Posts by Alex Block — Guest Contributor
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See details for Union Station’s future expansion
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is continuing to refine plans for the future of Union Station, which include preserving historical elements, facilitating inter-modal travel, and expanding rail capacity. On Thursday, March 22 the FRA is hosting a public meeting on the project’s Environmental Impact Statement. Keep reading…
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Navy Yard sidewalks get sustainable stormwater systems
Near the soon to be opened and fantastic Park at the Yards, there’s a lot of new low-impact development infrastructure, a series of bioretention areas to capture stormwater. Keep reading…
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Weekend reading: Hauling freight
While American passenger rail often leaves much to be desired, our freight rail network is second to none. This privately owned and operated network often finds itself at odds with desires for increased passenger service and high speed operations. Hauling the Freight: Freight rail companies have been reluctant to embrace the recent enthusiasm for high speed rail. … Keep reading…
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Weekend reading: “Taking my talents to South Beach”
The inescapable news in the sports world last week was LeBron James’ decision on where to play professional basketball. James spurned his current (and hometown) team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in favor of joining forces with multiple, talented free agent players in Miami. The hoopla, as well as James’ decision to leave his hometown for greener pastures… Keep reading…
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Perceptions of density often miss the mark
Density is one of the most important elements of any city, but also one of the most misunderstood. The density of a site is often not what it initially seems. People will key on things like height, design, maintenance, and context rather than actually looking at what density means to them. It’s a natural, emotional reaction, but often misses the underpinning… Keep reading…
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Small lots to parking lots to big buildings: The evolution of Mt. Vernon Square
Historic aerial photos offer a glimpse into the evolutionary history of some of DC’s neighborhoods, showing decline, redevelopment, and the ever-changing urban fabric of the city. DCist takes note of a great photo of the Mt. Vernon Square area from 1992, looking south towards the Portrait Gallery and what’s now the Verizon Center: It’s amazing… Keep reading…
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Parking exhibit impressive but incomplete
The National Building Museum’s newest exhibition chronicles the history of parking structures. The exhibit assembles an impressive collection of archival photos and other items, looking at the evolution of parking structures through time, from elaborate, full-service garages to self-parking decks to LEED certified garages that attempt to make parking a car sustainable… Keep reading…
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Four ways to improve McMillan Two
The McMillan Two plan tackles a project of enormous scope, yet there are still several areas of the plan that need more emphasis. The plan should be praised for its scope, vision, and long timeframe, yet as it stands, it is an incomplete idea that needs more depth to meet all the challenges DC will face over the next 50-100 years. Similarly, the plan should be praised for its… Keep reading…
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America’s Metro (Not)
Last week, GGW’s daily links thread noted Metro’s consideration of moving to automated station announcements within trains, instead of the current announcements made by train operators. The link included a look back to when Metro’s 7000 series railcars were first announced, more than a year and a half ago. Keep reading…
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DC’s odd-shaped public spaces needn’t be awkward or neglected
Washington, DC’s height limit, monumental core, and grand avenues make it unique among American cities. DC’s plan, civic spaces, and prominent monuments befit a great national capital. L’Enfant designed his grand plan not just for the nation, but for the local community as well. Too often, however, many of the interesting local spaces created by that… Keep reading…