As badly as the D.C. streetcar — and projects like the Silver Spring Transit Center — have been managed, transit has created enormous value for homeowners and companies. Fortune 500 CEOs are insisting that their employees have access to it. It’s safer than driving. It produces less greenhouse gas. The newest addition, the Silver Line, is already showing strong ridership numbers.
Author: Claire Zippel
Metro’s fancy new railcars were supposed to be rolling by now
Eight of the new cars, the first batch acquired by Metro, have been undergoing tests since early 2014.
The planned acquisition of the new cars will allow Metro to scrap cars that date to the 1970s while also expanding its rail fleet, which currently numbers just over 1,100 cars, most built in the 1980s, ‘90s and early 2000s.
The Purple Line: The investment of a generation for Maryland
The Purple Line has been Montgomery and Prince George’s County’s top priority transportation project for several years now for good reason. For the state’s capital investment of $300-$700 million and local investment of $220 million, the project will leverage $900 million in federal funds and $600 million-$1 billion in private capital. Long term, the economic, environmental, and social benefits will far exceed this initial investment.
Purple Line goes to Hogan in May
Maryland transportation officials say Gov. Larry Hogan will get options about the future of the Purple Line in mid-May.
Caring for the Potomac: Developers have a role in maintaining and improving river’s health
It might sound counterintuitive, but the health of the Potomac River might be improving thanks to large-scale development in places like Tysons Corner and Rockville.
Comments on Seven Corners Plan, Sears Site, and the Future of Fairfax
The development proposals for Seven Corners and the Sears site, when combined with improved transit connections and an improved street network, will attract professionals and a diversity of incomes, while improving the look and feel of Route 7, enhancing property values throughout the area.
Metro committee delays vote on budget options for two weeks
Transit advocate groups also agree that between fare increases, service cuts or increased subsidies from the jurisdictions, only the third is palatable. “Eighty-percent of those you polled support increasing state and local investment to meet Metro’s full operating budget shortfall, rather than include $46 million in fare increases and service cuts. When we see $46 million, we think of the spending on road and interchange projects where a single interchange can cost that much,” says Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
Metro’s Board heard public reactions Thursday to proposed fare hikes
Though not yet set in stone, the budget proposal being considered would provide for up to a 10-cent increase for both Metrorail and Metrobus fares. Additionally, rail headways would increase, leaving more time between trains in some cases, and late-night rail service would be eliminated, with some bus routes being eliminated and airport service ending entirely.
DC Affordable Housing Alliance Meeting on Shared Equity Homeownership
Presentation by Brett Theodos, Senior Research Associate, The Urban Institute
Related materials:
- Shared equity research at The Urban Institute (full reports and case studies)
- Blog post Can affordable housing create wealth and stay affordable? By Brett Theodos
- Summary article A Promising Way Forward for Homeownership: Assessing the Benefits of Shared Equity Programs. By Kenneth Temkin, Brett Theodos, and David Price
- Journal article (requires subscription or library access): Sharing Equity with Future Generations: An Evaluation of Long-Term Affordable Homeownership Programs in the USA. By Kenneth Mark Temkin, Brett Theodos, and David Price.
Blog post by Angie Rodgers. Worried about DC gentrification? A new bill would speed it up and lose affordable housing.
City First Homes
Other resources
Testimony to WMATA Board Regarding FY2016 Budget
This is why we so strongly support Metro’s rehabilitation programs and Metro Momentum, beginning with the investment in 8-car trains and downtown station capacity. It’s also why we — and 80% of those you polled — support increasing state and local investment to meet Metro’s full operating budget shortfall, rather than include $46 million in fare increases and service cuts.