Posts by Marlene Berlin — Guest Contributor
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Here’s what all those charges on your DC Water bill mean
Have you ever been mystified by all those charges on your monthly water bill? DC Water does far more than supply clean water and take waste away from our homes and businesses, so it can be a bit complicated. Never fear — we'll help you decode the charges. Keep reading…
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Chick-fil-A’s proposed Van Ness drive-thru is denied
A key review board has denied Chick-fil-A’s controversial request for a drive-thru in Van Ness. But it might not have the last word. Keep reading…
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Walkability’s next hurdle in Van Ness: A Chick-fil-A drive-thru
Chick-fil-A has plans to put a drive-thru store on Connecticut Avenue in Van Ness. But neighbors are saying the site’s business plan doesn’t mesh with the neighborhood’s aspirations to be more walkable. Keep reading…
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Van Ness residents say their neighborhood isn’t safe for walking
“My biggest concern at Van Ness is pedestrian safety. I feel my safety is constantly at risk,” Benae Mosby said at a recent meeting of the Van Ness Main Streets board. As the communications and community relations manager at WAMU, whose headquarters are at Connecticut Avenue and Windom Place NW, Mosby walks this troubled intersection daily. Keep reading…
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The Van Ness Metro station’s west entrance isn’t closing just yet
The west entrance to the Van Ness Metro station was supposed to start a three-year closure for escalator repairs today. But after pushback from nearby residents and DDOT, the project is on hold. “I am putting WMATA on notice that all public space permits are suspended until further notice,” DDOT’s Matthew Marcou said. He spoke in response to an audience member’s… Keep reading…
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An entrance at the Van Ness Metro station is about to close for three years
The escalator at the western entrance of the Van Ness Metro station needs serious work. Three years’ worth, to be exact. Keep reading…
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Van Ness construction could close sidewalk for 2 years
The last time the sidewalk by the Van Ness Square demolition site was closed to pedestrians, it was a temporary measure. But the latest closure could last much longer. Developer Saul Centers will tear down the shopping center and replace it with a new apartment building. At a pre-construction meeting last week, representatives from Saul told the community that the Connecticut… Keep reading…
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DDOT sidewalk gap policy has gaps of its own
Sidewalks are a network to get us from one place to another, just like roads. But the procedures DDOT uses to identify and fill sidewalk gaps take a piecemeal approach that sets up barriers to completing the network. Currently, DDOT requires that 51% of households on a single block approve the addition of a sidewalk, and that the neighborhood ANC file a corresponding resolution. Keep reading…
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Where in Ward 3 needs sidewalks most?
Sidewalks are more than a way to get from one place to another on foot. They connect us to our neighbors and neighborhoods. And they become even more crucial as we age. Iona Senior Services has spearheaded a pedestrian advocacy effort to focus on filling priority sidewalk gaps in Ward 3. This effort and has focused on updating the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT)‘s… Keep reading…
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Taxis could make paratransit service cheaper
WMATA’s MetroAccess paratransit service has become too expensive for both its clients and the governments that fund it, and has suffered from some serious problems with its service. Using more taxis to transport persons with disabilities could decrease costs and improve service quality. People with certain disabilities qualify for Metro Access service. Riders pay… Keep reading…