Photo by dctim1 on Flickr.

Public land deals come up short

When DC bids out public land for development, developers often promise various amenities, but sometimes those amenities never arrive or the projects end up needing extra subsidies. (WAMU)  

CityCenter has to pay more?

The Labor Department says CityCenterDC has to pay federal-level wages because it’s a project on public land, even though it’s a primarily private project. DC is suing to overturn the ruling. (City Paper)  

Is Hill East weak?

Deputy Mayor Victor Hoskins says Hill East is a “weak market,” but residents disagree; there are private buildings going up in the area, but the public land hasn’t gotten any subsidies. (Brian Flahaven)  

Density helps tech industry

Several startup founders say DC’s density makes it attractive and is an advantage over Silicon Valley. Also, one suggests a Google-style bus between DC and Arlington. Isn’t that called Metro? (Elevation DC)  

Smart Growth saves money

Downtown mixed-use development brings in 10 times as much tax revenue for cities as suburban sprawl, per acre. A Smart Growth America report says walkable growth helps build more stable local budgets. (Streetsblog)  

Why commute from Delaware?

One man chooses to drive

drive and take a commuter bus from Delaware to Rosslyn every day, a trip that takes 3 hours each way and costs $600 per month. He doesn’t see his son very much, but they can live near family and pay lower taxes. (WTOP)  

DC may change gas tax too

The DC Council votes on the budget today. Chairman Phil Mendelson wants to replace the gas tax with a wholesale tax, which will also make the tax grow or shrink as gas prices rise or fall. (Post)  

Sinking

A giant sinkhole shut down 14th and F, maybe for 2 days. (Post) … Parking minimums may sink an Austin restaurant.  (Next City) … Cicadas may not come inside the Beltway. (Post) … DC’s economic development office experiences a brain drain. (WBJ)