|
Neighbor,
More and more residents are getting vaccinated, and starting May
1st, there will be walk-in vaccine clinics across the District.
Now, business operators, workers, and faith leaders need a
reopening roadmap that gives them clarity about the future and
brings us up to speed with the rest of the country.
The District continues to enforce some of the strictest reopening
guidelines nationwide; well beyond what our regional partners are
currently pursuing in dining, worship, and hotel capacity. As other
states and localities release their reopening plans, our
stakeholders remain in the dark, which puts our businesses at a
competitive disadvantage. I know folks are frustrated and worried
about reopening, and I will continue to ask questions about what
this process looks like.
In service,
Kenyan
|
|
|
|
|
In this issue of the Ward 5 Report:
|
|
|
|
|
Check out
some of the articles Councilmember McDuffie was mentioned in
recenty:
D.C. Council advances block-by-block plan for future city
development (Washington Post)
Council Advances Amendments on Comp Plan (City Paper)
Efforts to redevelop Ivy City's Crummell School are stuck
in limbo. The next few months could change everything (Washington Business Journal)
Woodrow Wilson High School Name Change Proposal Under Fire
(Washington Informer)
Residents say Postal Service delays are leaving mailboxes
empty in Northeast D.C. (Washington Post)
D.C. Bars And Music Venues Consider Requiring Vaccination
So They Can Reopen (City Paper)
DC Deputy Mayor Wayne Turnage's Managed Care Soap Opera (Janetta Rose Barras)
|
|
|
New Rent and
Utilities Relief Program - STAY DC
|
|
|
|
STAY DC, a
new relief program made possible by new federal funding provides
support for back rent to pay unpaid rent going back to 4/1/20,
upcoming rent for up to 3 months, utility expenses for water, gas,
& electricity, and extended housing support available for 18
months per tenant
Call 833-478-2932 to apply
|
|
|
|
|
|
This
weekend, Councilmember McDuffie went on a safety walkthrough in
Riggs Park with 5A01 Commissioner Damion McDuffie representatives
from the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Office of
Community Relations and Services, and MPD.
|
|
|
Team
McDuffie celebrated Earth Day with Green Scheme, Broccoli City, Fun
It Up, Good Food Markets, Don’t Mute My Health, and His & Hers.
We did some cleaning along South Dakota Avenue and then some
gardening maintenance in the Langdon Community Garden.
|
|
|
Parking
Enforcement & Ticket Amnesty Updates
|
|
|
|
Starting
June 1st, District government will resume normal parking
enforcement, vehicle towing, vehicle registrations, and inspection
requirements. Additional enforcement measures till start on July
1st
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starting
June 1st, the annual fee for an RPP sticker will increase from $35 to
$50 for the 1st vehicle registered in a household. An exemption
exists for one resident age 65+ per household. Additional fees will
apply to other vehicles in a household. More information here.
|
|
|
The Mayor
also announced a new ticket amnesty program. From June 1 until
September 1, drivers will be able to pay outstanding tickets
wihtout paying any penalties w/ new ticket amnesty program
|
|
|
|
|
|
Montello
Barber Shop is back open for business! Earlier this month,
Councilmember McDuffie hand-delivered their Great Streets Grant award
letter. Make sure to support our Ward 5 businesses and get ready for
those summer haircuts.
|
|
|
|
|
The Rhode
Island and Bladensburg Main Streets have opened their 3rd round of
small business assistance grants. The deadline to apply is May 10th,
you can apply here
|
|
|
|
|
The Small
Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program has been
extended until May 31st. Apply for a first or second PPP loan here.
|
|
|
|
|
The Small
Business Administration has announced a $28.6 billion dollar
Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which will provide assistance to
eligible restaurants, bars, & businesses impacted by Covid. The
funding will be equal to pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10M per
biz ($5M per location) Apply at http://sba.gov/restaurants
|
|
|
|
|
The Small
Business Administration will also re-open the Shuttered Venue
Operators Grant application process soon. This $16B program will
enable applicants affected by Covid to receive grants equalling up to
45% of gross earned revenue, up to $10M. learn more at http://sba.gov
|
|
DC Statehood Bill
Passes House, Moves to Senate
|
|
|
|
|
|
On April
22nd, the House of Representatives voted 216 to 208 to pass HR 51,
the Washington, D.C. Admission Act. Now, the bill moves onto the
Senate. President Biden recently announced his formal support for
statehood.
|
|
|
Starting
May 1st, a number of covid guidelines are being
changed. Indoor capacity for non-essential retail raised from
25% to 50% or 250 people, the seat per table limit at bars and
restaurants raised from 6 to 10, and live music will be allowed
outdoors.
Additionally, multi-purpose facilities, concert venues,
cinemas, and theaters can open at 25% capacity (max 500 people),
weddings and special events can operate at 25% capacity up to
250 people (indoors and outdoors), gyms can operate at 50% capacity
up to 250 people, and pools can open. Finally, places of worship
can admit up to 40% capacity for services. Virtual and outdoor
services still encouraged, mandatory masking and social distancing
remain in place.
|
|
|
COVID-19 and
Vaccine Updates
|
|
|
|
On
Saturday, May 1, DC will transition from an appointment-only system
to 11 walk-in vaccination sites (no appointment needed). May 1st
hours will vary because of the Mayor's day of action (full schedule
below). There are three walk-up sites in Ward 5 - Langdon
Park Community Center, Providence Health System, and Turkey Thicket
Recreation Center.
If you know someone who wants the vaccine but is homebound, they
can set up an appointment to have the vaccine come to them by
calling 1-855-363-0333. Residents 16 or 17 years must continue to
schedule their vaccine appointments with Children's National.
If you're looking to find any other additional vaccine
opportunities, check out vaccinefinder.org.
|
|
|
|