Gallery Place Metro on the Red Line platform by angela n. used with permission.

New WMATA budget is better, still not great

Following $480 million in new funding commitments from DC, Maryland, and Virginia, WMATA officials have released a new budget that avoids the deep service cuts it outlined last year and fills the remainder of its budget gap through cost savings and new revenue. The agency plans to increase fares by at least 12.5% and to reduce the hours of peak service from approximately four hours to two hours every weekday. The agency also plans to freeze raises for workers. Metro’s financial sustainability beyond the 2025 fiscal year remains unresolved.  (Sarah Y. Kim / DCist, Mike Murillo / WTOP)  

Prince George’s County to spend $11 million for a safer Route 1 corridor

Prince George’s County will use almost $11 million in federal grants to improve pedestrian safety along and around Rt 1. The funds will add flashing lights to stop signs, a narrower road in some places, raised crosswalks that are more visible to drivers and force them to slow down, and more crossing guards. The funds come after two children were killed by a driver in a crosswalk near their school in Mt. Rainier this fall.  (NBC4)  

Maryland legislators considering networked geothermal heating and cooling for low-income communities

Maryland legislators have introduced a bill to establish a pilot project to create networked geothermal projects that would each heat and cool the homes of at least 200 residents. BGE has said they support geothermal pilot projects, which many consider key to helping Maryland reach its near-term goal of cutting GHG emissions 60% by 2031.  (Rosanne Skirble / MoCo360)  

DC and restaurant owners hope free coffee will lure people downtown

Dozens of coffee shops and restaurants in downtown DC will be offering specials in February and March to bring additional visitors - both office workers and tourists - downtown. The initiative, called Be Downtown Specials, includes lunch and happy hour deals as well as free coffee at a number of participating coffee shops to help you get through your winter Monday mornings.  (Terik King / WTOP)  

Rosedale library expansion in DC made more complicated by cross-agency bureaucracy

DC Public Library (DCPL) wants to expand the current Rosedale library, which is significantly smaller than full-service libraries in the DC system due to being co-located with the Rosedale recreation center. Growing may require moving to a new location — but many neighbors would rather see DCPL and the District Department of Parks and Recreation coordinate to redevelop both the library and community center on the site.  (Elizabeth O’Gorek / Hill Rag)  

Application filed for large mixed use development on industrial site near Van Dorn metro

The project would be located on the old Vulcan Industries site, and include a hotel, condos, townhouses, retail, and a 6-acre park. The development, which would require multiple permits and zoning adjustments, would create over 300 new homes and approximately 250 hotel rooms.  (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)  

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