Weekend links: “Washington” versus DC

NPS hyperventilates on pedicabs

DC has proposed additional pedicab regulations, mostly to address safety.  NPS spokesman Bill Line is alarmed at the idea of pedicabs around the Mall: “Someone, frankly, could get killed.” (Post)

Union Station v. DC

Union Station is suing DC, claiming the “possessory interest tax” is unconstitutional and violates the Home Rule charter. They don’t want to have to collect sales

property taxes from for-profit businesses that lease space in the building, even though an adjacent office building would have to do just that. (City Paper)

EoR Circulator route announced

The east of the river Circulator will connect Potomac Avenue to Good Hope Road. Some residents worry it’s duplicating existing Metrobus service on Good Hope; DDOT says to think of it as an express line. (DCentric)

Sarles won’t go to NYC

Richard Sarles turned down an offer to head the New York MTA, whose head, Jay Walder, just resigned. Sarles says “he’s committed to Washington.” (Examiner)

Union chief denounces long and short workdays

A national transit union chief says working 2 rush-hour shifts is like doing the jobs of 2 people.  However, he’s also against hiring part-time bus drivers, dismissing them as dangerously tired. (Streetsblog)

New York putting the ‘park’ in Park Avenue

The city’s 4th annual Summer Streets starts today.  Pedestrians and cyclists may enjoy Park Avenue without restriction, clamber up climbing walls, observe statues, and stroll on the roadway. (Streetsblog)

Paved Louisville and put up a parking lot

Seas of surface parking mar much of downtown Louisville, KY, our own Erik Weber found. Louisville has not enjoyed the same downtown revival that has left DC with few downtown surface lots. (Broken Sidewalk)

And…

A German man set a world record parking in a space only 10.24” longer than his car. (Jalopnik) … Northern Virginia cities and counties keep their top-notch bond ratings, now beating the US Treasury’s rating. (Post) … The DC Office of Zoning has lost its director to big-time developer JBG. (City Paper)