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Dear neighbor,
According to the Washington Post, this summer is the hottest in DC on record. Despite the sweltering heat we are enduring recently, it is hard to believe summer is already halfway over. My newsletter this week includes updates on some of the hot topics I am working on, including the Better Bus redesign, food insecurity, and the health of our rivers.
Looking to cool down? When the temperature or heat index in the District reaches 95 degrees, the District government activates cooling centers for residents to seek relief. Our public libraries and pools are great places to beat the heat. Find a complete list of cooling centers and pools here. For more information on heat precautions and services, call 311 or text 311 to 32311.
I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying a safe and fun summer. Remember to stay cool, Ward 3!
Sincerely,
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Matt Frumin
Ward 3 Councilmember
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Letter to WMATA on Better Bus Network Redesign | |
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Last week, I submitted a letter to WMATA reflecting priorities and concerns of Ward 3 residents regarding the Better Bus redesign, which is a comprehensive overhaul of bus routes in the District. I received a significant amount of community feedback, underscoring how critical bus transportation is to our community.
You can read the full letter here.
More than 350 individuals and groups submitted their input directly to my office. I also engaged with Ward 3 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions to incorporate their feedback into my letter. Earlier this month, I hosted the Ward 3 Better Bus Forum with WMATA staff and residents to discuss the impacts of WMATA’s redesign of the bus network. More than 130 attendees joined to get more information from WMATA and to voice their needs, suggestions, and questions.
I was able to touch on many important topics in my letter, including feedback on specific routes and stops, frequency of service, and truncated routes. Although not a complete list of the issues raised, I also urged WMATA to review closely comments submitted by Ward 3 ANCs, community groups, building and tenant associations, and residents, and to continue engaging stakeholders.
I appreciate community members for being valued thought partners and WMATA for their collaboration. Next, WMATA will review the feedback they receive and coordinate with DDOT, run bus tests, and develop options to refine the bus plan. I will continue to meet with WMATA and community members to discuss alternatives, trade-offs, and options to find resolutions to the concerns that have been raised.
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Future of Friendship Heights Panel | |
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Last week, I spoke on a panel about economic resilience and innovation in Friendship Heights. The full audio recording of the panel is available on my website. My comments at the event mirror what I have said in every setting about Friendship Heights: There is tremendous opportunity to add housing, including affordable housing, and to become a vibrant commercial and community center, rich with public amenities. I believe this can be done in ways that are sensitive to nearby neighbors, and look forward to working with ANC 3E, community stakeholders, the Friendship Heights Alliance, and the city to achieve something special for the community in Friendship Heights.
Before joining the Council, I chaired the board for the Lisner Home, a senior facility serving low-income DC seniors for more than 80 years. I led Lisner to kick off the first Housing Production Trust Fund project in Ward 3, including 93 units of deeply affordable senior housing that should deliver in late 2024 or 2025. The Lisner had a mission-driven owner and was able to secure significant subsidies to make it happen, and they worked closely with the neighboring community to secure full buy-in for the project.
There are many people in Ward 3 who strongly support increased density along commercial corridors and increased affordable housing. Others are deeply concerned about increased traffic, limits on parking, and pressure on other infrastructure, including overcrowded schools. Navigating these concerns has proven to be a serious challenge, but as the Lisner project shows, it can be done. I am working to ensure meaningful planning can result in projects that will add housing and work for the broader community.
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Initiatives Addressing Food Insecurity in DC | |
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Too many of our neighbors struggle to feed themselves and their families. Addressing hunger, particularly child hunger, is critical to fostering a safe and healthy community. Fortunately, there are many dedicated organizations in the District that can help people facing food insecurity get the support they need. Although not a complete list, below are several organizations and resources.
NW Community Food, located at 4225 Connecticut Avenue NW, is a volunteer-led, community-based program that grew out of the founders’ volunteer work with the Ward 3 Mutual Aid network. The mission of NW Community Food is to provide a lifeline to neighbors who are struggling. They offer high-quality fresh produce, cleaning and personal hygiene supplies, and a wide variety of nutritious and culturally diverse shelf-stable and prepared foods, at no charge ever. For more information, visit nwcommunityfood.net.
Iona Senior Services food programs work to eliminate senior hunger in DC by ensuring older neighbors have access to nutritious food, fresh produce, and the information they need to age well. Visit their webpage here or call the Helpline at (202) 895-9448 to learn more.
The Capital Area Food Bank is an essential provider of hunger relief in the region. They provide more than 50 million meals to communities across the DMV. The Capital Area Food Bank distributes food directly, and they also partner with over 400 food assistance providers around the area. Visit capitalareafoodbank.org to learn more about their services and partnerships.
DC Food Project launched in 2018 to provide school children and their families access to additional food during the school day and the weekends when school meals are not available to them. Since their beginnings six years ago, they have provided more than 3.5 million meals to students, families, and seniors. For more information, visit dcfoodproject.org.
Friendship Place's Georgetown EATS program provides hot meals to the nearby community. They have served more than 214,000 meals and counting. Meals are served Monday through Friday from 11 am to 12 pm at 1423 Front Street NW. Visit their website here to learn more.
Lemontree is a nonprofit that connects people facing food insecurity with local resources. Their free, confidential text message helpline has assisted over 100,000 households. Families can sign up to receive personalized support from their team of specialists. Their user-friendly Directory allows anyone to search for up-to-date information. You can access their flyers for more information here. Learn more at foodhelpline.org.
The District continues to provide meals for students and families who are food insecure during the summer months through:
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DCPS summer programming: Any child who is participating in a summer program at a DC Public School facility will receive meals during the program.
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DC Youth Meals: At specific schools, youth 18 and younger can receive free meals. No application or ID required. In Ward 3, meals are provided at Jackson-Reed High School and Horace Mann Elementary. A list of sites citywide is available at https://osse.dc.gov/dcyouthmeals. Note: The Ward 3 locations will be added to the site soon. We thank OSSE and DCPS for working with our office to make them available!
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SUN Bucks, or Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT): SUN Bucks provides a pre-loaded card with $120 for income-eligible families to buy groceries. Some students were pre-approved for SUN Bucks and do not need to apply. If your student was not pre-approved, please fill out a brief application form (it takes less than 15 minutes) so that your student’s eligibility can be reviewed.
If you have questions about any of these programs, please visit the websites above or contact our office for assistance at 202-724-8062 or fruminoffice@dccouncil.gov.
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Amazon Lockers in the District
Beginning in 2022, the District of Columbia was the first city in the nation to install community Amazon lockers outside of police stations. There are now eight Amazon Lockers located at all seven district stations and the Sixth District Substation. When residents order on Amazon, they have the option to have their items delivered to an Amazon locker at one of these locations.
Residential package thefts have been an ongoing nuisance impacting neighborhoods citywide, with thefts occurring year-round. Expanding this program will help decrease the number of package thefts in the city.
Amazon lockers can be found in Ward 3 at the Second District Station, at 3320 Idaho Avenue NW.
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MPD Warns of Police Impersonator Using Fake Credentials in Phone and Email Scam
Scammers are impersonating members of MPD by replicating real government phone numbers to appear legitimate. They tell the victims a warrant has been issued for failure to appear at a court date or jury duty. The scammer then asks the victims to come to police headquarters and will say they are at imminent risk of arrest. The scammer will then solicit money from the victim as an alternative to being arrested. The scammers are insisting victims not tell anyone about the call. Recently, these scammers are sending emails with a photo of an MPD badge and a photoshopped MPD identification card.
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If you happen to receive unsolicited phone calls or emails similar in nature:
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Don’t feel pressured to act. Scammers may have some public information about you (like your name and address), but that does not mean they are legitimate. Verify by contacting the appropriate agency directly using customer service info on their public websites.
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MPD will never demand payment by phone. Do not share your credit card number, personal information, or other financial information. Do not wire transfer money or transfer funds to anyone you do not know.
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Share what you know with others. By telling your friends and family members about the scam, you can help protect your community.
MPD reminds the public that Metropolitan Police Department will never solicit anyone for monetary funds, bank information, or social security numbers. For more information on scams and fraud visit: https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/report-fraud.
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DPW Quarterly Community Conversation
The Department of Public Works (DPW) seeks constituent feedback in advance of their 3rd Quarterly Community Conversation on Wednesday, August 21. Constituent insights are essential in helping DPW address the needs and priorities of the community effectively. Complete this forms link to submit questions and concerns about the agency's services. All submissions should be submitted by Tuesday, July 30.
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DC Water Survey
DC Water invites customers to take part in the utility’s 2024 Voice of the Customer Survey between now and August 11. DC Water will use the feedback to identify areas to enhance its services. Complete the 5-minute survey at https://bit.ly/DCWSurvey.
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COG and WMATA DMVMoves Transportation Survey
As part of the DMVMoves project, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and WMATA are asking the public to complete a 10-minute survey so they can hear about your experiences using transportation in the DMV area. Your feedback will help them better understand and identify ways to improve transportation in your community. You can skip questions or choose to stop taking the survey at any time. Information you share will remain confidential. Complete the survey here. To learn more about DMVMoves, please visit dmvmoves.org
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DDOT Notices of Intent to Modify Traffic and/or Parking Requirements in Ward 3
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NOI-24-189 TESD: Speed Limit Reduction on Wisconsin Avenue between Western Avenue and Cathedral Avenue NW
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NOI-24-179-TESD: Reduction of speed limit on Massachusetts Avenue NW from 30 mph to 25 mph from Westmoreland Circle NW to 34th St NW
View the notices on the DDOT site here.
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National Park Service Will Dredge Fletchers Cove
On July 13, I spoke at the National Park Service event announcing the restoration of Fletchers Cove along the Potomac River in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
Changes in the floodplain lead to sediment accumulation, which can hamper boating and fishing on the Potomac River. Fletcher’s Cove is a popular spot with fishers, kayakers, rowboaters, and paddleboarders. The project will start with dredging the cove to remove built-up sediment and repair worn-out infrastructure so that neighbors can enjoy this site for years to come.
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Fort Stevens Day
On July 13, I also attended the annual Fort Stevens Day, a commemoration of the Battle of Fort Stevens. This year marks the 160th anniversary of the battle, which took place on July 11 and 12, 1864.
The Battle of Fort Stevens was both the only battle to take place within the boundaries of the District and the only one where a sitting president was shot at by the enemy. Confederates fired upon President Abraham Lincoln while he observed the fighting. The battle ended with Confederate troops retreating to Virginia.
This event is made possible by so many dedicated community members. A special thanks to The Parks at Walter Reed for organizing the event, and to the generous donations and volunteers who help make the day so special.
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At Fort Stevens Day with Pastor Joe Daniels of Emory United Methodist Church and Pat Tyson, president of the Military Road School Preservation Trust. | |
Have a Ward 3 Service Request? | | |
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Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or requests you may have. My Constituent Services team is here to help you. | | |
Government & Community Calendar | |
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Upcoming Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings
(Some ANCs will be on recess from meetings in August)
ANC3A: Tuesday, September 17, 7 pm, at the McLean Gardens Ballroom & Zoom
ANC3B: Thursday, August 8, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3C: Monday, September 16, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3D: Wednesday, September 4, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3E: Thursday, July 25th, 7:30 pm, Zoom
ANC3F: Monday, August 5, 6 pm, Zoom
ANC3/4G: Monday, September 9, 7 pm, at Chevy Chase Community Center & Zoom
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Friendship Heights Makers Market
The Friendship Heights Makers Market returns this Saturday, July 27, from 3 to 7 pm. Powered by the Friendship Heights Alliance, the event features dozens of creative vendors, prepared foods, and neighborhood small businesses. Shop, enjoy, engage, and create while supporting local artisans and makers. Click here to learn more and register.
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Movie Night at UDC Ampitheater
Van Ness Main Street and the University of the District of Columbia host Movie Night in the Park at the UDC Amphitheater. The next event will feature a screening of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" on July 31at 8:30 pm. Find out more and RSVP here.
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Chevy Chase First Fridays
Chevy Chase Main Street hosts the next edition of their First Fridays series on August 2. Enjoy music, business specials, and family-friendly activities along the Chevy Chase corridor. This month, come support kid entrepreneurs, ages 5-17 years, as they gain firsthand experience selling a variety of products. The event also includes an outdoor artisan vendor market, music, and dancing from 6 pm to 8 pm. Visit the event page here for more information.
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Fort Reno Concert Series
Now in its 57th year, the annual Fort Reno Concert Series continues through July. The free outdoor concerts are held on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 pm on the stage at Fort Reno Park, 4000 Chesapeake St, NW. A full schedule of bands is available online.
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Councilmember Matt Frumin
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 408
202-724-8062
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