Author Archives: pikespotter

Fatal Flaw: Omitting Pentagon Transit Station from Streetcar Network Will Burden Future Generations

Posted on March 14, 2013

Arlington County’s Board has decided to make an “our way or the highway” offer for its planned streetcar network: if a neighboring jurisdiction doesn’t want to adopt the Board’s plan, they are on their own.  Fairfax is in (at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Pike Ride/Public transport, Pike Streetcar | Leave a comment

As DC Plans to Abolish Parking Minimums, Pike Zoning Code Mandates More Cars

Posted on March 9, 2013

David Alpert and Matthew Yglesias have a new Opinion piece at the Washington Post arguing that DC should go forward with a proposal to amend their zoning rules to abolish minimum parking requirements.  The proposal would not prevent developers from … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Board Members Fib About Capacity of Streetcars vs Articulated Buses

Posted on March 6, 2013

Some board members have been hitting the local press lately with claims about the capacity of various transit alternatives for Columbia Pike.  Unfortunately, the remarks show a serious disregard of fact. In an article in February at Arlington Mercury, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Pike Streetcar | 1 Comment

Government Policies Designed to Raise Housing Prices Are Never Progressive

Posted on February 28, 2013

One of Arlington’s great strengths is the rich layers of diversity in its people: linguistic, culinary, cultural, and perhaps most importantly, economic diversity.  From the immigrant living in rental housing on the western edge of the Pike, to the Gen … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Pike Streetcar | Leave a comment

Study: Car Use Continues to Rise in Corridors That Added Light Rail

Posted on February 26, 2013

Over at the urbanist, city-oriented Atlantic Cities website, dismay prevails over the  upcoming publishing of a study that suggests that light rail does not live up to the hype of its proponents. According to the article, the authors of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Neighborhood Update | Leave a comment

Pike Articulated Buses Aren’t BRT for the Same Reason that a Streetcar Isn’t Metrorail

Posted on February 21, 2013

One of the vexing things about the discussions around improving transit service along Columbia Pike are debates over…vocabulary.  Pike Spotter – whose inklings are well known to any reader of this blog – is going to try to hit this … Continue reading →

Posted in Neighborhood Update | 1 Comment

An Opening Night Review of RedRocks in Penrose Square

Posted on February 1, 2013

Going to opening night at a new restaurant means understanding that the place is going to have a lot of kinks to work out.  RedRocks in Penrose Square is no exception. As such, it’s not fair for a reviewer to … Continue reading →

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Form Based Code Fail: Massive New Single Family Homes Built Steps from Future Streetcar Stops

Posted on January 6, 2013

One of the head-scratching things about life in Arlington is listening to self-described Smart Growth groups fawn over Arlington’s supposed commitment to Smart Growth. Unfortunately, the reality appears to be that Arlington’s politicians* are committed to promoting themselves, their personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Neighborhood Update | 1 Comment

The Backwards Notion That Driving Up Real Estate Prices Preserves Affordable Housing

Posted on December 29, 2012

The backers of the Columbia Pike Streetcar have many arguments in favor of the project.  They range from topsy-turvy (the idea that serving only one pair of destinations is a virtue, rather than a significant flaw in a transit system) … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Pike Streetcar | 2 Comments

Pike Bus Changes: 16F to Become 16X, New 16Y Stops

Posted on December 24, 2012

WMATA recently announced some changes to the direct-to-DC rush hour Pike Ride bus routes, effective December 30th.  Overall, the changes are fairly minor but they could affect your commute. 16Y Currently, the 16Y serves Columbia Pike, with additional stops in … Continue reading →

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