photo by Ted Eytan

From the office of Council Chairman Phil Mendelson:

“DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson released the following statement in response to House Republicans’ disapproval resolutions for two District laws:

It is deplorable that Republicans in Congress are attempting to substitute their judgement and completely disregard the government of the District of Columbia by attempting to overturn our laws,” Mendelson said. “Congress delegated home rule to us 50 years ago and have had no hand in our public safety and should not now seek to interfere piecemeal. Keep your hands off our Home Rule. (more…)


From Vendors United & The Beloved Community Incubator:

“DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has co-introduced a bill with Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, combining Bill 24-49, the “Street Vending Decriminalization Amendment Act of 2021” and Bill 24-50, the “Sidewalk Vending Zones Amendment Act of 2021.” “It is not the right public policy to have regulations so onerous and burdensome that ordinary people – many of whom are immigrants and people of color – cannot enter this line of work and make a living,” said Mendelson. The bill is a first but important step to reform DC’s street vending licensing regime and decriminalize vending. 

Street vendors like “Colochita” (Maria) Guevarra and “Queeny” (Hilary) Belfon share over 60 years between them on the streets of Ward 1’s Columbia Heights and Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods, selling food and clothing from their respective homelands of El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago. Throughout the years, both community elders suffered through harsh weather, the ebbs and flows of customers, and the indignities of police harassment and assault. Now, they are elated. (more…)


“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 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…)


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