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February 12, 2026

The Showdown Over Housing in One Of DC’s Richest Neighborhoods

City Cast DC

The Showdown Over Housing in One Of DC’s Richest Neighborhoods

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There's this neighborhood fight that’s worth paying attention to even if you don’t live in Chevy Chase. For a couple of years, the city has been trying to rebuild a library and rec center, putting up new apartments on top of the buildings. The arguments for this will seem familiar if you’ve been following DC: The city needs more housing or else it risks being a place no one can afford. The arguments against it might feel familiar, too: Neighbors say adding more people will make parking difficult and “change the character” of their leafy part of town. Martin Austermuhle of the 51st has been covering it and he’s here to explain. 


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Learn more about the sponsors of this February 12th episode:

Library of Congress

Nace Law Group

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore Museum of Art


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