311 Updates

If you call 311 today, you wll hear that the DC Government is Closed as are DC Public Schools.  There will be no parking enforcement or trash collection.  Street sweeping is suspended through Wednesday.  Bulk trash appointments will be rescheduled. 

METRO is closed as well...stay tuned for more updates when you call 311.

Prepare for Hurricane Sandy

OPC Urges DC Resident to Prepare for the Potential Impact of Hurricane Sandy

The National Weather Service has stated that the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is likely to experience some severe weather between late afternoon on Sunday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 31, as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Forecasters are predicting the region could experience a combination of high winds, heavy rain and possible flooding in certain areas. The high winds and heavy rain could cause power outages. 
 
In anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, Pepco has announced it is scheduling extra distribution line crews and has contract crews scheduled for storm restoration work and Call Center personnel will work overnight as needed. The Company has also reached out to state and local emergency management agencies to share its weather forecast and plans. 

Keep the Following Numbers Handy:

•    For immediate medical emergencies call 911
•    D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Hotline - Consumers should first call 311 or to report ongoing or major heat related problems call (202) 727-6161. HSEMA may provide transportation to a cooling center or on site cooling buses for residents
•    Pepco Safety Emergency - (202) 872-3432 -- to report wires down
•    Pepco Claims Office - (202) 872-2455 -- to request a form for electric service related damages
•    OPC - (202) 727-3071 -- to obtain information or assistance  

Click here for helpful tips.

JBG Unveils Revised Plans for 13th and U Project

On Monday, October 22, the JBG Companies unveiled a revised plan and drawings for their 13th and U project.  I have displayed above the front and rear elevations of the proposed building for your review.  The building is 8 stories tall with 134 apartments.  Twelve of the units will be marketed as "affordable housing units."  There will be no rooftop pool area in the revised plans.  And last but not least, the building has been set back about 5-6 feet on the 7th and 8th floors.

JBG representatives announced that the PUD application was filed recently and that the review process has begun at HPRB and the Zoning Commission (which has jurisdiction on Planned Unit Developments).  Stay tuned for more details as they become available.  Read More

Artist "JR" Comes to 14th and T

TED prize winner JR comes to my corner with a huge installation covering the building at 14th and T.  The installation is underway today.  Who is JR?  JR is a semi-anonymous French street artist who uses his camera to show the world its true face, by pasting photos of the human face across massive canvases. At TED2011, he makes his audacious TED Prize wish: to use art to turn the world inside out. Learn more about his work and learn how you can join in at insideoutproject.net.

Who or what is TED?  TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences -- the TED Conference in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh UK each summer -- TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.

Below is the original Richard Copley photo that is the subject of the photo mural.  It was taken in March 1968 when the Memphis sanitation workers went on strike for civil rights.

Monday Columbus Day: No Trash Collection, No Parking Enforcement

The DC Department of Public Works is observing Columbus Day on  Monday, October 8. As a result, there will be no trash and recycling collections. Parking regulations will not be enforced either. (Officially, Columbus Day is actually October 12.)

In once-a-week collection neighborhoods, collections will “slide” to the next day. In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, Monday and Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday, and Tuesday and Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday.

Enhanced Residential Parking Comes to West Side of 14th

I am pleased to announce that the Enhanced Residential Permit Parking has come to the west side of 14th Street.  Last Spring the Logan Circle ANC asked to be included in this program so that residents who live within their ANC boundaries could have designated "resident only" parking in their neighborhood.  Visitor passes have been mailed to these residents so that they can use them when their guests visit them.  As you may know, Ward One has already instituted this parking program to protect their resident parking as a result of an initiative started by Council Member Jim Graham.

Over the years, the #1 item that I have heard about from my constituents and neighbors is parking concerns.  I have worked diligently with the Logan Circle ANC, ANC 1B, and CM Jack Evans' staff to bring this same program to my Single Member District neighborhood.  Last week the signs were installed by DDOT and neighbors have already begun to reap the benefits.  At the end of the work day and on weekends, they are able to find parking in the neighborhood.  I have received many "thank you's" from my constituents.  Happy Parking!