Image from DC Public Library.

What MLK could look like

The architects working on downtown DC’s MLK Library envision a more open library with a bookstore/café, ground floor coffee bar, rooftop café, and more. They’ll present early designs tonight. (City Paper)  

Skyscrapers along The Mall?

Catholic University architecture students turn the Height Act on its head by designing skyscrapers twice the height of the Washington Monument. Could they become monuments of their own? (UrbanTurf)  

Food trucks coming to Alexandria

Food trucks can begin operating in the city’s parks, schools, and at private businesses starting in July. Street sales will not be permitted out of concern for existing restaurants and historic ambiance. (Post)  

Older buildings are better economically

A study of DC, Seattle, and San Francisco found older buildings support more jobs and small businesses. Despite their draw, districts with such buildings tend to be overlooked. (Columbus Republic)  

Where the (political) party is

In DC, Republicans are most heavily concentrated in Georgetown; Libertarians, NoMA and downtown; Statehood Greens, Mount Pleasant. Ward 6 is both the most Libertarian and most Democratic. (City Paper)  

If zoning were nationalized

Tokyo is on track to add ten times the number of housing units as New York and its surroundings, keeping prices low. National growth policies override local opposition to make this possible. (Next City)  

Parking pilot succeeds

Dynamic parking pricing was successful in San Francisco at keeping spots available and reducing cruising. With good data and no complaints, administrators are working on expanding it citywide. (Bacon’s Rebellion)  

And…

The Capital Crescent trail is closed again after a sewage spill. (Post) … Governor O’Malley vetoes a bill to allow

that would have delayed wind turbines on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. (WAMU) …  Paris banned cars with odd-numbered plates from driving into the city center for one day. (Citylab)