Ward 6 Update: Ward 6 Spring Clean + Good & Bad News for Street Safety

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Well, this week started with a serious risk of severe storms that ultimately fizzled out. But in more certain news, we're approaching the 50th anniversary of Metrorail at the end of this month. It's a milestone worth celebrating, and a reminder of just how essential Metro is to our city. If you don't feel like diving into The Great Society Subway, Washingtonian has a briefer, enjoyable look back at the last five decades. Sure, many of us still gaze up at those iconic brutalist ceilings while waiting for a train, but what matters most is reliable service that gets people where they need to go. The system isn't perfect, and I'm working on solutions for its future growth, but it was named the best transit agency in America last year, and the essential role it plays in our city is something we can't take for granted.

Warmer days are ahead, with plenty of reasons to get outside and enjoy spring in DC – such as the peak bloom of our cherry blossoms (projected for March 29 through April 1) and Opening Day for the Nats (March 26 at Wrigley Field; home opener on Friday, April 3). And what you've all been waiting for: the annual Great Ward 6 Spring Clean is just around the corner! If there's a park, street, or playground near you that could use some love, sign up to host a site – we'll provide supplies and recruit volunteers. More info below.

QUICK LINKS: Wins for Safer Roads | The Opposite | Public Safety | DC Streetcar | Meetings for the Future NFL Stadium Site | New Affordable Housing | Safer Intersections on the Way | Randall Rec | Volunteer for the Great Ward 6 Spring Clean! | Metro Job Fair | NoMa Survey | Office Hours | Events | ANC Meetings

Miss the last newsletter about legislation about federal officers & MPD, tax filing updates, and H Street plans? Read it here.

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Attorney General Secures 9 Wins in Court Against Dangerous Drivers Using STEER Act

Last week, the DC Attorney General announced nine new judgments in court against dangerous drivers, as well as filing five new lawsuits against additional dangerous drivers. Notably, one of those court wins was against the man who struck a middle school student while she was walking in a crosswalk from school to the library, even though she had the walk signal. I’m grateful to see accountability delivered in that case and for Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s continued work to pursue others who are putting people at risk.

As I shared last week, the announcement also included a new lawsuit against a driver with more than 900 unpaid speeding tickets totaling over $250,000 in violations. Cases like this one highlight a long-standing challenge: when dangerous drivers are licensed outside DC, our ability to enforce penalties like license suspension is limited. The STEER Act helps close that gap by allowing the District to take these cases to court and pursue stronger consequences.

This work is about changing behavior and making our streets safer for everyone. And for folks who don't like getting an expensive speeding ticket, there's one simple trick to get around it: Slow. Down.

Congressional Committee Votes to Make DC Streets More Dangerous

Last year was the first year in more than a decade that traffic fatalities decreased in DC. That's thanks to several factors, not least of which include the STEER Act finally giving teeth to our traffic cameras to hold dangerous drivers accountable, and funding I put in last year's budget to lower the speed limit across the city to maximums that reduce the likelihood of fatal crashes.

Naturally, with that news in mind, Congress, in all of its wisdom and with all of its free time, is debating a bill that would get rid of DC's traffic cameras. On Thursday, a House committee voted to advance a bill that would end the District's Automated Traffic Enforcement program.

Look, no one likes getting a speeding ticket. But traffic cameras slow down speeding drivers without depending on MPD entirely to do traffic enforcement. When working right, cameras are deployed to our most dangerous roadways to make them safer. And there's no arguing with the fact that ATE cameras help us identify some of the worst dangerous driving offenders who put residents and visitors alike in harm's way. Without them, we would lose a major tool to make streets safer.

Anyone in Congress who votes to advance this legislation is actively making DC's streets more dangerous.

Public Safety Update

Shots Fired off 15th Street SE Near East Capitol SE: Last weekend, there was a violent exchange of gunfire in an alley just near the border of Ward 6 and 7 on 15th and A Streets SE. I've been in direct touch with residents impacted, MPD leaders, and DC Housing Authority. Thankfully, no one was physically struck, but the damage done runs deep for those closest to the violence, especially the bullets that crashed into a home and bedroom. There does not seem to have been an alert sent by MPD for the nearly 100 rounds that were fired. This could have easily had a different and more tragic outcome, and I want to see an MPD that treats violence like this with the urgency it deserves. Since this took place in Ward 7, I've been in touch with my Council colleague to ensure we're coordinated in our response. MPD's investigation is ongoing, so I cannot share every detail in a public forum, but neighbors with any information can reach out directly to MPD's anonymous tip line at 202-727-9099 or text 50411. On Friday afternoon, I joined dozens of nearby neighbors, my Ward 7 colleague CM Felder, and leadership from MPD and DC agencies to share the latest and work on a neighborhood plan of action. This kind of reckless violence is completely unacceptable, and it must be clear that no community will tolerate it.

Former MPD Officer Charged in Multiple Sexual Assaults: Last week, The Atlantic broke a major story about a former MPD officer who was arrested in Alexandria, VA, and charged with a dozen instances of sexual assault (coverage also with NBC4). So far, none of the sexual assaults he's been charged with occurred during his time on MPD.

But this horrific case also illustrates the importance of preserving what's referred to as PERK kits even when a victim does not want to press charges at that moment. There are many compelling and varied circumstances where a victim may not want to come forward immediately (such as, say, your assailant is a police officer where you live). That evidence needs to be preserved in case they later feel ready to come forward. It is not unthinkable that someone in a position of power, such as law enforcement, who has been charged with this many sexual assaults, could have more victims who were afraid to come forward. The problem is, right now, the District does not have a policy for preserving these kits.

In 2023, I introduced legislation to create a better system for keeping evidence in sexual assaults, even when the victim was not ready to go to the police. Right now, the DC Forensic Nurses and Medstar Washington Hospital Center are storing the kits because it's the right thing to do. The kits themselves require very little space (each is about the size of a shoebox) and do not need to be stored in a specialized space. My team has toured where Washington Hospital Center is currently storing them. In a perfect world, there is an organized system that tracks and holds the kits for a set period in the event that a victim decides to come forward.

I couldn't get momentum to pass my bill in 2023, largely because the Executive Branch opposed it, and therefore, the Judiciary committee didn't take it up. The Mayor's opposition was nominally on the grounds of having no storage space (in a government as large as the District's and in control of hundreds of buildings, space is not actually the big challenge). There are questions that need to be answered in terms of challenges with compiling with due process concerns around evidence the government may or may not have in its control (in any prosecution, the government must disclose all evidence it has to the defendant or their representative), but this is solvable, and it can ensure more victims are able to get their justice. My hope is that this incident can be a catalyst to take steps to better shore up how we store and track PERK kits to help victims and hold assailants accountable.

Updated DC Crime Data: As always, you can follow a selection of nine crime categories MPD updates daily to monitor broader trends. As is clear from both updates above, if a crime happens to you or near you, whatever story the data tells doesn't matter. That's why the goal must always be driving it down.

Juvenile Curfew Zones in Effect This Weekend: MPD has established four Juvenile Curfew Zones from Friday through Sunday in Navy Yard, the Wharf, Chinatown, and the U Street corridor. The curfew is in effect from 8 to 11 p.m. as of last night through tonight, Saturday, and Sunday, March 22. This comes on the heels of a large gathering that took place in Navy Yard last weekend. During this time, people under the age of 18 aren't allowed to gather in groups of nine or more in any public place or on the premises of any establishment, unless they're engaged in certain exempted activities. The regular, citywide curfew is 11 p.m. through 6 a.m.

The Final Weeks of the DC Streetcar + What Comes Next

We are now in the final stretch of DC Streetcar operations, with DDOT's confirmed end-of-service date of Tuesday, March 31, following reduced service that began in January.

At this point, the outcome has been a long time coming. The Mayor eliminated Streetcar funding in her budget proposal and repurposed those dollars elsewhere. I was disappointed by that decision, but ultimately, we were unable to restore the funding necessary to continue operations.

The Streetcar has always been more than just a mode of transportation. It helped shape H Street into what it is today and signaled a tangible investment in the corridor’s future. It also maintained dedicated ridership, even as broader expansion never materialized.

Once westward expansion was blocked and eastward expansion continually delayed, the Streetcar’s full promise was never realized. Without a larger network, it was difficult to unlock the broader transit transformation many of us originally believed it could deliver.

So, what comes next?

As redevelopment at the RFK stadium campus comes into focus, this is precisely the moment to plan for the next major transit investment in the east end of the city, one that connects the future stadium site, Benning Road, H Street, and Union Station in a meaningful and reliable way.

That’s why I secured funding in the FY26 budget to begin studying and planning for a bus rapid transit corridor along this route and why I held a roundtable focused on transit planning for the new campus late last year. I’ve seen firsthand how a substantial investment in Arlington’s Route 1 corridor transformed what was once traffic-dominated into a vibrant, accessible place. We should be thinking just as boldly for H Street and Benning Road.

In the meantime, DDOT will implement near-term bus improvements along H Street, including curbside changes to make it easier for buses to load and unload and move more efficiently, small but meaningful steps to improve reliability.

The Streetcar’s chapter is closing, and I know many of you share my disappointment. But this moment should not be the end of ambitious transit planning for H Street. It should be the beginning of the next phase.

Help Shape the Future of the RFK Campus

For decades, the RFK stadium campus has been a huge, underused site along the Anacostia River. Now, plans are moving forward to redevelop the 180-acre property, and this is a key moment for residents to help shape what comes next.

The District has kicked off a master planning process that will guide everything from housing and parks to retail, recreation, and a proposed new stadium. This planning phase is where community input can make a meaningful difference. It's not just about one project: it’s about the future of a massive space of new uses in our city. The only way this deal works for the District is if we create a new neighborhood, built with the stadium's activities in mind, but one that's active and busy 365 days a year, rather than only on a handful of game days. These meetings are your opportunity to push for as much housing, public transit, and walkability as possible. 

Here are a few ways to get involved:

Community Open Houses

Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Department of Employment Services (4058 Minnesota Ave. NE)

Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to noon, at St. Coletta of Greater Washington (1901 Independence Ave. SE)

RSVP for a community meeting here.

Online Survey

Available March 30 through April 10 at ourrfk.dc.gov

Community Site Walk

Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m., starting at Stadium-Armory Metro (RSVP for this will soon be available at ourrfk.dc.gov)

The decisions made here will shape the future of the RFK campus for generations – from how much housing is built (and how much is truly affordable), to how accessible the riverfront is, to whether this becomes a space that serves neighbors across all eight wards.

If you’ve ever had thoughts about what this site should be, now is the time to speak up.

A Look Inside the Emblem: 100% Affordable Housing in NoMa

This past week, I toured the Emblem and wanted to share a quick update — this is a DC-supported project I’m really excited about.

When it delivers later this summer, it will bring 115 new affordable homes (entirely reserved for families and individuals earning up to 30% and 50% of the Area Median Income) to the heart of NoMa, including much-needed two- and three-bedroom units for families. It’s also right near Metro, schools, and grocery stores, making it a great location for residents to stay connected to everything they need.

This is also a project DC is investing in with sustainability in mind. With support from the DC Green Bank, the building is being designed to be highly energy-efficient, helping lower costs for residents while reducing our environmental impact.

From what I saw inside, the units look fantastic, with great natural light, strong shared spaces like a family room and co-working area, and views across the city.

Projects like this are how we make sure Ward 6 remains a place where people of all incomes can call home. I’m looking forward to seeing the Emblem open its doors later this summer.

Safer Intersections Coming to Massachusetts Ave. & 5th St. NW

DDOT has proposed a series of safety improvements at the intersections of Massachusetts Avenue NW, 5th Street NW, and I Street NW to reduce dangerous vehicle movements and make these crossings safer for pedestrians.

This has been a longtime problematic set of intersections, and I’m glad to see safety improvements finally moving forward. Here are some of the key updates:

• No Turn on Red restrictions at all approaches to reduce conflicts with pedestrians
• No Left Turn from southbound 5th St NW onto I St NW
• Relocated stop bar on southbound 5th St NW to improve visibility and reduce backups

These changes are designed to improve sightlines, calm turning movements, and make crossings safer, especially at intersections where we’ve seen ongoing safety concerns.

DDOT is accepting public comments on these proposed changes. Residents can share feedback through DDOT’s Notice of Intent portal (visit noi.ddot.dc.gov and search "NOI-26-57") or by calling 202-671-2800.

Randall Rec Project Moves Forward with Final Designs and Construction Timeline

On March 12, DGS and DPR welcomed community members for their construction kickoff meeting for the Randall Recreation Center and Pool. This marks the last step before construction begins on the $18.5 million project, with work including:

• A new pool house
• Pool and pool deck repairs and shading
• A renovated plaza
• Outdoor seating and gathering spaces
• Public art
• Playground repairs
• Native gardens
• Stormwater retention facilities

You can see the meeting presentation here, complete with final designs, renderings, and timeline information. As of now, a substantial amount of the project is expected to be complete in spring 2027. Work will begin once permitting is complete.

Get Ready for the Great Ward 6 Spring Clean!

The Great Ward 6 Spring Clean is back! Join neighbors from across the ward on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to noon for our annual day of service. Last year, more than 300 volunteers pitched in — and we’d love to have you be part of it this year.

This is one of our favorite traditions: getting outside, connecting with neighbors, and showing some love for the places we all call home.

How to participate:

• RSVP, and we’ll send everything you need to know
• Choose a clean-up site — we’re continuing to add locations and will keep sharing updates as the list grows
• Or organize a clean-up on your own block

Need supplies?

Pick up trash grabbers, gloves, and bags on Friday, April 24, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Eastern Market Metro.

After the clean-up:

Join us at The Roost (1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) until 2 p.m. to return supplies and grab a bite with neighbors.

Hope to see you out there!

Metro Seeks Experienced Bus Mechanics

WMATA is hosting an invitation-only hiring event on Saturday, March 28, for experienced automotive service technicians, or bus mechanics. Interested candidates can apply by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 26, and candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be contacted about the hiring event. To apply, go to wmata.com/careers, click "job openings," and find the "Automotive Service Technician (Bus Mechanic)" role.

What Do You Think of NoMa?

If you live, work, or play in NoMA, the Business Improvement District wants to hear from you! This survey will help the organization have a better understanding of people's needs, from what kind of art should go and where to public safety. You can fill it out here.

Office Hours Head to H Street

My next office hours event heads to H Street, where my staff and I will be at Solid State Books from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27. This is a chance for you to speak directly with me or someone on my team about any issues or concerns you may have. Of course, if you just want to drop by and say hi before browsing the book shelves, that's welcome, too! If you can make it, please RSVP, and I'll see you then.

Upcoming Events

• DC 2050 Phase 2 Spring Workshop: Today, March 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St. NW)
  The DC Office of Planning hosts this workshop for the second phase of the District's next Comprehensive Plan, which will help guide where and how we build new housing, grow job opportunities, connect neighborhoods, preserve our history, and invest in amenities. 
  
  
• Healthy Homes Fair: Today, March 21, 1 to 5 p.m., at Catholic University (620 Michigan Ave. NE)
  The Healthy Homes Fair is back with 100 exhibitors for you to test drive EVs and e-bikes, explore new technology, experience hands-on workshops, and enter for appliance giveaways.
  
  
• Littles Ride: Saturday, March 28, 10:30 a.m. to noon, starting at Lincoln Park (11th and East Capitol Streets NE)
  Hill Family Biking hosts this half- or one-mile ride followed by a magic show by Brickett. This ride is designed for riders ages 3 to 6 on trikes, balance bikes, training wheels, and pedal bikes. Parents and older siblings should plan to ride with their little ones.
  
  
• Bloomaroo at The Wharf: Saturday, March 28, 2 to 9 p.m., at The Wharf (35 Sutton Square SW)
  This free springtime extravaganza will have cherry blossom-themed art, music, fireworks, and family-friendly fun along the waterfront.

Upcoming ANC Meetings

• ANC6/8F: Tuesday, March 24, 7 to 10 p.m., at DDOT Headquarters (250 M St. SE) and Zoom
  
  
• ANC6E: Wednesday, March 25, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. over Zoom. Councilmember Allen will provide an update to the ANC ahead of the start of budget negotiations and answer questions from commissioners and residents.

Locate your Advisory Neighborhood Commission here.

See you around the neighborhood,

Charles Allen