Breakfast links: Montgomery County Council comes closer to voting on new rent increase cap
Silver Spring skyline by BeyondDC licensed under Creative Commons.
MoCo Council comes closer to voting on new rent increase cap
While a rent capping bill was previously introduced to cap rent increases at 8%, a new bill gaining momentum would cap rent increases at inflation plus 3%, for a total of up to 6%, similar to DC’s new rent cap. The bill will next require a full council vote. (Morgan Baskin / DCist)
Latest Falcicchio accuser says they were sexually harassed and denied District business opportunities
Another person has come forward about being a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of former DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio. This victim was hoping to receive a contract to do business with the District and believes rebuffing Falcicchio’s sexual advances cost her the opportunity. (Alex Koma / City Paper)
Eden Center overlay plan approved unanimously by Falls Church City Council
Falls Church City Council unanimously approved the East End Small Area Plan, which includes the plans for Eden Center and a 10-block commercial district surrounding it that is dominated by Vietnamese businesses. While officials and organizers say this is an important start, implementing the recommendations will take time. (Héctor Alejandro Arzate / DCist)
Virginia’s US Senators send joint letter to building owner about eviction complaints
Virginia US Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have sent a letter to The CIM Group, the owner of the Southern Towers in Alexandria, which is under federal investigation due to potential misuse of federal funding. The Florida-based management company bought Southern Towers during the pandemic, and have since evicted many residents for non-payment, but residents have complained eviction notices are inconsistent and don’t provide sufficient warning or time for payment. (James Cullum / ALXNow)
New Heming apartment building in Tysons finds retailers
The building, part of the buildout of the Scotts Run development, will include a gym, scheduled to open later this summer, and a Japanese restaurant. The apartment building above the retail will consist of 410 units when completed. (Angela Woolsey / FFXNow)
WMATA sued for rejecting anti-animal testing ads
The group, White Coat Waste Project, wanted to place ads about governmental spending on animal experiments, but WMATA denied the pitches on the grounds of its policy prohibiting, among other things, ads that aim to influence public policy. White Coat Waste Project asserts that WMATA violated the First and Fifth Amendments. (Justin George / Post)
Courthouse’s Commodore apartment construction includes developer-provided streetscape upgrades
Surrounding the building will be a new long-planned pedestrian promenade, with trees and lighting, as well as improvements to several other streets. These include a curbless, shared “slow speed” street along 15th Street N., and improved pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure along Clarendon Blvd, Wilson Blvd and N. Courthouse Road. (Jo DeVoe / ARLNow)
Alexandria gets $38 million in federal and state funding for electric buses and improved service
The Alexandria Transit Company received $24 million from the Federal Transit Agency to purchase 13 electric buses. In addition, a $14 million grant funded through I-395 tolls will improve bus service on busy routes and enable the purchase of two additional electric buses. (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)
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