Benjamin Ross
@benrosstransit.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy
Transit advocate. Social Democrat. Author of Dead End: Suburban Sprawl and the Rebirth of American Urbanism. Searchable.
🌉 bridged from https://mastodon.social/@BenRossTransit on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/
🌉 bridged from https://mastodon.social/@BenRossTransit on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/
Just 41 years after the Bethesda Metro station opened, we are getting a WMATA-standard sign to show people approaching on foot from the west where the station is.
August 28, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Just 41 years after the Bethesda Metro station opened, we are getting a WMATA-standard sign to show people approaching on foot from the west where the station is.
Key takeaway is at end of this article [gift link].
Sales of new exurban houses are falling, but there's unmet demand for urban infill. If cities & inner suburbs repeal offstreet parking mandates & cut minimum lot sizes, builders will keep building […]
Sales of new exurban houses are falling, but there's unmet demand for urban infill. If cities & inner suburbs repeal offstreet parking mandates & cut minimum lot sizes, builders will keep building […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
August 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Key takeaway is at end of this article [gift link].
Sales of new exurban houses are falling, but there's unmet demand for urban infill. If cities & inner suburbs repeal offstreet parking mandates & cut minimum lot sizes, builders will keep building […]
Sales of new exurban houses are falling, but there's unmet demand for urban infill. If cities & inner suburbs repeal offstreet parking mandates & cut minimum lot sizes, builders will keep building […]
The AFL-CIO has called a solidarity march for tomorrow (Thursday), meeting at 4:00 pm in Dupont Circle. I will be there. Can you? https://act.aflcio.org/events/solidarity-season-labor-day-2025-rally-march?source=direct_link&
August 27, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The AFL-CIO has called a solidarity march for tomorrow (Thursday), meeting at 4:00 pm in Dupont Circle. I will be there. Can you? https://act.aflcio.org/events/solidarity-season-labor-day-2025-rally-march?source=direct_link&
Signs on Capital Crescent Trail next to Kenwood. (Neighborhood that led successful fight to partially reverse road diet on Little Falls Parkway, road where prior to road diet cyclists & pedestrians crossing on trail were repeatedly hit, one killed, by drivers.)
August 14, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Signs on Capital Crescent Trail next to Kenwood. (Neighborhood that led successful fight to partially reverse road diet on Little Falls Parkway, road where prior to road diet cyclists & pedestrians crossing on trail were repeatedly hit, one killed, by drivers.)
US gov vehicle with no agency ID on cap crrscent trail north of Fletchers boathouse. white pickup. drove away when I stopped & took out camera
August 12, 2025 at 2:25 PM
US gov vehicle with no agency ID on cap crrscent trail north of Fletchers boathouse. white pickup. drove away when I stopped & took out camera
Historic preservation is bad for affordability #296903.
Parking lot preserved as historic landmark (yes, this is not the Onion) in Cleveland Park, DC raises price to $26 for parking less than one hour -- even less than 15 minutes […]
Parking lot preserved as historic landmark (yes, this is not the Onion) in Cleveland Park, DC raises price to $26 for parking less than one hour -- even less than 15 minutes […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
August 12, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Historic preservation is bad for affordability #296903.
Parking lot preserved as historic landmark (yes, this is not the Onion) in Cleveland Park, DC raises price to $26 for parking less than one hour -- even less than 15 minutes […]
Parking lot preserved as historic landmark (yes, this is not the Onion) in Cleveland Park, DC raises price to $26 for parking less than one hour -- even less than 15 minutes […]
Fairfax County expands its bikeshare network to 94 stations, with more to come. While Montgomery County has been shrinking its 77-station network, despite having urbanized areas more conducive to bikeshare use than anywhere in Fairfax […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
August 12, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Fairfax County expands its bikeshare network to 94 stations, with more to come. While Montgomery County has been shrinking its 77-station network, despite having urbanized areas more conducive to bikeshare use than anywhere in Fairfax […]
Chair of MoCo Planning Board advocates single-stairway building code reform. https://ggwash.org/view/100397/how-rethinking-stairwells-could-boost-housing-in-montgomery-county
August 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Chair of MoCo Planning Board advocates single-stairway building code reform. https://ggwash.org/view/100397/how-rethinking-stairwells-could-boost-housing-in-montgomery-county
Car culture at its absolute worst meets an unjust legal system. Parents lose a son and are then convicted of a felony because they let him walk across the street. Gift link […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
August 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Car culture at its absolute worst meets an unjust legal system. Parents lose a son and are then convicted of a felony because they let him walk across the street. Gift link […]
Car culture at its absolute worst meets an unjust legal system. Parents lose a son and are then convicted of a felony because they let him walk across the street. Gift link […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
August 6, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Car culture at its absolute worst meets an unjust legal system. Parents lose a son and are then convicted of a felony because they let him walk across the street. Gift link […]
Complexity of interchanges at multi-lane expressway with separate free & toll lanes confuses drivers & creates safety hazard. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/fatal-beltway-crash-express-lanes-braddock-road/3964277/
August 1, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Complexity of interchanges at multi-lane expressway with separate free & toll lanes confuses drivers & creates safety hazard. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/fatal-beltway-crash-express-lanes-braddock-road/3964277/
27% of families in New York City with children and income below $100,000 live in apartments with more than two people per bedroom. gift link] [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/nyregion/nyc-overcrowding-homeless.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Zk8.uKgb.yMUGk-TwtO6O&smid=url-share
July 27, 2025 at 1:16 PM
27% of families in New York City with children and income below $100,000 live in apartments with more than two people per bedroom. gift link] [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/nyregion/nyc-overcrowding-homeless.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Zk8.uKgb.yMUGk-TwtO6O&smid=url-share
After Houston's Astrodome sits empty two decades plus, support fades for preservation. Despite the better-than-most case for genuine landmark status that can be made for the first indoor baseball stadium […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
July 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
After Houston's Astrodome sits empty two decades plus, support fades for preservation. Despite the better-than-most case for genuine landmark status that can be made for the first indoor baseball stadium […]
Reposted by Benjamin Ross
If younger people can't afford to live in your county, your county doesn't have a future - no matter how much the older, more affluent homeowners might hate the idea of change.
In this comment by the Montgomery County MD executive about a zoning change to allow duplexes, triplexes, and some apartments along designated transit corridors:
Who is included in "residents" - and who isn't?
Who is included in "people" - and who isn't?
wtop.com/montgomery-c...
Who is included in "residents" - and who isn't?
Who is included in "people" - and who isn't?
wtop.com/montgomery-c...
July 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
If younger people can't afford to live in your county, your county doesn't have a future - no matter how much the older, more affluent homeowners might hate the idea of change.
A classic. Reporter fails to pay attention to what the nimbys actually say.
Reporter: Critics fear that [very modest] upzone won't produce "housing that is actually affordable for county residents"
Then quotes critic who fears it will "just provide more affordably priced rental units" […]
Reporter: Critics fear that [very modest] upzone won't produce "housing that is actually affordable for county residents"
Then quotes critic who fears it will "just provide more affordably priced rental units" […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
July 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
A classic. Reporter fails to pay attention to what the nimbys actually say.
Reporter: Critics fear that [very modest] upzone won't produce "housing that is actually affordable for county residents"
Then quotes critic who fears it will "just provide more affordably priced rental units" […]
Reporter: Critics fear that [very modest] upzone won't produce "housing that is actually affordable for county residents"
Then quotes critic who fears it will "just provide more affordably priced rental units" […]
Trump & China: TACO gift link] [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/us/politics/trump-china-technology.html?unlocked_article_code=1.X08.vV0m.heUT4E1iWQAj&smid=bs-share
July 20, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Benjamin Ross
If the birthday card had come out before the election, it would have had little effect.
Six months into Trump's term, Epstein is the vehicle onto which MAGA has loaded its repressed disillusionment with the regime's plutocracy, corruption & brutality.
Six months into Trump's term, Epstein is the vehicle onto which MAGA has loaded its repressed disillusionment with the regime's plutocracy, corruption & brutality.
July 19, 2025 at 11:11 AM
If the birthday card had come out before the election, it would have had little effect.
Six months into Trump's term, Epstein is the vehicle onto which MAGA has loaded its repressed disillusionment with the regime's plutocracy, corruption & brutality.
Six months into Trump's term, Epstein is the vehicle onto which MAGA has loaded its repressed disillusionment with the regime's plutocracy, corruption & brutality.
If the birthday card had come out before the election, it would have had little effect.
Six months into Trump's term, Epstein is the vehicle onto which MAGA has loaded its repressed disillusionment with the regime's plutocracy, corruption & brutality.
Six months into Trump's term, Epstein is the vehicle onto which MAGA has loaded its repressed disillusionment with the regime's plutocracy, corruption & brutality.
July 19, 2025 at 11:11 AM
If the birthday card had come out before the election, it would have had little effect.
Six months into Trump's term, Epstein is the vehicle onto which MAGA has loaded its repressed disillusionment with the regime's plutocracy, corruption & brutality.
Six months into Trump's term, Epstein is the vehicle onto which MAGA has loaded its repressed disillusionment with the regime's plutocracy, corruption & brutality.
For DC's upcoming report on how historic preservation promotes equity, here's a fine case study.
Guy bought historic townhouse in Alexandria in 2021. Converted three apartments “into something that Louis XIV would be proud of.” A 6-bedroom house with inlaid marble, gold leaf ceilings, gold […]
Guy bought historic townhouse in Alexandria in 2021. Converted three apartments “into something that Louis XIV would be proud of.” A 6-bedroom house with inlaid marble, gold leaf ceilings, gold […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
July 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
For DC's upcoming report on how historic preservation promotes equity, here's a fine case study.
Guy bought historic townhouse in Alexandria in 2021. Converted three apartments “into something that Louis XIV would be proud of.” A 6-bedroom house with inlaid marble, gold leaf ceilings, gold […]
Guy bought historic townhouse in Alexandria in 2021. Converted three apartments “into something that Louis XIV would be proud of.” A 6-bedroom house with inlaid marble, gold leaf ceilings, gold […]
Reposted by Benjamin Ross
Bus and bike lanes discriminate against families for whom public transportation is not an option.
July 18, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Bus and bike lanes discriminate against families for whom public transportation is not an option.
At this point, Trump & Epstein is giving off vibes of Stalin & Kirov.
July 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
At this point, Trump & Epstein is giving off vibes of Stalin & Kirov.
I'm on the Davka Smolah podcast. Talking with socialist zionists about my recent article on the way forward for Jewish progressives. Relating anti-Israel animus to the turn by much of the left away from the politics of solidarity and common interests toward a politics of charity & "allyship." […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
July 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I'm on the Davka Smolah podcast. Talking with socialist zionists about my recent article on the way forward for Jewish progressives. Relating anti-Israel animus to the turn by much of the left away from the politics of solidarity and common interests toward a politics of charity & "allyship." […]
DC historic districts, where it's very hard to build new housing, contain 20% of city's population. All but a few are wealthy white areas. DC Office of Planning agrees to study historic districts' equity effects.
Then it turns around & turns study over to preservation advocates […]
Then it turns around & turns study over to preservation advocates […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
July 16, 2025 at 4:56 PM
DC historic districts, where it's very hard to build new housing, contain 20% of city's population. All but a few are wealthy white areas. DC Office of Planning agrees to study historic districts' equity effects.
Then it turns around & turns study over to preservation advocates […]
Then it turns around & turns study over to preservation advocates […]
Our brain-dead political reporting. Progressive endorsed by Bernie & AOC wins primary in landslide. NYT reports result as "Mamdani momentum withers."
Lazy media, please tell us where candidates stand on issues. Stop fixating on their age & identity […]
Lazy media, please tell us where candidates stand on issues. Stop fixating on their age & identity […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
July 16, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Our brain-dead political reporting. Progressive endorsed by Bernie & AOC wins primary in landslide. NYT reports result as "Mamdani momentum withers."
Lazy media, please tell us where candidates stand on issues. Stop fixating on their age & identity […]
Lazy media, please tell us where candidates stand on issues. Stop fixating on their age & identity […]
This video makes me think better of the prophet Jonah:
The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai: Go at once to Nineveh... Jonah, however, started to flee to Tarshish [the end of the known earth in the opposite direction]
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/lords-vengeance
The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai: Go at once to Nineveh... Jonah, however, started to flee to Tarshish [the end of the known earth in the opposite direction]
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/lords-vengeance
Lord’s Vengeance
The Department of Homeland Security posted an explicitly Christian nationalist and violent...
talkingpointsmemo.com
July 13, 2025 at 1:03 AM
This video makes me think better of the prophet Jonah:
The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai: Go at once to Nineveh... Jonah, however, started to flee to Tarshish [the end of the known earth in the opposite direction]
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/lords-vengeance
The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai: Go at once to Nineveh... Jonah, however, started to flee to Tarshish [the end of the known earth in the opposite direction]
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/lords-vengeance