Breakfast links: Silver is coming
The simulation begins
Metro is running simulated Silver Line trains this week. There will be fewer Orange Line trains west of East Falls Church and east of Stadium-Armory. (Post)
Parking lot owners prepare for commuters
Since the Tysons Corner Silver Line stations do not have Metro garages, some owners of adjacent private parking lots are welcoming commuters, while others, like the Tysons malls, are taking steps to ensure commuters don’t use their lots. (Post)
Edgy redesign for Franklin Park
Among the three options for Franklin Park, “The Edge” seems to have the most support from officials. That would put a pedestrian plaza along I Street, redesign the fountain, and add a playground. (WBJ)
The seven worst guards in DC
Even though it’s legal to take pictures of federal buildings from the public sidewalk, when Buzzfeed’s Benny Johnson tried it around DC’s seven ugliest buildings, security guards repeatedly hassled him.
National Harbor casino on the way
The Prince George’s County Council will likely approve MGM’s casino project at National Harbor today. But neighbors and their councilmember are demanding a transportation management plan. (Post)
Why not large condos?
Although neighbors often ask for larger, family-sized condos when a new project is built, developers say not many families actually want them (preferring townhouses or detached houses), and the profit per square foot is lower. However, larger condos may make sense in some areas like Capitol Hill. (UrbanTurf)
Cities turn contracting upside down
Rather than specifying exactly what they want to buy, Barcelona and Philadelphia are outlining the problems they want solved and letting entrepreneurs devise creative solutions. (CityLab)
RIP Ed Tennyson
Edson Tennyson, a long-time rail advocate, died last week at age 92 his home in Vienna. He was of Metro’s original planners and remained an advocate to the end, with his most recent letter to Dr. Gridlock in March. (Railway Age, thm) (Tip: thm)
And…
A water-wheel pulls trash (including a tire) from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. (WTOP) … This map shows the condition of roads and bridges by state. (Bacon’s Rebellion) … More details emerge on the freight container apartments going up in Brookland. (Post)