Neighbors,

The work of the Council and District government can seem disconnected from our everyday lives. This Tuesday, October 1 marked a new fiscal year for the District and brought about a number of changes to help the elderly and parents of small children, combat violence, invest in infrastructure, and expand learning opportunities for school-aged children. 

In order to help ease the financial burden on parents of small children and the elderly, DC is no longer applying sales tax to diapers. This fiscal year also brings about an expansion of the NEAR Act's Cure Violence model, including a new team of violence interrupters along the North Capitol Street corridor. Students at Ward 5's McKinley Technology High School are now able to pursue study within the new biotechnology academy, a growing sector of the District's economy. 

This fiscal year will also bring about more investments in Ward 5's physical infrastructure with a renovated Arboretum Recreation Center, an overhaul of Fort Lincoln Park and Theodore Hagans Cultural Center, and continued planning and rebuilding of the Lamond-Riggs Library. 

In service,

Kenyan

After championing a new facility for Banneker High School this spring, Councilmember McDuffie joined officials to officially break ground on the new building, to be located at 925 Rhode Island Avenue NW.

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.

Great Streets is one of the ways DC government supports small businesses and retail corridors. Since joining the DC Council, Councilmember McDuffie has consistently expanded the boundaries of the Great Streets within Ward 5, which now include part, if not all, of Bloomingdale, Truxton Circle, North Capitol Street, Union Market, Trinidad, Dakota Crossing, Rhode Island Avenue NE, New York Avenue NE, Gateway, Fort Lincoln, Arboretum, Ivy City, Brookland, Edgewood, Bladensburg Road NE, Eckington, and Brentwood. 

This grant is open to retail stores, restaurants, arts-based organizations, and personal service businesses that are located in a Great Street area. Funds can be used for building improvements, equipment purchases, inventory management supplies, and marketing. Click here to view the Request for Applications and to start your own application. The Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) runs the program and will be hosting in-person and virtual information sessions through mid-October.