Ward 5 Economic Development Summit - Saturday, February 23

What: Ward 5 Economic Development Summit

When: Saturday, February 23, 2008

Agenda:
10:00 a.m.: Registration

10:15 a.m.–10:30 a.m.: Opening Remarks

10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: Panel: Stimulating Neighborhood Economic Development, moderated by Ward 5 Planner Deborah Crain. Panelists include: Steve Moore, WDC Economic Partnership; Derrick Woody, Great Streets Initiative; Phyllis Love, Restore DC's Main Street Initiative; Vinnie Wolhfarth, Brookland CDC/Brookland Main Street; Pat Mitchell, North Capitol Main Street; and Ana Harvey, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Mini Workshop on Negotiating Community Benefits Packages, moderated by Collaboration DC's Mary Jacksteit

12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m.: Lunch

1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.: Break Out Sessions on Economic Development Projects. You will be able to meet with and ask questions of developers with projects in Ward 5. Each developer will have a table. To-date, developers for the following projects have RSVPed: Rhode Island Station; Arbor Place, McMillan Reservior; Art Space at Fort Totten; Armed Forces Retirement Home; New Town at Capital City Market; St Paul's Townhome project; and the 30th Street Townhome project.

2:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.: Wrap Up

Where: Catholic University Caldwell Hall, main floor (view campus map here)

Questions and additional information: Call 202.724.8028.

Florida Market Tour - Saturday, February 23

Join Richard (Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space) and Elise (Frozen Tropics) for another installment of the popular walking tours of the Florida Avenue Market, February 23, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

There are considerable development pressures on the area and it's important that the neighbors understand what is there now so we can better understand what stands to be lost or gained by development. There are many resources for more information on the Market, but none of these will replace walking the Market yourself.

» Capital City/Florida Market posts at Frozen Tropics
» "The Bigness Complex, Urbanism and the Florida Market" from Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space
» Capital City Market (aka Florida Market) blog (also in the sidebar)
» Capital City Market interactive piece from Josh Williams
» FreeRide's wrap-up
» DCmud on the redevelopment plans
» Sang Oh Choi's vision for the Gateway Market & Residences, "The Gateway to the Next Great Place"

Ward 5 Leadership Meeting - Saturday, January 26

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, Presidents and leaders of
Ward 5 community organizations, and concerned citizens are invited to join Councilmember Thomas to discuss and shape the Ward 5 agenda for 2008.

When: Saturday, January 26, 2008; 10 a.m. - Registration, 10:30 a.m-12 p.m. - Meeting

Where: Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE (18th and Rhode Island Avenue NE)

Additional Information: Please call 202.724.8028

School Closing Hearings and Links

By now you likely know about the consolidated school closure hearings on Thursday, January 17 [pdf], and "The People's Meeting" co-sponsored by Councilmembers Thomas and Barry. Whichever you choose, if you are able to make it to one of the meetings on Thursday, you will be making an impact.

- - -

Ward 5 schools to be closed (in parentheses) and their meeting locations:

· Taft Recreation Center (Burroughs ES), 1800 Perry Street NE

· Brookland ES (Bunker Hill ES), 1150 Michigan Avenue NE

· LaSalle ES (Backus MS), 501 Riggs Road NE

· Eastern SHS (M.M. Washington SHS), 1700 East Capitol Street NE

· Kelly Miller MS (Douglass and Taft CHOICE Academies and Centers), 301 49th Street NE

· Emery ES (J.F. Cook ES), 1720 1st Street NE

· Noyes ES (Slowe ES), 2725 10th Street NE

· Cleveland ES (Gage-Eckington ES), 1825 8th Street NW (Gage-Eckington is in Ward 1, just outside Ward 5)

- - -

Some links relevant to Ward 5 and DCPS:

» Save John Burroughs DC - Friends of John Burroughs Elementary

John Burroughs proudly ranks 15 out of all 81 DC Public Schools in Reading and 12 out of 81 in Math. Our enrollment is 244 and rising - we are only 7% away from full enrollment!!!....Save this model school from closure.

» "School closings plan draws opposition" - Examiner, Wednesday, January 15

“What [Burroughs Elementary School] has accomplished is incredible given the few resources it has,” said Gary Spinner, whose granddaughter is in second grade. “We were in the process to petition the mayor and chancellor for more support; in turn, we found out we would be closed.”

Spinner and other Burroughs representatives touted the fact that the school is ranked 15th out of 81 citywide in reading and that its standardized test scores last year rose by double digits. Enrollment also has been going up, they said, making it the wrong time for closure.

Chancellor Michelle Rhee has explained that the 23 schools suggested for closure were chosen mainly for building occupancy, rather than test scores or overall program quality. That numbers-driven approach was challenged Monday.

» "One DC Public School Has Fewer Than 100 Students" - WUSA9, Monday, January 14

When Principal Pat Mabry came to Slowe Elementary, the neighborhood school at 14th and Jackson Streets in Northeast had 619 students. Today, Slowe's student enrollment has plummeted to only 84 students.

There are only five classes held in the entire building for DC public school students.

DC School Chancellor Michelle Rhee pointed 9NEWS NOW to Slowe Elementary as example of why up to 23 school buildings have been put on a proposed list for closing.

This has nothing to do with academic performance. It has everything to do with what the city is paying for unused space; staffing, utility and maintenance costs.

Principal Mabry isn't fighting the closing; but she and her parents don't like the plan to send Slowe students to a nearby school where students have been beefing with Slowe's young people.

» "Fixing D.C.'s Schools" - Washington Post investigative series, multiple parts posted since June 2007

Meeting: What Economic Development Changes Are Coming in 2008 for Northeast Residents? - Wednesday, December 5

What: "What Economic Development Changes Are Coming in 2008 for Northeast Residents?", sponsored by the Coalition of
Concerned Neighbors.

When: Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE

Panelists Include:
· Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.
· Harriet Tregoning, Director, D.C. Office of Planning
· Neil Albert, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development (or his representative)
· William Washburn, Urban Planner

Ward 5 Emergency Education Town Hall Meeting - Monday, December 3

What: Emergency Education Town Hall Meeting to review the proposed reform plan to close 9 Ward 5 schools.

When: Monday, December 3, 2007, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Bertie Backus Middle School, 5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE

For More Information: Contact the Ward 5 Council office at 202.724.8028

24 DC Schools Proposed for Closure; 9 in Ward 5

From WaPo:

Ward 5 has the most proposed closures, with nine. That section of the city has experienced a recent influx of young families moving into such neighborhoods as Brookland and LeDroit Park, but many of them are choosing charter schools or going out of boundary rather than enrolling at neighborhood schools, which have been plagued by declining enrollment and poor test scores. Ward 3 is the only one with no schools on the list.

The document says those schools on the closure list would be taken "off the list for modernization, targeted repair, or blitz work (excluding things that are necessary for basic quality of life)."

The document also raises questions about the pace of repair work needed to upgrade schools that would take students from closed facilities. According to the list, Brookland Elementary in Northeast would close next year and the students would be sent to nearby Bunker Hill Elementary. Bunker Hill, however, would close two years later.

But the document also says there are plans to "rebuild a new [pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school] on the Brookland site. This is a high priority to move up. Can we get a design team up in early '08 and complete construction by '10?"

In Ward 5:
Bertie Backus Middle - Fort Totten
Brookland Elementary - Brookland/Michigan Park
Bunker Hill Elementary (summer 2010)- Brookland/Michigan Park
Burroughs Elementary - Woodridge
Gage-Eckington Elementary - Ledroit Park/Bloomingdale
J.F. Cook Elementary - Eckington
Mamie D. Lee (summer 2009) - Fort Totten
M. M. Washington Career High - Eckington
Slowe Elementary - Brookland

PCDC's "Creating a Community Vision" - Saturday, November 17

What: Premier Community Development Corporation / PCDC presents Dominic Moulden, Executive Director of ONE DC and all Ward 5 residents, neighbors, stakeholders, and community businesses in a discussion on "Creating a Community Vision."

When: Saturday, November 17, 2007, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Mount Calvary Family Life Center, 605 Rhode Island Avenue, NE

Discussion Includes: A shared vision for our communities in Ward 5, including an overview of Ward 5's history, demographics, economics, politics, and organizations. What is a vision? Who benefits from a community vision? Who decides what will happen in a community vision? How does a community vision get implemented? What can the community do?

Additional Information: Contact PCDC at 202.252.PCDC (7232) or premiercdc@yahoo.com

Ward 5 Meeting on Crime & Safety - TONIGHT

What: Ward 5 Constituent Meeting - Share your thoughts on crime and safety concerns in Ward 5 with the new Commander of the 5th District, Lamar Greene.

When: Tuesday, October 9, 2007, 6-8:30 p.m.; reception will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Noyes Elementary School, 2725 10th Street, NE

For additional information contact the Ward 5 Council Office at 202.724.8028

Violence Erupts Among Day Laborers in Brentwood; Community Opposes Proposed Multicultural Training & Employment Center

The Washington Times - perhaps because of their NE home base - have been closely following the controversy over the proposed multicultural training and employment center in Brentwood. They recently reported the only mention I've found of a brawl erupting Thursday, September 13th among the day laborers:

Community leaders scheduled a public-safety meeting in a Northeast neighborhood after a bloody clash among a group of Hispanic men that residents said began in an area where day laborers gather looking for work.

As many as 200 mostly Hispanic day laborers congregate each day at a shopping plaza in Brentwood looking to link up with area contractors for jobs....

The incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. last Thursday, when police found a Hispanic man lying on a sidewalk and bleeding from his head near 10th Street and Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast — only a few hundred feet away from the shopping plaza.

Police said the victim — who was identified only as "John Doe" in police reports — also had a stab wound in the center of his back.

Mr. Chandler said his constituents who live in the area told him the man was assaulted during a fight involving a large group of men that began behind the Bank of America at 915 Rhode Island Ave.

The clash then spilled over from a hill behind the bank onto 10th Street, where [ANC Commissioner Raymond] Chandler said men were "rolling over people's cars" during the fight....

Mr. Chandler and other residents adamantly oppose constructing the center, saying employment services already exist in the area and that city money should not be used to fund a center for day laborers, many of whom are illegal aliens.

The incident caused Mr. Chandler to organize a public-safety meeting for community residents and businesses to voice their concerns to police.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Isle of Patmos Baptist Church [1216 Saratoga Avenue NE/1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza NE] in Northeast.

The same day they also ran one of Tom Knott's "insightful" columns, where law-abiding citizens get screwed at the expense of "lawbreakers":

The good folks of Brentwood have made it clear to D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. that they do not want a day-laborer center in a Northeast shopping center on Rhode Island Avenue....

But Mr. Thomas, Ward 5 Democrat, presses forward, because he thinks on a higher plane than the good folks of Brentwood. He knows many of the day laborers are illegal aliens, and he knows many of them urinate and defecate on the properties belonging to the good folks of Brentwood, and he knows that if impotent lawmakers at all levels of government merely enforced the existing laws, there would be no illegal-alien mess in this nation....

But our lawmakers, who purport to be in the public-service business, are not heeding the words of those who elect them to office. Mr. Thomas is not unlike so many other legislators at the local, state and federal levels. He blames the illegal-alien problem on some other part of the bureaucracy. He is merely trying to address a situation in the Home Depot parking lot, even if he is dead wrong, even if his constituents in Ward 5 do not want public funds being spent on an illegal-alien center....

I could hang out at the day-laborer center and read Spanish-language materials. And if anyone ever objected to my illegal existence, I would shout racism and bigotry, because that always works, especially around pathetic, whiny white people who have this profound sense of guilt.

Our useless lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are showering our dollars on illegal aliens, who turn around and wave the silly-looking flag of their country. Sorry. I forgot how it works. If they wave the flag of the country they abandoned, it is called pride. If Americans wave their flag, it is called jingoism.

Mr. Thomas undoubtedly expects the legal residents of the city to follow every last law. But there he is ready to reward lawbreakers. While he is at it, he might as well appropriate more of our tax money to equip the illegal-alien center with a health spa.

It is crazy.

As are you, sir.

» The Washington Times, 9.20.07, "Melee spurs calls for action on day laborers"
» The Washington Times, 9.20.07, "Note to Brentwood: Don't doubt Thomas"
» Previous community workshop, 9.8.07
» Previous town hall meeting, 8.15.07
» WaPo, 6.17.07, "As Plan for D.C. Day-Laborer Center Idles, Anger Over Workers Grows"
» The Washington Times, 7.5.07, "Day laborers shower us with culture, irrigation"
» The Washington Times, 7.16.07, "Two sites eyed for D.C. day-labor center"

Ward 5 Community Workshop on Proposed Multicultural Training & Employment Center - Saturday, September 8th

What: Attend this workshop and share your thoughts on the need for an inclusive job readiness, training, and employment center located in Ward 5 in close proximity to Home Depot.

When: Saturday, September 8th, 9-11:30 a.m.

Where: Noyes Elementary School, 2725 10th Street NE

Etc.: For additional information contact the Ward 5 Council office at 202.724.8028

From Councilman Thomas:

WARD 5 MULTICULTURAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT CENTER FACT SHEET

What it is: The Center will be an inclusive training, career, and employment center that will provide a range of services to Ward 5 residents—particularly the residents of Brentwood, Edgewood, and Montana Terrace—and other under-served groups.

Why it’s needed: The Brentwood, Edgewood, and Montana Terrace neighborhoods traditionally have had high rates of unemployment. On average, one in 10 adults in these neighborhoods are unemployed. A Center that addresses employment and training needs is greatly needed for these neighborhoods. An organized system linking contractors and individuals seeking work from contractors at the Home Depot site is also needed.

What it will do: The core mission of the Center will be to provide comprehensive employment and training services to residents of the adjacent Ward 5 neighborhoods and other under-served groups. The Center will offer a wide range of classes, ranging from language immersion to financial literacy and assistance with preparing local and federal income taxes. The Center will also have services geared toward manual laborers, including those seeking work from contractors at the Home Depot site.

Community: The Center will include local labor and community organizations like Israel Baptist Church's Facing It Together (FIT) Academy as partners. The FIT Academy is a neighborhood-based organization with a track record of providing residents of Brentwood, Edgewood, and Montana Terrace with job training and readiness skills. In the past year, the program has placed more than 30 individuals in jobs. By linking with local labor and community organizations and leveraging their program successes, the Center will bring effective employment and job training services to Ward 5 residents and other under-served groups.

A national model: The Center envisioned for Ward 5 has the potential to be a national model showcasing how employment and training services focusing on African-Americans, Latinos, and any other under-served group can be incorporated together in a single, inclusive facility. The Center brings job readiness and placement programs directly to the Ward 5 neighborhoods that need them the most.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Angel Nix at 202.724.8107 or snix@dccouncil.us
Vicky Leonard-Chambers at 202.727.8204 or vleonardchambers@dccouncil.us

» Previous town hall meeting, 8.15.07
» WaPo, 6.17.07, "As Plan for D.C. Day-Laborer Center Idles, Anger Over Workers Grows"
» The Washington Times, 7.5.07, "Day laborers shower us with culture, irrigation"
» The Washington Times, 7.16.07, "Two sites eyed for D.C. day-labor center"

Ward 5 Youth March Against Violence - Saturday, August 25th

What: Ward 5 Youth March Against Violence

When: Saturday, August 2th, 2007, 1-8pm

Where: Starts at 12th and Rhode Island Avenue NE, ends at the concert ground at 2413 14th Street NE

Etc.: Live performances and inspirational speakers, including: Al-Malik Farrakhan, Minister Vincent Hucks, The Trumpet Kings, Chaka Rollins, The Miracle Tones, Israel Baptist Youth Choir, Mt. Calvary Youth Choir, Yango Sawyer, Copper Rose and Bone, and more.

For questions and information, contact Preston Haythe at 202.526.8454.

Ward 5 Town Hall Meeting on Proposed Multicultural Training & Employment Center - Wednesday, August 15th

What: Share your thoughts with Councilman Thomas regarding the need for this center to be tentatively located in Ward 5 in close proximity to Home Depot.

When: Wednesday, August 15th, 2007, 7-9pm

Where: Israel Baptist Church, 1251 Saratoga Ave, NE

From Councilman Thomas:

WARD 5 MULTICULTURAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT CENTER FACT SHEET

What it is: The Center will be an inclusive training, career, and employment center that will provide a range of services to Ward 5 residents—particularly the residents of Brentwood, Edgewood, and Montana Terrace—and other under-served groups.

Why it’s needed: The Brentwood, Edgewood, and Montana Terrace neighborhoods traditionally have had high rates of unemployment. On average, one in 10 adults in these neighborhoods are unemployed. A Center that addresses employment and training needs is greatly needed for these neighborhoods. An organized system linking contractors and individuals seeking work from contractors at the Home Depot site is also needed.

What it will do: The core mission of the Center will be to provide comprehensive employment and training services to residents of the adjacent Ward 5 neighborhoods and other under-served groups. The Center will offer a wide range of classes, ranging from language immersion to financial literacy and assistance with preparing local and federal income taxes. The Center will also have services geared toward manual laborers, including those seeking work from contractors at the Home Depot site.

Community: The Center will include local labor and community organizations like Israel Baptist Church's Facing It Together (FIT) Academy as partners. The FIT Academy is a neighborhood-based organization with a track record of providing residents of Brentwood, Edgewood, and Montana Terrace with job training and readiness skills. In the past year, the program has placed more than 30 individuals in jobs. By linking with local labor and community organizations and leveraging their program successes, the Center will bring effective employment and job training services to Ward 5 residents and other under-served groups.

A national model: The Center envisioned for Ward 5 has the potential to be a national model showcasing how employment and training services focusing on African-Americans, Latinos, and any other under-served group can be incorporated together in a single, inclusive facility. The Center brings job readiness and placement programs directly to the Ward 5 neighborhoods that need them the most.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Angel Nix at 202.724.8107 or snix@dccouncil.us
Vicky Leonard-Chambers at 202.727.8204 or vleonardchambers@dccouncil.us

» WaPo, 6.17.07, "As Plan for D.C. Day-Laborer Center Idles, Anger Over Workers Grows"
» The Washington Times, 7.5.07, "Day laborers shower us with culture, irrigation"
» The Washington Times, 7.16.07, "Two sites eyed for D.C. day-labor center"

Ward 5 Education Town Hall Meeting - Thursday, August 2nd

I've been out of town for a few days and am just catching up on the news....I'm aware of the shooting at Edgewood Terrace that left 7 wounded (where we seem to need "all hands on deck" at all times, not just on special occassions) and the off-duty firefighter who was shot and carjacked. Both of these incidents suck, and August is just beginning.

- - -

What: Share your thoughts and concerns about DC Public Schools with Ward 5 Councilmember Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr. and new Chancellor Michelle Rhee

When: Thursday, August 2nd, 2007, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Agenda: 6:30 p.m. Athletic Field Walk-Thru; 7:00-9:00 p.m. Forum

Where: McKinley Technical High School, 151 T Street, NE

For More Information Contact: Ward 5 Council Office at 202.724.8028

**In anticipation of the townhall meeting, Harry Thomas's office has created an education survey you can take here. The results will be shared at the meeting.**

Hands Across Ward 5 - Saturday, July 21st

What: Hands Across Ward 5 - Community Service Information Fair

When: Saturday, July 21st, 2007, 10am-4pm

Where: Trinidad Recreation Center, 1310 Childress Street, NE

Etc.: Sponsored by the DHS DC Fatherhood Initiative Network, this event is meant to connect DC services with the citizens. Also in attendance/available: DPR, DOES, health screenings, HIV testing, literacy and financial labs, and food and activities for the kids.

Ward 5 Family Night Out - Wednesday, July 11th

From Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.:

Ward 5 Family Night Out

5-D vs. WPGC in Softball

BASKETBALL TOUR WITH COMMUNITY ALL STARS

FOOD/ DRINKS/ MUSIC

*BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIR*

KID FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES - MOON BOUNCE AND GAMES

INFORMATIONAL TABLES
Department of Consumer Regulatory Affairs & Department of Employment Services


WEDNESDAY, JULY, 11, 2007
6 P.M. UNTIL 9 P.M.

TAFT RECREATION CENTER 18TH & PERRY STREET N.E.


SPONSORED BY THE WARD 5 COUNCIL OFFICE
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL (202) 724-7000

Ward 5 Survey from Councilmember Thomas

Dear Ward 5 Residents,

I value the input of Ward 5 residents, and want to identify the issues that concern you so that I can address them as your elected representative on the Council of the District of Columbia. With that in mind, I ask you to click on the link below and complete my brief survey.

You can view and complete the survey here.

The survey is completely anonymous - your responses will be compiled with responses received from other residents.

Sincerely,
Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr.
Ward 5 Councilmember

"Building Our Community Together" Ward 5 Economic Workshop #2 - Saturday, June 9th

What: Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. will host a Ward 5 Economic Workshop - "Building Our Community Together"

When: Saturday, June 9th, 2007, 9-11am - Registration begins at 8:30am

Where: Trinidad Recreation Center, 1310 Childress Street, NE

Agenda Includes:
9-10am: Predatory Lending
10-11am: Economic Development Overview with updates on Arbor Place, New Town, Washington Gateway Retail Center, and the Home Again Initiative in Ivy City

For additional information call 202.724.8028.

- - -

Fifth District Open House
Saturday June 9, 2007
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
MPD Fifth District Station
1805 Bladensburg Road, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department, Fifth District will sponsor an Open House. Our theme is "Working Together for a Safer Community." We urge you to come and see the Fifth District in action and join us for a day of fun.

The event will include tours of the Fifth District, informational displays, a moon bounce, senior games, music, food and much more. For more information, please contact Fayette Vaughn-Lee at fayette.vaughn-lee@dc.gov or 202.698.0188.

Blogging the Block

Yup - that's me. Thanks to the Post, Christina Breda Antoniades, and Dayna Smith for highlighting just a snippet of the hyper-local coverage neighborhood bloggers offer the DC area.

I've been out of town for work the past four days, so it'll take me a bit to catch up on email, RSS feeds, and posting....then I'm off to another conference! June will be somewhat bumpy around here, so thanks in advance for your patience.

Ward 5 Townhall Meeting #2 on Legislation to Relocate Displaced Clubs - Wednesday, May 30th

What: Ward 5 Townhall Meeting #2 on "Legislation to relocate displaced adult-themed establishments...Share your thoughts with Councilmember Harry 'Tommy' Thomas, Jr." [taken directly from the flyer handed out at last week's ANC-5A meeting]

When: Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 at 7:30pm

Where: Washington Center for Aging, 2601 18th Street, NE

You can view my previous posts here and here. If you want to catch up with some of the controversy surrounding this legislation, the Brookland listserv is a good place to start (I imagine the discussion is also hot and heavy on the Ward 5 listserv, but I don't have access to it). You can also view a number of links to media coverage in the Brookland messages - I'm preparing to leave town for a conference and simply can't post them all now. Ms. Steptoe mentions this blog in one of her posts; for the record, I have no affiliation with her.