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Bustin' Loose!
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This month we are finally bustin’ loose! Like the cicadas, let’s make some joyful noise as our year plus of quarantine comes to an end. Here are some great ways to celebrate our neighborhood’s renewal (in chronological order):
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Thursday June 10:
SIDEWALK PALOOZA: Our colleague Erin Palmer, ANC4B02, organized this first time event because every year DC launches a spring Potholepalooza event to rapidly identify and fix dangerous potholes. But while potholes get all the attention, our equally important sidewalks and pedestrian safety needs go neglected. The city's own data shows that the average pothole 311 request is fulfilled in 3 business days. Sidewalks wait 270 days.
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On Thursday, June 10, meet fellow Commissioner Matt Holden and me at the corner of 20th and Florida NW for this first time event to draw attention to the state of our sidewalks. We’ll spend 30 minutes to an hour walking our districts and texting 311 for repairs. We’ll have chalk for sidewalk marking, and Camp Woof ice cream too.
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If you live in the southern part of our ANC, meet up with Commissioner Will Herbig at Connecticut Ave and M St. NW, Longfellow Square, same 6 pm time.
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PRIDE: This Saturday, June 12, meet at Dupont Circle for the Pride Walk and Rally, from P Street NW to Logan Circle, south on 13th St. NW to Freedom Plaza. Join me and fellow ANC2B commissioners serving as marshalls for the walk. At 3 PM, the Pridemobile Parade will make its way through the city, headed up by the Pridemobile trolley and featuring cars decorated to highlight this year’s theme: COLORFUL. Decorate your stoop or street for a chance to be part of the Pridemobile Parade route.
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JUNETEENTH: Saturday June 19 is also known as Emancipation day or Freedom Day, a day traditionally celebrated throughout the US to commemorate the June 19, 1865 announcement of the end of slavery in Texas, by Union Army general Gordon Granger. Among neighborhood events are an Open Mic in Malcom X Park from 3-7 PM. More information is available here: https://bit.ly/3fWGbru
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WAKE UP DC: In collaboration with Capital Pride Alliance, Friends of Stead Park, and Dupont Circle Main Streets, I’m working with fellow commissioners to organize a neighborhood COVID safe community picnic on 17th Street NW for Saturday June 26. We hope to have more information by end week.
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June ANC Meeting
Among agenda highlights are updates from Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Metropolitan Police Department Second District Commander Duncan Bedlion, and the DC Office of Human Rights. The 1775 Swann Street NW concept for a new multi family building was extensively discussed during last week’s Land Use Committee meeting, where concerns were expressed about compatibility with Swann Street’s existing historic character. Neighbors are encouraged to attend the June 9 ANC meeting and to participate in the upcoming June 24 Historic Preservation Review Board hearing where this project will be considered.
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As many of you have heard, Danielle Vogel will soon be transitioning Glen’s Garden Market to new ownership. The market will continue to operate under the name Dawson’s and Glen’s employees will remain at the store. I’m proposing our ANC formally recognize Sunday June 13 as Danielle Vogel Appreciation Day to acknowledge Danielle’s vision and leadership in launching Glen’s and a community conversation about Good Food and sustainability, as well as her support in launching nearly 100 sustainable businesses, over 50 of which are women owned and 20 of which are managed by persons of color. I encourage you to stop by the store this week to celebrate and thank Danielle for keeping our community nourished and for her extra efforts over this past year to keep us and her staff safe during the pandemic. At noon on Sunday, June 13, Danielle’s last day as Glen’s owner, I’ll join Mayor’s Office of Community Relations Ward 2 Liason Joe Florio to deliver a letter of appreciation and congratulate Danielle on her service to our community.
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DC Budget
On May 27, the Mayor issued her proposed 2022 “Fair Shot” budget, which includes funding for affordable housing, economic recovery for citizens and businesses, gun violence reduction initiatives, support for our students. More information on the budget is here: https://bit.ly/2RyJlsi
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Traffic Safety
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I joined fellow members of the Vision Zero Caucus to support a sign on letter to the DC Council encouraging full funding of the Vision Zero Enhancement Omnibus Amendment Act of 2020 in FY 2022. The Act, which seeks to achieve zero traffic fatalities and serious injury by 2024, remains unfunded and largely unimplemented.
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I supported a Traffic Safety Assessment for the stretch of 18th Street NW from Riggs Place to Willard Street NW, in collaboration with fellow Commissioner Matthew Holden. This request from a constituent concerned about pedestrian safety raised additional questions about the challenges to pedestrians caused by the interplay of regular traffic and commercial deliveries, shared ride service pick ups and drop offs of passengers, and take out delivery services. We encouraged DDOT to consider designated zones for these special use purposes, to reduce traffic displacement that is posing danger to pedestrians, as well as raised crosswalks to promote safer streets.
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Get the Jab
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The city is still actively working to get everyone vaccinated and to support residents and businesses at risk as emergency provisions begin to ease. Find out more here: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/
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Over this past month, I’ve been responding to a range of constituent queries from noise (most likely cicadas rather than a car or building alarm), unlawful entry, traffic safety and parking issues, street sweeping schedule, and trash. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of help.
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I hope this short newsletter is informative. Please remember to connect with neighbors, and show support to one another, including our small businesses. Please feel free to share this newsletter with your neighbors. If you aren't already subscribed, you can add your name to the list with the handy button below.
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As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions for building a stronger neighborhood.
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