The Ward 5 Report:
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
March 29, 2013
Ward 5 Highlights:
DGS Holds Meeting to Discuss Proposed Co-location of Turkey Thicket with the New Brookland Middle School
At the request of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), the Department of General Services (DGS) held a meeting on March 23 to discuss its proposal of the co-location of the Turkey Thicket “Play DC Initiative” and the new Brookland Middle School.
“I informed DGS that it was vital that it engages the community and review all of the designs that are on the table, including the initial schematics of the two separate facilities. As a result of the feedback they received, DGS has taken the option of co-location off the table,” said McDuffie during the meeting. “I appreciate DGS’ willingness to listen to the community’s concerns and involve residents in the process. Now that the co-location plan is off the table, it is important that we move forward and work together on next steps.”
During the meeting DGS presented three stand-alone options for the new Brookland Middle School. Councilmember McDuffie encourages all residents to review each option and provide DGS with their concerns and comments. Click here to review copies of the handout from the meeting and to provide feedback. Additionally, copies of the presentation and fact sheets are available in Councilmember McDuffie’s office.
Councilmember McDuffie Celebrates the Grand Opening of the New Rhode Island Avenue NE DMV
The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) will open its Rhode Island Service Center in Northeast on April 2. Located in Rhode Island Row at 2350 Washington Place, NE, Suite 112N, the Service Center will be open for business Tuesday – Saturday from 8:15am – 4pm. This week, Councilmember McDuffie attended the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Northeast location with Mayor Vincent Gray, Councilmember Mary Cheh (D – Ward 3), and Councilmember Anita Bonds (D – At-Large).
“I am excited that the DC DMV chose Ward 5 to open their new, state-of-the-art service center,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “After four years of waiting, I am happy that Ward 5 now has a DMV Service Center back in the community.”
The Rhode Island Service Center is nearby for metro riders from the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station. There is also metro, garage, and street parking in the surrounding area. With the opening of the Rhode Island Service Center, the Temporary C Street Service Center located at 301 C Street, NW will close. Adjudication Services, which is in the same building as the Temporary C Street Service Center, will remain open.
The Community Honors the Life of Mrs. Ruby Whitfield
On March 26, Councilmember McDuffie attended a prayer vigil honoring the life of Mrs. Ruby Whitfield. Mrs. Whitfield was the victim of a fatal hit and run that took place last week near the New Samaritan Baptist Church. During the vigil, the Mayor announced that he will be working with the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) to implement traffic calming measures and placing a traffic light in this area.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Whitfield’s family, friends, neighbors and the parishioners of New Samaritan Baptist Church,” said Councilmember McDuffie during the vigil. “I will work with the Mayor and DDOT to ensure the proper steps are taken to make this portion of Florida Avenue much safer."
Councilmember Engages the Langston Carver Terrance Community
This week, Councilmember McDuffie attended ANC-5D04 in the Langston Carver Terrace community. During the meeting, the Councilmember greeted residents, outlined his agenda and heard community input on how his office could better serve the community.
Legislative Updates
On March 26, Councilmember McDuffie, as Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations, convened a public oversight roundtable on the Board of Elections’ (BOE) preparations for the April 23 Special Election.
The public roundtable included testimony from BOE’s Executive Director Clifford Tatum, who discussed topics such as staffing, polling place worker training, technology improvements, facilities preparation, public outreach efforts, voter database management, and the estimated cost of the Special Election.
Announcements:
DSLBD Offers Grants to 12th Street NE Businesses
The District Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is launching a grant program to help businesses on 12th Street NE to pay for storefront improvements. DSLBD will contribute $5,000 in matching funds for improvements such as awnings, signs, entrance doors, windows, exterior painting, and exterior lighting.
The program, called the 12th Street Storefront Improvement Program (SIP) is funded by a $25,000 contribution from Abdo Development. Interested business owners must register online to access the grant application, which is due May 15 at 5 p.m. To register, interested applicants should visit http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com, then click “Sign up to be a SBRC Client” and enter “12th Street SIP” in the notes field of the registration form. For more information, contact Camille Nixon at 202-741-0821 orcamille.nixon@dc.gov.
DCOA Offers Ambassador Training Workshop
The D.C. Office on Aging (DCOA) will be holding a workshop for their Ambassador Training Program. The Ambassador Program is a FREE, interactive, member-based program designed to reach out to older adults and their caregivers to help them learn about available services and resources offered through DCOA.
The next workshop will be on April 17 from 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the D.C. Office on Aging, located at 500 K Street, NE. All workshops include an overview of Office on Aging programs and services, information on how to access resources, and guidance on your role as an advocate. To register and for more information, residents can call (202) 724-5622.
DDOT Accepting Applications for 2013 Transportation for Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Grant Program
The District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites interested non-profit organizations to apply to their 2013 Transportation for Elderly Persons and Person with Disabilities (Section 5310 Program). The program provides financial assistance to not-for profit organizations, including local or neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations and religious or charitable organizations, for the purchasing of vehicles and wheelchair equipment to help them meet the transportation needs of the elderly persons and persons with disabilities when transportation service is unavailable to meet these needs.
Grant applications are due on May 10. DDOT will be hosting an information session for interested parties on Thursday, April 11 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the DDOT Offices located at 55 M Street, SE. Please RSVP to attend the information session by emailing cice.torruellas@dc.gov. For additional information about the program, please contact Circe Torruellas at 202-671-2847.
PUBLIC NOTICE: BOE Announces the Relocation of Precinct No. 70 and No. 77 for the April 23 Special Election
Please be advised that Precinct No. 70 will be relocated from Burroughs Elementary School, located at 1820 Monroe Street, NE, to the Perry Street Prep PCS at Taft, located at 1800 Perry Street, NE. The relocation is necessary because the current facility is not available for the Special Election.
Additionally, Precinct No. 77 will be relocated from Delta Towers Apartment, located at 1400 Florida Avenue, NE to the Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center, located at 1299 Neal Street, NE. This relocation was necessary because BOE has received numerous complaints about the inadequate space and long lines at Delta Towers.
BOE will notify all registered voters in the precincts of these changes. If you have any questions, please contact BOE at (202) 727-5704 or visit http://dcboee.us
**Ward 5 Events:
Councilmember McDuffie, or a member of his staff, will attend the following events:
Monday, April 1 – The Ivy City Civic Association meeting will take place at the Bethesda Baptist Church, located at 1808 Capitol Ave NE beginning at 6:30 PM.
Monday, April 1 – The Bates Area Civic Association meeting will take place at the Mt. Sinai Church, located at 1615 3rd St NW beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, April 1 – The Eckington Civic Association meeting will take place at the Harry Thomas, Sr. Recreation Center, located at 1743 Lincoln Road, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, April 1 – The Lamond-Riggs Civic Association meeting will take place at the LaSalle-Backus Education Center, located at 501 Riggs Rd, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, April 1 – The Stronghold Civic Association meeting will take place at the All Nations Baptist Church, located at 2001 North Capitol Street, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2 – The Woodridge Civic Association meeting will take place at the Washington Center for Aging, located at 2601 18th Street, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2 – The Brentwood Civic Association meeting will take place at the Washington Center for Aging, located at 2601 18th Street, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2 – The Michigan Park Citizens Association meeting will take place at the Bunker Hill Elementary School, located at 1400 Michigan Avenue, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3 – The North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting will take place at the North Michigan Park Recreation Center, located at 1333 Emerson Street, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, April 8 – The Queens Chapel Civic Association meeting will take place at the Union Wesley AME Zion Church, located at 1860 Michigan Avenue, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9 – The Arboretum Neighborhood Association meeting will take place at the Arboretum Community Center, located at 2412 Rand Place, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9 – The Trinidad Neighborhood Association meeting will take place at the Trinidad Recreation Center, located at 1310 Childress Street, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9 – ANC 5D will hold its monthly meeting at the 5th District Police Station, located at 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10 – ANC 5B01 and PSA 503 will hold its monthly meeting at the Hospital for Sick Children, located at 18th and Bunker Hill Road, NE beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 11 –The Woodridge South Central Community Association meeting will take place at the New Canaan Baptist Church, located at 2826 Bladensburg Rd, NE beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, April 15 –The Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting will take place at the St. George’s Episcopal Church, located at 160 U Street, NW beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16 – The Ward 5 Council on Education meeting will take place at the Lamond-Riggs Library, located at 5401 South Dakota Ave, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, April 15 –The Brookland Civic Association meeting will take place at the Brooks Mansion, located at 901 Newton Street, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16 – ANC 5E will hold its monthly meeting at the Summit, located at 116 T Street, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17 – ANC 5C will hold its monthly meeting at the 5th District Police Station, located at 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17 – ANC 5A will hold its monthly meeting at the Potomac Lighthouse PCS, located at 4401 8th Street, NE beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, April 28 –The Edgewood Civic Association holds its monthly meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. Location TBD
** Councilmember McDuffie’s public schedule is subject to change.
