From the Mayor’s Office:
“Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by Acting Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J. Contee, III, and members of her Administration as she introduced new Safer, Stronger DC legislation as well as a Mayor’s Order directing deputy mayors to submit recommendations for a whole-of-government approach to crime reduction. The new Safer, Stronger DC legislation comes the week after Mayor Bowser held a public safety summit where she brought together local and federal public safety officials and partners to discuss what is working, what is not working, and what needs to change to improve public safety in DC. The package of legislation will address identified gaps in the District’s public safety and justice ecosystem.
“We have heard from our public safety partners and from members of the community about the gaps that exist in our public safety ecosystem – this package of legislation will address those gaps,” said Mayor Bowser. “This is about making sure we have the tools we need to build a safer, stronger DC and protect the overwhelming majority of people in our city who are doing the right thing and who just want to be able to enjoy our beautiful city and our fantastic neighborhoods.”
The commonsense legislation Mayor Bowser is sending the DC Council will: Read More
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a Focused Patrol and Community Engagement Policing Strategy, which will utilize data to identify specific areas in each police district and employ focused patrols for proactive policing, community engagement, and problem solving within a small geographical area. The MPD members assigned to these areas will proactively engage in business and building checks, assist in traffic enforcement, collaborate with the community, and identify area-specific issues with police officials to problem solve and determine necessary solutions to community concerns and crime. Read More
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME), and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) kicked off Jazz in Bloom, a series of concerts at Union Station that will take place throughout the spring. DC’s Comeback Plan outlines a three-pronged approach to the transformation and revitalization of downtown: fill the space, change the space, and bring the people. Read More
photo by Adam Fagen
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented her Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget and Financial Plan to the Council of the District of Columbia as part of the District’s annual budget process. The $19.7 billion FY24 budget includes investments that are strategic and focused on ensuring a strong and equitable comeback for Washington, DC.
“The Fiscal Year 2024 Fair Shot Budget is being delivered at a critical juncture for our city. This budget reflects many tough choices, but we are also fortunate that even in tight times, the District remains well-resourced and able to continue delivering world-class programs and services,” said Mayor Bowser. “As I have said before, when we work together, there is nothing that we cannot take on. The FY 2024 Budget makes the necessary investments to promote and sustain the District’s comeback by unlocking the full potential of our residents, our neighborhoods, and our businesses.”
Below are highlights of investments and initiatives in Mayor Bowser’s FY24 budget proposal. Read More
photo by Eric P.
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the District of Columbia secured $20 million in new funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue its path towards a climate resilient future. These federal funds will support the District’s effort to endure rising sea levels and more severe natural hazards. This work is timely and urgent as the District has seen increased rainfall and more frequent storms in recent years. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted above-average hurricane activity along the east coast for several years running. Read More
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Robert J. Contee III announced the Homicide Reduction Partnership, a collaborative effort to reduce violent crime through strategic prevention and focused enforcement. With this new partnership, MPD will focus resources and intelligence-led policing strategies in collaboration with local and federal law enforcement and criminal justice partners, DC government agencies, and community partners. Read More
Mayor Bowser posted the statement above: “The next chapter for the Washington Commanders should be a return to winning, right here in DC.”
Charles Allen wrote: “Regardless of a name change, building an NFL stadium at the RFK site would be a bad idea – for the taxpayers and for the residents. We can do so much better for housing, jobs, parks, & the Anacostia River.”
Stay tuned.
photo by Joanna Hiatt Kim
From the Mayor’s Office yesterday “in response to the drawings of swastikas found at Union Station, Mayor Muriel Bowser released the following statement”:
“This morning, commuters in the District of Columbia were met with the disturbing sight of swastikas drawn on our historic Union Station. This symbol of hate displayed in our city is both shocking and unsettling, particularly on the heels of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Read More
via google maps
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced a plan for a new grocery store to come to the long-vacant retail site at Capitol Gateway Marketplace, located in Ward 7 at the intersection of East Capitol Street NE and 58th Street NE.
“Earlier this month, we were proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Lidl Food Market at Skyland and today, we will restart this long-stalled project and take the steps necessary to deliver a full-service grocer and other retail amenities to the residents of Ward 7,” said Mayor Bowser. “Our residents and families East of the River deserve an array of fresh and healthy food options and we will not stop until that goal is fulfilled.”
Mayor Bowser has requested the Council of the District of Columbia authorize the use of eminent domain in order to initiate action at the long-stalled Capitol Gateway Marketplace and make the long-promised grocery store a reality. Absent eminent domain authority, the site – located in an area underserved by fresh food retailers – will likely continue to sit vacant until at least 2037, since there is no legal or financial reason for the developer to advance the project. Read More
Ed. Note: Restaurant Week participants or not, support your favorites – now more than ever!
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Today, the Bowser Administration, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and local business owners kicked off Winter Restaurant Week taking place Monday, January 17 – Sunday, January 23. Administration officials also highlighted the District’s vaccine entry requirement that goes into effect on Saturday, January 15 at 6:00 a.m. Read More
