DaninDC

^You could have metered on-street parking for short-term parkers. What happens in the DC area is that stations with extensive park-and-ride facilities typically only see high volumes during rush periods: busy inbound in the AM, busy outbound in the PM. The stations in more densely developed neighborhoods tend to generate more off-peak ridership, making more efficient use of the infrastructure. For example, Dupont Circle is one of the highest ridership stations in the system--much higher than stations like Shady Grove and Vienna, which each have parking for 5000+ cars.

1. Who pays for the garage, at $25,000 per spot? Who is responsible for the maintenance? What will the parking fee be? 2. Who said anything about lofts and empty nesters? We're talking about people who want to live within a short walk of a transit station. That could be anyone. 3. You neglect to mention the new ridership that will suddenly be within a ten minute walk, and that it is highly likely this number would exceed the current number of park-and-riders. Maybe I'm being naive here, but the subway stations in my neighborhood don't have any parking. Two of the three stations are quite busy, despite the majority of passengers arriving as pedestrians (others transfer from the bus). There aren't any lofts in the neighborhood, and while there are plenty of empty nesters, there are many young single folks, couples, and families. Most of the housing is single-family home, with a decent amount of apartments and condos for good measure. Providing park-and-ride is by far the most expensive way to get people to a transit station, and tends to generate the lowest ridership. Perhaps that's why the Red Line is the worst performing heavy rail line in the country? Save the park-and-ride for the future commuter rail line.

I like where your head is at, but I would rather see a series of four story apartment buildings that close to the Rapid, with first floor retail/restaurant/mixed-use. The garage, I think, is a bit in the wrong direction. Not only is it expensive to build garages, but it propagates the idea that rail transit should be park-and-ride. You would get much higher ridership by building densely within a 1/2 mile radius of the station. Furthermore, if a new neighborhood were developed on the Triskett lot, and the garage were built, you would see a lot of people driving into the neighborhood and parking in the garage, versus taking transit. Part of making transit work is making the other options more difficult.

^That's the problem. What does the current zoning reg say for that site, regarding minimum set back requirements, and regarding parking? If it doesn't require a build-out to the sidewalk, then Aldi's has every right to sue, if they already entered into an agreement. When are local officials going to learn?

LMAO! Thanks for the laugh!

Actually, headed eastbound Brookpark becomes Granger at Schaaf Road, then becomes Libby Road when crossing the Norfolk Southern tracks in Maple Heights. In any event, it has its share of disasters--but Rockside/Snow has more than its share too!

^The ballpark will be bounded by South Capitol Street, Potomac Avenue, 1st and N Streets SE (just south of the Navy Yard Metro station). When I moved here in 2001, that area was already pretty seedy. The biggest loss, IMO, was the gay clubs (not that I ever went to any of them). Unfortunately, relocation efforts to other parts of the city are facing neighborhood opposition and proving difficult. Renderings and "before" photos and such: http://www.jdland.com/dc/stadium.cfm Amrap, I laughed at your assessment of the area. Although I think that with Malley's Chocolates and the Ramada Inn, 150th and Brookpark is a little classier.

Pretty frightening words from someone who has probably seen his share of discrimination.

Gordon Biersch is not in the historic Chinatown. The beginning of the end was the strip of 7th between G and H, with Ruby Tuesday and Fuddruckers. The Chinatown buses still make their stops, though. The site of the new baseball stadium was not a residential area. It consisted of the following: an asphalt plant, several gay nightclubs and bath houses, car repair and towing businesses, parking lots, empty lots, and vacant buildings. The housing projects nearby aren't going anywhere for a while, and are actually being renovated.

10 years? You mean 10 minutes, right? It's pretty sad. Chinatown has become a caricature of itself. A lot of that happened when Douglas Jemal bought up most of the property near 7th and H, and multiplied the rents by 6, ensuring that only chains could afford to be there. The District hasn't really done a lot to keep (or increase) the Chinese population in the area, either. Thankfully, no one really lives near the location of the new baseball stadium.

No worries. We won't even have that option in 5 or 6 years, once the Highway Trust Fund goes broke.

We are also the nation where high schools are largely indistinguishable from prisons, save for the barbed wire. How is it that we were able to construct much finer buildings and infrastructure (see: NYC subway mosaics) before World War II, when we were a far poorer nation?

^Wednesday nights, Big Hillbilly Bluegrass performs, beginning around 10. You have to love any bar that proclaims "Sorry, we're open."

^I second the National Building Museum (disclaimer: I'm a member). They usually have some fantastic exhibits, which even lay persons can enjoy. The interior space is among the finest in DC, if not the U.S--they always hold an inaugural ball there. Tours of the building are offered. Contact your Senator/Congressman to take a tour of the Capitol, and see if you can get gallery tickets to see the House or Senate in session. Depending on the timing of your visit, you can also check out a DC United match or Nationals game at RFK Stadium. Don't forget to stop at the National Zoo to see the pandas! As a first timer, it is essential that your hubby sees the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Go for a walk on the Mall at night, and see the memorials, including the WWII and the FDR Memorials, which were not here the last time you visited. I always like catching a show at Ford's Theatre, as well. You can get half-price day-of-show tickets at Ticketplace on 7th Street. Museum of American History is currently closed, but the Museum of the American Indian is pretty neat. As far as hotels go, I've heard wonderful things about the Hotel Monaco, which is located at 7th and F (diagonally across from Verizon Center). It's located in the historic Postal Service building. Even if you don't stay there, they have a pretty nice bar called Poste, which is worth stopping at after a visit to the Spy Museum or Portrait Gallery. Near there are a couple very good tapas restaurants: Jaleo (Spanish) and Zaytinya (Middle Eastern). For Thai food, Bangkok Bistro in Georgetown is good, as is Thaiphoon in Dupont Circle. Personally, I prefer the Old Siam in my neighborhood--directly across the street from the Eastern Market Metro station. There are a couple decent Indian places--Aditi in Georgetown comes to mind. Italian is hit-or-miss in DC, and nothing like what you can get in Boston, New York, or even Littly Italy in Cleveland. I highly recommend Dukem at 11th and U Streets NW for Ethiopian, as well as the historic Ben's Chili Bowl for chili half-smokes and milkshakes. Just a couple things off the top of my head. Feel free to send me a personal message if you have any DC questions!

In mid-May, the cheapest room you'll find in-town will be at least $150/night. As far as food goes, what interests you? There is some decent ethnic cuisine to be had, if you know where to look. Thai, Vietnamese, and Ethiopian are fairly solid. I've always enjoyed the Old Ebbitt Grill, although it can get very busy due to its location. Depends on what you're looking for. You definitely won't go hungry. If you have a little cash to burn, some of the Southern-style cuisine places like Vidalia and Georgia Brown's are very good. If you can get away from the monumental core for a bit, I would recommend checking out some of the neighborhoods, especially Dupont Circle, which has lots of art galleries, Capitol Hill, and Georgetown (on a weekday afternoon). When in Rome, do as the Romans do! Drinks on the roof at Hotel Washington are a MUST in the springtime. Score a table around 6 or 7, order some wine and appetizers, and enjoy the views as the sun goes down.

^Sorry. I don't stay in hotels around here too often. The Hay-Adams might be uptight, but you can't beat the views from the rooftop. Metro is fine at night. Don't take a cab without familiarizing yourself with our "outstanding" taxi fare structure: http://dctaxi.dc.gov/dctaxi/frames.asp?doc=/dctaxi/lib/dctaxi/Taxicab_Zone_Map2.pdf

You don't say how much you're willing to spend! I could recommend the Hay-Adams, but you might not have $500 a night for a room. "In a few months" is kind of vague, too. It sounds like you'll be here during peak tourist season, so you're going to end up shelling out more money for a room. More info, please. Most hotels in the District or in north Arlington are within a couple blocks of the Metro. There are also a few bed and breakfasts here-and-there, which might be worth checking out. Just steer clear of any properties, especially in the suburbs, that advertise "shuttle to the Metro"--it's just a big waste of time, and you won't have the freedom you would if you can stay in a walkable location. Good move on taking Amtrak--I don't have a lot of sympathy for tourists who insist on bringing their cars to DC. You would only spend half your time trying to find your way around, and the other half finding a place to park.

^Clvlndr, thanks for sharing. I think you adequately highlight a lot of people's frustrations (including mine) with City Hall in Cleveland. Perhaps Mr. Jackson should meet Chris Zimmerman, Supervisor for Arlington County, Virginia.

I thought most of RTA's land was in the form of parking lots.

I don't think loss prevention is such a negative. After all, you'd like the businesses to be profitable so they can remain open, right? Hell, we have security guards in our grocery stores. And that's in a neighborhood where the cheapest house is $400k.

The "preference" is due to the fact that auto-centric, open air shopping centers are the only thing that is built in most of the nation. You're not going to convince me that someone would prefer the environment of a big box shopping center to say, Georgetown, Michigan Avenue, or the Back Bay.

Well, it's not reality if it's not actually happening. How would you propose to validate this claim to eliminate the "guessing"? I would be interested to see the results, and I'm sure the Starks and Wolsteins of the world would be interested as well. I think the problem I have with direct comparison between Stealyard and Tower City is that we're trying to take two locations, changing multiple variables (location, access, retail mix, demographics, among others) and then making a direct comparison. How do you control for more than one variable at a time when the sample size is 2? You can't.

^I don't know that I would consider Tower City as "good urban design". It is, after all, the same suburban shopping mall concept, except with a rapid transit station in the basement. There are distinct differences between architecture and interior design and civic design, and each is important in its own regard. The W117th project has its own thread.

^I'm not suggesting copy other cities, which has already been done too often. I *am* advocating traditional urban design--the kind that existed in Cleveland prior to World War II, when the city had a population double what it is today. I just fear that the cultural memory will be completely lost sooner rather than later, precluding the slow and steady "reconstruction" described by KJP.

KJP, you point is well made. I don't blame the developers so much--Schneider only built what the City legally allows. But how hard is it for City Council to visit Chicago, or an East Coast city, and start fixing the flawing zoning regs that have produced this suburbanized mess? A big box here, a drive-through there, a strip mall here, and before you know it, the vast majority of Cleveland's urban fabric is gone forever. You have to draw a line somewhere.