Breakfast links: WMATA board weighs difficult budget tradeoffs
Pentagon City Canopy by Emma K Alexandra licensed under Creative Commons.
Some WMATA board members think doomsday budget is avoidable, but they still face tough path forward
WMATA board members hope to avoid some of the worst service cuts and station closures proposed under the doomsday $750 million deficit scenario, but acknowledge that fixing Metro’s financial woes will still require painful decisions in the coming months. (This article may be behind a paywall. Disclosure: Tracy Hadden Loh, who serves on the WMATA board, is also chair of the GGWash board of directors.) (Michael Laris / Post)
Potential Potomac Yard “transit arena” doesn’t have enough transit for an arena
At a community meeting, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said the intention is for the proposed Capitals/Wizards arena at Potomac Yard to be a “transit arena,” where most game attendees arrive via transit, but acknowledged that the Potomac Yard Metro station can’t currently handle that volume of passengers. Separately, WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke said he had not been involved in the process of Virginia’s deal with Monumental, but collaboration and transit investments would be needed going forward. (The Washington Post story may be behind a paywall) (Vernon Miles / ALXNow, Teo Armus / Post)
Photojournalist captures DC’s dramatic development over the course of 20+ years
Bill O’Leary, a photojournalist for The Washington Post, has been in his profession for more than three decades. His before-and-after photos demonstrate the District’s dramatic growth and transformation over the course of two decades, while residents reflect on the positive impacts as well as losses associated with displacement. (This article may be behind a paywall). (Post)
Baltimore City facing $1.8 billion budget deficit over next ten years
Baltimore City budget officials announced at a budget hearing on Thursday that the city could be facing a deficit of $1.8 billion over the next ten years, as expenses climb three times faster than revenues. (This article is behind a paywall.) (Adam Willis / Baltimore Banner)
Contractor for Pentagon City Metro’s second elevator asks for funding increase from $12.8 million to $17.3 million
W.M. Schlosser, the contractor working on the project to install a second elevator at the Pentagon City Metro station, has asked Arlington County for an additional $4.4 million, bringing the total cost to $17.3 million. The project was originally supposed to cost $6.4 million and be completed in 2022. (James Jarvis / ARLNow)
University of Maryland DOTS seeks to fill budget deficit through increased student fees
The University of Maryland’s Department of Transportation Services is hoping to increase student fees by 16.4% to close its budget deficit and prevent cuts to service. A number of student groups oppose the proposal, calling it an “unsustainable” fix. (Bridget Byrne / Diamondback)
Zoning issues at Sugarloaf Mountain continue
Frederick County Councilmembers are weighing a proposal to rezone Sugarloaf Mountain, a popular recreational site, to limit potential development or commercial logging. The mountain’s owners and many nearby property owners oppose the proposal, while many conservation groups and recreational users support it, with each side presenting petitions at a hearing on December 12 (This article is behind a paywall). (Danny Nguyen / Post)
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