Posts by Cavan Wilk — Guest Contributor
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DC studying streetcar to Takoma or Silver Spring
DC will start a one-year study of a north-south transit corridor from Southwest DC to Takoma or Silver Spring. While it’s too early to tell what officials will decide, it’s clear that Silver Spring’s jobs, amenities, and other transit connections make it the most logical terminus. This new corridor, which could operate as BRT but more likely a streetcar,… Keep reading…
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Maryland considers boulevard design for Georgia Avenue
Georgia Avenue between 16th Street and Forest Glen Road in Silver Spring’s Montgomery Hills neighborhood is currently a dangerous mess of a suburban arterial. The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is looking at ways to transform it into an urban boulevard. At a meeting last week at Woodlin Elementary School, SHA planners presented 7 alternatives to improve… Keep reading…
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Soccer land swap could solve problems for DC and United
DC United has been trying to build a new stadium using its own funds for years. A proposed land swap for a parcel at Buzzard Point could help them get one while the District grows its tax base, increases its housing supply, and improves city services at little cost to taxpayers. City officials are currently talking with DC United and developer Akridge about swapping some empty parcels… Keep reading…
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Costco still hopes for mega-gas station
After the Montgomery County Council passed a law that was intended to prevent Costco from opening a mega gas station adjacent to its new Wheaton store, the Planning Board recommended against the gas station. The next step is a set of 6 hearings before the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings. In a comments on Wheaton Patch, “ED” says: I’m happy… Keep reading…
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Leggett tries again to defund Bethesda Metro entrance
In last year’s county budget, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett proposed delaying funding for a new entrance to the Bethesda Metro station. The County Council restored funding in last year’s final budget, but the Leggett administration resubmitted a similar misguided proposal for this fiscal year. The Bethesda Metro station was originally designed… Keep reading…
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Costco tries end run around law for Wheaton gas station
The Montgomery County Council passed a law specifically to stop Costco from building a large gas station adjacent to a residential neighborhood in Wheaton. Now, Costco has made another proposal that would simply move it 300 feet to the east. A gas station is not appropriate for the future Costco site at Westfield Wheaton. Underground gas tanks have a tendency to leak, and the proposed… Keep reading…
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Start Montgomery BRT today with priority corridors
Montgomery County’s Bus Rapid Transit task force will soon release its completed report. Montgomery County can immediately start moving toward BRT by setting up limited-stop, express bus service along WMATA’s bus priority corridors. The task force envisions building a BRT network in phases. Ultimately the county may build new dedicated busways, but it can… Keep reading…
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It’s not Wheaton vs. Bethesda, but smart growth vs. bad
Montgomery officials say there isn’t enough money in the capital budget to pay for both a new Bethesda Metro entrance and redeveloping Wheaton. But there is plenty of money, if only the county deferred some of the new and wasteful highways that will only worsen sprawl and shift the county’s growth away from the places that can best accommodate it. Wheaton residents… Keep reading…
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Old buildings are the key to affordability
All other things being equal, old buildings are usually more affordable than new buildings. Without the latest amenities, old buildings have to charge less in order to attract tenants. A healthy supply of old buildings is therefore crucial to long term neighborhood affordability. Local governments are to be commended for adopting inclusionary regulations that require new… Keep reading…
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Retailers are embracing urbanism with zeal
As enclosed malls continue to decline and close, more and more retailers are opting to locate in pedestrian-friendly urban districts. 3 years ago, I expressed sentiments that the car-oriented shopping mall was a business model with no future. The events since have offered further proof that retailers and customers now prefer an urban format, at least in our region. Recent… Keep reading…