Somehow I knew this Klingle Road issue wasn't dead and buried two years ago. The most unfortunate, and likeliest scenario, is that this drags on for years and nothing ever really gets done about it, one way or another. The only winners in this will be the uber-wealthy property owners along the road's western borders who don't want anybody in their back yards, be it cars, bikes or pedestrians.

by Ron on Jun 25, 2010 9:03 am • link • report

Va. Trans. Sec. Sean Connaugton still doesn't get it. He doesn't need to convince Metro. He needs to convince Peter Rogoff that VA has a "dedicated" funding source for the revenue--not one that he or the Governor will turn on and off at their whim. Otherwise, WMATA still doesn't get the money for railcars and vital infrastructure improvements because VA won't be in compliance with the law.

by Craig Simpson on Jun 25, 2010 9:09 am • link • report

I'd say the Unsuck DC Metro boys and girls are the whiny ones. It's fairly easy to snipe at a large public transit system, less so to actually think about how to make it better.

The Merrifield development would probably be better than what is there - the place is a generally a steaming pile of sh**. However, I wasn't terribly impressed with the renderings. The one labelled "a pedestrian friendly main street" looked like a temple to Target. It looked like the most faux, uninspired, half-assed, not even good enough to be called trendy sort of new urbanist development concept. All that being said, it will still be better than what is there.

by Josh S on Jun 25, 2010 9:11 am • link • report

Some ugly politics on the capital funding agreement. I guess it does come down to what "dedicated" means. So you've got three entities to blink: NVTA and the Governor, Kawasaki, and the FTA.

I'm not sure what more the bike advocates want. Both men pled guilty to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Sure, 2 years probation might not look like much but that is the punishment for that crime -- and probably up for the judge to decide based on any number of things. One driver wasn't charged with a DUI, which means he may have been drinking but not drunk.

by charlie on Jun 25, 2010 9:15 am • link • report

QUOTE: "Perennial pro-road leader Laurie Collins called the trail a "three-block hike-bike path to nowhere," which is an odd choice of words since she wants a road in the same spot. Is it to nowhere, or not? (Housing Complex)

It isn't a "trail" at all. Ms. Collins doesn't suggest adding a new road because there's already a road there. Klingle "Road" is still classified as a road and it carried 3,200 cars a day, east and west of Rock Creek Park.

The only oddity I can see is that you think it is a trail.

Now, that's strange.

by Bill on Jun 25, 2010 9:20 am • link • report

I'm pretty sure Connaughton understands the logistics of who needs to be convinced of what. Rogoff himself seemed unsure of whether Virginia had or had not affirmed their payment in some of the quotes I read earlier this week. How do you convince someone of something that they don't even fully understand themselves?

by Lou on Jun 25, 2010 9:21 am • link • report

@Ron - Of course not, just as the issue wasn't resolved in 2003 when the DC Council came out the other way. Until something is built, it's going to remain an open issue. Once the bike/hike trail moves far enough along that the DC Council has to consider the cost and the road closure issue, expect the debate to resume, with points that a road would cost little more than the path, that the road closing is illegal or contrary to the easement, and who knows what else.

by ah on Jun 25, 2010 9:24 am • link • report

I think the Unsuck DC post is pretty funny, because it's mostly true. And they're spot on with the Craig Simpson thing. I'm sure he's a great guy and all, but the fact that he glosses over the high costs of union labor while trying to find "solutions" to Metro's budget problems is equivalent to spitting in my face and telling me it's raining.

by Teyo on Jun 25, 2010 9:37 am • link • report

From what I can see, I'm really impressed by the Merrifield development. The site plan does a good job of interacting with its surroundings - the blocks are fairly small, there are potential street connections into the adjacent strip mall when it's redeveloped, and a nice transition to the existing mixed-use buildings along Gallows Road. The renderings show buildings with a lot of glazing - I imagine there won't be as much in the real thing, but it shows they're thinking about ways to create lively streetscapes by letting people see inside.

I kind of want a more substantial square or plaza, though. This seems like it would be the very center of Merrifield (unless they're doing something at the Metro station, maybe a 15-minute walk away) and they might want space to hold large events in.

by dan reed! on Jun 25, 2010 9:59 am • link • report

...Hit cyclists intentionally, don't go to jail:...
Kind of like the woman who threatened to run me over yesterday after she did an illegal U-turn into oncoming traffic (me) and pulled into the traffic lane from the parking lane, nearly hiting me in the process.
And then she rolled down her window to tell me that " I don't know her...[She]'ll hit me" Ridiculous.

Oh, yeah, its nice to know that thanks to the video camera that I ride with, I have a recording of her threatening me with what I presume would be considered pre-medidated assault with a weapon. Be careful out there riders.

by Bilsko on Jun 25, 2010 10:02 am • link • report

MMM...Breakfat links!

by Stephen Miller on Jun 25, 2010 10:11 am • link • report

I'm starting a new blog: Unsuck Unsuck DC Metro.

by andrew on Jun 25, 2010 10:16 am • link • report

3,200 cars daily on Klingle Road? I grew up in Tenleytown and now live in Columbia Heights. There's no way that many cars used that road on a daily basis. In my day, it was famous only for drunk-driving teenagers who liked it because it was empty.

I own a car and like my roads, but this road is a joke. Meanwhile, it's a lovely valley that will be a nice place to hang out and bike and walk through.

To support the "proposed action" of the Environmental Assessment email here - comments@klingletrail.com

by Wreckfish on Jun 25, 2010 10:23 am • link • report

@ Teyo Presumably that's because he's more interested in budget solutions that are actually practical. Metro has a contract with their union employees. They cannot unilaterally break it. Period.

by jcm on Jun 25, 2010 10:27 am • link • report

@Bill:

It isn't a "trail" at all. Ms. Collins doesn't suggest adding a new road because there's already a road there. Klingle "Road" is still classified as a road and it carried 3,200 cars a day, east and west of Rock Creek Park.

The only oddity I can see is that you think it is a trail.

Strange you think it's a road. I never see any cars driving on it. In fact, last time I hiked it a few years ago, it seemed barely navigable by bicycle, much less via auto. Surely that's one of the salient features of a "road".

by oboe on Jun 25, 2010 10:36 am • link • report

Was the peak-of-peak surcharge passed as well? I was under the impression that that wasn't passed, and will be considered at a later meeting. Anybody know for sure?

by Tim on Jun 25, 2010 10:38 am • link • report

@jcm

The union shouldn't be asking for raises when it is clear that a budget crisis is looming. Yet they did exactly that. I understand that as a union, it's sole purpose is to seek more benefits, higher wages, and a better working environment for its members. However, it also has a responsibility not to become a parasite that kills the host. If the union actually cared about Metro, it would not have asked for a raise and it would be working with Metro to deal with the labor costs. It also wouldn't be advocating for members that are clearly breaking rules, like the McGruff puncher and numerous other employees that have regained their jobs and received back-pay after clearly unprofessional (and in some cases illegal) activity. It makes the union look bad and sends the signal that the union is more interested in protecting its due-paying members instead of fostering a professional working environment.

What bothers me most about Craig Simpson posting on this blog is that he did not acknowledge his membership in the union (it was the 8th post in his series on the budget that finally contained a disclaimer at the end of the post about that) and that he seems to blame everyone else but the union for Metro's problems.

It's good to have the union's perspective on Metro related issues because the more perspectives there are, the better we can understand what's really going on. But giving Craig Simpson a 9 part series on the budget was ridiculous and UnsuckDCMetro was right to point that out.

by Teyo on Jun 25, 2010 10:55 am • link • report

@Tim

DCist and Dr. Gridlock both report that the whole thing was passed.

by Teyo on Jun 25, 2010 10:59 am • link • report

@Teyo

I'm sure David would have loved to run a 9-part counterpoint to Craig's series, but you'd have to put together something with more substance than just "don't deal with the union!"

The fact is that the union and labor are long term cost issues for Metro, and are effectively non-options when looking to close an immediate term budget gap. There are signed contracts and the like that simply cannot be changed in that timeframe.

What I find funny is Unsuck's characterization of GGW's posts with a fantasy unicorn - now which approach is more fantasy than reality - wishing the union would just go away, or actually looking at potential solutions to the problem?

Unsuck is a nice place to bitch and whine. Whining doesn't solve problems, however. More to the point, it often doesn't even properly identify the problems that need fixing.

by Alex B. on Jun 25, 2010 11:09 am • link • report

@jcm

The union's contract expired two years ago.

In addition, ATU 689 knows exactly how much financial trouble the agency is in, yet still insisted on getting their cost of living increases. I'm sorry, the economy has been stagnant for years and there's basically zero inflation. Other public and private employees are being laid off left and right, many others have either experience furloughs, had hours reduced, or been forced to take steep pay cuts. Something about this situation is not right. Either WMATA agreed to an obviously flawed contract the last go-around or there are serious deficiencies in the way labor decisions are made and enforced.

I understand that a union is supposed to do what is in the best interest of their members and they will likely be quick to point out that they are only getting what the arbitrator decided was fair. Has there been a single arbitration decision that has gone in favor of WMATA? I would like to know who these arbitrators are and make the decision-making process transparent; at least in court all records are public.

by Adam L on Jun 25, 2010 11:16 am • link • report

It may be a reality that there is a contract with the union. With the current budget mess, why is that contract sacrosanct? Other than the frequent assertion that it is not "realistic," I really do not see a good reason why this should be off the table. The public service unions have a pretty good deal, and are a major source of fiscal problems for state and local governments. When people in the private sector are losing jobs, arguing that not only your job, but also your salary, benefits and your salary INCREASE should be kept shows a shocking level of arrogance.

by SJE on Jun 25, 2010 11:23 am • link • report

@ Adam L The contract has language that has kept it in place. Specifically "This Agreement is to continue in effect through June 30, 2008, and from year to year thereafter."

Again, WMATA cannot unilaterally change the union pay rates. They have a contract. WMATA and the union agreed to binding arbitration in the case of a failure to reach an agreement. In the last round of arbitration, the union got a pay raise, and gave up some benefits.

You can wish things were different, but that doesn't change the fact that claiming WMATA can reduce its budget shortfall by paying union workers less is a fantasy.

by jcm on Jun 25, 2010 11:37 am • link • report

@oboe Oh no, it's a road. There are a number of service vehicles on it almost every day. WASA, WMATA, Pepco, and the workers who drive their own cars.

by Bill on Jun 25, 2010 11:44 am • link • report

@jcm

Yes, I understand that the wages are what they are and that it cannot change. However, that doesn't mean that there cannot be more transparency in the process, especially arbitration. If I filed a wrongful termination suit in court, all my business would be out in the open. The same should apply to arbitration cases dealing with public employees. Maybe these inane decisions would seem less so if the arbiter's reasoning was actually made public.

It's also clear that WMATA sucks at collective bargaining arrangements. How is it WMATA could have come to an agreement that so severely limits their options? Other public employees also have union contracts and yet government agencies are still able to cut staff, salaries and hours as budget situations change.

Does anybody know if D.C. has a Taylor Law? If not, we are sorely in need of one.

by Adam L on Jun 25, 2010 11:52 am • link • report

I used to ride by the merrifield development every day for work. There is a solid 1/4 mile of good urban development that they're currently building and probably double that in just potential (vacant land). There is a small pocket park down there but not large enough for a significant event.

by Canaan on Jun 25, 2010 11:52 am • link • report

If things get to the point that ATU 689's demands drive WMATA further in crisis, would it be possible for WMATA to declare insolvency and enter federal recievership, or at the very least spin off Metrobus and/or MetroAccess?

The stunts ATU 689 pull are precisely why the majority of America is anti-union at this point. The sadder thing is that many of the good, honest employees are purged in probation for minor infractions with no protection.

by Jason on Jun 25, 2010 12:01 pm • link • report

I'm generally pro-union but the ATU 689 clearly is not thinking about the long-term. If WMATA collapses under the weight of unreasonable labor costs and an arbitration clause that essentially makes it impossible to fire employees for cause the union losses too. Unions often agree to benefit and pay cuts to help companies in bad financial situations (for examples see the car companies and most of the major airlines.) The current situation is clearly unsustainable and WMATA needs to start putting serious pressure on them to do this and if they refuse needs to take a much harder line at the next round of contract negotiations.

by Jacob on Jun 25, 2010 1:55 pm • link • report

Klingle is a road with the MIDDLE segment about 1/2 mile that needs repair, this is what would be turned into a hike/bike. That is why it connects to nothing and makes no sense. It breaks up a road that all of sudden stops and reconnects 1/2 mile later. With 13 acres of park next door on Tregaron, and all of Rock Creek Park, it is unnecessary.

by Sally on Jun 25, 2010 2:02 pm • link • report

I'm glad to read more and more opinions against this ridiculous union. They're headed by some illiterate reactionaries and gleefully defend criminals. It could only aid WMATA if the union was dissolved.

by James on Jun 25, 2010 3:56 pm • link • report

The artist's rendering of the Merrifield development is truly depressing. Temple to Target is spot on. There is so much attractive vernacular architecture around here that designers appear not to have any awareness of, do we need to have yet more ugly glass boxes? Do not want.

by TomatoQueen on Jun 26, 2010 6:05 pm • link • report

Concerning the Gainesville project; I do hope that they make enough room for another railroad track when the interchange fly's over the B-Line

by Zac on Jun 27, 2010 1:37 pm • link • report