October 27, 2016 | Vol. 2, Issue 41
Dear Washingtonians,
In 2004, I began my career in public service as a Ward 4 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner - just as the U.S. Army decided to surplus the Walter Reed Campus. As the Ward 4 Councilmember, I worked with the community to ensure that DC had a plan - a good plan - for acquiring the Walter Reed Campus. In 2007, it looked like the campus would be given to a federal agency, and that DC would not be in the running. However, we decided to fight for it; and
fight for it we did. In over 100 community meetings, we made our goals and priorities for the future of the Walter Reed Campus clear.
Last
year, we broke
ground on Engine Company 22, a new $12 million state-of-the-art fire
station on the Walter Reed Campus. And just last
month, the District and the U.S. Army came to terms on a license
agreement that will expedite construction of the District of Columbia
International School at the campus, ensuring 775 students will have a
facility by the 2017 school year.
Yesterday, together
with the U.S. Army, we finally celebrated the forthcoming transfer
of 66 acres of the 110-acre Walter Reed Campus to Washington, DC.
This is a monumental project that will create over three million square feet of
residential, office, and retail space and bring nearly 5,000 jobs to
Washington, DC.
The Walter Reed development project is an example of what can be
accomplished when communities have a hand in shaping their futures. Going forward, I encourage residents in all eight wards
to help plan the future of DC by staying engaged with the DC Office of Planning, and participating in the amendment process for the District’s Comprehensive Plan. Learn more about upcoming public meetings HERE. Together, we will continue to create positive and inclusive opportunities for residents and businesses across all 8 wards.
Sincerely,
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WMATA's SafeTrack Surge 10 begins Saturday, October 29 and ends November 22. During Surge 10, the Red Line will be closed between Fort Totten and NoMa-Gallaudet U Stations. Both Brookland CUA Station and Rhode Island Station will be completely closed.
WMATA is offering extremely limited shuttle service. As a result, Mayor Bowser and the District Department of Transportation are urging commuters affected by the service changes to find alternative travel plans and, when possible, to avoid rush-hour traffic.
Families and students who use the Red Line to get to school should go HERE to make a plan for arriving on time, every day.
All residents who use the Red Line should plan for Surge 10 by visiting safetrack.goDCgo.com.
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Last week, the DC Council approved the Constitution and Boundaries for the State of Washington, DC Approval Resolution of 2016. The approved pre-enrolled constitution and boundaries are available for download at statehood.dc.gov.
Early voting has begun, and an advisory referendum on statehood for Washington, DC is on the ballot! For more information and advisory referendum language please go to www.dcboee.org.
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This week, Mayor Bowser and the Deputy Mayor for Education Jennie Niles announced that last year's graduation rate for public high schools in the District of Columbia increased 3.8 percent over the previous school year, with 69.2 percent of students graduating from high school on time.
In addition, according to preliminary data released by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, the number of students enrolled in public and charter schools in the District increased for the eighth consecutive year, reaching 90,500. In the 2016-17 school year, enrollment grew by 3,121 students over the previous year – a 3.44 percent increase.
While
there is still more work to do, both of these increases show that District
residents are more confident than ever in DC's public schools and that our
schools are making steady progress in ensuring that all students are on track
for college and the workforce.
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Watch the most recent District Minute to learn more about what has been going on in DC. This week features stories about the Kennedy Street Revitalization Project, the Pennsylvania Avenue 2040 (PA 2040) Project, and DC's bid to host Gay Games 2022.
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 The mission of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS) is to preserve life and promote health and safety through excellent pre-hospital treatment and transportation, fire prevention, fire suppression and rescue activities and homeland security awareness.
FEMS has an opening for a pharmacy technician. This position is responsible for conducting daily inventory of controlled substances; securing controlled medication in various safes; preparing and affixing labels to medication packaging; and packaging controlled medications. All details regarding this vacancy, including qualifications, can be found by visiting the job announcement.
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