Breakfast links: Cutting the bureaucracy
Food cart on the Mall. Photo by catface3.
No Mo’neme II
Metro will eliminate the executive position held by Emeka Moneme, who resigned as DDOT Director last year to move to Metro. Moneme apparently knew that Metro had denied safety inspectors access to the tracks but didn’t tell Catoe or the Board; however, Metro officials say that the reduction had nothing to do with that. (Examiner)
Ask about buses
Assistant General Manager of Planning and Joint Development Nat Bottigheimer is doing a live chat today at noon, focusing specifically on buses and bus planning. You can submit questions ahead of time. (Pat O) (Tip: Pat O)
Less red tape, more food carts
Foot cart vendors in Virginia and DC face many bureucratic obstacles; one cart vendor had DCRA forcing her to shut down because she had no DDOT permit while DDOT said she didn’t need one. (Post) Matt Yglesias contacted his elected officials to encourage simpler rules that enable more vending carts.
CHRS now really opposes wires
Capitol Hill Restoration Society members objected when I repeated The Triangle’s assertion that CHRS opposes overhead wires for streetcars, saying they hadn’t taken a position. Well, now they have and they oppose overhead wires. Writer Claudia Holwill is undecided. (The Hill is Home, Michael P) (Tip: Michael P)
Neon coming back
The Georgetown BID will pay to restore the rose-colored Georgetown Theater neon sign at 1351 Wisconsin Ave. (Georgetown Metropolitan)
The state of sprawl
A stronger Smart Growth policy would save 500,000 rural acres from development in Maryland over the next 20 years, according to the Maryland Department of Planning. Under current policies, the population will grow 17.5% but the developed land area would increase 40%
Enough industrial plants?
Prince George’s leaders approved a concrete plant in a majority-black area that already has an asphalt plant, a recycling transfer station, and a clay mine. Residents want the undesirable and polluting uses spread around a little more. (Post)