Breakfast links: Welcome to 2013

Tejada to focus on affordable housing

Arlington’s new County Board chairman Walter Tejada claims he will focus on affordable housing during his term. The average rent of $1768 and single-family home price of $695,000 are unaffordable for many. (Post)

Dispute brings down NextBus app

The NextBus DC app stopped operating December 20th, thanks to a dispute between 2 tech companies involved in operating it. Bus riders can still use Metro’s own tools to view bus arrival times. (Examiner)

Talk ped safety in upcounty MoCo

After 2 pedestrians were killed crossing streets in upper Montgomery County and the county DOT refused to mark a crosswalk, ACT is organizing a forum on upcounty pedestrian safety for January 26.

2012’s many bar closures

MPD police chief Cathy Lanier closed bars at a rate of more than 1 per month throughout 2012. Last month’s closure of Bohemian Caverns was the first for a reason other than a shooting, stabbing, or drug trafficking. (Post)

A political 2012

A few DC politicians make an early exit, and others win their 1st elections, in DCist’s rundown of 2012 in DC politics.

Free transit on big days?

Los Angeles offered free transit rides on New Year’s Eve, while New York didn’t. Should DC offer free rides on Inauguration Day, asks Richard Layman? (Atlantic Cities, RPUS)

Black gentrification vs. white

In one gentrifying Chicago neighborhood, the gentrifiers are black, not white. That’s meant more neighborhood enthusiasm for the demographic changes, but also, the press hasn’t depicted that neighborhood’s changes like they have in other, racially-evolving neighborhoods. (Atlantic Cities)

And…

Prince William County will have two local newspapers. (Post) … Temperatures measured at DCA are unrepresentative of the broader Washington region. (Post) … Lowe’s may come to DC’s Dakota Crossing, near the new Costco. (WBJ)