Ward 6 Update: Brickie Awards, Small Business Saturday, & RFK Stadium
First, I want to wish the Washington Spirit the best of luck tonight! Our team takes on the Orlando Pride at 8 p.m. in the National Women's Soccer League Championship looking to bring home another title to DC since their 2021 big win! Good luck!
This week, the District of Columbia celebrated 50 years of Home Rule, a remarkable milestone. On Tuesday evening, almost every living elected Mayor, Attorney General, and Councilmember over the last 50 years gathered to mark the occasion. This golden anniversary comes as both a celebration, and also when our autonomy is under threat from severe congressional interference.
The next few years may be very daunting, but as we celebrate 50 years of home rule, it's also worth remembering those 50 years had plenty of times when it was fraught. We have the scars from some of them — including congressional budget riders blocking DC from providing women's health care, preventing us from creating regulations around marijuana sales, and more that continue to do great harm to our residents. And yet, despite all of that, we've marched forward and made so many gains. As I spent time this week with the many elected leaders from those earlier years and who fought hard for DC's rights and residents, I choose to draw strength from that history as we head into the next 50 years. One election is never the end, and until we have statehood for DC that grants each of us the same rights afforded every other citizen of this country, we know what our goal is.
Quick Links: RSVP for the Brickies | Public Safety | The Future of Climate | Union Station Gets Federal Support | Better Bus | Gas Settlement | Senate Vote on RFK Stadium | Small Business Support | Upcoming Turkey Giveaway | Turkey Time in Southwest | Self-Driving Cars | Safe Passage | Leaf Collection | December Metro Closures | Upcoming Events
Celebrate the Best of Ward 6 with Free Food & Drink at the Brickies!
We’ve read through all your nominations, and it’s time to celebrate the winners at the 18th annual Brickie Awards! This is our annual Ward 6 Holiday Party and Community Awards! Join me at Arena Stage in Southwest Ward 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5. Enjoy FREE food and drinks from some of your favorite Ward 6 businesses as we honor the neighbors, businesses, and organizations that make our community thrive. This event is free, but RSVP today so we know to expect you. See you there!
Public Safety Updates
I want to cover a few concerning incidents recently, as well as share some updates on arrests and convictions from past incidents. Since the last newsletter, I've met with neighbors in several living rooms and buildings across the Ward to discuss public safety concerns and then outline plans to address and hear from MPD about how to prevent them (thanks to the NE neighbors in the picture for inviting me!). With just a little over a month until the end of the year, violent crime is down significantly in Ward 6 and DC from last year, especially homicides and carjackings (Axios DC). But that doesn't mean much if a crime just happened on your block or you don't feel safe. While I'm proud of the gains we've made, we aren't where we want to be, and we shouldn't be satisfied. Three quick updates from the Council on public safety:
Hearing on Secure Apartments for Everyone (SAFE) Act: There's a public hearing coming up on an important bill introduced by Attorney General Brian Schwalb to take more action against buildings where management isn't taking security concerns seriously. You can sign up to testify here and read the bill here.
Mayor Nominates Permanent Head of Neighborhood Safety Office: Kwelli Sneed has been leading the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement in an acting / interim role for too long. This week, the Mayor moved her nomination forward to make Acting Director Sneed the permanent director, and it'll soon be coming before the Council where we'll have a chance to hold a public hearing. ONSE is an important office in the fight to drive down crime, collaborate with community and public safety leaders, and reach the small group of people we know are most likely to get involved in and be victims of violence. Without a leader for two years, it hasn't gotten clear direction and support to this point. Hopefully this nomination is a sign of renewed support for ONSE's critical work.
Legislation on Fake Tags: My colleague, Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, advanced to bills out of her committee this week to increase accountability for people who drive with fake or expired tags. Read her press release here.
Here's an update on a few incidents, arrests, and convictions for crimes related to Ward 6.
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Group Assault near Potomac Ave Metro: MPD has shared some details but is still looking for more information related to a violent, senseless assault that took place on 14th Street SE. The victim was attacked by a group of individuals and hurt badly. MPD is still asking for anyone who has details or video to please share with them so that the suspects can be identified and held accountable.
- Arrest from Attempted Robbery on H Street NE: On Saturday, MPD reported that they were able to make a quick arrest of someone who had attempted a robbery on the 600 block of H Street NE.
- Arrest from October Shooting in NoMa: MPD's First District made an arrest for a shooting in early October at 1200 North Capital Street on Monday, working in partnership with the Capital Region Fugitive Taskforce.
- Conviction for Carjacking Offense: The US Attorney's Office announced it secured the conviction for a carjacking offense against an FBI agent that took place on Lincoln Park, as well as a second offense off Benning Road.
- Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced: Collaboration among DC, Maryland, and Federal Law Enforcement led to accountability for someone who has been poisoning our communities. I'm including this one not because it was happening in Ward 6, but because these kinds of arrests save lives across the city and the region.
- Navy Yard Carjacker Sentenced: One more from the US Attorney's Office for the past week. An eight-year conviction was secured for a man who attacked and carjacked a woman in Navy Yard in June.
Giving Kids and Young Adults a Greater Role in Local Climate Policy
After meeting with high school students eager to shape DC’s environmental policies, I've introduced a bill to establish a Youth Climate Council. After all, the decisions we make today will impact our children and young adults the most and for the longest. Appointed by the DC Council and Mayor, this group will give young people a platform to influence decisions about their future, amplifying their voices in policymaking as we make decisions about everything from cleaning up our rivers to removing lead pipes to sharing the costs for transportation and clean energy infrastructure.
Union Station Gets $83M in Federal Funding
You've heard me talk a lot about the plans to expand and improve Union Station for the next century. Over the last several years, I've fought to make sure they included our community in the planning, battled to make sure they didn't overbuild parking or leave the station on an island of asphalt, and pushed to ensure that DDOT would rebuild the H Street NE (Hopscotch) Bridge to accommodate the increased rail capacity (more news on the bridge project coming soon!). This past spring, we finally got approval for the big project. It'll take a lot of federal funding and many years, but it was a major milestone. This past week, another big announcement came as the Biden Administration has allocated $83 million to Union Station as part of a $321 million grant package for Amtrak improvements in the DC-Baltimore corridor. These funds will help advance long-overdue expansion and modernization efforts, keeping this critical project on track for our city and region.
Better Bus Network Coming in 2025
Over the last two years, WMATA has sought to make major changes to the bus routes running through our neighborhoods and across the region. I've hosted town halls, online forums, and pulled together feedback from hundreds of Ward 6 neighbors to fight for the routes that will make the most sense for Ward 6 and our city. Some of the initial plans would have had damaging and lasting impacts, but I'm proud that we've been able to work with WMATA to make several changes to protect critical connections and even add better service in several parts. After all that time, this past week, the WMATA Board of Directors voted to approve the 2025 Better Bus Network proposal, with changes and improvements starting next summer. You can explore all the details on the Better Bus website.
AltaGas Held Accountable + New Research on Indoor Air Quality Continues to Alarm
Last week, DC's Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced a settlement with AltaGas, the Canadian corporation that owns Washington Gas. The $2.1 million settlement stems from AltaGas' failure to follow through on its commitment to build solar panels capable of generating up to 10 megawatts of clean energy here in DC – an agreement reached as part of the 2018 merger of AltaGas and Washington Gas. The foot dragging isn't surprising: clean, renewable electricity is a direct threat to AltaGas' business model. I'm grateful to AG Schwalb and his team, as well as the Public Service Commission, for holding the company to its word. The settlement includes fines for every day after this year that it doesn't honor that commitment, as well, so the clock is ticking. Read the full press release with details.
Related: On Thursday, Beyond Gas DC released a study measuring air quality in 663 homes in the region and found elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air hours after a stove was on — WUSA 9 covered the story. The folks over at Washington Interfaith Network and Beyond Gas DC have made it a priority to help Washingtonians stop burning fossil fuels inside the home (i.e. using a gas stove and other gas-fired appliances). This is why I fought hard in our current budget to fund my Healthy Homes Act legislation, which helps households with less money get an electric stove and other appliances (behind the scenes, Washington Gas was trying to stop that bill, too — and then it was trying to tap into those dollars for their own use!).
Pro-Tip: You can find a bunch of existing rebates and potential savings for taking more steps to be energy efficient and use clean electricity at the DC Sustainable Energy Utility.
Senate Committee Advances RFK Land Transfer Legislation
Earlier this week, a US Senate Committee advanced legislation that would transfer control of the 190 acres at RFK Stadium to the District. This was a big hurdle to clear for the legislation, which has all eyes on it and big implications for the Washington Commanders' search for a stadium. And, I just want to be clear, as someone who doesn't support building a billionaire's stadium on that site, this legislation advancing is still a good thing. Pro-stadium or not, DC residents and their elected leaders should be making the decision on how to use that land. It's 190 acres that has sat mostly unused for a generation — right on our river! I want to see it become more city (homes, neighborhoods, local businesses, parks and more right next to Metro) and much-improved access to the Anacostia River. All of that can happen without plunking down a stadium that will sit empty more than 320 days a year, and likely only with you shelling out hundreds of millions of dollars from taxpayers. More in the Post.
Small Business Saturday Is Almost Here!
Black Friday is famously when people hit the stores looking for a good deal. But have you heard about Ward 6's Better Together promotion including dozens of your favorite local shops and taking place Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 1? During this promotion, when you make a purchase at one participating location on the list, you get a gift card for another. It’s a fun way to visit a go-to place and discover a new one to love. No matter which neighborhood you go to, I encourage you to shop local. Local businesses put more money back into your community. They employ your neighbors. We're blessed to have a bunch of vibrant, fun businesses that make our community interesting and diverse. Shopping local is how we preserve that.
All month, I'm sharing videos on ways our office has helped support and grow our local businesses:
- Increasing funding access for Ward 6 businesses
- Doubling the small retailer tax credit
- Expanding the camera rebate program to small businesses
1,200 Turkeys to Be Distributed Monday
Washington Nationals Philanthropies plans to distribute more than 1,200 turkeys during its annual Turkeypalooza, with six pickup locations Monday, Nov. 25, through Wednesday, Nov. 27. I’ll stop by the event outside Nationals Park on Monday, starting at 3 p.m., to check it out and help make sure everyone can have a great Thanksgiving. More from the Nats:
Meal kits include fresh turkey, fresh produce, and staples like mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. Plus, winter weather gear for families: mittens and beanie hats. The turkey is 14 pounds and the produce/shelf-stable items are a few more pounds. So, one person can handle it all but it will be easier with two. Getting to the sites as close to 3 p.m. as possible will help guarantee families get the meal kit!
Turkey Time at King-Greenleaf Rec
Earlier this week, I joined volunteers to distribute turkeys to Southwest neighbors at King-Greenleaf Rec Center. Huge thanks to GOODProjects for organizing this impactful event and several Washington Commanders players for donating their time and energy to lift some turkeys with me! If you missed it and need a turkey, don't miss the giveaway right above this post by the Nats!
Self-Driving Cars in DC?
The future has long promised us self-driving cars, and more and more big tech companies are trying it out. But, as Chair of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, this is an area we need to explore more fully. It's an example of where I don't think DC needs to be first, but I also don't want to see us be last. There's a lot we can learn from other cities and efforts to find what makes sense here, what barriers exist for DC, and how we should move forward. I recently hosted a public roundtable on autonomous vehicles. While the technology offers promise, it also poses risks and significant unanswered questions about how self-driving cars fit into our busy and growing city. In the fall of 2025, DDOT will release updated guidelines on how autonomous vehicles can operate in DC, and for now, a driver is still required in the car. Want more? I spoke with Fox 5 after the hearing.
Improving Safety for Students Getting to and from School
I was able to secure funding in this year’s budget to expand the District's Safe Passage program to the Potomac Ave and Eastern Market Metro stations – and from a distance, you may have seen people in green vests in these areas over the past six weeks. These teams support students in getting to and from school safely and are skilled in conflict resolution, mediation services, and community relationship building to keep students safe and improve student attendance. Earlier this month, members of the Potomac Ave team handed out essential items to students at a few nearby schools, including Digital Pioneers Academy, and outside the metro station. I'm so happy to have them on board, and especially along this corridor.
Leaf Collection Moves to Section C
DPW says it’s time for Section C in all eight wards to get their leaves ready: Leaf pickup in those areas is planned to begin Nov. 25, and residents in Section C are advised to have leaves in the tree box or curbside by Sunday, Nov. 24. As a reminder, DPW cannot conduct leaf collection when it rains, so if you haven't gotten it yet, that could be why.
Reminder: WMATA’s Closing Some Downtown Stations Dec. 20-30
WMATA plans to close some Downtown Metrorail stations for the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines between Friday, Dec. 20, and Monday, Dec. 30. This will allow WMATA to improve tracks and signaling and make a smoother ride for customers. During the closure, shuttle buses will replace train service at affected stations, providing customers with alternate access to stations. Stations will reopen Dec. 31. Work will be completed in two phases:
- Dec. 20-26: Farragut West, McPherson Square, and the lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center will be closed.
- Dec. 27-30: Farragut West, McPherson Square, lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center, Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, and the lower level of L'Enfant Plaza (Blue, Orange, Silver service) will be closed.
Upcoming Events
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Stanton Park Revitalization Effort: Saturday, Nov. 23 | 10 a.m. to noon | Stanton Park, 226 4th St. NE
ANC6C03 and neighbors are hosting an event to get signatures on a petition to form an organization to help encourage the National Park Service to address deferred maintenance at Stanton Park. For more information, contact ANC Commissioner Jay Adelstein at 292-441-0778 or [email protected].
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Holiday Tree Lighting: Saturday, Nov. 23 | 5:30 p.m. | Eastern Market Metro Park, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Join me, your neighbors, the Capitol Hill BID, and our Barracks Row and Eastern Market Main Streets for the 18th annual holiday tree lighting, complete with hot chocolate, doughnuts, and performances by local music groups. Plus, the event is emceed by DC local legends Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood!
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Committee on Transportation and the Environment Markup: Monday, Nov. 25 | 9:30 a.m. | John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, and online
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Committee of the Whole and Legislative Meetings: Tuesday, Nov. 26 | Beginning at 11 a.m. | the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, and online
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Special Waste Collection: Thursday, Dec. 5 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | RFK Parking Lot 3 (2400 E. Capitol St. NE)
DPW hosts this event for safe disposal and recycling of household hazardous waste and electronics, and secure document shredding will be conducted twice quarterly. Register ahead.
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EdFEST 2024:
Grades 9-12: Saturday, Dec. 7 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Eastern High School | 1700 East Capitol St. NE
Grades PK3-8: Saturday, Dec. 14 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | DC Armory | 2001 East Capitol St. SE
EdFEST offers families the chance to explore the city’s public school options. Representatives from public and public charter schools will showcase their programs. EdFEST will also include free services and activities for the whole family including guidance on navigating the lottery process from the My School DC team and Parent Advisory Council, routine childhood vaccines, flu and COVID shots for adults (appointments required), recreational activities from the Department of Parks & Recreation (Dec. 14), free meals from DC Central Kitchen (Dec. 14), and more. Register online.
See you around the neighborhood,
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