Image from the architects.

Hate to burst your bubble

NCPC isn’t buying this “temporary structure” dodge by which the Hirshhorn Bubble’s designers hoped to circumvent design review. They’re insisting on oversight. (Housing Complex)  

Cranky old starchitect

Frank Gehry hates the label “starchitect,” gets irritated when interviewers point out that his more urban buildings don’t fit in their context, and says that “urban planning is dead in the US.” A lot of urban planners wish his style were what’s dead. (The Independent via @BeyondDC)  

Change gives trail crossing the green light

That MUTCD update that acknowledges bicycles may resolve the College Park crosswalk crisis. The city put in a crosswalk, but standards prohibited Prince George’s from putting in a stoplight to make the crossing safe; the new rules would permit it. (Rethink College Park)  

Bill says “Fauquier” to unsupportive counties

A Virginia Delegate from Fredricksburg has proposed letting VRE charge riders more if they live outside the jurisdictions that fund VRE. Should WMATA do the same for riders from south of Fairfax? (Richmond Sunlight, Michael P)  (Tip: Michael P)  

Tolls high, road cost higher

The Maryland Transportation Authority approved the proposed ICC tolls. The one change was to lower overnight rates, which makes sense as the road will be emptier. Despite almost every press story noting they will be “among the highest in the nation,” only the Post notes that they still won’t pay for the cost of the road. (WTOP, Post, Cavan)  (Tip: Cavan)  

Who you callin’ “you”?

NBC Washington leads their story on ICC tolls by writing, “When the Intercounty Connector is finally built, you’ll have to dig pretty far into your pockets to actually use it.” That’s not true if “you” are riding one of the buses that will ply the ICC, which press stories about the road rarely mention.