Breakfast links: Land grab

State wants more land

After Children’s bid to use a lab building at Walter Reed, the State Department asked Congress to take 13 acres away from the 67 that will go to DC to compensate. DC says that would scuttle the current redevelopment plans. (Post)

Which location will win?

A Metro station closer to Potomac Yard’s commercial center, while more expensive, would bring almost 50% more development than a farther, cheaper option. Developers offered to pay more if Alexandria selects the closer site. (WBJ)

Workers of bikeshare unite!

Capital Bikeshare workers voted to join a union, the same as New York’s Citibike workers. They want better tools to do their jobs and freedom to speak up without being fired. (Post)

Historic view of motorcycles?

DDOT has removed bike racks at 8th and D Streets NW because the Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association said it blocked a “historic viewshed.” Instead, now motorcycles are parking there. DDOT Director Matt Brown says all the bike parking has been replaced nearby. (DCist, @GarberDC)

DC fails to collect on loans

Owners of city-backed affordable housing buildings owe tens of millions on loans. The 7% of buildings that are delinquent are draining city money from further investments in affordable housing. (Post)

Takoma Park-ing evolves

As businesses have grown in Takoma Park, nearby residents find sometimes people park in front of their houses and they sometimes have to park a block away. The city manager thinks a new public garage is unnecessary. (Gazette)

Is biking safer?

There were more fatal bike crashes involving cars nationwide in 2012 than in 2010, but fewer relative to the amount of bicycling. Still, cities can do more including education, enforcing speed limits, and adding cycletracks. (WAMU)

And…

DC will not ban bicycling along streetcar tracks after all. (WABA) … Does using the term “NIMBY” shut down a debate we should be having about the value of beauty and progress?  (Post) … A new trail connection improves access to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens near the W&OD in Vienna. (FABB)