Breakfast links: Purple Line delayed again; officials request additional $425 million
Montgomery County by Joe Flood licensed under Creative Commons.
Purple Line delayed until December 2027
The Maryland Transit Administration has announced an additional eight-month delay on the completion of the Purple Line, with anticipated completion in December 2027. The Maryland Department of Transportation is also asking the Maryland Board of Public Works for an additional $425 million for utility work, bringing the projects total to $10 billion — nearly double the original projections. (Alan Kline / Business Journal)
Montgomery County amendment aims to make it easier to preserve affordable housing
Montgomery County Council voted last week to make key changes to the county’s Right of First Refusal law, which requires property owners to offer tenants to buy a property before it can be sold elsewhere. Under the amendment, the county can assign the right of first refusal to an affordable housing partner to streamline the process of protecting affordable units. (Ginny Bixby / MoCo360)
Chinatown residents concerned about impact of Caps, Wizards’ potential move
Chinese-American residents in DC’s Chinatown are concerned that the Capitals and Wizards’ proposed move to Alexandria would hurt businesses in the neighborhood, and particularly worried about the impact on a dwindling number of Chinese small businesses. (Abigail Constantino / WTOP)
Washington Post extends lease on downtown DC headquarters
The Washington Post has extended its lease through 2037 on its headquarters in downtown DC’s One Franklin Square, which is the tallest commercial building in the District. The news comes amid a troubling environment for downtown that has seen several companies relocate. (Vince Morris / City Paper)
UMD students launch tenant union to address housing concerns
A pair of University of Maryland at College Park students who serve as student liaisons on the College Park City Council have started a tenant union to address longstanding concerns over housing affordability off-campus. One near-term goal for the union will be to improve response times for maintenance issues in apartment buildings. (Katharine Wilson / The Diamondback)
Work begins on office-to-residential conversion in Alexandria
Construction has started on a redevelopment project in Old Town Alexandria that will see a 200,000-square-foot office building converted into a 200-unit apartment building. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2025. (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)
234-unit waterfront residential project in Alexandria secures financing
A mixed-use development for the Alexandria waterfront that will consist of 169 apartments and 65 condominiums along with retail and art space has secured financing from an investment firm. The project will center on the redevelopment of three office buildings. The target completion date is 2026. (UrbanTurf)
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