Breakfast links: A pleasant rebirth
Apartments rise from the ashes
The former Deauville Apartments in Mount Pleasant have reopened as the Monsenor Romero Apartments, six years after the building was destroyed by fire. Most of the residents will be former Deauville occupants. (City Paper)
Buses get priority
DDOT plans to install transit signal priority equipment around DC, including 16th Street. The technology will allow longer green lights or shorter red lights for Metrobuses when traffic conditions are right. (WBJ)
Reeves off the table
The Reeves Center is now no longer part of the DC United stadium deal. Some on the council felt they could get more on the open market, while Mayor Gray warned the move will delay the project and cost DC more. (WAMU)
Transportation bills stall
The DC Council decided to table both the contributory negligence bill and legislation that would increase the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis until next year. (WAMU)
Amtrak on the move
A new Amtrak tunnel in Baltimore could also bring improvements to the West Baltimore MARC station. Amtrak has continued to see ridership increases, leading to its smallest operating deficit in 40 years. (Baltimore Brew, WSJ)
Georgetown gondola closer to reality?
The Georgetown BID has nearly raised enough money for a feasibility study of a gondola line to Rosslyn. So far, the money has come from private sources. (UrbanTurf)
Pay more, get less
Virginia’s gas tax will rise next year, but state transit funding will decrease. Virginia had planned on federal revenue that failed to pass Congress. Though Virginia’s gas taxes will remain among the lowest in the nation. (WAMU)
Frack away?
Governor O’Malley plans to allow fracking in western Maryland under strict environmental regulations. Governor-elect Hogan favors fracking, but criticized O’Malley’s closing actions as governor. (Post)
Marion Barry, city-builder
DC developers remember Marion Barry as a mayor who got projects built, including Gallery Place. They credit his skill at negotiating and making deals. (WBJ)