Photo by Cave Canem on Flickr.

Why nobody spoke up

A Post editorial condemns Kwame Brown’s retribution, saying, “[Residents] should ask why it is that none of the council’s other members could summon the gumption to, at the very least, question the sense of this misguided decision.”  

Bond tax delayed 1 year

Mary Cheh was going to try to restore the income tax hike in place of the bond tax, but then reversed course to avoid crossing Kwame Brown. Instead, the Council will take from the rainy day fund to delay the bond tax by a year.

Jack Evans previously argued every dollar going into the fund was critical to avoid downgrading the bond rating, and that it wasn’t possible to restore any affordable housing programs. Now, he thinks it’s no problem to spend on tax cuts. (Examiner)  

No bus garage at Walter Reed

Mayor Gray and Muriel Bowser have rejected the idea of a new bus garage at Walter Reed. That likely dashes hopes of redeveloping the existing ones at Friendship Heights and north of Columbia Heights. (City Paper)  

Bulger not a regular rider

Wells expressed concern that Tom Bulger, the new Council alternate on the WMATA Board, is not a regular transit commuter. He thinks it would have been better to get someone from wards 7 or 8. (Examiner)  

Parking required at historic train station

If the Metropolitan Branch Trail runs through the existing parking lot at Silver Spring’s historic railroad station, the county will have to build more parking lot to replace any lost spaces, even though downtown Silver Spring is already covered in parking garages that don’t fill up. (Gazette, Ben Ross)  (Tip: Ben Ross)  

ANC supports waterfront development

ANC 6D supports plans for a development along the Southwest Waterfront. They want to ensure there’s a pedestrian walkway, Gangplank Marina residents are accommodated, there aren’t overhead wires, and Internet gaming doesn’t come there. (Southwest TLQTC, Steven Yates)  (Tip: Steven Yates)  

Walmart asked for transit improvements

DDOT wants Walmart to pay to improve some local bus lines, build 3 bus shelters, add a CaBi station in the middle of the site, and redo the streets around the planned New York Avenue Walmart. (City Paper)  

Greens not for transit

Arlington’s Green Party will oppose the Columbia Pike streetcar because they think “it is a precursor to gentrification.” But keeping neighborhoods hard to reach isn’t the answer; improving affordable housing is. (Sun Gazette, RPUS)