Breakfast links: The long road to safety
“Tough medicine”
Local officials say Metro’s major rebuilding plan will be hard on riders but necessary “painful medicine … from decades of neglect, said Gerry Connolly. … President Obama blamed anti-spending sentiments in Congress. (GGWash, WTOP, Washingtonian)
Another safety lapse
After an electrical insulator exploded at Federal Center SW last week, Metro’s control center wouldn’t let inspectors shut down the track, says a scathing FTA report which called for “daily inspections” and threatened to shut down the system entirely. (WAMU, Post)
Left behind in Loudoun
Many people bought huge houses on big lots in Loudoun County with very long commutes. Now people want to live closer to work, and some who bought at the top of the market can’t even sell their homes. (Post)
McLean’s density dispute
Farifax County may increase the amount of density allowed near transit stations and in some other “community business centers.” McLean leaders oppose the change, saying it’s not the right place for urbanization. (Inside Nova)
DC’s new constitution?
DC leaders wrote a draft constitution for the proposed state of “New Columbia.” But not everyone agrees with the name, the size of the proposed legislature, or the timeline for public input. (WAMU)
Seattle’s fight for growth
As in several other cities, Seattle’s “yes in my backyard” community is organizing to build more housing, but faces obstacles, including those who think they’re too incremental. Activists nationwide will convene at an upcoming conference in Boulder. (Citylab, The Stranger)
Swing set drama
A grandparent built a swing set in his Chevy Chase (MD) home, but that violates a property covenant to keep 25 feet near the street clear of things like play structures. The town’s board is standing firm. (Post)
How the shelters look
DC’s proposed homeless shelters have drawn controversy over the locations and the price tag, but are they good architecture? (City Paper)
And…
For the first time in years, Union Station’s great hall is completely clear of scaffolding. (Flickr) … Woody Allen couldn’t stop bike lanes on New York’s Upper East Side. (dnainfo) … Fairfax police cited drivers around Wiehle for failing to yield to pedestrians and other infractions. (RestonNow)