By David Alpert (Executive Director) • September 19, 2019
On Thursday, the House of Representatives held a historic hearing on a bill to admit DC (except for a core of federal buildings and lands) as the 51st state, appropriately numbered HR 51. One of the weirdest arguments against statehood was from Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie (R), who said it would be too hard to park in DC if it became a state.
By George Kevin Jordan (Editor and Correspondent) • September 19, 2019
Montgomery County has seen a slew of traffic crashes and deaths in the past few years, and residents say something needs to change. This fall the county is taking a big step towards addressing road safety concerns with a pedestrian master plan and a new Twitter campaign called #WalkingHere.
By David Alpert (Executive Director) • September 19, 2019
Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors has eight Democrats and two Republicans, and one of the Republicans is not running for re-election. Democrat Linda Sperling hopes to unseat the other, Pat Herrity of the Springfield District.
By Wyatt Gordon (Virginia Correspondent) • September 19, 2019
Cities across the world, including in the Washington and Baltimore regions, will temporarily turn parking spaces into parklets this Friday for the annual Park(ing) Day. While in past years Richmond sported just one Park(ing) Day parklet, this year it will have 20, and organizers hope some will become permanent.
DC’s dedicated bus lanes on H and I streets were supposed to revert back to normal lanes in October, but the city has decided to make the pilot program a permanent fixture in November. The move includes extending the hours they will be dedicated bus lanes, which will now run from 7 am to 7 pm. (Jordan Pascale / WAMU)
After delays, Maryland officials announced that it will open a portion of the Purple Line in 2022. The first portion will carry passengers through Prince George’s County, with the full line into and through Montgomery County opening in later 2022 and into 2023. (Katherine Shaver / Post, Michael Neibauer / Washington Business Journal)
When the housing complex Sursum Corda was razed, affordable housing was slated to go up in its place, and there will be condos too. However, it’s come to light that eight old oak trees would likely be cut down, and some people are not happy. (Petula Dvorak / Post)
With changing weather patterns and climate change already impacting the city daily, the District is responded with plans to make DC more resilient like revamping building codes to make sure new buildings are “climate ready.” But could these efforts widen inequalities? (Jacob Fenston / WAMU)
About 8.7% of houses sold in DC in the second quarter of 2019 were “flips,” but the highest concentration of flips was in Ward 7. For zip code 20019, one in four homes sold had been flipped. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
The hearing on DC Statehood hit on mostly familiar talking points for advocates on both sides of the issue. While DC Mayor Muriel Bowser defended the District and argued its over 700,000 residents deserve representation, opponents raised questions about financial stability and Councilmember Jack Evans. (Jenna Portnoy / Post)
In cities like DC, affordability is a thorny concept, as factors like transportation and child care can all add costs well above rent. A lack of affordable housing options and a housing shortage have further exacerbated the problem in the region. (Sasha-Ann Simons / WAMU)
