By Wyatt Gordon (The Virginia Mercury) • February 1, 2021
While Virginia Governor Gov. Ralph Northam’s repeated petitioning for a statewide eviction moratorium and other efforts to reduce the rate of evictions across the state have grabbed headlines, an even larger structural problem with Virginia’s housing market has been looming in the background – the state’s worsening affordability crisis.
By George Kevin Jordan (Managing Editor) • February 1, 2021
It’s time to play the 2021 edition of #TranspoBINGO. How will the retail industry adapt to all disruption caused by the pandemic? Join the national conversation on transit equity. This and more in this week’s urbanist events.
Today, the Washington region is known for having very diverse suburbs, including Prince George’s County, the largest suburban majority-African-American county in the country. However, 50 years ago, the region’s suburbs were nearly entirely white, while racial and ethnic minorities were largely concentrated in the District east of 16th Street NW.
Amazon has released initial plans for the “PenPlace” site, including a tree-covered corkscrew-shaped building called the Helix, green space, bike lanes and a bus platform. (Jo DeVoe / ARLNow)
Plans to redesign the crash-prone intersection along New York Avenue NE, often called “Dave Thomas Circle,” are moving forward after the District seized the Wendy’s in the middle of the intersection using eminent domain. (Dana Hedgpeth / Post)
If you’re accused of a crime you have the right to a lawyer. If you’re being evicted? Not so much. Proposed Maryland legislation could change that by guaranteeing a right to counsel for low-income tenants. (Ally Schweitzer / DCist)
After three teenagers were killed in the first month of the year, Councilmember Trayon White is calling for DC to declare a state of emergency due to gun violence. (Margaret Barthel / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
Metro will no longer try to find owners for most items lost on trains and buses, keeping wallets and electronics but donating or auctioning other items instead as a cost-saving measure. (Jordan Pascale / DCist)
Schools in wealthier neighborhoods of DC have more students opting to return to schools than poorerr ones, especially east of the Anacostia river, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on Black families. (Perry Stein / Post)
DC’s low-barrier shelters plan to begin vaccinating people experiencing homelessness against COVID-19, though the rollout was delayed due to the snow. (Kaela Roeder / Street Sense Media)
Long ago, people could ice skate on the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool, and a 1964 proposal would have created a permanent ice rink each winter. Alas… these days, if it’s cold enough to skate, you’ll get chased away. (Martin Austermuhle / DCist)
