Photo by jhembach on Flickr.

Uber takes a taxi

Uber introduced a new service to hail you a DC cab. It costs the standard taxi fare plus a 20% tip. (DCist)  

Babe’s gets the nod

DC’s Zoning Commission last night unanimously approved “The Bond at Tenley,” the often-controversial parking-free apartment building proposal on the former Babe’s site in Tenleytown. (@Ward3Vision)  

Bike to Obama

The best way to get to the inauguration may be on a bike. Some bike sharing stations were removed for the parade, but there will be temporary corrals near the Mall and temporary bike racks near 16th and K. (Post)  

A national VMT tax?

Should we replace the federal gas tax with a VMT tax? A GAO report says it would reduce congestion and raise revenues, but implementation costs are high and it might discourage fuel-efficient cars. (Streetsblog)  

Call them the Washington Deforesters

Every tree on the site of the Red/Pig/‘Skins future training camp in Richmond was cut down despite an agreement to preserve as many trees as possible and plant a new tree for each one lost. It’s not Dan Snyder’s first escapade with deforestation. (WTVR, DCist)  

Will school closings save money?

DC’s plan to close 20 schools may barely save DC any money over the next school year, according to a report by DC Fiscal Policy Institute. The $10.4 million savings in staff costs will be nearly equaled by the estimated $10.2 million cost of closures and relocation. (Post)  

An affordable little neighborhood

An affordable housing “pocket neighborhood” in Little Rock clusters 9 small single-family homes around a shared green space in a 1 acre infill development near downtown. Could this translate to the DC area? (Switchboard)  

“Embarrassing” anti-dooring law?

Some people seem not to read past the title of Virginia’s proposed anti-dooring bill, like one Norfolk columnist who calls it an “embarrassing” proposal which “epitomizes all that’s wrong with Richmond” without mentioning the actual serious problems dooring poses. (Post)  

And…

Justice Sotomayor chose U Street because it’s “scruffy” like NYC’s East Village. (DCist) … Massachusetts considers taxing parking lots to fund transit. (Streetsblog) … How about a Union Market-style “food destination” on Half Street in Near SE? (JDLand)