Photo by baseballoogie on Flickr.

Nats Park neighborhood on the upswing

As the Nationals are poised to contend this year, the Navy Yard neighborhood around the ballpark is starting to show results. The stadium also has not been a drain on city finances, with a special business tax bringing in more than expected and the team drawing 85% of its fans from outside DC. (Post)  

Chaos to blame?

The chaotic nature of the Gray campaign could have allowed a shadow campaign to use unreported funds to help fuel the effort.  Gray’s management style also mean he might not have been aware of any wrongdoing. (Examiner)  

Showdown at the border

Arlington eventually wants to use streetcars between the Pentagon City and Braddock Road Metros, but Alexandria thinks its too expensive and prefers buses.  If the two sides cannot agree, then passangers may one day have to switch from an Arlington streetcar to an Alexandria bus. (WAMU)  

Urban renewal now old

Two modernist residential buildings in Southwest DC have been submitted for historic designation. Both buildings were built as part of the urban renewal that demolished much of the existing neighborhood. (City Paper)  

Privatization a mistake?

While privatizing infrastructure can bring in a windfall to governments and get some projects built sooner, it also has its problems.  The deals are often complicated and may sometimes prevent competing infrastructure like a rail line from getting built. (Post)  

Fast becomes slow

San Francisco is trying to speed up its Muni light rail lines that, thanks to traffic, are slower than a century ago. Even some lines that use underground tunnels have not matched their times from decades ago. (NYT, Ben Ross)  (Tip: Ben Ross)  

Density good for revenue

High density gives cities potential to make earn a great deal of tax revenue.  It also has the advantage of being cheaper to maintain than low density sprawl.  (The Atlantic Cities)