By Alex Baca (Policy Manager), Shelley Vinyard (Guest Contributor), Conor Shaw (Guest Contributor) • May 5, 2021
It has been four years since many of Eckington’s residents and its Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners came together to craft a vision for how we want growth to happen in our neighborhood in the next 10 years. But despite countless hours spent over these four years to define and advocate for an affordable future for Eckington through amendments we wrote to the 2006 Comprehensive Plan, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson is pushing to override our neighborhood’s wishes in one stroke of his pen.
Headlines of doom and gloom have long plagued Danville. For the two thirds of Virginians residing in the state’s “Urban Crescent”—stretching from Northern Virginia through Richmond to Hampton Roads, Southern and Southwest Virginia can seem like irredeemable boondocks. The relatively recent heralding of Danville as the “Comeback City” shows there’s more nuance to the region. Either despite or because of its past hardships, Danville has pioneered a model of resilient transit service other cities across the nation could reproduce.
The relocation of city agencies to neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River and increased investment in public infrastructure is accelerating development in neighborhoods such as Anacostia and Skyland. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
Virginia will purchase 28.5 miles of track from Norfolk Southern to bring passenger rail service west of Roanoke. The plan includes more than $200 million in infrastructure improvements along the corridor. (Luz Lazo / Post)
The glimmering urban mixed-use redevelopment planned for Under Armour’s future headquarters in Baltimore’s Port Covington has been significantly scaled back; the new plans look more like a suburban office park surrounded by parking. (Baltimore Sun)
On May 1 DC relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions allowing special events at venues with less than 250 people or 25% of a venue’s capacity. But controversy surrounds a provision that bans standing and dance receptions in the name of social distancing. (Rachel Kurzius / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
A federal judge appointed by Donald Trump at the US District Court for DC ruled that the CDC did not have the authority to issue an eviction moratorium last year. Experts say the ruling won’t have an immediate impact on the region. (Ally Schweitzer / DCist)
Wednesday marked the 30th anniversary of the Mount Pleasant uprising. On May 5, 1991, police officer Angela Jewell shot and killed Salvadorian resident Daniel Enrique, sparking days of unrest and tension between police and the Latinx community. (City Paper)
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which governs road markings and signs, is in the process of being revised, but some say it needs a full overhaul to make it work for bike and pedestrian safety. The public can comment until May 14. (Angie Schmitt / City Lab)
