Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
I have a lot of updates to share this week following the Council’s first vote on the FY25 budget, the launch of the South Dakota Corridor Safety Study with DDOT, and the start of Pride Month.
While there is still more work to do before the Council’s second vote on the budget, I want to make sure you don’t miss the many reasons to celebrate what we’ve accomplished so far. We found ways to raise revenue, stabilize WMATA to avoid drastic service cuts and fare increases, and—for the first time ever—are establishing a local child tax credit as the Council funded a foundation for my District Child Tax Credit proposal. To make sure you can see all the ways Ward 5 and the city are winning in this year’s budget, there’s an entire section in this week’s newsletter devoted to detailing the investments we’re making in schools, recreation centers, traffic safety, public safety, seniors, and more. Check it out here.
Last night was also the launch of the South Dakota Corridor Safety Study with DDOT. Based on years of traffic data, we know that South Dakota Ave is among the most dangerous roadways in Ward 5. What’s more, Wards 5, 7, and 8 routinely lead the District in traffic violence and fatalities. Out-of-state commuters speed through our communities and the status quo simply isn’t acceptable. The launch of this safety study is an exciting opportunity for our community to give DDOT feedback on what changes we would like to see.
If you missed last night’s virtual meeting, I hope you will join us tomorrow at 1800 Perry St NE from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to see the variety of concepts DDOT has developed, and give them your perspective and feedback. DDOT will also make a recording of last night’s meeting available next week, and is accepting community input via their online public input map. Earlier today, my team and I canvassed along South Dakota and stopped by businesses on Rhode Island Ave to make sure we reached neighbors who will be most directly impacted by these efforts. This project is not a bikes vs. cars debate—it is an opportunity to work together to make South Dakota Ave safer for all of us. DDOT will be leading an intentional, iterative process and I hope you will engage.
