Breakfast links: What’s historic?
Taller can still be historic
The HPRB will consider the Hine project on Thursday. Neighborhood opponents want to make most aspects shorter, but the Historic Preservation Office thinks a tall(ish) building isn’t so bad. (Housing Complex)
Not historic enough, says HPO
Historic Preservation staff are recommending against designating the Market Deli at 1st and L, SE as a historic landmark. They say it’s typical of a historic period, but not exceptional enough to be a landmark. (JDLand)
Arlington GOP opposes CaBi
The Arlington GOP is now railing against Capital Bikeshare, claiming that the 8 parking spaces removed for 4 stations will cost Arlington revenue while ignoring the revenue from CaBi. (TheWashCycle) … Why can’t Arlington have a Republican leader like Pat Mara?
Some Maryland officials support TOD only in theory
Maryland’s housing agency is moving to New Carrollton as Governor O’Malley keeps his smart growth promises. Comptroller Peter Franchot says he supports TOD, but he’s more concerned with keeping Anne Arundel County drivers happy. (Citybizlist)
Orange plays race card in final weekend
Vincent Orange started distributing a racially-charged flyer in black neighborhoods that says, “He walks like us. He talks like us.” (Post) … Nobody really knows who’s going to win tomorrow. (Post)
Paying drivers to avoid traffic
DDOT is offering 2,000 drivers $50 a month to avoid the New York Avenue bridge during construction. Is spending $100,000 a month to encourage people to switch modes a good idea? Won’t traffic congestion be a strong and cheaper incentive? (WAMU)
DC USA gets more stores
Modell’s, DSW, and Panera Bread will fill much of the remaining space at DC USA. But will Columbia Heights have independent retailers? Some space is set aside for local or minority business, some of which is leased to a Peruvian restaurant and an IHOP franchisee. (Post)
Bus stop proximity by income
Bus riders have shorter walks to the bus stop in DC’s high-income neighborhoods than in its low-income neighborhoods. One explanation might be that the city’s densest neighborhoods, where transit service is also the densest, are rarely low-income. (Human Transit)
And…
Arlington businesses are frustrated about new and uncertain sign rules (Examiner) … More Montgomery county employees are getting free vehicles that they can also take home (Examiner) … Third Church has picked an architect to design a successor to their Brutalist structure. (Post)