L’Enfant Plaza Metro platforms facing west by Daniel Kelly used with permission.

WMATA reduces station managers at five DC stops amid budget challenges

WMATA will reduce station managers at five key DC stations starting January 1, citing budget challenges. Weekdays after 9 pm will see one less manager at Farragut North, Farragut West, Judiciary Square, L’Enfant Plaza, and Smithsonian, with reduced staffing on weekends. The move aims to address a projected $750 million budget gap in 2024.  (Joseph Olmo / NBC Washington)  

DC warns unregistered ride-share company Empower is operating illegally

District government has issued a warning about the unregistered ride-share service “Empower,” which is operating without District authorization. Empower claims to be a software platform, not a transportation service, but faces safety concerns and a cease-and-desist order from DC for non-compliance. Despite an appeal, the city warns of immediate vehicle impoundment for Empower drivers caught by inspectors.  (Adam Tuss / NBC Washington)  

Alexandria to deploy mussels for Potomac River cleanup

Alexandria plans to improve Potomac River water quality by introducing thousands of freshwater mussels, a result of a settled lawsuit with the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. Costing $300,000, the project, scheduled for early 2024, will be guided by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The exact location is pending.  (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)  

Proposed 17-story residential hub on former Bethesda jewelry exchange advances to planning board

Developer Stonebridge is set to present plans to redevelop Bethesda’s Jewelry Exchange site at 7749 Old Georgetown Road. The proposal, scheduled for review by the Montgomery County Planning Board in mid-December, outlines a striking 17-story apartment building comprising 240 units and 6,000 square feet of retail space.  (Urban Turf)  

Virginia mandates collaborative water supply planning across local governments

Virginia’s State Water Control Board is enforcing amendments requiring local governments in the same river basin to jointly plan for water supply, a shift from previous independent planning options. The change, spurred by 2020 legislation, works to enhance collaboration, address water supply challenges, and align regional planning with river basins.  (WTOP)  

New yearly survey launches to track Baltimore region neighborhood disparities and improvements

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins 21st Century Cities Initiative have released the inaugural set of neighborhood data for Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Among the initial findings, Black survey respondents are more likely than white respondents to report neighborhood quality improvements in the last five years, but twice as likely to report transportation issues that impact their lives. (This article is behind a paywall).  (Emily Sullivan / Baltimore Banner)  

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