Cities around the world are asking residents to practice social distancing, remaining six feet or more from other people. But where, exactly, can we safely practice social distancing?
By George Kevin Jordan (Editor and Correspondent) • May 5, 2020
Join the conversation as GGWash and YPT discuss the role that public transit plays in our economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic, and more in this week’s virtual urbanist events.
By Aimee Custis (Editorial Board Alum) • May 5, 2020
Read the comments on almost any of our posts that talk about “affordable housing” and you’re likely to get a headache trying to figure out what different people mean by those two little words. We asked our contributors what policies and problems come to mind when they think of “affordable housing.”
This week, a select group of Arlington Democratic party members will choose a nominee for the seat formerly held by Erik Gutshall. We recommend eligible party insiders select Takis Karantonis as their first choice and then Nicole Merlene or Chanda Choun as second and third choices in the ranked-choice ballot.
With Amtrak and Metro station ridership down 95% and 97% from 2019, and most storefronts closed, Union Station is almost deserted and revenue from retail, food, and parking have cratered. Now DC area representatives are asking Congress for $26 million to keep the building operating and in a state of good repair for the next six months. (Graham Vyse / DCist)
The DC Council passed new emergency legislation that extends the eviction moratorium, requires landlords to work out rent repayment plans with tenants, and caps fees on food delivery apps like UberEats. The law didn’t include a provision that would have compelled insurance companies to pay out business interruption claims. (Fenit Nirappil / Post)
A southbound VRE train heading to Frederickburg hit and killed a pedestrian on the tracks behind the Regal Cinemas in Potomac Yard. Police have not released the identity of the person who died. (James Cullum / ALX Now)
Leaders of immigrant and black activist groups in Virginia don’t think the state is ready to reopen on May 15th as cases are still rising. Latino and black Virginians are overrepresented among the state’s covid infections and deaths, and in service industry jobs that carry higher risk of exposure to the virus. (Daniella Cheslow / DCist)
The county council informally voted not to delay plans to build a new high school in Gaithersburg and refurbish and reopen schools in Silver Spring and Rockville by 2025. Though the county is cutting other capital projects over budget concerns, delaying the new schools would trigger a residential building freeze in those areas. (Caitlynn Peetz / Bethesda Beat)
Responding to calls from local civic associations to close parking or traffic lanes for people to walk and bike at a safe social distance, County Police Chief M. Jay Farr said that the force doesn’t have enough traffic cones or staff members to enforce partial street closures, so none are being planned. (ARL Now)
Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns Pike & Rose and Bethesda Row in Montgomery County, is rolling out a permanent program to set up three dedicated curbside parking spots for contactless pickup at its properties around the country. (Jon Banister / Bisnow)
The President said that Congressional Republicans would be “very, very stupid” to give DC statehood in an interview to the New York Post, as DC would add new, presumably Democratic votes to the House and Senate. (Jenna Portnoy / Post)
