Breakfast links: Download it

by Steven Yates • May 21, 2012 8:46 am

Photo by John H Gray on Flickr.

WiFi to VRE?: VRE is looking at adding WiFi to its trains by 2015. In addition to giving service to riders, it would also help in safety and operations, potentially even saving money. (Examiner)

Ride On API on: Ride On has quietly added a developer interface to their real-time bus tracking. It's somewhat compatible with other systems, but not entirely, creating extra obstacles for developers. (Raschke on Transport)

Times are a changin': While demographics in Ward 5 have not shifted as fast as other parts of the city, that's about to change with new housing going up and several transit accessible plots available for development. Can Kenyan McDuffie prepare the community for this change? (RPUS)

Strip to mixed: A Fairfax strip mall is slated to become a five story mixed use development. While some residents support a mixed use development, others are concerned with the loss of a bookstore that's currently there. (WAMU)

Bollards unhelpful: Arlington is installing bollards on its trails which don't seem to be necessary. There haven't been any issues with encroaching cars any any of the locations, and the bollards could actually endanger cyclists. (CommuterPageBlog)

Purple Line needs gas: Maryland's rejection of a gas tax hike could delay the Purple Line. The state will likely have to choose between it and Baltimore's Red Line first, and delay the other for 5 years. (Post)

Bike LA: Biking is on the rise Los Angeles thanks to new infrastructure, high gas prices, congestion, and several large group rides. Also, friction between bikes and cars is likely blown out of proportion. (NYT)

And...: Mayor Gray is looking for restaurants for the St. Elizabeth's campus. (Washington Times) ... Take a tour Northern Virginia development projects. (Post) ... Is the Potomac not most endangered river after all? (Post)

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9 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.

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@Purple Line
As much as I want to see it I think Baltimore should get some priory here first. We did just get a 3 billion ICC (regardless if everyone wanted it or not). There does need to be some wealth sharing, and Baltimore is in dire need a more mass transit.
On the other hand I am not sure how well the Red line is designed. I have heard some opposition to it from people who would generally be for more mass transit because it is not designed as well as it could be.

by Matt R on May 21, 2012 9:44 am • link • report

I think it is very unlikely that MDOT will choose between the Purple and Red lines, as that would require the Governor to turn his back on half of his core constituency.

It would make sense for the Governor to select a new MDOT Secretary with the political skills to help get the necessary funding to move those projects forward. The fact that the General Assembly did not raise the gas tax last Spring does not necessarily imply that it will not provide the funds necessary to keep the Red and Purple line projects moving. It was not urgent to do so in 2012, but it will be urgent in 2013.

by Jim T on May 21, 2012 9:50 am • link • report

While some residents support a mixed use development, others are concerned with the loss of a bookstore that's currently there.

I'm not sure this is a fair characterization of concerns regarding the Penn-Daw redevelopment. The only mention of concerns about the bookstore came from the manager of the store saying customers are upset.

by selxic on May 21, 2012 10:09 am • link • report

As much as I want to see it I think Baltimore should get some priory here first. We did just get a 3 billion ICC

I don't think that's the right way to look at it. Rather, better criteria would look at which investment would have a higher return. The DC suburb's proximity to booming DC could mean that the purple line could result in more TOD, jobs, tax revenue, etc. than B'more's line (I don't know...someone needs to do an analysis). That said, the most likely outcome is that the red line gets built first because the DC suburbs usually get the short end of the stick regardless of whether you're talking about MD or VA.

The frustrating thing (as someone who owns a property along the proposed purple line) is MD's current insistence on only looking at a gas tax as source of revenue and not special tax districts or other local taxes as a source of funds (which accounts for about 80% of financing for the Silver Line which is also why that project is happening relatively faster). I'd happily pay extra real estate taxes as part of a special tax district to have the purple line 5 years sooner as I (along with most other people along the line) would still come out ahead.

by Falls Church on May 21, 2012 10:15 am • link • report

Biking is on the rise Los Angeles thanks to new infrastructure

And of course the Tour of California that finished yesterday at the Staples Center. Props to Dutch winner Robert Gesink and the LAPD for being able to handle three major sporting events at one single site.

DC and WMATA: Did you get that? The finish of a major biking race, and two play-off games on one day and one site! Why can LA handle that while we struggle with two events on different sites?

by Jasper on May 21, 2012 10:27 am • link • report

@selxic: indeed. I was at one of the public meetings, and the biggest complaint from area residents was "traffic"....to the point where some accused the consultant of creating false traffic projections. Yes, NIMBYism is alive and well in Penn Daw.

by Froggie on May 21, 2012 10:29 am • link • report

I don't want to get all nit-picky but you should add "county" after "Fairfax" in the strip mall story, since it is not in Fairfax. Whatever you do please don't call it Alexandria.

by spookiness on May 21, 2012 10:43 am • link • report

That portion of Fairfax County is Alexandria although not part of the City of Alexandria.

by selxic on May 21, 2012 1:24 pm • link • report

McDuffie needs to start by removing his campaign posters that are taped with lots of tape high on light poles. Especially through Bloomingdale on Rhode Island.

Responsibility starts the day after election by removing posters from public poles.

And tape causes the paint to be pulled off, they should have been stapled.

by Tom Coumaris on May 21, 2012 8:22 pm • link • report