Back in November when we first reported on the idea of extending the Yellow Line beyond its terminus at the Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center stop, we thought it a bit of a shot in the dark. After all, then WMATA Chief Richard White didn’t seem to keen on the idea, stating, “Such an extension of service would be exceedingly expensive, both from an operating cost perspective, as well as from a capital cost perspective.”

But yesterday WMATA officials told a different story. At a public meeting sponsored by Council-member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), members of the community, area businessmen, and transit officials discussed various possibilities for extending the Yellow Line. Such was the enthusiasm from WMATA officials — including soon-to-be Interim Chief Dan Tangherlini — that prior skepticism seemed long forgotten.