Breakfast links: HOT lanes, cold retail market

Suicide by Metro

A man apparently committed suicide yesterday by jumping in front of a Red Line train at Gallery Place. (Post) … This PowerPoint presentation shows how Toronto dealt with suicides on their system. … Adam Tuss looks back at the June crash in a radio series including interviews with NTSB.

I-66 hot again in the press, on the campaign trail

Virginia Del. Bob Brink (D-48th, Arlington) has steadfastly opposed widening I-66 inside the Beltway. His Republican challenger, Aaron Ringel, supports a limited widening. (Sun Gazette, Gavin Baker) … But VDOT can’t even afford the limited widening that they planned, leading Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer to start looking at HOT lanes on I-66. (WTOP)  (Tip: Gavin Baker)

Tempers hot on 95 and 395

Supporters and opponents debated 95/395 HOT lanes and Arlington’s recent lawsuit at a Sept. 9 Arlington Committee of 100 forum (Sun Gazette, Gavin Baker) … Arlington Chairman Barbara Favola defends the County’s decision to file suit (Fredericksburg.com)  … Alexandria residents want their city to step up against the lanes (Examiner)  (Tip: Gavin Baker)

Correct(ing) the park(ing) story

Ruth Samuelson isn’t sure of the point of Park(ing) Day. Justin Young, one of the organizers, has a few corrections to suggest.

No traffic lights in London

Researchers like Hans Monderman have discovered, somewhat counterintuitively, that removing traffic signs and lights can actually improve safety and traffic flow. Only smaller towns in Europe have tried this so far, but that may change: London will try turning off all traffic lights in a piece of the downtown, around Westminster Abbey. (NY Times, Michael P) … The Onion has the ultimate solution to traffic: just honk. (Michael P)  (Tip: Michael P.)

Empty storefronts are increasing. Why?

Businesses are closing in Cleveland Park, along Connecticut Avenue. (Washington Post, Cavan) Why? Richard Layman thinks landowners charge too much, holding out for potential higher rents from more upscale, national chains. Felix Salmon, Matt Yglesias, Sommer Mathis, and Ruth Samuelson discuss some of the inefficiencies in the retail leasing market that lead to empty storefronts that don’t make sense in an efficient market economic model.  (Tip: Cavan)

1940s Sears didn’t destroy Tenleytown

Some Wisconsin Avenue residents’ opposition to the Giant is nothing new for the area. Back in the 1940s, Tenleytown residents fought the Sears just as vociferously. But in retrospect, it’s been great for the neighborhood. (ЦARЬchitect)

The perfect city according to Byrne

Musician David Byrne, a bicyclist, describes his perfect city. It would combine elements of New York, San Francisco, Berlin, Glasgow, London, Florence, Buenos Aires and Japan, including public spaces, mixed-use development, not too much parking, and a good attitude. (WSJ)

The “rural until we want sprawl there” tier

Despite local opposition, the Prince George’s County Council approved 62 acres sprawling development including a shopping center and housing in Accokeek, in the southern, rural part of the county. The County’s plans call for keeping this section rural, but that only seems to last until a developers shows interest. (Post, Cavan)  (Tip: Cavan)