Dream of Suburban D.C. Light Rail a Nightmare to Local Residents

At an open house organized to update the public on plans to build a 16-mile light rail line linking spurs of D.C.'s subway system in suburban Maryland, planners' visions of smart growth where seen as a developer-driven nightmare by local residents.

1 minute read

May 9, 2013, 5:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

"The bird's eye view offered a vision of progress—modern transit spurring economic development - but homeowners who studied the path of the $2.2 billion project at an open house organized by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) on Tuesday night saw something different," reports Martin Di Caro.

"Despite the assurances of state transportation planners and transit advocates, homeowners like [Anne] Spielberg and [Tom] Armstrong could not help but see the hands of real developers in every twist and turn of the Purple Line's path," notes Di Caro.

"The Purple Line seems to be designed to increase development. It's about helping developers. And we've actually seen statements to that effect from people who are building the Purple Line, instead of doing what makes sense for our neighborhood," Spielberg said.

"To the project's supporters, focusing mixed-use development (housing, retail, and office) around the 21 station stops is a positive aspect of the project, in addition to the ability to move people more efficiently."

FULL STORY: Maryland Holds Open Houses On Purple Line Progress

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 in WAMU

Community / Economic Development Land Use Transportation Urban Development Maryland Purple Line Metro MTA Light Rail TOD View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.