Breakfast links: Take the wheel
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Photo by Steve Fernie on Flickr.
At last, leadership?
Metro could be just days away from picking a new general manager. The search, which has lasted nearly a year and left Metro without clear leadership, is down to two final candidates. The decision is likely to hinge more on the ability to fix an organization than on transit experience. (NBC4)
Mission: fix Metro
In another reform effort, Metro is hiring consulting firms McKinsey & Company and Ernst & Young to complete a six-month business and financial analysis of its operations. The deals will cost $2.8 million (City Paper)
False start
In February, WMATA nearly hired the head of San Francisco’s BART. But a lone Maryland board member opposed the hire, and Metro’s board chair wanted the decision to be unanimous. Faltering cost Metro at least 6 months. (WAMU)
The feds are here
Metro safety is officially in the hands of the Federal Transit Administration. The feds are stressing that local leaders still must work to provide safe service, but they’re also here to crack down. (Post)
Home is where the Wizards are
Congress Heights residents want to create a “displacement-free zone” around the Wizards practice facility. The proposal would benefit homeowners, but most residents in the area are renters. (City Paper)
Plans for stadium roll along
DC just closed $25 million dollars in deals with two out of four property owners on the future DC United stadium site. DC will now focus on making a land swap deal with Pepco for its Buzzard Point property. (WBJ)
Change of dinner plans
Yelp wants to expose restaurants with poor food safety ratings. While Yelp obviously doesn’t set public health policy, one study in Boston did find a link between certain Yelp! reviews and low health inspection scores. (Post)
Get em’ college ready
DC students are lagging in college competency, according to new proficiency tests. In DC fewer than 30 percent of students met English standards compared to 40 percent of Maryland students. (WAMU)
And…
Get up close and personal with Lucy Diggs Slowe, the tunnel boring machine for the First Street Tunnel in Bloomingdale. (DCist)… DC raked as one of the top metros for building personal wealth, yet residents have some of the highest debt levels in the nation. (Post)… The Watergate turns 50. (Post)