Breakfast links: Buy this

A less common mall

Developers want to convert the Ballston Common Mall into a more urban-form shopping center with sidewalk-facing retail and even add some housing to the development. (Post)

Nice bus stop

Some people have expressed befuddlement at Arlington’s $1 million bus stop, but as a prototype the high cost is not a surprise and it’s also OK to spend money on transit. (Post, RPUS)

A road with a view

Alexandria plans to spend $125,000 to build models of the Potomac Yard Metro Station to gauge the visual impact from the George Washington Parkway and assuage resident opposition. (The Arlandrian)

Silver delay?

The Silver Line may be delayed if a needed rail yard isn’t completed. WMATA needs the extra space to store and maintain Silver Line trains.  (Examiner)

MD gas tax on the move

The Maryland House has passed the gas sales tax bill, which now moves to the Senate.  The increased revenue will help fund the Purple Line and complete streets in Maryland. (WashCycle)

SideCar arrives

SideCar, which allows any driver to pick up passengers for a suggested donation, launched in DC. This surprised the Taxicab Commission which, after talking with the company, thought SideCar was not going to open in DC. (Post, City Desk)

Transit land values do better

Real estate values in transit-accessible areas outperformed land in transit poor areas by more than 40% between 2006 and 2011. Does this show that people want to live near transit or were the transit-poor exurbs just more prone to the real estate bubble?  (City Paper, Keeping the Rain Off)

And…

There’s a new design for the Chuck Brown Park. (RIA Insider) … Conservative bloggers flipped out over Matthew Yglesias buying a pricey condo. (Atlantic Wire) … Serena Williams rode a bike to a match, and it was faster than driving in traffic. (Post)