Breakfast links: Shaken up

Keep Catoe

A Post editorial agrees with Chris Zimmerman on WMATA General Manager John Catoe: Despite many lapses, there’s little reason to believe replacing Catoe would actually fix the problems at Metro.

What about those feds?

Kytja Weir looks at the likely impact of the four federal representatives yet to be named to the Metro board, including some quotes from me and another case of the editor assuming this blog’s title couldn’t possibly have that repeated word. (Examiner)

More open data and cool ways to use it

The Chicago Transit Authority is the latest agency to release their transit schedule data in an open source format for developers. And as a cool example of what one can do with open data, someone created a watch that displays upcoming SF Muni arrival times in its digital readout (via @joooe).

Groups criticize CoStar tax break

Some DC small businesses and nonprofits have signed a letter opposing the $7 million tax break to lure CoStar from Bethesda to DC. They argue the breaks should go to small businesses and areas outside downtown. CoStar’s CEO counters, noting DC’s high unemployment, though moving from Bethesda wouldn’t change much. DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray told Robert McCartney that if he did run for Mayor and win, he’d target tax breaks outside downtown. (WBJ, Post)

Not so many taxi tickets

DC has been dismissing tickets given to taxi drivers routinely. More corruption? The FBI is curious. (NBC4)

Kwame is sorry for speeding

On Twitter, DC Councilmember Kwame Brown apologized for speeding through a park, noting that he was late from a meeting but adding that that’s no excuse. Did he get a ticket?

Architizer or starchitizer?

Housing Complex reviews Architizer, which lets architects post pictures and information about their projects. But does this method of sharing work only encourage more “starchitecture” projects that stand out in a collection of photos instead of ones which fit well into their cities? Is there a better way to give capable rather than boldly artistic architects more attention?