Breakfast links: Neck and neck
Bowser and Gray lead poll
Muriel Bowser is tied with or maybe slightly ahead of Mayor Gray for the Democratic nomination for mayor, 2 new polls find. The Washington Post found Bowser at 30% to Gray’s 27%, with Tommy Wells 3rd at 14%. NBC’s poll places Bowser at 28%, Gray 26%, Wells 11%.
A hospital at St. Elizabeths?
As a replacement for the money-losing United Medical Center, Mayor Gray will propose a new $3 million
$300 million medical center on the St. Elizabeths campus in Ward 8. (Post)
Takoma likely moving ahead
The WMATA Board, including Muriel Bowser, will likely approve the Takoma Metro development, which Cheryl Cort called a good compromise but which still has some strong resident opposition. (City Paper)
Which Metro stations to develop?
Maryland leaders aren’t all unified about putting the FBI at Greenbelt; some would like to see it at the Landover Mall (which isn’t as close to Metro). … Developers want to build mixed-use at Navy Yard and Morgan Boulevard and residential at Grosvenor, but nobody wanted to build at Fort Totten. (WBJ)
College Park bikeshare on hold
Capital Bikeshare stations planned for the University of Maryland campus and College Park are on hold indefinitely: since Bixi declared bankruptcy, it’s not possible to buy new bikes and stations. (The Diamondback)
Bus service fit for a king
Are intercity buses not luxurious enough for you? One entrepreneur will launch a new high-end intercity bus service between DC and NYC using posh, custom-outfitted Mercedes Sprinter buses. (WBJ)
Boat club battle is over
The Old Dominion Boat Club will sell its ½-acre parking lot and clubhouse at the foot of King Street for $5 million, allowing Alexandria to build a park as part of its redeveloped waterfront. (Post)
Youth Center is history
The Wheaton Youth Center isn’t historic, says the Montgomery County Council, contrary to Dan Reed’s opinion. It will be torn down to build a new library and community center. (Post)
Metrobus schedule changes
Metro will changes schedules for dozens of routes across the region beginning on Sunday, plus a new route in DC’s Ward 8 and bigger changes around McLean, North Capitol Street, and Laurel. (Post)
Metro thefts increase
Metro is seeing more electronic devices stolen, and is warning riders to watch out. There were 643 thefts in 2013, compared to 491 in 2012. (Post)
And…
The Washington Monument will reopen on May 12. (DCist) … A Metro worker illegally pocketed $60,000 from selling surplus equipment. (Post) … Mayor Gray signed a bill that exempts some senior, long-time residents from property taxes. (UrbanTurf)