By Nena Perry-Brown (Editorial Board) • March 18, 2020
Greenleaf Gardens, a 493-unit public housing development in Southwest, will undergo a major redevelopment. GGWash will be covering what happens along the way.
By Alex Holt (Maryland Correspondent) • March 18, 2020
Two bills that could help curb Maryland’s growing housing crisis recently passed in the House of Delegates, the first hurdle on their way to becoming laws. But one of those bills went through major changes to get passed in committee, and a third bill was killed along the way.
Montgomery County has a shortage of school capacity in some areas, which recently led to a moratorium on approving new housing in many of the most transit-accessible parts of the County, triggered by a lack of capacity in those areas’ schools—even though many students come from existing homes, not newly built ones.
Facing a $50 million a month budget deficit, Metro is asking for emergency federal aid due to the coronavirus. A sharp decline in ridership and fare revenue coupled with increased cost to protect its employees has caused a “dire financial circumstances.” (Justin George / Post)
Despite reductions in service many transportation workers are still going to work and interacting with the public. Some agencies are making adjustments to protect its workers. For example. the DC Circulator and Montgomery County’s Ride On is asking passengers to board from the rear doors of the bus. (Margaret Barthel / WMAU)
Simon Property Group announced that they will close all of its properties until March 29th. They own 10 malls throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia. (WJLA)
Many of the local transit agencies are adjusting their services due to the coronavirus. Montgomery County’s Ride On and the DC Circulator have suspended fares and reduced services. The MARC, VRE, Amtrack, and Metro have also adjusted its services amongst Coronavirus concerns. (Luz Lazo / Post)
Last summer DC filed a lawsuit against a local developer for discriminatory practices. Now DC will use the money won in the settlement to help finance new affordable senior housing for communities east of the Anacostia River. The funds will be targeted for the Reunion Square development. (Alex Koma / Washington Business Journal)
Due to the economic impact of the coronavirus, the Montgomery County Council will vote on a resolution calling for banks, financial institutions, and public utilities to put a 60-day moratorium on customer defaults. (Briana Adhikusuma / Bethesda Beat)
