Here's your roundup of this week's must-read posts: In light of a group's recent application to form a Chevy Chase historic district, digging into what historic districts are -- and the problems they give rise to; ways you can take action for a greater Greater Washington; MARC our words: good changes could be coming; driving is like jury duty; plus, urban design rules to make playgrounds kids will love.

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Do Something: The week of November 27, 2023

Alex Baca (DC Policy Director), Dan Reed (Regional Policy Director) • November 30, 2023

This week: here’s how you can Do Something about the proposed Chevy Chase Historic District, really good and really dumb bills in Montgomery County, and help us do more in Northern Virginia.

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Maryland’s MARC plan promises better rail service

Ethan Goffman (Contributor) • December 1, 2023

Public comment is due December 4, 2023, for a plan that has the potential to set the stage for improved MARC regional rail service for years to come.

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A Chevy Chase group wants a historic district. What’s a historic district?

Nick Sementelli (Board of Directors) • November 29, 2023

Historic districts sound charming, but what do they mean for neighborhoods’ ability to grow and evolve with changing needs over time? We’ve got an explainer for that.

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Historic districts may be preserving racial segregation in DC

Bob Ward (Contributor) • November 29, 2023

Unpacking the “historic preservation”…of segregation: Historic districts in DC are 62 percent white and 15 percent Black. Outside of historic districts, the District’s population is 49 percent black and 31 percent white.

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Historic districts can stymie planning. Sometimes that’s the goal.

Nick Sementelli (Board of Directors) • November 29, 2023

How does historic district designation affect planning? A recent application for historic status in Chevy Chase got us looking through our archives.

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Why driving in cities is like serving jury duty

Caitlin Rogger (Deputy Executive Director) • November 28, 2023

After serving in a jury selection pool for the US federal court system, Caitlin Rogger reflects on how a valuable purpose can be undermined by a tedious and wasteful process. It’s a lot like driving.

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Three urban design rules to make playgrounds fun for kids

Dan Malouff (Contributor) • November 27, 2023

Playgrounds are great…but many can be greater. Choices and diverse play options can dramatically change how kids experience designated play spaces.

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