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Happy Spectacular Weather Season to all who celebrate. And it's just in time for the H Street Festival, which is coming up next Saturday, September 21! I'll be out with my team along with tens of thousands of neighbors and visitors checking out some of the live music, food, and vendors. Be sure you support some of our great H Street businesses during or after the festival (the out-of-town food trucks are great, but let's also show our neighbors some love). Veterans of H Street know to avoid driving near the corridor on Saturday, where a combination of street closures and lots of traffic can cause delays. Keep an eye on the office Twitter or Instagram account for updates on road closures as they're announced.

There's plenty of news to share, so let's dive in.

Quick Links: Public Safety | Circulator | Reckless Driving | DOEE Field Trip | SREC Market | DC's Probate System | Council Meetings | Constituent Services | Barracks Row Walk | DC History Center | Library Updates | Spray Parks | Cobb Park | Top Restaurants | Opportunity for Middle-Schoolers | Invasive Bug Alert | Free Events

Public Safety Update

Remembering MPD Officer Wayne David

This week, I attended a service with Mayor Bowser, MPD Chief Smith, and hundreds of colleagues, friends, and family members to mourn and remember MPD Officer Wayne David, who tragically died in the line of duty on August 28 while retrieving an illegal firearm after a pursuit. It was a moving service, and it was clear how deep an impression he made at MPD. My thoughts are with his colleagues and family. An arrest has been made in the case. 

DC and Maryland Attorneys General Bring Suit against Maryland Gun Shop: I want to commend DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb for joining with Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown to sue three firearms dealers for repeatedly selling guns to a straw buyer who then sold those guns to others illegally. At least nine of the guns were recovered later at crime scenes or otherwise through police work. This is exactly what we need to see more of to slow the flow of illegal guns from source states into the District, and I hope the suit sends a message to other gun dealers that they need to tighten up. Read more in The Washington Post.

Enforcement against Illegal Pot Shops Underway, with More Coming: The Alcohol, Beverage, and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) took its first serious enforcement actions against an illegal pot shop last week, with more cease and desist orders warning of additional closures, including along H Street NE and Pennsylvania Avenue SE. As I've shared before, this is an important step forward in creating a safer, healthier marketplace both for people who use cannabis and for neighbors. And, the only reason we have this confusing system is because 10 years ago, Maryland Congressmember Andy Harris put a budget rider in place blocking the District from using our own tax dollars to establish a well-regulated recreational marketplace (just like the one Maryland now has...). If Congress took its hands off DC, we'd be in a much better, safer, and healthier place. In terms of next steps, we'll see ABCA continue to move forward with actions against illegal shops, and I've been pushing them hard to do so in Ward 6. The Council will also move forward a permanent version of my cannabis enforcement emergency legislation this fall. 

Council Judiciary Committee to Hold Monthly Hearings on 911 Call Center: My colleague Councilmember Brooke Pinto announced this week she would be holding monthly hearings on the multitude of issues at the Office of Unified Communications. I'll certainly plan to attend many of these hearings, highlight many experiences my Ward 6 neighbors have shared, and drive agency change and reform. 

Ward 6 Public Safety Updates

• Arrest Made in Assault at 600 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
• Arrest Made in Burglary 2 at 400 K St. NW

What's Next for Circulator Riders & Drivers

A last-minute transition plan is in place for the end of the DC Circulator. It’s better late than never, but it still leaves riders without a bus and drivers without a job. Based on what’s been shared, I’m frustrated that DDOT seems to have put more effort into improved headways for riders between Rosslyn and Georgetown than for riders living near Anacostia, Southwest, or Eastern Market. In the long term, we’ll need to see WMATA’s Better Bus project pick up most of the lost service. But in the short term – despite having more than a year to plan for a successful transition, and my calling for a thorough plan – it feels like we’re looking at a thrown-together attempt in the last couple of months that will leave students, residents, and workers without the transit they need. I think the plan falls short of what DC riders and bus drivers deserve, and I'll be holding oversight hearings this fall to keep pushing for better.

Reckless Drivers Must Be Held Accountable

On Monday, a child was walking home from school in a crosswalk at 6th and D Streets NE, and was struck when a reckless driver swerved around a stopped car at a stoplight. The student was left with broken toes and tire marks on her leg. Despite having more than 80 speeding tickets (including 30 since June) with $18,000 owed in fines, the Maryland driver was simply issued a ticket for a moving violation. This person should not be allowed to drive. When my STEER Act takes effect on October 1, we’ll have more tools to get drivers like this off our roads, but we have to do more. We know when people pay their speeding tickets, they often change behavior. The key is continuing to ensure people who put others at risk while driving face consequences (plus changing road infrastructure to make speeding difficult in the first place). I’ve spoken with the child’s family, school leaders, witnesses, and MPD, and I'm working with my team on legislative and oversight next steps.  

Field Trip: How DC's Making Moves Today for Tomorrow's Environment

My team and I joined the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to learn different ways it's taking care of the District’s streets and our environment. Our first stop was a DPW facility in Ivy City, where we saw an efficient bike lane cleaner up close, which helps get rid of silt, glass, rubble, and everything else that so easily collects on the sides of streets. And, did you know DPW has a “Green Stuff” absorbent its team uses for spills? The forest-green, soft powder helps control spills and leaks of toxic, dangerous liquids, absorbing them to prevent toxins from leeching into materials or into our water systems.

We also visited the University of the District of Columbia’s Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education, where a research farm is testing techniques in urban, sustainable agriculture. Hydroponic systems are growing a wide variety of vegetables in nutrient-enriched water, rather than soil, generating exceptionally high yields. It’s encouraging to see how we can grow local food for the community in a smaller, urban environment – an important method for today and the future.

Why Stabilizing the SREC Market Matters

During the budget fight this year, I led the Council in stabilizing the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC) market and restoring deep cuts to the DC Green Bank after the Mayor withdrew the DC government from our clean energy obligations and moved money from green projects to pay the DC gov's utility bills instead. At the time, I said a strong solar credit market was instrumental to ensuring that many homes and organizations, including our faith institutions, could use solar to lower their bills and clean up our air.

Well, here's a great example of why I fought so hard to reverse those cuts: This week, the DC Green Bank and City First Enterprises closed on a deal for a rooftop solar system installation at First National Baptist Church. The Ward 7 church will have a 32kw solar power system installed on its roof, saving an estimated $10,000 on its utility bills annually. The system will also generate almost 43,000 kWh annually, cutting carbon emissions equivalent to 76,000 miles driven by car! This loan is part of an ongoing partnership between DC Green Bank and City First Enterprises to finance clean energy projects by small businesses. 

Fixing DC’s Probate System

Washington City Paper has a powerful story that lays out the pain our antiquated, piecemeal probate process has on DC residents. For people navigating loss, having to jump through hoops for records shouldn’t be acceptable. Our system is uniquely confusing because DC isn’t a state, so the process is split between federal courts and local agencies. That’s why I introduced a bill last year to streamline the process in the future by creating an online will registry and reforming the complicated administration process. We'll likely see the bill come out of the Judiciary Committee this fall. It'll make a big difference to laypeople navigating probate.

How to Watch Next Week’s Council Meetings

The DC Council will have three meetings on Tuesday, September 17, our first day back into session. If you've previously registered to watch meetings over Zoom, please note there are new links going forward.

• Breakfast Meeting: Scheduled for 9 a.m.
  • Zoom
• Committee of the Whole & Legislative Meetings: Scheduled for 11 a.m.
  • Online
  • Zoom
  • DCC Network, channel 13 or 18
  • Facebook or YouTube
  • In-person at the John A. Wilson Building, Room 500

Of particular note, I would like to point out that on Monday, September 16, the Transportation and the Environment Committee will hold a vote on the nomination of Sharon Kershbaum as the director of DDOT. You can watch the meeting online when it begins at 10:15 a.m. Monday.

Serving Our Community Together

I'm always happy to highlight some of the great work our Constituent Services team does to help solve issues for Ward 6 neighbors. The work Jen, Kim, and Jeanne achieve with hundreds of Ward 6 residents rarely grabs the headlines, but they do solve the problems. 

A few recent examples of what we call constituent services wins: 

• An alley with perpetual dumping was cleared by DPW;
• Dimmed and brightened the new LED streetlights to match requests by different neighborhoods;
• Reversed an incorrect Vacant Property designation for a Ward 6 business;
• Restored SNAP benefits to a neighbor where they had been incorrectly revoked;
• And, most excitingly, Southwest resident Barry Hawkins found a new home after a years-long ordeal with DC Housing Authority where he was nearly kicked out, and I had to take his story to WUSA 9 just to raise the profile.

If there's an issue our team can help you with when it comes to DC government services, don't hesitate to reach out to the team.

Barracks Row Walk 

Last week, I walked the 8th Street SE corridor with Barracks Row Main Street to discuss specific concerns with public safety, street usage, and the future of Barracks Row, including the implementation of the new 8th Street Bus Priority Project. The project is now at the stage of planning out curbspace use. In fact, you can view the proposed usage block-by-block, and provide feedback directly to the team. Check out the project details, and share your curb space feedback with DDOT by September 30 by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

The DC History Center's Definitely Worth a Visit

My team recently toured the DC History Center, which is housed in the historic Carnegie Library downtown (also now the Apple Store). Above the store is this nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the rich history of the District's neighborhoods, including a great exhibit on Southwest. Visitors can explore the exhibits, dive into the library of local history, and discover more at events. It’s a great, free resource for residents in our city. 

A Few Library Updates

The Arthur Capper TechExpress library location now allows users to check out their holds with a new self-check-out machine! You can find it in the hallway outside of TechExpress anytime during the hours of the Arthur Capper Recreation Center. All you need to check out your items is your DC Public Library Card. (By the way: September's National Library Card Sign-Up Month!)

Construction is well underway at the historic Southeast Library. You can see regular updates, including behind-the-scenes photos, on the library's modernization page.

Stay Splashing

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) are keeping spray parks open for an extended period, through Sunday, September 22. Originally, they were scheduled to close for the season on Labor Day. The following Ward 6 spray parks will remain open daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

• Eastern Market Metro Park (701 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
  
  
• King Greenleaf Recreation Center (201 N St. SW)
  
  
• Potomac Ave Triangle Park (1216 Potomac Ave. SE)
  
  
• Watkins Recreation Center (420 12th St. SE)

Learn About the Future of Cobb Park

DPR will have a community meeting on Thursday, September 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., to discuss the department's renovation plans for Cobb Park in Mount Vernon Triangle (200 H St. NW). The project team will provide an update on the project, present playground design options, review the final site layout, and outline an anticipated schedule for construction. RSVP for the virtual meeting.

I funded this park several budgets back, and design was finished in 2022. It's beyond time we get moving on getting closer to having this badly needed green space available to neighbors. I hope you'll be part of the conversation.

Bon Appétit, Ward 6

Michelin has added just three restaurants in its 2024 DC guide, and two of them are in Ward 6! Both Cucina Morini (Mount Vernon Triangle) and Pascual (H Street NE/Capitol Hill) could earn stars, Bib Gourmand awards, or remain as honorable mentions in the guide. "Regardless, it's a big deal to be included," according to Axios.

Have a Middle-Schooler Interested in the Environment?

The Anacostia Watershed Society’s Saturday Environmental Academy offers a free outdoor environmental education opportunity each fall and spring for students in 6th through 8th grades who live in and near the Anacostia River watershed. Through this unique, fun, educational experience, students learn about their rivers and local environment, while developing skills in team building, critical thinking, and scientific investigation. The fall program is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from September 28 through November 2. Students from Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 are strongly encouraged to apply.

Keep an Eye Out for These

DC’s Urban Forestry Division needs help knowing if residents see the invasive Spotted Lanternfly. The inch-long, plant-hopping insect feeds on plant and tree sap, reducing resources for the host; a final result of its presence can result in a sooty mold covering the plant or tree, reducing its ability to grow and possibly resulting in dieback. You can learn more about what they look like and tell the division you saw one here.

Upcoming Events to Add to Your Calendar

• DC Public Schools will host its Back to School Block Party to welcome students, families, teachers, school administrators, and community members to a successful start of the new school year. The free event – with food and fun activities like games, face painting, and student performances – will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 14, at Jefferson Middle School Academy (801 7th St., SW).
  
  
• As I mentioned above, the H Street Festival returns on Saturday, September 21, from noon to 7 p.m. This free event is 12 blocks long with 15 staging areas diversely themed and programmed for a range of audiences. Starting more than 19 years ago, this annual event uses the arts as a principal motivator, with a depth and range of arts presentations incomparable to other festivals. My personal favorite is to grab coffee and a bite to eat earlier in the morning as everything is still getting going.
  
  
• A Workforce Development and Career Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, at 609 H St., NE. If you're looking for a job or the next step in your career, consider checking it out.
  
  
• The Office of the People’s Counsel will hold a virtual city-wide Clean Energy Forum focused on programs and funding from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25. DC residents and people in small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community organizations are welcome to register.
  
  
• A Block Party heads to Southwest from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, at Lansburgh Park (1098 Delaware Ave. SW). Expect a DJ, food, roller skating, a video game truck, a community mural, lawn games, and more.
  
  
• Open Streets comes to 7th Street NW on Saturday, October 5, closing the corridor from Rhode Island Avenue NW to E Street NW, to allow people to safely walk, run, bike, and play without traffic. These events are always fun for all ages. DDOT's also holding a bike giveaway: DC residents can register for the raffle.

But Wait... There's More!

You made it to the end of the Ward 6 Update! Thanks for sticking around. Now, who's up for some baseball? Just reply to this email for a chance to score tickets to the September 26 Nats game. The Nats take on the Kansas City Royals at 1:05 p.m. that Thursday. Get out for a day game and enjoy the afternoon.

See you around the neighborhood,

Charles Allen