Blog update and ANC 5D Meeting June 2022

Some news up top:

This is a recap of the June ANC 5D meeting, and the ANC does not meet in July and August. This blog is going on hiatus for much longer than that though, because my wife and I are traveling around Asia for a whole year. I invite you to follow along on my newsletter. If anyone is interested in stepping up and continuing to cover the ANC meetings while I’m away, I would really encourage it, and I would do anything I could to help them get started. Thank you for reading, and I’ll decide what form this will take next when we return next summer. Keep your eyes on the #ANC5D hashtag on Twitter.

To reflect a little: yes, these meetings can be exhausting after a long day of work, but it’s nice to learn about things that are happening in the neighborhood, and how much work people are putting in to make our community better. Things are changing, but it’s never all bad news at one of our meetings. It’s often interesting and surprising too. I’ve seen firsthand that our commissioners do so much work, for free, constantly. This term especially, they’ve been really effective and proactive. In my opinion, this is due in large part to Commissioner Sydelle Moore’s leadership. Need quantifiable proof? After years with a six figure, unspent budget, the ANC is spending tens of thousands of dollars out in the community! 

Ok, getting to this month’s meeting. I missed the May meeting, but the minutes are here, and the video recording is here. For June, all commissioners were present except for Zachary Hoffman. Here’s the June agenda, and the recording will likely be posted here soon.

In a change, the commissioner reports are coming at the start of the meeting as opposed to the end. I think it’s good for more neighbors to hear what their representatives are working on, even if it often can sound like a list of complaints about city agencies and nagging reminders. Moving forward, It will be important to keep these fast in order to not slow things down. Commissioner Sauceda-Guzman says he’s interested in trying to bring back Trinidad Day. Commissioner Cobb says there may be more options for traffic-calming measures on Trinidad Avenue and Montello Avenue. 

In other news, the ANC district boundaries are changing! We’re getting two new ANC districts, which means that starting next year we’re going to have nine commissioners, up from seven. The boundaries of the ANC itself will not change, but the districts are shifting around a bit, with a bit more blending between Trinidad and Carver-Langston, and Ivy City and Union Market/Gallaudet are now getting their own districts. I’ll be sad to miss the election, but I’m looking forward to following along from Asia. 

Above, the current district boundaries. More detail at openanc.org  

The new boundaries. Full map here.

MPD Public Safety Report from Lt. Zunnobia Hakir: Crime is slightly up over last year. (Crime typically rises in summer.) There is a new program that has replaced the Summer Crime Prevention Initiative that was active in Carver-Langston since 2010, although it seems to be primarily focused on Wards 7 and 8. Lots of questions about drug selling at the intersection of Neal and Orren streets. “Drug dealing is definitely being investigated, but it’s really more of a behind-the-scenes kind of thing,” says Lt. Hakir. See crime for ANC 5D with the crime cards. 

Mayor’s Office report from Nokomis Hunter: Mayor Bowser is currently running for a third term in the democratic primary on June 21. Early voting is open at Trinidad Rec, and ballots have been mailed out, which you can return in the mail or at drop boxes (there’s one at Wilson Elementary.) There’s a new “Strike Force” for Black homeownership. 

Ward 5 Councilmember’s Report from Doni Crawford: The Budget for fiscal year 2023 was passed by the Council. Kenyon McDuffie is not running for reelection (he was planning on running for Attorney General, but … welp). 730DC has a great election guide with info on the folks running to replace him. Things got a bit confrontational between Comm. Sauceda-Guzman and Crawford, about a perceived lack of communication, and an interest in having Councilmember McDuffie come to the ANC. Comm. Sauceda-Guzman said it “feels disrespectful, that no one cares about us.” It’s awkward, but kudos for Sauceda-Guzman, standing in for Comm. Sydelle Moore, for being tough on behalf of the ANC.

Trinidad PEPCO Substation Demolition from Travoris Culpepper: This substation, in an alley in Trinidad, hasn’t been active since the 1990s. Some of the equipment has been removed, but the demolition has been postponed until further notice. 

Downtown DC Public Restroom Initiative from Marcia Bernbaum: This began as a campaign from the People for Fairness Coalition, resulting in a law passed in 2018 for two public restroom pilot projects. The working group has recommended two sites in ANC5D: the Starburst plaza and the corner of 17th and Benning. The final plan and details have not been finalized, but this would be a one year pilot, with an evaluation of its effectiveness. Comm. Sydelle Moore has safety concerns, and calls the 17th and Benning location a “definite no” for her. Fun fact: The Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials are the only two 24/7 public restrooms within DC. The ANC voted to support the project conditionally, supporting a daytime-only location in Starburst Plaza: APPROVED unanimously. 

Jubilee Jobs - Scholarships for Ward 5D Residents from Kevin Murt, 440 Penn Project: Jubilee Jobs is a non-profit, DC-based job-placement nonprofit organization. About a third of their candidates are returning citizens with criminal records. 440 Penn Street NE is a new mixed-use development in Union Market, and they’re going to be partnering with Jubilee Jobs as a community benefit and offering scholarships to local residents.

Gallaudet/6th Street Development Project from Robbie Saclaride, Nick Anderson, JBG Smith: This is a huge redevelopment project around Union Market and Gallaudet University, that’s been in the works for years. This is the second stage of the process, which is more design focused, for Parcel 4, behind Union Market. These presentations are often full of fancy architect jargon, but they are usually pretty visually interesting.

Voting on ABRA License Request for Selina Union Market at 411 New York Ave, from Kevin Cruz: A new hotel and co-working space catering to digital nomads in the Union Market area requests a temporary alcohol license while they await a permanent license. There are six other US Selina locations. APPROVED unanimously.  

Voting on amended 2022 Crummell School Resolution from Comm. Rhodes: APPROVED unanimously (except for Comm Cobb abstaining for work)

PUD Feedback: 2229 M Street from Marcus Goodwin: This is a proposed eight story, 120 unit development project for seniors at the end of Maryland Avenue in Carver-Langston, near the closed southern entrance to the Arboretum. Neighbors have concerns about parking and the overall height.

Summer Grant Requests from Thelma Duren: The Greens and Grounds program is returning from last year, with some recycled resources from the last time. Last year, the program seemed to be a great success and a great use of ANC funds. Comm. Cobb was concerned about both of these grants taking a majority of the remaining ANC budget. The Summer Camp program is for 30 kids, ages 5-13. Comm. Moore proposes fully funding the Greens and Grounds and funding some of the key parts of the Summer Camp. APPROVED unanimously.  

Workforce Development (Greens and Grounds) - $7,570 

Summer Camp & Back To School Supplies - $16,450