tracker as a “special edition” Metrobus.   (Jacob Fenston / DCist)  

Maryland Senate President pledges to increase financial contributions to WMATA in 2024

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson gave a speech last week in which he expressed confidence that the General Assembly would provide some additional funding in 2024 for the essential infrastructure WMATA provides for Maryland. WMATA has said that without significant increases in contributions from all three jurisdictions, the system will see sigificant cuts in service starting in the summer of 2024.  (Louis Peck / MoCo360)  

Amazon HQ2 is no longer significantly affecting home values

In 2018, when Amazon’s HQ2 was announced in Arlington, one of the big questions was what impact all those new workers looking for homes would have on the local housing market. A new study from Bright MLS suggests that in fact prices did increase faster in Arlington County than in other parts of the country. However, that market signal was then overwhelmed by the pandemic and resulting changes in where people work.  (Urban Turf)  

Langston Blvd will become more multi-modal and open to development

A new plan approved over the weekend by the Arlington County Board will add transit capacity, stormwater management, and public space connectivity to the car-oriented 4.5-mile-long stretch of roadway.  Board members deliberated over the impacts of loosening housing and development restrictions, ultimately settling on a plan with lower height restrictions than planners originally intended, but also creates more mixed-use development areas.  (Joe DeVoe / ARLNow)  

Hotel Harrington, in business downtown since 1914, is closing

Although no plans for the site have been announced and the new owner has not been made public, some hope the site can be redeveloped into a portion of the 15,000 new homes the Mayor hopes to create downtown. (This artice may require submitting an email address to read)  (Emily Wishingrad / BisNow, Jessica Kidman / Washingtonian)  

MDOT holds first public hearing on new I-270 corridor plans

Maryland Department of Transportation held the first of four public meetings in Rockville to gather input on improvements planned for the I-270 corridor. The plans include changes to bus routes and bike lanes as well as highway lanes, and work could start in 2026 or soon after. Additional public meetings on the proposals will be held later this week in Frederick and Gaithersburg and in early December in Rockville.  (Kyle Cooper / WTOP)  

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