Big and Tall: The new plan for Landmark Mall; millennials are seeking move-in ready homes; and more

It's challenging to keep up with local news, particularly the items that may impact your life, your commute, or your community. That's why each week we compile a few interesting developments happening in the area.

Washington Business Journal: Big and tall: The new plan for Alexandria's Landmark Mall is coming together

"The draft recommendations — some that date back to the start of the replanning process, others that were released Saturday — provide for a maximum 5.6 million square feet of development across the Landmark property. A minimum 20 percent of the uses are required to be commercial, to include office, hotel, retail, entertainment and institutional. Buildings could rise as high as 250 feet, per one recommendation, and feature 'distinctive design and materials to denote gateway locations and prominent vistas and provide a variety of height across the site.'"

WTOP: Confounding reason first-time DC buyers can’t afford a fixer-upper

"'First-time buyers are increasingly priced out of the D.C. housing market,' the headlines read again and again. They wouldn’t necessarily be, if they compromised on what they want. But experts say there’s a reason they don’t. Many first-time buyers want a picture-perfect, move-in ready condo, and they are paying for it."

The Washington Post: Mortgage rates creep up but ‘bigger moves are on the horizon

"After holding steady for nearly a month while awaiting a resolution to the federal government shutdown, fixed mortgage rates cautiously crept up this week. According to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average inched up to 4.46 percent with an average 0.5 point. (Points are fees paid to a lender equal to 1 percent of the loan amount.) The rate was 4.45 percent a week ago and 4.22 percent a year ago."

Greater Greater Washington: How well is the region doing at planning for growth near Metro?

"While sprawl incentivizes people to drive cars and contributes to traffic, building a lot of homes, shops, and other amenities around Metro stops and other transit nodes is a more sustainable method of development. This approach, called transit-oriented development (TOD), allows more people to walk to their destination and use buses and trains to get around."

UrbanTurf: A Look at JBG Smith’s 790-Unit Development at National Landing

"Last year, Amazon's selection of Northern Virginia for one of its new headquarter sites also usurped plans to improve a few parcels in Arlington County with residential developments. Now, JBG Smith has filed plans to build one of the largest residential projects in the National Landing area."

Alexandria Living Magazine: Tall Ship Providence Arriving This Summer to Alexandria’s Waterfront

"Alexandria will be getting her own tall ship this summer. The Tall Ship Providence will be docked at Alexandria’s waterfront by mid-July, according to the Tall Ship Providence Foundation."

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