Greetings Ward 8 Residents,

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the following modifications to Phase Two which go into effect on Saturday, May 1. 

Non-Essential Retail

• The indoor capacity limit for non-essential retail businesses is raised from 25% to 50% or 250 people,whichever is lower.

Bars & Restaurants

• The number of people who can sit together at a table is increased from 6 people to 10 people
• Live music will be allowed outdoors for summer gardens, courtyard dining and sidewalk cafes controlled by the restaurants.
• If customers are sitting outside, alcohol sales can be made without a requirement to purchase food.

Entertainment

• Multi-purpose facilities, concert venues, and theaters may open at 25% capacity (up to 500 people) and attendees must remain seated
• Movie theaters can operate at up to 25% capacity (per auditorium)

• Weddings and special events allowed indoors and outdoors at 25% capacity (with a waiver for attendance greater than 250), and attendees must remain seated and socially distanced
• Regional business meetings and seated conventions allowed indoors at 25% capacity (with a waiver for attendance greater than 250), and attendees must remain seated and socially distanced

• Indoor fitness classes can include up to 25 people
• Gyms and fitness centers can operate at 50% capacity (no more than 250 guests)
• Public and private pools may open with health and safety plans in place; hotel pools may only open to overnight guests
• Outdoor splash pads will be able to open at full capacity

• Places of worship may admit up to 40% of their capacity for the room(s) or area where worship services will be held. This total limit includes worshippers, not including clergy and staff. Health and safety protocols, such as mandatory masking and social distancing, must remain in place.

Regards,


Trayon White, Sr.

DCRA is listening and your voice matters to us.

It’s important to hear directly from the people we serve.

DCRA Director Ernest Chrappah invites customers to register and drop in to a virtual get-together to talk with him. Join other customers, talk about concerns with your building project or your business, and let us know how we can better serve you. We're here to help!  

• Facilitated through Webex, customers can easily get the Director’s ear and spend a few minutes sharing their questions or concerns.
• Access information will be sent to registered participants the day prior to the event.
• Director Chrappah will call on as many participants as possible during the time allotted.

Thursday, April 29
4:00 – 5:00 PM 

Join the conversation!

Register

There is some good news: D.C. is starting an amnesty program for drivers with outstanding tickets. The program will run from June 1 to Sept. 30. It includes tickets issued before Sept. 30.

“I also want to acknowledge Council member Trayon White, who has been very vocal and working with us to get this program launched as well,” Bowser said.

Drivers eligible for the amnesty program are still obligated to pay their original ticket amount.

But, “penalties will be waived, so for some, this will be a huge benefit and an opportunity to move towards having their registration and credentialing correct,” Bowser said.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Press Release: Bowser Administration Selects Development Team for Malcolm X EquityRFP Targeted for Teacher Housing

News Release — Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 20, 2021

(Washington, DC) – Today, the Bowser Administration, led by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), selected Congress Park Community Partners’ (CPCP) proposal for the development of the DMPED site at the previous Malcolm X Elementary School to build a mixed-use, residential and commercial project in Ward 8 adjacent to the Congress Heights Metro Station and the new Bard High School Early College. The EquityRFP encouraged proposals to include housing targeted toward educators, consistent with the Teacher Housing Initiative Mayor’s Order 2021-005 issued in January 2021.

“This award highlights Mayor Bowser’s commitment to infusing equity into every development opportunity within our city,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio. “With this project, we have the possibility to expand housing opportunities for our educators and make it easier for them to live near the communities they serve. We have also selected a team with three organizations based in Ward 8 and look forward to working with them to meet our goal of delivering what each neighborhood and community needs.”

“This is a community in great need of opportunities and resources. We look for community partners who are inclusive and provide jobs and contracts to Ward 8 businesses and residents. I am excited to hear of the possibilities,” stated Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White.

The proposal from CPCP envisions a mixed-use, residential and commercial project that consists of 117 (100%) Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs), that will serve households earning within the 30% AMI, 50% AMI and 60% AMI ranges. There are also 42 parking spaces on the site. The commercial program includes 9,500 gross square feet and CPCP has identified Cedar Tree Academy early learning center and Greenbar, a fresh salad fast-casual concept, as potential tenants. This award grants the CPCP team with exclusive rights to negotiate with the District for their proposal to redevelop the site.

The CPCP team is led by three Ward 8-based organizations, including two District Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) – Banneker Communities and District Development Group; and one Community Development Corporation (CDC) – Congress Heights Community Training and Development Corporation (CHCTDC).  CHCTDC has provided economic development services such as entrepreneurial training and financial counseling to the community since 1988.  As part of its mission, CHCTDC actively engages stakeholders in planning development in Congress Heights to ensure public involvement begins early and continues throughout the design process. The Malcolm X School EquityRFP was announced in November 2020 and delivers on Mayor Bowser’s commitment to prioritize equity inclusion in the selection of development teams as well as create affordable housing, retail and job opportunities across the District.

###

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

DC Councilmembers Trayon White and Janeese Lewis George introduced this week a bill that would restrict the use of police chases to protect the safety of residents in the District.

“Verdicts are not substitutes for policy change,” said Ward 4 Councilmember George. “Police chases are inherently dangerous for officers, suspects, and bystanders, and they should only be used when absolutely necessary. An officer’s decision of whether to speed after someone should always prioritize safety and safeguard human life.”

Titled the Law Enforcement Vehicular Pursuit Reform Act of 2021, the bill is aiming to prevent law enforcement officers from pursuing suspects in vehicles unless there is a violent crime involved or it is a matter of preventing death or serious injury.

It also cites Karon Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old Black resident, who died in October 2020 after he was struck by a car while riding a scooter and being chased by DC police officers trying to stop him for not wearing a helmet.

“Part of seeking justice for Karon is making sure that what happened to him never happens to anyone again,” said George.

Test Yourself DC

Test Yourself DC is a COVID-19 At Home Testing Kit that allows you to take a COVID-19 test at home without having to wait in line at a testing site. The COVID-19 At Home Testing Kit should be used by individuals 18 years of age and older. Test Yourself DC kits are available for pick-up at 16 libraries located around the city. Find a home testing kit location below.

Once you have your testing kit, log in here and follow the steps to take your test at home.