Around the Corner;
Spring Hill Station won approval for its second major parcel last week, and this week they have announced a partnership with Dierman Realty Group LLC and T-Rex Capital Group LLC to build another 30-story residential tower. Washington Business Journal has some great information from Aaron Georgelas (who I am continuing to try to contact… cough) about the project’s anticipated late 2013 start. (Washington Business Journal)
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One of the main improvements that have occurred from the HOT lanes is the defacto creation of BRT (Bus Rapid transit) for VRE users or south county residents. An article from Potomac Local News notes that bus travel times are now 20 minutes faster using the HOT lanes than previous systems.
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The Transportation Bill debate continues in Richmond over how much of the gas tax will remain as well as what other sources will be made to fund future transportation needs for the Commonwealth. The House, who previously wanted no gas tax as proposed by Bob McDonnell, is now negotiating on replacing the gas tax with a 3.5% whole sale gas tax, which at today’s prices would equate to 12 cents per gallon. It would also maintain a $100 annual fee on hybrids/alternatives, which for a commuter who drives 25 miles per day equates to about 18 cents per gallon. The House Bill remains squared on the demands of a select few GOP members and would be unlikely to pass the Senate. The deadline for the committee, composed of only 2 democrats and 8 republicans, is looming. We asked delegate Surovell (D) why the committee was not representative of the makeup of the Senate and House, to which he replied “Because the Republicans are in charge.”
So the GOP wants to help fund sustainable transportation… by still cutting the gas tax, and making up the difference on the backs of sustainable vehicles. Ground breaking news I know. Stay tuned for more shocking updates on the Hybrid Tax.
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We are skipping the mocking of the Washington Examiner story on “The County Building Elsewhere”. Let’s just say the use of the term Tysons has become a tool for them to attack based on their skewed Agenda 21 minds any common sense redevelopment (something conservatives used to like to do because it meant new investment and money into our region).
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DogTopia, a Tysons based non-federal company which has organically grown in our region, is planning on expanding nationally. This is great news and shows we don’t have to stay stuck in the economic rut we are in. There are great innovations and ideas out there, and DogTopia is showing that it can come from right here in Fairfax. (NewsRelease)
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Speaking of jobs and economy, FCEDA released their 2012 numbers showing that as an organization they helped foster 8,438 jobs in Fairfax through 186 business partners including several which are not federally connected. (News Release)
Urbanism Concept of the Day
You can’t be car friendly and a strong city at the same time. The Atlantic Cities ran an article showing the impact that implementation of parking, road widenings, and urban arterial highways have on the urban fabric. It shows graphically how the increase in parking, correlating to road projects, created a decrease in the density of the city and ultimately an increase in the percentage of people who use the car as their main mode of transportation. In other words, parking and widening roads just makes life tougher without a car, and therefore induces more people to drive.