The Ward 5 Report:
Office of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Ward 5
February 8, 2013
Ward 5 Highlights:
Rhode Island Avenue NE and North Capitol Street Become Retail Priority Areas
On January 29, Mayor Gray signed the “Retail Incentive Amendment Act of 2012.” This legislation, introduced by Councilmember McDuffie, designates Rhode Island Avenue NE and North Capitol Street as Retail Priority Areas. This is the first step towards securing funding to support the revitalization of Ward 5’s Great Streets.
“I am pleased that the Mayor has signed this legislation into law,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “The Northeast corridor has the potential to become a major urban gateway for the Nation’s Capital. Designating portions of North Capitol Street and Rhode Island Avenue NE as Retail Priority Areas provides an additional tool to spur economic development in Ward 5 and ultimately will help create new jobs for District residents.”
Introducing the Ward 5 Industrial Land Transformation Task Force
On January 31, Mayor Vincent Gray (D) and Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie announced the formation of a task force charged with developing a strategic plan for the modernization and adaptive use of the industrial areas in Ward 5. Derived from legislation introduced by Councilmember McDuffie, the Ward 5 Industrial Land Transformation Task Force will develop a strategic and forward-looking plan to transform these industrial areas into a magnet for green and creative businesses that can help diversify the District’s economy, create jobs for different skill levels and provide the amenities and services desired by Ward 5 residents.
Councilmember McDuffie, who spearheaded the initiative to re-envision Ward 5’s industrial areas, noted the vital nature of the panel’s work. “It is important that we take a balanced approach to land use in Ward 5,” McDuffie said. “The Industrial Land Transformation Task Force will assess the feasibility of diversifying the industries using Ward 5’s industrial land to stimulate economic development and job creation. Industrial land, when approached creatively, could be the key to a more vibrant Ward 5.”
To read more about the Ward 5 Industrial Land Transformation Task Force, click here.
The Ward 5 Senior Advisory Council Inaugural Event
On January 25, the Ward 5 Senior Advisory Council hosted its inaugural event at St. Francis Hall. The Senior Advisory Council will help the Councilmember and his staff stay engaged with seniors in Ward 5 and communicate the practical needs of the senior citizens living throughout the Ward.
During the inaugural event, attendees heard from Councilmember McDuffie; Dr. John Thompson, Executive Director of the DC Office on Aging; ANC Commissioner Bob King, the most senior elected official in DC; and the Ward 5 Senior Advisory Council Steering Committee Co-Chairs Grace Lewis and ANC Commissioner Sandi Washington. Afterward, the Council held a breakout session where they offered feedback on issues affecting seniors. The event also played host to exhibitors like Seabury Resources, the DC Office on Aging, AARP, HSEMA, DC Fire and EMS, and VITAS, that provided resources and screenings for seniors in attendance.
To see pictures from the event, click here.
Announcements:
Councilmember McDuffie Wants to Hear from You about Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Budget Priorities
Councilmember McDuffie is dedicated to keeping all Ward 5 residents engaged in the legislative process. In the coming weeks, the Council will be convening a series of hearings on the FY 2014 budget to examine agency performance, and identify needed programs and services.
Over the next few weeks, Councilmember McDuffie and his staff will be working with ANC Commissioners and civic leaders to poll residents on their budget priorities. Councilmember McDuffie’s office will provide Ward 5 residents with a survey to complete and provide their feedback. For more information, contact our office at (202)-724-8028.
Public Feedback Needed on Children's Budget Report
The Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and the Interim Deputy Mayor for Education are preparing the FY 2014 Children's Budget Report, to be released in March 2013. One of the first steps is to identify the agencies, programs, and activities in the budget to be included in this annual report. The Deputy Mayors would like feedback from the public on the draft list of what should be in the FY 2014 Children's Budget Report.
Please use the following link to review the draft list and provide feedback. The deadline for submitting comments is February 12:
http://dmhhs.dc.gov/event/public-feedback-needed-childrens-budget-report
Legislative Updates:
Committee on Government Operations to Hold Public Oversight Roundtable
On February 14, Councilmember McDuffie, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations, will convene a public oversight roundtable to consider the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability’s ability to issue advisory opinions and whether additional penalties for violations of the Code of Conduct are necessary, as well as, the status of the District’s “Prohibition on Government Employee Engagement in Political Activity Act of 2010” in light of the recently passed federal “Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012.” This public roundtable will be held in Room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, at 10:00 a.m.
The Committee invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made part of the official record. Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing should contact Ronan Gulstone, Committee Director, at (202) 724-8028, or via e-mail at rgulstone@dccouncil.us. Please provide your name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Wednesday, February 13.
In the News:
Councilmember McDuffie discuss the Ward 5 Industrial Land Transformation Task Force (NewsChannel 8 NewsTalk)
D.C. campaign finance proposals await more public comment (The Washington Post)
McDuffie wants to mandate campaign finance training (The Examiner)
Ward 5 Events:
Saturday, February 9 – The Friends of Woodridge Library will hold its monthly meeting at the Woodridge Library, located at 1801 Hamlin St NE, beginning at 11 a.m.
Tuesday, February 12 – ANC 5D will hold its monthly meeting at the 5th District Police Station, located at 1805 Bladensburg Rd NE, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 12 – The Arboretum Neighborhood Association will hold its monthly meeting at the Arboretum Community Center, located at 2412 Rand Place NE, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 14 – The Woodridge South Community Association will hold its monthly meeting at the New Canaan Baptist Church, located at 2826 Bladensburg Rd. NE, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 19 – The Ward 5 Council on Education will hold its monthly meeting at the Lamond-Riggs Library, located at 5401 South Dakota Ave. NE, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 19 – The Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association will hold its annual election of officers at the Howard University Divinity School, located at 1400 Shepherd St NE, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 19 – ANC 5E will hold its monthly meeting at The Summit at St Martins, located at 116 T Street, NE, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20 – ANC 5B will hold its monthly meeting at the ANC 5B Office, located at 1322 Irving Street NE, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20 – ANC 5C will hold its monthly meeting at the 5th District Police Station, located at 1805 Bladensburg Rd NE, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 21 – The Fort Lincoln Civic Association will hold its Board of Directors Meeting at the Wesley House Senior Apartments, located at 3400 Joshua Barney Drive NE, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 23 – Councilmember McDuffie will join Commissioner Nolan Treadway, community stockholders, and representatives from MPD, DPR and DGS for a walkthrough on the updates for Langdon Park Recreation Center beginning at 11 a.m.
Tuesday, February 26 – Councilmember McDuffie will host his Community Engagement Office Hours from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Additional details will be provided at a later date.
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