Breakfast links: It’s a Klein world after all
100 against Klein, Tregoning
The Committee of 100 asked Vincent Gray to fire Gabe Klein and Harriet Tregoning. A letter from C100 chair George Clark claims they haven’t done enough to listen to public input, or as Lydia DePillis notes, “by which he means their input.” (Housing Complex)
Challenges ahead for Gabe
Gabe Klein has done a lot to make DC a friendlier place for bikes and pedestrians in 20 months as DDOT director. If he stays on for Vince Gray’s mayoralty, the biggest challenge he will face is that, outside the core city, there are few places to walk or bike to. (Housing Complex)
Wal-Mart coming to DC
After Tommy Wells revealed that Wal-Mart was coming to DC, it turns out that we may be getting several Wal-Marts. The company has a new press site for DC, which indicates 3 locations and pegs the stores at 80,000-120,000 square feet. For comparison, Target at DC USA is 170,000. (Twitter, Post) (Tip: Eric Fidler)
Metro has roof and communication troubles
Last night Farragut North was closed after surface construction dislodged a piece of the vault ceiling, causing it to fall to the platform. The station has reopened this morning, though the agency has now said its communications systems, including PIDs and the website, are down. (WTOP)
DCDSC doesn’t want to be democratic
It’s not just Vincent Orange who is defensive about our criticism (and the Post’s) of the insidery DC Democratic State Committee process to fill the at-large vacancy; Loose Lips gets a hold of more wounded replies and discusses more evidence that the process really is just “all about rewarding the politically connected.” (City Paper)
Maryland cancels MARC bid
MDOT has canceled bidding on a contract to take over operation of MARC’s Brunswick and Camden lines from CSX, because it failed to create sufficient competition. After Amtrak dropped out, the state was down to only one bidder. CSX will extend its operation contract at a cost of $1 million. (Railway Age, David C) (Tip: David C)
Where should CaBi go next?
With DDOT’s subtle revelation they will add 20 more Capital Bikeshare stations in the spring, Georgetown Metropolitan says the neighborhood could use at least one more station, and asks readers where it could go. Where else in the city is there a gap in the system? (Brightwoodian, Ken Archer) (Tip: Ken Archer)
Not all of the NPS is a black box
Dottie Marshall, Superintendent of the GW Parkway for the National Park Service, spoke at a Rosslyn civic association on Tuesday about priorities along the parkway. One revelation was that the Rosslyn boathouse is not yet a done deal, still requiring an alternatives analysis. (Ode Street Tribune)
And…
DDOT has a new interactive map that allows you view transportation options in DC by adding or hiding layers like Metro, bike lanes, bikeshare station and even ZipCars. (goDCgo) … GSA will now require a minimum LEED Gold certification for all new Federal building construction. (Gavin) … At least nine jurisdictions in the US have made sagging pants a punishable offense with sanctions ranging from community service to steep fines. (The Crime Report, Mark Jordan)