Dear Neighbor,
This week I will be continuing my project of sharing updates every week this summer 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 my Constituent Services Coordinator, Pablo Velasco Rodriguez, at pvelascorodriguez@dccouncil.gov.
Jelleff Recreation Center
The renovations to Jelleff Recreation Center that I advocated and secured funding for are moving forward! The current Jelleff facility is badly out of date and needs significant improvements to best serve the needs of the community. The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is currently in the design phase of this project has two design options for the space. Special shout out to Commissioners Elizabeth Miller and Kishan Putta for their hard work and partnership on this important project!
Construction is expected on this project from 2024-2025. My team and I have been working to ensure this project moves forward and we will continue working closely with ANC 2E Commissioners, Burleith Citizens Association, DPR and the Department of General Services (DGS), and neighbors to ensure this project gets over the finish line expeditiously and in a way that will be most beneficial to the community. We are so excited to see this community space revitalized to better serve as a hub for neighborhood life and activity, and as a space that serves kids from all eight wards!
Dupont Deckover
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is in the process of planning a $27 million transformational project to create a “deck over” the area on Connecticut Avenue NW from north of Dupont Circle to Q Street NW. In addition, the project includes streetscape along Connecticut Avenue NW from Q St NW to California St NW. This is an incredibly exciting project that has been in the planning phases for many years and I am excited to see it moving forward.
However, I know that there continues to be some community concern about the impact of construction on the area. I have been working closely with DDOT to ensure needs of residents are met at all stages of this transformative project and to ensure community requests and needs are honored and heard. To accomplish this, I have secured the following commitments from DDOT on behalf of Ward 2 neighbors:
- Pursue the option of converting 19th St as a southbound one-way from R to Q St. I made this request to ameliorate some of the traffic congestion from the new traffic pattern and ensure people going north bound from the detour on 19th will actually use Q to get back to Connecticut Avenue. Pending concurrence from the ANC, DDOT has agreed to the temporary conversion.
- Collaborate with MPD to increase traffic enforcement at 19th Street, including having a crossing guard. I made this request to enhance safety and clarity during peak hours. This should also help ensure that handicapped parking spaces are not obstructed. DDOT has committed to working with MPD and DPW on enforcement and will incorporate a Traffic Control Officer into the project.
- Work with Waze and Google Maps to show 19th street as closed. DDOT has committed to working with Waze and Google to minimize traffic congestion.
- Share project documentation with the public. I have asked DDOT to provide context for decisions made around detours, staging areas, and truck/bus routes. DDOT has committed to uploading documents to the project website and directing the community to that site.
- Strong incentive structure for the contractor to honor, or outperform, the planned timeline and disincentives for delays. DDOT has committed to working on incentive/disincentive clauses for this project to prevent delays in construction.
- Re-educate the public on traffic patterns once construction concludes. I made this request of DDOT to ensure the community is aware of traffic patterns once all roads are reopened. DDOT has committed to working with the community throughout the project and ensuring that the public is fully aware of new travel patterns.
I will continue working closely with DDOT to ensure these commitments are honored and that this exciting project is moving forward expeditiously.
Chinatown Forum
Lastly, I will be hosting a community forum on public safety solutions in Chinatown on Thursday, August 3rd. 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.
I will be joined by Deputy Mayor Lindsay Appiah, Acting Police Chief Pamela Smith, United States Attorney Matthew Graves, and Interim Director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement Kwelli Sneed, as well as several other government and community leaders including other 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 and pre-submit questions 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:
Host Georgetown Community Office Hours at YELLOW Café to speak with constituents about neighborhood concerns and priorities.
Meet with Acting Chief Pamela Smith to discuss partnering to promote public safety.
Visit Georgetown small businesses to hear from owners about their concerns and experiences.
Speak at National Night Out about the importance of strong relationships between police and the community.
Attend the Citizen’s Association of Georgetown public safety meeting.
Meet with DCPS students who are interning with the American Experience Foundation and Destination DC.
AFRO News: D.C. Council passes legislation in favor of pre-trial detention for juveniles and adults. “‘This change responds to [the] serious problem of [a] revolving door in which too many people [who] commit serious crimes are arrested and end up right back on the street sometimes hurting other people,’ said Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Chairwoman Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2).”
Washington Blade: D.C. bill would bar insurance discrimination against PrEP users. “‘PrEP is a safe, reliable, and crucial medication to prevent the contraction of HIV,’ Pinto said in the statement. ‘We need to be promoting its use – not discriminating against people, including LGBTQQIA+ and people of color who are disproportionately affected by HIV, who use this important medication,’ Pinto says in the statement.”
Washington Post: A D.C. elected official serving from jail was moved out of town. “Council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) tweeted that she was ‘deeply concerned’ by the possible transfer and had been working to prevent it so Bishop could continue to serve as an advisory neighborhood commissioner. She pointed to these circumstances as a ‘frustrating reminder’ of the District’s need for statehood and how without it, the city lacks power over its people who are incarcerated for felonies.”
NBC4: Violent crime is rising in the nation's capital. DC seeks solutions as Congress keeps close watch. “‘It is no secret … to the public that we are in a state of emergency right now,’ said Brooke Pinto, the D.C. Council member who was the bill's architect. ‘Like in any emergency, we have to act like it and we have to act urgently to address the problem we’re seeing.’”
Team Pinto is going on neighborhood walks with each of our amazing Ward 2 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners! This week, we are highlighting ANC 2F07 Commissioner Brant Miller. Brian from Team Pinto met with Commissioner Miller to walk ANC 2F07 in the Logan Circle neighborhood. Some of the topics they discussed included issues around Logan Circle, including NPS upkeep, public safety, housing affordability and encampment outreach, and ensuring new businesses coexist well with longtime neighbors. If you live in ANC 2F07, you can reach Commissioner Miller at 2F07@anc.dc.gov.
Did you know? ANC AF07 is home to Logan Circle, the only circle park in Washington, DC to retain its residential character intended by Pierre L'Enfant.
As District agencies continue to respond to storm related issues, here are some useful tips. The Department of Public Works continues to collect household trash and recycling as scheduled. If your trash or recycling was not collected as scheduled, please place a 311-service request at 311.dc.gov.
Thursday, August 3rd, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., DC Health Link is hosting an FY 24 Open Enrollment Period Strategic Planning Summit at MLK Library. Open enrollment is approaching in the fall, come to learn how to be best prepared!
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.
Reverse Logistics Group is hosting a free e-waste collection event on Saturday, August 5th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the collection vehicle on the corner of 34th 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.
Celebrate First Fridays Art Walk in front of Howard Theatre. The monthly event is hosted on the first Friday of each month (August 4th to April 5th), from 6 to 10 p.m. Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience a fusion of visual arts, live music, and small businesses, creating an immersive and engaging environment for all ages. Learn more here.
Black Mamas Wellness Community Day will be hosted at Bard High School Early College on Saturday, August 12th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to women at every stage of motherhood and their families. Learn more about the event and RSVP here.
The 23rd annual Library of Congress National Book Festival will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, August 12th from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.). If you can't attend in-person for a day of free talks and activities, several programs will be livestreamed, and video of all talks can be viewed online after the Festival concludes. Learn more about the festival here.
Enjoy free admission to the National Building Museum on August 13th 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.
Join Events DC at their Summer Movie Series at the Carnegie Library Lawn (located directly in front of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center) on Thursday, August 17th. This free event will feature "Disney’s Turning Red" (2022), favorite movie snacks and light fare, fun activities, a DJ, and community resources. It is encouraged to bring a lawn blanket or chair to sit on during the movie. All food and giveaways are on a first come-first served basis. Register here for free tickets.
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.
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 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.