CM McDuffie's Ward 5 Report: "Walking With Residents Across Ward 5"

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
Sent: Friday, December 6, 2019 10:07 AM
Subject: Ward 5 Report: Walking With Residents Across Ward 5

View this email in your browser Neighbors, While there is always work to be done at the Wilson Building, it is equally important to be in the neighborhoods talking to residents and business owners, hearing their concerns, answering questions, and discussing solutions. That’s exactly what I was doing last week when I joined the Mayor, ANCs, and community members on a walk-through of the Edgewood community. We observed an alley with numerous issues including abandoned cars and illegal dumping, which District agencies were able to document and schedule for clean up on the spot. I also talked to small business owners suffering from the construction at 4th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NE and was able to get a commitment from the Mayor to build on my previous work to support these small businesses so they will continue to be around after the construction is over. Later that evening, I walked with residents of the Fort Lincoln community where we discussed increased vehicular traffic and the residents' desire for more traffic claming measures to support people walking or biking around Fort Lincoln Park and the recreation center. We also had the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on hand with us to address recent increases in break-ins the community is experiencing and how MPD can help. In addition to these walk-throughs, I have also attended ANC 5C’s November meeting, Single Member District ANC 5C07 meeting, and North Michigan Park’s December gathering. As we move into 2020, I will be attending more of these events to hear directly to Ward 5 residents, so stay tuned.  In service, Kenyan In this issue of the Ward 5 Report: Ward 5 Holiday Party Councilmember McDuffie Statement on Recent Incidents of Gun Violence in Ward 5 Kenyan in the News Kenyan in the Community Dunbar High School Wins 50th Turkey Bowl Edgewood Recreation Center Now OPEN! Florida Ave-New York Ave NE Intersection & Florida Ave NE Streetscape Projects Open House - December 10 EdFest - December 14 Rhode Island Avenue NE Main Street Holiday Market - December 14 Ward 5 Holiday Party Please join us for an array of options from Ward 5 restaurants and small businesses, children's activities, entertainment, and a special visit from Santa. If you are able, we ask that you bring a new, unwrapped children's toy, which will be donated to Women’s Wing, an organization that will provide them for children of incarcerated parents. RSVP Now Councilmember McDuffie Statement on Recent Incidents of Gun Violence in Ward 5 "The night of Tuesday, December 3rd there was another shooting in Ward 5; it was the fifth act of gun violence in Ward 5 over the past two weeks. As a neighbor, a father, and your representative, I am both outraged and heartbroken that these acts continue to happen in our community. When these incidents happen, they can make us feel vulnerable and scared. We all deserve to live in a community where we feel safe.    I have been in constant communication with MPD and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) since last night’s shooting on the 2300 block of Rhode Island Avenue. From what I have gathered, the recent violence stems from an ongoing conflict between multiple rival groups within Ward 5 and was not connected in any way to the businesses located along Rhode Island Avenue.    I share your concerns and want to share some of the work I have been doing to address the recent violence. I have called for an immediate increase in police presence within the targeted neighborhoods and an expeditious deployment of violence prevention resources. I have worked with the mayor to ensure ONSE has additional funding to hire violence intervention specialists and outreach workers within the impacted neighborhoods where violence has been most prevalent. Last week, I did two community walk throughs with MPD, ONSE, and other agencies to talk with residents, identify trouble spots and talk through collective actions we can take. Today, I have spent my time listening to resident concerns and going door to door speaking with business owners along Rhode Island Avenue.    Additionally, I will be hosting a series of community conversations in the coming weeks to answer questions and discuss matters in more detail. Once determined, details regarding these meetings will be shared broadly and provided to ANCs, civic associations, and posted to neighborhood listservs. Please share this information with your neighbors and contact my office at 202-724-8028 with any questions." Kenyan in the News Councilmember McDuffie recently spoke with DCist about legislation to help three local small businesses purchase the building they occupy in Anacostia. He said, “If we’re serious about providing economic opportunity to people who help to build the District to what it is today, we have to take these steps to help prevent important businesses and institutions from being forced out of the city.” Kenyan in the Community Dunbar High School Wins 50th Turkey Bowl Congratulations to the 2019 Dunbar High School Crimson Tide Football team on their victory in the 50th Turkey Bowl and championship of the DC Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Stars Division. With the win, Dunbar will now face Friendship Collegiate Academy in the DC State Athletic Association Class AA Championship on Sunday, December 8 at 3:30 pm at the Catholic University Football Stadium.  Edgewood Recreation Center Now OPEN! After years of advocating and through many budget cycles, we now have a new state-of-the-art recreation center in Edgewood, on the site of the old field house. The recreation center started operating this week and is open from 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday and 10:00 - 4:00 pm on Saturday. While a formal ribbon cutting will follow later this month, everything but the football field is currently open to DC residents. (Anticipated completion of the field in March/April 2020) Florida Ave-New York Ave NE Intersection & Florida Ave NE Streetscape Projects Open House - December 10 The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host a public meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, to discuss priority projects on Florida Avenue NE. DDOT will provide updates on: The Preliminary (30%) Design of the Florida Avenue-New York Avenue NE Intersection Project (“Dave Thomas Circle”); The post-construction data collection for the Florida Avenue NE Interim Safety Improvement Project, which was completed in September 2019; and The Updated (65%) Design of Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project from 2nd Street NE to H Street NE. This Open House is an opportunity for residents to engage directly with DDOT staff to facilitate one-on-one conversations and receive answers for specific questions. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the latest key design elements, ask questions, and provide feedback to inform the designs. DATE: December 10, 2019 TIME: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (brief presentations at 6:20 pm and 7:20 pm) LOCATION: New Samaritan Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall, 1100 Florida Avenue NE For more information about the project, please visit the project website www.floridaaveproject.com. EdFest - December 14 Rhode Island Avenue NE Main Street Holiday Market - December 14 Join the Rhode Island Avenue Main Street for their 5th Annual Procrastinator's Holiday Market. Featuring 30+ local arts and crafts, vendors, entertainment, holiday card-making station, photos with Santa, and more! DATE: December 14, 2019 TIME: 12pm-8pm LOCATION: Art Enables, 2204 Rhode Island Ave NE Additional details here