Breakfast links: DC’s state of emergency order will continue until at least May 15
A near empty U Street by Ted Eytan licensed under Creative Commons.
DC extends its state of emergency order
In an effort to continue to “flatten the curve” and reduce the number of COVID-19 cases, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Wednesday that she would extend DC’s state of emergency order until May 15. On Wednesday DC had 2,197 confirmed cases and 72 deaths. (Elliot C. Williams / WAMU)
Jobless claims reach 22 million in four weeks
The Labor Department reported that 5.2 million more people filed jobless claims last week bringing the total to 22 million in four weeks. (Rebecca Rainey / Politico)
Work on Silver Line extension accelerates with ridership drop
Ridership drop because of the Coronavirus pandemic could expedite the work on the Silver Line extension to Dulles Airport and move up the substantial completion date. (Max Smith / WTOP)
Stimulus check not enough to cover housing costs for many DC renters
An assessment by Redfin found that only 40% of renters that have housing costs less than $1500 could use the stimulus check to cover the majority of their housing needs, assuming a median area rent of $1,670. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
DCPS faces layoffs and cuts to programs
DC will lose millions of dollars in funding for its low-income preschool program. DC rescinded its application for federal Head Start funding after HHS planned to withhold the funds because of safety and operational issues. (Perry Stein / Post)
More time and money for a Purple Line crash wall?
Maryland’s Purple Line contractor claims that to build a required crash wall along the light-rail tracks it will cost an additional $187.7 million and take an additional 5 five months to build. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
MoCo’s planning board asked to discuss “noncontroversial” issues
Montgomery County’s planning board has been asked to stop holding virtual public hearings on development projects which would impact the development review process. County Executive Marc Elrich asked that the board only discuss “noncontroversial” issues during the Coronavirus pandemic. (Caitlynn Peetz / Bethesda Beat)
Montgomery County contemplates redeveloping Chevy Chase Library
Montgomery County is looking to redevelop the Chevy Chase Library, built-in 1965. Currently, the library is a split-level, 16,300 sqft facility with 105 parking spaces. The County would like to redevelop the library into a single-story, 20,000 sqft library and reduce the number of parking spaces to 65. (Caitlynn Peetz / Bethesda Beat)
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