Breakfast links: Replacement

Goodbye, MLK Library?

A report recommends that the city sell or renovate the 40-year-old MLK library. Tommy Wells will hold a hearing next month on the library’s future. (Examiner)

Tavern coming down

Colonel Brooks’ Tavern in Brookland is scheduled to be demolished within a month. It will be replaced by a 5-story 220 unit residential building with ground floor retail. (DCmud)

Smart meter installation continues

A judge ruled against a legal challenge to DC’s rollout of a smart meter system. A competing company was suing to delay the installations by a week. (Post)

Why does it cost so much?

Mass transit projects in the US cost more than similar projects in similar countries. Possible explanations are over-reliance on contractors, conflicts-of-interest, and requirements to select the lowest bidder. (Bloomberg)

LA’s park ambition

Los Angeles opened two new parks as part of its 50 Parks Initiative, aimed at creating 50 new parks across the city, particularly in neighborhoods poorly-served with park space. (Streetsblog)

Following the map

The deliberate distortions in transit maps sometimes cause passengers to take indirect routes. Passengers trust the maps twice as much as their own experience. (Atlantic Cities)

And…

Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry has withdrawn his contract hold on the St. Elizabeths redevelopment. (WBJ) … Ben’s Chili Bowl gets a mural of some famous patrons. (DCist) … Students in much of the region are returning to school. (WAMU)