Metro unveiled the new lockers Nov. 21, saying they would give cyclists cheaper and more secure options.

The lockers are part of Metro’s effort to make stations more accessible for riders arriving on foot, by bus, by car or by bike, said Jordan Pascale, media relations manager for WMATA. 

But even as cyclists embrace the new system, Pascale said Metro does not have a schedule for when additional stations will receive lockers.

In its Nov. 21 announcement, Metro said over the coming months it would install 450 bike lockers, 50 oversized lockers for cargo bikes, and 100 at 73 rail stations across the region. In addition, Metro said it would add 75 bike repair stations and 600 new u-racks to the stations. 

Pascale said the agency will update the table on its as new facilities come online through 2027, though he did not provide a detailed rollout timeline.

Cyclists can reserve lockers through the BikeLink app for five cents an hour, capped at $1 per day. Regular units fit standard bikes, while oversized lockers can accommodate larger cargo bikes. 

Riders end their rental by closing the locker door and confirming through the app.

The program is intended to give cyclists a safer and more secure option than outdoor racks, which many riders describe as vulnerable to theft.

“It definitely feels safer than locking my bike to a pole,” said Andrew Frank, a cyclist who uses the new locker at Foggy Bottom. “I’ve had my lock cut before. Paying a dollar to keep it secure all day is cheap.”

For riders at the two stations, the new lockers are useful but not without frustrations. 

Several cyclists at Foggy Bottom said the setup process — downloading the BikeLink app, creating an account and linking a credit card — felt inconvenient, especially in the cold.

“You can’t just walk up and use it right away,” said a cyclist who asked not to be named. “I had to stand here in the cold setting everything up, and it gets annoying.”

Others said the lockers are difficult to check without walking directly up to them.

“You have to stand right in front of it to see how many are free,” said Kelly Moll, a cyclist who uses the new locker at Foggy Bottom. “That feels a little silly.”

Moll said she expects usage to grow as more people learn about the system, but she questioned whether 10 lockers at each station would be enough.

“It’s new, so not many people are using it yet,” Moll said. “But 10 seems too few once it gets popular.”

Not everyone passing by saw the lockers as useful. One pedestrian said the program does not fit her habits and is unlikely to affect riders who do not bike.

“It doesn’t help me,” said Lauren Wilson, who usually rents scooters instead. “It’s a good idea, but if you don’t bike, it doesn’t change anything.”

The new system replaces Metro’s older annual-rental lockers, which cost about $120 a year and often required waitlists. The pay-as-you-go model is designed to give cyclists more flexibility and lower the cost for occasional riders.

For now, Foggy Bottom and Eastern Market will serve as early test sites for the new system. Until Metro releases a more detailed rollout schedule, riders say they are waiting to see how quickly the lockers spread to the rest of the network.

“I really hope more stations get lockers soon,” Frank said. “It would make biking to Metro a lot easier.”

The post Metro debuts new bike lockers at two stations, with more expected through 2027 first appeared on 91ÇŃ×Ó.

“The Dupont Circle Holiday Market keeps the lights on for us when the slow season hits and allows us to reinvest into the business,” said Alejandro Buxton, founder of Smell of Love Candles, a local business that participated in last year’s market and returned this year.

The Dupont Circle Holiday Market opened Nov. 14 on New Hampshire Avenue NW, drawing shoppers onto the 1500 block. After years of competition from online retail and shifting work patterns, the market has become a way to pull foot traffic back to neighborhood streets.

Buxton, who hand-makes candles in his basement while attending school, said the money he earns from the holiday market helps support a scholarship fund he created for student with disabilities.

“Customers who come to shop at Dupont should know that they’re not just buying a candle, they’re buying their personality in a jar, but they’re also supporting my dreams and college fund,” Buxton said.

Meriam Cherif, founder of Alyssa Bazaar, which sells handmade olive-wood kitchenware and pottery, prepared more inventory this year after learning what customers liked at last year’s market.

“I understand the customer now,” Cherif said, adding that the market gives local small businesses a chance to feel the customer and interact in ways online sales cannot.

Jenilee Hurley, co-owner and chief sales officer of ETHICGOODS, a D.C.-based jewelry company, joined the market for the first time this year to connect with customers beyond her primarily online business.

“We don’t get a chance to interact with those who wear our jewelry” through online sales, Hurley said. “We love being able to connect with our customers and the community.”

The market, organized by Diverse Markets Management in partnership with the Dupont Circle Business Improvement District, runs through Dec. 23, closing only on Nov 27. for Thanksgiving and on Dec. 1.

This year’s location on the 1500 block of New Hampshire Avenue NW marks a change from last year’s site on 19th Street.

Unlike the larger DowntownDC Holiday Market, which hosts vendors from several states, the Dupont Circle market is intentionally smaller and limited to D.C.-based businesses.

One visitor who declined to give her name said she and her friend chose to visit Dupont Circle specifically because they knew the market was opening there.

“We saw that the Dupont market was starting this week, so we decided to come walk around and then grab dinner nearby,” she said. “It’s a nice excuse to spend a little more time in the neighborhood.”

ANC 2B02 Commissioner Jeff Rueckgauer said after construction on the Connecticut Avenue “deckover” project made 19th Street unavailable, he worked with the BID and Diverse Markets Management to move the event to the 1500 block of New Hampshire Avenue, which he described as an “underutilized” commercial street.

He said the crowds coming to the holiday tents are bound to provide a boost to many nearby businesses, especially those coping with construction along Connecticut Avenue.

For vendors, the market’s value extends beyond sales. Buxton said the long hours feel easier when surrounded by other small-business owners facing the same slow season. Hurley described the market as a chance to “share the stories of our artisans and celebrate the season together.”

Despite logistical challenges—Buxton mentioned preparing inventory around the clock while accommodating his school schedule, and Cherif noted that opening day preparation proved more stressful than producing inventory—vendors expressed enthusiasm about connecting with customers who value locally made goods.

“It’s truly a little community that keeps us going through the slowest weeks of the year,” Buxton said.

For more event information, visit  at Dupont Circle.

The post Dupont holiday market offers local businesses lifeline during slow season first appeared on 91ÇŃ×Ó.

Albert has rented in the neighborhood for eight years, living near Trader Joe’s and the West End branch of the D.C. Public Library.ĚýĚý

She said she knows a few neighbors on her floor and occasionally chats at the dog park, usually about pets or the weather.ĚýĚý

“People are nice,” she added, “just busy.”Ěý

The West End is known for clean sidewalks, safe streets and easy access to stores, schools and transit. But many residents describe it as a neighborhood where comfort has replaced connection — a place that functions smoothly but feels impersonal. Ěý

Or, as Kelly Lawson, another eight-year renter, said: “It’s easy to live here. But it’s hard to really know people.” Ěý

That pattern is common. Residents interviewed for this story consistently praised the neighborhood’s safety and convenience while describing limited interactions with neighbors and an area that grows unusually quiet after dark. Ěý

“Yes, walkable, well-kept, stable,” said a 20-year homeowner who asked not to be named, when asked why he likes the neighborhood. Ěý

“Everything works here — you don’t have to think about safety, ” he added.  Ěý

But when describing his social ties, he mentions only brief “elevator chats” with neighbors in his building. Ěý

Residents pointed to the concentration of large apartment buildings and frequent turnover as reasons it can feel transient. Many of the units are rented rather than owned, and neighbors often move out before lasting ties form.  Ěý

While daily life often unfolds behind closed doors, one public space still brings West End residents together: the West End library. Ěý

“We welcome people across all income levels and beliefs,” said Rob Schneider, branch manager at DCPL’s West End branch. He said the library’s size and location make it one of the few public places where neighbors actually might meet.ĚýĚý

The branch offers study areas, meeting rooms and a variety of community programs, such as book clubs, workshops and children’s story times.  Ěý

Schneider said that some visitors from outside the neighborhood also stop by to use the library’s computers or attend events. The library’s recurring programs appear to offer small opportunities for neighbors to interact. Ěý

Beyond the library, neighborhood organizations also play a role in keeping residents connected. Ěý

The West End Citizens Association (WECA), which represents both the West End and Foggy Bottom, said in an email that the two areas remain closely linked.ĚýĚý

“The neighborhood feels cohesive and distinct from Georgetown to the west, Dupont Circle to the north and downtown to the east,” Mary Kahlow, WECA’s secretary treasurer, wrote. â¶ÄŻâ¶ÄŻĚý

The tranquility even draws non-residents.  Ěý

A George Washington University graduate student, Justin Kent, who occasionally visits the West End on weekends, said he chooses to get off the bus here specifically for the calm.  Ěý

“Sometimes I choose to drop here for a walk. It is quiet on weekends,” he said. He said he notices a different energy compared with nearby Foggy Bottom.  Ěý

“It feels calm, almost too calm,” he said. Ěý

Even satisfied residents said the neighborhood could do more to bring people together. They said they would welcome more structured opportunities to meet neighbors. Ěý

“Regular events — monthly market, book club, outdoor movie nights — to spark neighbor interaction,” Lawson said. She added that she rarely meets new people because she didn’t know if there were any events.  Ěý

“We just need small excuses to talk to each other,” she said. “Otherwise, everyone goes their own way.” Ěý

Neither the West End DC Community Association nor Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2A returned requests for comment. â¶ÄŻĚý

The post The West End: Lots of convenience, but little connection first appeared on 91ÇŃ×Ó.

“I honestly didn’t know there was a marathon this weekend,” said Mary Lopez, a West End resident. “No one told us anything, so I’m not even sure what to say about it.”

The race, one of Washington’s largest annual events, is organized by the U.S. Marine Corps and expected to draw tens of thousands of runners. It begins near the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., winds past major landmarks and finishes at the Marine Corps War Memorial. Runners will pass through Georgetown, the West End and downtown D.C. streets.

While many D.C. residents celebrate it as a patriotic tradition, neighborhoods along the route face adjustments as streets such as Virginia Avenue NW and Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway close from early morning until midafternoon on the day of the race. For many residents and businesses in the affected areas, news of the closures—and even the event itself—has come as a surprise.

“I didn’t even know the parkway would be closed,” said Daniel Reyes, who drives on it daily to get to work. “You’re actually the first person to tell me that.”

The communication gap extends to local businesses as well. A Shell gas station near P and 22nd streets NW sits just off one of the small streets near an entrance to Rock Creek Parkway. Several station employees, who asked not to be identified, said they were unaware of the marathon.

“We didn’t know anything about it until you mentioned it,” one employee said. “If the streets close, I don’t even know how people will get here.”

Confusion extended to other businesses along the route as well. An employee at The Baron Hotel on 22nd Street, who declined to give his name, said he had not heard about the marathon. Management at the hotel did not respond to a request for comment.

The advisory neighborhood commissions for the area, ANC 2A02 and 2A09, and the Marine Corps Marathon Organization did not respond to requests for comment.

Adding to the uncertainty is the ongoing federal government shutdown. Although the D.C. government remains open, some residents worried about how the event’s federal partners would operate.

On Oct. 16, the Marine Corps Marathon’s official Facebook page posted a video and statement confirming the race will proceed as scheduled. The post also drew supportive comments from runners and spectators thanking organizers and expressing excitement for the 50th anniversary race.

On the r/Marathon_Training subreddit, registered runners expressed relief and excitement about the confirmation, with one participant praising the race’s “best finish I’ve ever experienced” at the Marine Corps War Memorial. The contrast highlights what some residents describe as a communication divide between race organizers and the neighborhoods affected.

Even residents participating in the race had to seek out information themselves.

Edwin Todd, a Foggy Bottom resident running in the marathon, said he learned about road closures from the Marine Corps Marathon website, not from D.C. officials.

“I had to go looking for it myself,” he said. “I never got any notification from local officials.”

Despite the communication gap and inconvenience, some residents say they still plan to watch or cheer from the sidewalks.

“It’s noisy, inconvenient, but kind of beautiful,” said Elvis Barrett, a Foggy Bottom resident. “You see thousands of people running past monuments—it reminds you why people love this city.”

For the full course map and more details, visit .

The post West End, Foggy Bottom prepare for 50th Marine Corps Marathon first appeared on 91ÇŃ×Ó.

The ANC — one of D.C.’s smallest units of government — plays an outsized role in neighborhood decisions, from approving liquor licenses to reviewing zoning and construction plans. But with only six of nine seats currently filled, ANC 2A is barely meeting quorum, leaving little room for absence or turnover.

“When seats remain unfilled, the workload inevitably increases for the remaining commissioners,” said Kent Boese, executive director of the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions. Boese’s office provides technical support to D.C. ‘s 40 ANCs but has no power to supervise them.

“Even with vacancies, ANCs can still function,” Boese said. “But outreach — especially to younger residents and students — remains insufficient.”

That shortage has real consequences in Foggy Bottom and the West End, where the remaining commissioners are covering vacant districts. Sean Youngstone, who represents ANC 2A09 and serves as the ANC 2A’s treasurer, said commissioners now handle requests and reports for neighborhoods beyond their own.

“With only five out of nine seats filled earlier this year, we were just at the minimum to function,” said Youngstone. “If we lose one more person, we can’t hold official meetings.”

He added that the ANC 2A once fell below quorum and could only hold informal gatherings, unable to pass resolutions or take formal action.

The commissioner said vacancies not only increase workloads but also shrink the range of perspectives in neighborhood debates. “The more seats are filled, the more voices are heard — and that’s what makes local government work,” Youngstone said.Ěý

In a neighborhood where George Washington University occupies a large portion of ANC 2A’s area, he said the absence of student or faculty representatives leaves a major gap in understanding campus-related concerns.

“Having a student or faculty member on the commission would help us better understand how the university and the neighborhood interact,” Youngstone said.

Some residents, however, said the vacancies feel distant compared to other neighborhood problems.

“When things like homelessness or drug issues reach the point of an investigation or a crime scene, those vacancies stop mattering,” said Christian Ravenwind, a resident of ANC 2A. “At that point, both sides — the community and the city — are just trying to manage the consequences.”

Ravenwind said that while he is aware of the ANC 2A, the body’s influence often feels limited when broader social issues dominate public concern.

That awareness gap is even wider among students. One George Washington University student, Justin Chen, said he had never heard of the ANC before.

“I honestly didn’t know we even had one,” Chen said. “I never heard anyone talk about it.”

Ethan Lynne, president of the George Washington University Student Government Association, said that for most students, the ANC barely registers on their radar.

“Most students don’t really know what the ANC does,” he said. “That means we lose one more opportunity to have our voices heard in local decisions.”

He said student representation could improve outcomes on issues like housing, safety, and nightlife.

Lynne said the university and the ANC could promote collaboration by mentioning ANC opportunities in campus newsletters and reviving joint town halls, which ANC held in the past but have faded in recent years.

The university’s Office of Communications and Marketing declined to comment on the matter.

Boese agreed that awareness is part of the solution. He said some ANCs, like ANC 8D, had faced similar vacancy problems but later resolved them through consistent community engagement.

His office can help provide technical guidance and promote ANC visibility but cannot intervene directly in local appointments or elections, he added.

Other commissioners from ANC 2A didn’t Ěýto respond to requests for comment before deadline.

The vacancies in the Foggy Bottom and West End’s ANC reveal more than an administrative gap — they expose a fragile system of local governance that relies on volunteers and limited outreach.

For now, the commission remains functional, but its stability feels precarious.

“If we lose even one more commissioner, the lights go out — at least officially” Youngstone said.

The post “We’re just at the minimum to function”: Foggy Bottom/West End’s strained ANC first appeared on 91ÇŃ×Ó.

The District Department of Transportation project will bring a plaza over the Connecticut Avenue underpass between the Dupont Circle and Q Street, NW.

Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who represents Ward 2, said in an email statement that she has worked closely with DDOT to ensure the needs of residents and businesses are addressed throughout the process. 

She described the project as transformative and said she is “excited for it to bring a new public space for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

The Dupont Circle Business Improvement District (BID) has said local businesses are eager for the project to move forward. A BID spokesperson told 91ÇŃ×Ó that, at a meeting last week, many business owners expressed excitement about the improvements and the potential for more visitors.

Vincent Slatt, a commissioner and treasurer with ANC 2B03, said the idea of a deckover is not new.

“They’ve been talking about decking over that hole for decades — 30, 40 years,” he said. “Now it’s finally happening, along with the Connecticut Avenue streetscape project to fix sidewalks, trees, and curbs.”

Neighborhood questions

The gap between official enthusiasm and community awareness highlights what may become the project’s greatest challenge: questions left unanswered even as construction begins.

A by the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) laid out four concerns about the project, including questions about air quality, accessibility, maintenance, and construction impacts.

In its resolution, DCCA warned that the deck could trap vehicle exhaust in the underpass without a clear ventilation plan. The same resolution noted that while planners have mentioned updated sidewalks and ramps, the design lacks dedicated drop-off zones and parking that would make the plaza accessible to residents with disabilities.

Slatt said he worries about who will take responsibility for cleaning, security, and upkeep once the deckover is complete. The DCCA resolution also questioned whether the District has allocated a dedicated budget for long-term maintenance.

German Vigil, a public information officer with DDOT, told 91ÇŃ×Ó via email that the underpass already has a ventilation infrastructure and that reinforced mesh near the circle will allow for air circulation once the deck is built. 

Vigil said the project will follow Americans With Disabilities Act standards, the city’s ADA Transition Plan and the Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines, as well as DDOT’s own Design & Engineering Manual, Public Realm Design Manual and Streetscape Guidelines to ensure accessibility. 

He confirmed that the plaza will be maintained as public space, with the Dupont Circle BID partnering in programming and upkeep.

Regarding construction impacts, Vigil said businesses on the plaza will remain open during regular hours, with pedestrian access, deliveries and trash pickup continuing without interruption.

The uncertainty reflects a gap between the deckover supporters’ optimism and the day-to-day concerns of businesses facing potential disruptions during construction. 

Several employees of businesses along Connecticut Avenue told 91ÇŃ×Ó they had little information about the project. 

In a , salon owner Sandy Campbell said she believed the project will ultimately be positive, but added, “it’s going to cause congestion in the area … probably a year and a half of some hard times.”

, a neighborhood advocacy group, also has criticized the project. 

The group, which formed to oppose DDOT’s plans to remove car lanes and add bike lanes farther north, argues that the deckover construction will further strain the city’s already congested roads. 

Save Connecticut Avenue warned in an April report that lane closures would “pile on to D.C.’s traffic woes,” disrupting drivers well beyond Dupont Circle. 

The group declined to provide further comment when contacted by 91ÇŃ×Ó.

In addition, interviews at Dupont Circle suggest many residents and pedestrians are unaware of what is about to unfold. 

“I’ve never heard of it,” said Cassey Elder, a Dupont Circle resident, as she walked her dog near the circle. “If there are picnic tables, it could be great.” 

, held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church on Connecticut Avenue NW, shows that residents pressed DDOT on how many parking spaces would be eliminated and whether local businesses supported the project.

“Small minority of loud voices”

“It’s not everyone who is upset,” Slatt said. “It’s a very small minority of loud voices — the classic NIMBY opposition.” 

Most residents either don’t know about the project or don’t care, Slatt said, adding that the D.C. government has not been good at sharing information, which amplifies the objections of this small group.

“It might be good for pedestrians,” said Austin Chavez, who lives in another D.C. neighborhood. “But so many streets are already closing. It may not turn out the way people expect.”

According to DDOT’s , construction is expected to last two years, with completion projected for 2027. 

The post Dupont Circle deckover work starts promising new public plaza first appeared on 91ÇŃ×Ó.

But even as the celebration returns, the neighborhood that built it faces mounting challenges.

Dupont Circle faces safety concerns, rising rents and costs, and demographic shifts that have displaced many LGBTQ+ residents. Once the center of LGBTQ+ life in Washington D.C., the neighborhood’s role as a safe haven is under strain, even as the High Heel Race endures as a symbol of resilience.

“It’s definitely been a challenging summer,” said Eli Downs, general manager of JR’s. “With the National Guard coming in and ICE raids happening, there’s a lot of tension. Even I went out less.” 

Downs said the anxiety reflects a wider unease across the city.

At Annie’s Paramount Steak House on 17th Street, NW, open since 1948, general manager Georgia Katinas said the restaurant’s role has remained steady. 

“We consider ourselves an informal community center for the LGBTQ+ community,” she said. “We are a safe space for all and always will be.”

Other owners strike a similar note of stability. Mitchell Aaronson, vice president of Cairo Wine & Liquor on 17th Street NW, said his shop continues to see loyal customers. “It’s an extra bonus to us to be in this neighborhood, and we see a lot of support from the community,” said Aaronson. 

Yet costs remain a challenge for small businesses. Downs noted that rents have risen sharply across D.C. and alcohol prices are climbing, making it harder to operate. 

“Running a small business is hard right now,” he said. “Each day comes with a new challenge. But we’re not going anywhere.”

Vincent Slatt, an advisory neighborhood commissioner and volunteer director of archiving at the Rainbow History Project, recalled the High Heel Race’s early days.

 â€śThe High Heel Race started in 1987 as about 24 men dressed in costumes running from JR’s to Annie’s,” he said. 

Over time the contest grew into one of Washington’s most visible LGBTQ+ celebrations, drawing thousands of spectators each year to 17th Street. Contestants sprint in elaborate costumes and high heels, cheered on by thousands who line the sidewalks. 

Slatt said the neighborhood has changed dramatically in the past two decades.

 â€śWhen I moved here 20 years ago, this corner was full of clubs,” he said. “Now it’s condos I can’t afford. My rent keeps going up. I’m being forced out of my neighborhood by the rich people who can afford to buy a condo where I used to go dancing.”

His experience reflects a broader trend. The average rent in Dupont Circle is about $2,565 a month, according to RentCafe, which tracks rental markets nationwide. Home prices have also climbed, with the neighborhood’s median price at about $475,000, according to real estate brokerage Redfin.

He added that the impact goes beyond nightlife. “LGBT seniors are disproportionately affected by our housing crisis because many seniors had a lifetime of employment discrimination,” he said. “Many are single and childless, and they have no children to help support them.” 

Youth face similar struggles.

 â€śLGBT youth are a disproportionate number of runaway teenagers,” Slatt said. “In D.C., we’re about 11 or 12% of the population, but it’s 30 to 40% of the teenagers that are runaways.”

For many, Dupont Circle still represents a historic center of LGBTQ+ life in the capital, even as nightlife and demographics have shifted.

The High Heel Race illustrates this D.C. officials estimated last year’s crowd at more than 10,000, underscoring the race’s status as both celebration and protest. 

But residents and business leaders say the question remains: Can Dupont Circle continue to serve as both a celebration and a sanctuary?

The post Upcoming High Heel Race marks Dupont’s struggle to remain D.C.’s LGBTQ+ hub first appeared on 91ÇŃ×Ó.