U st could use a nail salon moratorium.

Or a live music moratorium.

Liquor sales? Not so much.

by charlie on Mar 18, 2013 9:00 am • link • report

The taxi-Spingarm link is broken.

Looking at the pool pictures, those skylights will make it a very pleasant practice and recreation pool, but a terrible competition pool -- the glare off the water makes it impossible for both spectators and swimming officials to see the action. Why build a 50 m pool if you nobody will want to have meets there? I sure hope they fix the design.

by goldfish on Mar 18, 2013 9:15 am • link • report

The Arlington Republicans think its foolish to spend any money and if you must then there should always be someone willing to do it for cheaper.

The Arlington Greens think that any money spent on anything that doesn't make the county look like what it did before metro opened is giving into bourgeouis interests and must be fought viciously.

So between the two the pool is probably a good investment.

by drumz on Mar 18, 2013 9:32 am • link • report

I love the idea of being able to use the bike sharing program across cities. IMO the idea of a more nationalized membership has worked really well for Zipcar as I've been more likely to use the service while traveling due to its convenience. Just think, in planning your next trip you could make the reservations for your bike rental before you even leave home. Very smart and convenient, and I hope Alta follow suit.

by bobco85 on Mar 18, 2013 9:37 am • link • report

goldfish, I bet the skylights are closeable.

by m2fc on Mar 18, 2013 9:37 am • link • report

I've fixed the taxi link. Thanks.

by David Alpert on Mar 18, 2013 9:38 am • link • report

Beyond working w/five different agencies, I don't understand what Gray and NPS made worse this year than it has in previous years. Not being able to get an appt for what could've been two months does "appear" like a long time but I'm not so sure it actually is. But I also note that there was no suggestion offered that will deal w/this in the future.

Yes! They should take remove carpeting from the trains.

by HogWash on Mar 18, 2013 9:39 am • link • report

@m2fc: the large windows also present the same problem. Even the rendering! has reflections from the windows on the surface of the water, showing the nice views of the Washington Monument and the Capitol. Again, it will be a wonderful workout and rec pool but a terrible venue for meets. Serious competition pools have windows fitted with frosted glass; they do not have direct sunlight on the water.

by goldfish on Mar 18, 2013 9:48 am • link • report

Let's see: Arlington is laying off city workers, cutting back on healthcare at its jail, closing the restrooms in public parks, and cutting the county police force. And raising taxes. And that leaves a shortfall in the schools budget. And that's all before any impact of sequestration.

But full speed ahead on a luxury, county-operated health club with a fancy pool. Yes, Arlington is going $82 million in hock to give its residents a publicly-subsidized alternative to LA Fitness and Golds Gym. From the release:

Space allocated to fitness activities, including classes and individual workouts, has been expanded in order to increase revenues and improve cost recovery.

The fitness center includes:
community and group exercise rooms; health and fitness spaces; multiple activity center; racquetball/squash courts; climbing wall; indoor jogging track; and support spaces included in the 2004 Master Plan.

So we have to cut public services, raise taxes, and borrow money to build it. Then we have to pay to use it -- and now we'll have more that we have to pay for.

Where do I sign up for the Green Party and the Republicans? Can I be a member of both?

by Bitter Brew on Mar 18, 2013 9:48 am • link • report

Hogwash,

Two months actually is a long time for an event that is 6 months away. And there were a few more weeks before they were told to jump through more hoops.

As for NPS, they forbid BikeDC from doing a closure this year that they've done in the past.

So, that's foot-dragging, capricious decision making combined and an inconsistent set of policies within the DC government. The future solution is quicker responses, standard procedures and a consistent set of policies.

by David C on Mar 18, 2013 9:48 am • link • report

"Subway subway fantasy map"

People actually get paid for articles like that?

by jh on Mar 18, 2013 9:51 am • link • report

Even the rendering! has reflections from the windows on the surface of the water,

I'll bet the $80 million price tag includes some window screens. Not that hard to do.

by Alex B. on Mar 18, 2013 9:52 am • link • report

Some one needs to take pictures of the lighting test at Judiciary Square and post them here so we can all see what looks like.

The picture in the Examiner article is a cross the tracks shot of an arriving train at McPherson Square.

by Sand Box John on Mar 18, 2013 9:55 am • link • report

@Alex B: in an aquatic environment, harder than you think. I have never seen blinds at any pool.

On sunny days I cursed at many pools with large windows. You can't see.

by goldfish on Mar 18, 2013 9:56 am • link • report

my two cents re metro:
-I actually find the dim lighting to be soothing. I think the lights at judiciary square are horrible. Transit is often bustling and frenetic so anything that can be done to sooth the experience is a good thing. Stepping into the dimly lit stations in our metro was always part of the pleasure for me. Like stepping into a cathedral.
-I also think carpet goes a long way to dampin the sound and sooth the experience while on the train. Is it dirty, stained carpet? Yes. but how is dirty, sticky, stained black vinyl any better?

by Johnny on Mar 18, 2013 9:58 am • link • report

Finally! Republicans picking a fight where I can side with them. PLease don't let Gehry mar DC with his dreck.

by Omri on Mar 18, 2013 10:00 am • link • report

Two months actually is a long time for an event that is 6 months away.

Having been a scheduler in the past, it's really not. All depends on the job.

The future solution is quicker responses, standard procedures and a consistent set of policies.

I agree. But I still would like to know why NPS/Mayor's policies became inconsistent this year. That helps us not repeat the same again.

by HogWash on Mar 18, 2013 10:00 am • link • report

Because dirty, sticky, stained black vinyl is easier to clean than dirty, stained carpet.

Practically every other rail transit system I've been on has had floors, and it works fine. No reason why WMATA can't do the same, especially if it saves money in the long run.

by Froggie on Mar 18, 2013 10:02 am • link • report

Posted before looking, Matt has already done it, see Lights brighten mezzanine at Judiciary Sq.

by Sand Box John on Mar 18, 2013 10:04 am • link • report

@DA: thanks for fixing the SpingarN link; I looked for it on the Examiner web site, but the search came up empty. The Examiner site is pretty clunky.

Now my point: taxi driving is not education! This is appalling, and DCPS should be embarrassed.

by goldfish on Mar 18, 2013 10:12 am • link • report

Actually London has a exam people need to pass to get a hack license that is supposed to be quite rigorous. I'm assuming this would be a shorter course of study though as DC is significantly less complicated. I think offering vocational coursework in general is a great idea as long as they don't neglect core academic work.

Re: metro lights, I agree a lot of stations are dim. I wouldn't want super bright lights, hopefully it's a happy medium be proposed. Carpets should absolutely go.

by Alan B. on Mar 18, 2013 10:28 am • link • report

Now my point: taxi driving is not education! This is appalling, and DCPS should be embarrassed.

Why? Training a subset of students for a realistic job is "embarrassing"? Taxi driver certainly isn't the most glamorous job, but presumably teaching students how to do it not only involves the vocational side but also the business side like keeping books for accounting, etc.

by MLD on Mar 18, 2013 10:32 am • link • report

@MLD: every job has level of skill but that does not justify a whole DCPS program. VoTech is traditionally limited to trades -- electrician, plumber, etc. There is no taxi driver trade; what is next, will DCPS make a program to train people to push a broom?

by goldfish on Mar 18, 2013 10:39 am • link • report

Carpets rock. It's one of the very few things Metro has over its counterparts in other cities. That and the seats. There ought to be a law against those hard plastic seats you find in some other subway systems.

by Chris S. on Mar 18, 2013 10:41 am • link • report

Drumz,

Look up the difference between "need" v. "want." Given Arlington's budgetary issues, building a $100 million dollar pool might be down the list of wants in my view.

by Burger on Mar 18, 2013 10:48 am • link • report

Look up the difference between "need" v. "want." Given Arlington's budgetary issues, building a $100 million dollar pool might be down the list of wants in my view.

And it would help to realize the difference between an operating budget and a capital projects budget. This years budget woes are temporary and most cuts will likely be restored back over time.

Meanwhile the county has recognized that its residents want more aquatics facilities and this plus the vote in november is the approval of that plan and how its going to be paid for.

Just because the county has problems today doesn't mean it has to stop all planning for the future.

by drumz on Mar 18, 2013 10:59 am • link • report

Curious how intercity Alta would work. Different cities' Alta systems have different policies and different charges. What's to stop a person living in NYC from getting a CaBi membership for example because it's cheaper?

by Lucre on Mar 18, 2013 11:09 am • link • report

re Bike DC:
I can understand more hoop jumping if this was a one off event, but this is a yearly event that has been going on for decades. If DC/NPS doesn't want certain things, they can talk to the organizers and negotiate.

I question whether the Gray admin is sending a political message.

by SJE on Mar 18, 2013 11:13 am • link • report

@Lucre
What's to stop a person living in NYC from getting a CaBi membership for example because it's cheaper?
Two things: one I would guess they could put a restriction on where you can get a membership based on your credit card billing info - not perfect obviously. Or they can write into their terms that they reserve the right to charge you more if you make a majority of trips on a different system than the one you have a membership for.

by MLD on Mar 18, 2013 11:17 am • link • report

This years budget woes are temporary and most cuts will likely be restored back over time.

Ok, then only build the aquatics center after the cuts have been restored. Things like schools, basic government services, and maintenance should take priority over new shiny objects.

There is no taxi driver trade; what is next, will DCPS make a program to train people to push a broom?

Driving a taxi is a respectable middle class job that takes a lot more skill than pushing a broom. A lot of jobs such as "taxi driver" go to people in the suburbs even when EOTR has a 20% unemployment rate because those unemployed people lack the skills to get those jobs. Completing the proposed taxi driver course will allow students to immediately be certified to drive a taxi.

by Falls Church on Mar 18, 2013 11:20 am • link • report

"Ok, then only build the aquatics center after the cuts have been restored. Things like schools, basic government services, and maintenance should take priority over new shiny objects"

are you suggesting using funds from a bond issue to fund operations and maintenance? Seems like thats a poor idea http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Beame

by AWalkerInTheCity on Mar 18, 2013 11:24 am • link • report

What's to stop a person living in NYC from getting a CaBi membership for example because it's cheaper?

They could offer two levels of membership. A city membership at the rate for a particular city (only good for that city) or a universal membership at the rate of the most expensive city.

Or, annual membership could come with 15 days of unlimited rides in any other city.

by Falls Church on Mar 18, 2013 11:26 am • link • report

In the past I might have been surprised by a Green/Republican alliance. But then again this site splits about 50/50 progressive/conservative, so maybe it is a growing trend. If only these two sides could get along in Congress as well.

by Chris S. on Mar 18, 2013 11:27 am • link • report

are you suggesting using funds from a bond issue to fund operations and maintenance?

No, I'm suggesting that instead of issuing a bond, redirect payments of principal+interest toward core services. Of course, now that they've already issued the bond, it's too late.

by Falls Church on Mar 18, 2013 11:31 am • link • report

Ok, then only build the aquatics center after the cuts have been restored. Things like schools, basic government services, and maintenance should take priority over new shiny objects.

Construction won't start until next year and is being financed through a bond measure passed by voters in November. Today's cuts have nothing to do with how that went down. If you're concerned about the county's debt load that's fine but the county has a AAA rating and has information about how it plans to service that debt anyway. None of that helps the current budget.

by drumz on Mar 18, 2013 11:33 am • link • report

RE: Intercity bikeshare

They could just charge people the rate for the city that they used it in most over X number of months. Since it's a yearly membership they could check it every 6 months. That could be a feature that people have to opt-in to when they sign up.

by TakomaNick on Mar 18, 2013 11:35 am • link • report

Construction won't start until next year and is being financed through a bond measure passed by voters in November. Today's cuts have nothing to do with how that went down.

The fiscally responsible thing to do would have been to never put the bond issuance on the ballot in the first place. Those bond issuances always pass because people trust that their elected representatives are being fiscally responsible and its not possible for the average person to research everything about future budget projections before voting on it.

If you're concerned about the county's debt load that's fine

No, I'm concerned about the County's budget and bond payments are part of the budget.

The truth is that ribbon cuttings for shiny new objects win votes. Small cuts to core services and maintenance don't get as easily noticed but are more important in the long run. Responsible leaders make the hard choices to do what's best even if it doesn't make them the most popular. Arlington's leadership is pretty good but that doesn't mean it couldn't be better.

by Falls Church on Mar 18, 2013 11:40 am • link • report

But I still would like to know why NPS/Mayor's policies became inconsistent this year.

So would we all. Why don't you make some phone calls and see what you can find out.

by David C on Mar 18, 2013 11:43 am • link • report

Falls Church,

Well I agree that bond issues should be put to referendum but it is what it is.

If the budget situation is dire enough to warrant a hold on construction then there is still time for that.

That doesn't mean that A. it's a simple switch to move capital money around to operations especially based entirely on a one year cycle and B. the aquatics center is not an inherently bad thing especially since lots of people want more swimming facilities and none are located near those living in Cyrstal City/Aurora Highlands/Pentagon City. That doesn't change no matter how many times people decry "Shiny things"

by drumz on Mar 18, 2013 11:49 am • link • report

What's to stop a person living in NYC from getting a CaBi membership for example because it's cheaper?

1. Even if all they did was allow you to use your key at every system, and have your account billed the fee that any non-member would pay, that would be a big improvement for convenience reasons.

2. They could still charge an out-of-system user a fee per day, but reduced. So $3 per day instead of $5. Then in quickly becomes not worth it to game the system. They could add a feature where once you've spent enough to match that system's user fee, you have dual membership. So I could join CaBi at $75 a year. Then I use New York's at $3 a day. If their membership fee is $90, then once I've ridden 30 days, I become a member in NYC too, retroactive to my first use there.

3. Like others said - you pay your annual fee where ever you use the system most (by trip count or day or something).

I can think of some other ideas too, but they're more complicated.

by David C on Mar 18, 2013 11:50 am • link • report

the aquatics center is not an inherently bad thing especially since lots of people want more swimming facilities and none are located near those living in Cyrstal City/Aurora Highlands/Pentagon City.

It's not necessarily a bad thing. What's a bad thing is the lack of maintenance in arlington parks already. When I hear from the county that they're short on money to repair/replace nets, fencing, and light bulbs at tennis courts (operating budget) or to resurface heavily cracked courts at Ballston and Bluemont (capital budget) which are the highest use ones but are building a new $80M facility, those are some mixed up priorities.

by Falls Church on Mar 18, 2013 12:10 pm • link • report

So would we all Why don't you make some phone calls and see what you can find out.

Like all the rest, I'm not that interested enough to make a phone call and find out...which might explain why we don't yet have an answer.

by HogWash on Mar 18, 2013 12:14 pm • link • report

Well the parks bond that was passed was for all of the county's parks not just the aquatics center.

Anyway, the things that are cut (closed bathrooms) can be easily restored once things are back on the up and up (post sequester, down economy and other things outside of the county's control) its harder to absolutely reverse course on the pool. I don't see it as misplaced priorities but rather accepting that some costs are easier to cut than others and have an overall lesser impact.

by drumz on Mar 18, 2013 12:20 pm • link • report

@David C

All way too complicated and unnecessary. Just make it so you can only pay for membership with a credit card from a state that participates. So MD, VA, DC, possibly WV can buy CaBi membership. NY, NJ, CT can buy NY membership.

by Kyle-W on Mar 18, 2013 1:12 pm • link • report

I think for Arlington it came down to an equitable distribution of county facilities. A lot of people like in Pentagon City and Crystal City now but it enjoys proportionally fewer recreation areas. That combined with the fact that it's a somewhat awkward site, it's probably not well suited to many other uses. Apparently there is a lot of spillover demand from Pentagon recreation facilites as well. I don't Arlington currently has any facilities that could effectively host regional aquatic events but I'm not positive.

by Alan B. on Mar 18, 2013 1:12 pm • link • report

Falls Church are you talking about the Quincy Park courts? It's been a few years, but last time I played there they were in excellent shape as I recall, maybe circa ~2009.

by Alan B. on Mar 18, 2013 1:22 pm • link • report

I don't Arlington currently has any facilities that could effectively host regional aquatic events but I'm not positive.

All regional meets are listed on the Potomac Valley Swimming (PVS) web site. There are none in Arlington.

by goldfish on Mar 18, 2013 1:30 pm • link • report

Just make it so you can only pay for membership with a credit card from a state that participates.

I don't follow you. Would someone from Texas not be able to be a member of CaBi? Would they be able to buy one-day memberships? What if someone travels to DC a lot and wants to join CaBi but not in New York? I think you'd be excluding possible members.

by David C on Mar 18, 2013 1:45 pm • link • report

Kyle-W: I disagree with making access dependent on your credit card billing address. There are lots of people who spend significant amounts of time in DC or NY without living there. What if you are a student in DC, but your parents live in Queens. It makes sense to keep the credit card mailing address with your parents (I used to do that). But your primary use will be DC.

by SJE on Mar 18, 2013 1:49 pm • link • report

Is it even realistic to expect that people will by large shop around for the cheapest membership rates?

It's something I doubt most would even think of, maybe its easier to let those trying to save a buck to do so for sake of simplicity in signing up for everyone else.

by drumz on Mar 18, 2013 1:55 pm • link • report

I'm kind of surprised capital bikeshare doesn't have a junior membership that covers like 20 non-consecutive days @ $30. It's expensive enough that most tourists won't use it but it would make it more accessible to infrequent local users /frequent travelers who wouldnt want a month pass.

by Alan B. on Mar 18, 2013 2:23 pm • link • report

@SJE

Fair enough, I did think of that for a second. Thats a good question, and one that would need further looking into.

Of course, anyone can buy a one-day pass. I would be interested to see how many people outside of DC/MD/VA/WV are yearly CaBi members.

@Drumz

I think plenty of people would do this. It is like with EZpass. Plenty of people get a VA EZPass because MD charges a couple of bucks a month as a maintenance fee.

by Kyle-W on Mar 18, 2013 2:32 pm • link • report

Kyle-W,

I didn't know about the ez pass thing but I'd figure the first thing Alta would do is to figure out how many people would do this and whether it'd have an adverse affect on membership.

by drumz on Mar 18, 2013 2:41 pm • link • report

Each of my ideas, by the way, can be handled with some pretty simple software. A few if-then loops and you're there.

by David C on Mar 18, 2013 3:10 pm • link • report

I personally think it's awesome that we can close roads for elephants, but not for bikers. Those bike people clog up the roads real bad and the spandex makes my eyes hurt.

by thump on Mar 18, 2013 3:51 pm • link • report

That's funny, the only congestion I encounter on our roads is from thousands of other people in cars.

by Frank IBC on Mar 18, 2013 6:36 pm • link • report