Weekend links: Different views on buildings

MLK library not so bad?

Kriston Capps defends the MLK library, “a soaring Mies skyscraper … cut off at its knees” which could benefit from a good renovation and alternatives to housing the homeless in the library. (Housing Complex)

Brooks’ a part of Brookland evolution

The owner of Colonel Brooks’ Tavern plans a 6-story mixed-use building to replace his struggling restaurant. This would bring more activity to the area right around the Brookland Metro station, but some neighbors, not surprisingly, are opposed. (Post) … Brookland Avenue has more details of the project from a December public meeting.

Cyclist loses driver license for getting hit by driver

After a minor cyclist-driver crash where the driver admitted fault, the officer wrote the cyclist a ticket anyway, saying “because you don’t have an insurance company to fight.” Then, after accidentally contesting the ticket too late, the cyclist got his driver license suspended. (PoP)

Walking to school at all-time low

In 1969 only 15% of school children were driven to school; the vast majority of students walked or took a bus.  Today, 75% of households drive their children to school, even though half of all children live within 2 miles of their school. (Dallas Morning News)

Safety bills die, sprawl bills advance in VA

A Virginia House subcommittee rejected a number of bills strengthening laws against open alcohol containers, texting, or driving without a seatbelt (Roanoke Times) … Another panel advanced the two bills that require moving cars faster to be the only factor in transportation spending decisions. (NVTA)

Back to the future on H Street NE

A great 1926 photo shows H Street NE with the streetcar tracks that will again be operational in less than 2 years. (Shorpy, Mark Jordan) … The DC Sierra Club will host a streetcar happy hour on H Street next week.  (TheCityFix)  (Tip: Mark Jordan)

DC gap $600 million

DC’s budget gap estimate has risen to $600 million, which would mean “drastic” budget cuts. (WBJ)

And…

Six reasons why parking is a waste of every kind of resource (Grist) … A Minneapolis bus shelter ad also warms riders (MediaPost, Eric Fidler) … DC isn’t the only northeast city whose fiscal affairs are partially controlled by another legislature. (NYT)