Afternoon links: What's developing

by David Alpert • March 31, 2011 4:40 pm

Image from JBG.

Development clusters good for neighborhoods: DC's developers tend to focus in certain areas, buying a lot of property in one place. That's a good thing, argues Lydia DePillis, partly because they build a reputation with neighbors and make project approvals go more smoothly. (Housing Complex)

Wheaton Costco a hot topic: Wheaton residents had tough questions for Ike Leggett about the proposed $6 million subsidy for a Costco at the Westfield mall. One resident outlined objections, primarily that the plan isn't consistent with a "livable, transit-oriented Wheaton." (Patch, Danila Sheveiko)

Council race racing ahead: As the at-large Council special election enters its last month, DC Students Speak is holding a candidate forum this Sunday afternoon. The candidates still aren't that clearly different (14th and You) .... David Catania endorsed Sekou Biddle, somewhat awkwardly. Both unions and business groups are behind Orange. (Four26)

How about an Anacostia contest?: Minneapolis is having a contest to design a sustainable, active waterfront. Should DC do the same for the Anacostia? (One obstacle the many military bases making large areas inaccessible.) (Housing Complex)

Markets moving: Eastern Market's board, composed of community representatives, reaffirmed support for Stanton's redevelopment of the Hine school. ... A new governing structure for Eastern Market is being devised, with a new citizen board. (EMMCA)

Houston continues to get worse: Houston will spend 100% of its road money on car infrastructure, saying bike and pedestrian accommodations serve "special interests." The vote followed heavy lobbying by real estate special interests. (Streetsblog Capitol Hill)

EU wants emissions-free city streets: The EU wants to set a goal to reduce gas-fueled cars in cities to 0 by 2050. News outlets report it as a "ban on cars" while the British Drivers Association says the EU Transport Commissioner should check into an asylum. (European Voice, The Week, Telegraph)

And...: Virginia is using Dupont Circle to advertise Virginia tourism (DCist) ... The lot that had lots of Zipcars at 14th and R will become—you guessed it—condos. (Borderstan)

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David Alpert is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Greater Greater Washington and Greater Greater Education. He worked as a Product Manager for Google for six years and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He loves the area which is, in many ways, greater than those others, and wants to see it become even greater.

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The Costco subsidy is $4 mil, not $6. Doesn't make it any easier to swallow, though.

by jag on Mar 31, 2011 5:05 pm • link • report

The constant Virginia bashing is one reason I no longer ever read DCist. (That and the post-Mathis editorial direction.) I agree this is silly -- but please don't start down this road, GGW!

by David on Mar 31, 2011 5:35 pm • link • report

Also, Development Clusters Not So Great from Matt Yglesias.

by WRD on Mar 31, 2011 5:36 pm • link • report

That's right, Dupont Circle, Virginia is for lovers... unless you're gay lovers. Considering how many gay lovers will be strolling through the circle on a warm afternoon, what exactly did Virginia hope to accomplish by posting Love-themed art in a gay neighborhood?

by Stefen on Mar 31, 2011 9:39 pm • link • report

Houston made the right choice by ignoring bikes and pedestrians. The city is a lost cause. Anything done in that regard would just be spit in the ocean.

by beatbox on Apr 1, 2011 8:35 am • link • report

@Stefan-to get them to travel and spend their money in Virginia?

by beatbox on Apr 1, 2011 8:37 am • link • report

We could focus an Anacostia redevelopment contest around the sections of the river that are not military, and still undeveloped (or underutilized).

For starters, you've got boathouse row, Anacostia national park (which exists, but certainly could be a lot better), the RFK parking lots, and Kingman Island. We can also still continue to solicit feedback on the redevelopment of the Southwest Waterfront, even though that project is already (slowly) underway.

by andrew on Apr 1, 2011 9:47 am • link • report

To quote Jon Stewart, "Virginia is for [certain kinds of] lovers."

by Matthias on Apr 1, 2011 10:13 am • link • report