Image from Thumb Projects.

George Will hates Portland, facts

You probably didn’t need me to tell you that, but Matt Yglesias and Katherine Hill effectively pick apart his latest anti-transit, anti-bicyling, anti-LaHood, anti-Portland screed. Most notable, Will says that it’s inconceivable that 0.01 percent of Americans might regularly bike to work, when already the number is 40 times that.  

How about just old-speed rail?

Trains ran faster in the 1920s than they do today. Why? Maintenance, less capacity, freight, regulation and more. (Slate)  

Cops upset they can’t park illegally

DC police are complaining about receiving tickets when they drive down to Judiciary Square for court appearances. Richard Layman sees plenty of hypocrisy here. (Examiner)  

DC Beltway neither skinny or obese

This graphic compares ring beltways of world cities. DC comes out in the middle. (Thumb Projects via BeyondDC)  

Mixed-use beats a dead mall

The Springfield Mall is so bad, nobody is opposing Vornado’s plans to turn it into a mixed-use, transit-oriented development. The County voted on the rezoning yesterday. (Connection)  

Third Church redevelopment economically uncertain

Two years ago, developers were eager to build a mixed-use project on the site of Third Church at 16th and I, but given the current economic climate, that might not happen. (WBJ)  

Jaywalker strikes speeding SUV

A driver of an SUV, going 60 miles per hour in Manhattan, hits a pedestrian, but press accounts mainly take pains to explain that the pedestrian was “jaywalking.” Police didn’t charge the driver. Streetsblog also reiterates some of the history of the term “jaywalking” which made the rounds last year. (JTS)  (Tip: JTS)