Breakfast links: Black Lives Matter Plaza was paved over, but it’s coming back — and so are cars
Black Lives Matter Plaza on Juneteenth in 2020 by Joe Flood licensed under Creative Commons.
BLM Plaza will bring back vehicle traffic
The mural on Black Lives Matter Plaza on 16th Street NW has been paved over due to utility work, but officials plan to repaint it and make it a permanent fixture. When it does, the street will reopen to two-way traffic to accomodate access for hotels; pedestrians will be confined to a 14-foot walkway in the middle. (DCist)
Virginia declares a state of emergency as people panic buy gas
Gov. Ralph Northam declared an emergency to avoid gas shortages after a ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline shut down gas distribution for several days. Shortages are being caused primarily by panic buying. (Will Vitka / WTOP)
Prince George’s County officials oppose maglev
The entire Prince George’s County Council plus County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced that they are sending Maryland congressmembers a letter opposing the Northeast Maglev running through their county. (DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
DC thought COVID-19 cases had plummeted. It was a reporting error
The DC Health Department failed to report a backlog of positive COVID cases during the past week, causing the lower case numbers that were among the factors that led the mayor to announce more reopening measures in late May and early June. (Colleen Grablick / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
MetroAccess dispatchers consider a strike
97% of WMATA’s MetroAccess dispatchers at MV Transportation, a private firm to which WMATA outsources, voted to authorize a strike due to low morale, understaffing, and insuffienct compensation. No immediate strike is planned. (Jordan Pascale / DCist)
Reminder: DC parking enforcement starts up June 1
DC parking enforcement will resume June 1 in full, including enforcing expired vehicle registrations and inspections. Enforcement was largely suspended during the pandemic. (Justin Wm. Moyer / Post. Tip: Chester B.)
Prince George’s announces mixed use project team for future Purple Line stop
Prince George’s County picked two developers to build a mixed use development with retail and 350 housing units, out of which 250 will be affordable, at the future site of the Beacon Heights Purple Line station in Riverdale. (Alex Koma / Business Journal)
Two men killed on Maryland roads this week
A man was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Allentown Road near Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County on Tuesday night. Maryland State Police also identified Lloyd Gardiner of Silver Spring as the man who was hit and killed on I-270 Monday when he stepped out of his car after a crash. (Martin Weil / Post, Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat)
Virginia GOP nominates Glenn Youngkin for governor
Businessman and political newcomer Glenn Youngkin won the Republican nomination for Virginia governor after six rounds of tabulating ranked-choice ballots from the party’s drive-through convention. (Inside NoVa)
Open streets helped restaurants last year
A study of Yelp activity looked at 2020 data for five US cities that instituted some car free streets last year, and found that users were more interested in restaurants on open or “slow” streets than in eateries elsewhere. (Laura Bliss / CityLab)
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