This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
DCPS teachers returned to schools this week, and students begin their first day of classes on Monday. As we begin this exciting transition into the school year for many Ward 4 and DC families, I’m continuing my committee’s oversight work to make sure our facilities are in the best shape possible for students’ and teachers’ return. I’m also updating you on the status of several significant DPR projects in our community and what to expect in the coming months.
I also want to address the events of the past week and the allegations against Councilmember Trayon White, and what steps the Council, led by Chairman Mendelson, is taking to determine a path forward.
Council News/Legislative Updates
Responding to Allegations Against Councilmember Trayon White
As representatives of the people of DC, every elected official in the District has a duty to honor the trust residents have placed in us. The allegations that surfaced over the weekend against Councilmember Trayon White are shocking and deeply disappointing if proven true.
Our Ward 8 neighbors, like all of us, deserve elected leaders who uphold the highest ethical standards. Ward 8 is a proud ward with a long legacy of service and leadership. Through the Committee on Facilities and Family Services and together with my colleagues, I’m ready to support the Ward 8 Council office as it continues to serve our neighbors in Ward 8.
Our judicial system is grounded in the fundamental belief that every person is innocent until proven guilty, and Councilmember White deserves that same presumption. However, these allegations demand action to rebuild trust in the integrity of the District government. I support Chairman Mendelson’s decision to form an Ad Hoc committee to investigate and recommend a path forward to the full Council. Over the next few weeks, I hope to work with my colleagues to determine the full extent of any alleged wrongdoing and ensure our government operates with transparency and integrity.
Community News
Preparing Our Facilities for the First Day of School
Since early July, I’ve been working with my council colleagues to meet with educators, school leaders, and various agencies to assess the condition of schools throughout the District. This process has also involved regular communication with parents and families to get the latest information on the status of repairs and projects from DGS and DCPS.
I’m grateful to everyone who has joined us on these tours and is advocating for the well-being of our students and educators. DC’s teachers and students deserve a safe and comfortable academic environment. When this need is met, students of all ages show up to school and thrive.
In the next few days, I encourage all educators and school staff to review our school readiness checklist and email facilities@dccouncil.gov to report any issues they encounter. As issues arise, I’ll continue to conduct oversight to ensure schools are prepared and students’ learning is not interrupted.
I’ll also be sharing a letter with DGS and DCPS leadership in the coming days to share my findings from these tours and recommend a path forward. I expect and am hopeful the Council, DGS, and DCPS can work together to improve and streamline processes and ultimately deliver the best conditions for our students, educators, and school communities.
Updates on Ward 4 Capital Projects
On Monday evening, DPR held a community meeting on ongoing capital projects in Wards 3 and 4. These initiatives, funded through the budget, involve construction and renovation of buildings throughout our community. I’d like to share a few of the takeaways from this meeting regarding our capital projects:
- The Upshur Park Rec Center is entering its design phase this summer, with construction starting next fall and ending in spring 2027. The contract has been awarded to a general contractor who will lead on replacing the field house and pool house and making it into one cohesive facility for recreation and aquatic programs.
- The Emery Heights Rec Center will undergo a full modernization, which is currently in the design phase. Construction will begin in 2026 and finish in 2027.
- The Walter Reed Outdoor Pool Project is in the internal design process. In the coming months, DPR will begin community engagement to review options about the design of the pool and pool house with the community.
- Finally, the Riggs-LaSalle Rec Center is beginning construction on its full roof replacement this fall, which is expected to be completed in the spring of next year. This summer, we did a tour of the rec center to assess the needed repairs and better understand the work ahead. Thank you to Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Rec and neighbors for their dedicated advocacy on this issue!
I encourage you to watch Monday’s full meeting to get the latest updates on all of the exciting projects coming to our ward!
Community Resources
Ward 4 Drug Free Zones in Effect
MPD has announced several drug free zones in Ward 4, which are now in effect until Monday, August 26th at 7:59am. The creation of these drug free zones was authorized by the Secure DC omnibus bill in March and allows MPD to order individuals to disperse from the zone if an officer “reasonably believes” the person is there to commit a drug offense. The boundaries of the drug free zone will be:
- Piney Branch Road, NW from 12th Street to Georgia Avenue, NW
- Georgia Avenue, NW from Piney Branch Road to Tuckerman Street, NW
- 900 Block of Tuckerman Street, NW
- 6200-6300 block of 9th Street, NW
- Rittenhouse Street, NW from 9th Street to 12th Street, NW
- 12th Street, NW from Rittenhouse Street to Piney Branch Road, NW
- 100 block of Longfellow Street, NW
- 5400-5500 blocks of 1st Street, NW
- 100 block of Missouri Avenue, NW
- 2nd Street, NW from Missouri Avenue, NW to Longfellow Street, NW
4th District School Supply Drive
On Friday, August 23rd, 4th District MPD is holding a school supply drive to support families as we approach the start of the school year. The event will take place at the 4th District Police Station from 3 to 5pm.
Back to School Day at RFK
On Friday, August 23rd from 12 to 4pm, the Office of the Mayor is hosting Back to School Day at RFK at The Fields at 401 Oklahoma Ave NE. The event will include backpack and school supply giveaways, plus food, music, an arcade, haircuts, immunizations, food trucks, and more. See more details here.
Emory Beacon of Light Food and Supply Distribution
On Saturday, August 24th from 9am to 12pm, Emory Beacon of Light Inc is hosting a food and supply distribution, with free food, hygiene products and essential household and school supplies. The event will take place at 6100 Georgia Ave NW.
Emery Heights Backpack Giveaway
On Saturday, August 24th from 12 to 4pm, DPR is hosting a backpack giveaway at the Emery Heights Community Center. Learn more and RSVP here.
Non-Citizen Voting Know Your Rights Information Session
On Tuesday, August 27th from 3 to 7pm, Legal Aid DC is hosting an information session on non-citizen voting at the Mt. Pleasant Library. The session will help non-citizen DC residents get familiar with the voting process and address questions and concerns. Learn more here.
Job Seekers Clinic at Petworth Library
On Thursday, August 29th from 2 to 3pm, Petworth Library will host a job seekers clinic in Meeting Room 2 of the library. Residents looking for jobs or application assistance can get support from library staff on resume development, interviewing skills, and other job seeking needs.
Neighborhood Events
Upcoming Events at The Parks at Walter Reed
The Parks at Walter Reed is hosting several exciting events this weekend! Here’s what’s on the calendar:
- Thursday, August 22nd, 6:30 to 7:30pm, Yoga with Jess Pierno on the Great Lawn
- Friday, August 23rd, 5:30 to 7:30pm: 80s-themed Happy Hour on the Marketplace
- Saturday, August 24th, 9:30 to 10:30am, Yoga with Jess Pierno on the Great Lawn
- Saturday, August 24th, 10am to 4pm, Turning the Page Back-to-School Festival on the Marketplace Plaza with 4K+ used books, CDs and vinyl, author readings, tables for community organizations, and music
Back to School Movie Night and Foam Party
On Friday, August 23rd, Uptown Main Street is organizing a back-to-school movie night and foam party for the community! The event will take place on the 700 block of Kennedy Street starting at 5:30pm, with fun family activities happening all night.
Petworth Community Clean-Up
On Saturday, August 24th from 9am to 3pm, Petworth Action Committee, ANC Commissioner Antoine Kirby, SWEEP, and other community organizations are joining to host a community clean-up in Petworth. The event will start at 3900 Kansas Ave NW and move throughout the neighborhood. All neighbors are encouraged to join!
Zion Hill Baptist Church and Petworth Rec Center Community Day
On Saturday, August 24th, Zion Hill Baptist Church and Petworth Rec Center are joining to host a community day at Petworth Playground from 10am to 2pm. The event will feature a school supply giveaway, prevention and health services, music, food, and activities, including moon bounce and a splash park.
17th Annual Six Months Moratorium to Stop the Killings
On Saturday, August 31st, Cease Fire. Don’t Smoke the Brothers & Sisters, along with Universal Madness and Potomac Valley Boxing Gym are organizing the 17th annual Six Months Moratorium to Stop the Killings at the Upshur Rec Center. The event will feature a cookout from 1 to 8:30pm, and amateur boxing from 3 to 6pm, as well as free food and health screenings.
Fort Slocum Community Clean-Up
On Saturday, September 7th from 1 to 3pm, ANC 4B06 Commissioner Johnson is hosting a community clean-up in Fort Slocum Park. High school volunteers will be eligible to receive volunteer hours. Sign up here to register and remember to bring your DCPS volunteer form.
Important Reminders
Summer in the Park at Fort Slocum
Every Thursday evening in August from 6 to 8pm, Rock Creek Park and Rock Creek Conservancy are hosting free, family-friendly events at Fort Slocum. Join for music from DJ Lance Reynolds and fun-for-all-ages games and activities. Learn more and register here.
Office Hours in the Community
Every Wednesday afternoon, our Ward 4 constituent services team holds office hours at Fort Stevens Rec Center from 12 to 1pm, followed by office hours atHattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Community members can stop by and speak one-on-one with a member of our team about DC government services or our work in the Ward 4 community.
For more local events, check out DPR, DC Public Library, and NPS.
Ward 4 in the News
Petworth News: Sign up for pre-Festival family fun the morning of Celebrate Petworth
Petworth News: An interview with 5-year old about Lincoln’s Cottage Homecoming (and goats!) — plus, get free tix now!
Petworth News: Volunteer to temporarily host a French exchange student at Roosevelt HS for a week
Ward 4 Dispatch: Traffic Safety Fixes, Back-to-School Resources, and Improving DC’s 911 Operations
Over the weekend, I was grateful to partner with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, Ward 4 SBOE Representative Frazier O’Leary, The Parks Main Street, Pepco, and Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Rec for a backpack and school supply giveaway at Riggs-LaSalle Rec Center. It was a joy to see students picking out school supplies and their favorite books and getting excited for the start of the school year.
This afternoon, we held our fifth In The Ward 4 You pop-up at The Parks at Walter Reed and are heading into our last two events of the summer next week and the following week. I’m looking forward to closing out the summer strong at our last two events!
Finally, this week, I was grateful to see the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 come to a new four-year contract with WMATA. ATU 689 is composed of over 8,000 bus and train operators, maintenance workers, and other Metro employees who keep Ward 4 and DC moving. As we approach Labor Day, this is fantastic news for everyone who rides public transit and the hard-working employees who make our transit possible.
Have a relaxing weekend and check back next week for more updates!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
