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Friend –

I hope you were able to make it to the 20th year of the H Street Festival! It was a day full of neighbors, local businesses, and beautiful weather in our great city. By mid-afternoon, H Street was packed with more than 100,000 people. Thanks to all who came and visited me and my team, and I hope you enjoyed the festival!

It's also a great time across Ward 6. I took in the amazing new production of Damn Yankees at Arena Stage in Southwest, joined neighbors and local restaurants celebrating efforts to rescue food and meals for those in need, met with leaders at the Navy Yard to deepen our ties to this historic installation and find a shared vision for its growth with a new Navy Museum, hosted a community office hours at Good Company Doughnuts in Southwest, worked with seniors on Capitol Hill to strategize ways to continue fighting to protect the District and our home, and much more.

And of course, this week, Capital Bikeshare celebrated its 15th birthday. CaBi is quietly one of DC's most successful programs, now with 800 stations, 8,000 bikes (nearly 3,000 of which are e-bikes), and 50 million trips taken, including a record 6 million in 2024 alone. If you really want to know more, Greater Greater Washington (who else) has a great write-up on the major milestones for Capital Bikeshare. It's a bit of inspiration as we head into a Week Without Driving.

Also, briefly, as it looks like the country may be on the cusp of another government shutdown, a reminder, thanks to laws previously passed, the DC government will still be fully operational even if congressional leaders and Trump fail to pass a budget to keep the federal government operating.

Miss the last newsletter about standing up against federal occupation? Read it here.

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Attorney General Wins First STEER Act Judgment Against Dangerous Driver, Files 12 New Suits

DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced that his office won its first court judgment against a dangerous driver under the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility (STEER) Act. Additionally, the office has filed 12 new lawsuits against drivers from Maryland and Virginia. To date, under my STEER Act, the OAG has sued 24 dangerous drivers with a total of 4,545 violations and $1,479,556 in unpaid fines to the District.

This week's actions highlight how a small group of drivers can be responsible for an eye-popping number of dangerous speeding violations, putting DC residents and visitors at serious risk. These are people who didn’t think they’d be held responsible and had no problem driving dangerously through DC neighborhoods thousands of times. Now, thanks to the STEER Act, they’re facing serious consequences.

The message should be loud and clear: slow down. I’m grateful to DC Attorney General Schwalb for showing leadership and taking action to combat dangerous driving with the authority the DC Council has given him. I’m proud to have authored the STEER Act because it delivers real accountability for dangerous drivers, regardless of where they live.

See more in the video I shared this week.

DC Takes Steps to Ensure COVID-19 Vaccine Available

During last week's legislative meeting, the Council passed an emergency law to ensure DC residents ages 3 and older could access the COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription. This change was necessary because of Donald Trump and RFK Jr.'s off-the-rails, reckless, unscientific skepticism about vaccines. The Mayor signed the emergency bill into law earlier this week, and we've confirmed that the DC Department of Health has issued the needed guidance to pharmacies in the city to begin again. It might take a couple of days for your pharmacy to be fully stocked, so please check with your healthcare providers. More from the Post.

Many of you know my background is in public health. It's how I started my career, and it grounds a lot of what I do. I'll be blunt – the nonsense coming from the White House about vaccines, maternal health, and basic common sense is putting lives at risk. Don't forget, this so-called medical advice is coming from a guy who suggested people inject bleach to fight COVID. I will work hard to arm you with science and facts, to ensure the District has smart and proven health guidance, and to protect your access to make the best healthcare decisions for you and your family. As always, please consult your healthcare provider with questions, and know I'm here to help get you answers and results for the care you deserve.

The Latest on Federal Interventions and Last Week's Congressional Hearing

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with Seniors Defending Democracy, a group of neighbors associated with Capitol Hill Village eager to stay engaged and push back against federal overreach into District autonomy. We had a packed room as we discussed the current state of affairs, which includes more than a dozen bills currently being considered by Congress to amend DC laws, and with National Guard units from across the country still patrolling our streets. It can be extremely frustrating and demoralizing for DC residents who want to push back. Our second-class status means we're simply more vulnerable to federal interference. But we're not powerless, as we discussed. Organizing works. Taking the time to walk the halls and talk with staff in key Senate offices will help us stop some of these bad ideas. I can attest, as an elected official, that people who stand in front of you have a significant impact. You don't have to be a senior to defend democracy, though that was a room full of fired-up folks. Link up with Free DC for future opportunities to get involved, and I will share future opportunities here and on my social media, as well.

Last week, one of Congress's most powerful committees decided the best use of their time and power was to spend the day questioning Mayor Bowser, Chairman Mendelson, and DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb on District affairs (pictured above). I joined many of my colleagues throughout the hearing and think all three did a great job defending the District against some wildly inaccurate characterizations and (willful or not) clear misunderstandings about our laws and how the District operates. To the extent this level of scrutiny is in the genuine interest of improving public safety, the federal government already has substantial responsibilities where extra action or funding would make a difference, including:

Nominating and approving qualified judges to fill vacancies on our courts;
Re-hiring many of the experienced prosecutors fired for their work on January 6 prosecutions;
Ramping up federal investigations into illegal gun trafficking (the vast majority of guns used in a crime here in DC are from states with much looser gun laws); and
This one might seem obvious, but don't freeze $1.1 billion of our local tax dollars in future shutdown negotiations.

Redeveloping the RFK Stadium Campus: A Better Deal for DC

Last week, the Council gave final approval to a deal that will redevelop the RFK stadium campus, which has mainly sat empty and unused for a generation. The deal that first came to us those many months ago cost too much and got too little in return. At the Council, I led and fought for a better deal for DC residents and taxpayers. The final vote was 11-2, and I used my vote to fight for major changes. I shared an update after the first vote (here's a link if you'd like check it out), but I do want to highlight what we fought for and changed, because rather than a sea of asphalt, we'll now have 6,000 new homes and new businesses to support residents and visitors, world-class sports facilities, and improved access to the Anacostia River for everyone – all served by Metro.

Each of these wins wasn't in the original deal, but they are now:

Ensuring the stadium will be built and operated to the newest and strongest green building LEED standards to date, making it a leader in sustainability and a new model to follow nationwide;
Securing funding to expand Metro operations to the campus, and ensuring the newly-created Transportation Improvement Fund must go to investments in public transit and transportation like Metro, bus, bike, and pedestrian accessibility;
Protecting our oldest and largest "heritage" trees on the site to maintain the canopy and ensure the new campus has shade and green space, as well as securing a commitment from the team to aim for zero waste in stadium operations;
Doubling the penalties the team will face if they don't deliver on the new housing and development around the stadium to ensure they bring the same energy to new homes, parks, and businesses as they do to the stadium;
Eliminating a parking garage and 2,000 parking spots from the initial plans and locking in a joint evaluation between DDOT and the Commanders, no earlier than 2032, for deciding if another is needed;
Delivering on quality, high-paying jobs by requiring the team to enter into project labor agreements and labor peace agreements for the thousands of construction and service jobs to be created;
Protecting The Fields to ensure these crucial community parks and sports spaces remain open and accessible, including throughout construction and on stadium event days;
Requiring the team and city to begin the planning for a new fire station now, to be located on the RFK campus, to serve the tens of thousands of residents, retail, businesses, and the stadium itself;
Making sure Ward 6 is a priority for CBE businesses in contracting, having Ward 6 represented in the decision-making for the $50 million Community Benefit Fund, and protecting nearby neighborhoods from traffic and parking, including residential parking enforcement on event days that happen on Sundays (you know, when NFL football games happen); and
Returning $800 million more to residents over the next 30 years than the original agreement.

I’ve long been clear that an NFL stadium alone isn’t a good investment for the city. But building 6,000 new homes, creating good-paying jobs for DC residents, protecting the Anacostia River and Kingman Island, and expanding the number of youth sports fields and facilities is a good investment. And the changes to preserve transit and meet our environmental goals improve the deal a hundred-fold.

Fans can rightly celebrate the Commanders’ return to the District as a major moment in our city’s proud history. But football fan or not, every resident should be eager to see these 180 acres become DC’s next neighborhood and a point of pride. I’m thankful to the many residents who reached out and shared their diverse views over the past nine months. I also want to thank the Commanders for our many negotiations over the details that helped deliver a better deal for Ward 6, for DC, and one that better serves all District residents.

Public Safety Updates

I heard from many neighbors concerned after a scary incident involving DC Firefighter Gary “Zeek” Dziekan, who was walking home when he was the victim of an attempted armed robbery, culminating in a struggle with the gun that wounded both Zeek and his assailant. Most troubling, when Zeek called 911, no one answered while the phone rang for 3 minutes before Zeek hung up and called his local fire station directly, which responded immediately. A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged as an adult for this aggravated assault. I've known Zeek for a number of years, was in touch with him shortly after this happened, and am glad to say he and his family are safe, healing, and appreciative of all the support from neighbors. I've also asked the agency that runs our 9-1-1 system for more information about why the call was answered. I will continue to follow up on this, and it drives home my criticism of the 911 Call Center's ability to respond when people need it the most. More from The Washington Post.
There was an afternoon shooting in Southwest on Monday, Sept. 15, that took place not too far from the Greenleaf Recreation Center. While no one was struck, it was scary and unacceptable in our community. MPD was able to share images of the suspects quickly, and MPD located and arrested a 20-year-old DC resident, charging him with Endangerment with a Firearm, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, and Destruction of Property.
MPD announced an arrest of a 17-year-old for a carjacking and a vehicle theft from this summer in Mt. Vernon Triangle, one forcible and the other when a delivery driver left their car running while making a drop-off.
I joined neighbors, local business owners, and MPD for a regular safety walk along H Street NE this week.
DC is continuing its trend of significant reductions in violent crime going back the last couple of years, and we're 28% down year-to-date citywide and 29% in Ward 6. But we all know that the work isn't done and must continue. You can follow the data and check it by Ward, location, and for any comparative time period here.
This Post article about lawmakers wanting to investigate US Park Police car chases demonstrates why it has long been MPD policy (and later enshrined in DC law) to carefully limit when MPD engages in a high-speed pursuit. Of course, we don't have control over the US Park Police's operations, but the opening of this story is a good example of how trying to strike a balance is so important. In 10 recent high-speed chases initiated by Park Police, six have ended in crashes.
More in the Post: Lawsuit filed against ICE for arresting immigrants in DC who had legal status.

Next Week, the Council Holds a First Hearing on the Bottle Bill. Here’s What You Need to Know

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Council will hold a first hearing on one of the bigger bills before us this fall – Councilmember Nadeau's Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Act - more commonly called the "bottle bill."

The bottle bill aims to introduce a familiar concept to the District: you can take an empty container to a designated collection point and receive a small payment for your effort. I was proud to co-introduce this bill when it was introduced this spring. It was referred first to the Committee on Business and Economic Development, and then it will be considered by the Committee on Transportation and the Environment (my Committee). The hearing on Wednesday is with the Committee on Business and Economic Development.

The benefits of the bottle bill are clear: it can reduce the amount of plastic pollution that enters our rivers, parks, and neighborhoods. By offering a small payment for each container collected, you create an incentive to remove the large amount of litter and trash in the city, made up of single-use bottles, and also vastly improve our woeful rates of recycling. Right now, just 25% of the 617 million containers sold annually in DC are correctly recycled. It's also a helpful way for a resident to earn a little extra cash back and beautify our community.

I've been talking with several businesses as well, and there are challenges to work through in the proposal with implementation and ensuring this doesn't become a burden on our favorite local shops or stores. But that's exactly why we hold hearings where we can debate how best to reach goals we all agree on.

Bottle bills and redemption systems are used nationwide in 10 states and were originally popular during the early environmental movement. They're now making a comeback, and lawmakers around the country have proposed new or expanded legislation in 14 states this year alone.

After the legislation moves to my committee later this fall, I'll hold an additional hearing to address changes that may be necessary to deliver for District residents, businesses, and our environment.

Rumsey Pool Repairs Slated for November

For anyone who gets their workout at Rumsey's pool, you know the temperature of the water has been chilly for months. That's because the ancient boiler that heats the pool is broken and can't be repaired. It's so old, it's simply not manufactured any longer, and parts can't be found – a symptom of the larger problems of the aging Rumsey building and why I've placed such an emphasis on modernizing this facility.

In the short term, I've been working with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the Department of General Services (DGS) on a fix. DPR and DGS are replacing the boiler to get the facility back to operating properly, with the work expected to start with the new fiscal year in October and finish in November. The pool is planned to stay open through the replacement. And don't worry, the new boiler won't go to waste through the modernization! If you have questions about this work, you can contact DPR directly.

But for those who have tracked the Rumsey modernization closely, it's also clear that they've fallen well off schedule. Earlier plans they shared targeted demolition and construction to begin by the new calendar year. That's no longer accurate, and while they haven't shared a new timeline, I think it's likely they won't start any work before next summer.

What's Happening at Pennsylvania & Potomac

If you go through the Pennsylvania and Potomac Ave. intersection, you know the work is starting to produce an area that's looking different. While construction continues through December 2026, we're starting to see some of what the future holds for this major travel area. At the beginning of September, DDOT started new parking restrictions on the north side of Pennsylvania, east of Potomac (think in front of Trusty's). If you cross 15th on the north end, you've seen barriers guiding you to the temporary crosswalk, complete with new ramps. Traffic controls and signage will continue to evolve as work progresses, so please keep an eye out as you navigate by foot, wheels, bike, or car.

My office has worked closely with DDOT and neighbors already to improve signage and address some safety issues presented by temporary accommodations during construction. If you see others needing a fix, reach out to me, please.

Stamped Concrete Comes to DC Sidewalks

There's no shortage of strong feelings about sidewalks in Ward 6. Asking someone their thoughts on whether they prefer brick or concrete can elicit a hearty debate! But what we all want is a safe sidewalk where neighbors can walk and kids can play. And while brick looks best to me, those bricks are susceptible to tree roots and shifting that create dangerous tripping hazards. Capitol Hill Village and several great neighbors have been advocating for solutions, and I've pushed DDOT to be innovative in trying some new ideas. So, here we go...

DDOT will soon be putting in a handful of stamped concrete sidewalks to mirror the look and feel of brick. This should accomplish a few things, including longer-lasting and safer sidewalks that mirror the existing aesthetic of bricks already in place. With this new approach, there's no individual brick that can pop out, making it safer and reducing maintenance costs. It's more affordable for the District taxpayer and generally as durable as any other pavement material. They're going to test out this idea on four blocks starting in Ward 6, probably by the end of the year, and then monitoring and evaluating how they hold up, at the following locations:

5th Street NE (between K St. and I St.)
10th Street NE (between H St. & I St.)
10th Street NE (between G St. & H St.)
11th Street NE (between Maryland Ave. & E St.)

New Portal for Out-of-School-Time Programs

The District has a new tool for parents to register children for after-school and weekend programming this year: My Out of School Time DC (MOST-DC). Whether your family is in DCPS or public charter schools, you can easily explore, review, and register for activities to support student learning, safety, growth, and joy. Search the portal by location, cost, ward, school, and grade level.

Landlords and Housing Providers: Complete the Rent Registry by November

DC's rent registry is live! The goal is to provide transparency and insight into our local rental housing market, and it will largely replace paper filings. By Nov. 29, all housing providers must re-register their rental properties. DHCD will not accept paper filings except eviction notices and housing provider petitions. All stakeholders, including housing providers, tenants, property managers, and agents, must use the RentRegistry database. For more context, Urban Turf has a quick write-up.

Washington Gas Held Responsible for Polluting Anacostia River

Good news for the continued improvement of the Anacostia River, as DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb, working with the DC Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE), secured a settlement with Washington Gas to contain hazardous pollution actively seeping into the Anacostia River at the former site of the company’s East Station, a gas plant that operated on the banks of the river for nearly 100 years. From the Attorney General's press release:

"This is thanks to an investigation by DOEE and the Office of the Attorney General, which uncovered evidence that toxic chemicals – byproducts of gas manufacturing at the shuttered plant – are currently bubbling up from the contaminated riverbed and seeping into the water from polluted soil on the riverbank. OAG alleges that Washington Gas has failed to take adequate steps to prevent the ongoing release of pollutants. Under the terms of a new settlement agreement, the company must install a new floating boom to contain pollution on the water's surface, install new barriers to prevent the release of pollutants from the riverbed and riverbank, submit to ongoing monitoring by the District, and face fines for any noncompliance."

As part of the settlement, Washington Gas must do the following at the site:

Install a new floating boom to contain pollution on the surface of the water.
Install filters on the riverbed to prevent pollution from bubbling into the water.
Install a new barrier in the soil at the shoreline to prevent pollution from leaching into the river.
Submit to ongoing monitoring by the District.
Pay penalties for any noncompliance.

Howard Theatre Moves Forward with Green Upgrades Thanks to the DC Green Bank

Last week, we cut the ribbon on brand-new solar energy and HVAC upgrades that will save the historic Howard Theatre nearly $2 million and cut heating and cooling energy by 40%. This is all thanks to a $775,000 loan from the DC Green Bank, more than $35,000 in rebates from the DC SEU, and ongoing support from DOEE.

I've consistently fought against cuts to the DC Green Bank because it punches above its weight to deliver lower energy bills and spur economic investment. Across all Wards, the DC Green Bank has created 3,000 jobs, made the city more affordable for residents and businesses, and reduced emissions by more than 12,000 metric tons, just in FY24! In a year when the average resident is paying $28 more than last year for electricity, it’s essential for District businesses and residents to be able to tap into these resources to reduce their utility bills and lower the cost to call DC home. This upgrade to the Howard Theatre is part of what it takes to make the District a cleaner, greener, and more affordable place to live.

Metro Wins Transit Agency of the Year Award

WMATA has earned the transit industry's most prestigious award, the Outstanding Public Transit Agency of the Year, from the American Public Transportation Association! We can take pride in our own transit system as the standout in the country, especially at a time when other states are sabotaging their systems, and the federal government is walking away from transit rather than embracing its many benefits. Great work to the entire WMATA team and General Manager Randy Clarke. You can rest assured that I'll use every tool available as a DC Councilmember and Chair of the DMV Moves Task Force to keep WMATA on sound footing and grow, not shrink, transit in DC.

ICYMI: I shared a thread earlier this week of a behind-the-scenes tour I joined of our regional transit system.

Related: Following the final home game of this season, WMATA will close the entrance to Navy Yard Metro Station closest to Nationals Ballpark during the offseason to replace all of the escalators before opening day next spring – talk about a squeeze play at home!

Many DC Households Are Going Hungry

Last week, I joined Food Rescue US - DC, celebrating the organization’s tireless efforts to prevent food waste. Its army of volunteers moves food from restaurants to neighbors who don’t have enough food to eat – a system that makes sense. According to the Capital Area Food Bank, 36% of our neighbors here in the District are food insecure, which means every little bit helps and is very much needed. In these challenging times, this is exactly the kind of community building we need to maintain strong bonds with one another. Big thanks to a few of our Ward 6 restaurants that are heavily involved in this work, such as Ama, The Queen Vic, The Duck and the Peach, Compliments Only, I Egg You, Rasa, and more!

I Spy a Fun Ward 6 Night at the Museum

The International Spy Museum is lifting its veil of secrecy exclusively for Ward 006 neighbors on Friday, October 3 from 5-8:30pm! The museum has given our office limited, free tickets for you to explore the exhibits, meet former spies, and test your spy skills through tradecraft demonstrations. Advance registration is required, so get your tickets today.

Upcoming Events

Volunteer Day: Today, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to noon, at Stanton Park
Revive Stanton Park and the National Park Service host this day for neighbors to pull weeds and pick up trash in the park. NPS will provide gloves, tools, and supplies.
Kingman Island Friends + Family Day: Today, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kingman and Heritage Islands (575 Oklahoma Ave. NE)
Join DOEE and partners for this fifth-annual family-friendly event celebrating all the islands have to offer as a unique space in the District. Expect paddling, music, and nature-themed arts and crafts.
DC Family Bike Fest: Sunday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting at Alethia Tanner Park (227 Harry Thomas Way NE)
All kids on bikes, families on bikes, and bike-curious folks are welcome for neighborhood bike rides, a Kids Bike Parade, free tune-ups, storytime, raffle prizes, a learn-to-ride class, demos, test rides, food trucks, and more.
Hill Center Family Day: Sunday, Sept. 28, 2 to 6 p.m. at the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
Hill Center's Family Day is back with a free day of magic, music, face painting, balloon animals, and more.
Community Water Summit: Monday, Sept. 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St. NW)
The Office of the People's Counsel hosts this event, where DC utility consumers can learn about water usage, conservation, and related programs.
"Building a Disaster Resilient and Prepared City Together": Monday, Sept. 29, 7 to 9 p.m. at Arena Stage (1101 6th St. SW)
The Southwest Neighborhood Assembly and DC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster host a combination of speakers from United Way, DOEE, and DC HSEMA, along with representatives from 25 disaster preparedness and response organizations, DC government agencies, and environmental nonprofits.
Oktoberfest at the Wharf: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2 to 7 p.m. at the Wharf (35 Sutton Square SW)
The 13th-annual Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash kicks off this afternoon, followed by a DJ and Polka on the Pier
Fall Family Fest: Sunday, Oct. 12, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the lot at 4th and M Streets SW
The Southwest DC Community Center hosts this annual event, complete with the fourth-annual Mutt Strut, live music, a community mural project, food and market vendors, and more.

It's Time to Cheer on the Caps!

And just like that, it'll soon be hockey season. Get in on the fun by replying to this email for a chance to see the Washington Capitals take on the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, Oct. 8. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

See you around the neighborhood,

Charles Allen

Councilmember Charles Allen · 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20004, United States
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