Breakfast links: Metro is getting another infusion of federal funds
Masked Metro ride by John Brighenti licensed under Creative Commons.
WMATA set to get another batch of federal pandemic relief
WMATA will get another $120 million in federal pandemic relief dollars as part of the American Rescue Plan, officials announced Thursday. The money will be used to offset Metro’s projected deficit in 2024. (Luz Lazo / Post)
Silver Spring apartment building explodes, injuring at least 10
At least 10 people were injured after an explosion and fire at a building at Friendly Garden Apartments in Silver Spring on Thursday. Officials said some people were still unaccounted for but it’s not clear how many. The cause is under investigation. (Colleen Grablick / DCist)
Alexandria considers new zoning designation for apartments over retail
Apartments atop storefronts are ubiquitous in Alexandria’s historic buildings. Now planners are considering creating a new zoning designation for those mixed-use buildings, “auxiliary apartments,” and making rules for them more consistent city-wide. (Vernon Miles / ALXnow)
Montgomery County to hire Thrive consultant after racial equity review
Montgomery County plans to hire a consultant to help the Thrive 2050 general plan get more meaningful input from people of color following racial equity feedback from the Office of Legislative Oversight. That means a final vote is still months away. (Steve Bohnel / Bethesda Beat. Tip: Chester B.)
How DC can use public land to maximize housing
DC is weighing proposals to remake the Reeves Center, with each option bringing hundreds of affordable housing units. But some say there’s more the District could do to maximize the housing benefits of this publicly owned land. (Editor’s note: GGWash DC Policy Director Alex Baca is quoted in this article.) (Alex Koma / City Paper)
Downtown DC BID director resigns
Neil Albert, the former DC Housing Authority chair who is under federal investigation for approving contracts for his romantic partner’s company, has resigned from his position as leader of the Downtown DC Business Improvement District. He resigned after he was told the organization’s board of directors planned to vote to dismiss him. (Paul Schwartzman / Post)
What goes up must come down
The fencing that was installed around the US Capitol for the State of the Union this week was removed overnight Wednesday, a much shorter stay than its six-month run after the January 6 insurrection last year. (Colleen Grablick / DCist)
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