If you can spare the time, a long distance trip on Amtrak is a relaxing way to see the nation’s beautiful landscapes without the perils and costs of driving. After having ridden most of the Amtrak system on half a dozen long distance sojourns, I’d like to share some tips for getting the most out of your vacation.
By Will Schick (Street Sense Media) • August 2, 2019
Washington, DC is one of the most intense summer “heat islands” of any US city. Temperatures during the summer can soar 21 degrees higher than surrounding rural areas, according to a report by Climate Central. And the population at greatest risk of suffering from heat-related illnesses in the summer is people experiencing homelessness.
Germany’s Green Party is pushing to end domestic flights and replace them with more trains. Cincinnati is moving ahead with plans to install 3D crosswalks, despite safety warnings. Saudi Arabia is building a $500 Billion megacity that may include robot cage fights and flying taxis.
Demand-based pricing for parking has been around in the District since 2015. Starting today, the maximum price for a parking space in parts of Penn Quarter and Chinatown will raise from $2 to $7, with live pricing updates available on the ParkDC app. (Jordan Pascale and Jonathan Wilson / WAMU)
The District might provide $2 million to Check It Enterprises, a community development organization, to purchase land at Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Southeast DC. The organization will use the funds to build a go-go museum, several residential units, and space for tourism and culinary workforce programs. (Cuneyt Dil / City Paper)
A four-month pilot program will allow shared sit-down motorized scooters in the District. The maximum speed of the mopeds will be capped at 30 mph and riders will be required to wear a helmet. Nonetheless, some groups have voiced safety concerns. (Jordan Pascale / WAMU)
Hill East currently lacks the commercial activity that neighboring areas like Eastern Market has, but that could change with multiple development proposals in the pipeline. Residents are also hoping vacant lots can be used to add more housing. (Zak Salih / UrbanTurf)
How was the Chicago Transit Authority able to completely overhaul its system and grow ridership? Part of the reason lies with CTA’s governance structure, which gives the Chicago mayor considerable sway. WMATA, however, is much more divided among the region’s jurisdictions. (Lori Aratani / Post)
Accessory apartments probably won’t lead to a large increase in the number of housing units in Montgomery County, but that hasn’t stopped wealthy homeowners from crying wolf at even minor changes as the county grapples with a massive housing crunch. (Binyamin Appelbaum / New York Times)
Some residents of the Westphalia neighborhood of Upper Marlboro bought their houses in anticipation of an urban town center nearby. Now, many are upset that the town center plans have been put on hold to accommodate an Amazon warehouse. (Dominique Maria Bonessi / WAMU)
Job alert: Director, Purple Line Corridor Coalition
The University of Maryland’s National Center for Smart Growth, host of the Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC), seeks an experienced, high-energy, equity-focused leader to manage and grow the PLCC and its initiatives. The PLCC is a public, private, community collaborative working to leverage the Purple Line transit investment to create equitable & inclusive economic development with a focus on four shared goals. Want to share a job posting with GGWash readers? Check out our job board for more information.
