Former Editor-in-Chief Ryan Avent writes a weekly column about neighborhood and development issues. This week, I (carefully) picked up and began reading The Power Broker, the epic (and massive) Robert Caro biography of infamous New York master builder Robert Moses. Bob Moses, it turns out, was one of the best-trained civil service experts of the age when he first began working for the city. He was, as Caro describes him, a consummate idealist, passionately dedicated…

The Southwest Waterfront exemplifies one of the District’s most obvious failings — the city’s inability to exploit property along the shores of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers. Much like the dismal, though improving Georgetown waterfront, the Southwest Waterfront is a soul-starved stretch of concrete and uninspired architecture. Shut off from the rest of the city by federal lands and a highway, the area has never much taken on a life of its own. That’s…

If you’re going to spend $611 million, what’s another $750,000? Chump change, or so seems to think D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. D.C. Wire is reporting that this morning, Williams proposed the creation of a new Office of Baseball. Cost — $750,000. Purpose — According to a Williams, coordinating between the various entities overseeing the stadium’s construction and the area’s development. Stated Williams: The purpose of the Office is to assist and advise the Mayor in…

The warm weather will continue today with highs around 60, and a 40 percent chance of showers towards the afternoon. The photograph above of the Smithsonian Castle was taken Saturday. Thomas Circle Construction Begins: Traveling through or around Thomas Circle? Traffic patterns have been re-arranged to accommodate the start of a $5 million project to re-establish the park at the center of that circle. The W. Times also has a short write-up. Tsunami Recovery…

– The Metro train operator who left her train unattended this week, the controller who let her do it, and the station manager who didn’t tell anybody what was going on were all disciplined by Metro with what they’re calling “reinstruction”. DCist hopes it’s not painful, and this time the instructions stick! – A chemical added to D.C. water to reduce lead levels doesn’t seem to be doing much. Which, we’re told, is a good…