Breakfast links: Should Key Bridge rise higher in era of rising seas?
A cruise ship approaches the Baltimore Key Bridge, seen in 2016. Patrick Gillespie licensed under Creative Commons.
Raise the roof? New Key Bridge construction is once-a-century chance to increase bridge clearance
For the last 70 years, ships approaching the Port of Baltimore have faced a height limit of about 185 feet — the average height of bridges spanning the Chesapeake Bay in Baltimore’s vicinity. The Key Bridge redevelopment is an opportunity to consider whether, in light of rising seas and growing ship sizes, to raise that height. Other bridges in the area will need to be redeveloped in the next 15-20 years. The decision made now will affect port activities beyond 2100. (This article is behind a paywall.) (Hayes Gardner / Baltimore Sun)
Renderings unveiled for proposed 100-unit building Friendship Heights
At a recent ANC meeting, local developer Donohoe revealed rendering for a planned 100-united apartment complex just off Wisconsin Avenue NW in Friendship Heights. The site is adjacent to the former WTTG-Fox 5 headquarters, which is also being redeveloped by Donohoe. (UrbanTurf)
Arlington home for sale will have a “no Missing Middle” covenant
The seller of a $1.2 million home in Lyon Village intends to include a covenant to bar the home from being redeveloped into a multifamily property, such as a duplex or a triplex. The proposed covenant is seen as a way to undermine the county’s new Missing Middle zoning changes, which permit the construction of multifamily units in neighborhoods where only single-family homes were previously allowed. (Daniel Egitto / ARLNow)
Big changes needed to turn around DC’s struggling office market, industry leaders say
Development industry leaders note that DC’s downtown office market is in the worst shape it’s ever been in, and that while office-to-residential conversions have a role to play in revitalization, they’re just one tactic and shouldn’t be the primary focus. To pivot, experts noted the need for widespread demoliton and redevelopment of obsolete buildings and a proactive strategy to attract new businesses to DC. (Emily Wishingrad / Bisnow DC)
Oral history project aims to capture stories from Alexandria’s neighborhoods
The Office of Historic Alexandria has launched a project in commemoration of the city’s 275th anniversary to record interviews with local residents on how the community has changed. Among the wide range of topics to be covered in the oral history project are urban renewal, segregation, and immigrant stories. (Vernon Miles / ALXnow)
White House formally requests funding for Key Bridge replacement, other infrastructure projects
The Biden administration formally requested that Congress appropriate funds for the reconstruction of Baltimore’s Key Bridge as well other emergency roadway projects, totalling $3.1 billion. While the funding for the bridge has bipartisan support, the proposal is likely to face scrutiny from congressional Republicans amid what’s expected to be a contentious appropriations cycle. (This article may be behind a paywall.) (Jacob Bogage / Post)
Fairfax County considers financial assistance for planned McLean arts center
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has asked county staff to explore whether the county is able to contribute financially to the development of a new arts center that could help revitalize downtown McLean. The McLean Project for the Arts has only raised $2 million out of the $6 million necessary to purchase and build out a new arts center. (Angela Woolsey / FFXnow)
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