Breakfast links: Grocery stories
Waiting for groceries
Muriel Bowser called a high-level Walmart exec to try to convince the retailer to still open two planned stores east of the Anacostia. Without them, residents face a continued dearth of grocery options. (Post)
Next stop: groceries
Metro is working with Peapod, a grocery delivery service, to test a pickup service at three Metro stations. If the six month pilot is successful they hope to roll out the program throughout much of the system. (Post)
Tiny Orange houses
Vincent Orange wants to build small houses for low-wage earners, seniors, and millennials. But critics question if it will actually help as well as how it will be paid for. (City Paper)
Bail for Baltimore?
A Baltimore ad campaign aims to attract residents who want a city lifestyle but are being increasingly priced out of DC. (Baltimore Sun, MarkusT) (Tip: MarkusT)
You think it’s hard to walk?
People in wheelchairs had some of the toughest experiences with the snow, as ramps to most crosswalks remained impassable long after the storm. (WAMU)
Hotel or studio
An art space on New York Avenue NE near Union Market will become a boutique hotel. The owners hope to keep some arts, including studios, a gallery, and sculpture garden, but it will fit about 20 artists versus 70-100 today. (City Paper)
Bright lights of Loudoun
Business leaders in Loudoun are looking to increase nightlife and walkability of the county in hopes of attracting young workers. The planned Silver Line stations could present an opportunity to do so. (Post)
The rent is slightly lower!
After a sustained run of increases, apartment rents are declining in some US cities, following a boom in construction. (City Observatory)
The tracks beneath
DC has many miles of streetcar track from its former system. The rails are difficult to remove so they were just paved over in many places. (Post)
Bikeless in Seattle
Many bike sharing systems across the country have been successful, but Seattle’s Pronto system has struggled. Helmet laws, a hilly terrain, and weather all present challenges to the system. (KING 5, Aaron W) (Tip: Aaron W)