Your Seat at the Table

March 2, 2016 | Volume 2, Issue 8

Dear Washingtonians,

I heard your priorities loud and clear.

Over the past few days, I hosted Budget Engagement Forums across the city around the Fiscal Year 2017 budget.

At each forum, residents had an opportunity to hear about the current budget process from City Administrator Rashad Young and Budget Director Matt Brown.  But we spent most of the time hearing from you about your priorities - from education, to public safety, to housing, to jobs and economic opportunity and more.  

Just like balancing our own personal budget, balancing the District's is difficult.  I take the process very seriously.  Unlike previous mayors, I decided it was critical to hear from residents before I submit my budget to the Council.

Your priorities are our priorities.  And thanks to your involvement, our FY17 budget will reflect them.

Muriel Bowser
Mayor

The DC Streetcar is on the Move

In case you didn’t hear, the DC Streetcar is ready to ride! On Saturday, the District celebrated the official opening of the H Street/Benning Road line for passenger service. Saturday’s opening marked the first time the DC Streetcar has been in operation since the original system took its final ride in 1962. The inaugural 2.4-mile H Street/Benning Road line services eight stops between Union Station and the intersection of Benning Road and Oklahoma Avenue, near RFK Stadium. This is the first part of an eight-mile line. Currently, the service runs Monday through Saturday (including holidays) and is free to riders during this introductory period. For more information, including a transit map, safety information, and schedule, visit dcstreetcar.com.

Keeping Busy this Summer

Last week, Mayor Bowser launched summer programs for District youth ages 3 through 24, including summer camps, summer schools, and this year’s Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP). Information on all programs and schools - including registration and fees associated with them - can be found at summer.dc.gov.

In addition to youth recruitment, MBSYEP is seeking host employers. In 2015, more than 540 employers from across our region hosted MBSYEP-ers for six weeks of work experience, paid for by the DC government. They came from the public, private, nonprofit, and education sectors. The program is looking for even more organizations this year to support meaningful work experience, teach important life skills, and connect our young people to professional role models and mentors.  The application for both participants and employers to join MBSYEP 2016 is now available at summer.dc.gov.

Planning for Progress in the District

The District is experiencing outstanding growth in both our population and economy. Just yesterday, Mayor Bowser joined Blackboard to celebrate the grand opening of its new 70,500 square foot headquarters office in Ward 2. As the global leader in education software, services and analytics solutions, Blackboard has been at the forefront of DC’s burgeoning tech scene for more than 15 years. Blackboard received a grant under Mayor Bowser’s Creative and Open Space Modernization program to assist with various tenant improvements in connection with the office relocation. In exchange, Blackboard committed to recruiting and hiring District residents, offering youth development, targeting Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) in its procurement activities, and offering free space, products, and/or services to low-income and underserved communities.

Yesterday, Mayor Bowser also joined the Office of Planning for its planning and preservation symposium to discuss how the District will plan for 800,000 residents in the next 20 years, while preserving its rich and diverse history. The event brought together historic preservationists, real estate development professionals, and community stakeholders to engage one another on the opportunities and challenges around growth and development in the nation’s capital.

Welcoming the Newest DMV Service Center

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) opened its new, full-service Benning Ridge Service Center on Benning Ridge Road, SE in Ward 7 on Tuesday. This cutting-edge facility is now the DMV’s largest service center, replacing the old Penn Branch Service Center.  It is accessible to drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and metrorail/metrobus riders. This new location was launched in response to requests and needs from District residents.

DMV Pro Tip: Before stopping by the DMV, visit dmv.dc.gov. You can find out what documents are needed for a successful visit. And while you’re on the website, you can check out the waiting area webcams - to see whether the service center is busy or not.

Earlier today, U.S. News & World Report announced Washington, DC as the 8th Best Place to Live in America. Click HERE to learn more.

Pathways to the Middle Class - Job Announcement: Recreation Specialist (Aquatics), Department of Parks and Recreation

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) provides quality urban recreation and leisure services for residents of the District of Columbia. DPR supervises many of the District of Columbia's recreation/community centers, parks, athletic fields, playgrounds, spray parks, tennis courts, community gardens, dog parks, aquatic facilities and features. DPR has several openings for Recreation Specialists in its Aquatics Division. An individual in this role governs the conduct of persons at swimming pools and recreation centers and prevents accidents through the enforcement of policies, rules, and regulations. The Recreation Specialist will also enter the water to rescue persons in distress, resuscitate rescued swimmers, and administer first aid to the injured. Candidates must have knowledge of the basic principles and techniques of lifeguard training, water safety, and CPR. Additional details regarding this vacancy can be found by visiting the job announcement.