This week in community events:

- Attend the Planners of Color Happy Hour.
- Ride your bike to work and with the kiddos.
- Learn more about pedestrian and bicycle advocacy.
- Try out some e-bikes.
- See single-stair design competition proposals.

…and so much more! Read on for details and to register for these in-person and virtual events.: https://ggwash.org/view/99360/events-planners-of-color-happy-hour-2025may15

It's business time: In this installment of Building Connections, DC's Department of Buildings breaks down the Better Business License.: https://ggwash.org/view/99191/building-connections-lets-get-down-to-business

BREAKFAST LINKS 5/5/25: District and NPS clash over future of reversible lanes on Rock Creek Parkway. Anne Arundel County Council votes to rezone Cromwell light rail site. Fairfax Planning Commission delays decision on affordable housing complex.: https://ggwash.org/view/99351/breakfast-links-4-5

This week on Do Something: DC fumbles on the stadium deal; tell all your friends (to fill out the Comp Plan survey); another Marc Elrich veto bites the dust; and Northern Virginia's big bus plans: https://ggwash.org/view/99229/do-something-the-week-of-april-28-2025

Weekends were made for Washington waterfronts: check out these striking shots of our region's wet wonders. Then get out there and take your own!: https://ggwash.org/view/99341/photo-friday-welcome-to-the-waterfront

NATIONAL LINKS: Everyone loves NYC congestion pricing...with a notable exception. The Dutch consider taxing vehicles on size not weight, to avoid penalizing electric cars. A new study ties long distances and congestion to less transit use.: https://ggwash.org/view/99329/national-links-the-abcs-of-mobility

BREAKFAST LINKS 5/2/25: A W&OD Trail visitors center could be coming to Vienna. Demand for emergency shelter in Baltimore has doubled. Drivers for Uber, Lyft stage May Day boycott in Alexandria.: https://ggwash.org/view/99337/breakfast-links-vienna-pursues-wod-trail-visitors-center

Mayor Bowser is asking the DC Council for $856 million in public funds to subsidize a new Commanders stadium. We think the real price paid by taxpayers will be more like…$6 billion.: https://ggwash.org/view/99327/a-commanders-stadium-at-rfk-will-actually-cost-taxpayers-6-billion

BREAKFAST LINKS 5/1/25: Maryland commuter bus line strike ends as deal is reached. Rate of rent increase in Arlington among highest in nation. DC Council takes up single-stair building code reform bill to boost housing production.: https://ggwash.org/view/99324/breakfast-links-maryland-commuter-bus-strike-ends

Ahead of National Bike Month, Montgomery Planning takes stock of its efforts over the last 15 years to shift toward a multi-modal approach that prioritizes pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders. Learn about larger initiatives, specific projects, and future areas of focus.: https://ggwash.org/view/99305/from-here-to-there-montgomery-countys-big-shift-in-transportation-planning

BREAKFAST LINKS 4/30/25: DC Attorney General holds Maryland and Virginia scofflaws accountable. DC Council Chair says the RFK Stadium deal would not pass if a vote were held today. Planning staff do not recommend redeveloping Reston National Golf Course.: https://ggwash.org/view/99293/breakfast-links-attorney-general-schwalb-dangerous-drivers-steer-act

Electric ride: Traditional rail electrification is expensive, but advancements in battery-driven trains offer a practical alternative, especially for shorter routes like the MARC Penn and Camden Lines.: https://ggwash.org/view/99275/marc-can-probably-be-electrified-its-easier-than-you-think

BREAKFAST LINKS 4/29/25: Governor Moore, Prince George's County residents mull future of Northwest Stadium site. WMATA revisits adding a second entrance at Foggy Bottom station. Typical "starter homes" cost $1.2 million in Great Falls.: https://ggwash.org/view/99286/breakfast-links-4-28

What's the opposite of a road diet? Gorging on traffic? USDOT's new grant criteria state that proposals for projects that reduce lane capacity for vehicles "would be viewed less favorably.": https://ggwash.org/view/99239/usdot-puts-future-road-diet-projects-at-risk

BREAKFAST LINKS 4/28/25: Spin sues DC over micromobility permit revocation. Bowser, Commanders officially announce stadium deal. Baltimore developer forced into bankruptcy, abandons tenants and projects.: https://ggwash.org/view/99271/breakfast-links-spin-takes-on-legal-battle-against-dc

Without a stadium, and stadium parking, hogging RFK, the District could make a huge dent in its housing crisis—-like, a 15,000-home dent.: https://ggwash.org/view/99249/legalize-housing-not-a-stadium-handout

Washington's a cherry blossom city. Tulips may be a sideshow in DC, but they get their turn nonetheless. Revel in these tulip-tacular favorites from the Greater and Lesser Washington Flickr pool!: https://ggwash.org/view/99243/photo-friday-tulips-turn

NATIONAL LINKS: Texas lawmakers target sustainable transportation infrastructure and policies. California and Colorado legislate vehicular homelessness. Why an eminent domain case in Rhode Island may have national implications for housing production.: https://ggwash.org/view/99244/national-links-texas-lawmakers-road-diet-restrictions-congestion-pricing

BREAKFAST LINKS 4/25/25: WMATA to pivot from rail expansion to modernized technology, bus improvements. Home sellers in Washington region seeing higher profits than elsewhere in US. Less than 5% of eligible DC residents are enrolled in Metro Lift reduced fare program.: https://ggwash.org/view/99256/breakfast-links-wmata-future-plans-focus-on-tech-bus

This week on Do Something: your last chance to buy Spring Gala tickets, Comp Plan workshops, and being okay with things that make us uncomfortable: https://ggwash.org/view/99094/do-something-the-week-of-april-21-2025