Breakfast links: Nothing is the same

Downtown a different place today

With construction set to go at CityCenter, Downtown is now a vastly different place than 20 years ago, more than doubling in residential population and replacing 88 of 103 parking lots with buildings. (Post)

Hine gets even smaller

The mixed-use development across the street from the Eastern Market Metro has been altered at the behest of neighbors to include fewer units and (probably) more parking. (EMMCA)

Student street parking gets harder

Students might have to become full DC residents to get residential parking permits. Congress members and staffers would still be entitled to temporary permits. Could this give students more representation in ANCs? (Examiner)

Train operator puts out track fire

It was so hot Monday that something caught on fire on the tracks of the Orange Line. A Metro train operator went out and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. A rider caught it all on video. (DCist)

What is WMATA worth?

WMATA has hired a consultant to build a business case for the region to invest in Metro rail and bus service, identifying a “broad universe of benefits” as well as quantified impact in certain metrics. (Examiner)

Bike to work in May

Bike to Work Day is May 20. and the first 8,500 to register get a free t-shirt. Commuters can join a convoy to downtown or rest at one of many pit stops.

More news on bikes

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling is pushing to reinstate the county’s bike program, and suggests eliminating Kiss & Ride lots at schools. … The racial and ethnic breakdown of bike riders nearly matches that of the American population at large. (Sightline Daily)

Parking is big government

Cato is starting a conversation on parking, starting with an essay by Donald Shoup explaining how free parking is usually government meddling in free markets. At least one conservative writer thinks Shoup makes a lot of sense. (The American Conservative)

And…

VRE management will hold an online forum at noon and will be at Union Station this afternoon to answer questions of riders. (Train Talk) … Some Georgetown residents are forming a conservancy to care for the NPS-neglected Dumbarton Oaks Park. (Georgetown Metropolitan)