Ward 6 Update: DC's Next Budget, A Transformed Library & Traffic Safety Wins

Subscribe so you don't miss a Ward 6 Update!

If you have a student in or work for our schools, I hope you've been enjoying a great spring break (a handful had an earlier break, but most spring breaks were this past week)! If neither's the case for you, I hope you've at least been taking in these warmer temperatures. Even though we're past peak cherry blossom season, Ward 6 streets are lined with vibrant blooms like these in Southeast. Take some time to enjoy them if you haven't yet. I also want to thank the neighbors who participated in the Spring Decorating contest! I partnered with the Hill is Home to help inspire folks to embrace the season through their front yards, and you didn't disappoint!

We're about to dive into a tough budget season, so I hope after stopping to smell the flowers, you're able to participate in this important process by joining the Council's agency budget oversight hearings. More on that and other Council happenings below (including an opening on my team!). Let's get to it.

QUICK LINKS: The FY27 Budget Process Begins | Public Safety | See Inside the Southeast Library | New Stop Sign = Safer Intersection | A Farmers Market by the Water | Dog Park Fix | How Do You Use Our Waterways? | DC's Future Land Uses | A New Bakery at Eastern Market | Events | ANC Meetings | Great Ward 6 Spring Clean | Want to Join Team Allen?

Miss the last newsletter? Read it here.

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up today.

Budget Season Is Here

The Mayor presented a brief overview of her proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027 to the Council on April 10, with the full details formally sent to the Council this week. We can now see the potentially devastating cuts for many DC families. That transmission kicks off several weeks of agency budget oversight hearings by each Council Committee. You can review the proposed budget documents here, and I hope you'll sign up to testify at an upcoming hearing.

These hearings are an opportunity for those shaping the budget to hear directly from you about what matters most. Say you're passionate about a park and rec issue: You could attend the Committee on Facilities' meeting on April 27. Or, if you have something to say about the Department of Energy and Environment, you could attend the Committee on Transportation and the Environment's meeting on May 1. And you can always easily submit written comments instead through the Council's website (or just send me an email!).

You can explore all the hearings on the Council's calendar, which is still populating with meetings as dates are loaded.

But let's be honest, not everyone can take time off work or from family to come down to the Wilson Building to share their thoughts. Not everyone even has a chance to dig into the budget details. That's why I prioritize hosting a Budget Town Hall every year. I'll break down what's in the budget — the good and the bad — and turn the mic over to you to hear your priorities and answer your questions. Please join me to dive into the budget and share your feedback directly with me at my annual Ward 6 FY27 Budget Town Hall on May 6 at the Southwest Library. It'll be here before you know it: If you can join, please RSVP, and we'll see you there! We'll also livestream the town hall and upload the video to my website.

Public Safety Update

• MPD made an arrest in a recent Southwest assault case, where a suspect allegedly attempted to rob two people on the 500 block of C Street SW. The incident thankfully didn't result in any injuries, and a juvenile has since been taken into custody and charged.
  
  
• Updated DC Crime Data: Midway into the second quarter of the year, I thought I'd share a status update on crime statistics in Ward 6 and city-wide. Residents can also learn more here with MPD's CrimeCards dashboard. Reported crime in Ward 6 is down 20% year-to-date, with declines continuing in homicides (-100%), burglaries (-48%), robberies (-7%), and car thefts (-46%). However, we are seeing a disturbing increase in Assaults with a Deadly Weapon (+36% citywide). Overall, crime continues trending downward significantly compared to last year, which itself saw major declines from the year prior. Of course, if a crime happens to you or near you, the broader data doesn’t change that experience, and the Executive needs to develop a city-wide gun violence reduction plan to better understand, prevent, and respond to the reasons behind the decreases and increases we're seeing in certain categories and neighborhoods. The goal must always be to continue driving these numbers down and ending gun violence.

Take a Look Inside the Southeast Library Modernization

Last week, I joined DC Public Library Director Rich Reyes-Gavilan to tour the Southeast Branch Library, and I’m excited to share that the renovations are coming together in an incredible way. It looks simply stunning, and I'm so excited for everyone to see it soon.

As we expected, the footprint has been significantly expanded in all directions. What used to feel tight and limited has been transformed into an open, welcoming space. Inside, there will be a much larger, modern children’s area, dedicated adult reading spaces, and multiple community rooms. The redesign brings in far more natural light and creates flexible spaces for everything from quiet reading to neighborhood gatherings. It’s a major investment in the greater Eastern Market community, and you can see that reflected in every part of the project.

I know the biggest question is when it will reopen. While there’s not an exact date yet, it’s likely to be late summer. I’ll share more details as soon as we have them, but what I've seen so far is making the wait feel worth it. Take a look in my recent video.

Traffic Safety Coming to 6th and A Streets SE

We knew this change was needed. And after years of repeated requests by neighbors, the ANC, and myself, DDOT has finally agreed with us. I worked with neighbors to document and share dangerous driving conditions through the intersection of 6th and A Streets SE, and I'm happy to share that the DDOT Director recently confirmed with me that an all-way stop will be installed soon. This is now one of only a handful of two-way stops in the neighborhood, allowing the one-way direction of traffic on 6th to fly through the neighborhood (and more than once, dangerously into neighbors' front yards!). Last week, DDOT issued a Notice of Intent for the change, and you have until May 26 to submit comments in support. For more information and to submit a comment online (it takes literally one minute), visit the DDOT NOI Portal and search "26-123-MPDD." My thanks to many neighbors who kept working with me on this and to DDOT for acting here to make our streets safer for everyone, one stop sign at a time. 

Ringing the Bell at the Southwest Farmers Market

ICYMI: The Southwest Farmers Market has moved from 4th and M just down the block to 6th and M on the Wharf! I fought alongside neighbors to make sure this vital operation stayed in the neighborhood, and I'm thankful it landed just a few blocks away, at 608 Wharf Street. I joined everyone for the opening on April 4, when we had a stunning, warm day — perfect for ringing the bell!

Swampoodle Dog Park Gets a Quick Fix

After neighbors reached out about issues with fencing at the Swampoodle Dog Park in NoMa last month, my team reached out to DGS. I'm happy to share that the broken gate and rusted fence post are now fixed! Functioning infrastructure like this is critical for using public spaces, and I'm thankful the Friends Of group spoke up, Jen on my team followed up quickly, and DGS moved fast to fix the issue. If you ever need help like this, even if just to connect to an agency, please feel free to reach out to my constituent services team.

Share How You Use DC's Waterways

The District Waterways Advisory Commission — created through legislation I introduced a few years ago — is up and running, and they want to know how you use our waterways. Whether you boat, paddle, cycle, stroll, or fish along the waterfront, or simply love our rivers, your feedback matters! Fill out the survey here.

What Should the District Prioritize Through Its Land-Use Policies?

The DC Office of Planning has published a draft future land use map and wants your feedback on the proposed land use changes. The future land use map aims to guide the use, density, and height of development in each area of the city, as well as connectivity and public spaces. Before OP moves to the next stage of the planning process, please share your thoughts here.

A Visit to the New Boulangerie Saint Georges in Eastern Market

I stopped by the soft opening of Boulangerie Saint Georges last week and got a first taste of delicious pastries coming to the Eastern Market community. I know many neighbors have been very eager for its opening — and it’s finally here! 

Upcoming Events

• DC Emancipation Day Parade Celebration: Sunday, April 19, 1 to 9 p.m., at 13th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW (note the updated location)
  The District will celebrate the Emancipation Act that freed 3,100 people in 1862 with a festival, parade, and concert.
  
  
• Movies in Milian: Wednesday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m., at Milian Park (499 Massachusetts Ave. NW)
  The Mount Vernon CID continues its springtime movie screenings with School of Rock.
  
  
• Jazz in the Park: Friday, April 24, at Eastern Market Metro Park (701 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
  Barracks Row Main Street continues this live music in the park, with Jazz Appreciation Month the focus in April.
  
  
• SW Community Gardens Spring Kick-Off: Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SW Community Gardens (1098 Delaware Ave. SW)
  SW neighbors are hosting the gardens' spring kickoff with planting, weeding, composting, and opening the garden for the year. I'm happy this is part of the Great Ward 6 Spring Clean, where neighbors will clean up the garden and Lansburgh Park!
  
  
• Bus Town Hall: Tuesday, April 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at Metro Headquarters (300 7th St. SW)
  Metro’s Leadership will provide an overview of recent changes and investments in bus service, such as the addition of 13 miles of new bus lanes and the launch of the Metro Pulse app. Attendees will be able to engage directly with subject matter experts in Bus Planning and Transportation, Bus Priority, Fleet, Digital Modernization, Metro Integrated Control and Communications Center, Customer Service, and MTPD. Registration is required.
  
  
• Star Wars Weekend: Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 3
  Star Wars returns to Barracks Row for this annual weekend of fun.
  
  
• DC’s Annual Truck Touch: Saturday, May 2, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at RFK Stadium Lot 8 (2400 East Capitol St. SE)
  This free family festival features city vehicles and activities for children of all ages.
  
  
• Save the Date: My next Office Hours will be at CIVIC. on Eighth (501 8th St. SE) the morning of Friday, May 8! RSVP today.

Upcoming ANC Meetings

• ANC 6D: Monday, April 20, at 7 p.m., virtual
• ANC 6/8F: Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m., at DDOT Headquarters (250 M St. SE, room 124) and virtual
• ANC 6E: Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m., virtual

Locate your Advisory Neighborhood Commission here.

See You at the Great Ward 6 Spring Clean!

We're a week out from one of the best days of the year: The Great Ward 6 Spring Clean! We have nearly 40(!) sites across Ward 6 this year, with more than 350 neighbors pitching in. Thanks to everyone who's RSVPed, and don't forget to stop by the Roost afterward, from 12 to 2 p.m., to drop off your grabbers and grab a bite with neighbors!

We're Hiring!

Do you know someone who cares about local government and has excellent communications skills? Or maybe it’s you — do you love video editing, Ward 6, working with a great team, and public service? We're hiring for our next Digital Communications Manager, who's the critical member of my team leading our strategic digital communications, including social media and this far-reaching newsletter (spoiler, Charles is very involved in every newsletter, but he may not write every word...). If you might be interested, please apply and share with your networks!

See you around the neighborhood,

Charles Allen