Breakfast links: Boo-st to the economy?
MLK Library needs more
The MLK Library will need nearly twice as much space. There’s still room to make the building mixed-use, but only in new floors that would be added on top (if any are). (City Paper)
Big money for pot
If DC votes to legalize marijuana on Tuesday, the new market could be worth $130 million a year. There are no estimates yet on how much tax revenue legal weed would bring. (WAMU)
Walmart squeezes small businesses
DC’s first Walmart opened last December on Georgia Avenue. Less than a year later, small businesses located nearby are struggling to compete with Walmart and are asking DC for help. (DCist)
Ways to deal with Uber
DC and Montgomery County are taking different approaches to taxis and Uber-like services. While DC loosened rules on the app companies, bills in Montgomery would ease taxi regulations to level the playing field. (Post, Gazette)
You forgot data
When DC and other cities have passed their Uber bills, it missed out on the best chance to ensure transparency, protect against discrimination, and help plan cities. Uber, of course, is happy not to have to share much data. (Post)
Fall back early
The clocks on some Ride On buses already moved back an hour even though the real change isn’t until this weekend. As a result, some passengers paid rush-hour rates when they shouldn’t. (WJLA)
More diversity on bikes
DC’s bike renaissance hasn’t come to predominately black neighborhoods. Veronica Davis and Black Women Bike are helping reverse this trend, but obstacles remain, including not enough bike lanes east of the river and differing attitudes between higher- and lower-income groups. (ThinkProgress)
Sprawl leads to unemployment
It’s long been assumed that isolated communities have higher unemployment, even though there was little evidence. A new study confirms that sprawl and poor transit options contribute to higher unemployment. (Streetsblog)
Bikes boost Memphis
Memphis used to be of the worst cities in America for bicycling. But then, new bike infrastructure helped revitalize the center city and won over even skeptics, though it’s also sparking some gentrification. (CityLab)
And…
National Airport was rated the best US airport for a long layover. (WBJ) … Metro is now asking riders to report blood and vomit to authorities. (WTOP) … London is planning to charge a fee on high- emission vehicles