Wake to Washington

The vernal equinox occurred 32 minutes ago.

Ex-mayor Williams subtweeting Bowser?

Mayor Bowser has been a big champion for open data initiatives, which we generally favor. But here comes Anthony Williams in CityLab, saying cities have moved too far towards technocracy, and when he says they struggle to erase the perception “city leaders are indifferent to social inequality.” Pay attention:

"This style of data-driven governance is seen as driving gentrification as it seeks to make cities more appealing to Millennials. It’s their commutes that are getting easier, and their communities becoming more livable. Of course, those new young residents pay the taxes that add up to better services for poor and working-class communities. But that’s not how it’s observed."

$15 minimum will boost pay for 60k Washingtonians

City economists break down the impact of last year’s law, which they assess as positive. Because low-wage workers increasingly live in the suburbs--and are priced out of the city—⅔ of the gains will go to an additional 90,000 workers who live in the M or V of the DMV.

Self-driving towards superstreets, or citycide?

• Look past the sustainability hype and remember what the autonomous car people are selling: a choice of cars over buses, biking, and walking.

• Here’s an excellent overview of how autonomous cars could do well or backfire.

• However, with large urban areas likely the first to adopt autonomous vehicles, they may also ameliorate rigid parking minimums, making development of dense projects downtown more feasible.

• Even in suburban areas, the sea of surface parking around homes, office parks, and shopping centers could become unnecessary, creating redevelopment opportunities and restructuring the subdivison layout.

What’s missing from the DC tech ecosystem?

That would be an anchor, a company that generates employees with the cash to start their own investment funds and the experience to advise new startups. The area is flush with established tech giants like IBM doing biz with the government, but the fact that the fastest growing startups (as of 2015) were mostly focused on government and consulting isn’t especially dynamic.

How cities flex

There are three ways for cities to exercise power: push for representation in bodies like the UN; create our own forums, like the C40, for collective power; and practice creative “extrastatecraft” by empowering local social movements.

Also || Senate side eats veer towards fancy, 51st State closes, ex-Alexandria cop detained at JFK for suspicious name, what happens after a house burns down in Shaw, DC needs a housing corporation, how to furnish a tiny home, WeWork is giving money away

Depart your dirty bank

There’s a new campaign underway asking the city to sever ties with Wells Fargo over its housing discrimination and funding of the Dakota Access Pipeline. You don’t have to wait for legislation to make a difference--if you have an account, you can join this rally of people closing their accounts! (4-5 pm)

People’s Climate March Kickoff Meeting

In anticipation of the April 29th Peoples Climate March, DC, Maryland and Virginia residents are all getting together at St. Stephen’s to mobilize for climate, jobs and justice. (6:30pm)

Voodoo Black Exorcist at Smoke & Barrel

This low-budget Spanish film features topless voodoo rituals, plotlines ripped straight from The Mummy, and heartbreaking felinicide. The Washington Psychotronic Film Society hosts this cult “favorite” entry in the blaxploitation genre. (7:30pm)

Reminders from the Weekly Scheduler

• Sing along with strangers at DC9. A People’s Choir DC is just what it sounds like: people singing together. This month’s theme is togetherness. (7pm)

• Austrian soft-power play about Marie Curie, Lise Meitner, and Hedy Lamarr. (7:30 pm)

• 90s cabaret night at Bossa Bistro. (8 pm)

Also || Laugh Index Theatre’s IMPROV WARS, Vermouth happy hour