Neighbors,
 
As Chair of the Council Committee on Business and Economic Development, I have focused my work on increasing opportunities for those who have been left out of the District’s recent prosperity, while making sure that we take the appropriate steps to ensure equitable economic development. 
 
I recently took part in the groundbreaking of the Bryant Street development in Edgewood near the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station. This transit-oriented development project will bring additional jobs, retail amenities (including a movie theater), and 135 affordable residential units to the neighborhood. When the project is completed it will deliver 1,500 new residential units helping to increase capacity and alleviate some of the pressure on our housing market.
 
In addition to increasing jobs and housing, these projects can also provide access to services that residents need. In the District of Columbia, eight percent of all households do not use a bank for financial services and that number rises to 20 percent when considering Black households. That’s why I was pleased to join JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and other Chase executives earlier this week to cut the ribbon on the first Chase Bank branch in Ward 5 at Hechinger Mall. Having a convenient bank in your neighborhood helps those without access to financial services while keeping residents connected to their community.
 
I am also tracking larger trends in economic development, like opportunity zones, which are a federal program to provide tax incentives for new businesses and commercial projects in designated census tracts. I recently joined a ‘Broccoli Talk’ about opportunity zones, what they mean for DC, and how they can be used as a tool to make our economy more inclusive. Last year, I introduced a bill that would direct a portion of sales tax and enforcement fines captured in a given opportunity zone to be spent within that opportunity zone on community priorities.
 
These examples represent just a snapshot of the past couple weeks, but rest assured that every day I continue to work to improve the quality of life for the residents of Ward 5 in a variety of ways, including increased economic opportunity and amenities. 

In service,

Kenyan

Councilmember McDuffie is pleased to share that the NEAR Act's Cure Violence model will be coming to the Eckington/Truxton/Bates/Hanover area.

As you are likely aware, Councilmember McDuffie authored and passed the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Act in 2016 to address the root causes of violent crime. Since passing the NEAR Act, he has worked to expand those efforts by helping to establish the Cure the Streets program within the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Cure the Streets and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) both use the NEAR Act’s public health approach to address gun violence.

As the Council was writing the District budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Councilmember McDuffie made funding violence prevention a top priority and was able to direct more than $2 million dollars to the OAG to expand the footprint of the Cure the Streets program.

The OAG has selected the Eckington/Truxton/Hanover/Bates communities as one new location for a Cure the Streets team and released the solicitation for a group to operate and implement the Cure the Streets team in this area.

While we welcome this positive step forward, we also acknowledge that it is just one step on an ongoing journey. Councilmember McDuffie and his staff continue to work with the ONSE, OAG, Metropolitan Police Department, ANCs, civic association leaders, and community members to address violent crime.

The office is typically open from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. To make an appointment at the office, visit www.calendly.com/ward5, or call our main office number at (202) 724-8028. When entering the Ward 5 Community Office at Luke C. Moore, please use the Monroe Street, NE entrance.

Ward 5 residents are invited to experience the National Building Museum summer exhibit, Lawn, on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. Those who RSVP with a Ward 5 zip code will receive complimentary admission to explore the newest summer exhibition, hear from and play with community partners, and enjoy story time with DC Public Library.

DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 13, 9:00 - 11:00 am
LOCATION: National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW
RSVP

The House of Representatives will hold a hearing on legislation to make the District of Columbia a state (the hearing was rescheduled from the original date in July). Click the image above to visit www.ShowUp4DC.com and learn how to get involved.