Breakfast links: How Eden Center mall became home to Virginia’s Vietnamese community
The history of Eden Center, home to Virginia’s Vietnamese community
Beginning in 1984, Vietnamese businesses, which had recently been displaced from Little Saigon in Clarendon, began moving into spaces inside of the Plaza Seven Shopping Center in Falls Church. Others followed, and eventually business owners renamed their cluster of stores “Eden” after a shopping center in Saigon. (Matt Blitz / DCist)
Metro expects to lose $23 million next budget year
Metro lost riders during federal government shutdowns and single tracking, and the system anticipates losing around $23 million in fares and other revenue next budget year. It's trying improved monthly unlimited ride passes and new visitor passes to increase ridership and revenue. (Max Smith / WTOP)
Kushner Companies plans to purchase over 6,000 apartments in MD and VA
Kushner Companies is in talks with lenders for a $1 billion-plus loan to acquire more than 6,000 multifamily units across Maryland and Virginia. The real estate company is led by the family of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a White House aide. This would be the biggest deal for Kushner Companies in a decade. (Michael Neibauer / WBJ)
Virginia fails (again) to ban drivers from watching videos while driving
For the second straight year, efforts to modernize distracted driving legislation failed in the commonwealth. While it’s already illegal in Virginia to read on a phone or text while driving, the law doesn’t cover uses streaming video or other app use. (Jordan Pascale / WAMU)
Arlington is introducing new parking restrictions in Four Mile Run valley
In Four Mile Run valley, Arlington County officials are responding to some neighbors' complaints by introducing timed parking restrictions. These changes will be evaluated along with planned changes at Jennie Dean Park. (Alex Koma / ARLnow)
A site adjacent to the Petworth metro is listed for $5 million
The Sweet Mango Cafe site adjacent to the Petworth metro is on the market for $5 million. In November, the Board of Zoning Adjustment granted an extension for plans to build the previously planned 65-foot-tall, 21-unit condominium project. In the application, the owner cited rising construction costs and logistical issues. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
DC opens a day center for people experiencing homelessness
On Monday, DC opened a downtown day center for residents experiencing homelessness. The center provides meals, showers, laundry machines, computers, housing help, employment support, and other services from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays. (Andrew Giambrone / Curbed)
A second person in two days was struck by a MARC train in Prince George’s
A MARC commuter train struck and critically injured a teenage pedestrian on Monday night in Laurel. It was not clear whether the victim was on the tracks or immediately adjacent. This follows a Sunday night incident where a pedestrian was fatally struck by a MARC train in Bowie. (Martin Weil / Post)
A $15 minimum wage bill moves forward in Maryland General Assembly
A bill to raise Maryland’s minimum wage to $15 an hour is expected to go to the House floor later this week, with the goal of signing a law in March. If passed, Maryland's effort follows that of California, New York, New Jersey, and DC in raising its minimum wage to $15 an hour. (Arelis R. Hernández / Post)
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.