Breakfast links: Power to the people

No rainbow representation

In DC 10% of the population identifies as LGBTQ though the DC Council doesn’t have a single gay member. Yet, gay residents don’t mind thanks to the District’s recent history of progress and supportive officials. (City Paper)

Shaw pilot

Shaw’s Parcel 42 is testing a new program to have more resident input early in the development process. “Our RFP” is a pilot program to allow more input from residents and ANCs before developers bid on a project. (Urban Turf)

Hot in here

For the eighth year, DC Councilmember Mary Cheh pushed emergency legislation that prevents utility companies from shutting off power during a heatwave. Existing law bans turning off utilities when the weather is below freezing. (DCist)

Pointing fingers

Virginia has made many changes to improve Beltway traffic, only for commuters to get snarled crossing into Maryland. Dr. Gridlock looks to Maryland to do its part and says multimodal projects aren’t enough. (Post)

Mulder delayed

The General Services Administration announced that the environmental impact reports for the three proposed FBI sites won’t be available until the fall. The delay shouldn’t affect the selection timeline. (WBJ)

Mind the gap

The National Research Council released a review of DC’s years of school reform. Despite some positive changes, disparities still exist in the DC schools. The achievement gap is still present and quality teachers are unevenly distributed. (Post)

Jarvis is my co-pilot

70 miles of northern Virginia highways, including I-66 and a portion of the Capital Beltway will become test circuits for driverless cars. Automated cars could eventually help alleviate traffic congestion. (Washingtonian)

200 years in 2 minutes

A stunning animation created by NYU scholars maps the density of Manhattan from 1800 to 2010. The series of maps beautifully depict Manhattan’s 1910 peak and how density has leveled off in modern years. (CityLab)