small correction: "Rosslyn's" bike share isn't doubling. I mean, on a good day I say north Rosslyn, but it really is the Bergmann's cleaners.

by charlie on Apr 24, 2012 8:24 am • link • report

I'm so disappointed. I thought Boston was going to begin ticketing folks who were talking too loud on their smartphone, or clicking away on the screen so intently while walking around the train station that they looked like they might be in danger of getting hit by the train.

Stop getting my hopes up like that and then dashing them, GGW!

by BO on Apr 24, 2012 8:30 am • link • report

I wonder how Graham is figuring the revenue increase from Sunday liquor sales. I'm all for allowing sales on Sunday, but is there a reason to expect that it will generate incremental sales, as opposed to shifting sales from 6 days/week to 7? Or is he assuming people drive to MD/VA for their Sunday fix?

by ah on Apr 24, 2012 9:04 am • link • report

That Parking Panda thing makes me laugh. Way back in the misty days of 1999 when it seemed that everyone was starting a web company and getting filthy rich, I had an idea for a website that did pretty much the exact thing that Parking Panda does. It was going p be called parkthecar.com. Unfortunately I'm not the entrepreneurial type and I don't know code, so I went to law school instead.

Which is a long winded way of saying that if this Parking Panda thing takes off, I'm totally gunna sue them.

by TM on Apr 24, 2012 9:06 am • link • report

Why not a belt and suspenders approach -- Sunday liquor stores AND 4 am closing times for bars?

by aaa on Apr 24, 2012 9:17 am • link • report

I can definitely attest to the park police cracking down on cyclists at Hains Point. Glad they are making such good use of their time. Probably is retaliation for bikeshare on the Mall!

by MJ on Apr 24, 2012 9:18 am • link • report

I love the ideas in Gray's sustainability plan, but let's be honest, Vince Gray couldn't manage his way out of a paper bag and he's got at most three more years (but a likely indictment before that). AND, he's never shown any interest in this stuff before! This is the same guy who tried to kill the streetcar and is doing his damnedest to prevent a livable, walkable multi-use development along the Anacostia in favor of a millionaire's playground for the R*******. It's just real hard for me to believe he's at all serious about this plan, or its implementation seeing as how there's nothing in there about how it will be funded. I guess my best hope is that he'll shut up and get out of the way and let Tregoning do her thing.

by Joe on Apr 24, 2012 9:36 am • link • report

Park Police should ticket the Lance Armstrong-wannabes who blow through stop signs without regard for traffic of any kind (pedestrian/bike/car) at Haines Point. It's a public street, not a private cycling club. I have no problem with people going fast or pacelines since there's not a lot of traffic, but you have to at least slow down at intersections.

I go to Haines Point to ride my bike on my lunch break at times, and I've had lines of 6 riders feel the need to blow past me while only giving me a foot of clearance. There's about 20 feet of roadway there but you gotta make sure you take the fastest line! You can buy a $5,000 bike but it still won't buy you any common sense apparently.

by MLD on Apr 24, 2012 9:41 am • link • report

If the report of one officer's explanation is correct, they're accepting a quasi-Idaho stop.

by ah on Apr 24, 2012 9:44 am • link • report

Ah, the wonders of spring. First come the crocus, then tulips followed shortly by cherry blossoms and the annual Park Police crackdown on bikers on Haines Point. It would be a great study to determine if this annual event does anything to change people's behavior over more than the duration of the "crack down". If it shows no long term effect, I'd say stop it.

(note that I am not saying that running stop signs is good/bad - just commenting on the silliness of "crack downs")

I was riding by the Jefferson Memorial early the other morning and saw what appeared to be a cop writing a biker a ticket but there were no stop signs around - curious as to what the ticket (if that is what it was) was for.

~A Biker

by Biker on Apr 24, 2012 9:47 am • link • report

@Joe

I was skeptical too, the imprimatur of his whole cabinet has me cautiously optimistic. Some of the stuff, like composting, can be done through contracts and relatively minimal expense. Other things, like the bike lanes, could be fast-tracked. Environmental "sin" taxes would be an easy way to start funding this thing.

I'm really more concerned about Chairman Brown opposing it on the principle that it came out of the mayor's office and so must be bad.

by OctaviusIII on Apr 24, 2012 9:50 am • link • report

Just saw the Haines Point article was missing its link. Hats off to those of you that found it yourselves, but for the rest: you now have the benefit of hyperlink technology.

by David Edmondson on Apr 24, 2012 9:54 am • link • report

What possible constituencies are left that support a ban on Sunday alcohol sales? This should be a no-brainer.

by Boomer on Apr 24, 2012 9:58 am • link • report

My reaction to cyclists complaining about stop-sign tickets is precisely the same as my reaction to motorists complaining about tickets from speed cameras: If you don't want to run the risk of a ticket, don't break the law, no matter how misplaced (whether because you think speed limits are set artifically low or traffic laws designed for cars shouldn't apply to bikes) you think it is.

And lest anyone think I'm a do-gooder, when I bike I regularly run stop signs (and red lights, when safe) and when I drive I've been known to speed. I'm no holier-than-thou, anti-cyclist or anti-motorist zealot, I just know that I'm doing something illegal, and accept that I may be ticketed for it.

by dcd on Apr 24, 2012 10:05 am • link • report

@Boomer -What possible constituencies are left that support a ban on Sunday alcohol sales? I think its an older generation of religious, socially conservative, mostly native Washingtonians, i.e. (from my northern perspective) conservative African American southern culture. I'm open to being shown I'm wrong about this hypothesis.

by Tina on Apr 24, 2012 10:20 am • link • report

I'm guessing the title wasn't a Wale reference.

by selxic on Apr 24, 2012 10:29 am • link • report

What possible constituencies are left that support a ban on Sunday alcohol sales? This should be a no-brainer.

The same ones that support bans on single-can/bottle sales and don't want their neighborhoods ruined by drunks who sit on benches or curbs with a paper bag, acting surly. If there's one day where people who can't consume modestly can't consume at all, there's at least one day.

But as I live in an area where people be able to consume their liquor in generally appropriate amounts and not on the street, I would like to be able to buy beer and wine on Sunday. And I'd rather this than bars stay open until 4, if the choice is either/or.

by ah on Apr 24, 2012 10:36 am • link • report

While the Mayor's plan is laudatory in some respects as a 'vision' is is absolutely laughable as workable public policy. This is also an individual who has shown precious little in the way of leadership skills.

There is, of course, no talk of how any of this will be funded, no talk of increased jobs, no talk of catering to the millions who come here as tourists who have other transportation and parking needs, no improvements to public education, etc.

Also, the idea of taxing energy consumption and city-wide composting is something which will not be sustainable. Also, does anyone really believe there is going to be Federal transportation $$$ available for all these pie-in-the-sky streetcar plans?

Having city-wide meetings for Visionary Planning has worked quite in cities that have re-made themselves such as Raleigh, NC or Chattanooga, TN but they have included funding and business sources and HAVE NOT been based on any government support. That's why they work.

And finally, to the Mayor, if you want a healthier city and 'slimmer' residents then strictly curtail use of food stamps and do drug testing for any government assistance programs. You will rid the city of the professional heavy eaters ans non-workers very quickly and have money to actually support those who are legitimately in need of assistance...particularly the elderly.

The Mayor wants a utopia but has no plans to get there. That's known as a streetcar named 'desire' only there are no tracks, no streetcars and no fares under this Mayor's plans. It's wonderful to have a city full of shade trees I guess but not if the children can't read and crime keeps folks indoors. Mayor, a plan alone is not leadership simply grandstanding for the press.

by Pelham1861 on Apr 24, 2012 10:36 am • link • report

RE: Speed Cameras

Said it before and I'll say it again: averaged speed cameras. I'm just not a fan of spot enforcement when one can do an entire corridor. Provided the speed limit is properly set, of course.

by Bossi on Apr 24, 2012 10:43 am • link • report

RE: Arlington CaBi Expansion

Many of those new spots line up almost to-the-foot with my fantasy CaBi map... always nice to know I'm not so far out in left field that I'm standing between a Lexus and a Toyota.

by Bossi on Apr 24, 2012 10:46 am • link • report

I love the ideas in Gray's sustainability plan, but let's be honest, Vince Gray couldn't manage his way out of a paper bag and he's got at most three more years (but a likely indictment before that).

This is truly priceless. Here, Gray proposes a 20yr plan and instead of thinking it's good for the city, you personalize it as an attack on Gray, who in 20yrs, might be in a nursing home. Then you further the criticism by suggesting that he wasn't interested before now..which makes little sense if you're "really" interested in a more sustainable DC. It shouldn't matter if he got interested today or 5 years ago.

Has there been another mayor who has provided a 20-yr plan? If not, then wouldn't that also mean that they were interested in sustainability either?

Livable, walkable multi-use development along the Anacostia in favor of a millionaire's playground for the R******

And where exactly are the plans for this MUD? Have they broken ground? Have you seen the blueprints? When is the expected completion date? Any plans for the practice facility? Finanacial specs?

Yet he's trying to kill something that hasn't even begun. It's time for us to get out of this perpetual state of Bizzaro

by HogWash on Apr 24, 2012 10:46 am • link • report

Fishable rivers...that's a good one. Has our distinguished Mayor ever ventured to the Washington Channel or Anacostia River? Has he not seen the many, many, many, people who are fishing? Ever cross the Wilson Bridge on a Saturday morning and see the suburban fisherman with their bass boats in the DC section of the Potomac? How about the fact that the city has enough people fishing, and keeping their fish, to support a fish cleaning business.

Are the emergency rooms crammed with people suffering from Mercury poisoning? I don't think so. It seems to me that the rivers are quite "fishable" right now.

Now, how about tasking a few MPD officers to actually enforce the fishing regulations? Oh wait, that would cross the line from pie in the sky "visions" to real work.

by dcdriver on Apr 24, 2012 10:52 am • link • report

if you want a healthier city and 'slimmer' residents then strictly curtail use of food stamps and do drug testing for any government assistance programs. You will rid the city of the professional heavy eaters ans non-workers very quickly and have money to actually support those who are legitimately in need of assistance

If you want a healthier and slimmer city, start drug testing those who might need gov't assistance (of any kind I'm assuming) because those sort of people are most likely to use them in the first place? This would quickly help the elderly..whom I'm sure would look forward to having their blood routinely drawn.

Wait, drug tests aren't free. So what's the return on this investment? We invest $100k's into routine drug testing w/the expectation that it would clear our "need roster" to what effect?

by HogWash on Apr 24, 2012 10:56 am • link • report

BTW, I like the idea of buying liquor on Sunday's...revenue generator or not. It beats traveling all the way to Corridor in Laurel.

by HogWash on Apr 24, 2012 10:58 am • link • report

Other places have tried drug testing and found it costs more than the people that get removed from benefits anyway.

Because most people on gov't benefits don't have money to throw around buying drugs, duh.

by MLD on Apr 24, 2012 10:59 am • link • report

Unfortunately I'm not the entrepreneurial type and I don't know code, so I went to law school instead.

Which is a long winded way of saying that if this Parking Panda thing takes off, I'm totally gunna sue them.

As a lawyer, I sure hope you patented the idea so you'll be able to sue them! Seriously, with our crazy patent laws, you really would be able to sue them. Just like the guy who patented the idea of "real time transit info" and is successfully extorting all the transit agencies.

by Falls Church on Apr 24, 2012 11:28 am • link • report

@dcdriver:
Not sure what your point is. People are fishing, but they absolutely should not be, and I'd bet if you did a cohort study of people eating fish coming out of those waters, they would have higher levels of all sorts of health problems over a sufficiently long time horizon.

by prognostication on Apr 24, 2012 11:30 am • link • report

The arguemtn against drug testing for welfare benefits is a political loser. Sometimes you just have to accept that a law is kind of silly.

by Crickey7 on Apr 24, 2012 11:32 am • link • report

I would like to be able to buy beer and wine on Sunday.

You can already buy beer and wine on Sunday. The proposal is to add hard liquor to the mix.

What possible constituencies are left that support a ban on Sunday alcohol sales?

Here's what going on. Graham opposes the 4am bar extension because it could decrease quality of life in the tony residential areas of his ward that are close to bars. As an alternative (or some would say "in retaliation"), he's proposing a law to allow Sunday liquor sales which would likely decrease quality of life for folks in residential areas close to liquor stores in the poorer parts of the city.

by Falls Church on Apr 24, 2012 11:34 am • link • report

Im going to agree with hog on this. If Mayor Grey really advances some of this, it doesnt matter if he's a recent convert. Even if he does NOTHING to advance it(Im not saying that he will do nothing, just playing out a thought experiment), the fact that he supports it with words, advances the consensus, and helps to gradually erode opposition.

by AWalkerInTheCity on Apr 24, 2012 11:37 am • link • report

@Selxic
Alas, I'm not that cool.

by David Edmondson on Apr 24, 2012 11:59 am • link • report

Alas, how far Sexual Harassment Panda has fallen....from public service to promoting a garage chain.

by Fischy (Ed F.) on Apr 24, 2012 12:00 pm • link • report

@Falls Church

It's not quite that cynical. Graham needs to find $3.4 million in revenue to present as an alternative to the 4am bar closing proposal. The $710k is part of that, and with other revenue and adjustments he's only got $1.5 million left to go.

by OctaviusIII on Apr 24, 2012 12:02 pm • link • report

It's official. Time for me to move out of Montgomery County.

by Fischy (Ed F.) on Apr 24, 2012 12:03 pm • link • report

I was referring to the new mobile speed cameras, not the loss of Rollin Stanley.

by Fischy (Ed F.) on Apr 24, 2012 12:04 pm • link • report

@Biker - he was probably being ticketed/warned for riding the wrong way on the one-way street there behind the Jefferson (easy fix - ride, slowly, on the sidewalk).

by Moose on Apr 24, 2012 12:05 pm • link • report

LOL@Selxic, I thought the same thing...and that's likely because I was listening to the album on the way in..lol

by HogWash on Apr 24, 2012 12:11 pm • link • report

re: sustainability.
I don't know where Joe gets the impression the mayor has "never shown any interest in this stuff before!" He's spoken about the need to promote green jobs and sustainability in both of his state of the District addresses, and it was a prominent part of his citizen summit issue topics earlier this year. It's good to see sustainability getting the attention it deserves.

by DCster on Apr 24, 2012 12:16 pm • link • report

The sign (under the stop sign) has been there for years. Park Police ticket people running these signs every 6 months or so.

Nothing to see here...move along.

by Johnny on Apr 24, 2012 12:47 pm • link • report

Wow, just wow. I have been a prominent Gray hater, but between the $263 million ($263 million!) over six years in his new budget for streetcars and this new, very impressive, 20 year plan, I might actually vote for the guy.

I don't know what else to say, but he is actually putting forth ideas, a vision etc now.

And how is streetcar expansion unfunded Pelham? $263 million over six years counts as unfunded now? Surely that won't get all the lines built but considering it is supposed to take 20 years, its a great start.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but great job Gray! Maybe Alpert was on to something with that endorsement.

by H Street Landlord on Apr 24, 2012 1:19 pm • link • report

Categorical statements always amuse me but seldom are enlightening. Cities with enough guts to want to keep the good and get rid of the bad find drug testing very helpful. Those at the lower end do in fact consume a large number of illegal drugs. Too bad if its not politically popular...how about doing it because its the right thing and smart thing to do and a public health issue.

As for the alleged funding for this streetcar pipe-dream...$263 million gets you what? A system without cars or without tracks> Who pays for the drivers, advertising, up-keep, storage, etc. That sounds like subsidy-bait and those funds just are not going to be available...nor should they be as were in the past. Either these transportation ideas should be largely self-sustaining or they are nothing more than window dressing.

by Pelham1861 on Apr 24, 2012 1:30 pm • link • report

@Pelham1861- re: drug testing...how about doing it because its the right thing and smart thing to do and a public health issue. I agree addiction is a public health and medical issue, but if drug testing doesn't include treatment then that is not a public health approach.

by Tina on Apr 24, 2012 1:56 pm • link • report

@Pelham

Either these transportation ideas should be largely self-sustaining or they are nothing more than window dressing.

Once roads are self-sustaining, I am in! I think raising the national gas tax to $1 or so will get it done! Send a letter to your congressmen!

by Kyle W on Apr 24, 2012 2:49 pm • link • report

"If DC allowed alcohol to be sold on Sunday, it would bring in $710,000 to the city."

Beer and wine can already be sold on Sundays. Liquor sales are the issue.

by Rayful Edmond on Apr 24, 2012 2:49 pm • link • report

Gray do got chutzpah.

Claiming credit for what the courts have ordered DC to do in cleaning up the Potomac and Anacostia.

Now we just have to pony up the $2.6 Billion to pay for those waste water collection tunnels. And that's just to cover the permeable surfaces we've already covered over.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/dc-to-start-building-sewage-tunnels-in-effort-to-cut-pollution/2011/10/06/gIQAU8SVRL_story.html

by Tom Coumaris on Apr 24, 2012 3:46 pm • link • report

@Tom Coumaris
That's politics for ya - take what a court orders you to do and embrace it as your own.

by OctaviusIII on Apr 24, 2012 4:23 pm • link • report

Claiming credit for what the courts have ordered DC to do in cleaning up the Potomac and Anacostia.

Gray is claiming credit for coming up w/the idea to clean up the Potomac? Ok, I'm confused.

That's politics for ya - take what a court orders you to do and embrace it as your own.

I agree but also realize that it's limited to court order. Fenty/Rhee did it wrt to modernizing our schools. They embraced the idea (and was later universally recognized) as their own.

by HogWash on Apr 24, 2012 4:38 pm • link • report

@ Tom Coumaris

Given this is a transit blog, did you miss the plan to enable a full 75% of all trips to be biking, walking, bus, streetcar or metro?

That's a pretty bold goal. And he's putting his money where his mouth is. Again, I am the last person to advocate for Gray, but you can't call this plan anything but bold, forward thinking and comprehensive.

by H Street Landlord on Apr 24, 2012 7:23 pm • link • report

 you can't call this plan anything but bold, forward thinking and comprehensive

You could also call it pandering and lip service. Actions speak louder than words. I'd rather see him implement the M St cycletrack than create a lot of grandiose plans that will likely come of nothing.

by Falls Church on Apr 24, 2012 9:32 pm • link • report