By Nick Sementelli (Advocacy Committee) • March 16, 2020
There were six pedestrian death on the North Capitol Street corridor in just eighteen months. This toll is heartbreaking, but not surprising. Along many stretches, the street’s design resembles a six-lane highway even though it passes through multiple residential neighborhoods. We need to change this.
Cities, states, and the federal government can help reduce the leading injury-related reasons for emergency room admissions during the coronavirus pandemic by lower speed limits to reduce hospitalizations of pedestrians from car crashes. According to the CDC, 5,170,000 traffic victims visited U.S. hospitals in 2017. (Kea Wilson / Streetsblog)
Monday was a tipping point for many of the Washington region’s transit systems, with Metrorail, Metrobus, Amtrak, and ART responding to COVID-19-related declines in ridership by reducing service. Today MARC and VRE begin operating on modified schedules. (Margaret Barthel / WAMU)
In Wards 7 and 8, where there are only three grocery stores to serve 149,750 people, community organizers set up a mutual aid program to provide extra food and supplies at public school sites where students can also get free meals, deliver food and supplies to seniors who can’t travel to supply sites, and provide childcare for those who can’t work remotely. (Elliot C. Williams / DCist)
Starting Monday evening, Maryland and the District suspended on-site bar and dine-in restaurant service but still allow restaurants to offer food for carryout and delivery. Arlington County, which does not have the legal authority to force closures, is urging restaurants to “take responsible action and switch from dine-in service to only offering carryout and delivery.” (Dana Hedgpeth / Post, ARLnow)
Richmond officials have placed at least 25 residents experiencing homelessness and living in an encampment in the Shockoe Valley in either emergency shelters or two-week hotel stays, hoping to help stem the COVID-19 outbreak, which is even more dangerous for those without shelter. (Mark Robinson / Richmond Times-Dispatch)
The DC Superior Court announced a stay on all foreclosure and eviction proceedings in the District until May 1 along with postponing any hearings scheduled for Housing Court or Landlord and Tenant Court. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
With many college students given just a few days’ notice to pack all their belongings and leave campuses because of COVID-19-related closures, volunteers in the Washington region are stepping up to assist or house students, especially those who may not have the resources or means to return home. (Lauren Lumpkin / Post)
The Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) is seeking a Communications and Engagement Manager to join our small but mighty team. The ideal candidate will love engaging with people, be creative, flexible, and organized, have a clear and effective writing style, experience with digital communications, and a passion for our mission. Learn more about posting your organization’s job with GGWash at ggwash.org/jobs. (Coalition for Smarter Growth)
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