Even more links: New perspective in the Old Line
Wilson Bridge trail makes connections
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge bike and pedestrian trail will open next weekend. To his credit, reporter Michael Laris doesn’t just write the “how cute, there’s a trail for hikers and bikers for fun” story, instead talking about the trail as an actual transportation link, writing, “The disjointed Washington region is about to be linked a little more tightly.” (Post)
How about smart growth, not pro growth or no growth
The election of Nancy Navarro to the Montgomery County Council will likely tip the balance in the Council toward the current four-member coalition of Ervin, Floreen, Leventhal, and Knapp. The latter three, at least, are often described as “pro-development.” Columnist Blair Lee predicts that the “pro-growth” view will now be on top in Montgomery, trumping the “slow growth” or “no growth” side. And the Council will soon choose a member of the Planning Board. But must the Council debate, or at least the press coverage, revolve around growth or not? The County needs to focus its growth around its Metro stations (like White Flint, while resisting plans for just more sprawl like Gaithersburg West. (Gazette, Post)
Village green or secret courtyard?
The Montgomery Planning Board approved a development in Fenton Village, near downtown Silver Spring, that will create a public green and add small streets inside a block, similar to Bethesda Lane. Neighbors argue that by putting the green in the middle of the block, it creates more of a “secret courtyard.” (Just Up The Pike)
Affordable Bethesda
A group is buying and rehabilitating a 44-year-old office building and converting it to single-room affordable housing. It would mix in retail at the street level. (Post, Cavan) (Tip: Cavan)
To get Metro, Fairfax has to tax
Western Fairfax must create a special taxing district to fund its part of the Silver Line, but amid the economic downturn, the community is nervous. Tysons already has a similar district to pay for its piece. (Examiner)
U.S. calls timeout on ‘roadless’ forest projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced a virtual moratorium on new development in “roadless” areas of national parks. Any such projects would need his personal approval before going forward. This is a move that environmentalists have been calling for since Bush authorized the construction of roads in such areas. (Philadelphia Inquirer, JTS) (Tip: JTS)