By George Kevin Jordan (Editor and Correspondent) • September 23, 2019
Some of them fall, and get back up. Some of them get hit, and get back up. Some of them navigate scenarios that would make most of us give up. Nope, we’re not describing boxers, but rather people bicycling around Tysons, Virginia, a notoriously car-oriented “edge city.”
Our Metro system is well known for its flaws, yet it stands as one of the best subway systems in the US despite them. American public transit was once the envy of the world, with over 11,000 miles of electrified streetcar. Today, all urban transit lines combined equal only about half of that number, despite American population growth. So what happened?
By Jeb Stenhouse (Community Engagement Committee) • September 23, 2019
How does the DCAG’s office intersect with the District’s green initiatives? Join the conversation about public safety, access, and safety. Come to a free clinic is held at the Anacostia Neighborhood Library.
By Julie Strupp (Managing Editor) • September 23, 2019
In case you missed Park(ing) Day, an annual event where parking spaces are temporarily turned into small parks across the region this past Friday, we have the highlights for you. Enjoy!
As a byproduct of climate change, the increased frequency of extreme heat and intense rainstorms is contributing to additional infrastructure challenges facing the Washington region’s public transit systems. (Chelsea Cirruzzo / DCist)
After testing an initial group of 79 sites, the DC government found and remediated elevated lead levels in 17 playgrounds surrounded by pour-in-place surfaces, which consist of a base of crumbled recycled tires topped with a layer of poured rubber. The District plans to test for lead at all 257 of its pour-in-place playgrounds by January. (Natalie Delgadillo / DCist)
The Maryland Department of Transportation removed the Corridor Cities Transitway from its latest list of priorities, casting doubt on the future of the bus rapid transit project which began as a proposed light-rail line from Shady Grove to Frederick. (Kate Masters / Bethesda Beat)
A citywide survey found that 76% felt “strongly” or “very strongly” that the present concentration of affordable housing in DC east of the Anacostia River is not fair, and a majority felt officials should prioritize development in areas that have access to jobs, schools, transit, and grocery stores. (Andrew Giambrone / Curbed)
Following Monday’s protests which shut down several intersections in DC and led to the arrests of 32 protestors, climate change activists plan September 27 to repeat the action, intended to force policymakers to respond to Earth’s rising temperatures. (Post)
Weakening the Clean Water Act rules around seasonal streams and wetlands, the Trump administration threatens to reverse the fragile success story of America’s urban rivers like the Potomac, which has improved from being a waste dump in the 1960s to being fishable today. (Christopher A. Wood / Post)
In addition to being known for his deep knowledge of DC politics and as a vocal advocate for DC statehood, political commentator Mark Plotkin, who passed away on Sunday, also spearheaded the campaign to replace “Celebrate and Discover” on DC license plates with “Taxation Without Representation.” (Harrison Smith / Post)
The Arlington County Board approved a 76% increase to the Crystal City BID’s land area that includes parts from Potomac Yard and Pentagon City, and signaled it may consider a new name for the BID that incorporates “National Landing.” (Airey / ARLnow)
