Morning links: A sometimes merry land
Support the Pike
Rockville would like area organizations to send letters in favor of their plan to convert Rockville Pike into a more multi-modal boulevard flanked by walkable shops instead of standard strip malls. (Rockville Central)
From Secretary to Deputy Secretary
President Obama has nominated Maryland Transportation Secretary John Porcari to be U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation. (Post) Observers consider this very good news for the Purple Line, which Porcari supports. Whether from a press release or because of the Post’s road bias, most press accounts focus on Porcari’s role in pushing the ICC.
Wider, wider, wider
The Bowie City Council approved State Highway Administration plans to widen Route 197. Some County Councilmembers raised concerns about the width, but mostly to complain about sidewalks, which they think are unnecessary because nobody walks there (might they one day?) or a “bicycle-compatible lane”, which might be superfluous since there’s a “recreational bike path” already. (Gazette)
Planner argues stadium opponents missing the point
It may be too late, but Park and Planning chair Samuel Parker, Jr. argues that a soccer stadium is not a giveaway but a chance to jump-start transit-oriented development along Metro lines that have seen little of that. (Gazette)
Crash means holes in the ground
Continuing the theme started by Marc Fisher, this weekend’s Post compares the promise to the reality in the neighborhood around the ballpark. Any district at the cusp of redevelopment would have gotten hit by the downturn, stadium or no; the article quotes people who point out that revitalizing the Gallery Place area took years, too.
Back in brick
The Chinese Community Church restored the original brick facade of its 155-year-old building thanks to a $600,000 grant from a nearby office developer. (The Triangle, Paul S) (Tip: Paul S)
Don’t drink and bike in Poland
Poland’s Constitutional Court ruled that drunken cyclists should be treated like drunken motorists. Under the law, a drunken cyclists can face up to two years in prison. The ruling has sparked debate and many suggest that drunken cyclists should face the same penalties as drunk pedestrians. (BBC World News, Lynda) (Tip: Lynda)
Police fee? Streetlight fee? Why not a congestion fee?
One town in Florida has started charging fees when police respond to the scene of a crash. Of course there’s DC’s streetlight “fee”, which isn’t really a fee since you don’t get to choose whether to use the streetlight. Making “taxes” a dirty word has created some bizarre public policies. And Matthew Yglesias argues that we’re charging for the wrong things, disincentivizing calling the cops while we keep avoiding fees like congestion pricing which would actually solve problems. One sensible fee the Times article mentions is higher trash dumping fees, as long as the fee rises with more trash; such pay-as-you-throw programs create a good incentive to recycle.
The simple answer: Eliminate public transportation
The Daily Show’s John “PC” Hodgman lays out his plan for fixing the auto industry. It’s not all that different from Barbara Mikulski’s. Via The Overhead Wire.