Breakfast links: We want nice things
Fighting for the streetcar
Seven open safety questions from the Federal Transit Administration are holding up the streetcar. The open questions are standard for any new transit project which points to poor management at DDOT. Meanwhile business owners on H Street are depending on traffic from the line to survive; they plan to fight for its survival. (WAMU, Washington Times)
Metrobus bust
There will be no public transportation at the MGM casino at National Harbor. The casino’s transportation plans show no Metrobus access, anticipating “almost non-existent” demand by employees, a departure from previous sentiments (Post)
All nighter
DC will begin a pilot of an off-hour truck delivery program, modeled after New York’s successful initiative. Nighttime deliveries improve traffic and air quality, provide more reliable deliveries, and more efficient for truckers. (CityLab)
Saving affordable spaces
DC is allowed to purchase affordable housing complexes when they go on the market, yet the city hasn’t in years. Reviving this program could help preserve DC’s dwindling affordable housing stock. (City Paper)
Homelessness woes
DC plans to review its contract with the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, after an audit found the group has been overbilling the city. The group is also facing criticism over housing conditions. (WAMU)
Schoolhouse rock
More and more African American families are turning to homeschooling for their children. The trend is nationwide, but DC residents are choosing homeschooling, in part to embrace and encourage black culture. (City Paper)
No gas
Residents in the Kensington area of Wheaton have won the battle against Costco. The wholesaler planned to put in a 16 pump gas station, leading to resident uproar and one of the longest land use battles in Montgomery County history. (Post)
Living together
The DC zoning code says that only 6 unrelated people can live in a single family home. Any more and the landlord needs a permit for a rooming house. One man wanted to see if he could rent to 10 people until neighbors pushed back. (Post)
USPS, FedEx, or Bikeshare
The next step in bikesharing could be adding cargo carrying bikes. Business could use them for deliveries. Shipping via bikes may sound ridiculous, but DHL is already delivering by bicycle in Europe. (Trucks at Work, Dan)