Focus Areas

With a watershed home to 2.4 million people, not to mention habitat for millions of animals, the Anacostia is too important to remain DC's "forgotten river." But decades of pollution and neglect are hard to reverse all at once. But slow, steady steps--like the DC bag tax--are making a dent in the river's recovery. With a goal of a clean Anacostia by 2030, maybe--just maybe--the watershed will in our lifetimes be home to healthy fish and provide for healthy people. read on…

Housing doesn't exist in a vacuum. The roof over your head leads to a better life only if it's near jobs, schools, transportation, food and retail--all the things that make a neighborhood vibrant. read on…

How do you start a successful business in the District? You need a great idea and the drive to work, but to be successful also requires financing, a great location, and policies and practices that help entrepreneurs succeed. Since a rising tide raises all boats, we'll be looking at the factors that influence whether a business just survives--or thrives. read on…

Small businesses are the lifeblood of any economy. And D.C.'s are some of the most interesting (though we may be biased): just look at the food truck scene, the growing tech scene, and many more. Entrepreneurs are finding that D.C. is, despite its image, increasingly a great place to launch a company. read on…

These days, where your food comes from is just as important--and interesting--as what it is. Urban gardens, hotel-top beehives, and local nose-to-tail restaurants are changing D.C.'s food scene from the bland steakhouses of the 1980s to something garnering--and deserving--national attention. Meanwhile, urban gardeners and innovative programs are working to get fresh food to those who need it most. read on…

People come from all over for the chance to work at a D.C. nonprofit, as the industry here includes everything from local organizations to ones with multinational impact. Chances are you've heard of some of these groups, but it's just as likely that others are new to you. read on…

DC needs to add 38,000 new homes and apartments a year for the next three decades, an unprecedented pace, including mixed-income and affordable housing, cheap rentals for young transplants, and larger homes for families. As the region grows, we'll document how housing is growing--or not--with it. read on…

From the tiniest triangle pocket park to the 146 acres of the National Mall, D.C. takes its green space seriously. read on…

read on…

D.C.'s vibrant contemporary art scene is one of the city's best-kept secrets; a tourist who never left the Mall might never discover Dance Place, Christylez Bacon, Artisphere, or any number of galleries, theatres, and music venues. There's something for the arts lover on almost every night, whether your interests tend towards hip-hop or Tchaikovsky. read on…

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D.C.'s busiest Metro station and number-one tourist attraction (measured by out-of-towners' foot traffic) is prepping for a huge change. read on…