Breakfast links: Getting around Montgomery

Share the lines

Montgomery County is asking Pepco to allow recreational trails along the routes of its power lines as a condition of merging with Exelon. While the idea is not new, Pepco has not cooperated in the past. (Gazette)

No MoCo authority

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett pulled back his proposal for a new transit authority. Councilmembers felt the proposal was rolled out too hastily. (WTOP)

ACT against Chevy Chase

The Action Committee for Transit filed a lawsuit against the Town of Chevy Chase for refusing or charging unreasonably high fees to disclose documents about its lobbying contracts to oppose the Purple Line.

Wrong pop-up plan

The Washington Post editorial board criticized the DC Office of Planning’s proposal to limit height and density in row house zones. NADZ estimates it would cost $30-$50 million in lost property value.

CaBi upgrade disrupts

Capital Bikeshare will upgrade its software starting tomorrow evening. Members with keys will be able to keep using bikes, but with limits, while short-term memberships won’t be available.

How to house the homeless

Arlington housed its most vulnerable residents by getting multiple agencies to work together instead of in independent silos and finding programs tailored to each person’s needs. (Post)

Anchors weigh down dead malls

After years of decline, owners are redeveloping malls around the country, including in Alexandria. They hope making them more walkable and inviting will bring back shoppers, but anchor tenants often stand in the way. (Post)

Competing with Uber

Local limo companies emerged from the recession only to face stiff competition from Uber. They have been refocusing on shuttle buses. (Post)

Tax man comes for Airbnb

The short-term rental service Airbnb will begin charging hotel tax in DC, as it does in Portland and San Francisco. The lack of tax was one of the main complaints from the hotel industry. (UrbanTurf)

And…

Chicago maps the state of its infrastructure in stunning detail. (Next City) … Crimes on Metro fell in 2014, with cell phone thefts falling by 52%. (Post) … A company in Shanghai built a 5 story building with 3-D printing. (CityLab)  (Tip: Mike L.)