Breakfast links: How to improve living in DC’s alleys?
DC’s alley dwellers want more murals, lights, and trees
DC residents who live in alleys would like to see more identifying murals, streetlights, and trees, according to a new survey. A quarter of residents also think that alleys should have use limits, since most of them see alleys being used by cars to pass through. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
Here are some practical suggestions for improving housing affordability
Educating community members about the benefits of more housing and making it easier for people of all income levels to participate in public meetings are some actionable steps to address the region's affordable housing crisis, writes Dan Reed. (Dan Reed / Washingtonian)
Issues with air cooling at two downtown stations signify bigger problems at Metro
Metro's inability to provide a long-term fix for a system that pumps cool air into the Farragut North and Dupont Circle stations is another example of the transit agency's problems when it comes to tackling expensive, large-scale projects. (Faiz Siddiqui / Post)
Community college in Maryland will soon be free for most residents
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is expected to sign a bill into law that will cover the cost of community college for most of the state's residents. The average cost of community college in Maryland is currently around $4,300 per year. (Danielle Douglas-Gabriel / Post)
Buzzard Point residents struggle with dust caused by construction
An unfortunate side effect of all the construction at DC's Buzzard Point is air pollution in the form of dust that disproportionately affects the area's lower-income, African-American residents. (Courtland Milloy / Post)
Class sizes in Arlington to remain the same, for now
Even though the Arlington County School Board opted not increase class sizes in its new budget, it faces tough decisions in the years ahead as enrollment grows and revenue shrinks due to growing Metro costs and a declining commercial tax base. (Alex Koma / ARLnow)
Students seethe over cuts to bus routes at the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland cut weekend bus service to the College Park Metro station and several other routes for budgetary reasons. Many students are opposed to the cuts, saying they disproportionately impact those who live off-campus. (Jillian Atelsek and Matt Perez / The Diamondback)
How real-time data can help cities tackle their biggest problems
A “geographic action system” would gather traffic information in real-time with sensors placed throughout a city that could inform solutions to problems like congestion, electrical outages, and weather events. (Roger K. Lewis / Post)
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