Neighbors-
Hope you are all staying safe and healthy.
S Street NW between Massachusetts Avenue and New Jersey Avenue NW is now a Slow Street. Per the Mayor’s office, “Slow Streets are restricted to local traffic only and the speed limit is set at 15 miles per hour to support neighborhood-based safe social distancing while walking, running, or cycling.” During this time, S Street is not a through street for cars and trucks. Please feel free to use S Street NW as you please, at a safe distance!
Late this week, Pupatella opened on 18th and S St NW. The ANC 2B recently supported their stipulated license request for outdoor hours to 11 p.m., and midnight on weekends. I’m thankful that people are investing in our neighborhood through the pandemic, and I can attest the pizza is fantastic.
Temporary reconfiguration of street space: Washington Blade interviewed DDOT Director Jeff Marootian on “streateries” and the rainbow crosswalk at 17th and P, the Washington Post featured Dupont regarding the enforcement of guidelines during the pandemic, and the guidelines for outdoor space for restaurants and retail during the pandemic are in this 17-page PDF.
Many neighbors have interacted with Gracie in the last few months. Washington Blade covered recently: “Trans woman targeting gay bar patrons for assault: witnesses”.
311: A reminder that 311 is usually the best first stop on most government requests including street and sidewalk repair, trash removal, rat abatement, and removal of abandoned vehicles. It’s also the first stop for complaints including illegal signs, engine idling, for-hire driver reports, illegal parking, and more. Many District agencies use 311 cases as a metric to determine how many requests they receive and how quickly they are able to complete them, and I usually get better service using 311 opposed to trying to talk with someone at the agency directly. A few pro tips for 311:
- Get an account and use the app or website: 311.dc.gov. Once you have an account, you can track your requests, and get emailed when they are responded to. You also can view a map of recent cases, such as the map above which shows 311 cases in our neighborhood for the last 30 days.
- Email me at 2b04@anc.dc.gov with your 311 case number and situation if you are not getting a timely or expected response with a District agency. Depending on the situation, I can try to connect with some agencies, or at least give you a realistic opinion of what I think is going on. If I’m unable to connect you, I’ll refer you and your 311 case to one of our two Ward 2 representatives with the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services or our councilmember’s constituent services.
- If you prefer Twitter, @311DCgov is very responsive.
If you have not completed the 2020 Census, please do it ASAP. As of August 18, Ward 2’s response rate is under 60% and the National Self-Response Rate is 64%. The census impacts funding, ward and ANC boundaries, budgeting, and more. Make sure you’re counted!
The latest official information from D.C. regarding the pandemic is at coronavirus.dc.gov, including testing sites, travel guidance, and current restrictions and recommendations.
As always, keep in touch!
Aaron Landry 