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The government uses zoning ordinances, building height limits, safety codes, and historic preservation laws to influence the design of buildings. But those regulations can’t generally outlaw an eyesore or maintain the character of a neighborhood.

DC has a comprehensive master plan for the whole city. Part of that includes zoning ordinances which specify rules for land use, density, and parking. Plus, building heights in DC are constrained by the 1910 Height of Buildings Act passed by Congress. But often, DC zoning ordinances set height limits even lower. However, the act is currently under consideration by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the DC Office of Planning. After studying the issue, the Office of Planning found that only a…

Do you gravitate toward movies because it seems like live theater is too expensive? Read on to learn about the myriad of discount ticket options in the DC area.

It is true that theater can be pricey especially for big broadway musicals with large casts.  In fact, The Book of Mormon, which played at the Kennedy Center over the summer, sold some tickets for $250 each. But there are other options for more reasonably priced tickets.

According to Rachel Grossman of Dog & Pony DC, all DC theaters offer pay-what-you-can (PWYC) performances. These may be preview performances when a show first opens or perhaps on a specific day of the week. With this model, each person selects his own ticket price.

Theaters also offer discounts to various groups like…

Your personal finances are a critical part of securing a mortgage. One important part of your finances is your credit; a higher credit score can lead to a lower cost mortgage.

It’s important to have open lines of credit with no debt, which can increase your credit score. Lenders typically look for at least three open trade lines, such as a Mastercard or department store credit card. Paying your credit card bills on time leaves your credit report with “paid current” for each line of credit and no derogatory items or delinquencies. It’s also critical to show a consistent payment history over time, so keep your credit accounts long-term. 

On the other hand, payment obligations can reduce your ability to qualify for the mortgage amount you want.  If you…

It’s been a great year for real estate in DC so far. There’s plenty of new residential construction and lots of property sales.

From October 2012 to July 2013, the District issued permits for 3,328 housing units. When the numbers for the entire fiscal year are in, it will likely surpass the 4,091 permits issued in 2012, which was an increase over the 2,459 issued in 2011. These are both significant improvements over the 499 building permits issued in 2009.

Most of the permits are for construction of DC apartments.  AvalonBay Communities, Inc. recently received permits for a 436-unit apartment building at 55 M Street in Northeast. This is an addition to an existing apartment building at 1160 First Street, NE in NoMa called Archstone First and M. The…

DC is planning a 22-mile priority streetcar system throughout the city. Part of that project is a 9-mile north-south streetcar line from Takoma in Northwest to Buzzard Point in Southwest, which will cross the neighborhoods of the Southwest Waterfront, Downtown, Shaw, Columbia Heights, Petworth, and Takoma.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will study the 9-mile line for the next 12 to 14 months to access construction challenges in each neighborhood, including crossing the National Mall. They will also consider how the streetcar system will integrate with the existing Metro bus routes that run parallel to the proposed streetcar line. In addition, the department will engage with the public on parking and traffic concerns.

When the study…

With cooler temperatures and disappearing mosquitoes, fall is a wonderful time to head outdoors in the DC area. There are a range of options for your next excursion.

If you’re looking for a shorter outing, Theodore Roosevelt Island is a lovely spot in the Potomac with easy trails and beautiful views. You can even rent a canoe or kayak from Fletcher’s Boathouse on Canal Road to paddle around the entire Island.

The Western Maryland Rail Trail is another fun outdoor spot. It’s a paved 22.5-mile trail near Hancock that’s great for biking or walking.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a little-known site in Northeast DC. It’s a natural area of Anacostia Park where you can enjoy birding along the boardwalk, a short hike, or explore the water garden. You can…

What is soul food? It’s not just fried chicken and mac and cheese anymore. According to Adrian Miller, author of Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time, “Soul food is best described as the food that African American migrants took with them when they left the rural south and settled in different parts of the country.”

Florida Avenue Grill in the U Street neighborhood markets itself as the oldest soul food restaurant in the world. The restaurant opened in 1944 and is the longest surviving soul food restaurant. Imar Hutchins, owner of Florida Avenue Grill says, “What we're calling soul food today, is probably the original fusion cuisine. There's so much African cultural retention in what we eat. It's also a blend of…

According to a recent study, it’s 31% less expensive to own a home rather than rent in the DC metro area.

The study examined identical homes for sale and rent to calculate average prices across the metro area. The study also took into account the costs associated with homeownership including closing costs, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and more. For rentals, the study included the cost of renter’s insurance and a security deposit.

The underlying assumptions that make it 31% cheaper to buy than rent in DC are the ability to get a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 4.8% with a 20% downpayment, deduction itemization on federal taxes, a 25% tax bracket (income between $72,500 and $146,400 for married joint filers), and plans to stay in the home for seven…

The Adams Morgan Farmers Market has been in operation for 40 consecutive years. The market operates on Saturday mornings from May until December on the corner of 18th Street and Columbia Road in Northwest. Visiting the market has become a Saturday morning tradition for residents who shop for produce, share recipes, and socialize.

The farmers market will be marking their 40th anniversary on September 28 from 10 AM to 1 PM. The event will feature heirloom apple tastings from 10 AM to 11 AM. Some of the rare apple varieties on hand will be Wolf River, Orange Pippin, and Sheepnose. The party will also include music and special guests.

The location that is now the Adams Morgan Farmers Market was only a dirt triangle in 1972. Then the bank was built, and…

The Anacostia River has been known as a polluted and unappealing eight-mile waterway. But lately, the river’s image is changing with new structures nearby like the Washington Nationals baseball stadium, offices, and luxury condos.

In the days of Captain John Smith, the Anacostia river included 2,500 acres of tidal wetlands, compared to only 120 acres today.  People often find garbage in the river, which contributes to the negative image. Plus, DC Water and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) continue to spill raw sewage in the river, especially during heavy rain. But now, there are remediation measures in place to stop the leaks and clean the water. 

It’s still not safe to fish or swim in the river, but Anacostia Trails Heritage Area…