Rendering of retail in the GSA headquarters. Image from NCPC.

GSA picks retail over barricade

The GSA has decided to include ground-floor retail in plans for modernizing its headquarters at 1800 F Street, NW. They considered a big security barrier instead but decided they could go with the retail. (NCPC)  

Making the case for trains in Va. Beach

Conservative rail advocate Bill Lind spoke in favor of rail investment at a forum in Virginia Beach. He got there by train. State transit head Thelma Drake was also supposed to speak, but got stuck in traffic from DC because she didn’t take the train. (Virginian-Pilot)  

DDOT will be all together in SE

DDOT is moving to 55 M Street, SE and consolidating almost all of its operations there. Today, engineering and planning are far apart (14th and U versus NoMA), making coordinating more difficult.  

Library renovations through 2017

Mayor Gray’s budget also lays out a timeline for renovating more of DC’s libraries, including in Capitol View, Southwest, Cleveland Park, Palisades, and Woodridge. (Housing Complex)  

Maryland will build even more roads to Konterra

The developers of Konterra bought a huge property in the middle of nowhere and started lobbying for a big freeway, the ICC, right to their door. Then, When Maryland wanted to take some of the land for the ICC, the developers sued. As a settlement, Maryland will now spend even more money on roads to access the development. Sounds like a good racket if you can get it. (Post)  

Pop-up canal announced

DC will divert the Anacostia to create a pop-up canal in Southwest, complete with floating food trucks. Yup, it’s a great April Fool post we missed in our roundup. (People’s District)  

Not a joke: George Will takes train

George Will gave up his individualism and succumbed to socialist collectivism: He rode the train. (Grist)