The Cleveland Park 3C05 Newsletter from Sauleh Siddiqui [May 10]
Welcome to my twenty-fourth Newsletter!
Keeping you updated on what’s happening in the neighborhood
I hope to use this email newsletter as a way to keep everyone updated on what’s happening in the neighborhood. I promise not to spam you all and would love feedback on what to include!
Woodley House 5K May 18th!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which means Woodley House's 5K Run, Walk & Roll is next week on Saturday, May 18! Woodley House provides support and services to so many of our neighbors, and they have helped us many times when government agencies weren’t able to. The Woodley House 5K is a family-oriented event to encourage fitness while supporting Woodley House. I joined the event last year, and know that they are planning an even bigger, better event. The 5K raises critical funds supporting Woodley House's work, providing housing and support services for individuals facing mental illness.
Please register here to join me for the in-person 5K and Kids Fun Run, and you can also sign up to participate virtually. If you can’t make it, please consider donating here.
Update on Connecticut Avenue Protected Bike Lanes
Our advocacy has yielded many positive results! After several protest rides, about 5000 petition signatures, and support from parents and schoolchildren, the Committee on Transportation & the Environment have added recommendations for the FY 2025 budget. The entire section on Connecticut Avenue is worth reading, but I am pasting the summary paragraph below:
“Given the extensive community support for Concept C, the District’s ostensible commitment to shifting motor vehicle users to other modes, and the enormous safety benefits of bike lanes, the Committee is convinced that any redesign of Connecticut Avenue NW must include a PBL. Therefore, the Committee incorporates language in this subtitle to prevent DDOT from expending funds in FY25 in furtherance of the Connecticut Avenue Reversible Lane Operations and Safety project (Project No. 100634 (LMS19C)), or any other capital project for the same or similar purpose, unless the installation of protected bike lanes is included in the project’s design, planning, and construction.”
If you get a chance, please send a thank you email to Councilmembers Charles Allen (callen@dccouncil.gov) and Matt Frumin (mfrumin@dccouncil.gov). I am grateful for their leadership.
In the meantime, if you haven’t already, please sign the petition urging Mayor Bowser and the Council to not cancel the protected bike lanes on Connecticut Avenue and also circulate to your friends.
Bike to Work Day on May 17 down Connecticut Avenue
Join us for Bike to Work Day on May 17th! We’ll be leading a convoy down Connecticut Avenue starting at 7:30 at the Parking lot of the Chevy Chase Safeway to Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan. It will be at a relaxed pace and we’ll make several stops to pick up additional riders along the route, including a 20-minute pitstop at the Uptown at 8:25 a.m. where I will welcome you all with refreshments!
SmithJackson Bluegrass Band at Foundation Fitness on Thursday May 23rd 7-9pm
Get grooving to live music from the Smith Jackson Bluegrass Band while supporting Cleveland Park Main Street! The event is on Thursday May 23, 2024, 7-9pm at Foundation Fitness of Cleveland Park - 3525 Connecticut Ave NW (Tickets).
Cleveland Park Day on June 2nd!
Celebrate the vibrancy of the Cleveland Park neighborhood at Cleveland Park Day! With an outdoor vendor market, live music, happy hour and business specials, and a Kids Zone, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. There’s tons of cool things planned, including a pet fashion show you can register for here.
Thanking super constituents!
This week, I want to thank Naihua Duan, a member of our ANC3C Safe, Sustainable, and Equitable Transportation Committee. In February, he led the effort through the committee to write a resolution that WMATA explore a Designated Open Stroller Space Program for Metrobuses as a natural extension of its existing Open Stroller Policy to further improve service to passengers traveling with strollers. We also asked WMATA make its evaluation from the open stroller policy for Metrobuses publicly available and build on it to further enhance the experience for all Metrobus travelers. On May 6th, WMATA announced that they have modified seats on select Metrobus routes to create a multi-use area, prioritizing passengers with strollers! The program is being tested on a number of Metrobus routes, including the H4 that goes through our neighborhood. Please join me in thanking Naihua and the committee for successfully advocating for this change that helps riders with strollers and wheelchairs!
Sauleh Siddiqui, Commissioner, ANC 3C05
Email: 3C05@anc.dc.gov
Twitter: @saulehforanc