Jane Lyons-Raeder
@jlyonsraeder.bsky.social
Better housing, land use, and transit policy in Montgomery County, Maryland, and beyond
This!!! I keep saying this too
Bus Rapid Transit, much too often:
A long wait for a big capital expenditure for fancy bus shelters & highway widening, used in the meantime as an excuse for not spending money to increase bus frequency & not annoying drivers by creating bus lanes.
A long wait for a big capital expenditure for fancy bus shelters & highway widening, used in the meantime as an excuse for not spending money to increase bus frequency & not annoying drivers by creating bus lanes.
Seattle’s RapidRide bus upgrade program is a scheduling and funding nightmare. These projects turn into huge utility upgrading efforts and chasing the federal funds take decades. We would be better off painting the Bus Only lanes now while we wait for design and finding to be complete
October 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
This!!! I keep saying this too
someone should do a story on why the TRAIN commission and DMVMoves (two efforts to figure out how to fund WMATA properly) have both been huge failures @bannermoco.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 12:05 PM
someone should do a story on why the TRAIN commission and DMVMoves (two efforts to figure out how to fund WMATA properly) have both been huge failures @bannermoco.bsky.social
Literally why is the heat on in Wheaton Metro station 😭 or is it simply hotter because it's so much closer to the Earth's core
October 3, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Literally why is the heat on in Wheaton Metro station 😭 or is it simply hotter because it's so much closer to the Earth's core
Even if the true cost would have changed Purple Line supporters' minds back before it started, what does that matter now? They didn't know, and the og merits of the project still stand.
The real question now is, how does this experience affect future transit projects?
The real question now is, how does this experience affect future transit projects?
when the cost of the project was $3 billion have over these long years and cost escalations, not abandoned their original support for the project. The latest price-tag $12b. Does this suggest that for support for large infrastructure projects is not cost-sensitive? But is driven by other factors?
September 19, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Even if the true cost would have changed Purple Line supporters' minds back before it started, what does that matter now? They didn't know, and the og merits of the project still stand.
The real question now is, how does this experience affect future transit projects?
The real question now is, how does this experience affect future transit projects?
Reposted by Jane Lyons-Raeder
Montgomery County residents want more leadership on housing, Banner poll suggests
Poll: Montgomery County residents want more leadership on housing
In a poll commissioned by The Banner, more than eight in 10 respondents said that the county’s lack of affordable housing is a problem.
buff.ly
September 17, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Montgomery County residents want more leadership on housing, Banner poll suggests
decompressed from an awesome first time at @yimbytown.bsky.social by reprising last night's dinner, the life-changing flank steak pad see ew at Noa
I may not be a pizza person, but New Haven delivers on multiple fronts
I may not be a pizza person, but New Haven delivers on multiple fronts
September 16, 2025 at 6:07 PM
decompressed from an awesome first time at @yimbytown.bsky.social by reprising last night's dinner, the life-changing flank steak pad see ew at Noa
I may not be a pizza person, but New Haven delivers on multiple fronts
I may not be a pizza person, but New Haven delivers on multiple fronts
"What do we want an abundance of in transportation?" is the right question but I'm not sure "access" or "choice" is the right answer, bc what do those things really mean?
More trains, buses & bikes is concrete, faster to grasp. What would be interesting to me is leaning into eliminating TRAFFIC.
More trains, buses & bikes is concrete, faster to grasp. What would be interesting to me is leaning into eliminating TRAFFIC.
Last morning of @yimbytown.bsky.social , Stephanie Pollock laying down truths about transportation systems. What we want in abundance is *not* transit. It’s getting people where they want to go. Some houses for people also need houses for cars - but not all of them.
September 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
"What do we want an abundance of in transportation?" is the right question but I'm not sure "access" or "choice" is the right answer, bc what do those things really mean?
More trains, buses & bikes is concrete, faster to grasp. What would be interesting to me is leaning into eliminating TRAFFIC.
More trains, buses & bikes is concrete, faster to grasp. What would be interesting to me is leaning into eliminating TRAFFIC.
Reposted by Jane Lyons-Raeder
We’re seeking public feedback on proposed changes to Twinbrook Metrorail Station, and we want to hear from you! 🚇
➡️ Learn more here: wmata.com/about/news/M...
➡️ Learn more here: wmata.com/about/news/M...
September 15, 2025 at 10:47 PM
We’re seeking public feedback on proposed changes to Twinbrook Metrorail Station, and we want to hear from you! 🚇
➡️ Learn more here: wmata.com/about/news/M...
➡️ Learn more here: wmata.com/about/news/M...
my mind is spinning from the past 48 hours of @yimbytown.bsky.social and my notebook is nearly filled — signs of a good conference
September 16, 2025 at 2:24 AM
my mind is spinning from the past 48 hours of @yimbytown.bsky.social and my notebook is nearly filled — signs of a good conference
Reposted by Jane Lyons-Raeder
Many of our land use / building codes are rooted in exclusion + prejudice, even if they are facially anodyne and widely accepted as common sense today
Case in point: early 1900 fire safety reforms were primarily designed to ⬆️ the cost of tenements / MF apts (old and new) to reduce immigration
Case in point: early 1900 fire safety reforms were primarily designed to ⬆️ the cost of tenements / MF apts (old and new) to reduce immigration
September 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Many of our land use / building codes are rooted in exclusion + prejudice, even if they are facially anodyne and widely accepted as common sense today
Case in point: early 1900 fire safety reforms were primarily designed to ⬆️ the cost of tenements / MF apts (old and new) to reduce immigration
Case in point: early 1900 fire safety reforms were primarily designed to ⬆️ the cost of tenements / MF apts (old and new) to reduce immigration
HUGE NEWS!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉
The vote is in! 10-1 to approve the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways—and after 60+ years, M-83 is OUT of county plans!
July 30, 2025 at 12:03 AM
HUGE NEWS!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Reposted by Jane Lyons-Raeder
also, “so woke you have walked backwards into supporting segregation” is definitely a thing online
July 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
also, “so woke you have walked backwards into supporting segregation” is definitely a thing online
Reposted by Jane Lyons-Raeder
the high point of my being denounced as a neoliberal shill on tiktok is when i insisted that gentrification is downstream of housing supply constraints, and isn’t a quality inherently possessed by people you don’t like
maybe I’ll get pilloried for like “not getting the joke” or whatever, but this is absolutely how, like, a comfortable percentage of Cool People think the dynamics of housing costs work and it fucking sucks
July 29, 2025 at 5:11 PM
the high point of my being denounced as a neoliberal shill on tiktok is when i insisted that gentrification is downstream of housing supply constraints, and isn’t a quality inherently possessed by people you don’t like
When should neighborhoods have stopped changing? The 00s? The 80s? The 50s? The early 20th century when Montgomery County was mostly farmland?
The only alternative to evolving is to continually build further out. This is sprawl, which is unsustainable & inequitable for a multitude of reasons.
The only alternative to evolving is to continually build further out. This is sprawl, which is unsustainable & inequitable for a multitude of reasons.
Marc Elrich thinks people won’t want to live in Montgomery County if they’re afraid someone might build townhomes or apartments near them. my guy, you don’t have to live here either
wtop.com/montgomery-c...
wtop.com/montgomery-c...
July 24, 2025 at 1:22 PM
When should neighborhoods have stopped changing? The 00s? The 80s? The 50s? The early 20th century when Montgomery County was mostly farmland?
The only alternative to evolving is to continually build further out. This is sprawl, which is unsustainable & inequitable for a multitude of reasons.
The only alternative to evolving is to continually build further out. This is sprawl, which is unsustainable & inequitable for a multitude of reasons.
Reposted by Jane Lyons-Raeder
Join us at @montgomery4all.bsky.social as we keep fighting to expand housing choice!
Big win for housing in Montgomery County!
ZTA 25-02 will let more types of homes be built near jobs, transit, and amenities.
Stay informed and get involved here:
www.smartergrowth.net/affordable-h...
ZTA 25-02 will let more types of homes be built near jobs, transit, and amenities.
Stay informed and get involved here:
www.smartergrowth.net/affordable-h...
Big win in Montgomery County! Council allows more multi-family homes on county corridors - Coalition For Smarter Growth
Yesterday, the Montgomery County Council voted 8-3 to pass Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 25-02. The legislation will allow more housing types, like townhouses or small apartment buildings, along major c...
www.smartergrowth.net
July 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Join us at @montgomery4all.bsky.social as we keep fighting to expand housing choice!
Reposted by Jane Lyons-Raeder
Montgomery County just opened up single family zoning a little, as a treat. The vote was 8-3: Councilmembers Stewart, Albornoz, Balcombe, Fani-González, Friedson, Glass, Luedtke, and Sayles voted yes, while Jawando, Katz, and Mink voted no.
July 22, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Montgomery County just opened up single family zoning a little, as a treat. The vote was 8-3: Councilmembers Stewart, Albornoz, Balcombe, Fani-González, Friedson, Glass, Luedtke, and Sayles voted yes, while Jawando, Katz, and Mink voted no.
Thanks to the 8 CMs who supported allowing small multiplex homes along major corridors in MoCo! Esp thx to CMs Friedson & Fani-González for their leadership.
I took a celebratory walk around my n'hood where there are 4-story multifam bldgs next to townhouses & single fam homes. It's beautiful!
I took a celebratory walk around my n'hood where there are 4-story multifam bldgs next to townhouses & single fam homes. It's beautiful!
July 22, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Thanks to the 8 CMs who supported allowing small multiplex homes along major corridors in MoCo! Esp thx to CMs Friedson & Fani-González for their leadership.
I took a celebratory walk around my n'hood where there are 4-story multifam bldgs next to townhouses & single fam homes. It's beautiful!
I took a celebratory walk around my n'hood where there are 4-story multifam bldgs next to townhouses & single fam homes. It's beautiful!
Early observation from the Better Bus changes is that the M20 Silver Spring stop should be more centrally located at Wheaton station. It's a super popular transfer and people are always running for it, but it's at the far end of the row. @wmata.com
July 21, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Early observation from the Better Bus changes is that the M20 Silver Spring stop should be more centrally located at Wheaton station. It's a super popular transfer and people are always running for it, but it's at the far end of the row. @wmata.com
Reposted by Jane Lyons-Raeder
As rents continue to rise across the country, they're falling by ~12% to 16% in Jersey City. Why? The city spent 2019 to 2024 on an absolute building tear. Building more housing works. jerseydigs.com/jersey-city-...
After Years of Increases, Study Says Jersey City’s Rents Are Falling | Jersey Digs
A new report says the average rent in Jersey City is falling, with a year-on-year decline in the double digits.
jerseydigs.com
June 18, 2025 at 5:17 PM
As rents continue to rise across the country, they're falling by ~12% to 16% in Jersey City. Why? The city spent 2019 to 2024 on an absolute building tear. Building more housing works. jerseydigs.com/jersey-city-...
Reposted by Jane Lyons-Raeder
Join us at our June meeting, with @montgomery4all.bsky.social!
Who: County Councilmember @natalifg.bsky.social
What: More & Better - The Future of Housing & Transit in Montgomery County MD
When: Tues, June 10, 7:30 pm
Where: Ellsworth East Room, Silver Spring Civic Building
Why: To learn stuff!
Who: County Councilmember @natalifg.bsky.social
What: More & Better - The Future of Housing & Transit in Montgomery County MD
When: Tues, June 10, 7:30 pm
Where: Ellsworth East Room, Silver Spring Civic Building
Why: To learn stuff!
June 9, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Join us at our June meeting, with @montgomery4all.bsky.social!
Who: County Councilmember @natalifg.bsky.social
What: More & Better - The Future of Housing & Transit in Montgomery County MD
When: Tues, June 10, 7:30 pm
Where: Ellsworth East Room, Silver Spring Civic Building
Why: To learn stuff!
Who: County Councilmember @natalifg.bsky.social
What: More & Better - The Future of Housing & Transit in Montgomery County MD
When: Tues, June 10, 7:30 pm
Where: Ellsworth East Room, Silver Spring Civic Building
Why: To learn stuff!
ICYMI, Ride On will be free in Montgomery County starting June 29! I haven't seen or heard much about it at all, but this will undoubtedly make MoCo one of the few and largest jurisdictions with free bus service. (Metrobus will still charge fares in MoCo, though.)
Fun aside in the ongoing free fares discussions here is that our bus fares will be free starting June 29th...
...but that's because it's actually the cheaper option: the cost of replacing aging fareboxes is substantially greater than the cost of free service.
...but that's because it's actually the cheaper option: the cost of replacing aging fareboxes is substantially greater than the cost of free service.
June 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
ICYMI, Ride On will be free in Montgomery County starting June 29! I haven't seen or heard much about it at all, but this will undoubtedly make MoCo one of the few and largest jurisdictions with free bus service. (Metrobus will still charge fares in MoCo, though.)
I'm gonna be sick
Trump Admin's proposed HUD budget would cut the agency's budget authority by $45 b. It would cut staff by 26%, killing 2300 jobs.
HUD proposes eliminating most of its programs—vouchers, public housing, CDBG, etc—& replacing them with a single, smaller state block grant.
www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles...
HUD proposes eliminating most of its programs—vouchers, public housing, CDBG, etc—& replacing them with a single, smaller state block grant.
www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles...
June 2, 2025 at 9:59 PM
I'm gonna be sick
Reposted by Jane Lyons-Raeder
Very much related to today's pod: Sightline has just released a guide on persuasive rhetoric for parking reformers.
Do not discuss: density, driving, cars
Do discuss: more homes, more community, less waste
Do not discuss: density, driving, cars
Do discuss: more homes, more community, less waste
How to Talk About Parking Reform—and Win | Sightline Institute
Our road-tested messaging guide to gain more great neighborhoods and the homes we need, and to kick costly empty asphalt to the curb.
www.sightline.org
May 28, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Very much related to today's pod: Sightline has just released a guide on persuasive rhetoric for parking reformers.
Do not discuss: density, driving, cars
Do discuss: more homes, more community, less waste
Do not discuss: density, driving, cars
Do discuss: more homes, more community, less waste
You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me
May 29, 2025 at 12:26 AM
You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me
While everyone was packing onto the Metro train at Gallery Place this morning, I heard someone say, "Still beats traffic."
May 28, 2025 at 6:19 PM
While everyone was packing onto the Metro train at Gallery Place this morning, I heard someone say, "Still beats traffic."