Photo by jsmjr on Flickr.

BIDs can transform neighborhoods

Former NoMA BID president Elizabeth Price discusses the role of BIDs to market neighborhoods. The BID has brought new businesses and residents and started to create a sense of community. (Post)  

Eisenhower Ave still lacking vibrancy

The neighborhood around the Eisenhower Avenue metro station isn’t as vibrant as planners hoped. New development plans could help because they include more than just apartments and restaurants. (Urban Turf)  

Warner wants Potomac bridge

Virginia Senator Mark Warner is pushing for a new bridge across the Potomac River, saying it could help long-term economic growth. But a new bridge could just increase traffic. (Huffington Post)  

Some cities banning plastic bags

DC’s bag tax has raised about $2.5 million but some cities in California have banned plastic bags altogether. The tax is meant to lower bag use but could an outright ban be more successful? (Atlantic Cities)  

DC stops paying federal lobbyists

The District has ended contracts with federal lobbying firms and will instead manage federal lobbying internally. One of the firms was Patton Boggs, where Jack Evans works. (Post)  

Gray withdraws elections board nomination

Mayor Gray won’t nominate Robert Mallett to the Board of Elections and Ethics because he doesn’t meet the legal residency requirement. The withdrawal prolongs vacancy problems on the board. (DCist)  

Can you hear me now?

Metro hasn’t met its own deadlines to improve cell phone service in stations. The work is mostly done though and is high-priority for Metro. (Examiner)  

And…

Adrian Fenty is hosting a fundraiser for Jack Evans (DCist) … Don’t give beer to DC firefighters (NBC Washington) … Pepco wants to raise rates to pay for upgrades (WTOP).