Breakfast links: Today marks a year since coronavirus came to town
Image by Elvert Barnes licensed under Creative Commons.
The first COVID-19 cases were announced in our region a year ago today
On March 5 last year, Maryland’s governor announced the state had confirmed three COVID-19 cases, the first in the Washington region. A WUSA9 timeline looks back on the last 365 days. (WUSA9)
Many say Crystal City’s Route 1 redesign plans are too car-centric
Business groups and neighborhood activists are speaking out after Virginia transportation planners unveiled renderings of a Route 1 redesign in Crystal City, saying the planned redesign is still too wide to make the area pedestrian-friendly. (Alex Koma / Business Journal)
Maryland announces vaccine equity push with community partners
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced a plan to lean on churches and community groups to get underserved populations vaccinated by setting up community clinics as majority-Black jurisdictions lag in vaccine distrubution. (Pamela Wood and Hallie Miller / Baltimore Sun)
DC’s new “Permit Wizard” is meant to streamline residential permits
DC’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs announced the “Permit Wizard,” a tool to help residential permit applicants identify the permits, fees, and documentation required. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
DC’s public health emergency is extended through May 20
DC has extended its public health emergency yet again, alongside eviction and utility shutoff bans. The state of emergency was set to expire at the end of March; it will now last through at least May 20. (Amanda Michelle Gomez / City Paper)
Hotels to housing in Alexandria
As tourism lags in Alexandria, some are proposing zoning changes to make it easier to turn hotels into affordable housing. (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)
Shipping container accessory dwellings, made easy
A new company, Backyard Container, intends to make the accessory dwelling unit process easier in DC by offering standard shipping container layouts. The company offers studio and one bedroom apartments with add-on services including site work and permitting. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
Train nerds, this one’s for you
Small plates restaurant Compass Rose has transformed its streatery space into a Trans-Siberian Railway car dubbed “Karenina’s Carriage,” decorated with a Russian theme and serving up Russian-themed small bites chased with vodka. (Jessica Sidman / Washingtonian)
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