Metro chief calls budget crisis ‘catastrophic’

What's CITY Talking About?

Metro Head Calls For Long-Term Budget Solution

“Catastrophic” is how Metro Chief Randy Clarke described his proposed 2024 budget, in an interview with our City Cast DC podcast. Though he’s hopeful Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. leaders will come together to help Metro close the gap on its $750 budget gap, thereby avoiding drastic service cuts and fare increases, he also told us a long-term solution is needed to avoid this annual budget crisis. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Refunding Electric Scooter Fines

Lyft is refunding some D.C. riders who had to pay electric scooter parking fines. An investigation showed that Lyft didn’t sufficiently disclose the cost of fines in advance. In total, the company will be returning almost $90,000 to D.C. consumers and paying the city $20,000. [WTOP]

Sugarloaf Zoning Battle Continues

Landowners and hikers went head-to-head at a Frederick County Council hearing last week on Sugarloaf Mountain zoning changes. The heated debate is over the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan, which would limit development and commercial logging in the mountain range, to the chagrin of landowners. The plan needs a council vote to become legislation. [Washington Post 🔒]

Where Is It?

First, where was last week’s photo?

I’m impressed! Yes, this is a courtyard at the National Cathedral - called the Cathedral Garth. The abstract fountain was designed by Seattle artist George Tsutakawa and dedicated in 1969. The All Souls Memorial Garden, located behind the Garth, is an in-ground burial area for cremated remains.

🏅 Nice work, Michael A., Barbara S., and Sarah T. for being the first three to guess the photo correctly! And thank you all for the great tidbits you sent in about this place. Here are some favorites:

“One of the hundreds of stained glass windows includes a moon rock from Apollo 11! Woodrow Wilson is also the only U.S. president to be buried at the Cathedral.” - MJ H.

“It’s fun to go up in the tower. Great views!” - Alexa A.

“Among the intricate neo-gothic figures carved into the cathedral is the bust of Darth Vader!” - Anuraag S.

Now, onto this week’s challenge:

Where are these jolly snow creatures located? Hint: They overlook a farmers market every Saturday.

What To Do

Today on City Cast

Randy Clarke on Metro’s Future

Metro recently released a dire-looking budget. Layoffs, fewer trains and stations, and higher fares are all on the table. We sat down with Metro Chief Randy Clarke to understand why this is happening and what he’s doing about it.