Here's our roundup of must-read posts from the week:
Happy Saturday, Greater Washington! This week, we're thinking about historic preservation, and how it can set back housing construction and affordability goals. Read about how Cleveland Park's historic district cut a single project by 42 homes.
We're also thinking about safety in public spaces. Caitlin Rogger writes that as we enter a post-pandemic world, making our streets safe — whether from gun. violence or traffic violence — is critical to ensuring cities recover.
Not all traffic safety initiatives are created equal, however. A Montgomery County bill that would require panhandlers on roadways to get permits is drawing scrutiny from traffic safety advocates who say the bill doesn't match Vision Zero goals.
Trails, on the other hand, could help meet traffic safety goals, according to the Capital Trails Coalition. The organization released a report outlining the benefits — economic, health, and environmental — of completing the region's trail network.
Another network getting a new link: the DC Circulator. The system is finally proposing a route that would go through Ward 7. Don't worry, we have a map for you.
By Nick Sementelli (Board of Directors, Advocacy Committee), Alex Baca (Policy Manager), Michael Whelan (Guest Contributor) • April 29, 2021
Cleveland Park is one of several places in the District where the Office of Planning has proposed amendments to the Future Land Use Map to enable the potential future development of more housing in desirable neighborhoods. Even after navigating the zoning process to appeal for a higher-density allowance, new projects in Cleveland Park will still have to conform to the limitations of the neighborhood’s historic district, which, in addition to its goal of preserving history, was designed specifically to limit that exact kind of density.
By Caitlin Rogger (Interim Executive Director) • April 26, 2021
Once the coronavirus threat recedes, will people feel safe enough being in public space to generate the scale of re-investment, commercial, social and recreational activity that we need for a strong recovery? If we want our cities to come back better, we need to stop thinking about public safety in silos, learn from the successes of the coronavirus response, and put this fundamental public good at the center of urban recovery.
By Libby Solomon (Writer and Editor) • April 29, 2021
A bill introduced by Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice on April 20 would require a permit to solicit money or donations from vehicles on high-speed roadways. A public hearing is scheduled for May 10. But critics in Montgomery County are calling Rice’s legislation an “anti-panhandling initiative,” saying it isn’t about traffic safety but rather about “criminalizing unhoused communities.”
By Libby Solomon (Writer and Editor) • April 26, 2021
DC announced on Friday that it has selected its preferred option out of seven proposed route alternatives for a new DC Circulator route that would finally bring the service back to Ward 7.
