Breakfast links: Migration

Fewer move to Washington

With fewer high-wage jobs, the DC area is no longer drawing as many people to move here from elsewhere in the country. The area remains a magnet for international immigrants, however. (Post)

Act with autonomy, or not?

Chairman Mendelson plans to approve DC’s budget using the process set up by DC’s recently-passed budget autonomy referendum, instead of the traditional process. But Mayor Gray says doing that would risk Congress’ ire and even a return of the control board and criminal penalties, and promises to veto a budget passed under that process. (City Paper, WAMU)

Sprawl continues amid transit

In 4 of the 5 metro areas that pioneered light rail in the US, the percentage of transit ridership and urban population declined. The investment was not enough to counteract sprawl. (Atlantic Cities, Chuck Coleman)  (Tip: Chuck Coleman)

Purple Line property purchases coming

Maryland is starting the process of buying over 600 properties along the future Purple Line to make way for station platforms and power substations. Construction could start by 2015. (Post)

Bold ideas to improve Rosslyn

A Realize Rosslyn plan outlines the area’s challenges and how to overcome them. Improving the pedestrian experience through more welcoming buildings, streets, and even an outdoor escalator will be key. (WBJ)

Peak tourism follows peak bloom

Capital Bikeshare and MARC set ridership records, and trash cans overflowed, as huge crowds of people came to DC for the Cherry Blossom parade. (WTOP, Post)

And…

How much does a parking spot cost? (UrbanTurf) … Gondolas, hanging trains, and toboggans, oh my! (Guardian Cities) … WMATA’s new test facility in Greenbelt is coming along, and is there an extra 7000-series car up there? (Sand Box John)