Breakfast links: Growth in Virginia

Smart Growth a success in NoVa

Much of the past decade’s population growth in Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax was concentrated around Metro stations. Arlington’s mixed-land-use strategies allowed it to absorb people more efficiently than Loudoun County communities. (The Transport Politic, MW)

Virginia growth strengthens urbanized areas

As new census figures confirmed the meteoric growth of northern Virginia counties, they ensure that these areas will gain more political representation in Richmond as rural areas will lose some of their power. (WTOP)

Stafford wants to use UDAs to accommodate growth

Stafford County wants to use Urban Development Area designations to accommodate growth and density along I-95 and around VRE stations. The county is having public meetings and is asking for feedback through a survey. (WTOP)

DC Council hears about bike and pedestrian safety

At Friday’s bike and pedestrian safety hearing, several witnesses said better enforcement against drivers who disregard traffic laws is necessary. An ANC commissioner said he’d be sympathetic to cyclists if they rode safely and stayed off the streets at rush hour. (WTOP)

MetroAccess customers face fare hike

Customers of Metro’s ADA-complementary paratransit service will face a significant fare increase at the end of February. An average trip will go from $3 to $5. MetroAccess ridership has surged over past years. (WAMU)

Eisenhower memorial could have been Education plaza

The space in front of the Department of Education, now slated for the Eisenhower Memorial, might have been an “education plaza”, creating a lively public space and teaching things to the schoolkids who come out of the adjacent Air and Space Museum. (Housing Complex)

Snyder mad over parking revenue?

Did Dan Snyder really decide to go after Dave McKenna because McKenna exposed Snyder’s bad parking behavior, lobbying Prince George’s County and Agawam, Mass. to ban walking to FedEx Field and Six Flags under the guise of “safety” just so he could charge more for parking? (TBD via RPUS)

ARRA spending on new roads is “squadered” money

According to a new report, states which spent much of their Recovery Act funds on new road construction were much less successful in creating jobs than those that spend funds on transit and road maintenance. (The Daily Beast)

And…

Jeff Coudriet, a long-time DC political and gay-rights activist and government leader, lost his fight with lung cancer on Saturday night. (Borderstan) … Woodbridge is close to finding a replacement for the 750 park-and-ride spaces that Potomac Mills mall will be taking back next week. (WTOP) … Maryland Senator Ben Cardin says President Obama should be more vocal about DC voting rights. (WTOP)