Breakfast links: The Purple Line case is closed but it could open doors
The Purple Line case is closed, which means Maryland can appeal the ruling
Judge Richard Leon issued a final ruling on the Purple Line on Tuesday, dismissing all but one charge against the rail project. Now that the decision is final, Maryland can file an appeal to have the case overturned, and potentially get back on schedule. (Max Smith / WTOP)
Montgomery wins a settlement for botched Silver Spring Transit Center construction
The contractors who built the Silver Spring Transit Center will have to pay Montgomery County $25 million of the $30 million the county had to spend rehabbing the brand new building after cracks developed in its concrete. (Andrew Metcalf / Bethesda Beat)
Do we measure a city’s health by people or by households?
Over the past sixty years, DC has lost population when measured by individuals, but has gained more households as more single people, smaller families, and retirees move to the city. DC is one of only five US cities to experience this population trend. (David Rusk / DC Policy Center)
Increases in home prices far outpace the growth of incomes in DC
The average median home price in DC is much higher than the average median household income, by a ratio of over 5:1. This divide was created by ballooning housing prices in the mid-2000s, which never dropped to pre-recession levels, and slower wage growth. (Stephen Swaim / District Measured)
Virginia can’t agree on a regional sales tax for Metro
Northern Virginia elected officials say they don't want a regional sales tax to fund Metro, arguing that each jurisdiction should be able to determine their own source of funding. A recent poll shows the regional tax has support from a small majority of voters. (Max Smith / WTOP, Post)
What’s next for the Hebrew Home? Here are the seven proposed options
Last week, DC shared the seven proposals it received to redevelop DC's Hebrew Home. The proposals present a mix of rowhouses, condos, apartments, and community spaces, and all but two include dedicated senior units. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
Alexandria will tackle a longstanding sewage infrastructure problem
Alexandria's sewage system routinely overflows into the Potomac River during rainy weather, but after a decade of this problem the city will fix it. As a result, residents will pay substantially higher sewage bills. (Patricia Sullivan / Post)
Virgina isn’t ready to switch to Real IDs yet
Virginia has filed for an extension to comply with a federal law that makes more stringent requirements around state IDs. Without the extension, Virginians would have to start providing extra identification papers beyond a license to fly or enter government buildings. (Paige Osburn / WAMU)
Philadelphia runs classes on how to use bikeshare
Indego, the Philadelphia bikeshare system, holds classes for users new to biking or unfamiliar with their methods and their app in order to make bikeshare more accessible to new users. (Jen Kinney / Next City)
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