Brunch links: Downtown building angst

Franklin occupied

Occupy DC protestors occupied the Franklin School, protesting the 2008 homeless shelter closing and plans to sell the building for private use. 11 were arrested, and organizers call for a community meeting Monday on the issue of the building’s disposition. (City Paper, Post)

Add 2 floors to MLK Library?

The panel studying the MLK Library suggest adding 2 more floors and renting that space to fund library maintenance. Mies probably would approve of a taller design. (DCist, City Paper)

Evans the paradox

Jack Evans says this is the worst DC Council in his 20 years. Why? Colleagues don’t respect chairman Kwame Brown and too many are under ethical clouds—though Evans sometimes pushes the ethical boundaries as well. (City Paper)

Bill pays WMATA, changes MWAA

Congress gave Metro its annual $150 million for repairs, and made some changes the MWAA board that Virginia Republicans sought after its reps didn’t toe the party line on the Dulles Metro station. (Post)

How WMATA got religion on open data

Former Post tech columnist Rob Pegoraro chronicles the 3-year saga for WMATA to open up schedule data. (ReadWriteWeb)

TEDxPhilly learns problem with car dependence

If we want vibrant downtowns, cities need to move away from cars-only planning and better balance their transportation modes, says Diana Lind of Next American City at TEDxPhilly. (Smart Planet)

Fixing vacant lots is healthy

When vacant lots are cleaned up and refreshed with new grass and trees, crime declines and public health increases, according to a 10-year epidemiological study in Philadelphia. (Science Daily)

What avenue are you?

What if the Manhattan street grid extended to the entire world? An interactive map application shows you. The White House would be at 543rd Ave and South 3,819th Street. (ExtendNY, Neil)  (Tip: Neil)

And…

Marc Fisher reviews “Lost Washington, DC” … The Intercounty Connector opens Tuesday to I-95 … After the Latino Museum, a women’s history museum? (Post)