Good morning, Washington. As we approach the new year and the amount of colleagues in your office thins out even more, here’s a run-down on the happenings today in and around the District. And to get you ready for those new year’s eve drunk text messages, today the Post features an article about bringing on the brevity. Call us critical, but it just sounds goofy when the Post tries so hard to sound hip.
Stadium Vote Delayed Until Mid January: The vote on the stadium lease has been delayed until mid-January 2006 at the earliest, as District officials continue working on all options, notes WJLA. Also, money from Metro’s joint-development fund may be used to renovate the Navy Yard station on the Green Line, which would be patronized by stadium-goers and is currently one of the stadium costs no one has offered to pay for, notes the Post. Council-member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), a stadium opponent and critical vote, was quoted as saying, “There’s been no decision yet. I’m not at peace with this issue yet.” Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein stated that the District has $16.8 million in its joint-development fund, but similarly recognized that $12.7 million of that total has already been set aside for other uses.
Rise in Pedestrian Deaths in District: In news that should make you think twice before crossing the street, the District has seen a rise in pedestrian deaths this year. The Post cites the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board in saying that around 3,000 pedestrians a year are hit in the District, of which 16 resulted in deaths this year as compared to an average of 12 from the past three years. In what seems to be a nearly 50-50 split in regards to the pedestrian or the driver being at fault, the District continues to try and make D.C. streets more friendly for the walking. Writes the Post: “The District has hired a full-time pedestrian-safety coordinator, made improvements to 20 of the most dangerous intersections and installed 1,200 countdown pedestrian signals since 2003, the most of any city, according to District officials. The District has also been running radio commercials this month about pedestrian safety and is paying police officers overtime to watch for traffic violations.” Well, at least that’s more than just the big orange flags…
District Housing Market Cools: Pointing to the fact that more newly-built homes are staying on the market longer, WTOP reports that the District housing market seems to be slowing, a post Christmas development for buyers in the area. Similarly, the District’s housing finance agency is trying to give a boost to first-time and repeat buyers in the area with grants covering up to four percent of the cost of a new home, part of D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams’ effort to attract 100,000 new residents to the city by the end of 2010.
Briefly Noted: Virginia to spend $800 million on traffic improvement … Small plane forced to land in Maryland … Suspect arrested in kidnapping of McLean woman.
Picture snapped by epmd.
