Breakfast links: Council politics to development politics
Weaver’s ad
Bryan Weaver, who is challenging Jim Graham for Ward 1 rep on the DC Council, has a really fun video riffing on Paul Wellstone’s famous 1990 ad. At the end, Weaver stands in front of Graham’s yellow VW bug convertible and talks about how he rides Metro, a not so subtle dig at the common criticism of the incumbent. (DCist)
Kwame drowning in debt
Kwame Brown’s fiscal trouble is more serious than previously reported, Mike DeBonis discovers. Brown is over $700,000 in debt, including a boat which he’s now trying to sell, and 3 credit card issuers have sued him to collect unpaid bills. But Vincent Orange isn’t much of an alternative. (Post)
Metro morsels
Riders are speaking up against “seat hogs” … Metro has graphed bus speeds to try to streamline routes … Dr. Gridlock discusses recent escalator woes, which one union says they can fix. (Post)
More highways
Despite having little money for infrastructure, Montgomery DOT just won’t stop planning new highways. They’re now studying extending the Midcounty Highway, and one route would cut right through a meditation retreat center. (Post)
Tysons vs. whom?
Tysons’ future growth will probably come at the expense of farther- out communities, not DC and inner areas like Arlington, experts say. (Capital Business) … Speaking of farther-out communities, there’s a public forum today on development around Herndon’s future Metro station. (Post)
Cooler buildings
Forget silly arguments about abolishing air conditioning. Roger Lewis discusses how to design buildings to maximize the efficiency of air conditioning and reduce the need. (Post)
In development, or not
Unions are sure to oppose Wal-Mart coming to DC, and Mike DeBonis clarifies that only “large tract review,” a usually-cursory approval process, would stand in the store’s way … Skadden, Arps won’t move to CityCenter DC, further confounding efforts to sell out the long-delayed development. (Post)