most any bike would do for those short routes. A mountain bike with slick tires might be the best. I just got a cheap single speed for my commute, and it works best for me, but what works for me may not work for you.

Basic recommendations: By from a bike store. The will be able to size the bike for you (which is critical), sell you something that won't fall apart in a couple of months, and often offer free service or good discounts on service to keep the bike running well. Besides, name brands have good resale value on craigs list.