Breakfast links: Takeover danger
Whose rail line is it anyway?
Experts have serious concerns about possible Federal Railroad Administration oversight of Metro. It’s not clear the FRA’s system is all that much safer than what Metro’s currently doing. (WAMU)
Bowser deals with Exelon
Mayor Bowser has agreed to support Exelon’s takeover of Pepco after negotiating for the energy giant to invest $78 million in DC. Bowser says the deal would bring 100 jobs to the city, but there’s still lots of opposition. (City Paper)
Paying off Safeway
DC will pay Safeway $900,000 per year not to block a Walmart from moving in next door at the Skyland center in Ward 8. The Walmart itself won’t fall within the zone Safeway could restrict, but the parking lot will. (WBJ)
So long, paper farecard
Metro is getting rid of paper farecards. By the end of this week, fare machines in 8 stations will only offer SmarTrip cards. The system should be completely paperless by March. (Post)
Stop building!
An Arlington County Board candidate says there might be too much development in Pentagon City. One of his key endorsers is the guy who ran against the Columbia Pike streetcar. Likeminded neighbors have been fighting new housing nearby for years. (ARL Now)
Bike priority areas
Baltimore and Towson have fallen far behind in building safe and comfortable bicycle facilities. Montgomery is the only county in the state of Maryland that has designated areas where biking and walking take priority. (Baltimore Sun)
Viva White Oak
After 4 years with no real progress, a proposed town center development in White Oak is alive and well… with a new name: Viva White Oak. Residents hope it’ll bring urban development to eastern Montgomery County. (WBJ)
Breaking ground
THEARC, the arts and education center in Ward 8 where President Obama has visited multiple times, will expand with a new building to include a boys’ school, a black box theater, and exhibition space for the Phillips Collection. (WBJ)
And…
Yogis beware: it’s illegal to strike a yoga pose on Metro tracks. (DCist) … Apple reversed a decision and approved the app that alerts drivers of DC speed cameras. (Post) … Chicago is turning some of its train cars into moving libraries. (Mental Floss)