Posts with the tag Vienna. http://greatergreaterwashington.org/tag/Vienna/ en-us http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/18477/get-parking-right-and-many-more-events/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">Spring is here (or maybe it's just an early summer), and that means there's lots to do both inside and outside! Next week is an exciting Coalition for Smarter Growth forum on parking with guest Jeff Tumlin, and CSG has many great walking tours through June. <div class="blog_image_right" style="width: 188px; float: right; font-size: 8pt;"><a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.flickr.com/photos/youngun/3656803879/', '')" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/youngun/3656803879/" style="color: black"><img src="http://greatergreater.com/images/201304/111322.jpg" style="border: 0"></a><br>Photo by elgringospain on Flickr.</div><p style="margin-top: 1em">You can learn about DC's civil war forts, celebrate Earth Day on April 20 itself or at fairs before or after, go to happy hours and hear speakers on public space. <p style="margin-top: 1em">And if you can't wait to do something, tonight is a public meeting on the Union Station-Georgetown streetcar segment. DDOT will <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.unionstationtogeorgetown.com/index.php/public-outreach/upcoming-meetings', '18477')" href="http://www.unionstationtogeorgetown.com/index.php/public-outreach/upcoming-meetings" style="color: black">brief the public</a> on its analysis of "premium transit" (i.e. streetcar) through downtown to Georgetown. DDOT director Terry Bellamy has also promised to update people on wireless technologies which can preserve clear viewsheds. <p style="margin-top: 1em">The meeting is tonight, Thursday, April 11 (or last night for those reading the <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=GreaterGreaterWashington&loc=en_US', '18477')" href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=GreaterGreaterWashington&loc=en_US" style="color: black">daily email</a>), 6-8 pm at the Carnegie Library in Mount Vernon Square, L'Enfant Map Room. <p style="margin-top: 1em"><b>Learn about forts</b>: BF Cooling and Gary Thompson, founders of an effort to preserve DC's civil war circle of forts, will <a href="/https://www.google.com/calendar/render?eid=cHFlbGFrNjRwcTQwczJiZGRwcTZhNW9jbGMgZXZlbnRzQGdnd2FzaC5vcmc&ctz=America/New_York&sf=true&output=xml" style="color: black">give a talk</a> about the forts and their history on Monday, April 15, 7-8:45 pm at the Tenley-Friendship Library. <p style="margin-top: 1em"><b>Get parking right</b>: Next Wednesday, the Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2041/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=71282', '18477')" href="http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2041/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=71282" style="color: black">is hosting national parking expert</a> Jeff Tumlin to talk about ways cities are fix parking policy to match supply and demand and build a system that works better for everyone. Sam Zimbabwe, DDOT planning head, will talk about how DC might use Tumlin's ideas. <p style="margin-top: 1em">The forum is April 17 at the Center for American Progress, 1333 H St. NW. There are refreshments at 6 and then the program from 6:30-8:30. <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2041/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=71282', '18477')" href="http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2041/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=71282" style="color: black">RSVP here</a> before it fills up! <p style="margin-top: 1em"><b>Be green around Earth Day</b>: Saturday, April 20 is Earth Day, and there are a lot of great events to celebrate and learn more about how to help the environment. The Anacostia Watershed Society is having a <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.anacostiaws.org/earthday2013', '18477')" href="http://www.anacostiaws.org/earthday2013" style="color: black">cleanup and celebration</a>, first helping clean up the river at 20 sites from 9 am to noon, followed by a celebration at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. <p style="margin-top: 1em">The Town of Vienna is having a <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.viennava.gov/index.aspx?NID=836', '18477')" href="http://www.viennava.gov/index.aspx?NID=836" style="color: black">Green Expo</a> on Thursday, April 18, 6:30-9 pm to show off ways to make your own home and life more sustainable, while Loudoun is <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.earthdayatloudoun.org/', '18477')" href="http://www.earthdayatloudoun.org/" style="color: black">having a festival</a> on Sunday, April 28th. <p style="margin-top: 1em"><b>Be happy in Arlington</b>: CSG and the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization are <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2041/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=71314', '18477')" href="http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2041/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=71314" style="color: black">cosponsoring a happy hour</a> in Arlington on Monday, April 22 from 6:30-8:30 pm at William Jeffrey's Tavern, 2301 Columbia Pike. Ask questions about what's going on down the Pike or just meet people and have fun! <p style="margin-top: 1em"><b>Improve the public realm</b>: That same day, NCPC is <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.ncpc.gov/ncpc/Main%28T2%29/PublicParticipation%28Tr2%29/Public%20Participation%28Tr3%29/upcomingEvents/helenm.html?utm_source=Beyond+Granite+Speaker+Series%3A+Breaking+the+Rules&utm_campaign=HelenMarriage2013&utm_medium=email', '18477')" href="http://www.ncpc.gov/ncpc/Main%28T2%29/PublicParticipation%28Tr2%29/Public%20Participation%28Tr3%29/upcomingEvents/helenm.html?utm_source=Beyond+Granite+Speaker+Series%3A+Breaking+the+Rules&utm_campaign=HelenMarriage2013&utm_medium=email" style="color: black">hosting a speaker from London</a>, Helen Marriage, to discuss ways that city is making its public spaces better. A panel afterward will talk about how some of the ideas could come to DC. That's also 6:30-8:30 pm on Monday, April 22 at NCPC, 401 9th Street NW, Suite 500 North. <p style="margin-top: 1em"><b>The RAC is listening</b>: The WMATA Riders' Advisory Council wants to hear from more riders, especially about how upcoming Silver Line service and changes to buses and trains will affect riders. To that end, they're <a href="/https://www.google.com/calendar/render?eid=c2hiYTF1MGk0OHJnajRzYm9ocnR2dW5xaGcgZXZlbnRzQGdnd2FzaC5vcmc&ctz=America/New_York&sf=true&output=xml" style="color: black">holding listening sessions</a> outside WMATA HQ, starting with one on April 24, 6:30 pm in the Charles Houston Rec Center, 901 Wythe Street in Alexandria near Braddock Road Metro. <p style="margin-top: 1em"><b>Walk and tour</b>: CSG's spring <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.smartergrowth.net/events/#WTFS', '18477')" href="http://www.smartergrowth.net/events/#WTFS" style="color: black">walking tour series kicks</a> off April 27 with a tour of White Flint, followed by 14th Street, Fairfax's Route 1, Wheaton, and Fort Totten in May and June. Space is limited, so RSVP for your favorite tour now!<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/18477/get-parking-right-and-many-more-events/#comments">Comment</a></p> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=18477 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:43:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/16336/safe-routes-to-school-benefits-kids-and-the-community/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/cgreen/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">Christine Green</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">On a recent Thursday, Vienna Elementary School had only 25 cars in the kiss-and-ride when there are usually 70. This dramatic decrease reduced congestion around the school and improved the morning commute for the entire community. The students attended class but did not arrive in cars. <div class="blog_image_right" style="width: 188px; float: right; font-size: 8pt;"><a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.flickr.com/photos/26129297@N02/2476314705/', '')" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26129297@N02/2476314705/" style="color: black"><img src="http://greatergreater.com/images/201210/021923.jpg" style="border: 0"></a><br>Photo by Trailnet on Flickr.</div><p style="margin-top: 1em">Today is International Walk and Bike to School Day, and more than 100 schools throughout the region are hosting events to encourage students to walk and bike to school. <p style="margin-top: 1em">Parents driving their kids to school account for 10-14 percent of morning traffic. This one day event makes a big splash and hopes that the school, students and parents will learn how easy it is to change transportation mode even a few days a week. <p style="margin-top: 1em">Reduced congestion is not the only benefit. Reports like <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://healthyamericans.org/report/100/', '16336')" href="http://healthyamericans.org/report/100/" style="color: black">F as in Fat</a> have raised alarm about the growing obesity rate. Students who walk or bike to school are more physically active and have lower obesity than students who are bused or driven. Students who are physically active also enjoy better academic performance. <p style="margin-top: 1em"><b>Vienna Elementary finds success with Safe Routes to School</b> <p style="margin-top: 1em"><a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/resourcecenter/what-is-safe-routes-to-school', '16336')" href="http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/resourcecenter/what-is-safe-routes-to-school" style="color: black">Safe Routes to School</a> programs encourage students to increase their physical activity through walking and bicycling to school. In October of 2011, Vienna Elementary School started Walking Wednesdays. 3 parent coordinators send home flyers with the students encouraging them to walk or bike to school every Wednesday. The parent coordinators give students who walk or bike a foot token or special reflector for key chains that attach to their backpacks. Parents who walk or bike with their students drink free coffee. <p style="margin-top: 1em">With to this once-a-week commitment, Vienna Elementary School has gotten results. Scott McCall, volunteer Safe Routes to School Coordinator, says the principal is reporting students are more focused in class and more students are walking and bicycling every day of the week, not just Wednesday. <p style="margin-top: 1em">Vienna Elementary has achieved half of their student population walking or bicycling in one day and regularly has 20 bikes in their racks compared to 3-4 last year. <p style="margin-top: 1em">This example contrasts with another local school. In a <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/facing-gridlock-at-baileys-elementary/2012/09/13/010067c0-f922-11e1-a93b-7185e3f88849_story.html', '16336')" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/facing-gridlock-at-baileys-elementary/2012/09/13/010067c0-f922-11e1-a93b-7185e3f88849_story.html" style="color: black">letter in the <i>Washington Post</i></a>, a parent at Bailey's Elementary reported she could more easily leave Nationals ballpark on opening day than pick her child up from school. <p style="margin-top: 1em">While her family lives within a mile of the school, the streets are busy and there are no sidewalks. This makes it unsafe and infeasible for this family to walk or bike to school. The consequences are an hour-long wait to pick up her children, congested roads, and a missed opportunity for physical activity. <p style="margin-top: 1em">The difference between the schools is that Vienna Elementary not only has adequate sidewalk infrastructure and is directly adjacent to the W&OD trail, but the Safe Routes to School program makes it fun to for students to walk and bicycle to school. <p style="margin-top: 1em">Infrastructure is a big hurdle for walking and bicycling to school and in communities. Retrofitting existing communities is expensive and built out communities sometimes have little room in the right-of-way for sidewalks and bike lanes. It is not only about how communities spend their money but also about the policies in place that make our transportation system inclusive of pedestrians and cyclists. <p style="margin-top: 1em"><b>Complete Streets policies make streets work for all users</b> <p style="margin-top: 1em">One policy that can prevent further disregard for pedestrians and bicyclists is Complete Streets. Complete Streets policies ensure that streets are designed, maintained and operated for all users of the road<wbr>&mdash;<wbr>pedestrians, bicyclists, persons using wheelchairs, older adults and children. Infrastructure improvements will still take time, but the policy ensures the local transportation agency works to accommodate all users within a network throughout the community. <p style="margin-top: 1em">The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) adopted a <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.mwcog.org/transportation/weeklyreport/2012/05-22.asp', '16336')" href="http://www.mwcog.org/transportation/weeklyreport/2012/05-22.asp" style="color: black">regional Complete Streets policy</a> in May. The TPB policy encourages all local jurisdictions to adopt their own policies and commit to multi-modal transportation planning. This is an opportunity for local jurisdictions to commit to easier morning commutes and happy children safely walking and bicycling to school. <p style="margin-top: 1em">Vienna Elementary School shows the huge benefits from the right infrastructure and a little effort. The transportation culture of a school changes. Most likely, now that the trip to school has changed, families are changing their mode of travel for other trips such as to the library or grocery store. <p style="margin-top: 1em">The <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://saferoutesgreaterwashington.wordpress.com/', '16336')" href="http://saferoutesgreaterwashington.wordpress.com/" style="color: black">Greater Washington Region Safe Routes to School Network</a> is posting photos and stories from International Walk and Bike to School Day on their website. It will feature an award ceremony for the Takoma Park Safe Routes to School program, which recently won national recognition. <p style="margin-top: 1em">If you are still not convinced that Safe Routes to School is a solution, look at the kids' faces. They do not know they are reducing congestion or receiving health benefits. They are just really happy to be outside with their friends on their way to school.<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/16336/safe-routes-to-school-benefits-kids-and-the-community/#comments">18 comments</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11443/reducing-school-traffic-would-help-rush-hour-congestion/ style="color: black">Reducing school traffic would help rush hour congestion</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 3, 2011)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/14837/planners-are-the-new-public-health-officials/ style="color: black">Planners are the new public health officials</a> <span class="nw">(May 18, 2012)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/4029/crossing-the-street-often-unsafe-in-fairfax/ style="color: black">Crossing the street often unsafe in Fairfax</a> <span class="nw">(Nov 12, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/7703/ddot-now-has-a-complete-streets-policy/ style="color: black">DDOT now has a Complete Streets policy</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 20, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3739/less-pretty-more-functional-please/ style="color: black">Less pretty, more functional please</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 20, 2009)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=16336 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:24:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/15882/and/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/syates/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">Steven Yates</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">TBD <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://dcist.com/2012/08/is_this_truly_tbdnight.php', '15882')" href="http://dcist.com/2012/08/is_this_truly_tbdnight.php" style="color: black">is no more</a>. (DCist) ... The FHA <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/fairfax-news-in-brief/2012/08/14/9991261c-e56a-11e1-8741-940e3f6dbf48_story.html', '15882')" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/fairfax-news-in-brief/2012/08/14/9991261c-e56a-11e1-8741-940e3f6dbf48_story.html" style="color: black">gave Vienna $800,000 for new sidewalks</a>. (Post) ... Beverley Swaim-Staley <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2012/08/13/amtrak-confirms-swaim-staleys.html', '15882')" href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2012/08/13/amtrak-confirms-swaim-staleys.html" style="color: black">will head Union Station</a>. (WBJ, Jaime) ... Giving out free meals <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/19267492/women-feeding-children-in-neighborhood-told-to-stop-by-township', '15882')" href="http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/19267492/women-feeding-children-in-neighborhood-told-to-stop-by-township" style="color: black">violates zoning</a> in a Pennsylvania town. (WFXT)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/15882/and/#comments">Comment</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/735/obama-supports-congestion-pricing/ style="color: black">Obama supports congestion pricing</a> <span class="nw">(Mar 28, 2008)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/8726/cheh-wells-try-again-to-fix-snow-fines/ style="color: black">Cheh, Wells try again to fix snow fines</a> <span class="nw">(Jan 4, 2011)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1350/transit-advocates-get-younger-every-day/ style="color: black">Transit advocates get younger every day</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 24, 2008)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1383/go-vote/ style="color: black">GO VOTE</a> <span class="nw">(Nov 4, 2008)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/13630/councilmembers-who-rarely-walk-block-shoveling-bill/ style="color: black">Councilmembers who rarely walk block shoveling bill</a> <span class="nw">(Feb 7, 2012)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=15882 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 08:49:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/12852/and/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/mgillick/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">Moira Gillick</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">A <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://beyonddc.com/log/?p=2997', '12852')" href="http://beyonddc.com/log/?p=2997" style="color: black">1978 Arlington bus map</a> has a few differences from today. (BeyondDC) ... Authors of the report on the MLK Library <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.justupthepike.com/2011/11/urban-land-institute-confuses-downtown.html', '12852')" href="http://www.justupthepike.com/2011/11/urban-land-institute-confuses-downtown.html" style="color: black">accidentally used a picture of Silver Spring</a>. (JUTP) ... Vienna <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://planitmetro.com/2011/11/21/new-bike-racks-installed-at-vienna-station/', '12852')" href="http://planitmetro.com/2011/11/21/new-bike-racks-installed-at-vienna-station/" style="color: black">gets new bike racks</a>. (PlanItMetro)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/12852/and/#comments">Comment</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3834/then-and-then-and-now-harris-ewing-studio/ style="color: black">Then and Then and Now: Harris & Ewing Studio</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 23, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/6275/metro-stations-could-get-dvd-kiosks-and-trolley-tour-tickets/ style="color: black">Metro stations could get DVD kiosks and trolley tour tickets</a> <span class="nw">(Jun 21, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/6619/bike-sharing-maps-multiply/ style="color: black">Bike sharing maps multiply</a> <span class="nw">(Jul 21, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11414/video-shows-plans-for-crystal-city-redevelopment/ style="color: black">Video shows plans for Crystal City redevelopment</a> <span class="nw">(Jul 25, 2011)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/5303/this-year-lets-have-a-great-summer-streets/ style="color: black">This year, let's have a great Summer Streets</a> <span class="nw">(Mar 25, 2010)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=12852 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:35:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11753/and/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/ericfidler/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">Eric Fidler</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">VRE <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/vre-cracks-down-on-fare-evasion-other-offenses/2011/08/19/gIQAcKyiQJ_story.html', '11753')" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/vre-cracks-down-on-fare-evasion-other-offenses/2011/08/19/gIQAcKyiQJ_story.html" style="color: black">is trying to combat fare evasion</a> (Post) ... A new book looks at <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/02/28/paul-shaw-nyc-subway-helvetica/', '11753')" href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/02/28/paul-shaw-nyc-subway-helvetica/" style="color: black">the history of lettering</a> in the NYC subway, from mosaics to Helvetica (Brain Pickings, Stephen Miller) ... Amtrak is <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-Great-Migration-Exhibit-at-Union-Station-128125783.html', '11753')" href="http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-Great-Migration-Exhibit-at-Union-Station-128125783.html" style="color: black">opening an exhibit</a> on the Great Migration at Union Station (NBC Washington) ... Vienna <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://fabb-bikes.blogspot.com/2011/08/town-of-vienna-approves-bike-parking.html', '11753')" href="http://fabb-bikes.blogspot.com/2011/08/town-of-vienna-approves-bike-parking.html" style="color: black">moving forward</a> on bike parking. (FABB)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11753/and/#comments">Comment</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/832/greyhound-terminal-may-move-to-union-station/ style="color: black">Greyhound terminal may move to Union Station</a> <span class="nw">(May 12, 2008)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/10368/weekend-video-amtrak-the-first-40-years/ style="color: black">Weekend video: Amtrak: The First 40 Years</a> <span class="nw">(May 7, 2011)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1274/breakfast-links-mo-train-money-mo-problems-edition/ style="color: black">Breakfast links: Mo' train money, mo' problems edition</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 1, 2008)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2257/vienna-council-candidate-undesirables-mean-cars-not-people/ style="color: black">Vienna council candidate: "undesirables" mean cars, not people</a> <span class="nw">(May 4, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/552/building-over-union-station-rail-yards/ style="color: black">Building over Union Station rail yards</a> <span class="nw">(Jan 22, 2008)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=11753 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:50:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11701/and/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">Scott Kubly will <a href="/https://twitter.com/#!/skubly/statuses/103533987582066688" style="color: black">follow Gabe Klein to Chicago</a> ... <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/08/fewer-principals-flee-dc-schools', '11701')" href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/08/fewer-principals-flee-dc-schools" style="color: black">Turnover among principals has decreased</a> at DC public schools (Examiner) ... Vienna residents <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://vienna.patch.com/articles/vienna-residents-want-more-bike-routes-according-to-survey', '11701')" href="http://vienna.patch.com/articles/vienna-residents-want-more-bike-routes-according-to-survey" style="color: black">want more bike routes</a> (Patch) ... See <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://archiveofaffinities.tumblr.com/post/8415269864/antecedents-of-the-lenfant-plan-from-elbert', '11701')" href="http://archiveofaffinities.tumblr.com/post/8415269864/antecedents-of-the-lenfant-plan-from-elbert" style="color: black">the L'Enfant Plan's ancestors</a>. (Archive of Affinities, Neil)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11701/and/#comments">Comment</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/8489/join-ggw-gabe-klein-and-others-next-tuesday-for-a-holiday-bike-ride-and-happy-hour/ style="color: black">Join GGW, Gabe Klein and others next Tuesday for a holiday bike ride and happy hour</a> <span class="nw">(Dec 14, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/8635/dc-arlington-to-add-36-capital-bikeshare-stations/ style="color: black">DC, Arlington to add 36 Capital Bikeshare stations</a> <span class="nw">(Dec 23, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11317/will-the-ddot-brain-drain-and-low-morale-continue/ style="color: black">Will the DDOT brain drain and low morale continue?</a> <span class="nw">(Jul 18, 2011)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2172/thanks-for-a-great-csg-house-party/ style="color: black">Thanks for a great CSG house party!</a> <span class="nw">(Apr 27, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11443/reducing-school-traffic-would-help-rush-hour-congestion/ style="color: black">Reducing school traffic would help rush hour congestion</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 3, 2011)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=11701 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:41:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11542/metro-counts-bikes/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/ericfidler/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">Eric Fidler</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">WMATA <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://planitmetro.com/2011/08/03/bicycle-parking-census-at-metrorail-stations/', '11542')" href="http://planitmetro.com/2011/08/03/bicycle-parking-census-at-metrorail-stations/" style="color: black">took a bike census at all of its stations</a> to count the number of bikes on racks, the number of empty racks, and the number of bikes locked up nearby. Vienna's racks were full, forcing cyclists to lock up nearby. (PlanItMetro)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11542/metro-counts-bikes/#comments">Comment</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/7791/east-falls-church-needs-more-bike-racks/ style="color: black">East Falls Church needs more bike racks</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 28, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/696/bike-parking-scarce-at-dc-usa/ style="color: black">Bike parking scarce at DC USA</a> <span class="nw">(Mar 10, 2008)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3367/new-cooke-school-bike-racks-too-close-together-too-close-to-wall/ style="color: black">New Cooke school bike racks too close together, too close to wall</a> <span class="nw">(Aug 28, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/9798/is-your-cabi-station-getting-full-or-empty/ style="color: black">Is your CaBi station getting full or empty?</a> <span class="nw">(Mar 23, 2011)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1157/dc-usa-smartbike-yes-eventually-racks-in-garage-no/ style="color: black">DC USA: SmartBike yes (eventually), racks in garage no</a> <span class="nw">(Aug 25, 2008)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=11542 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:37:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/10884/sex-and-the-city/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">Vienna/Fairfax station is <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://beyonddc.com/log/?p=2747', '10884')" href="http://beyonddc.com/log/?p=2747" style="color: black">the most romantic</a> across 5 metro areas, or at least the most often mentioned in Craigslist Missed Connection ads. (BeyondDC) ... Another survey, this one by Trojan, <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://dcist.com/2011/06/district_of_copulation.php', '10884')" href="http://dcist.com/2011/06/district_of_copulation.php" style="color: black">ranks DC residents as most sexually active</a>, but that's probably not what's behind Catholic University <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://dcist.com/2011/06/catholic_university_to_revert_to_sa.php', '10884')" href="http://dcist.com/2011/06/catholic_university_to_revert_to_sa.php" style="color: black">ending co-ed dorms</a>. (DCist)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/10884/sex-and-the-city/#comments">Comment</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/6602/ddot-selects-capital-bikeshare-locations/ style="color: black">DDOT selects Capital Bikeshare locations</a> <span class="nw">(Jul 20, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/7742/proposed-tysons-metro-station-names-are-still-a-little-dull/ style="color: black">Proposed Tysons Metro station names are still a little dull</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 21, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/503/racial-politics-kept-college-park-metro-far-from-campus/ style="color: black">Racial politics kept College Park Metro far from campus</a> <span class="nw">(Dec 4, 2007)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/8214/proposed-circulator-will-connect-ward-7-to-the-rest-of-dc/ style="color: black">Proposed Circulator will connect Ward 7 to the rest of DC</a> <span class="nw">(Nov 22, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1783/no-bloody-slashes-dashes-or-unnecessary-acronyms/ style="color: black">No bloody slashes, dashes or unnecessary acronyms</a> <span class="nw">(Mar 10, 2009)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=10884 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:23:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/9579/neighbors-decry-child-care-center/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/erikw/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">Erik Weber</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">A neighborhood in Vienna is <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/08/AR2011030805051.html?wprss=rss_metro', '9579')" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/08/AR2011030805051.html?wprss=rss_metro" style="color: black">protesting a proposed child care center</a> on an empty corner lot facing the main arterial. No one seems to care that they could drop their children off on the way to anywhere. (Post)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/9579/neighbors-decry-child-care-center/#comments">Comment</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2257/vienna-council-candidate-undesirables-mean-cars-not-people/ style="color: black">Vienna council candidate: "undesirables" mean cars, not people</a> <span class="nw">(May 4, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3739/less-pretty-more-functional-please/ style="color: black">Less pretty, more functional please</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 20, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3922/transforming-a-suburban-church-into-a-neighborhood/ style="color: black">Transforming a suburban church into a neighborhood</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 29, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/9450/anything-but-townhouses-say-ravenwood-park-activists/ style="color: black">Anything but townhouses, say Ravenwood Park activists</a> <span class="nw">(Feb 28, 2011)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/7742/proposed-tysons-metro-station-names-are-still-a-little-dull/ style="color: black">Proposed Tysons Metro station names are still a little dull</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 21, 2010)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=9579 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:18:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/6365/wmatas-house/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">Did you know WMATA <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Fairfax-County_-Metro-trapped-as-landlord-of-single-family-home-97269149.html', '6365')" href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Fairfax-County_-Metro-trapped-as-landlord-of-single-family-home-97269149.html" style="color: black">owns a single-family house</a> in Vienna, which it rents out? Neither did most people until staff recommended selling it off last week as part of a broader effort to get rid of unneeded property. However, the <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Metro_-Zoning-needs-to-change-before-end-tenure-as-landlord-97351964.html', '6365')" href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Metro_-Zoning-needs-to-change-before-end-tenure-as-landlord-97351964.html" style="color: black">zoning needs to change</a> to allow single-family residential on the site. (Kytja Weir/Examiner)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/6365/wmatas-house/#comments">Comment</a></p> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=6365 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:53:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/5572/people-and-things-bumping-cyclists/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em"><a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.thewashcycle.com/2010/04/hey-im-biking-here.html', '5572')" href="http://www.thewashcycle.com/2010/04/hey-im-biking-here.html" style="color: black">Another driver intentionally hit a cyclist</a> on Florida near LeDroit Park. This time the cyclist couldn't get a plate number. In Vienna, a cyclist confronted a driver who the cyclist says cut him off, but the driver denies it. Finally, a Georgetown University bus hit a cyclist, but the cyclist admits she was at fault and is not seriously injured. (TheWashCycle)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/5572/people-and-things-bumping-cyclists/#comments">Comment</a></p> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=5572 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:15:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/4741/vienna-sides-with-pedestrians/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">Despite resident complaints of losing privacy if a sidewalk were built on Courthouse Road, the Vienna town council <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2010/01/26/fairfax/news/fe290a.txt', '4741')" href="http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2010/01/26/fairfax/news/fe290a.txt" style="color: black">voted to build the sidewalks</a>. (Sun Gazette, David C)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/4741/vienna-sides-with-pedestrians/#comments">Comment</a></p> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=4741 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:41:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/4050/metrowest-still-on-the-horizon/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">It took years of planning and controversy for Fairfax to approve the MetroWest development at Vienna Metro. Now, thanks to economic conditions, it's <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2009/11/metro-west-urbanity-on-hold.html', '4050')" href="http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2009/11/metro-west-urbanity-on-hold.html" style="color: black">on hold</a>. The company hasn't dropped the plan, recently requesting a change to replace residential with office and is still pursuing permits, but there's no set date for construction. (DCmud)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/4050/metrowest-still-on-the-horizon/#comments">Comment</a></p> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=4050 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:22:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3739/less-pretty-more-functional-please/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/dstewart/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">Douglas Stewart</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">Don't let the pretty bricks fool you. This crosswalk in downtown Vienna is no fun if you have to walk on it. Wide curb radii make it much more difficult to cross because a) they lengthen the walking distance, and b) motorists are encouraged to take turns without stopping or looking for pedestrians.</p> <div class="blog_image_right" style="width: 188px; float: right; font-size: 8pt;"><img src="http://greatergreater.com/images/200910/081502.jpg" style="border: 0"></div><p style="margin-top: 1em">For years Vienna and Fairfax have been trying to revitalize their downtowns and make them more walkable and bicycle-friendly. But there's a big disconnect with <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Context_Sensitive_Solutions', '3739')" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Context_Sensitive_Solutions" style="color: black">conventional traffic engineering wisdom</a>. Getting more automobiles through the road faster trumps everything. Traffic calming measures such as squaring off intersections get in the way of this engineering priority.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1em">One issue is institutional. VDOT controls the roads in Fairfax County.The agency is not accountable to local communities. Local control over roads could lead to more flexible, pedestrian-friendly designs. Although pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly design of Routes 7 and 123 will be critical to making Tysons Corner work as a transit-oriented community, VDOT shows little sign of flexibility in its auto-focused approach. This is one reason Fairfax County is looking into <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/30/AR2009063003885.html', '3739')" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/30/AR2009063003885.html" style="color: black">taking control of its roads</a>.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1em">But that's not the only issue. Even county and local transportation divisions tend to narrowly focus on automobile "throughput." Engineers are trained to move cars efficiently. Pedestrian and bicycle-oriented features are not familiar concepts to many traffic engineers. Local elected officials hear complaints about traffic all the time, and usually it is from a "windshield perspective." So they, too, are often pressured to look for short-term, auto-oriented solutions rather than a more balanced approach.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1em">In addition, often our elected leaders themselves have a windshield perspective. It can help to <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.fabb-bikes.org/blog/archive/2007_04_01_archive.html', '3739')" href="http://www.fabb-bikes.org/blog/archive/2007_04_01_archive.html" style="color: black">take them on walks and bicycle rides</a> to broaden their perspective.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1em">Until a better balance is struck between the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and motorists, Vienna, Fairfax and other communities will not be able to attract a critical mass of people to revitalize their downtowns. One good step would be for VDOT and local transportation divisions to train all their engineering staff in the <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.completestreets.org/', '3739')" href="http://www.completestreets.org/" style="color: black">Complete Streets</a> approach to street design.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3739/less-pretty-more-functional-please/#comments">14 comments</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/4029/crossing-the-street-often-unsafe-in-fairfax/ style="color: black">Crossing the street often unsafe in Fairfax</a> <span class="nw">(Nov 12, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/6180/crossing-route-7-will-mean-long-waits-in-tysons/ style="color: black">Crossing Route 7 will mean long waits in Tysons</a> <span class="nw">(Jun 14, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/8046/fairfax-parkway-interchange-shortchanges-peds-and-bikes/ style="color: black">Fairfax Parkway interchange shortchanges peds and bikes</a> <span class="nw">(Nov 15, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3125/fairfax-needs-a-street-grid-but-more-than-an-island/ style="color: black">Fairfax needs a street grid, but more than an island</a> <span class="nw">(Aug 4, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/787/fairfax-pg-worst-for-pedestrian-safety/ style="color: black">Fairfax, PG worst for pedestrian safety</a> <span class="nw">(Apr 23, 2008)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=3739 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:52:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3540/hyland-v-keam-on-transportation/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">The candidates running for the open Virginia House of Delegates seat in Fairfax's 38th district (Fair Oaks, Oakton, Vienna, Dunn Loring) <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=332721&paper=73&cat=104', '3540')" href="http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=332721&paper=73&cat=104" style="color: black">gave their perspectives</a> about the major issues. Number one: transportation. It's hard to tell from a few answers, but Republican Jim Hyland seemed a little less bad than Democrat Mark Lee Keam: Hyland wants more funding for transit and roads, and wants a tunnel for the Metro through Tysons; Keam just talked roads, roads, roads and widening I-66. Do you know any more about the relative positions?<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3540/hyland-v-keam-on-transportation/#comments">Comment</a></p> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=3540 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:31:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3161/our-streets-belong-to-drivers/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">Vienna is proposing <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.fabb-bikes.org/blog/2009/08/vienna-to-propose-new-bicycle.html', '3161')" href="http://www.fabb-bikes.org/blog/2009/08/vienna-to-propose-new-bicycle.html" style="color: black">new regulations for bicyclists</a>, including requiring cyclists to yield to motorists if they're using the sidewalk. Some of them don't sound so bad, but some do, like requiring cyclists to give an "audible signal" when coming near any pedestrian. FABB suggests the Vienna PD and city leaders pay a little more attention to making biking safer and more comfortable as well.<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3161/our-streets-belong-to-drivers/#comments">Comment</a></p> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=3161 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:47:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2962/oh-theres-a-metro-station-there/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">Fairfax anti group FairGrowth criticizes the traffic impact of <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2657/', '2962')" href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2657/" style="color: black">converting residences to offices</a> in the proposed development at the Vienna Metro, but manages not to mention the word "Metro" once anywhere in <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.fairgrowth.org/FGLetterJuly.pdf', '2962')" href="http://www.fairgrowth.org/FGLetterJuly.pdf" style="color: black">their letter</a> (PDF). Yes, if you totally ignore the existence of public transit, then dense projects would seem to generate more traffic.<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2962/oh-theres-a-metro-station-there/#comments">Comment</a></p> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=2962 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:46:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2657/offices-in-the-west/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/alpert/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">David Alpert</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">After three years with no construction activity, the MetroWest TOD at Vienna Metro is back. The developer now wants to <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/news/2009/jun/16/metrowest-project-returns/', '2657')" href="http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/news/2009/jun/16/metrowest-project-returns/" style="color: black">build fewer apartments and more office space</a>. This makes sense as the area is already mostly residential, and the Orange Line has capacity for reverse commuters. However, neighbors worry that the change will bring more traffic. (Fairfax Times, Joshua D)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2657/offices-in-the-west/#comments">Comment</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1753/getting-more-out-of-metro-with-skip-stop/ style="color: black">Getting more out of Metro with "skip-stop"</a> <span class="nw">(Mar 4, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/996/fairfax-fills-open-space-between-strip-malls-with-another-strip-mall/ style="color: black">Fairfax fills open space between strip malls with another strip mall</a> <span class="nw">(Jun 26, 2008)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2257/vienna-council-candidate-undesirables-mean-cars-not-people/ style="color: black">Vienna council candidate: "undesirables" mean cars, not people</a> <span class="nw">(May 4, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1646/sharon-bulova-for-fairfax-chair/ style="color: black">Sharon Bulova for Fairfax Chair</a> <span class="nw">(Feb 2, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1565/merrifield-fairfaxs-first-try-at-tod/ style="color: black">Merrifield: Fairfax's first try at TOD</a> <span class="nw">(Jan 7, 2009)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=2657 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:30:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2257/vienna-council-candidate-undesirables-mean-cars-not-people/ by <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/adamv/" style="color: black"><span class="byline_name">Adam Voiland</span></a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">Daniel Dellinger, <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2009/elections/va/city-councilor/1315/dan-m-dellinger/', '2257')" href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2009/elections/va/city-councilor/1315/dan-m-dellinger/" style="color: black">candidate</a> for the Vienna town council, recently stirred controversy by <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.fabb-bikes.org/blog/2009/04/vienna-councilman-dellinger-afraid-of.html', '2257')" href="http://www.fabb-bikes.org/blog/2009/04/vienna-councilman-dellinger-afraid-of.html" style="color: black">claiming that a proposed hiker-biker trail</a> between Vienna and Tysons would bring "undesirables into our neighborhood." Last night, I <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.examiner.com/x-2429-DC-Bicycle-Transportation-Examiner~y2009m5d3-A-few-questions-about', '2257')" href="http://www.examiner.com/x-2429-DC-Bicycle-Transportation-Examiner~y2009m5d3-A-few-questions-about" style="color: black">asked Dellinger</a> if he would clarify his remarks. Dellinger responded today with the following:<div class="blog_image_right" style="width: 200px; float: right; font-size: 8pt;"><a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.flickr.com/photos/mvjantzen/294837269/', '')" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mvjantzen/294837269/" style="color: black"><img src="http://greatergreater.com/images/200905/041632.jpg" style="border: 0"></a><br>Photo by M.V. Jantzen.</div><blockquote><i>First let me state I am pro trail. I live adjacent to the WO&D trail and my wife and I walk it extensively to reach downtown Vienna. I also feel as if the WO&D should be the hub for connector trails. The benefits to our communities and our nations health are under estimated. The issue you speak about concerns not trails in general but a proposed prospective trail in NE Vienna. If the trail would be installed, it would open a quiet neighborhood open to possible commuter traffic, congestion and safety issues for children and citizens of that area. <p style="margin-top: 1em">The four metro stations in Tysons Corner will not have parking lots therefore I envision the same scenario as what occurred in the neighborhoods adjacent to the Vienna metro station, parking in residential neighborhoods not in metro lots. I'm still learning about this proposed trail and will make further comments in the future concerning this issue but I'm not opposed to any trail that is properly planned and citizens from the community given the opportunity to introduce input. <p style="margin-top: 1em">My original statement had an omission of a word... not undesirable people but undesirable cars or may be I should have said unwanted cars. I hope this gives you further insight into my view but would be willing to discuss this with you further in person.</i></blockquote>I still found aspects of Dellinger's response a bit confusing, so I emailed him again seeking additional clarification. I also called the Fairfax County Park Authority to see if I could get a copy of the actual plan. <p style="margin-top: 1em">It turns out, however, that there isn't a specific plan at this point. "There are a lot of ideas being discussed and proposed, but I haven't seen a drawing or anything concrete yet," said <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.linkedin.com/pub/5/2b6/b2b', '2257')" href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/5/2b6/b2b" style="color: black">Jenny Pate</a>, the Trail Coordinator for the <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/', '2257')" href="http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/" style="color: black">Fairfax County Park Authority.</a> <p style="margin-top: 1em">She did say, however, that she had heard that the <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.fabb-bikes.org/index.html', '2257')" href="http://www.fabb-bikes.org/index.html" style="color: black">Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (FABB)</a> and people associated with the <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/huntermill/novitrail.html', '2257')" href="http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/huntermill/novitrail.html" style="color: black">NoVi Trail Network</a> had been circulating proposals informally. <p style="margin-top: 1em">Does anybody plugged into the planning process in Virginia have more details? Or a good sense of what exactly Dellinger is getting at with his clarification? If so, please share them in the comments or email me at <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('mailto:bike.examiner@gmail.com', '2257')" href="/mailto:bike.examiner@gmail.com" style="color: black">bike.examiner@gmail.com</a>. <p style="margin-top: 1em"><i>Crossposted at <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.examiner.com/x-2429-DC-Bicycle-Transportation-Examiner~y2009m5d4-Vienna-Council-candidate-Dellinger-says-he-meant-undesirable-cars-not-people', '2257')" href="http://www.examiner.com/x-2429-DC-Bicycle-Transportation-Examiner~y2009m5d4-Vienna-Council-candidate-Dellinger-says-he-meant-undesirable-cars-not-people" style="color: black">DC Bicycle Transportation Examiner</a>.</i><p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2257/vienna-council-candidate-undesirables-mean-cars-not-people/#comments">10 comments</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3739/less-pretty-more-functional-please/ style="color: black">Less pretty, more functional please</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 20, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/7742/proposed-tysons-metro-station-names-are-still-a-little-dull/ style="color: black">Proposed Tysons Metro station names are still a little dull</a> <span class="nw">(Oct 21, 2010)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3972/bulova-tysons-15-billion-is-false/ style="color: black">Bulova: Tysons $15 billion is false</a> <span class="nw">(Nov 4, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/3516/tysons-planners-making-a-city-is-hard-so-never-mind/ style="color: black">Tysons planners: Making a city is hard, so never mind</a> <span class="nw">(Sep 15, 2009)</span><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/7005/underpriced-metro-parking-doesnt-justify-more-parking/ style="color: black">Underpriced Metro parking doesn't justify more parking</a> <span class="nw">(Sep 9, 2010)</span></ul></div> http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=2257 Mon, 04 May 2009 16:32:00 EDT http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2188/trail-users-undesirable-to-one-vienna-councilmember/ <p style="margin-top: 1em">Vienna Town Councilmember Dan Dellinger <a target="_blank" onClick="return countClick('http://www.fabb-bikes.org/blog/2009/04/vienna-councilman-dellinger-afraid-of.html', '2188')" href="http://www.fabb-bikes.org/blog/2009/04/vienna-councilman-dellinger-afraid-of.html" style="color: black">opposes walking and biking trails</a> from Vienna to Tysons because they would "bring the other undesirables into our neighborhood." The old myth of transit bringing crime to leafy suburbs rears its ugly head again. (FABB)<p style="margin-top: 1em"><a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/2188/trail-users-undesirable-to-one-vienna-councilmember/#comments">1 comment</a></p><div><span class="related_posts_title">Related posts:</span><ul style="margin: 0"><li><a href=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/1504/working-people-might-live-in-rockville-everybody-panic/ style="color: black">Working people might live in Rockville! 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