October 2021 Newsletter

Happy Friday, neighbors!

Post-Census Redistricting

It is possible that parts of ANC 6A06, including east of 15th St NE, or even the entire area south of Maryland Ave NE, will be in Ward 7 at this time next year. The ward boundary may instead shift eastward while other parts of Ward 6 shrink more – as required following the 2020 Census showing that Ward 6 has become too large relative to other wards.

Ward boundaries determine parking, councilmember and ANC representation, and countless other local issues. At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman is chairing a committee on redistricting and posted a helpful FAQ here: https://www.elissasilverman.com/redistricting. In particular, this committee’s hearing dedicated to Ward 6 is Wednesday, November 3, at 10am, which is a great opportunity to submit public comment (via email, voicemail, or Zoom) on what you believe is the most equitable way to shrink Ward 6. 

Even as of 2010, the Anacostia River can no longer serve as a continuous natural boundary between wards in light of the need for Wards 7 and 8 to grow while Ward 6 shrinks. Though current commissioners cannot serve on redistricting committees because of clear conflicts of interest, they may submit testimony on behalf of constituents. I plan to submit testimony on behalf of 6A06 to advocate ward boundaries along Interstate 695 and New York Ave instead of smaller neighborhood streets like our own 15th St NE and Maryland Ave NE. This approach would be best for neighborhood cohesiveness if the redistricting committee deems it possible. Of course, political, racial, and socioeconomic considerations will also be part of the DC Council’s decision here, and I would love constituent input for the 6A06 testimony.

Electric Vehicle Charging!

This Monday, October 18, at 7:00pm, DDOT’s Anthony Cassillo, policy analyst for electric vehicle (EV) charging in DC, will present on DC’s progress toward EV charging in street parking spaces and answer questions at our ANC 6A transportation committee meeting. Here is the public Zoom link and meeting agenda: https://anc6a.org/wp-content/uploads/TPSA1021.pdf 

A number of constituents and fellow commissioners are also very interested in rolling out EV charging in street parking spaces as soon as possible. At this stage, DDOT is presenting to us about the citywide approach, so I don’t anticipate us being able to weigh in on any specific locations just yet. Regardless, I’ve personally followed up with DDOT several times to express support for this program happening as soon as possible – and I will continue to do so. I’m also happy to ask questions for any folks who can’t make it this Monday and update any interested folks afterward.

(Drawing of Pikachu, an electrifying Pokémon, by Enrique Enriquez Vega)

Maryland Ave NE Project

Some of you may have noticed hiccups as the Maryland Ave NE project nears completion:

  1. Trenches where gardens are to be installed are becoming dumping grounds as they remain empty.
  2. At 13th St NE, the removal of the median to accommodate left-turn lanes has actually made the intersection less safe with drivers performing more high-speed turns in the greater amount of space available.
  3. At 14th St NE, the new bike lane has become a Chik-Fil-A queue lane and other drivers are performing dangerous maneuvers to get around the queue.

I’m in touch with DDOT on all of these issues and more. We were able to get flexiposts installed in the median at 14th St NE (hooray!) to deter drivers swerving into the opposite-direction lane to pass the Chik-Fil-A queue, and DDOT is internally exploring solutions at both 13th and 14th. They have committed to complete the gardens by the end of October, which I will follow up on. The project team has been quite responsive at MarylandAveNEProject@gmail.com – you may contact them or me with any additional questions and visit https://www.marylandavesafety.org/weeklyreports 

(Photo of drivers in Chik-Fil-A queue in bike lane on Maryland Ave NE)

Miner Mutual Aid Community Table is Back

Next Saturday, October 23, Mutual Aid will once again distribute food, necessities, and love in the parking lot of Miner Elementary School. You do not have to be affiliated with Miner to give or receive. Learn more: https://www.minerelementary.org/mutual-aid-network.html 

Transit Lanes Coming to H Street NE!

In last night’s ANC 6A meeting, DDOT Interim Director Everett Lott confirmed that the agency plans to install transit lanes on H St NE as part of DC Streetcar’s eastbound expansion breaking ground in 2022. This is incredibly exciting news after months of advocacy from ANCs 6A and 6C, small businesses, and Councilmember Allen. I’m most looking forward to better commutes and smoother trips along H St NE for our neighbors who use the X2 bus, Streetcar, or intercity buses. Stay tuned!

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Happy Halloween,

Robb