Breakfast links: Big projects
Why “superstops” were halted
A new report on Arlington’s “$1 million bus stop” details poor communication between the county and WMATA, which was building the prototypes. The county is taking over future stop construction. (Post)
Bethesda Metro getting new escalators
Work will soon begin on the three escalators in the Bethesda Metro station. Over two and a half years, the second-longest escalators in the Western Hemisphere will be completely replaced. (Post)
Car-free every day
Lots of DC residents go car-free every day by biking or using transit. The AAA reminds you that many commuters drive long distances to work, however. (WAMU, TheWashCycle)
DC homebuyer tax credit returns?
A new bill in the DC Council would reintroduce a first-time homebuyer tax credit to the District. The proposed legislation would reduce the tax rate, as opposed to the $5,000 tax credit law that lapsed in 2011. (UrbanTurf)
Parking lot to retail
A parking lot in Georgetown will become new retail including an underground parking garage with more spaces than the current lot holds. (WBJ)
Pedestrian-friendly Prince George’s
Prince George’s is working on a plan to make the area around Prince George’s Plaza Metro station more pedestrian-friendly with more traffic signals and bike lanes, along with more development. (Gazette)
Cap the price
The DC Council is working to fix situations like the Museum Square Apartments, where tenants were told to pay $250 million to buy the building or be evicted. Two proposed bills would cap the price owners can ask. (City Paper)
Equal rights for DC
DC statehood got its hearing last week, but legislation will not likely move forward. Should activists frame the issue around civil rights? (CityLab)
This genius doesn’t drive
71-year-old historian Pamela Long, who lives near the Zoo and just won a MacArthur “genius grant,” does not have a car. She travels by Metro, Capital Bikeshare (which she’d do more if she felt safer) and walking. (City Paper)