A Washington Post article about Councilmember Tommy Wells last week sparked some discussion about his platform for a “Livable, Walkable” community. Articles from the Washington City Paper’s Housing Complex and TBD highlighted a few of the “but walkable for whom” arguments that left me wondering, where do our readers stand on this issue? Take the poll and let us know.
24
Aug
2010
I voted “other” only because of the two times I was accosted while running (first time I was sucker pucnhed by kids who ran into Potomac Gardens). Aside from that I do think the Hill and Hill East are liveable and walkable and I think that is something all people want to enjoy. And I believe there are good people stuck in Potomac Gardens who want to make that a liveable place as well.
On Topic: This morning I had a nice chat with a woman handing out fliers for Kelvin Robinson. The flier states that Tommy wells was against the Jenkins Row development. Any truth to this? I would ask his office but I think they would say “he was always for it 100%!” It’s an interesting flier becasue it is targeted to homeowners in the building.
According to the Tea Baggers Party, my neighborhood (Potomac Ave Metro) is a no-go:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/tea-party-primer-on-dc-dangerous-scary-and-full-of-arabs.php
“If you are on the Blue or Orange line do not go past Eastern Market (Capitol Hill) toward the Potomac Avenue stop and beyond; stay in NW DC and points in Virginia.”
Ooh, Harris Teeter — scary!
While I haven’t seen the flier, I’d probably file this one under the category of bizarre. Jenkins Row was built before Tommy was elected to the Council. He was in office though when the Harris Teeter opened, and he’s always been a supporter of this project.
I like the intent behind this poll, and I know it’s not scientific, but it would have been better in the anecdotal sense if there were a little more data to work with, like the ANC breakdowns (6A, 6B, etc). Capitol Hill is super walkable if you live a few blocks from Eastern Market or Potomac Ave Metro stations, but as you get further out the walkability decreases.
Since when did near Potomac Ave Metro become walkable? Based on the 1D list serve, that seems like a hot spot for muggings, assaults, etc. When I used to go to that area for Nationals games, there used to always be a fair number of, shall we say, unsavory characters lurking about all the way down East Cap.
To me, the walkable area ends on the east side of Lincoln Park (around 12th) and extends south to Penn. Ave. As you go north, it moves constantly west. Not sure I would walk around 8th and E NE after dark.
I believe it depends on what you consider “walkable.” I’m not near either of those Metro stops, but I am near Stadium Armory, and it’s less than 4 blocks for me to walk to Lincoln Park, Payne Elementary, a dry cleaners, Safeway, a mini-mart, several churches, and a major sports venue.
Who is the city for?
Across from Eastern Market Metro is a triangle park with what used to be nice benches. Twice now those benches have been removed by somebody who own a Skil saw.
I can’t sit on a bench in that park because some people don’t like the looks of some of the people who sit there?
When the Mayor puts benches in the park, people, leave the damn benches in the park!
Although most people probably know it anyway, I think Charles Allen should identify himself as Well’s chief of staff when he posts on professionally relevant subjects.
Some of us have a radar that is more subtle than walkable/totally dangerous–or, if you’ll forgive me–black/white. Will development reflect the character of the neighborhood and retain community services? If we refine the analysis, I don’t know where we would come out.
To the point of those articles, I think “walkable” is more than just how close I live to the things I need (groceries, Metro, etc). Once it is dark, I do not feel safe walking the 6 blocks home from places like Eastern Market. I think crime is still too much of an issue for that to truly be “walkable.”
Not sure I would walk around 8th and E NE after dark.
I live a block east of there and I walk home in the dark all the time from Union Station and so do plenty of other people. Don’t know why you would say that. I wouldn’t walk alone after 10 p.m. but that’s a rule that holds true on streets where there aren’t crowds of people, even in Dupont Circle. (and I came close to getting mugged at 17th st and T NW, by the way. )
And the eastern border of Lincoln Park is 13th St, by the way.
I’ve lived between Potomac Ave and RFK Metros for 3 and half years. I walk alone after midnight all the time. I walk quickly and pay attention, but I do the same during the day and if I’m visiting my parents in Gatihersburg or Bethesda. Did the same when I was in SW waterfront: walked from L’Enfant all the way to 4th and M SW, faster than waiting for a Metro connection or bus.
It takes 10 minutes to walk to Barracks Row and Eastern Market (not quite the 5 minute cut off, but it would be 5 minutes if I took the Metro and it came every 5 minutes instead of 15). Takes about 25-30 minutes to walk to the Nationals, LOC, Union Station, and Folger, depending on street lights and crowds.
The only time I’ve felt unsafe has been when I was in a car: a redneck in a VA plated SUV did not like that I took my right of way when he failed to yield it, and almost killed me by trying to run my car into oncoming traffic.
Walkable should also include the status of the sidewalks…so many of the hill’s brick sidewalks are in serious disrepair. Ever see a person in a wheelchair try to navigate them? Of course not, that’s why they drive their motorized carts in the street which is totally safe I’m sure.
I’m all for historic preservation, but there’s gotta be a better way.
I’m also confused as to why someone wouldn’t walk around 8th & E NE after dark. I live one block north of there and never feel unsafe in my neighborhood. I walk my dog after dark all of the time and have never had a problem.
While I’d love to live right on a Metro (wouldn’t everyone), I am about a mile from both Eastern Mkt and Union Station, north of Lincoln Park, and I still consider my area walkable. I too am puzzled by the 8th & E NE and Potomac Ave comments. Not to say that I normally walk alone at night–I typically either take a bus or cab–but that would be the same even if I lived on a quiet street somewhere else in the District. 8th & E isn’t that far from my place and it doesn’t feel any more unsafe than anyplace else. In some ways, I feel safer there because 8th is a busier street.