Breakfast links: Churches fight to build housing

A little denser in Little Rome

Several Catholic institutions in Brookland, Edgewood, and Michigan Park are starting to sell off their big, open spaces to stay afloat. Residents argue that the denser residential developments taking their place will ruin the character of DC’s “Little Rome.” (WAMU)

Fort Stevens’ war of affordable housing

After a decade battling Civil War buffs, a church that abuts the historic Fort Stevens finally broke ground on a new multipurpose building with 99 affordable housing units and a vistors center for the fort. (WAMU)

Derailed because they didn’t inspect

Inspection reports for a section of track near East Falls Church where a train derailed in July are incomplete and grossly inaccurate. Several of the monthly reports are missing crucial supervisor signatures and dubiously report that track conditions stayed exactly the same for years. (WAMU)

No ride to victory

Since Metro won’t stay open late for tonight’s Nationals playoffs game, fans are organizing carpools over social media. Some hope the inevitable traffic will bring attention to the importance of reliable transit.  (Post)

Better biking for MoCo

Montgomery County is becoming more bike-friendly with new protected lanes in North Bethesda and plans for more protected lanes around White Flint and Silver Spring. (BethesdaMagazine)

How to bid BRT

Bus rapid transit is popping up around the DC area, but to make it work planners need to refocus how they sell it to the public. Riders really just want to know it’s more reliable, not that buses will get a fancy new paint job. (MobilityLab)

CaBi’s grand opening in Fairfax

Capital Bikeshare’s Tysons and Reston stations will officially open next Friday with two ribbon-cutting ceremonies. (FABB)

WiFi around the White House

The Golden Triangle BID will provide free public WiFi downtown near the White House starting next week. It’s part of a bigger technology initiative to make Pennsylvania Ave more inviting.  (Borderstan)

RVs take on Silicon Valley

RVs are taking over Silicon Valley’s Mountain View as more and more people can’t afford housing. A new city initiative will provide RV dwellers with portable restrooms and showers, but many residents aren’t happy. (SFChronicle)