A Metrorail train pulls into Silver Spring Station by Elyse Horvath licensed under Creative Commons.

In light of heat wave, WMATA slows down above-ground trains

As rails heat to 135 degrees, WMATA announced it would slow down all trains moving above ground to 35 miles per hour. The agency cited safety concerns to justify the change, noting that heat expands rails.  (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)  

Beach Drive traffic closure extends to Fridays

The Montgomery County Planning Board approved a proposal to close 2.2 miles of Beach Drive to vehicles on Fridays from 9:00 am. The stretch of road goes from Bethesda to Kensington and is already closed to car traffic on Saturdays and Sundays as part of the county’s Open Parkways Program.  (Elia Griffin / MoCo360)  

Opening for West End shelter delayed

The opening of the Aston, a proposed shelter for people experiencing homelessness in a former GWU dorm in West End, has unofficially been pushed back from August to October by the DC Department of Human Services. The announcement drew criticism from local advisory neighborhood commissioners, the housing provider that would operate the shelter, and members of the Community Advisory Team for the project.   (Ella Mitchell / The GW Hatchet)  

Civic association seeks historic designation to reduce scale of Arlington schoolhouse’s redevelopment into affordable housing

Melwood, a nonprofit that owns the site of the former Nelly Custis School in Arlington, wants to demolish the 101-year-old building and construct a new, 104-unit affordable housing complex. However, the Aurora Highlands Civic Association has voiced objections and wants the site to receive a historic designation, noting the school’s role in the desegregation of Arlington County Public Schools.  (Daniel Egitto / ARLNow)  

Skyland Town Center enters final phase of construction

Mayor Bowser broke ground on the third and final phase of the Skyland Town Center in Ward 7 on Thursday, June 20. The final phase will include the construction of 126 townhomes, an affordable, 75-unit building for seniors, a public square and plaza, and 10,000 square feet of retail space.   (Washington Informer)  

Ron Byrd, vocal opponent of Zoning for Housing, announces run for Alexandria City Council

Coalition for a Livable Alexandria chair and cofounder Ron Byrd has announced his intention to run as an Independent in the general election for Alexandria’s City Council. The Coalition for a Livable Alexandria has been a vocal opponent of Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing/Housing for All program.  (James Cullum / ALXNow)  

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