Weekend links: Ohio leads the way
Ohio bridge design reunites neighborhoods
When widening a Columbus highway, Ohio reconstructed a bridge and lined it with shops. Now you can’t even see the Interstate as you cross over it on High Street. (Chicago Tribune)
Trails come at a premium
Bike trails have a return on investment. A study in Ohio found that homebuyers were willing to pay $9,000 more for a house located with 1,000 feet of a bike trail. This premium can boost property tax revenue. (Atlantic Cities)
Night of the walking dead
As one part of a pedestrian safety initiative, Gabe Klein has installed 32 mannequins around Chicago to represent the 32 pedestrians who died on Chicago’s streets last year. (Chicago Tribune)
SF candidates offer solutions to transit
San Francisco mayoral candidates describe how they would fix Muni, the city-run bus and streetcar network. (Streetsblog) … How many of our area leaders promise to champion WMATA improvement?
Participation can improve outcomes
City planning is easier for dictators, but they often end up building mediocre projects. Public participation in the planning process can slow projects down, but can also improve the end product. (Next American City)
We are the 0% (of Congress)
Occupy DC protestors apologized for removing the DC flag from city hall. Meanwhile, Councilmember Michael Brown will soon unveil a statehood branding effort. (DCist)
Tourmobile closing
Anyone seeking a $32 bus ride between Smithsonians will have to look for other options: Tourmobile closes for good on Monday. NPS is looking for a replacement operator as well as non-interpretive transit. (Post)
And…
Union Station’s ceiling needs repair work thanks to the earthquake. (Washington Times) … A wayward deer needed rescuing from the Tidal Basin. (NBC Washington) … Columbia is mapping all of NYC’s “privately owned public spaces.” (PPS)