DC Government

“Request for Proposal Seeks Projects That Honor Site’s Significance to Black History and Include NAACP as a Partner with its National Headquarters”

By Prince Of Petworth


14th and U Street, NW via Office for Planning and Economic Development

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) issued the Equity Request for Proposal for the Frank D. Reeves Center site at 2000 14th Street, NW in Ward 1. The EquityRFP will prioritize teams that maximize the percentage, with a goal of 100%, of partnering entities or organizations that are owned or majority controlled by individuals determined to be part of a socially disadvantaged population.

“The Frank D. Reeves Center was at the heart of Marion Barry’s vision to revitalize the 14th Street and U Street Corridors. Now, we have the chance to take his vision further and reimagine this iconic site in a way that honors Black history and culture and gives more Washingtonians a fair shot,” said Mayor Bowser. “With the NAACP’s new national headquarters anchoring this exciting project, we look forward to putting equity at the forefront of the site’s revitalization.”

The EquityRFP seeks proposals that will transform the large site, consisting of over two acres (97,600 square feet) of land area, into a transit-oriented, mixed-use development with office space, affordable housing, and neighborhood serving amenities in a way that reflects the site’s history and culture. Given the U Street Corridor’s role in African American identity, culture, and life, DMPED will prioritize proposals that acknowledge the parcels historic significance and honors both the legacies of Marion Barry Jr and Frank Reeves. (more…)

“The SW corner of 12th and P NW is falling into the storm drain”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

The SW corner of 12th and P NW is falling into the storm drain, and it just seems like a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt. I submitted this photo to 311 and got the response “looks fine” from whoever reviewed the submission. This photo is the original one I sent in… I walked past it again today and it’s gotten worse. I’ve broken a leg and wouldn’t wish the experience on anyone.” (more…)

“I am asking Washingtonians and those who live in the region to stay out of the downtown area on Tuesday and Wednesday and not to engage with demonstrators who come to our city seeking confrontation”

By Prince Of Petworth

From Mayor Bowser’s Office:

“Mayor Bowser is continuing preparations for this week’s First Amendment activities. She had previously directed the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) to stand up the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) beginning Monday, January 4, to coordinate the response for the upcoming First Amendment demonstrations, permitted by the National Park Service, scheduled for January 5 and January 6. The EOC serves as the coordination hub between District agencies and regional and federal partners. On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) begins its full activation with all staff reporting for response on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mayor Bowser instructed District agencies to create a comprehensive public safety response to ensure residents’ safety. Additionally, HSEMA and MPD are conducting event overviews for the Council of the District of Columbia, faith leaders, and the downtown business community. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity by making a report through iwatchdc.org or by calling 911 for immediate threats or emergencies.

“MPD and HSEMA are coordinating among District agencies and with federal authorities to ensure our residents and businesses remain safe,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “I am asking Washingtonians and those who live in the region to stay out of the downtown area on Tuesday and Wednesday and not to engage with demonstrators who come to our city seeking confrontation, and we will do what we must to ensure all who attend remain peaceful.” (more…)

“There’s a big pile of stolen bikes sitting on a public sidewalk”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

There’s a big pile of stolen bikes sitting on a public sidewalk just off Mt. Olivet Road in Trinidad/Ivy City. They aren’t chained to anyone’s property – they’re just sitting along an empty stretch of sidewalk and the pile keeps getting bigger. This has been going on for months. My neighbors and I keep calling 311, our councilmember, and MPD to ask them to do something – unfortunately the District doesn’t really care about much that goes on around here and has ignored all of our requests. How can we get these bikes out of here, and maybe back to the people they belong to, or at least someone who needs them?“

The 2021 Holiday Tree and Greenery Collection Schedule Has Been Announced and There was Great Joy in PoPville

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, the Bowser Administration, led by the Department of Public Works (DPW), announced that holiday trees and greenery will be collected from homes that receive DPW curbside sanitation collection between January 11 and February 5, 2021. Items collected during this period will be composted; in the spring, the mulch will be provided to residents at no cost.

“We are in the season of giving and being kind, not just to each other but to the environment as well,” said DPW Director Chris Geldart. “While DPW works to return holiday trees back to the earth, we ask residents to help us achieve our zero waste goals by also recycling other items traditionally in use this time of year.”

Here are the highlights of the 2021 collection program: (more…)

“AG Racine on Settlement with Catholic Archdiocese of Washington”;”attendance limits at indoor worship services to allow 250 people or 25% of a church’s capacity (whichever is less).”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Caroline Angelo

From AG Racine’s Office:

“Attorney General Karl A. Racine issued the following statement on today’s settlement with the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington (the Archdiocese). Under the terms of the settlement, the Archdiocese will abide by the Mayor’s December 16th order, which set attendance limits at indoor worship services to allow 250 people or 25% of a church’s capacity (whichever is less). As it has with other public health orders, the District will provide advance notice of any changes to current restrictions on worship services required by evolving public health conditions. (more…)

AG Racine and CM Allen on nomination of New D.C. MPD Chief Robert J. Contee III

By Prince Of Petworth


Robert Contee via MPD

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that she has named 31-year Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) veteran Robert Contee as the next MPD Chief of Police. Contee joined MPD in 1989 and has served as Assistant Chief of the Investigative Services Bureau at MPD since 2018.

A native Washingtonian, Acting Chief Contee began his career at MPD as a police cadet in November 1989. He became a sworn member of the Department three years later and quickly rose through the ranks, serving in a variety of assignments. Most recently, as the Assistant Chief of the Investigative Services Bureau at MPD, he worked with the community to solve crimes, bring offenders to justice, support the recovery of victims, and protect witnesses.

Acting Chief Contee holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Studies with a concentration in Police Science from George Washington University. He has also completed the Management College at the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration and the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) of the Police Executive Research Forum in Boston, Massachusetts.”

From AG Racine’s Office: (more…)

District’s $29.5 Million Entertainment Bridge Fund Open, “Eligible businesses include live music venues and concert halls, bars, nightclubs, billiard parlors, movie theaters, bowling alleys, private museums, skating rinks, theaters, arenas” and more

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) launched the application for the $29.5 million Entertainment Bridge Fund, which will provide grants ranging between $10,000-$250,000 for entertainment venues grappling with the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Entertainment Bridge Fund is part of The Bridge Fund, a $100 million initiative aimed at providing financial relief to the hotel, restaurant, retail, and entertainment sectors. (more…)

Mayor’s Order Extends Public Health Emergency through March 31, 2021 – Indoor dining at restaurants suspended from December 23 (10pm) until January 15 (5am)

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Diane Krauthamer

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2020-127 to pause various activities in the District from 10:00 p.m., on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 until Friday, January 15, 2021, at 5:00 a.m. Additionally, the Order extends the state of emergency and public health emergency for Washington, DC through March 31, 2021.

Even for those activities that are not paused by Order, the Mayor strongly encourages residents to be cautious this holiday season so as to limit the spread of COVID-19.”

See the full order: >Mayor’s Order 2020-127 (PDF)

“this agreement brings us another step closer to getting our students where they need to be – in the classroom”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Erin

From the Mayor’s Office:

“This evening, after DC Public Schools and the Washington Teachers’ Union reached an agreement on a return to in-person learning, Mayor Bowser released the following statement:

“Since the summer, we have worked tirelessly to create a plan that allows for the safe return of in-person learning — a plan that meets the needs of students, educators, and families. While CARE classrooms have been limited, we know that for many families they have provided a critical lifeline. Still, we know that the best option for our young people is in-person learning, and that has remained our focus. The road ahead is long, and there is much learning loss to be made up for, but this agreement brings us another step closer to getting our students where they need to be – in the classroom, surrounded by educators and friends, feeling challenged and loved.”

From the Washington Teachers’ Union:

“The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) is pleased to announce an agreement with DC Public Schools on a Memorandum of Agreement that lays out conditions needed to return to in-person learning. (more…)

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