Breakfast links: Baltimore’s new $1 vacant house purchase program passes city council
Baltimore residential street with classic rowhouses by Kelly Bell licensed under Creative Commons.
Baltimore board approves $1 vacant home sale program for individuals and community land trusts
The Baltimore Board of Estimates approved a program to sell a share of vacant city-owned homes for $1 to individuals and community land trusts. City Council President Nick Mosby voted against the measure, arguing that it did not do enough to ensure city residents have the opportunity to purchase or to ensure a more holistic whole-block approach to revitalization. Housing officials note that city residents will be given priority to purchase during a 90-day window. (This article is behind a paywall.) (Emily Opilo / Baltimore Sun)
No speed limit reduction planned for S. Carlin Springs in Arlington, despite high crash rate
Arlington County Board discussed safety concerns on S. Carlin Springs Road but opted not to reduce its speed limit despite 92 crashes between 2016 and 2021. The decision came after staff emphasized the potential ineffectiveness of solely lowering speed limits without road design changes to slow drivers, which could increase the number of crashes by increasing the speed differential between law-followers and speeding drivers. (Daniel Egitto / ARLNow)
Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau introduces legislation to help spur reactivation of former U Street CVS site
DC Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau introduced legislation this week to renew the property tax abatement for 1000 U Street NW, the former site of a CVS. It would also give the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development the ability to award grants to activate the space. The legislation references the District’s 2005 Duke plan in envisioning a potential destination restaurant or banquet hall for the space. (This article is behind a paywall.) (Tristan Navera / Business Journal)
Loudoun County takes phased approach to large increase to fees charged to housing developers
Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to phase in large increases in their capital intensity factor (CIF) fees assessed on residential development projects. The fees help to cover cost increases associated with new development, such as for schools, fire protection, and infrastructure. Fees will increase by a range of $20,000-$70,000 per housing unit, in some cases more than doubling. (This article is behind a paywall) (Dan Brendel / Business Journal)
Developers double affordable housing efforts in Park Heights area of Baltimore with $64 million housing project
A development team that is already at work on a $52 million 100-unit housing project for seniors in Park Heights in Baltimore have been awarded the right to expand their development area to build an additional 100 mixed-income units at an estimated cost of $64 million. The expansion aims to address housing needs and stimulate community development in a high-vacancy, low-income area. (This article is behind a paywall. Disclosure: Pamela Lee, a member of the GGWash board of directors, works for the NHP Foundation, one of the two developers involved). (Lorraine Mirabella / Baltimore Sun)
Leonsis discusses Capitals and Wizards arena project with Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Ted Leonsis has allegedly spoken with Maryland Governor Wes Moore about the feasibility of moving the Capitals and Wizards to Maryland, as his effort to secure financing for the arena in Northern Virginia appears stalled. No deal is on the table in Maryland at this stage, as the state’s legislative session nears an end during a tight budget year. (This article is behind a paywall) (Baltimore Banner)
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