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IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 

• September 7 - Labor Day (Government Services Modified)
• September 9 - New Commanders Stadium Resource Expo
• September 11-12 - Art All Night
• September 13-18 - Ward 5 Week!
• September 15 - Council Recess Ends
• September 17 - DPR Ward 5 Capital Projects Updates Meeting
• September 17 - Brentwood Rec Modernization Meeting
• September 19 - Ward 5 Day!
• ...and more!

Last night's storm left many neighbors waking up to power outages, downed trees and power lines, and property damage. My team has been in touch with Pepco, DDOT, and DPW throughout the day. Unfortunately, damage is widespread throughout the District and clean-up may take a few days. While power has been restored in several areas, I know many neighbors are still waiting. My team and I are continuing to press Pepco for prompt resolutions and will provide updates via social media as we receive them. If you haven't yet, please be sure to report any downed trees to 311 and downed power lines to 311 or Pepco at 1-877-737-2662. If you need my team's assistance escalating concerns, don't hesitate to contact us at ward5contact@dccouncil.gov. Please also take care when getting around the city the next few days and check on neighbors who may need an extra hand. 

Looking ahead, I'm excited to share the fun-filled schedule for Ward 5 Week, September 13-18! These events take place across Ward 5 and offer a variety of activities so there is a little something for everyone. It's all in preparation for Ward 5 Day on September 19 at Turkey Thicket (1100 Michigan Ave NE). Join us in this annual celebration of all things Ward 5!

All events listed below are free and open to the public except for one—the Commanders Watch Party with National Links Trust at the Langston Golf Course for the Commanders season-opening game. We have a very limited set of tickets to give away for free to neighbors, so if you are interested in joining us at the Watch Party on Sunday, September 13 at 4:00 p.m., sign up here now!

As a reminder, this coming Monday, September 7 is Labor Day. Whether it's fighting for good-paying jobs in the Commanders Stadium deal, joining the picket line with hotel workers asking for better working conditions, or voting to protect voters' voices to expand the tipped minimum wage, I am proud to stand with our workers and grateful for all the wins secured by generations of labor organizers. 

Please note that some District government services will be modified in observance of the Labor Day holiday. You can view the complete list here, but a quick run-down is below:

• The final day of operation for the Langdon Park Pool will be on Monday, September 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pools and splash parks officially close for the season after Labor Day. View all outdoor pool schedules here and spray park schedules here.
• The Department of Public Works (DPW) will not collect household trash and recycling on Monday, September 7. Collections will "slide" one day for the rest of the week into Saturday.
• All parking enforcement will be suspended on Monday, September 7. 
• DC Public Library neighborhood locations and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library will be closed on Monday, September 7. Remember, the library is always open online at dclibrary.org. 
• DC Public Schools will be closed on Monday, September 7.
• Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) recreation centers, community centers, and indoor aquatic centers will be closed on Monday, September 7.

In today's edition of the Ward 5 Weekly, you'll also find: 

public safety updates; a recap of DPR's Langdon Park Community Center meeting; Notices of Intent modifying traffic/parking requirements in Ward 5; DPR's next Ward-by-Ward capital projects updates meeting for Ward 5 on September 17; the next Burroughs Elementary School Modernization Community Meeting on September 29; programs to benefit from featuring the First & Goal construction kick-off and resource expo for the new Commanders Stadium on September 9; and community events including another back-to-school giveaway this weekend and Queens Chapel Community Day next weekend! Keep scrolling for more.

Last Saturday, my team attended a celebration of Dunbar Class of 1955 graduate and long-standing representative, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. This event was hosted by the Dunbar Alumni Federation, Inc., and Dunbar High School's Eleanor Holmes Norton Academy of Law and Public Policy. The celebration included recognition of other Dunbar graduates who went on to become trailblazers in the community. I'm so grateful for the tremendous legacy Eleanor Holmes Norton leaves as she finishes her time in Congress and for her decades of leadership fighting for DC Statehood. 

Also on Saturday, my team stopped by Langston Community Day, featuring activities, food, music, and community resources for neighbors.

Monday was full of meetings in preparation for Ward 5 Week, Ward 5 Day, and the Council's return from recess on September 15. 

On Tuesday, I had a number of meetings before joining neighbors at DPR's Langdon Park Community Center update meeting. I am glad to share that through the work we did securing an additional $15 million and adding legislative language in this year's budget to require DPR to go back to the drawing board and respond to neighbors' concerns, they presented a completely revised concept for the center's redevelopment. Check out more in the Ward 5 Updates section below for slides from their presentation.

Wednesday morning, DC's Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, announced a suit against the property owners and managers of 1400 Florida Ave NE, also known as the Delta Pearl. I've been highlighting this property in recent newsletters and last week's podcast following a visit there as part of my Ward 5 Housing Conditions Tour. You can read the full announcement here. I’m grateful for the Attorney General taking action given the deplorable living conditions residents have endured. The property owner has accrued $230K in fines for 200 unabated violations, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. All neighbors deserve safe, clean, stable housing and I will keep fighting to make it reality. Click the video below to see my announcement on the lawsuit.

Also on Wednesday, I attended Destination DC’s FY27 Marketing Outlook. It was great to see so many District business sectors represented and to understand our strategies for promoting tourism to the District. While there are obvious challenges we’re facing right now, it was a great reminder that DC is a wonderful place to live in and visit—from our thriving sports,  theater, and music offerings to our unique, walkable neighborhoods, world class restaurants, and museums.

Yesterday, I took a tour of the MidAtlantic Carpenters' Training Center in Upper Marlboro. I am grateful for this carpenters' union and the work they do equipping District students and workers to enter the construction industry with marketable skills and networks. 

MPD Updates

• MPD announced the arrest of a suspect in a shooting that occurred in the 1700 block of Benning Rd NE at approximately 9:50 p.m. on June 9, 2026. 
• MPD is seeking the community's assistance in identifying a suspect in a burglary that occurred in the 600 block of Rhode Island Ave NE at approximately 4:45 a.m. on August 24, 2026.

Crime Trends

You can find the latest crime statistics using MPD's Crime Cards here. Toggle the variables at the top of the page to zoom in on your own neighborhood. Public safety remains my top priority and if you ever have any concerns or questions, please reach out to my office directly at ward5contact@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8028. 

This past Tuesday, September 1, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Department of General Services (DGS) held a meeting to share new concepts for the Langdon Park Community Center redevelopment. I am excited to share that the new concepts include everything we fought for in this year's budget process: two large gyms (one for basketball and one for gymnastics), a large skatebowl equal in size to the current skatebowl, and open, public access 6 days a week. There is still more refining of the concepts to do before the next community meeting this winter—like a fitness center, and ensuring the center both protects the surrounding natural assets and maximizes amenities for the community—but I am grateful for DPR and DGS responding to the community's asks and the $15 million and legislative language included in the FY27 budget. Check out DPR & DGS' proposal from Tuesday evening here, and stay tuned for the next community meeting. 

Join the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for their next Ward-by-Ward Meeting for Ward 5, where they will share the latest on capital projects at parks and recreation centers across the ward. The meeting will be held on Zoom on September 17 at 6:00 p.m. Register here. 

On September 17 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Brentwood Recreation Center (2311 14th St NE), the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Department of General Services (DGS) will share updates on the modernization slated for the rec center. Learn more and RSVP here. 

DC Public Schools will hold the next community meeting to give updates on the Burroughs Elementary School Modernization Project on September 29 at 6:00 p.m. Join the meeting at this link to hear the latest construction updates and ask questions about the modernization's impact on the surrounding community. Questions? Email the project specialist, Melissa Pegram, at melissa.pegram@k12.dc.gov.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is required to give written notice of their intent to modify traffic and/or parking requirements to the Council and affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) to allow for a public comment period on the modifications. The following Notices of Intent (NOIs) for Ward 5 are open for comment: 

• Closes for comment on October 15: Establishing a No Parking Zone at 1933 Montana Avenue NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-229-TPA)
  
  
• Closes for comment on October 15: Signing for Thru Truck Restrictions in Eckington (at Summit Place and Rhode Island Avenue NE) - Read and comment here (NOI-26-230-TPA)
  
  
• Closes for comment on October 19: Establishing a No Parking Zone at 57 Hanover Place NW - Read and comment here (NOI-26-234-TPA)

ANC and civic associations meetings are picking back up! This week, my team attended the North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting. Here's a brief recap:

• North Michigan Park Civic Association (September 2 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • My team joined to share updates about Ward 5 Week and Ward 5 Day. Former Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly shared a docuseries called “The Capital” on the origins of how DC came to be. The StillWoods Group presented on concerns regarding autonomous vehicles legislation (B26-0684), advocating for sufficient public safety and accountability standards. ANC 5A03 Commissioner Emily Lucio will be coordinating a walkthrough on September 9 in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office to address conditions contributing to an uptick in rats in the community. The owners of the McDonald's on South Dakota Ave joined the meeting to express their desire to work with the community and address concerns with parking and improve inside service in the restaurant. Food & Friends is expanding their kitchen area and driveway to serve more neighbors. The October meeting of the NMPCA will feature an ANC candidate forum for those running for ANC 5A seats. 
    

Here are the ANC and civic association meetings my team will attend next week:

• Tuesday, September 8
  • 6:00 p.m.
    • Woodridge Civic Association
  • 7:00 p.m.
    • ANC 5D
    • Arboretum Neighborhood Association
      
      
• Wednesday, September 9
  • 6:00 p.m.
    • North Woodridge Citizens' Association
      
      
• Thursday, September 10
  • 7:00 p.m.
    • ANC 5C

You can always view the schedule of upcoming ANC and civic association meetings that my team will attend on my website here. Not sure which ANC is yours? Use this tool to look it up. We're here to help, so email us anytime with questions - ward5contact@dccouncil.gov. Have a need, or want to share important information for ANC and civic association meetings? Get in touch with one of our Constituent Services team members:

• 5A & 5B: Kelley Cislo, kcislo@dccouncil.gov
• 5C & 5D: Andrianna Lovelace, alovelace@dccouncil.gov
• 5E & 5F: Oliver Stoute, ostoute@dccouncil.gov

In partnership with the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Department of Employment Services, join Clark | Mortenson | SmootDC (CMS) for the construction kick-off and resource expo for the new Commanders Stadium. Learn more here, and join the event on Wednesday, September 9 from 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at 700 M St SE. 

DPR Communal Farms Weekly Veggie Giveaways have started back up at locations across the city. From now until November 25, 2026, stop by the below locations on select days each week to get free, locally grown fruits, veggies, and herbs. For more information, including how to volunteer, email joshua.singer@dc.gov.

• Ward 5: Edgewood Rooftop Farm (301 Franklin St NE)
  • Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Ward 7: Lederer Garden (4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE)
  • Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Ward 1: Powell Communal Farm (3149 16th St NW)
  • Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Trinidad:

School Supply Giveaway

September 5 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

@ 1100 Florida Ave NE

Join my team at New Samaritan Baptist Church's back-to-school weekend, featuring free school supplies, backpacks, food, and more. 

Riggs Park:

9/11 Plaque Unveiling and Dedication

September 11 - 9:00 a.m.

@ 5171 South Dakota Ave NE

Join my team at the plaque unveiling and dedication for victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and former members of the Bertie Backus School community. Light refreshments to follow the ceremony.

Queens Chapel:

QCCA Community Day

September 12 - 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

@ 1600 Webster St NE

Join my team at the annual Queens Chapel Community Day. There will be music, food, moon bounce, games, and fellowship. 

Langdon:

Community Day Festival

September 12

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

@ 2400 Franklin St NE

Join MPD, DC FEMS, and neighbors a Second New St. Paul Baptist Church for a fun community day festival, featuring a moon bounce, games, food, music, and more.  

Brookland:

FMGG 3rd Annual Fall Festival

October 17 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

@ 3700 16th St NE

Mark your calendar to join my team at the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild's 3rd Annual Fall Festival! This fun event features pumpkin patches, lamb mowers, a photo booth, and more!

Penn Quarter:
Library Joy Day

September 5 - 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
@ MLK Library (901 G St NW)
Join neighbors for a fun day of games, crafts, music, and more put on by the DC Public Library.

• Intense, Overnight Storm Knocks Out Power, Downs Trees in D.C. Area (WaPo - free to read for 14 days with this gift link)
  
  
• 'Worst of the Worst' - DC Attorney General Sues Over Conditions at Ward 5 Apartment Building (WTOP)
  
  
• DC Attorney General Sues Delta Pearl Owner as Tenants Endure Heat, Rats, Broken Elevators, and Unsecured Building (Washington Informer)
  
  
• DC Sues Landlord Over Broken AC, Rodents, Other Problems at Apartments (WaPo - free to read for 14 days with this gift link)
  
  
• Report Finds Decrease in Use of Force Incidents Involving MPD in 2025 (DC News Now)

The highlight of my week was welcoming a friend, Everton Blair, to the District as he starts his service in Congress as a representative from Georgia's 13th Congressional District. I was able to stop by his office and chat about priorities for the District. The best news? He's a big supporter of D.C. Statehood. Welcome, Representative Blair!

As always, I invite you to use this form to provide feedback on how we're doing. We'd love to hear from you anytime. 

Yours in service and community, 

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