Saturday Email 6/10/23

Twenty years ago, it was common to have dozens of "Code Red" bad air days per summer‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Here's our roundup of this week's must-read posts: Code Red to blue skies: This week's smoke-induced bad air quality is unnerving, but not that long ago it was a "normal" part of DC summers...what's changed? Developers aren’t the only cause of or solution to our housing crisis, and focusing on them may make it hard to ensure everyone can afford a place to live. Sunday’s sonic boom wouldn’t have been possible to flag ahead of time, but most military flyovers are, so why don’t we hear about them until it’s too late? What WMATA's Better Bus initiative and network redesign could mean for Virginia, Maryland, and DC.

We want to hang out with you! Join us for waterfront views and brews at Solace in Navy Yard on June 22 or at the monthly "Ward 1.5" happy hour at Grand Duchess in Adams Morgan on June 25.

Twenty years ago, it was common to have dozens of “Code Red” bad air days per summer

Dan Malouff (Editorial Board) • June 8, 2023

In the recent past, the DC area typically saw 20 or more Code Red days every summer. What changed?

While some on the left demonize developers, the housing shortage continues

Mike English (Guest Contributor) • June 7, 2023

Focusing on developers as the only problem with (or the only solution to) our housing market obscures other issues and makes it hard to make sure everyone can afford a place to live.

Here’s why military flyovers keep taking you by surprise

Rob Pegoraro (Guest Contributor) • June 6, 2023

Military flyovers are part of life in the Washington region. In addition to fulfilling whatever purpose the military has in mind for them, they can present opportunities for appreciation and local interest. But when residents don’t know about them ahead of time, they’re just as likely to create headaches.

For Virginia, WMATA’s Better Bus network redesign means evolution, not revolution

Dan Malouff (Editorial Board) • June 7, 2023

WMATA’s better bus network redesign team put out a “visionary map” that includes some significant changes for Virginia riders. Check it out, then tell WMATA what you think.

WMATA’s Better Bus proposals for DC set the tone for the entire network. Tell them what you think.

Caitlin Rogger (Deputy Executive Director) • June 8, 2023

DC is the center of our transit universe. How could WMATA’s Better Bus Network redesign change the core of our region’s transit and transportation systems?

What Better Bus means for riders in Maryland and Virginia

Dan Reed (Regional Policy Director) • June 5, 2023

Metro’s Better Bus network is a big deal for riders in Maryland and Virginia! Here are the highlights of the proposed bus system redesign, and how you can give Metro your feedback before the comment period ends June 18.