Breakfast links: Fits and starts
Alternative B
The Alexandria City Council unanimously selected “Alternative B,” a short walk from the North Potomac Yard shopping center, for the Potomac Yard Metro. The station is anticipated to add 24,000 jobs and could open as soon as late 2018. Residents of the area are nervous about new taxes while the council decides how to finance the project. (WBJ, WAMU)
At the crossroads
The Takoma-Langley Crossroads Transit Center in Prince George’s County is set to open this fall. The center will hold 12 bays at one of the busiest bus-only transfer points in the region, as well as a Purple Line stop. (Post)
Sick
Two young children staying at the DC General shelter tested positive for elevated lead levels. Paint in the cafeteria tested positive for lead and was forced to close. Mayor Bowser is seeking to close the shelter permanently. (WAMU)
Staying still
DCPS is now offering three-year contracts for some of their higher performing principals in an effort to bring stability into schools. 22 principals will be offered longer appointments based on their annual evaluations. (Post)
Seeing green
Mayor Bowser signed an updated DC Clean Rivers Project that calls for green infrastructure projects across the city. The project emphasizes green roofs, rain gardens, and impervious pavement to help clean up the rivers. (Post)
Ride hail
Ride hailing companies will now be able to legally operate at Dulles and National airports. The airports authority decided on rules for these companies including parking areas near the airports to reduce wait times. (Post)
Park district
DC ranked third in the nation for its access to parks, according to the Trust for Public Land. 22% of the city’s land area is dedicated to parks. DC was ranked 6th last year. (DCist)
Don’t rank me
People love city rankings but they have many problems. The rankings often lack data or use silly data, are trying to sell something, or are based more on reputation than reality. They also leave out important cities. (CityLab)
Sled on
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton succeeded in leading the charge to bring sledding back to Capitol Hill. The House passed a bill Tuesday that would “forebear enforcement” of the sledding ban. (DCist)