Image from the Smithsonian Institution.

Big ideas for Smithsonian

The Smithsonian unveiled plans to elevate the garden space behind the Smithsonian Castle to bring light to the underground exhibit areas. The concrete wall around the Hirshhorn also will go away. (Arch Daily)  

Plowing snow in bike lanes

Arlington has purchased two small snowplows to clear 10 miles of bike trails after a snowfall. Montgomery County also will start plowing the Capital Crescent Trail  this winter. (Post, WABA)  

Bike safety bill delayed

Councilmember Tommy Wells delayed another vote on the contributory negligence bill in a DC Council committee. Wells blames the insurance industry for undermining progress on the bill. (WAMU)  

More bike lanes, more bicyclists

Places that added bike infrastructure is also saw greater increases in bicycling, a Minneapolis study found. Bike usage rose by 90% for people within three miles of the new Midtown Greenway. (Streetsblog)  

Vacant lots for sale

DC’s Department of Housing and Community Development wants to develop 36 properties, mostly vacant lots, in Wards 6 and 8. Anacostia neighbors want DCHD to deal with its vacant buildings first. (City Paper)  

CCT worry

Transit advocates are worried that Maryland Governor-elect Hogan will nix the Corridor Cities Transitway in favor of widening I-270. However, the CCT’s lower price tag compared to the Purple or Red Lines may allow the project to continue. (Post)  

Triwizard Tournament

In addition to Shaw, the Washington Wizards are looking at Crystal City and Ballston as possible locations for a new training facility.  (Post)  

Why the bag fee works

A 5¢ bag charge is very effective at getting people to bring their own bags, not so much because the cost matters to shoppers, but it makes the connection between one’s actions and the environment very clear. (Post)  

And…

More people are riding Fairfax Connector‘s Silver Line routes. (Post) … The first new Metro fare gate is up at Gallery Place. (DCist) … A LEGO book on urban life shows characters using a cycletrack. (Streetsblog) … Tommy Wells is co-chairing Muriel Bowser’s transition committee on transportation.  (City Paper)