Breakfast links: Step back, doors closing (early)
Goodnight, Metro
Metro may eliminate late-night rail service permanently, closing at midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 10 pm Sundays. We think that’s a terrible idea. So do many DC and Arlington officials and many business groups. (GGWash, Post)
More bus bays coming
The Alexandria City Council approved removing parking spaces to add more bus bays at King Street Metro Station. City officials believe the move will make it easier and safer for pedestrians to get around the station. (Post)
SafeTrack chief speaks
Meet Laura Mason, the electrical engineer who is overseeing the entire SafeTrack maintenance project. She says challenges include replacing rails and crossties in the heat as well as watching out for passing trains. (WTOP)
Sunny days ahead
As part of DC’s clean energy plan, homeowners in low-income neighborhoods are getting free solar panels. The DC government hopes that lower energy bills will reduce the effects of income inequality. (The Atlantic)
Slowing traffic slowly
It’s been over five years, but DC is making clear plans to narrow Maryland Avenue NE, a notorious hotspot for speeding that’s excessively wide. It would also get bike lanes and a median. Some residents think traffic would “spill over” to nearby streets, but DDOT says that’s unlikely. (WAMU)
If you build it, will they come?
Turner Construction, which built Yankee Stadium, will build the new DC United stadium at Buzzard Point, marking the end of RFK as home to DC United. DC will put $150 million into the project. (Curbed)
Children can’t play
The just-renovated Kalorama and Lafayette playgrounds in DC lack wheelchair access and use materials that prevent disabled children from navigating the playground, says an advocacy group. (City Paper)
Contentious cranium
The city of Frederick is considering removing a statue of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney, who wrote the infamous 1857 slavery-affirming Dred Scott decision in 1857. (WTOP)
Term limits?
Montgomery County voters may see a ballot initiative to impose term limits on county councilmembers and the County Executive in November. A former Rockville councilmember is organizing opposition to the initiative. (Post)
Brake for Bigfoot
One of Oregon’s most famous (supposed) residents, Bigfoot, is helping the Department of Transportation teach citizens about pedestrian safety and when they have the right-of-way. (CityLab)