Breakfast links: Ticked off
Bethesda “scare tactics”?
A Bethesda developer says opponents are using “scare tactics” to fight a plan including affordable housing, bike-friendly streets, and parks. The Planning Board said he must try harder to work with neighbors. (Bethesda Magazine)
Hogan’s low-scoring choices
Democrats in the Maryland legislature, unhappy with Governor Hogan’s shifting transportation funds to rural highways, want to instill a scoring system to better govern these decisions. (Post)
123 Greedy Drive
Staten Island, NY’s borough president lost a fight to block a development. In retaliation, he will name the streets synonyms for greed and deceit, like “cupidity” and “avidity.” (Politico, LEW) (Tip: LEW)
Pullover king
A single police officer handed out more than 3,000 tickets last year, mostly to taxi drivers who say he unfairly targets them. (Post, WAMU)
Who you gonna call?
The DC Fire Department will augment its own fleet of ambulances by contracting with a private ambulance company. The goal is to keep up with growing demand by having private ambulances respond to low-priority calls. (Post)
From radio to housing
Two American University buildings, including one which served as the longtime home the local NPR affiliate WAMU, will soon become residential apartments. Both are just a block of the Tenleytown-AU Metro. (WTOP)
From hospital to grocery
Redevelopment of the old Walter Reed site on Georgia Avenue could start in 5-7 years, though the whole process will take about 23. The campus will have offices, charter schools, a grocery store, a hotel, and more. (WTOP)
Parking benefits drive driving
No matter how big the transit benefit, commuters are still likely to drive if benefits can also cover parking costs. Fewer people drive when there are zero benefits than when they’re there for both transit and parking. (CityLab)
And…
Have you ever been to this National Park just two miles from DC? (WBJ, LEW) … A nonstop commercial flight from Dulles to Havana? Could happen. (Post) … This map shows all the permits for new housing in DC. (City Paper) (Tip: LEW)