Breakfast links: Beating the heat
It’s getting hot in here
It looks like DC’s brutal summers are only going to get worse. A new report says the number of hot and humid days will increase until the region’s climate in 2100 looks like present-day South Texas. (Post)
Had it with hot cars
Metro riders are understandably upset when they encounter a railcar with broken air conditioning in the dead of summer. Even though it’s not part of SafeTrack, WMATA is working to address the hot car problem. (Post)
Metro’s bad budget news
With operating costs far outpacing revenue growth, WMATA is on track to face a $1.1 billion operating deficit by 2020. Local jurisdictions will likely have to contribute millions more in subsidies. (WAMU)
Can you hear me now?
Poor communication was a major factor in last year’s fatal smoke incident near L’Enfant Plaza, and a recent drill found Metro still needs to get better at communicating with riders and first responders during emergencies. (WTOP)
Abandoned home angst
Residents of the Anacostia Historic District want DC to take action on this city-owned vacant home, but the city says it has a full plate with the 150 vacant properties it owns. (WAMU)
Hardly a plan in Arlington
Columbia Pike residents want the Arlington County Board to create a transit development plan that provides premium bus service, and say that expanding off-peak and weekend service doesn’t go far enough. (Post)
Fuzzy math on robberies
MPD Chief Cathy Lanier says robberies in the District area down 20%, but the math just doesn’t add up. Year-over-year, robberies are up 3% and those at gunpoint are up over 20%. (Post)
More bus bays for King Street
This is the last year for public parking at the King Street Metro station. Starting in 2017, the area designated for parking and buses will be shut down for 12-15 months for the construction of 10 bus bays. (WTOP)
This week in approvals
Federal officials approve new pavilions and a footbridge for the Kennedy Center. (WAMU) … Commissioners are really excited about getting rid of the “Darth Vader building.” (WBJ) … A Reston village center will be redeveloped with more residential and less retail, but is there enough recreation space? (Reston Now)
Big sales in the suburbs
While the District dominates the region for the actual dollar amount of commercial office space sales, 85% of the sales volume this year came from Maryland or Virginia. (WBJ)