Here's your roundup of this week's must-read posts: In light of a group's recent application to form a Chevy Chase historic district, digging into what historic districts are -- and the problems they give rise to; ways you can take action for a greater Greater Washington; MARC our words: good changes could be coming; driving is like jury duty; plus, urban design rules to make playgrounds kids will love.

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Do Something: The week of November 27, 2023
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by Alex Baca (DC Policy Director), Dan Reed (Regional Policy Director) • November 30, 2023

This week: here's how you can Do Something about the proposed Chevy Chase Historic District, really good and really dumb bills in Montgomery County, and help us do more in Northern Virginia.
Maryland’s MARC plan promises better rail service
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by Ethan Goffman (Contributor) • December 1, 2023

Public comment is due December 4, 2023, for a plan that has the potential to set the stage for improved MARC regional rail service for years to come.
A Chevy Chase group wants a historic district. What’s a historic district?
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by Nick Sementelli (Board of Directors) • November 29, 2023

Historic districts sound charming, but what do they mean for neighborhoods’ ability to grow and evolve with changing needs over time? We’ve got an explainer for that.
Historic districts may be preserving racial segregation in DC
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by Bob Ward (Contributor) • November 29, 2023

Unpacking the “historic preservation”…of segregation: Historic districts in DC are 62 percent white and 15 percent Black. Outside of historic districts, the District’s population is 49 percent black and 31 percent white.
Historic districts can stymie planning. Sometimes that’s the goal.
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by Nick Sementelli (Board of Directors) • November 29, 2023

How does historic district designation affect planning? A recent application for historic status in Chevy Chase got us looking through our archives.
Why driving in cities is like serving jury duty
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by Caitlin Rogger (Deputy Executive Director) • November 28, 2023

After serving in a jury selection pool for the US federal court system, Caitlin Rogger reflects on how a valuable purpose can be undermined by a tedious and wasteful process. It’s a lot like driving.
Three urban design rules to make playgrounds fun for kids
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by Dan Malouff (Contributor) • November 27, 2023

Playgrounds are great...but many can be greater. Choices and diverse play options can dramatically change how kids experience designated play spaces.




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