Breakfast links: Homeless, again
Fire at DC General
Over 30 families had to leave DC General after a fire broke out on an unoccupied floor on Saturday. The dilapidated building will close when a handful of new homeless shelters open in coming years. (CityPaper)
Another delay for FBI HQ
Will the new FBI headquarters go to Greenbelt, Landover, or Springfield? Now the decision won’t be announced until early March. (Post)
Gridlock begets gridlock
Mayor Bowser says DC “cannot grow with gridlock.” DC needs a better Metro system to avoid traffic congestion, but the system struggles to get the funding it needs because it relies on multiple legislatures for decision making. (CityLab)
Congestion will only get worse
Traffic congestion in the Washington region will get 66% worse by 2040 if nothing is done. Could Seattle’s efforts to quickly respond to roadway crashes be a partial solution for our region too? (WTOP)
Don’t regulate me, says Airbnb
Airbnb is fighting back against New York regulations with a lawsuit. Airbnb say the regulations harm their business, but the state worries that short-term rentals take affordable housing off the market. (UrbanTurf)
How do you solve a problem like sprawl?
As the global population explodes, urban planners are figuring out how to meet the infrastructural needs of growing cities. It’s an especially intense struggle in already densely populated cities in Asia. (CityLab)
And…
Be on the lookout for the blue Capital Bikeshare bike encouraging riders to vote. The system will have free one-way fares on election day. … Lyft is piloting a $29 per month service for unlimited shared rides. (DCist) … A new bench outside the Eastern Market Metro station has free WiFi and USB charging ports. (Capitol Hill Corner)