Breakfast links: DC starts enforcement for blocking bus lanes on January 29
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Pennsylvania Avenue bus lane by BeyondDC licensed under Creative Commons.
Starting January 29, DC will begin fining drivers in bus-only lanes
Drivers in DC will be fined $100 for illegally driving, parking, stopping, or standing in bus lanes starting on January 29, following months of delay. Enforcement, a joint effort between WMATA and the District Department of Transportation, will be through automated bus-mounted cameras which were installed last year. (Sarah Y. Kim / DCist)
Maryland increases investment in Prince George’s Hospital redevelopment in Cheverly
Governor Moore increased Maryland’s investment in the Prince George’s Hospital Center redevelopment in Cheverly from $5 million to $7.5 million. The redevelopment aims to create a new town center with enough townhomes and apartments to nearly double the size of the town, as well as improved connections to the Cheverly Metro station and the bike trail network around the Anacostia River and into DC. (John Domen / WTOP)
Arlington drops lawsuit against residents and civic association who look to block bus parking
Arlington County is temporarily parking 29 ART buses on a county-owned lot while a new facility is built, after the zoning administrator approved the arrangement two years ago. One resident unsuccessfully appealed the decision, after which the county sued that resident and a civic association for improper use of the BZA process. The BZA found out about the lawsuit in the press and decided to hear the appeal, leading the county to drop the lawsuit. (Jo DeVoe / ARLnow)
Washington region conducts annual ‘point in time’ survey to track homelessness
DC and other governments in the Washington region deployed volunteers for a six-hour survey Wednesday night to track the number of unhoused residents in the region. Last year’s data, which was released in May, showed an 18% rise in homelessness in the Washington region, including a 12% increase in DC. (Morgan Baskin / DCist)
Virginia and Maryland unemployment rates increase slightly
Virginia and Maryland saw a slight uptick in unemployment rates in December 2023. Virginia is at 3% and Maryland is at 1.9%. Despite the increase, both are relatively low compared to the national average, with Maryland’s tying North Dakota for lowest unemployment rate in the nation. (Jeff Clabaugh / WTOP)
Fairfax County approves rezoning for 110-foot-tall data center in Chantilly
The Fairfax County Board voted 8-to-1 to approve rezoning a site on Route 50 near Stonecroft Boulevard in Chantilly to allow for a new 110-foot-tall data center. Some residents expressed frustration with the decision and formed the group “Save Pleasant Valley from Industrial Development.” They cited concerns about increased noise levels associated with the industrialization and increased height. (Luke Lukert / WTOP)
Michael A. Brown, former DC Councilmember convicted on federal bribery charges, is running to be DC’s nonvoting delegate
Michael A. Brown, a former DC Councilmember who pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges and was released from prison in 2016, is attempted a political comeback by announcing his intention to run against Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton to become DC’s next nonvoting delegate. He noted that he wants to aggressively defend DC against Congress’ intrusions into local decision-making (This article may be behind a paywall). (Michael Brice-Saddler / Post)
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