The US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is a university competition to design and build a marketable solar-powered house. It was held recently on the Mall, where it was open to the public. Naturally, BeyondDC took a look.

As for the competition itself? German engineering for the win. BeyondDC’s alma mater, winner of the previous two decathlons, finished seventh.

Poplar Point Stadium

And that’s why it makes sense to build the DC United stadium at Poplar Point, as originally planned, rather than in Maryland or at some other site in the District. Although it’s completely true that neighborhoods succeed on the strength of everyday residents and businesses rather than one-shot super projects, in the minds of most Washingtonians Anacostia is a far-off and disconnected island of poverty. The poverty part will likely change as more and more development occurs there, but until people who are not residents of Anacostia have a reason to visit the place, it will always remain far-off and disconnected. Putting a regional destination like the United stadium in Anacostia will give people who don’t live there a reason to visit, which will help to bridge the psychological gulf between Anacostia and the rest of the city.

> Visit image gallery of United’s proposed Poplar Point Stadium