Breakfast links: New homes in region cost less per square foot than existing
Rowhouses in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC. Image by Daniel Kelly used with permission.
New homes in Washington region now $48.30 per square foot cheaper than existing homes
Newly built homes in the Washington region are now $48.30 per square foot cheaper than existing homes, according to Zillow, marking a significant reversal from pre-pandemic trends. Nationally, the average price difference is $3.50 per square foot. This shift is due to builders offering more price cuts and incentives, with 29% of new homes seeing price reductions in June. Despite the cost advantage, new homes come with smaller lot sizes and less overall square footage. (Jeff Clabaugh / WTOP)
Arlington County Board approves $4.5B capital improvement plan
The Arlington County Board has approved a $4.5 billion Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2025-2034, with a focus on road safety, environmental resiliency, and facility upgrades. Key changes include funding for speed cameras and sidewalk improvements, new Metro entrances at Ballston and Crystal City, and support for solar panel maintenance. The plan is $600 million larger than the previous CIP. (Daniel Egitto / ARLnow)
DC to invest $10M in transportation for students with disabilities
The DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) intends to spend $10 million on private transportation to ensure students with disabilities are able to get to school. The plan follows a lawsuit against OSSE alleging that students with disabilities have been denied equal access to transportation, resulting in students arriving to school late or not at all. (Scott Gelman / WTOP)
370-unit residential development in Crystal City moves forward
Plans for a 370-unit residential and retail development at 2451 Crystal Drive are advancing, with the proposal now before Arlington’s Site Plan Review Committee. The seven-story building, designed by SK+I Architecture, includes retail space in a two-story podium. This project is part of a broader development wave in the National Landing neighborhood, which has seven additional residential projects planned. (UrbanTurf)
Baltimore Inspector General report reveals poor working conditions at DPW facilities
The Baltimore Office of the Inspector General found poor working conditions at nine Department of Public Works facilities, including issues with water supply and broken HVAC systems. Improvements were noted, but many problems persist, particularly at the Cherry Hill Yard. The report recommends accelerating facility upgrades and implementing standardized procedures for extreme heat. (This article is behind a paywall.) (Kierston Hacker / Baltimore Sun)
Maryland agencies to use plain language for accessibility
Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order mandating state agencies to use plain language on documents and websites to improve accessibility. This initiative, part of the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, aims to make state services easier to understand for all residents. The Maryland Information Technology Secretary plans to implement the changes by the end of the year. (Danielle J. Brown / WTOP)
Rosslyn affordable housing complexes designated as “revitalization areas”
The Arlington County Board has designated the Arna Valley View and Marbella Apartments in Long Branch Creek and near Rosslyn as “revitalization areas” to help secure more funding. This designation aids in the competitive application for funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Program. The revitalization areas meet state criteria due to the lack of private investment in safe, decent, and sanitary housing for low and moderate-income families. (Disclosure: Elise Panko, a member of the GGWash board of directors, works at the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing.) (Daniel Egitto / ARLnow)
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