Honoring the past, looking to the future

February 14, 2015  |  Volume 1, Issue 4

Dear Washingtonians,

February is Black History Month - a month when we highlight the many achievements and contributions of Black Americans to our nation.  While we remember the contributions of Frederick Douglass, Charles Drew, Duke Ellington, Sterling Tucker and our own freedom fighters—Frank Smith and Eleanor Holmes Norton, and countless others, this month should also be a call to action.

We all have a responsibility to uphold the legacy and contributions of the pioneers of the District, who with their blood, sweat and tears brought us to this very day. We also have a responsibility to educate and empower our youth, because this city is not just ours, it belongs to this generation and the next and the one after that.

Let’s make sure that we embrace the “it takes a village” motto to grow stronger communities for future generations. Not just today, or this month, but every day.

Everyone can make a difference. In remembrance of those who gave tirelessly to our city, I implore you to take a youth or a group of youth to visit the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum to see How the Civil War changed Washington or any of the upcoming events that are taking place this month.  The DC Commission on Arts and Humanities has a guide to free events happening around the city the entire month. As we continue to foster art and the creative economy, it is important that we use art as an instructional tool to connect multiple generations.

This month, make sure you help one youth learn a new piece of black history. 

Sincerely,

Mayor Bowser

HERE’S A RECAP

MAYOR BOWSER EXPANDS SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM TO 22 - 24 YEAR OLDS

I announced this past Tuesday an expansion to the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) for youth ages 22-24 years old.  My administration is committed to investing in the District’s youth to ensure they have the skills and resources needed to shift from summer jobs to long-term sustainable employment. I was joined by Acting Department of Employment Services Director Deborah Carroll at a DOES’ Pathway for Young Adults Program training facility, which currently provides young adults, ages 18-22, with work readiness instruction, life skills development and occupational training with on-the-job experience. Many of these young adults have earned credentials and now have good-paying jobs with good wages. 

The expansion of the MBSYEP will model this program, which provides training, development and instruction in three fields that are in high demand:  health, administrative services and IT/ Technology. I am confident this expansion will be a win for our youth and a major win for our city.

WPGC 95.5 MORNING SHOW CALL IN

On Monday, February 9th, I had the pleasure of being one of the first guests on the new Joe Clair Morning Show on WPGC 95.5 FM.  I could not miss the opportunity to welcome Joe Clair back to DC on one of the most coveted morning shows. During this interview, I shared with Joe Clair, Tati, Guy Lambert and their listeners what my administration and I have been up to in January and February and what we have coming soon for District residents.  We discussed my administration’s commitment to growing our city for our residents and, more importantly, for our future. And with programs like the Boys and Men of Color Initiative and the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, my administration is creating a pathway for our young District residents to have the tools they need to have a fair shot.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING? “WE WON’T LET YOU DOWN!”

This past Saturday, February 7, I was delighted to speak at the Affordable Housing/DC Is Our Home Rally hosted by the Coalition for Non-Profit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) at Calvary Baptist Church. This annual event focuses on raising awareness about the need for affordable housing in the District and was attended by many who are just as passionate about affordable housing as I am.  I was joined by Polly Donaldson, my Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, which manages critical pieces in the District’s housing strategy. Although the District faces a quarter-billion dollar budget deficit, we need to make some hard choices about our priorities. Despite the challenging fiscal situation, I remain committed to investing $100 million in affordable housing. I encouraged all community partners, community leaders and residents to make more quality affordable housing opportunities possible throughout the city.

SIGN UP FOR HEALTHCARE!

February 15th is the deadline to enroll in a health insurance plan for 2015. DC Health Link is hosting numerous enrollment events throughout the city to make it convenient for residents to sign up for a plan that is right for them.

Visit www.DCHealthLink.com to get all the information you need to enroll.

MILITARY ROAD/16th STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

The Military Road/16th Street Bridge replacement project, located in Ward 4, will replace the aging 16th Street Bridge, build a median stone barrier and make utility, drainage and street light improvements to Military Road between 14th Street and Oregon Avenue, NW.  Both are heavily-used by cars, trucks, pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists.  The 16th Street Bridge is a rigid arch bridge constructed in 1956 and is badly in need of replacement.  The first phase of work is underway.  All lanes have remained open during rush hours. The construction period for this project is approximately four months.  DDOT apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the construction and urges residents and commuters to visit the project website to learn about the project and how it may impact your commute: http://www.16thandmilitary.com/

I-395/3rd STREET TUNNEL PROJECT

The initial phase of work that will prepare the I-395 highway for the future construction of the extended 3rd Street Tunnel and Property Group Partners’ Capital Crossing project is set to begin on Tuesday, February 24. This significant project, and the local jobs that come with it, is moving forward to yield a high-quality development without complete disruption to the regional transportation network.  At no point will a full closure of I-395 be required.

Motorists and pedestrians should anticipate delays due to the planned outages, which will affect the area of K Street, NW between 15th Street, NW and 20th Street, NW in both east-bound and west-bound traffic along K Street, NW and north-bound and south-bound traffic along the cross streets.  The outages will occur at one to two intersections at a time on Saturdays between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm.  The work is anticipated to start in early March 2015.  Follow-up traffic advisories will be distributed with updated information; these updates will contain specific dates and locations of the impacted intersections.  DDOT urges residents and commuters to visit www.3rdsttunnel.com  to learn of traffic congestion in that area.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

This week, I attended more community meetings throughout the city.  The ANC 6B community meeting discussions spanned a number of topics including the Hine School development, Reservation 13 and DC General, among others.

At the Ward 3 Democratic Committee Meeting, I stressed the importance of affordable housing and workforce development to ensure every resident has a fair shot at becoming a part of the middle class. I’ve heard concerns around issues such as statehood, affordable housing, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and public safety.

Residents in attendance at the Congress Heights Community Association meeting were interested in several issues that directly affect their neighborhood.  I shared updates on my recent cabinet appointments and how my search continues for a Deputy Mayor of Greater Economic Opportunity who will focus on gaps in jobs, wages, investments in training and economic development projects east of the river. 

The attendees at the Hillcrest Community Civic Association meeting expressed major concerns as it relates to condominium owners becoming eligible for Homeowner Rehabilitation funding through the administration’s $100 million affordable housing commitment. Lastly, I also made sure to invite all residents to the upcoming Budget Engagement Forums to begin February 19th at Wilson HS, February 21st at Anacostia HS and February 23rd at Dunbar HS. RSVP here.

My favorite thing about my job is getting out in the community and interacting with residents. This allows me to hear directly from you! With this feedback, I set my administration’s agenda and incorporate fresh ideas to address some of our city’s most critical matters.  I urge you to continue bringing your concerns and solutions to my attention and connecting with my Office of Community Affairs and ward representatives.

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is leading a District-wide effort to encourage and provide opportunities for all District of Columbia high school seniors to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through a collaborative initiative, which includes the introduction of an online platform allowing school-based staff to access real-time student-level FAFSA completion data, a District-wide campaign to drive FAFSA completion and the organization of four FAFSA completion assistance events throughout the city in late February. OSSE and its partners have also officially designated the month of February as FAFSA Completion Month in the District of Columbia. Students must complete their FAFSA by the state deadline of April 1, 2015.

For more information on how to help District students access their share of more than $150 billion in federal grants, loans and work-study funds, visit osse.dc.gov/fafsa.

To register for OSSE’s FAFSA Assistance events for students and parents who need additional assistance, click here. These events are scheduled for:

●       Saturday, February 21 from 12 pm to 5 pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G Street, NW) and

DC Youth Reengagement Center (810 1st Street, NE 9th Floor)

●      Saturday, February 28 from 12 pm to 5 pm

RISE Center at St. Elizabeth’s East (2700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., SE) and Latin American Youth Center (1419 Columbia Road, NW)

For public transportation information, visit www.wmata.com and www.dccirculator.com.

WHAT’S NEXT

This weekend, I am excited to attend the Grand Opening of the new Busboys and Poets location in Takoma. This event will take place on Saturday, February 14th (Valentine's Day) at 7 pm.

On Monday, I will join Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to discuss the importance of regional collaboration and, on Tuesday, will be speaking with Bruce Depuyt of WJLA regarding my upcoming Budget Engagement Forums and recent announcements.

This week, I will host my second Cabinet Meeting, attend the University of the District of Columbia’s Founder’s Day Convocation and Awards ceremony and attend a few more community events to discuss #freshstartfeb.

Stay in contact with me and my Administration. Connect with me on Facebook.  Follow me on Twitter @MayorBowser to get regular updates.  Now you can follow my office, DC Mayor’s Office, on Twitter as well, for the latest news and information from the John A. Wilson Building and District Government agencies @TeamMuriel.  Follow me on Instagram @Mayor_Bowser to see pictures in real time as I continue to represent the District at a variety of events.  My office, DC Mayor’s Office, is now on Flickr and you can see our photo album from the #FreshStartFeb Open House with more albums to come. 

Let me know what's working and what's not working. We are Washington.  We are all working together to make #DCProud.