Weekend links: Wintry mixed uses

Clear your sidewalks

It snowed last night, which means DC property owners are responsible for clearing their sidewalks, including businesses, apartment buildings, and the National Park Service. Arlington has the rule, too.

Stop discriminating against mixed-use

Lending rules from HUD, FHA and Fannie and Freddie impede mixed-use development by limiting rented residential or commercial space in buildings. Fixing that rule would help economic recovery. (Forbes)

Gingrich sneers at urban living

Newt Gingrich scorned people who live in apartments and/or ride the Metro, saying in a speech to the National Association of Home Builders that such people don’t understand the value of homeownership. (WSJ via Yglesias)

Red bikes and pink blooms on the Mall?

Capital Bikeshare stations may come to the Mall by the Cherry Blossom Festival. The Park Service has submitted its 5 station sites to federal review agencies. (Examiner)

Union Square still recordable

Union Square will remain open for filming and photos, despite a change of control from the National Park Service to the Architect of the Capitol. (City Paper)

DC won’t limit your photography

DCRA wants to narrow photography regulations to only regulate those taking pictures on the street to sell immediately to people, not journalists or artistic photographers. Also, for some reason, the regulated street photographers are forbidden from taking blurry photos. (Post)

The FederalExpressway?

Virginia may sell naming rights to its infrastructure for highway maintenance money, under a proposal by Governor McDonnell. Virginia would join Chicago and Philadelphia by allowing such sales. (WBJ)

Book Exchange project approved

The Book Exchange project, to house 1,000 students in College Park, sailed through the Prince George’s planning board despite opponent concerns that it would disrupt the character of the neighborhood. (Post)

Reforming food truck rules

Food trucks will be allowed to idle without customers as long as they obey parking laws, freeing them from fines under the current rule.  Mayor Gray wants to implement this and other changes to DC’s food truck rules. (Examiner)

And…

Local business groups want more Maryland infrastructure funding. (Post) … Is efficiency or look and feel more important to transportation planning? (Slate) … China unveils the largest bus in the world, and it looks like a Circulator. (Digital Trends)