June 24, 2021

Coronavirus Update

Dear Neighbors,

After no small amount of Council and community advocacy, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced this week that it will end the current appointment system and return to walk-in operations on July 19th. The agency will honor those appointments secured by residents through next month and will continue the appointment system for road tests for commercial and noncommercial driver's licenses. As the DMV shifts to reopening at full capacity, there will be special in-person weekend hours at the 95 M Street SW location and Inspection Station on the following dates: June 27th, July 3rd, July 11th, and July 18th. On these dates, the 95 M Street SW location will be open from 8:15 am to 4:00 pm, and the Inspection Station will be open from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.

And in other good news to share, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has agreed to my request to cease issuing tickets for rush hour parking violations along the inactive Connecticut Avenue NW reversible lanes. For some background, residents were being ticketed for parking along this corridor during rush hour despite the fact that the reversible lanes, which are the impetus for the restrictions, are not in effect. DPW is now working with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to reach a common understanding of what the rules will be moving forward during this rather unique situation as the reversible lanes undergo reevaluation. Additionally, rather than have residents go through the adjudication process, I have requested that DPW rescind those rush hour tickets already issued, but nevertheless residents should check on the status of their individual tickets for this location and contest them if they were recieved for a rush hour violation.

And on a final happy note, I would like to invite my vaccinated friends and neighbors to join me in walking in this year's 4th of July Parade in the Palisades. The return of the parade certainly feels like a strong signal of the District's reopening and recovery efforts, and I would love for you to join us in this very special community celebration. If you would like to walk in the parade with my office, please RSVP to Abigail McLean at [email protected].

Regards,

Mary

Please see coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates & resources on COVID-19

The Public Health Emergency is currently in place through July 25th, 2021

Get vaccinated TODAY at any of the District's walk-up vaccination sites

(A big 'thank you' to our intern, Cheyenne, for putting this invitation together!)

Reminder: DC Kids & Teens Eat Free

Summer Meals Begin - This summer, grab-and-go meal services will be available for local children and teens in need at several public school locations throughout the District. Youth are not required to be enrolled at a DC Public School in order to receive free meals at open meal sites. Up to three breakfast and three lunch meals may be taken home at a time. The full list of DCPS summer meal sites is available: here.

Ward 3's Summer Meal Site is open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at

Wilson High School, 3950 Chesapeake Street NW 

Mark Your Calendar: Two Community Meetings on Beach Drive

The Van Ness Main Street & The UDC Present

City Wildlife Cautions of Unknown Bird Disease

Unknown Disease Threatens Wildlife - In late May, wildlife managers in the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia began receiving reports of sick and dying birds experiencing eye swelling and discharge, as well as displaying concerning neurological signs. The specific disease has not been identified at this time and remains unknown. It is believed that birds congregating at feeders and baths can transmit the disease to one another.

As environmental and wildlife departments across affected states continue to work with diagnostic laboratories to investigate the cause of mortality, it is recommended that those in outbreak areas do the following:

• Cease feeding birds until the wildlife mortality event has concluded
• Clean feeders and bird baths with a 10% bleach solution
• Avoid handling birds (wear disposable gloves and a mask if handling is necessary)
• Keep pets away from sick or dead birds
• If you must remove dead birds, place them in a seal-able plastic bag to dispose with household trash

For sick or injured birds found in the District of Columbia, please contact City Wildlife at 202-882-1000.

Please Support Ward 3's Food & Cleaning Supply Pantry

Helping Ward 3 Neighbors in Need - The International Women's Democracy Center and Ward 3 Mutual Aid are looking for volunteers for the Feed the Family Pantry in Ward 3! The Feed the Family Pantry focuses on offering fresh produce and cleaning supplies to neighbors in need every Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at 4225 Connecticut Ave NW (the former Walgreens site right across from the UDC-Van Ness Metro Station).

For anyone looking to volunteer in-person or to help out remotely, please email: [email protected].

Celebrate Senior Pride with AARP

Metro Announces Summer Red Line Work Schedule

From Metro - Construction will begin in July on the first of two major capital projects on the Red Line that will upgrade the tunnel ventilation system and repair deteriorating platform canopies. The work is expected to cause significant impacts for customers, with around-the-clock single tracking and station closures. Beginning Saturday, July 17, and continuing through Sunday, August 29, Metro and its contractor will install new, more powerful fans in the tunnels between Woodley Park and Cleveland Park as part of a pilot project to improve tunnel safety in the event of a smoke or fire emergency. 

The 24/7 schedule will help Metro reduce the duration of the project and minimize the impact to customers. During construction, trains will continuously single track between Dupont Circle and Van Ness. Crews will install the necessary infrastructure and new evacuation fans at the base of the ventilation shafts.

Two weekend shutdowns will also be needed, with free shuttle buses replacing trains this summer. Additional weekend closures will be necessary in 2022 to complete the project, commissioning, and safety testing.

July 17 – August 29

• Continuous single tracking between the Dupont Circle and Van Ness stations
• Trains will operate every 18 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont
• Customers may also wish to use Metrobus Route L2 which runs along Connecticut Ave between Chevy Chase Circle and Farragut Square as an alternative

Weekends of August 7-8 and August 28-29

• Red Line trains will operate in two segments: Shady Grove to Van Ness; and Dupont Circle to Glenmont
• Free shuttle buses replace trains between Dupont Circle and Van Ness stations
• Cleveland Park and Woodley Park stations closed

Join The Brooks Families Block Party!

You Are Invited! - The Brooks is hosting a block party for Ward 3 families next Tuesday, June 29th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The free community event will feature lawn games, food, music, and plenty of family fun! If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to: [email protected].

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

The District Ranked Among Best in Nation for Tree Canopy Equity

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to reach us via phone through our main line at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services requests.

FOLLOW MARY