Breakfast links: Keep DC desirable

Still a magnet for millennials?

The Washington area’s competitiveness depends on attracting and retraining millennial workers, or “optimistic urbanists.” Doing that requires good transit and housing people can afford. (Post)

Boomers shift to the city

Baby boomers are competing for the same housing as many people in their children’s generation. The boomers are downsizing from single-family homes and want walkable urban places, like many millennials do. That is pushing up prices. (Post)

Will WMATARU succeed?

The new WMATA Riders’ Union could emulate the success of groups like New York’s Straphangers’ Campaign. But will it be able to succeed as an all-volunteer group? (WAMU)

Pro-Bowser PAC launches

Supporters of Muriel Bowser have launched a super PAC to influence DC Council races. It’s an unusual move, and many are worried about the relationship PAC donors already have with the Bowser administration.

Bad tunnel deal

Former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell worked out a public-private deal for a new Chesapeake Bay tunnel, but despite promises it would cost no public money, Virginia’s ended up paying $580 million, partly to keep tolls low. (Post)

Service dog problems

An Alexandria man says Metro’s faregates are unsafe for his service dog because they close too quickly.  WMATA is reviewing the matter, but says the gates are ADA compliant. (WTOP)

Hogan’s popular

Larry Hogan currently enjoys a 62% approval rating despite killing the Baltimore Red Line. However, former Republican governor Bob Ehrlich had a similar approval rating but did not win re-election. (Post)

School boundary shuffle

Facing growing enrollment and little hope for new school construction funds, Montgomery County Public Schools is considering redrawing boundaries and reopening closed schools to address overcrowding.  The system has 2,500 more students since than school year. (Bethesda Beat)

And…

Jeb Bush thinks a recession in the Washington, DC area would be a good thing for the national economy (The Daily Beast) … Should we treat affordable housing the same way we do for food stamps? (City Observatory) … A new $34 million community center is in the works for Southeast DC. (Post)