Breakfast links: Rebuke
Money over culture?
Philip Kennicott sharply criticizes Mayor Bowser for choosing money over culture when she scrapped a proposed museum at the Franklin School. He says the historic building is uniquely suited for a cultural or educational space. (Post)
Free our sidewalks
Montgomery County will step up rules and enforcement when construction projects close sidewalks. Pedestrians should continue to have a safe and accessible path. (BethesdaNow)
Downzoning going ahead
Three of the five DC Zoning Commissioners favor the proposal to limit heights and numbers of units in row house neighborhoods. Others feel it goes too far to limit housing without addressing design issues. (UrbanTurf)
Safety steps
DC’s fire department will no longer encrypt its radio communications. Encrypted radios contributed to the L’Enfant smoke incident. (NBC4) … See what a simulated rail emergency looks like at Metro’s emergency training facility. (WAMU)
Slower growth in DC
DC’s population growth boom from 2009 to 2013, when well over 10,000 residents moved to the District per year, slowed significantly in 2014. Fewer federal jobs could be one cause. (City Paper)
Morning bell
The Montgomery County school board decided to push back school day start times by 20 minutes for middle and high schools, but parents want elementary schools to also start later in the day. (WAMU)
How can Metro save energy?
Metro installed new LED lights in its parking garages. The agency is looking for more ideas to save energy. Do you have some? (PlanItMetro)
And…
A poll shows that Marylanders narrowly support the Purple Line, most strongly in Montgomery and Prince George’s. (Post) … Mayor Bowser will expand DC’s popular summer youth employment program to include 22-24 year olds. (Post) … How is Seattle’s battle against sprawl going after 20 years? (CityLab)