Dear Neighbor,
In this newsletter, I want to provide an update on proposed development at 1617 U Street, the S Street Revitalization project, important information about leaf collection, and an update on my Secure DC plan.
1617 U Street
1617 U Street NW is currently home to an active police station, fire station, and fuel station. This location at 1617 U Street was considered during the Comprehensive Planning process in 2021, and the Comprehensive Plan considers the future land use of this site as high-density with mixed-use. I strongly support our fire and police departments staying at 1617 U Street, and my position on this has never wavered. Any redevelopment of this site must include maintaining the police station, fire station, and fuel station.
The Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) has more information here on proposed redevelopment of this site and states “[r]edevelopment of the site must incorporate new facilities for each of these [FEMS and MPD] uses.” To make the site high-density with mixed-use according to the Comprehensive Plan, the site would need to be rezoned from MU-4 to MU-10. This would happen through a map amendment by the Zoning Commission. A Request for Proposals (RFP) for redevelopment would not be released by DMPED until a map amendment is approved by the Zoning Commission.
The Zoning Commission held a hearing regarding this site (Zoning Commission Case No. 23-02) on June 26th to consider the map amendment. At that hearing, the Office of Planning discussed affordable housing and confirmed that “if any of the development eventually goes for residential, 30 percent of it would have to be affordable, a higher percentage than any other requirement in the zoning regulations” (p.11). The Zoning Commission then voted to re-set the down zoning case as a contested case and hold an additional hearing.
The next hearing on 1617 U Street will be held on November 20th and was noticed in the DC Register. You can find more information on the next hearing and how to sign-up to testify here.
I will be following this project closely, and I know how important this project is for neighbors and will continue to advocate for robust public engagement regarding any redevelopment.
S Street Revitalization
The S Street Revitalization Project has begun! Neighbors and ANCs in Shaw have long advocated for improved pedestrian safety, lighting, storm water management, and bicycle connectivity from 7th Street to New Jersey Avenue NW. The project will also include the creation of a new greenspace behind the US Post Office on Florida Avenue.
I am proud to have secured the funding for the S Street Revitalization project and thank DDOT for moving this project forward. Traffic pattern changes will be in effect until the anticipated completion in Summer 2025. The first phase of work is taking place on 6th Street between Rhode Island Avenue and S Street and is anticipated to be completed in April 2024. I want to especially thank former ANC Alex Lopez, current ANCs Alex Padro and Tony Brown, and neighbors for long advocating for this work. You may visit the project website for more information.
Leaf Collection
Leaf Collection is going on now through January 20th for single family homes and apartments with 3 or fewer residential units. Ward 2 has 4 sections: 2A (New Jersey Ave. to 13th St), 2B (13th St to 20th St), 2C (20th St to Wisconsin Ave), and 2D (Wisconsin Ave to 39th St). Every section receives two collection passes. Section 2A’s first collection is complete, and Section 2B began on Monday, 11/13. You can monitor progress on the leaf tracker at the link below. There’s also a special leaf question hotline, 202-671-5323.
Important reminders: Leaves should be raked into your tree box or to the curb and will only be collected from the front of your property. If you bag your leaves, you must bag them in paper bags and submit a 311 request for yard waste collection. Sticks and branches will not be collected with normal leaf collection but can be cut and bagged in paper bags for yard waste collection. Leaves bagged in plastic bags will not be collected and must be thrown out with normal trash collection (don’t use plastic bags if you want your leaves to be composted). You can also bring bagged leaves to Fort Totten Transfer Station. If leaves are clogging sewer drains, please report to 311 or call DC Water at 202-727-2000. If your collection was missed (or the tracker shows collected but you disagree), please submit a 311 for “leaf collection missed.” For more information, check this page. If you have additional questions, please email Brian Romanowski on my team at bromanowski@dccouncil.gov.
Secure DC
My top priority remains improving public safety in the District. I am focused on my Secure DC plan to prevent crime, hold perpetrators of crime accountable, and improve our government coordination and response. I have added a new section to the newsletter dedicated to provide you with updates and track the progress on my Secure DC plan to improve public safety. You can check the progress on Secure DC below.
Yours in service,
Brooke
Upcoming Hearings
- November 29th: I will hold a hearing on Mayor Bowser’s Addressing Crime Trends (ACT) Now Amendment Act of 2023 on November 29th at 9:00am. You can learn more about signing up to testify or how to submit testimony here.
- December 11th: I will hold a hearing on my Safe Commercial Corridors Amendment Act, my Improving Safety and Emergency Response on Transit Corridors Act, and Councilmember Robert White's Whole Government Response to Crime Act on December 11th at 10:00am. You can learn more about signing up to testify or how to submit testimony here.
Completed Actions
November 8th: I held a hearing on my Addressing Crime through Targeted Interventions and Violence Enforcement (ACTIVE) Act of 2023. The ACTIVE Amendment Act, which is the product of our partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District, includes a number of provisions that are aimed at deterring and/or holding accountable the small number of individuals engaging in serious violent crimes in the District. You can learn more here.
November 7th: Advanced out of Committee and to the Council for a first vote the Grounds for Divorce, Legal Separation, and Annulment Amendment Act of 2023 and the District of Columbia Crime Victimization Survey Act.
October 30th: Held a joint roundtable on the District’s violence intervention programs.
October 11th: Held a public hearing on my Metro Safety Amendment Act of 2023.
October 5th: Held a public hearing on the Operations of the Office of Unified Communications’ 911 Call Center and my Office of Unified Communication (OUC) Transparency and Accuracy Amendment Act of 2023.
September 18th: Held a public hearing on my Accountability and Victim Protection Amendment Act of 2023.
September 18th: Introduced the:
- Addressing Crime through Targeted Interventions and Violence Enforcement (ACTIVE) Act of 2023
- Improving Safety and Emergency Response on Transit Corridors Act of 2023
- Safe Commercial Corridors Amendment Act of 2023
- Government Recruitment and Retention Act of 2023
- Leading Education Access for Reentry and Necessary Success (LEARNS) Amendment Act of 2023
- Expanding Community Access to Safe and Clean Recreational Space Act of 2023
In the last few weeks, Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto have been out and about in Ward 2 and across the city, including to:
Attend the Citizens Association of Georgetown Fall Fundraiser to celebrate their excellent service to the Georgetown Community
Celebrate Foggy Bottom West End Village’s 10th Anniversary of providing impactful community, fellowship, and services to seniors
Speak at the 36th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race to celebrate our LGBTQQIA+ neighbors and support our fantastic 17th St business community
Attend a vigil to honor two recently deceased trans Black women, A’Nee Roberson and Skylar Harrison Reeves, with Councilmember Parker and staff from Councilmember Nadeau’s Office
Meet with the new Director of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection Tiffany Crowe to discuss opportunities for partnership around small business supports and Downtown recovery
Attend the Garrison Fall Festival with new PTO President Sarah Carpenter to celebrate the season with the Garrison Elementary school community
Speak with the DC Coalition to End Sexual Violence to discuss strategies to strengthen supports and protections for survivors at MLK Library
Attend the Logan Circle Community Association October monthly happy hour to meet with neighbors at Salazar on 14th Street
Join ANC Vincent Slatt (2B03) for a multi-agency walk with Councilmember McDuffie’s Office, MPD, DBH, DDOT, and MOCRS to address neighbor concerns around 17th Street and Dupont Circle
Meet with emergency response researcher and expert Dave Statter to discuss 911 operations and needed improvements at the Office of Unified Communications
Present a Resolution of Recognition honoring DC Domestic Violence Awareness Month to the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Meet with Logan Circle neighbors at community office hours to discuss community concerns and solutions at Aslin on 14th St
Meet with neighbors at the Dupont Circle Garden Party with festive music and costumes to kick-off Halloween weekend
Speak at the Little Goblins Parade to spend time with families and celebrate spooky season with neighbors
Celebrated Mitchell Park Fall Fun Day with Sheridan-Kalorama neighbors, DPR, Friends of Mitchell Park, DC Fire and EMS, Restore Mass Ave, and DC Public Library
Host a joint roundtable on DC Government’s violence reduction efforts and coordination with Chairman Mendelson and Councilmember Anita Bonds
Attend a Council breakfast with Mayor Bowser and WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke to discuss strategies to offset the pending fiscal cliff while meeting resident needs
Attend lunch with Golden Triangle Business Improvement District at The Square to discuss opportunities to strengthen downtown with Councilmember Henderson and Leona Agouridis
Speak with the DC Chamber of Commerce about how working to improve public safety strengthens DC’s downtown economic recovery
Speak at the Burleith Citizens Association Annual Meeting to recognize its remarkable centennial anniversary of serving the Burleith community
Attend the inauguration of George Washington University’s new president, Dr. Ellen Granberg
Tour the National Museum of Women in the Arts to see their new space and exhibits upon its recent re-opening Downtown as the first of its kind solely dedicated to championing women through the arts
Meet with the Federal City Council to discuss my Secure DC plan and the importance of improving public safety to ensuring the vitality and resiliency of our Downtown
Meet with the Missionary Baptist Ministers of DC to discuss the importance of public engagement to inform my Secure DC plan and all my work at the Council
Hold a hearing on the ACTIVE bill I introduced as part of my Secure DC plan to hear from the public, my colleagues, and government partners on ways to strengthen this legislation
Meet with the Director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement Kwelli Sneed to discuss opportunities to harness our violence interruption specialist programs to improve public safety
Speak at the Woman’s National Democratic Club Speaker Series about the importance of community and collaboration to address our most pressing public safety needs
Attend the DC Chamber of Commerce Gala and Awards Gala to celebrate the fantastic awardees who contribute growth, jobs, and innovation in the District
DCist: D.C. Council Officially Confirms Pamela Smith As Metropolitan Police Department Chief. "Judiciary and Public Safety Committee chair and Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto noted D.C.’s challenges with the trauma of violent crime, and the department’s struggles with retention and recruitment. But she said she felt Smith was up to the challenge. ‘None of these issues will be easy,' Pinto said. 'But after working with acting chief Smith for the last several months … I believe that she has the ability, the experience, and the commitment to do this job well.’”
Washington Post: D.C. mayor resurrects old policy to target open-air drug markets. “Council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), who chairs the public safety committee, welcomed Bowser’s proposal, noting that she has heard concerns across the city about hot spots for drug dealing or criminal activity, fearing police don’t have adequate tools to disrupt them. 'This trend cannot continue without intervention,' she said. Pinto said she would hold a hearing on the legislation on Nov. 29."
Washington Post: Restaurants are still struggling, and crime isn’t helping. “Pinto has introduced a sweeping set of proposals to tackle and prevent crime as well as to create a task force to review diversionary programs that could keep nonviolent misdemeanor offenders out of jail. The goal, Pinto said in a statement to The Post, is to keep visitors, residents and business owners safe. 'The status quo is not acceptable,' Pinto said.”
GW Hatchet: Driver strikes, kills cycling graduate student blocks from campus. “Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto said in a statement that she sends her heartfelt condolences to Huseynov’s loved ones. 'I will continue working to ensure our streets are safe for all residents, especially cyclists and pedestrians,'Pinto said.”
DCist: Man Dies At D.C. Central Cell Block. “I am working with DOC to determine whether all proper procedure was followed before, during, and after the death,” Pinto said in a statement to DCist/WAMU on Tuesday morning. “My sincere condolences go out to the loved ones of the individual.”
WUSA9: 'My heart hurts' | Armed men rob restaurant patrons at the District Wharf. “Councilmember Brooke Pinto who chairs the Committee on the Judiciary and Public safety called the attack 'brazen' and advocated for her permanent safety legislation that is being considered by the D.C. Council.”
WUSA9: Fare jumper causes evening delay on Green Line trains, police say. “The Metro Safety Amendment Act of 2023, introduced by Councilmember Brooke Pinto, would require anyone stopped for fare evasion to provide their true name and address when stopped by a Metro Transit Police Officer. If the fare evader refuses, they could be detained and fined up to $100. ‘This bill is seeking to give teeth to what civil enforcement means. We have a city of laws,' Pinto who chairs the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety told reporters following the public hearing. She says her proposal addresses growing concerns over crime and Metro's $750 million shortfall.
Team Pinto was excited to welcome new ANC 2E07 Commissioner Daniel Chao! Brian from Team Pinto met with Commissioner Chao to walk ANC 2E07 in Georgetown’s East Village. They discussed how to best help neighbors experiencing homelessness, improving public safety around Rose Park, a sinkhole in the sidewalk on P Street, and how to improve parking for residents. If you live in ANC 2E07, you can reach Commissioner Chao at 2E07@anc.dc.gov.
Did you know? ANC 2E07 is home to Dumbarton Oaks, a Harvard University research institute, library, museum, and garden.
DPW will be collecting household hazardous waste, unwanted electronic equipment, and documents to be shredded on one Thursday (10am-2pm) and one Saturday (7am-2pm) each month at RFK Stadium Lot 3 through March 2024. The Special Waste Collection event may be delayed or canceled due to inclement weather. Please check DPW social media (Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook) for the most up-to-date information and accepted items. For more information about what items are accepted or prohibited at these special waste collection events, please review this page.
Project Giveback is hosting the 29th annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution at the DC Armory on Saturday, November 18. Volunteers can register here.
The Safeway Feast of Sharing, presented by Events DC, will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Wednesday, November 22 from 9:30am-1:00pm. Join Safeway Feast of Sharing for a holiday celebration featuring a delicious free Thanksgiving meal, live entertainment, free health screenings, community service exhibitors, a free clothing distribution, fun prizes and more.
The DC Business Gun Violence Prevention Coalition in partnership with the District of Columbia Army National Guard is hosting the 2023 Citywide Jobs Not Guns Recruitment Fair on Tuesday, November 28 from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the DC Armory, 2001 East Capital Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. Event registration can be found here.
EdFEST returns to the DC Armory on Saturday, December 2 at 10am-1pm, for PK3-Grade 8. (EdFEST for Grades 9-12 will be held 12/9 at Eastern High School). More information about both events can be found here.
Work for the DC Smart Street Light project resumed underneath Whitehurst Freeway November 1 and will continue through November 30, weather permitting. Maintenance is scheduled to take place during the weekend hours of Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am-4:00pm. Updates on the project are available here.
As Federal Student Loan repayments are set to resume, the Office of the Attorney General put out aConsumer Alert that includes recommendations and suggestions for federal student loan borrowers. Check out the consumer alert to see how you can prepare for repayments to resume and other resources.
WMATA launched Metro Lift, an income-qualified fare program, that provides a 50% discount on Metrorail and Metrobus fares. The discount will reduce the cost of a bus trip to just $1 and rail fare to as little as $1 and no more than $3 depending on how far you travel. Customers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Maryland, Virginia, and DC qualify for Metro Lift and can enroll here. Customers may make appointments online or by calling 1-888-762-7874.
Red Line service will be unavailable at Farragut North, Metro Center, and Gallery Place stations with free shuttle buses replacing trains from Monday, December 18 through Saturday, December 30 in order for WMATA to perform critical safety repairs. While the Red Line is closed, service will continue to be available on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines on the lower level at Metro Center and Green and Yellow line service on the lower level at Gallery Place. In addition, Judiciary Square Station will be closed from Friday, December 22, through Sunday, December 24. Sign up for MetroAlerts here.
The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission) is distributing free weatherization tools to District residents as part of the Commission’s annual Winter Ready DC campaign from Wednesday, December 6 through Saturday, January 14. The first event will be held on Wednesday, December 6 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Benning/Dorothy I. Height Library (3935 Benning Road NW). To learn more about participating library locations and dates, visit this page.