Photo by ૐ Didi ૐ on Flickr.

Congress says no

Congress will stop DC’s marijuana legalization as part of a budget deal. The rider also may reverse decriminalization from earlier this year. Other riders forbid DC from spending money on abortion or efforts to petition for voting rights. (City Paper, DCist)  

Welcome to Pike District

The White Flint Partnership settled on the “Pike District” moniker for the redeveloping area around the Metro station. The new name won out over “Market District” and “Rockline.”  (BethesdaNow)  

I-395 stays open

DDOT will turn down a developer’s request to shut down part of I-395 to speed up construction of a deck for buildings on top. Both the current and incoming mayors spoke against the proposal. (Post)  

This Olympic town?

The US Olympic Committee could make a decision on DC’s bid in the next two weeks. The Washington 2024 group produced a new video to promote the bid, which unironically refers to DC as “this town.” (Washingtonian)  

Walter Reed changing hands

DC will acquire its first part of Walter Reed today. A new fire station will be built on the property, and is not part of the plan to develop new housing and retail. (WBJ)  

Development mixed bag

Residential construction in DC continues to grow, as do new grocery stores. But office construction is slowing, and foreign capital continues to play a bigger role in local real estate. (WBJ)  

No ticket immunity for Silverman

Incoming DC Councilmember Elissa Silverman will forego license plate privileges which give councilmembers immunity from parking tickets. She and fellow incoming councilmembers Brianne Nadeau and Charles Allen also won’t distribute low-numbered license plates to friends and supporters. (City Paper)  

Quit the cute

We’ve been hearing about cute dancing walk signals, piano steps, and other creative urban elements, but are they just a distraction from the real task of making cities work? (Next City)