Breakfast links: Politics and public input

Standoff in the synagogue

Last night, Democratic Mayoral candidates Adrian Fenty and Vincent Gray clashed in a debate leading up to the September 14th primaries. Gray expressed doubt about bus lanes on 7th & 9th Streets NW, saying “I’d rather put bike lanes on every street…because they’re the way of the future.”  He seems to have forgotten the last time he was quoted about bike lanes. Today, the DC Board of Elections is considering Fenty’s request to allow independent voters to vote in the primary. Follow @mikedebonis for live updates. (TBD.com)  (Tip: Erik W)

Exclusionary zoning

DC’s inclusionary zoning law was passed to entice developers to build more affordable housing stock.  With resale restrictions, owners of these units can’t reap the benefits of homeownership, making it difficult for developers to sell them. Manna’s Shiv Newaldass proposes a fix allowing the city to recoup subsidies and homeowners to benefit from rising property values. (Washington Post, Jaime Fearer)  (Tip: Jaime Fearer)

Rate the road diet

Have you driven or biked along Lawyers Road since it went on a diet? Virginia DOT is seeking feedback on the Lawyers Road project they undertook last summer. The road was reduced from 2 lanes in each direction to one lane each way, continuous center turn lane and five-foot bike lanes on either side. Let them know what you think. (All Fairfax, Joey)  (Tip: Joey)

Food truck finality

Today is the last day to submit comments to DCRA on their proposed street vending rule, which would formally allow mobile food trucks, barring the introduction of any language proposed by BIDs and merchant groups. (YesOnTitle24)  (Tip: Erik W)

The next TOD hotspot

Hot on the heels of the Rhode Island Ave Metro joint development groundbreaking, PERS Development announced it will remodel the abandoned apartment building at the corner of 4th & Rhode Island. PERS stepped in just as Prince of Petworth

DCRA, at the urging of Eckington Resident Steve Conn, was getting the building classified as “blighted.” (DCmud)  (Tip: Erik W)

Corman in the mirror

Corman Construction, an Annapolis-based contractor, won the $30.7 million contract to restore the Reflecting Pool on the Mall.  The current pool was built in the early 1920s and is sinking into the marsh it’s built on. (Hometown Annapolis, The I)  (Tip: The I)

Couches on wheels no more

Alexis Madrigal explains how tech advances and mobile devices will lead naturally to more city living. While technologies of the mid-twentieth century made driving enjoyable and productive, today’s mobile capabilities make driving a waste of time. (The Atlantic)