Community center chronicles (CCC): Facelifting the Potomac Community Center
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by Cynthea Wang (Former Intern) • July 30, 2024
This Potomac, Maryland, high schooler wondered why her local community center was straight out of the 1990s–but bringing it into the 21st century might be a little harder than anticipated.
Could this parking lot become a new skate park?
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by Brianna McLeggon (Former Intern) • July 30, 2024
90,000 people live in Germantown, Maryland, but local skaters don’t have anywhere to go. Here’s how one high school student is organizing her friends to change that.
Breakfast links: Circulator phase-out begins October 1
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by Miles Wilson (Contributor) • July 31, 2024
It’s time for the Circulator: Service cuts to begin October 1, with end-of-year shutdown
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The DC Circulator will begin its phase-out on October 1, completely terminating all service at the end of the year. The Rosslyn-Dupont route, which runs through Georgetown, will terminate in October, and other routes will increase headways and cut late-night service. The network became a target during budget negotiations due a ridership drop that hasn't recovered since the pandemic, and it was defunded. (The Business Journal article is behind a paywall.)
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Fairfax County delays vote on data center rule again
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The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors vote on "by right" data center construction was delayed again because the board didn't properly advertise the public hearing under new state law. Now, the vote is rescheduled to September 10. Proposed measures include a noise study and equity impact study for compliance.
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Closed-door DDOT meeting worries advocates for Petworth circle safety redesign
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DDOT has a plan to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at Grant Circle in Petworth, which saw 51 major crashes between 2017 and 2022, but a a group that opposes the changes met privately with DDOT on June 8. One of those opponents was a consultant on Mayor Bowser's 2018 mayoral campaign. Supporters are concerned that this suggests the redesign will be cancelled in the face of pressure, like the long-planned bike lanes on Connecticut Avenue NW.
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UMD to anchor new North Bethesda project on WMATA-owned land
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Montgomery County and WMATA signed a memorandum of understanding to develop up to 3.7 million square feet of mixed-use projects near North Bethesda station. It will include a permanent facility of the University of Maryland (UMD)'s Institute for Health Computing and may include housing, retail, and office space. Over $102 million in funding has been committed to the project from multiple levels of government and UMD. (The Business Journal article is behind a paywall.)
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Montgomery County codifies office vacancy incentive program
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The Montgomery County Council has codified the Make Office Vacancy Extinct (MOVE) grant program. The program provides incentives for local businesses to lease offices or expand, and for other businesses to move into the county. Since 2014, the initiative disbursed more than $5.2 million to at least 85 businesses.
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Montgomery County electric school bus rollout criticized for delays, maintenance issues, and wasted funds
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Montgomery County's transition to 326 electric school buses in 2022 involved millions of dollars in financial waste, according to a county inspector general report. Buses ordered from vendors were consistently late, but MCPS did not pursue late penalties stipulated in its contract. This, combined with mechanical problems rendering them inoperable for extended periods, led to the purchase of 90 diesel buses in October 2023.
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Fairfax’s plastic bag tax funds reusable bags at farmers markets
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In 2022, Fairfax County instituted a five-cent tax on plastic bags, yielding $4.6 million in its first year. Those funds have gone toward the provision of free reusable bags as well as compostable bags at county farmers markets.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Manager, Education programs (ULI Washington) at Urban Land Institute
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Communications Intern at Greater Greater Washington
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Real Estate Development Project Manager at Montgomery Housing Partnership
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Greater Greater Washington
80 M Street SE
Suite 100
Washington, DC 20003
United States
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