Posts by David Daddio — Contributor
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Can Takoma Park embrace a progressive housing policy?
This fight over the 1.4-acre Takoma Junction site took on an outsized relevance in this famously progressive, educated, and argumentative city. What started as a mundane debate about a relatively modest commercial development evolved into a gentrification “proxy war” and an intense struggle over the city’s values. Keep reading…
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After 20 years of debate, it’s time to replace this Takoma Junction parking lot
People move to Takoma Park for its unique sense of place, which in turn contributes to the city’s rapidly increasing housing costs and displacement. Unfortunately, some local activists have seized on Takoma Junction — a modest development project on a city-owned parking lot — as a gentrification “proxy war.” Keep reading…
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Activists say a small office and retail building will gentrify Takoma Park. It’s already gentrified.
The City of Takoma Park has spent the better part of two decades trying to develop a publicly-owned parking lot in Takoma Junction, a prominent but downtrodden commercial area adjoining what is now one of the city’s most posh neighborhoods. The project is nearing final approval, but not everyone is happy. Keep reading…
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Columbia, Maryland was an early template for smart growth. It turns 50 this week.
One part real estate project, one part social experiment, Columbia, Maryland is one of the most ambitious and successful planned communities ever built in the US. Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of the Columbia's founding, so it’s a good time to reflect on both the project and its principal proponent, developer James Rouse. Keep reading…
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What makes some CaBi stations more used than others?
Open trip data lets researchers analyze bike sharing systems in detail. They are making useful discoveries about how culture and urban spaces affect the way people use bikeshare. These conclusions can help cities refine their bikeshare systems as they grow and mature. Keep reading…
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“Dernoga money” stymied College Park growth
The Washington Post revealed Thursday that former Prince George’s Councilmember Thomas Dernoga privately solicited contributions totaling about $1 million from developers for charity during his 8 years in office. Such funds, which would normally be part of a formal developer or community benefits agreement, were instead extorted behind the scenes in a highly unethical… Keep reading…
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Olson ignores smart growth basics on Book Exchange project
An array of officials who are usually reliably pro-Smart Growth have teamed up with College Park’s Old Town Civic Association (OTCA) in an effort to quash the proposed Book Exchange project. The 6-story mixed-use development could bring 830 student beds to downtown College Park along with roughly 170 beds geared towards grad students and young professionals. But opponents… Keep reading…
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Olson may scuttle new housing in College Park
A private developer plans to build student housing on the site of the Book Exchange, a high-profile site in downtown College Park just across the street from the front entrance to the University of Maryland. But county councilmember Eric Olson, siding with residents opposed to student housing, could thwart the project altogether. According to the College Park Patch, Olson… Keep reading…