“Dear PoPville,
A neighbor’s car alarm constantly goes off every few hours to no avail. The vehicle is current on tags and the vehicle also runs because it’s moved on almost a daily basis – but always parked in the general area along 5th/Kennedy. This has been going on since late November.
Not sure who to call about it – not as easy as calling for an abandoned car in an alley- hoping someone else might have suggestions?”
photo by Ron Cohn
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) unveiled DC’s Comeback Plan. The Comeback Plan is a tool for setting DC’s economic development goals for the next five years, and it centers around making Washington, DC a place for successful businesses, opportunity-rich neighborhoods, and thriving people.
“This is a comeback that is focused on equity. This is about making sure we have the revenues to support our world-class city services, our robust network of social programs, and the resources – like our schools and rec centers – that keep people in DC,” said Mayor Bowser. “People stay in and come to Washington, DC because they want to change the world – because they recognize DC as a place where you can bring big ideas to life. Our comeback is about unlocking the full potential of our people, our neighborhoods, and our businesses.”
The Comeback Plan sets six goals to achieve by 2028:
Create 35,000 new jobs in high-growth target sectors, which will include increasing apprenticeship programs and filling gaps in training and credentialing;
Increase the share of minority-owned employer businesses to 33% of all employer businesses;
Increase access to opportunity for residents and eliminate key amenity gaps (food, housing, and internet) across all neighborhoods;
Add 15,000 residents to the Downtown population by adding seven million square feet of residential units;
Retain current residents and reach a population of 725,000; (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
This stretch of Columbia Road near Mintwood was repaved AND repainted just w-e-e-k-s ago – as in December. [Yesterday], it’s being dug up for the ongoing water line replacement project. This meets the definition of “crazy.”
From DPW:
“January 3, 2023 – March 3, 2023
Trees and greenery are typically collected by DPW crews within five days of set out. After March 3, composting is not guaranteed for trees and greenery because they are then collected with residential trash. Using the tree and greenery collection service during this eight-week period will reduce the amount of such materials in landfills.
Residents can also drop their Christmas trees and/or holiday greenery at one of two locations from January 3, 2023, through March 3, 2023: (more…)
photo by Robert Lintott
From the DC Office of Planning:
“The U.S. Census Bureau released new population numbers that estimate the District’s population is 671,803 as of July 1, 2022. This is the first year the District has experienced a net positive population increase since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. (more…)
photo by Adam Fagen
From the office of Councilmember Charles Allen (yesterday):
“Today, in a historic final vote, the DC Council unanimously passed Councilmember Charles Allen’s Metro For DC bill, paving the way for free buses operating in the District as early as July 2023 and a $100 monthly balance on a registered SmarTrip card for DC residents beginning in 2024. (more…)
unrelated photo from downtown that I like a lot :) by Mr.TinMD
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) celebrated the future of housing in downtown DC at the conversion ceremony of the old Vanguard building into the new Elle Apartments. The Vanguard building opened in 1965 and, for years, was home to the Peace Corps. The conversion of the building marks a significant step in reimagining the downtown area as a more vibrant mixed-use community, where residents can live, work, and play. At the event, Mayor Bowser also highlighted her Housing in Downtown Abatement Program, which will encourage new residential conversion projects downtown.
“As we continue our comeback, we are very focused on how we reimagine downtown,” said Mayor Bowser. “We have seen how mixed-use communities are more resilient in the face of adversity. By converting vacant offices into homes, we can put these spaces back to productive use, add much-needed housing, and create a vibrant downtown where people live, work, and play.”
Expected to open in May 2024, (more…)
Thanks to Michelle for sending from DDOT:
“The 2020 Annual Visitor Parking Passes (paper placards) are still valid through April 15, 2023. Residents are encouraged to sign up for ParkDC Permits and access their new digital Visitor Parking Permit.
For help with ParkDC Permits, please view our FAQs and How-to Guides. If you have any questions about ParkDC Permits or need assistance signing up, please call our call center at (202) 671-2631. Our representatives are ready and available to assist you.”
“Triangle Park, located at 18th and Argyle, in Crestwood has long served as a multi-use gathering space for residents of all ages. DC government has allocated $250,000 to convert the park to a ‘nature themed playground for toddlers aged 1-6′”
“Dear PoPville,
How would you spend $250,000 of taxpayer money to best serve DC residents?
In a city where every penny counts, I bet you wouldn’t spend a quarter million dollars of public money on privileging the privileged by building a park on top of a park for the convenience of nanny meet-ups and toddler playdates – would you?
This very thing is happening in Crestwood and most residents don’t want it. The government administered a survey and sponsored two neighborhood meetings. They all resulted in overwhelming opposition to building a toddler playground on the neighborhood’s only open green space.
Located at the corner of 18th and Argyle Streets, the green space is the kind of park that most neighborhoods envy. It features large, two-hundred-year-old heritage trees, oaks, and magnolias that attract owl, fox, deer, squirrels, hawks, snakes, frogs, and even an occasional eagle. The open area is a gathering space for the neighborhood’s annual picnic, annual Turkey Trot, jazz festivals, food truck night, and yoga lessons. Families host birthday parties in the park, couples picnic, kids and parents play ball, dogs romp and fetch… On snow days, kids of all ages sleigh, have snowball fights, and build snowmen. During the pandemic, when city playgrounds were under lock and key, Crestwood residents were able to organize pod meet-ups. In 2020, the neighborhood used the area to host a moving vigil for George Floyd.
Residents wish to preserve city dollars and ensure equitable use of the space by keeping it as-is – a gathering place for neighbors of all ages. The community envisions a farmer’s market, more seasonal events, movies-in-the park, and camp outs -not a sprawling play structure that crowds out these possibilities for the benefit of a select few. (more…)
photo by nevermindtheend
From the office of Councilmember Charles Allen last night:
“The DC Council unanimously passed Councilmember Charles Allen’s Metro For DC bill, paving the way for free buses operating in the District as early as July 2023 and a $100 monthly balance on a registered SmarTrip card for DC residents beginning in 2024.
“Today’s vote on this transformational bill shows the District is ready to be a national leader in the future of public transit,” said Councilmember Allen. “We will balance making transit a public good with ensuring world-class service continues to return to our metro system. This bill has the support and excitement of District residents, District businesses, the union representing transit workers, and WMATA itself. That’s because it’s going to make a major difference in people’s lives almost immediately when buses become free as soon as July.”
The second, and final vote, will take place on December 20. Below are the four main parts of the bill, ordered on priority for funding as it becomes available: (more…)