Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
Last year, the Office of Planning began work to fully rewrite the District’s Comprehensive Plan for the first time in nearly 20 years. Often called the “Comp Plan,” it is a high-level guide that sets a positive, long-term vision for the District through the lens of its physical growth, equity, and change. You may have noticed information in this newsletter over the past several months about workshops and surveys for the Comp Plan, and just a few weeks ago, the Office of Planning released a draft of the Future Land-Use Map (FLUM).
What does all this have to do with you, and with the future of Ward 5? Well, the Comp Plan helps set the vision for how neighborhoods may change, how land in our communities can be used, what kinds of buildings can be built next door to where you live, and more. It is a document that is supposed to reflect our values of where we want to go as a city and what futures we want to make possible for all neighbors.
When it comes to Ward 5, the Draft FLUM proposes some positive changes, but also disappointingly misses key opportunities and perpetuates inequities. One positive is the proposal for more development opportunities along Rhode Island Ave NE, and I appreciate the Office of Planning’s continued partnership in reimagining and revitalizing that corridor with me. However, I am disappointed to see that—while the Draft FLUM modestly increases housing capacity—the draft fails to address the legacy of concentrated industrial land in Ward 5. Rather than confronting those current inequities and reimagining these areas for high-density, mixed-use neighborhoods, the Draft FLUM preserves the status quo and perpetuates existing inequities into the foreseeable future.
There’s much more to come on the Comp Plan, but for now, I encourage neighbors to participate in OP’s open feedback period on the Draft FLUM here. You can explore more of the proposal and share your thoughts on what the future of Ward 5 should be.
Ward 5 Awards Winners
Neighbors from across Ward 5 gathered for our 2026 Ward 5 Awards Ceremony this past Wednesday. It was a beautiful evening of community! I am always inspired by the remarkable residents who make Ward 5 the beautiful place to live, work, and play that it is. Please join me in congratulating this year’s award recipients!
- Good Neighbor Award: Scott Roberts
- Health & Wellness Award: Sebrena Rhodes
- Helping Hands Award: Robin Walker
- Beautification Award: Mary Pat Rowan
- Influencer Award: Cambridge Worrell-Smith
- Public Safety Award: VJ Kapur
- Legacy Award: Charlotte Lewis
- Legacy Award: Ricaud Owens
- Volunteer of the Year: Debra Whitford
- Community Partner Award: Jeremiah Montague
- Community Partner Award: Minnie Elliott
