Weekend links: Not again

Metro brake breaks again

Another brake part fell from a Metro train Friday, leading the agency to inspect 464 railcars’ brakes. The failed brake was of a different design than the one that failed two weeks ago. (Examiner)

WMATA board all shook up

Gov. McDonnell’s appointee to the NVTC will take his place at the WMATA board next week. Arlington’s representative will be demoted to non-voting status in order to make room. (Post)

HPRB almost an empty board

Two of Mayor Gray’s 4 nominees to the Historic Preservation Review Board declined to serve. Almost the entire board has had their terms expired and are just continuing on until there are more nominees. (City Paper)

Steal early, steal often

Harry Thomas, Jr., began stealing public money within four months of taking office, using the Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation as a pass-through organization. Prosecutors say the nature of the crimes means this drama is far from over. (Loose Lips)

Battle for succession

Now that Harry Thomas, Jr., is out of office, it’s time to prepare for the special election to succeed him, and it’s bringing out all the Ward 5 leaders. That election will likely be in early May. (Post)

Some gin with your zoning

A gin and whiskey distillery is coming to DC. The distillery takes advantage of the Ivy City industrial zone, but such zones are becoming increasingly rare as DC continues to grow. (Housing Complex)

Hawaii train on track

With its highways jammed with traffic, the island of Oahu will begin building a 20-mile elevated rail line in March, which they hope will encourage development. (NYT, Matthias)  (Tip: Matthias)

Development is harder than it looks

Answering the challenge of economic development on an urban scale has often meant following the fad of the moment. Perhaps DC should heed the lessons of the past. (City Journal)