Breakfast links: Things change, things stay the same
Taking on the Height Act
Washington City Paper’s Lydia DePillis is reopening the Height Act debate with her cover story this week, arguing the height limit should be scrapped, at least in key areas like downtown and around Metro stations.
“Urban plaza” proposed for Tysons
A developer submitted plans for a 1.3 million-square-foot mixed-use project next to a future Tysons Metro station. The project includes a “European styled esplanade” at the Metro entrance. (Post, Cavan) (Tip: Cavan)
Twinbrook TOD stuck in neutral
Developer JBG is asking to renegotiate its land deal on a major project at Twinbrook Metro. The developer has finished much of the private floor space in the project, but says they can’t afford to build a parking garage for Metro riders included in the original deal. (Examiner, Mike M) (Tip: Mike M)
Signs, they are a-changin’
The Central Liquor sign at 9th & F in Penn Quarter may see major changes soon. Today the Historic Preservation Review Board will consider allowing the building owner to change the sign to say “Joe’s Souvenir,” replacing the ‘C’ with an American flag. HPRB says it has not considered a historic sign change in recent memory. (The Location, Kim Bender) (Tip: Kim Bender)
Federal government increases telework options
Last week President Obama signed a bill that put the Federal government on a track to implement more telework options to avoid complete shutdowns of the government like happened during last year’s snow storms. (CNN)
DDOT portal more cool, less useful
The DDOT Transportation Access Portal looks cool, but, because the data it shows is only very cursory, and doesn’t allow any deeper perusal, it’s not particularly useful. (RPUS)
Community radio held up by commercial lobby
The National Association of Broadcasters and its chief, former Senator Gordon Smith, are blocking a bill that would expand access to low power FM (LPFM) noncommercial community radio stations. LPFM stations can play a crucial role in local community outreach, information and public safety. (Prometheus Radio Project, Lynda) (Tip: Lynda)
Breathing your neighbor’s smoke
A study in Pediatrics shows that children who live in apartments have a higher exposure to second-hand smoke, even if their parents don’t smoke. But would the suburbs really be healthier for kids given all the other holistic public health issues that plague them? (Environmental and Urban Economics, Matt’) (Tip: Matt')
And…
MWCOG is seeking new community members to join the 2011 Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee. (Region Forward) … Consumer confidence is higher in the District than elsewhere in the region. (City Paper) … Arlington has launched an online map tool for reporting neighbors who don’t shovel their sidewalks. (TBD) (Tip: Region Forward)