Photo by nzlawyer on Flickr.

Investors foreclose on homes

Hundreds of people have lost their properties after the District sold their tax debt to investment companies charging excessive fees. Although a third of the liens were originally under $1000, the owners could not pay interest and legal fees. (Post, Mark)  

Demand overwhelms affordable Arlington building

The number of applicants for affordable apartments on Columbia Pike exceeded the supply by a factor of 30. Several of the applicants currently have to work two jobs to pay rent. (Post)  

A fix for Transit Center?

Montgomery County officials are proposing to fix the Silver Spring Transit Center’s faulty upper decks with latex-modified concrete. The 2-inch layer would take 6 weeks to put down. (Post)  

Taxpayers may pay $500 million for rail-trails

Adjacent landowners are successfully arguing that rail-to-trail conversions violate their original easements and are demanding additional compensation. (National Law Journal, Steve S.)  (Tip: Steve S.)  

US DOT’s strategic plan lacks vision

The US Department of Transportation acknowledges the benefits of less vehicle travel like fewer fatalities, less pollution, and less congestion, but fails to outline a vision for reducing vehicle travel or increasing safety. (Streetsblog)  

Traffic congestion starts again

Although the total number of trips has not increased much relative to the summer, the start of school means that many trips now occur at the same time, leading to congestion. (Post)  

Survey favors biking and walking

96% of those in the real estate industry think biking and walking is good for the region, according to a survey of the local chapter of the Urban Land Institute. (Post)  

And…

A LEED-platinum skyscraper is opening soon in Rosslyn. (WBJ) … Councilwoman Mary Cheh wants to establish an overarching Transportation Commission, to include oversight of taxis and streetcar financing. (City Paper) … The Greater Washington region adds a new transportation option: unmanned lunar rocket. (Post)