Role of the ANC
The ANC role is meant to be an advocate for the neighborhood. As Commissioner, I will work to increase opportunities for residents to have meaningful input and direct access to the ANC and District agencies. I will promote your voices and work to ensure the District continues to serve you.
Therefore, I want and need to hear from you so that I can better serve our neighborhood. I will accomplish this in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
Surveys that solicit feedback and provide an opportunity to articulate issues and ideas (not to exceed two per year),
Organize forums for residents to communicate directly with leaders making decisions on issues important to you (at least two per year),
Publish a quarterly newsletter with details and updates on issues important to you, and
Host one-on-one get-togethers called “Coffee with Commissioner Footer”.
Your Priorities for the ANC
Over the past few weeks and months, I have spoken to many Atlantic Plumbing residents about issues and concerns in our neighborhood. Below are details on three recurring issues that will be a top priority for me as your ANC Commissioner. As you read through each topic, please click on the numerous links to articles, websites, and data to learn more. This list is the starting point and will continue to grow as I continue to work with residents.
Transportation and ATVs
What I am hearing: Dirt bikes and ATVs are loud and dangerous, with the most disruption taking place during the weekends.
Background: Dirt bikes and ATVs are illegal to drive on DC streets. DC police (MPD) are unable to pursue dirt bikes and ATVs because of the no chase policy in DC. In July 2022, Mayor Bowser began a targeted campaign to address dirt bikes and ATVs by closing various intersections during weekend evenings, one of which is Florida and 9th. Mayor Bowser and Councilwoman Nadeau have both outlined long-term plans to address the dirt bikes and ATV issue.
My commitment: I support the idea of finding a dedicated space to ride dirt bikes and ATVs in the District, if done correctly, and improving soundproofing policies for buildings in high-density areas. However, these will take years to accomplish and residents need assistance now. The Mayor’s targeted campaign to close various intersections has had positive impacts but is not a permanent solution. Additionally, I agree that the District will not be able to arrest its way out of this issue.
I am committed to making sure this topic continues to be a priority for the Mayor’s Office and Councilwoman Nadeau, and working with them both to find solutions with more immediate impacts. For example, I believe DDOT is a key player and has been missing from the conversation. I want to bring MPD and DDOT together to brainstorm ways to make roads less appealing for dirt bikes and ATVs while minimally impacting other vehicles, such as short, raised speed bumps at intersections.
Public Safety and Crime
What I am hearing: Crime, like the recent robbery at gunpoint in front of Roy Boys and car break-ins on 8th Street, is a consistent problem and appears to have gotten worse. Overall, people increasingly feel unsafe.
Background: According to MPD’s Crime Card, all crime in our MPD Police Sector (3D2) has increased compared to this same time last year. Of the crimes, robberies with or without a gun had the largest increase of 37%. Additionally, the Washington Post released survey results in February 2022 indicating that “the share of Washingtonians who say they are not safe from crime has risen to 30 percent this year from 22 percent in November 2019 and is the highest in more than two decades.”
My commitment: I share an increased feeling of being unsafe in the neighborhood. As a dog dad, I was deeply disturbed when our neighbor’s dog was kidnapped by three men with a gun in front of CVS at 8th and Florida. Every DC resident deserves to live in a safe community. Increasing public safety and combating crime requires a multifaceted approach involving many District agencies and stakeholders. Mayor Bowser’s “202 for Peace Campaign”, which launched in June 2022, has made important investments in curbing crime, especially gun violence, and brought awareness to various services and supports.
Using the approach outlined in the next section, I am committed to conducting a comprehensive assessment of crime in our neighborhood, working with the community and other stakeholders to identify and develop solutions, and developing a road map for success. Here are a couple of solutions I have researched and heard from you:
increasing lighting up and down 8th Street,
increasing the police presence in and around the neighborhood,
working with the Dept. of Public Works to organize a Helping Hand Neighborhood Clean Up,
organizing a 311 campaign around litter pick, and
dedicating funding in a community use agreement to crime prevention programs and/or community maintenance resources.
It is important to note that public safety and crime will be an ongoing and evolving issue. I am committed to regularly evaluating and monitoring public safety in our neighborhood and continuously advocating for resources and support.
Economic Development and the Bond Bread Building
What I am hearing: It is unclear what the plans are for developing the abandoned building across from Atlantic Plumbing, and how and when construction will impact residents.
Background: The two buildings across from Atlantic Plumbing are the Bond Bread Factory (white brick) and Washington Railway & Electric Company (red brick), and are owned by Howard University. Howard selected three firms to work on the redevelopment—Menkiti Group, Fivesquares Development, and EDENS. Initial renderings, recently updated in June 2022, include two residential buildings totaling 472 units, a hotel with 180 rooms, 50,000 square feet of retail, and nearly 20,000 square feet for a public plaza. Developers are still in the early process of obtaining the necessary permits for construction. Architects estimate it could be up to a year before any type of construction starts.
My commitment: As Shaw continues to grow, I will advocate for quality, affordable housing opportunities and work to attract responsible businesses to the neighborhood. As building development projects arise, like the Bond Bread Factory redevelopment, I am committed to creating opportunities for the neighborhood to stay informed and participate in any decision-making throughout the development process. For example, hosting a community forum with the developers so neighbors can see the plans, ask questions, and provide feedback. Additionally, distributing a survey to residents around community investment priorities so any community use agreements negotiated with developers are driven by data.
My Approach
I believe that in order to successfully tackle an issue, residents need to be at the center of any solution. The resident-centered approach below outlines how we work together to understand an issue and develop solutions that work for you. I will deploy this approach to all major issues, including the three outlined in the previous section.
We start the process by researching the situation to understand the problem and its full impact on the community.
Examples of how we accomplish this includes, but is not limited to:
Hosting community forums with agency leaders and decision-makers to understand District policies and activities
Surveying the neighborhood to collect data and evidence
Identifying and working with topic experts and community groups to understand the background, contributing factors, and best practices
Armed with knowledge, we draft a comprehensive package outlining the issue, presenting the evidence, and providing recommendations. The package will act as the community’s voice to the appropriate District agencies and other stakeholders.
The development process may include:
Identifying innovative solutions, best practices, and available resources
Hosting community meetings to review and finalize materials
We draft and execute an action plan around delivering and promoting the community’s comprehensive package to appropriate District agencies and other stakeholders.
Advocacy activities may include:
Hosting meetings with agency leaders and decision-makers
Conducting a 311 campaign to generate attention
Passing resolutions at the ANC level and working with other ANCs to partner with
We set benchmarks for success and continuously monitor activities to ensure progress is happening. Additionally, we evaluate the impact of our solutions once they are implemented. If necessary, we work together to conduct additional assessments and adjust/amend the package.
Click on the image to the left for a successful example of a community package I developed while the ANC Commissioner for LeDroit Park.
What is the ANC
The Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) is the most grassroots form of government. Each Commissioner represents approximately 2,000 constituents, and are elected to a term of two years. ANCs represent the interests of the neighborhood on a wide range of policies and programs, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and the District's annual budget.
After the 2020 Census, our neighborhood was redistricted into a newly formed ANC in Ward 1—ANC 1E. The new ANC includes 7 Single Member Districts stretching from the southern part of Howard University up to the Plasant Plains neighborhood. Residents in ANC 1E07 include the Atlantic Plumbing Building, three Howard University dorms (College Hall North, Bethune Annex, and College Hall South), and The Axis.
