Breakfast links: PACs and park plans
Bye bye, FreshPAC
After waves of criticism, the PAC affiliated with Mayor Bowser is shutting down. FreshPAC officials said that group had become “too much of a distraction for the mayor.” (WAMU)
Equity on the 11th St Bridge
The 11th Street Bridge Park now has an “equitable development plan” that outlines strategies for job creation, housing preservation, and small business support for neighborhoods on both sides of the bridge. (City Paper)
No homeless vets in VA
Virginia is the first state to meet the federal standards for ending effective homelessness amongst veterans. The designation means that there are no homeless veterans except those who were offered housing but chose to deny it. (Post)
DC’s economic bust?
Economists are growing concerned that DC’s economic prospects look poor. With a heavy reliance on the federal government and a slow-to-recover GDP, Washington’s economic future is worrisome. (Post, Matt G.)
First comes the bike lanes
Are bike lanes a sign of gentrification? Though they’re newer and most commonly used by a wealthier crowd, bike lanes are a public good that’s free for all. So why are people afraid of displacement? (Post)
Arlington’s mall investment
Arlington County may contribute $55 million in a public-private partnership to redevelop Ballston Common Mall. It would be the first time Arlington has used a tax increment financing district to fund a project. (WBJ, KC) (Tip: KC)
Give us our trees, Trump
Thousands of people are fighting to get Donald Trump to replace the 450 trees he cut down to create scenic views of the Potomac River from his Loudoun County golf course. (DCist)
More roads = more traffic
Transit planners always warn of induced demand, and in a rare admission by a transportation authority, California’s DOT acknowledged that increased highway capacity doesn’t actually reduce congestion. (CityLab)
And…
Islamic advocates were successful in their petition to close Montgomery County Public Schools on the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Adha. (Post) … Potomac will be featured on the next “Real Housewives” series. (DCist) … A local photographer’s new series proves the beauty of the Tidal Basin persists through all four seasons. (Post)