Stenciling a storm drain in Baltimore. Image by charmcity123 used with permission.

States in Chesapeake Bay watershed have met 17 of 31 pollution reduction goals

As a federally imposed 2025 deadline looms, federal officials noted last week that Chesapeake Bay watershed states have reached 17 out of 31 goals, agreed upon in 2014, intended to reduce the bay’s pollution and enhance its resilience. Not all goals will be met by the deadline, and officials at all levels of government are now looking to the future to determine a revised vision for the bay’s health.  (Josh Kurtz / Maryland Matters)  

Crews begin to move ship responsible for Key Bridge collapse back to port

Several tugboats are moving the Dali container ship to back to dock weeks after the ship collided with the Key Bridge in Baltimore. It started its journey shortly after 6:00 am and is moving approximately one mile per hour. Once docked, the ship will undergo repairs, and some cargo will be offloaded.  (WTOP)  

Alexandria considers upping penalties for zoning violations

The Alexandria City Council is considering increasing its current $3,000 maximum penalty for zoning violations to $5,000, marking the first increase in 20 years. The fines target activities such as unauthorized demolition or construction; many pertain to historic structures and historic districts. According to Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, the current fine structure is not enough of a deterrent.  (James Cullum / ALXnow)  

These are the region’s most competitive housing markets

Falls Church, Chevy Chase in DC, Bethesda, Potomac, and American University Park are the top five most competitive real estate markets in the Washington region. In each market, single-family detached homes are dominant and inventory is low.  (UrbanTurf)  

Rent-controlled Adams Morgan building sells for nearly $10 million less than in 2013

A 276-unit apartment complex at 1629 Columbia Road NW, built in the 1920s, just sold for $64 million, nearly $10 million less than its last sale price in 2013. The new owner is the DC-based Bernstein Management Corp., which announced that it’s the twenty-fifth rent-controlled building in their portfolio.  (Emily Wishingrad / Bisnow DC)  

Improvements for two Arlington intersections could come this summer

The Arlington County Board is set to consider a $1.7 million contract to improve sidewalks and traffic signals at the intersections of Arlington Boulevard at George Mason Drive and South Carlin Springs at 3rd Street South. Both intersections are part of a larger intersection upgrade effort that is expected to finish by the end of this summer.  (Daniel Egitto / ARLNow)  

Fairfax County to apply for $128.1 million grant to acquire diesel, hybrid buses

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has given the county’s Department of Transportation the go-ahead to apply for a $128.1 million federal grant that would allow the department to purchase 60 hybrid and 12 diesel buses for its Fairfax Connector fleet. The county is also testing out electric buses to determine how to best transition toward a zero-emission bus fleet.  (James Jarvis / FFXnow)  

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