August 20, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

This is an exciting time of year as we count down the final days of summer, and families are getting ready for the first day of school on Monday, August 24. Supporting schools is a 52-week, 365-day-a-year project for me and my team. I am proud the Council secured a budget for the coming year that fully supports our schools and preserves the Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP), Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, and Child Care Subsidy Program. These are all critical priorities for our families.

Ahead of the new school year, I have continued a tradition established by my predecessor, Mary Cheh, of visiting all of the schools in the Ward to ensure everything possible is being done for them to be ready on day one, and to check in with Principals about how things are going and how we might be able to help. It is an inspiring process. We have great teams in all of our schools, including new Principals at Jackson Reed and Murch. I am happy to say the state of our schools is strong. That said, we are in the stretch run and the project of getting fully ready will continue until Monday and I expect to be reinforcing Principal requests until then. 

On the first day of school, I look forward to joining “clap ins,” speaking at American University's student orientation, and joining the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the beautiful new addition to newly renamed John R. Thompson Jr. High School. Wishing all of our students and their families a successful year of school. My team and I stand ready to support our school communities in any way we can.

While this is a happy, exciting time of year, I would be remiss not to acknowledge the tragic loss of a young teacher, Amanda “Mandy” Butler, at Stoddert Elementary. Ms. Butler was a cherished and deeply valued teacher. Our hearts go out to her family and the Stoddert Community. 

In This Newsletter

This edition covers our recent site visits with the Committee on Human Services, details for my next Workday in the Ward, sidewalk and traffic notices, DC Water projects, improvements at Guy Mason Recreation Center, and upcoming community events.

Sincerely,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

As the chair of the Committee on Human Services, visiting the District’s shelter sites is a critical part of making sure our safety net actually works for families. This week, my team and I completed a series of site visits to family shelters operating outside of the traditional short-term family housing system. These locations serve as apartment-style units and overflow sites utilized as emergency shelters since the closure of DC General.

During these visits, we evaluated living conditions, reviewed case management models, and looked at how providers connect residents to stable employment and supportive resources. We saw what is working well, such as the stable, apartment-style environment at certain model sites. At the same time, we identified critical areas to address, including pressing maintenance backlogs that require faster responses from the Department of General Services (DGS) and administrative hurdles like streamlining access to residency and ID forms so families can more easily secure employment. Hearing directly from providers and residents helps guide our legislative oversight and budget priorities to ensure DC residents have a path to leave rapid rehousing and permanently escape a cycle of housing instability.

Save the date for my next Workday in the Ward on Thursday, September 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Glover Park at Point Chaud Café and Crepes (2300 Wisconsin Ave NW).

• Open Office Hours: I will be present in the morning from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. for drop-in visits to share your questions, ideas, or concerns.
• Agency Support: My staff and District agency representatives will also be present at scheduled times throughout the day.

Whether you need help navigating a city service issue, want to discuss policy, or just want to say hello, please stop by. More information is available on the event page on my website. Stay tuned for the complete schedule and sign-up form.

My office has a limited number of free baseball tickets available to Ward 3 residents. The game is at 6:45 pm on Friday, August 28, at Nationals Park against the Miami Marlins. This is always a popular event, and tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You must be a Ward 3 resident to receive your tickets. Tickets will be distributed via email and cannot be sold. Tickets are available while supplies last. Limit four tickets per request, limit one request per household.

If you claim tickets and you are unable to make the game, please contact my office at fruminoffice@dccouncil.gov or 202-724-8062 so we can provide the tickets to a Ward 3 neighbor.

Ward 3 residents can request tickets by completing the request form online. Thank you to the Washington Nationals for hosting Ward 3 residents at Nationals Park.

DDOT New Sidewalk Notice & Public Comments

DDOT has also proposed two new sidewalk projects in Ward 3 and the public comment period is currently open.

• Garfield Street and Eskridge Terrace NW: DDOT has proposed a new sidewalk along the south side of Garfield Street NW (between Hurst Terrace and Eskridge Terrace) and along both sides of Eskridge Terrace (between Garfield Street and the alley). The 30-day comment period runs through August 24, 2026. Full notices were mailed to adjacent property owners, and plans can be viewed at sidewalkgap.ddot.dc.gov. Questions can be directed to Karyn McAlister at (202) 285-7791 or karyn.mcalister@dc.gov.

• 37th Street NW: DDOT has also proposed a new sidewalk along the west side of 37th Street NW, between Upton Street NW and the alley. The deadline for submitting comments on the proposed design is September 11, 2026. Full notice details and plans were mailed to adjacent property owners and can also be viewed online at the DDOT Sidewalk Gap Program Portal.

Written comments for both notices can be submitted by mail or email to Transportation Specialist Misgana Lemecha at misgana.lemecha@dc.gov or 250 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20003.

DC Water Infrastructure Updates & Upcoming Virtual Meeting

DC Water is continuing its Lead Free DC initiative to replace aging small water mains and upgrade lead service lines across our neighborhoods.

Construction Schedule (August 17 – August 29, 2026):

• 3100 Block Jocelyn Street NW & 5300 Block 32nd Street NW: No work is scheduled this week. Crews will pave the road surface and repaint street lines August 24–29. Please watch for posted parking restrictions.
• 5100 Block 33rd Street NW, 5100 Block Linnean Terrace NW, & 5200 Block Linnean Ave NW: Crews are actively installing new underground water mains this week and will continue this work through next week.

Residents can also join DC Water for a virtual public meeting titled "Losing the Lead: Your Timeline, Your Yard, Your Questions" on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The session will cover scheduling timelines, construction day details, and yard restoration.

• Join via Teams: bit.ly/LFDCAug2026
• Join by Phone: +1 (202) 753-6714 (Conference ID: 181 735 84#)

To sign up for DC Water alerts, visit the DC Water Alert Notification Signups page. Residents with questions or requests can call DC Customer Service at 202-787-2000 or email customer.service@dcwater.com.

Guy Mason Playground & Park Closures

Guy Mason Playground (3600 Calvert Street NW) has closed starting August 17 for resurfacing. The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is replacing the existing playground surface and sandbox with a new pour-in-place rubber safety surface and play turf. Completion is expected in fall 2026. Residents are welcome to contact DPR's Customer Care Center at (202) 673-7647 or email dprcustomercare@dc.gov for more information.

Ward 3 School Tours

Ahead of the first bell, I have been visiting Ward 3 school campuses—including stops this week at Hearst Elementary and John R. Thompson Jr. High School—to connect with educators, check on facilities, and make sure our schools are fully prepared to welcome students back for an incredible year of learning and growth.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) Meetings

Ward 3 ANCs are on recess during the month of August. They will reconvene in September.

ANC3A: Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

ANC3B: Thursday, September 10, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

ANC3C: Monday, September 22, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

ANC3D: Wednesday, September 2, 7:00 p.m., Zoom  

ANC3E: Thursday, September 10, 7:30 p.m., Zoom  

ANC3F: Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

ANC3/4G: Monday, September 14, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

Cleveland Park Night Market – Thursday, August 27, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.: Live music, local food vendors, and family-friendly fun on the Promenade along the 3300 block of Connecticut Avenue NW.

Art All Night Ward 3 - Saturday, September 12: Art All Night returns to Cleveland Park, Glover Park, Tenleytown, Van Ness, Forest Hills, and Wakefield. Enjoy local artists, creators, and performances. Learn more and see the various events and schedules at dcartallnight.org.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062