Morning links: Not going down

by Steven Yates and David Alpert • May 14, 2012 10:45 am

Photo by ElvertBarnes on Flickr.

Long escalators aren't worse: Metro's longest escalators have about the same downtime as the rest of the system. WMATA is also looking at adding concrete stairs, even though they are not as durable as existing granite ones. (Examiner)

Where 5ers stand: Ward 5 votes tomorrow. The candidates reveal positions on some issues around transportation, public safety, and development. (Post)

Now Capitol Bikeshare, too: The Architect of the Capitol will allow a CaBi station on property it controls at Capitol South, after prodding from Congressmen Connolly and Moran. They're also eyeing 2 others, at the edge of the Capitol complex, but should stations also go right at Capitol office buildings or the visitors' center? (Roll Call)

Disabled parking abuse rampant: In an effort to find free and convenient parking, people are abusing disabled parking tags and there is even a black market for them. This leaves fewer parking spots for those who need them. (Examiner)

What if... no height limit and crazy architects?: Some architects play with ideas for what could be if DC had no height limit. As with most such architectural flights of fancy, the ideas are pretty wild, like a tower whose size varies with the debt ceiling. (Post)

Beauregard a go: The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved the Beauregard area plan, which allows for more density than would normally be allowed in exchange for affordable housing and other amenities including parks and a fire station. (Post)

More room to eat your jumbo slice: Construction is ending for Adams Morgan sidewalks that are now wider and feature new bike racks. Some local businesses worry traffic won't bounce back to what it was before construction. (DCist)

Siding sidelines project: The Arlington Planning Board voted down a project which uses cheap siding instead of a better material and limits car movements. The project meets zoning, so it's unclear if the board can stop it. (Arlington Mercury)

Plan transportation for Fairfax: Fairfax County is looking for a transportation planner. Requirements include 2 years' experience, good verbal and writing skills, ability to ride a bicycle, and capacity to lift 25 pounds. (Why on that last one?)

And...: Governor O'Malley agrees to make the Corridor Cities Transitway a BRT system and apply for federal funds. (Post) ... Bus riders only suffered minor injuries in a route 92 crash. (DCist) ... Google's self-driving car appears in Georgetown. (Patch, Corey Holman) ... Google Maps now shows the interior of subway stations in Boston. (BostInno)

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10 comments

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Steven Yates grew up in Indiana before moving to DC in 2002 to attend college at American University. He currently lives in Southwest DC.

David Alpert is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Greater Greater Washington and Greater Greater Education. He worked as a Product Manager for Google for six years and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He loves the area which is, in many ways, greater than those others, and wants to see it become even greater.

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It's time to end the disabled tag program and benefits for street parking.

You can't monitor the fraud. If private lot owners want -- or need -- to comply with ADA rules on giving spots to disabled people, fine.

But there is no need to do so with street parking. What's more it is unfair -- you have no idea what spot or block is going to be popular.

by charlie on May 14, 2012 10:47 am • link • report

Obviously, planners need to be able to carry 25 pound reports as well as write them.

by Ben Ross on May 14, 2012 10:57 am • link • report

Yay for Adams-Morgan. Now lets do the same for M street in Georgetown. It'd be nice to be able to walk next to my wife for a distance of more than a couple strides or so.

by X on May 14, 2012 11:01 am • link • report

@charlie

Charge disabled parkers the same rate as everyone else, and the financial incentive for placard fraud will disappear.

The system is only unenforceable because we've set it up that way. If you structure it so that it can actually be enforced, then there won't be a major problem.

by Alex B. on May 14, 2012 11:06 am • link • report

Some local businesses worry traffic won't bounce back to what it was before construction

Strange that they would confuse "traffic" with "customers."

How much of A-M's business activity is because of people who drive to and park right on the main drag? It can't be a huge portion... most people arrange alternative transportation there, either on foot, metro, or cab, and those who drive are probably going to park elsewhere.

by JustMe on May 14, 2012 11:10 am • link • report

Yay for City of Alex!! Thats huge news.

FFX county wants a planner who can bike? I take it that will be a bike or bike/ped focused planner?

by AWalkerInTheCity on May 14, 2012 11:33 am • link • report

As a resident of Adams Morgan, I am glad for the calming effect that the construction has brought to the area. I am confident that the businesses which actually added something to the community will bounce back pretty quickly. I'm hoping that the improved steetscape will bring with it an improved customer base.

by Scoot on May 14, 2012 11:53 am • link • report

Customers come from traffic. Traffic doesn't exist only with a negative connotation.

by selxic on May 14, 2012 11:54 am • link • report

Even downtown businesses consistently overestimate the percentage of their customers who arrive by car. Countless surveys of customers in urban business districts show that large majorities of customers do not arrive in cars -- and the ability of such business districts to thrive without mall-style oceans of parking (thus enabling the walkable cluster of shops in the first place) should be a testament to that.

A smart BID would commission such a survey before splashing out any money on parking or other transportation improvements.

by Payton on May 14, 2012 11:27 pm • link • report

I saw the self driving car by the Capitol last evening while biking. I wasn't quick enough with my phone to get a photo or I would've sent it in.

by Teyo on May 14, 2012 11:30 pm • link • report