Breakfast links: In talks

Mount Vernon Square Garden?

The owners of Madison Square Garden are interested in opening a concert venue in DC, somewhere with good access to transit and lots of surrounding retail. Likely spots include the old Convention Center area and Mt. Vernon Square and Triangle, as well as Near Southeast around the ballpark. (Washington Business Journal via JDLand)

A dome or a neighborhood?

DC officials are in talks with the Redskins about moving the team back to DC and consolidating their practice facilities around RFK. Ryan Avent argues that acres of parking lots and a stadium used about ten times a year is almost surely not the best use of the land right around a Metro station. (NBC Washington, The Bellows)

Three years of Berliner

Montgomery Councilmember Roger Berliner (D-Potomac, Chevy Chase) looks back at his first term in office and toward his chances for succeeding to the Council Presidency and reelection. He increased energy efficiency requirements and instituted energy refit loans, and supported the light rail Purple Line over some vocal constituents’ objections. But he also supported the ICC, or at least refused to condemn it. (Potomac Almanac)

More concrete than crystal

Spencer Lepler critiques Crystal City. He finds that the mall’s short hours, long and circuitous passageways, low tunnel ceilings, and stores like the “BRAC Transition Center” make visitors feel like they’re “trespassing in the underground service corridors of government” rather than creating a lively, welcoming, mixed-use district. (DC Metrocentric, Eric H.)  (Tip: Eric H.)

New parks, cheap

Some area counties are taking advantage of the real estate crash to buy more parkland at bargain prices. However, with budgets also tight, it’s tough to find the money. Maryland is in better shape because they put some money away in a special fund long ago, though they raided some of it to close budget gaps. DC doesn’t have any money for new parks right now. (Post, Gavin Baker)  (Tip: Gavin Baker)

If parking spaces could vote, they’d be set

Raleigh has nine municipal parking decks and four surface lots, but almost nobody is using them. Nevertheless, another one will open soon. The parking authority borrowed $85 million in the last few years to build parking that got way ahead of development, and now has a $600,000 annual budget gap to cover debt and maintenance on the empty garages. (News & Observer)

Death and life of cute dresses

A clothing designer was inspired by Jane Jacobs after listening to a radio replay of her interviews and produceda Jacobs-themed child’s dress. (Via @PPS_Placemaking)