DC Government

“Mayor Bowser Awards $2.3 Million in Great Streets Grants to Transform Neighborhood Corridors”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser and Interim Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio awarded over $2.3 million in Fiscal Year 2020 Great Streets Small Business Grants to 48 local small businesses. The investment continues Mayor Bowser’s effort to support local businesses, create new job opportunities for DC residents, and grow the District’s emerging neighborhoods.

“Small and local businesses are the heart and backbone of DC’s economy – they hire DC residents, circulate DC dollars, and support the culture of our city,” said Mayor Bowser. “I’m particularly proud that this year’s grantees represent such a diverse group of businesses in all eight wards. When we make these types of strategic investments, there’s a ripple effect: we support the businesses and the businesses, in turn, support our residents and empower our neighborhoods.”

The announcement was made at Dudley Beauty College, a 2018 grant recipient on the Rhode Island Avenue corridor in Ward 5. Like many other Great Streets grant recipients, Dudley Beauty College used their grant funding to make improvements to their business, including storefront signage and advertising. The FY20 grant recipients continue to showcase the diversity of the District’s business community. Awardees include businesses ranging from optical retailers and barbershops, to childcare centers and fraternity and sorority apparel stores.

The Fiscal Year 2020 grantees include: (more…)

“Has anyone had luck getting an answer from DC on if an extra can is allowed in situations like this?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I recently moved into an english basement of a tenant occupied rowhouse. Since the property was originally designed for a single family, there are 2 small trash bins and one larger recycling bin (it’s too small of a street to use the supercans). These are clearly insufficient for use by two families, and it means one of the units is often having to wait (up to a week) with trash or recycling in their units as the cans are full.

Has anyone had luck getting an answer from DC on if an extra can is allowed in situations like this? The website is less than helpful, and not surprisingly, calling hasn’t returned any answers.”

Mayor Bowser: “In Washington, DC, we stand up for our neighbors, we denounce anti-Semitism and hatred in all forms”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo courtesy of Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington

From the Mayor’s Office:

“On the heels of Saturday’s anti-Semitic attack in New York, Mayor Muriel Bowser met with local religious leaders to discuss immediate and long-term solutions to combatting anti-Semitism. In addition to religious leaders, the Mayor was joined by members of her Interfaith Council and leadership from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), and the Mayor’s Office of Religious Affairs.

The Mayor has charged MPD with increasing their presence at synagogues as well as taking other, less visible, measures to protect DC’s Jewish community. Additionally, the Mayor has directed DC HSEMA with assisting congregations with reviewing their security plans. Both agencies will support congregations in updating their plans as necessary. Following the meeting, Mayor Bowser released the following statement: (more…)

“Tis the Season to Recycle Holiday Trees and Greenery”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

Thanks to A. for sending “Too Soon?” Well, given our track record…

From DPW:

“Holiday Trees and Greenery will be collected December 27 – January 31. Residents in DPW-serviced households are asked to call 311 to make an appointment to schedule their collection between December 27 – January 10.

Trees and Greenery should be placed in front of residents’ homes or taken to the drop off locations where they will be composted and made available to residents at no charge. Please remove all ornaments and lights and do not place trees and greenery in bags. (more…)

“I submitted paperwork back in mid-October but it seems to have gone into a black hole.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering whether anyone has had success applying for DC Water’s LPRAP – Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program – which went into effect in October?  I submitted paperwork back in mid-October but it seems to have gone into a black hole.  If folks have had their application successfully submitted can they provide the name of the contractor they used and how much the whole project cost?  The name of the contractor is particularly useful because the process does require a certain amount of paperwork on their end as well, which is not something every contractor is willing to do.”

“This is where my nightmare begins.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I purchased a 3-bedroom townhouse Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) in NE DC as a single person in 2011. After 7 years of ownership, I made the decision to sell my townhouse and purchase a market rate home. Per the restrictive covenants attached to my ADU property, I contacted DC’s Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to request the maximum sales price be determined. This is where my nightmare begins. (more…)

Councilmember McDuffie: “In response to a spate of recent violent incidents in Ward 5, last week I shared that I would be providing a more detailed update”

By Prince Of Petworth

From Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie:

“Neighbors,

In response to a spate of recent violent incidents in Ward 5, last week I shared that I would be providing a more detailed update, as well as hosting a series of community conversations around public safety. I called upon Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to increase patrols and have been working with both MPD and Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) to confront recent challenges. Please find below specific actions taken by MPD and ONSE in response to my requests.

Finally, I want to invite all residents to attend and participate in one of three upcoming community conversations on public safety taking place this Saturday, December 14, Monday, December 16, and Wednesday, December 18 (full details below). While I understand the notice for these meetings is relatively short, I did not want to delay these important conversations.

In service,

Kenyan

Update from the Metropolitan Police Department:

The Fifth District Crime Suppression Team is targeting all of Brentwood, Langdon, Edgewood, and Brookland neighborhoods on a daily basis, 7 days a week.

Additional officers and beats: (more…)

“This past week has been crazy booting and towing by the city.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

“Dear PoPville,

This past week has been crazy booting and towing by the city. Yesterday there were 6 on our street booted in the AM and towed by the afternoon. We saw a ton of tow trucks today as well. We live in Bloomingdale. Is this happening in every neighborhood? Just seems bizarre all at once after months/years of really nothing.”

Another reader asks:

“Was shocked today when I found my car was booted for $100 in past due parking tickets. Apparently I under paid one ticket by $10, and had an outstanding street cleaning ticket of $45 from July that had doubled. (more…)

D.C. Attorney General “Sues Greyhound for Air Pollution Violations at Union Station”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user C Buoscio

From the Attorney General’s Office:

“Attorney General Karl A. Racine today filed a lawsuit against Greyhound Lines Inc. for allowing buses to idle at Union Station for longer than the legal limit, polluting the air and endangering the health and safety of commuters and workers. A joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) documented 50 Greyhound buses parked, stopped, or standing at Union Station with their engines running for longer than the three-minute legal limit, many for more than 20 minutes. With this lawsuit, OAG is seeking to collect at least $216,000 in penalties, reimbursement for costs of the investigation, and a court order to stop Greyhound from violating the District’s air pollution control laws moving forward. (more…)

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