April 26, 2024
Dear Washingtonians,
This week, we delivered on a promise and celebrated the completion of MLK Gateway—a transformational project bringing jobs, opportunities, and great experiences to historic Anacostia. The years-long path that led us here has been dotted with victories, driven by District investment and support from community partners. When I came into office nearly 10 years ago, we recognized the importance of that site at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and what is now Marion Barry Avenue. It is a gateway into Ward 8, and we wanted it to be an entryway that symbolizes the strength, resilience, and creativity of Anacostia, while also bringing jobs, opportunity, and investment to the neighborhood.
I have shared this story before: When I was on the Council with Mayor Barry, and then as I prepared for the Mayor's office, I had the pleasure of learning from and having many conversations with him. During those conversations, he challenged me and he made me promise that I would do more for Ward 8 than he was able to do. And I know that with intention and with a lot of great people working together—within the government and outside the government—we have been able to live up to those commitments.
In historic Anacostia, we have brought housing at the Maple View Flats and The Clara; tech jobs with MLK Gateway Phase 1 and real estate jobs with Phase 2; we used programs like the Food Access Fund and Nourish DC to add more restaurants; we built our new headquarters for DC Health and welcomed a new urgent care center; we broke ground on the Go-Go Museum and created the Anacostia Arts and Culture District. But, still, we challenge ourselves to keep pushing and to think about all that still needs to be done, whether it is within our schools, or more job training, or more parks and green spaces — that is what we are all called to do. I believe firmly that good economic development and good investments create great opportunities for DC residents; that is how we transform neighborhoods and that is how we can transform lives.
Sincerely,
 View photos from this week on Facebook.
 |
This week, Mayor Bowser launched a new Pop-Up Permitting (PUPs) pilot program that will make it easier for entrepreneurs to transform vacant storefronts in Downtown DC. The PUPs program, developed and administered by the Department of Buildings (DOB), will enable customers to secure a streamlined Certificate of Occupancy for temporary use of a previously vacant building without going through the traditional permitting process.
The permit pilot will support the transformation of vacant spaces for up to one year into vibrant new uses that require minimal to no construction. The process will include prequalification, review by DOB, and a DOB inspection. During the pilot, the initial review timeframe will be completed in 15 business days or less. For more information, visit dob.dc.gov/pop-up-permits.
Back to Top
 Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Boost Camps are specialty enrichment summer camps geared toward tweens. These camp experiences are designed for youth ages 11-13, and camps include Rocket Camp, Robotics Camp, Esports Camp, Journalism Camp, Drone Camp, and more.
Each day is a combination of enrichment and social-emotional learning with additional access to physical activities like swimming, dance, and group fitness. There will also be time for arts and crafts, games, puzzles, and free play.
Registration for Boost Camp is now open HERE.
Back to Top
 On Saturday, April 27, many DC Public Schools and DC public charter schools will be open for families to enroll in person. Most participating schools will be open from 9:00 a.m. until noon, and several schools have extended hours. Learn more about participating schools and the hours they will be open at myschooldc.org/enroll/enrollment-saturday.
Reminder: If you were matched to a school in the lottery for the 2024-25 school year, you have until May 1 to enroll your child at their matched school. If you do not enroll your child at their matched school by that date, they may lose their space at the school.
Back to Top
Join the Bowser Administration and community members tomorrow, on Saturday, April 27, at the 7th Annual Spring Cleanup. Happening across all eight wards, neighbors will come together to beautify their neighborhoods. Supplies will be provided at the meetup locations. Roll-off bins will be available at select locations for you and your neighbors to dispose of bulk trash.
Find more details HERE.
Ward 1: Unity Park @ 10:00 a.m.
-
1771-1795 Columbia Rd NW
-
Roll-Off Included
Ward 2: Kennedy Recreation Center @ 10:00 a.m.
Ward 3: Cleveland Park @ 9:00 a.m.
Ward 4: Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center @ 10:00 a.m.
Ward 5: Bloomingdale @ 10:00 a.m.
-
1771-1795 Columbia Rd NW
-
Roll-Off Included
Ward 6: Sherwood Recreation Center @ 10:00 a.m.
-
640 10th St NE
-
Roll-Off Included
Ward 7: Marvin Gaye Park @ 10:00 a.m.
Ward 8: Buena Vista @ 10:00 a.m.
-
2455 Alabama Ave SE
-
Roll-Off Included
Back to Top
|
