I had the pleasure of attending and testifying at Chairman Kwame Brown’s Economic Roundtable in Ward 5 this week.
I must say, after going in somewhat skeptical, I left hopeful. And of all the public testimony, there were three community concerns stick out: redevelopment of Rhode Island Avenue NE, the controversial McMillan redevelopment plan in Bloomingdale and the unfortunate state of the Crummell Schoo in Ivy City.
The message on Rhode Island Avenue NE was clear and appeared to be heard. The residents demand resources and services. Chairman Brown agreed to work on getting a bikeshare station on Rhode Island Ave NE, and agreed the Great Streets Plan should be funded.
Testimony on McMillan was mostly against the Vision McMIllan plan which appears to be headed to various city agencies for approval this year. Perhaps the most indelible scene that evening was a panel of young men from Ivy City who came to request that Crummell School l [link for Crummell School: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alexander_Crummell_School.jpg ] be renovated and turned into a recreation center. The pointed out the only ‘thing’ in Ivy City is the youth detention facility and without better options to spend their time, kids can turn down the wrong path. While Chairman Brown wasn’t able to assure the kids that the Crummell School would be renovated, but he did assure them the grounds would be cleaned, after one of the witnesses pointed out that they are littered with debris and broken glass.
All in all, it was a great meeting and I appreciate Chairman Brown coming out to Ward 5 to hear our concerns.
1 Response to “Contributor Nolan’s Perspective”