By Kate Jentoft-Herr (Program and Community Coordinator) • February 16, 2021
A few weeks ago, the GGWash publication quietly had its 13th birthday. Like most quarantine birthdays it was a muted affair, but it marks the end of a really important year for us, and we wanted to take some time to let you know what we’ve been up to, and how you can help us succeed this year.
By Libby Solomon (Writer and Editor) • February 16, 2021
Tysons is under construction, but much of it will take a long time to build. In the meantime, the Tysons Comprehensive Plan calls for “interim conditions that will enhance the urban character of Tysons,” such as pop-up parks and green space. The people behind ShipGarten are kicking those interim conditions up a notch, adding shipping containers and beer.
Metro will replace 130 escalators in 32 different station starting in May, replacing escalators that are on average 38 years old. No more than 18 escalators will be out of service at once. (Abigail Constantino / WTOP)
Brookfield Property published design plans for the new phase of the Yards project which includes a six block long woonerf-style shared street for cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
E-scooter company LINK just started operating in Alexandria with 200 scooters available to rent and ride. LINK joins Lime, Bird, Raxor, Spin and Helbiz all operating in Alexandria already. (James Cullum / ALXNow)
Maryland State Senators Arthur Ellis and Obie Patterson introduced a bill to rename the stretch of Route 210 called Indian Head Highway after President Barack Obama. This proposal goes along with another one, encouraging the town that the highway is named after to change its name as well. (Aris Folley / The Hill. Tip: MarkusJT)
Virginia will put $160 million of the $524 million it got in federal pandemic relief money towards funding rental assistance programs, and may add more. The state has spent $84 million on pandemic-related housing relief since June and is requiring landlords to help tenants secure rental assistance. (Ally Schweitzer / DCist)
Maryland Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins is sponsoring a bill to get rid of Maryland’s “qualified immunity” for state employees, under which they cannot be sued in civil court for their actions. Removing this provision would mean police officers can be sued for monetary damages if they harm a member of the public. (Hannah Gaskill / Maryland Matters)
Arlington County’s Police Practices Work Group published a report recommending, among many things, a civilian review board for the police department with subpoena power, a sliding scale for traffic fines based on income, and reevaluating when 911 calls are sent to the police versus other county services. (Christian Zapata / DCist)
Yesterday the first wave of students came to school for in person learning in Fairfax and Loudoun county public schools. Over the next month the counties will bring all students who opt to back into school for at least part of the week. (Hannah Natanson / Post)
After a long run under Chicago-based Tribune Publishing, Maryland’s largest newspaper, and its affiliated regional publications such as the Capital Gazette, are set to be acquired by a nonprofit created by a Maryland businessman. (Christopher Dinsmore / Baltimore Sun)
