Breakfast links: Take a walk

Pedestrians get more time

Pedestrians now get a 3 to 10-second jump start ahead of cars to cross some DC intersections in an effort to reduce drivers crashing into pedestrians.  (Post)

Something rotten on Florida Ave.?

DC apparently picked MRP/Ellis bid over JBG to redevelop 965 Florida Avenue because they offered more money. But it will mean no street grid connection, possibly no grocery store, and there’s a dispute about how much affordable housing. (WBJ, City Paper)

The decline of car dependence?

Cities like Portland, Boston, and Seattle are seeing an increase in new households with less than one car per adult. These “car-lite” households make up 28 percent of US growth. (Streetsblog)

Teens forgo licenses

Only 44% of teenagers apply for a driver’s license when they reach legal age. Yet 20 years ago, two-thirds of 18-year-olds had licenses. (Post)

Is soccer stadium a good deal?

Even though it looks like a relatively good deal, the DC United stadium land swap will still cost DC $150 million that the team’s owner could certainly afford. Is it really a good deal for DC? (City Paper)

Volunteer away affordability

Voluntary agreements between tenants and building owners can often be beneficial to both groups, but are they hastening the loss of affordable housing in DC? (City Paper)

Unlawful traffic camera suspended

A traffic camera in Charles County wrongly gave thousands of speeding tickets. The camera was placed outside of a school zone, which Maryland law prohibits. The county must decide if it will refund payments. (WTOP)

NoVA office corridor shifting

The Silver Line is already changing Virginia’s office corridor from Rosslyn-Ballston northwest toward Tysons Corner, according to one real estate executive. (WBJ)

SmarTrip gets cheaper

Beginning October 1, WMATA will reduce the cost of plastic SmarTrip cards from $5 to $2. More changes may come, including mobile payments and no paper farecards. (Post)

And…

Why is signage on I-395 such a mess? (PoPville) … Taxis get an extension for credit card readers. (WAMU) … Upgrades to the 11th Street Bridge begin. (Post)