Breakfast links: Pause on paid parking
Parking still free in Reston
Paid parking for Reston Town Center won’t come until 2017 at the earliest. The new paid parking policy was supposed to start this month, but the developer postponed after getting a lot of negative feedback. (WBJ)
SafeTrack slips on quality
Federal inspectors have caught many problems with the quality of SafeTrack repairs, like loose fasteners and poorly installed bolts, but also praised Metro for progress. (Post)
Protected bikeway to Foggy Bottom
Plans to extend the Pennsylvania Ave protected bikeway to Washington Circle and add bus lanes to H St downtown are in the works as part of a new DDOT study. (TheWashCycle)
More units than occupants, lower rents?
Rents keep going up in the region but an influx of 13,000 new units next year might help keep rents down as experts expect only 10,000-11,000 of those units to be filled. (Washingtonian)
DC house prices boom and bust
In some DC neighborhoods home prices have more than doubled since 2001, even after adjusting for inflation. Areas east of the Anacostia and along the District’s borders still haven’t recovered from the recession. (District, Measured)
Lessons from 40 years of Metro funding woes
For 40 years, Metro has struggled to secure dedicated funding. Here’s what four decades of grand ideas have taught us: there’s no silver bullet. (PlanItMetro)
Fewer job seekers in the region
The Washington region’s labor force growth has slowed to a crawl over the past few years, with growth of only 0.5% this year. Could the high and ever-increasing cost of living be the cause? (Post)
Lookout to dorm to luxury apartments
A hotel known for its role in the Watergate scandal will become luxury apartments after serving as a GW dorm for many years. The complex will feature 250 apartments, retail space, and a bike share program. (Post)
A less vague “Share the Road”
Many places are switching out “Share the Road” signs for more direct “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs. (NextCity)