Neighbors,

This week, smoke from Canadian wildfires has impacted air quality in our city. On June 8, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and DC Department of Energy & Environment declared for the first time a “Code Purple” air quality alert, signaling that the air was unhealthy for all residents. While the smoke should dissipate this weekend, the air quality index remains at “Code Yellow” today and may continue at this level through Sunday. Residents with respiratory illnesses should avoid outdoor activities and consider wearing high-quality masks when outside. Due to air quality issues, Department of Public Works trash collection starting on Thursday has “slid” to the next day through Saturday. Normal collection should resume next week. More information about health and safety precautions can be found here. Residents can track changes in the DC Air Quality Index here.

This weekend, I will be marching in the Capital Pride Parade with my Council colleagues. Come by the parade route (bring water and a mask!) and celebrate love, diversity, and inclusion in Washington, DC. Throughout Pride Month in June, the Council is standing with DC’s LGBTQ+ community, including by raising a pride flag above the John A. Wilson Building for the first time.

This edition of my newsletter includes information about the Wilson Aquatic Center reopening, and my work to stop unprecedented rent increases for rent-stabilized tenants, establish a BID for Friendship Heights, and support a transit network that serves all our neighbors. My newsletter is biweekly, so follow me @CMFrumin on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more frequent updates.

Best,

Matt Frumin

Councilmember for Ward 3

I am pleased to announce that the Wilson Aquatic Center is set to reopen on Monday, June 12. The reopening follows months of work by my office, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and Department of General Services (DGS) to address ongoing maintenance issues at the aquatic center. When the pool reopens, its operating status will be subject to changes in indoor humidity. If the humidity levels rise above safe levels, the Wilson Aquatic Center will close again.

Given that the pool’s operating status remains tenuous pending upcoming major renovations, additional aquatics options are needed to meet resident demand. DPR has agreed to my request that operating hours at the Hearst pool be extended to open at 6 am daily beginning June 26. My office continues to identify other nearby partnerships to ensure community members have pool access should the Wilson Aquatic Center be forced to close again.

A major renovation to overhaul the center’s HVAC systems is planned for December and will require the pool to close for two months. My office will work closely with DPR and DGS to ensure improved transparency, communication, and interagency collaboration throughout the entire repair process. I look forward to the renovation of the Wilson Aquatic Center resolving the current HVAC deficiencies so the pool can be a reliable, accessible facility for our community.

In May, the DC Rental Housing Commission voted to allow rent increases in rent-controlled units to increase of up to 8.9%, and 5% for units occupied by seniors and people with disabilities. This increase could have contributed to a perfect storm of housing insecurity for seniors and other vulnerable neighbors, leading to increased displacement. On June 5, the Council voted to cap the allowable increase for rent-controlled units to 12% over two years, with a 6% annual cap, and 8% over two years for seniors and people with disabilities, with a 4% annual cap.

I’m proud to have raised this compromise proposal with my colleagues, and I’m grateful to Councilmembers Robert White, Pinto, and Lewis George for introducing an amendment to the Rent Stabilized Housing Inflation Protection Emergency Amendment Act of 2023 and my colleagues for unanimously supporting it to prevent an unprecedented increase for rent-stabilized tenants this year. This action demonstrates the Council’s collective commitment to addressing DC’s housing crisis and ensuring stable, affordable housing for all residents in our city.

On June 8, the Committee on Business and Economic Development held a hearing on the “Friendship Heights Business Improvement District Amendment Act of 2023.” The legislation, which I introduced in late February, would establish the District’s 12th Business Improvement District and the first in Ward 3. A Business Improvement District (BID) is a tool to improve the economic vitality of a commercial area by establishing a self-taxing district.

Led by business and community leaders, this new BID will support the revitalization of Friendship Heights by implementing economic development initiatives like placemaking, enhanced security and maintenance, and promotion for local businesses. The future Friendship Heights BID has the potential unlock expanded economic opportunity for businesses and residents alike, fostering a strong economic recovery for a cross-jurisdictional neighborhood on the Ward 3 border. I look forward to the committee's markup of the legislation and Council's vote later this year, leading to the BID being established by 2024.

WMATA's Better Bus Visionary Network envisions a comprehensive redesign of bus service that would enhance routes and infrastructure if WMATA were to receive a 35% increase in bus funding. While the proposal looks to revitalize bus transit throughout the DC region, at present it falls short in addressing the needs of Ward 3 residents. I am committed to working with community leaders to ensure the final Better Bus Visionary Network plan truly makes Metrobus a viable and convenient option for more residents.

At the June 8 roundtable held by the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, I raised with WMATA leadership concerns that the Visionary Network would lead to limited bus transit access to Ward 3 from other parts of DC, and lead to challenging route changes for neighbors, including:

• severing Ward 3 from the critical cross-town 96 route,
• combining the current N-series routes, effectively stranding residents along the New Mexico/Cathedral Avenue Corridor and reducing service frequency, and
• inadequate service to MacArthur High School from many neighborhoods in its catchment area, including Spring Valley and Cleveland Park.

I plan to send detailed recommendations to WMATA in mid-June. To date, more than 200 residents have shared their concerns about the plan, as well as potential solutions, with my office. Please continue to provide feedback using our form here. Residents can also send comments directly to WMATA during its public comment period, which concludes on June 18.

Adjusted DCPL Hours

On June 26, the DC Public Library will shift its operating hours at neighborhood locations earlier by one hour to improve accessibility for working people and families. Learn more and see all library hours here.

MPD Chief Search

Last week, MPD Chief Robert Contee III retired after 33 years of service to the District, and Mayor Bowser began her search for a new chief of police. When former Chief Contee announced his departure, I urged the Mayor to survey residents about their priorities for his successor. On June 2, she launched a community input survey and will host a teletownhall to gather perspectives from residents on the qualifications and experience they seek in a police chief. Residents can access the community input survey here through June 14. On June 15 at 6 pm, Mayor Bowser will host her teletownhall, which residents can join by dialing 1 (844) 881-1314.

Metro Lift Reduced Fare Program

WMATA will launch its Metro Lift program on June 20, which qualifies low-income residents enrolled in SNAP benefits to receive a 50% fare discount, reducing public transit costs and improving accessibility for vulnerable residents. SNAP recipients can enroll in the Metro Life program online here or in person on June 26 at Metro Center Station or the Metro office buildings at L’Enfant Plaza and New Carrollton. To enroll, residents must provide contact info, their SmarTrip card number, and photos of their state-issued photo ID and SNAP EBT card. The discounts will be available within 48 hours of enrollment and will continue for one year. For more information, click here.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

(202) 724-8062