Brooke's Briefing - Summer Updates, Public Safety in Chinatown, and Office Hours

Dear Neighbor,

Every week this summer, I will be sharing updates on a couple of key Ward 2 projects that may not get as much media attention but are incredibly important to Ward 2 residents. These deep dives are intended to serve as progress reports on projects, an insight into how our local government operates, and a way to get a better sense of how my office is advocating on behalf of Ward 2 residents. If there's a Ward 2 project you are interested in learning more about, please email Pablo Velasco Rodriguez at pvelascorodriguez@dccouncil.gov.  

Stead Park Recreation Center Renovations

The first project we are taking a deep dive into is the Stead Park Recreation Center which is undergoing a modernization and remodel which includes a new addition to the Recreation Center building. The remodeled space will be significantly expanded, and updates will be made to the playground and splash pad.

My team and I have been monitoring the progress of the construction closely and have coordinated on behalf of the community for needed changes and improvements to the design over the past several years. We are pleased to share that the Stead Park Recreation project is scheduled to be completed in October of this year! We will continue working closely with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the Department of General Services (DGS) to ensure this project gets over the finish line. We are so excited to see this community space reopen as a hub for neighborhood life and activity.

501 New York Avenue

I know many residents are concerned about the Mayor’s proposal to temporarily relocate the Central Cell Block to the MPD facility located at 501 New York Avenue. I have been disappointed by how community engagement regarding this project has been handled and share the community’s frustration that the Executive failed to share details on this project with the community, ANC, and Council, including my office, earlier in the process. I was only made aware of this project this spring, and since then my team and I have been moving expeditiously to get more information to neighbors and address the community concerns we have been hearing.  

The current Central Cell Block at the Henry J. Daly building – where people who have been arrested are held for a few hours or overnight before their initial court hearing – is in unacceptable condition and the Department of Corrections (DOC) needs to undergo renovations to make the site fit to house people. After working with DOC and MPD, it has been made clear to me that moving forward with temporarily relocating the Central Cell Block to 501 New York Avenue is their only feasible path forward as there is no other location in close proximity to the Court with built-in holding cells.  

However, I have made clear to the Executive that certain conditions must be met in order for the 501 New York Avenue site to move forward:  

• Sound proofing: The facility must be soundproofed so residents are not disturbed by potential noises coming from the building.  
• No release from this site: No one can be released from 501 New York Avenue. All releases must be made at the courthouse so individuals held at the location are not released into the surrounding community.  

I am hopeful that once these conditions are met, this will substantially address the community’s strongest concerns. I will be working closely with MPD, DOC, and the Mayor to ensure the renovations remain on schedule and are not delayed, and I will continue advocating on behalf of neighbors throughout the duration of this project to ensure residents receive timely updates and have their concerns addressed. I recently visited the site with MPD, DGS, DOC, and ANC Commissioner Nigro to walk through the site and discuss concerns and plans.

Office Hours in Georgetown

Tomorrow, I will be holding office hours in Georgetown at YELLOW. Sign up here to join us and share your priorities for the Georgetown community.

Chinatown Public Safety Forum

Lastly, I will be hosting a community forum on public safety solutions in Chinatown on August 3^rd. Chinatown is experiencing an unacceptable rise in crime and violence, and I am committed to bringing the community and government leaders together to find solutions and ensure they are expeditiously implemented. We will be joined by Deputy Mayor Lindsay Appiah, Acting Police Chief Pamela Smith, and United States Attorney Matthew Graves as well as several other government and community leaders including violence and drug prevention experts and local businesses. Residents will have the opportunity to share questions for the panel and hear directly from our government leaders on the solutions they are pursuing. I hope you will join me. You can RSVP here.

Yours in service,

Brooke

In the last few weeks, Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto have been out and about in Ward 2 and across the city including to:

• Join Mayor Bowser for a press conference to discuss the steps the government is taking through emergency legislation to address the crisis of crime and violence in DC

• Host Shaw Community Office Hours at Compass Coffee to listen to community concerns and priorities

• Join the graduates of DC Central Kitchen’s Culinary Job Training program to celebrate their hard work

• Celebrate Golden Triangle BID’s 25 years of service to the neighborhood and local businesses

• Meet with George Washington University’s new President Dr. Ellen Granberg to ensure GWU students have opportunities to work and give back right here in DC!

• Host Foggy Bottom/West End Community Office Hours at Francis Pool to talk to neighbors and hear community concerns and priorities

• Meet with Sixth & I CEO Heather Moran to discuss increasing safety and vibrancy in the Chinatown neighborhood

• Join Mayor Bowser for her nomination of Acting Chief Pamela Smith to be the next DC Police Chief

• Attend the Metropolitan Police Department’s 3D Citizens Advisory Council Public Safety Community Walk

• Visit Edlavitch Jewish Community Center to learn more about the important work they do to uplift the Jewish community and provide programming for residents

• Take a walk through the Shaw neighborhood with Department of Transportation and Department of Public Works Directors to discuss key transportation and pedestrian safety concerns

• Celebrate the opening of DC Safe’s new SAFE Space Crisis Center to support survivors of domestic violence 24/7

• Attend a 14^th Street Public Safety Meeting
• Attend the Events DC Community Grants Luncheon
• Celebrate Blagden Alley Community Day to uplift local businesses

• Take a walk through the Shaw neighborhood with Department of Buildings Director Hanlon to discuss concerns around vacant buildings

• Attend ANC 2C and 2B monthly meetings

LISTEN: DMV Download from WTOP News: Inside the deal: How the DC Council passed its emergency crime bill. “We all want a safer city. Not everyone has the same ideas about how to go about it, but part of my goal here was to bring folks together for a package that could make a difference today – this summer.”  

WATCH: DC News Now: “Immediate difference this summer”: DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto on emergency bill. “‘I am hopeful that making sure that our law enforcement partners have the tools that they need to better close cases, that our prosecutors have the tools they need to better argue for cases, especially those that are most dangerous and most violent in our community, will help us. It is not the last step, but it is an extremely important first step in legislative changes we need to be focused on as a community.’”

WTOP: Bowser nominates Pamela Smith as DC’s new chief of police. “‘In my conversations with Acting Chief Smith, she has shared her commitment to building stronger community relationships, improving trust in and coordination with the police, and increasing officer recruitment and retention,’ Pinto said in a statement. ‘I look forward to holding a thorough confirmation process for this historic nominee that includes robust community input.’”

GW Hatchet: D.C. Council approves District contract to acquire the Aston. “‘Having allowed time for thorough community input and in response to feedback from the community – both concerns and support – I believe the best path forward is for this project to proceed with key conditions included to ensure a more successful outcome,’ Pinto said in a statement Thursday. ‘I continue to believe that the best model to help move individuals experiencing homelessness into stable, dignified housing is through a bridge housing model of non-congregate settings.’”

Team Pinto is going on neighborhood walks with each of our amazing Ward 2 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners! This week, we are highlighting ANC 2D01 Commissioner Ashley Warren. Aukima from Team Pinto met with Commissioner Warren to walk ANC 2D01 in Kalorama Heights. Some of the topics they discussed included the cracking of the Spanish Wall as well as the Pakistan Embassy, which has been sold. If you live in ANC 2D01, you can reach Commissioner Warren at 2D01@anc.dc.gov.

Did you know? ANC 2D01 is a part of the Sheridan-Kalorama Historic District. The historic district was designated in 1989.

• 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 at wmata.com/MetroLift. Customers may make appointments online or by calling 1-888-762-7874.
• Black Restaurant Week LLC, the organization that celebrates the flavors of African-American, African, and Caribbean cuisine, kicked off its Greater Washington DC and Baltimore campaign on Sunday, July 16 through Sunday, July 30. Learn more about how you can support Black-owned restaurants in the DC region here: https://blackrestaurantweeks.com/.

• Together with Downtown BID and DC Public Library, Events DC is bringing three jam-packed days of FREE fun family activities to Franklin Park. Kids World at Franklin Park (1315 I Street, NW) runs from Friday, July 28^th to Sunday, July 30^th. Don't miss music, dancing, Superhero workouts, story time, Trackless Train Rides, and more. Registration and a full schedule can be found here.
• Reverse Logistics Group is hosting a free e-waste collection event on Saturday, August 5^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the collection vehicle on the corner of 34^th St NW & Volta Pl NW. Accepted items include: televisions, computers, printers, cable boxes, and more. RLG will be hosting several free e-waste collection events in the District throughout Q3. The events are open to District residents, small businesses, and small non-profits to drop off unwanted electronics for recycling at a collection vehicle. For a full list of events and accepted items, visit www.rev-log.com/DCecycling.
• Enjoy free admission to the National Building Museum on August 13^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ward 2 and Ward 7 residents can enjoy the Summer Block Party installation "Look Here" by Suchi Reddy and make crafts in the Great Hall. Visitors can bring their ID or a piece of mail for verification to receive their wristband.
• Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Washington, DC on September 7-8, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This training is for grant seekers across all disciplines. Online reservations are necessary. Complete event details including cost, online registration, learning objectives, class location, and graduate testimonials are available here.
• The Juried Exhibition Grant (JEG) opened earlier this month and is seeking applications from DC artists who’ve made artwork that reflects on and engages with the past 60 years of social and political progress in the District and beyond. This exhibition will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and art works that were inspired by its promises. Applications are currently open; the deadline is July 28 at 9 PM. All applications must be submitted through the Grant Portal. There will be an informational workshop for the grant next Monday July 17 at 2 PM.
• The Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption application opened Monday, June 5, 2023, and remains open until October 31, 2023. District residents who are 65 years or older and/or have a recognized medical disability, own their own property, and reside in their property are eligible. Residents who have a medically recognized disability must provide proof of disability to be eligible. For eligible residents, the waiver is good for two years. Residents may apply for the Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption at dpw.dc.gov or by calling 311.
• Join local businesses, ANC 2G04, and the Metropolitan Police Department for Blagden Alley Community Day on Saturday, July 22 from 1-4 p.m. ANC 2G’s Public Safety Committee is organizing the event to talk about public safety in the community and invites neighbors to enjoy games, music, food, and raffles!

• Grab a movie and some light refreshments this summer with Friends of Mitchell Park for their 2023 Summer Films in the Park! Movies will be shown at sunset in the park on July 20, August 17, and September 22. The event is generously sponsored by the Paul Pike Group of the Sotheby’s International Realty. View the full film schedule here.
• The Department of Public Works is reminding residents to maintain any bush, shrub, or tree that extends from private property into public spaces including alleys. Residents who fail to keep public space free from obstruction may be assessed fees.  
• To request installation or removal of a public litter can, residents may submit a service request through the 311 portal or by calling 311.