Breakfast links: Metro shutdowns in FutureAmazonVille
No Yellow Line for two weeks
Today begins a two-week period of track work where there will be no Yellow Line. Blue Line trains will run to both Franconia-Springfield and Huntington, but only eery 16-20 minutes on each branch. Metro is running some special shuttle buses as well, but expect crowding. (Sophia Barnes / NBC4)
Arlington, Alexandria leaders address HQ2 concerns
In recent public forums, while Arlington and Alexandria officials say HQ2 will generate more funds for housing subsidies, they acknowledge that housing prices will continue to rise. Additionally, Arlington officials say they are working on solutions for those whose income are too high for subsidized housing. (Post)
HQ2 may not change commercial real estate much
HQ2's impact on the regional commercial real estate market may be limited to the new National Landing area and the Rosslyn-Arlington corridor, while the rest of the region only sees marginal decreases in commercial real estate vacancy rates. (Jon Banister / Bisnow)
Amazon workers in Virginia might not fare as well as NYC counterparts
Amazon employees in Virginia, particularly subcontractors, may have drawn the short end of the stick. While Virginia is a right-to-work state with weak unions, New York State has a $15-an-hour minimum wage, stronger unions, and paid sick leave requirements. (Lydia DePillis / CNN)
Could roboshuttles work in Washington?
A local business group is proposing an autonomous “roboshuttle” that would run around L'Enfant Plaza at a speed of no more than 10 mph. It's still unclear if the technology can work or will be safe enough, but it could make it easier and cheaper to get from the Smithsonian to the Wharf, and potentially many other places. (Michael Laris / Michael)
Scooter regs are too restrictive, says Post ed board
The Washington Post's editorial board agrees with us that DC's extremely cautious approach to regulating dockless bikes and scooters is too restrictive. The board suggests working with companies to identify the demand, then choosing one or more companies to meet it. (Post)
How nonprofit developers can bridge the housing affordability impasse
With governments unwilling or unable to subsidize low-income housing and developers largely producing market-rate luxury housing, nonprofit housing developers could play a role in alleviating the nation's affordable housing crisis. (John Vogel / Washington Monthly)
Fannie Mae redevelopment will be “City Ridge”
The Fannie Mae site on Wisconsin Avenue NW in DC will be redeveloped into an urban village dubbed “City Ridge” and will contain eight buildings, including a Wegmans and hotel plus office, retail, and residential space. Groundbreaking is December 1. (Rachel Kurzius / DCist)
Work on Maryland advocacy for CSG
The Coalition for Smarter Growth's Maryland organizer Pete Tomao is departing. Do you want to organize advocacy campaigns around smart growth issues in Maryland? Check it out!
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.