Yeah, I used to longboard/bike (depending on weather) a similar distance when I was in college, but in that case I put little thought into the bike. It was just there when the weather was too rough for the longboard. I don't necessarily plan to do the same here though. I plan to make my bike my primary so I want to pick out something good.
As for the brakes, the gotham (the one I would likely choose if I go priority) has both.