Breakfast links: Build it at a Metro station

FBI not near Metro?

Congress could drop the requirement that the FBI locate near Metro and the Beltway. This would open up cheaper sites such as in Loudoun, but at great intangible cost. … Montgomery bowed out of the competition and will support Greenbelt. (WBJ, City Paper)

Hospital at Largo?

Prince George’s officials are trying to work out a deal to put the planned hospital at Largo Town Center. Residents at a meeting strongly supported it, and it’s near a Metro station, unlike the 2 other top contenders, Landover Mall and Woodmore. (WBJ)

WMATA has 11 more in mind

WMATA is trying to lease land around 11 stations for development. Any project will have to replace 100% of the parking spaces, kiss-and-rides, etc. which could hold some of the sites back. (Post)

Less for transportation

The House has cut funding for transit, New Starts, and highway safety, backing off of funding promises made when the latest transportation bill was passed.  And it doesn’t look like the Senate will fix it.  (Streetsblog)

It’s a “collision,” not an “accident,” in New York

The NYPD will start investigating crashes that seriously injure pedestrians and cyclists, in addition to fatal ones. Also, the department is going to start calling them “collisions” or “crashes” and avoid the term “accident” with its inherent connotation of no fault. (NYT)

FTC is pro-Uber

The Federal Trade Commission opposes Colorado regulations that would have stopped services like Uber from helping people get rides in many areas. (Transportation Nation) … Does this bode poorly for efforts to stop Uber in DC?

Urbanism isn’t new in SimCity

Beyond programs logging onto the new SimCity, it only simulates 1950s car-dependent forms. Density depends on the size of roads, there’s no subway or bike lanes, and streetcars have to be in medians. (Streetsblog)

And…

Metro’s Accessibility Advisory Committee is looking for new members. (Post) … Fairfax County may soon add 911 texting. (WTOP) … Volvos can now detect and avoid cyclists in the path of a car. (BBC, Andrew Schmadel) … Kojo talks bikes today.