Breakfast links: VDOT solicits vendors for NoVA, Fredericksburg pilot that uses AI to predict traffic disruptions
VDOT solicits vendors for AI pilot that predicts traffic disruptions
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking vendors to help it build an artificial intelligence platform to aid the agency in using prior and current traffic conditions to predict future traffic disruptions and improve real-time traffic information distribution. Officials say the rollout is planned as part of a broader transportation monitoring program known as the Regional Multi-Modal Mobility Program. The system will be piloted in a sub-region of Northern Virginia, then expand to all of Northern Virginia, including metro Fredericksburg. (Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury. Tip: Chester B.)
Landover apartment complex along Purple Line route purchased to preserve affordability
Developers used Prince George’s County’s right of first refusal program to purchase the complex, which currently includes 775 units of workforce-rate housing, to preseve its affordability. In addition to being close to several Purple Line stations, it’s also adjacent to Metro’s Orange Line and the proposed FBI campus in Landover. (Dan Brendel / Business Journal)
Mazza Gallerie redevelopment project to add a 325-unit apartment
Renderings released this past Wednesday show a 25,000 square foot revitalized retail area; several apartment configurations for tenants, including penthouse terraces, two-story townhomes and studios; and several indoor courtyards. Forty of the proposed units will be set aside for inclusionary zoning. The existing retail pavilion and four levels of below-grade parking will be retained. Demolition of the existing at-grade structure is set for later this year. (Urban Turf)
Congress Heights community hopeful about new District-sponsored retail incubator at St. Elizabeths East
The incubator, designed by National Museum of African American History and Culture architect David Adjaye and adjacent to the Congress Heights Metro station and the Entertainment and Sports Arena, will open in December. Incubator tenants are a mix of neighborhood artists, vendors and community organizations carefully curated by Congress Heights community members who hope to move into larger spaces as the District-sponsored St. Elizabeths East redevelopment continues. (DCist)
Outgoing COG Executive Director shares his vision on how the region should grow
In a Q&A with Washington Post staff writer Katherine Shaver, Chuck Bean, the soon-to-be former executive director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), reflects on his tenure with the organization and shares his desire for more people to live, work and play near transit; the resolution of safety and equity issues; and a comprehensive electric vehicle charging network. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
Here’s your Metrorail weekend update
Expect single tracking on the Red Line, 18-minute service on Green/Yellow lines, and Orange Line stations in Maryland to remain closed. Meanwhile, Red line trains will run every 16 minutes this weekend and all other service interruptions and delays will continue as scheduled. (Aja Drain / DCist)
Plans for adaptive reuse of former bread & railroad warehouses owned by Howard University restart
The project, no longer known as Howard Town Center, has added more residential units to its original plans, which has been in the works for nearly two decades. The project team will submit their revised plans to DC’s Historic Preservation Review board in August. The plan had been delayed during the pandemic (Tristan Navera / Business Journal)
Retail and restaurants are returning to National Airport, Dulles as travel rebounds
Concession operators at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport are reporting increased concession sales as more travelers return after COVID-19 restrictions lift. Several local chain restaurants and retail outlets are slated to open airport locations in the next few months. (Hannah Denham / Business Journal)
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.