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Little movement in test scores

A report shows that DC 3rd graders’ test scores have not significantly improved since reforms began in 2007. Charter schools also didn’t show significant improvement over their traditional counterparts. (Examiner)

Hampton doesn’t need roads

Governor McDonnell is drawing criticism for spending $1.4 billion for a toll road in Hampton Roads, which many (including the Sierra Club) say isn’t necessary, while neglecting basic maintenance in Northern Virginia. (Post)

Developer sues over empty IZ units

2 Inclusionary Zoning units, the first condo units created under the program, still aren’t filled, so the developer is suing the city to get the right to sell them outside the program. (City Paper)

Recriminations over red tops

Why did the red top meter program fail? There’s a lot of finger-pointing, but few answers. Michael Brown tried to change his vote from no to yes and pass it, but couldn’t for procedural reasons. (Examiner)

Free parking fight, 1955 on the Ellipse

A letter in the Post from 1955  laments how the White House was turning the Ellipse into employee parking, where visitors to the Mall formerly were able to park. (Ghosts of DC)

From Russia with civic ambivalence

As planners envision a Moscow with wide sidewalks, trams, and neighborhood squares, they also question whether the people of Moscow can cultivate a sense of community to make such changes successful. (Post)

Not so sudden developments

After a 22-year delay, a new residential building is going up on a vacant plot along Connecticut Avenue, but that hadn’t stopped some neighbors from complaining  about the suddenness of the by-right project. (Post)

Work done on Wisconsin

DDOT has declared that the Wisconsin Avenue Streetscape Project in Glover Park is “substantially complete”. The project widened sidewalks, added a median, and reduced the number of traffic lanes. (Patch)

And…

Take a look inside Metro’s elevator and escalator lab. (Post) … DC shifts around some funds to pay for $7 million in affordable housing in EastBanc’s West End project. (WBJ) … After 8 months, there is still no replacement for Beverley Swaim-Stanley as Maryland’s Transportation Secretary. (Baltimore Sun)