Breakfast links: Streetcar and new starts
In case you missed it
After four mayors and years of delay, the DC streetcar will finally open on Saturday, February 27. For the first six months, the service will be free. Now on to the K St extension? (WAMU)
A new start for St. Es
Construction on the Wizards practice facility at St. Elizabeths East campus began yesterday. Protestors worried about displacement crashed the demolition ceremony. Here’s what the old asylum looks like today. (DCist, Curbed DC)
Spooked in Ward 6
Residents of Ward 6 are skeptical that DC can follow through on its promise to build a better homeless shelter, because the city has done a poor job maintaining other community resources near the proposed site. (City Paper)
More money, less office space
Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz wants to throw another $1.5 million at its office vacancy problem. The money would go toward enticing smaller start-up companies to fill Arlington’s office spaces, which are over 20% vacant. (WBJ)
Metro connects the data dots
WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld says Metro needs to be more open about sharing its data with app developers so that customers can get more reliable service information. (Post)
Reliable railcars for the Purple Line
The presumed frontrunner for the Purple Line contract plans on purchasing railcars from the company that made some of Metro’s least reliable cars. Maryland is expected to announce a winner this month. (Post)
Don’t dwell on the rules
Over a third of Vancouver homes have accessory dwelling units, significantly more than Seattle or Portland. Why? It mostly comes down to rules about parking, construction, and occupancy. (Sightline Institute)