Neighbors,

It is hard to believe that I have been in office for more than 100 days. I am privileged that serving my community in elected office will be the capstone of my professional career. In the short time I have been in office, I introduced legislative actions to address neighborhood needs, helped hundreds of constituents access government services, and built a foundation for an impactful first term. As I look forward to the next 100 days and beyond, I remain grateful for the honor Ward 3 residents granted me last year. I am deeply cognizant of the responsibility that comes with this privilege to serve all our neighbors as fully and fairly as possible.

This edition of my newsletter covers what we've accomplished in my first 100 days, my goals for a safety-focused Connecticut Avenue redesign, and constituent services updates. My newsletter is biweekly, so follow me @CMFrumin on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more frequent updates.

Best,

Matt Frumin

Councilmember for Ward 3

April 12 marked my 100th day in office. I have spent each day engaging constituents, advocates, and government leaders on future-focused policies to improve our ward. In less than 4 months, I have already begun delivering on the promises I made during my campaign. Since I joined the Council, my office has:

addressed hundreds of constituent requests;

• addressed hundreds of constituent requests and urgent needs for services;
• introduced or endorsed almost 90 legislative bills and resolutions;
• advocated for an FY24 budget that fully funds schools and communities; and
• attended countless community events and meetings to hear directly from constituents.

Hard work remains, and I am confident that we will continue to deliver results throughout my term.

In response to dangerous road conditions, 24 ANC Commissioners, former Councilmember Cheh, Mayor Bowser, and DDOT all recognized the need for improvements on Connecticut Avenue. I share their desire for a safety-focused redesign of Connecticut Avenue and improved multimodal transportation options in Ward 3. I expect the final proposal for Connecticut Avenue will make the roadway safer for all users, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities; improve sustainable transportation options; and accommodate the needs of neighbors and our small business community

Safety for All Road Users

Connecticut Avenue should not be a six-lane highway through our Ward 3 community. Connecticut Avenue is designated as a Vision Zero high crash corridor; there were more than 34 crashes on the corridor in the last year, some of them fatal. We can transform the corridor with improved visibility, shorter crossing distances, more signalized crosswalks, and impactful enforcement. Safety can't wait, especially for students looking to walk or bike to schools along the corridor.

I anticipate that the changes made by the Connecticut Avenue redesign will ensure a safer, low-stress travel experience for all road users.

Environment, Transit, and Parking

I believe that the Connecticut Avenue redesign process must not only plan for today, but also for a generational shift toward increased multimodal transportation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform Connecticut Avenue into a corridor that enables active and public multimodal transportation options. I am committed to pursuing the goals of sustainability-focused transportation plans like MoveDC as we prepare for a more environmentally friendly future.

That said, I recognize that a project of this scale requires challenging tradeoffs. A significant number of our residents will still rely on cars, and our transportation infrastructure must also accommodate their needs. I expect that the final Connecticut Avenue proposal will incorporate sufficient parking around commercial districts with strategically placed 24/7 parking and loading.

Support for Businesses

Expanded multimodal transportation has a positive impact on small businesses and local and regional economies. The Connecticut Avenue redesign has the potential to benefit commercial districts along the corridor by maintaining adequate parking and expanding access for cyclists, pedestrians, and public transit users.

DDOT's data suggests that the implementation of bike lanes and traffic calming measures is typically neutral or beneficial for local businesses. This comports with academic literature on the subject, which demonstrates that investments in multimodal transportation infrastructure can lead to significant economic growth.

Importantly, transportation mode choice does not have an impact on consumer spending at stores and restaurants. Pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users are competitive consumers that support local businesses to a similar degree as drivers.

Of course, local businesses along Connecticut Avenue thrive due to diverse customer bases, and car drivers also have a positive economic impact. Parking in commercial districts, coupled with ample off-street and side street parking, will allow drivers to continue to support their favorite small businesses with ease.

Next Steps

As DDOT works through the design phase of the Concept C proposal, I am encouraging continued community engagement and exploration of solutions to address neighbors’ concerns. DDOT previously conducted multiple block-by-block walks examining the existing conditions and the impacts of the proposed plan. I attended five of these walks and assessed how the design could affect seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. I continue to insist that DDOT build as broad a consensus as possible, look for sensible solutions, and be a transparent, responsive partner.

I hear frequently from both opponents and proponents of the project. Opponents do not believe the core concept can be successfully achieved. Proponents are disappointed by a delayed project delivery schedule. Fundamentally, I believe we can remake Connecticut Avenue in a way that is safer and fully serves users of today and tomorrow. While I think it is important that we get it done, I also believe it is critical that we do it right. I remain confident that the District can achieve safety improvements on Connecticut Avenue without an undue delay.

Better Bus Events

As WMATA celebrates the 50th anniversary of Metrobus and plans its draft Visionary Network routes, it will host 50 events in 50 days during the spring and early summer. In addition to food, music, and activities for kids, these workshops include interactive stations where residents can share their ideas for creating a more accessible bus system.

For more information about the upcoming in-person and virtual events, click here.

School Enrollment

If your student matched through the My School DC lottery, you have until May 1 to enroll at their matched school. Enrollment does not remove your child from waitlists. To enroll, families must prove DC residency, complete school enrollment requirements, and submit up-to-date health forms. Click here for more information.

On Saturday, April 29, more than 200 schools will host Enrollment Saturday events to accept enrollment paperwork. To view a list of participating schools, hours, and their requirements, click here.

Tax Revision Commission

The DC Tax Revision Commission convenes tax experts, economists, and government officials as it forms a proposal to reform the District’s tax code. Residents are invited to attend upcoming public input town hall events to share their ideas about building an equitable tax code that supports a resilient economy. Click here to RSVP.

DC Literacy Survey

OSSE is seeking information from educators and community members about literacy education, training, and instruction in the District. Residents can share their thoughts using this survey, which will inform the DC Literacy Education Taskforce as it prepares a report with recommendations for improved literacy instruction in schools. The survey takes 5-7 minutes and will close on May 5.

Curbside Composting Pilot Program

The Department of Public Works is launching its Curbside Composting Pilot Program this summer. The program will provide free weekly curbside food waste collection for 12,000 single-family households serviced by DPW in the District for one year. DPW will select the first 1,500 eligible households that sign up in each ward. Households that wish to participate in this pilot program can sign up here.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

(202) 724-8062