Breakfast links: Charging dockless scooters can be a cutthroat business
Charging dockless scooters is a new side hustle
Most fans of dockless scooters don't realize that their batteries are charged nightly by contract workers, known as “Bird hunters” or “chargers.” As the scooters grow in popularity, so too are the number of those making money from collecting and charging them. (Taylor Lorenz / Atlantic)
An independent contractor will examine faulty concrete panels on the Silver Line
Metro will hire an independent contractor to assess concrete panels used in construction of Phase 2 of the Silver Line, after reports revealed that improper materials were used to create the panels and test results were falsified. (Faiz Siddiqui and Lori Aratani / Post)
There’s room to improve the region’s bike infrastructure
While the Washington region stands out as one of the most bike-friendly in the nation, the work of protesters and advocates during Bike to Work Week highlights the need to protect and expand bike lanes in order to meet demand. (Jacob Fenston / WAMU)
Is the potential of HQ2 yielding progress on housing and transit?
The Washington region finally seems to be getting it together in terms of dedicated funding for Metro and moving forward on initiatives to improve housing affordability. Is the prospect of landing Amazon's second headquarters the driving force behind this progress? (Marisa M. Kashino / Washingtonian)
Arlington probably won’t ask developers for money for schools and parks
Some say any developer looking to add density to an Arlington County project through a zoning change should be required to pay into a fund for parks and schools. But the county is limited by state law in what it can collect from developers, among other things. (Alex Koma / ARLnow)
Debt is a key factor in driver’s license suspensions
About 700,000 drivers in the District, Maryland, and Virginia have lost their licenses because they're unable to pay administrative and court debts associated with traffic fines. Many say these policies disproportionately affect the poor. (Justin Wm. Moyer / Post)
Residents of an affordable housing complex sue over transfer of ownership
Sanford Capital just transferred ownership of an affordable housing complex it severely mismanaged to another developer. Residents of the complex are suing both companies, saying they had little input in the process. (Andrew Giambrone / City Paper)
Hogan’s transportation record makes things harder for Democratic challengers
Maryland Democrats looking to challenge Larry Hogan on transportation in the upcoming gubernatorial race might find themselves in a tougher spot since Metro got funding and the Purple Line is finally being constructed. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
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