Evans Kicks Off 

Capital Bikeshare Expansion 

 

Evans joins Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells and  

Mayor Vincent Gray to cut the ribbon on the Wilson building's  

new Capital Bikeshare station.

Councilmember Evans recently joined Mayor Vincent Gray and Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells to cut the ribbon on a new Capital Bikeshare docking station at the historic John A. Wilson building.

"Bikesharing is fast becoming a part of the fabric of our city," said Evans.  "It is important in building our alternative transportation infrastructure and making DC more bike and pedestrian friendly."

Five additional stations are slated to open over the next several weeks at Farragut Square, Metro Center, Foggy Bottom, Judiciary Square, and the National Portrait Gallery.  In all, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) plans to add 25 new stations and 250 additional bikes throughout the District and Arlington, Virginia this summer.

Capital Bikeshare bikes have step-thru frames, 3 speeds, front and rear flashing LED lights, and a front rack, and are equipped with internal hub gears, a chain guard, and fenders.

Several membership options are available with Capital Bikeshare.  Infrequent users may purchase a 24-hour membership for $5 or a 5-day membership for $15 by using the kiosk located at each Capital Bikeshare station.  Annual or 30-day memberships are also available.  No matter which option you choose, the first 30 minutes of each trip is free. After the first 30 minutes, users are charged. 

For a complete list of Capital Bikeshare stations, click here.  

To view the 2011 expansion plans, please click here.

Sherri Kimbel is Evans' DDOT liaison.

Security Cameras to be Added at Shaw-Howard Metro Station

Photo by thisisbossi on Flickr.

 

Councilmember Evans announced last week the upcoming installation of security cameras at both entrances of the Shaw-Howard Metro station.

"The Metro Transit Police and Metropolitan Police are working closely to address the on-going issues at this Metro stop," said Evans.  "The addition of these cameras, which will face the station's two entrances, will help to identify those who commit crimes and disrupt the neighborhood."   

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has received a $2.7 million Urban Area Security Initiative grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to finance the installation of the security cameras, scheduled for June. 

The Metro Transit police has also increased patrol efforts in and around the Shaw-Howard Metro station and deployed a patrol vehicle to the station, in addition to working closely with the Metropolitan Police Department to address crime issues there.

Windy Abdul-Rahim is Evans' Shaw liaison. 

Ross Elementary School to Hold 3rd Annual Auction

Ross Elementary School has announced their third annual auction will take place on Saturday, April 30 from 5:00pm-10:00pm at the German Marshall Fund building (1744 R Street, NW).  The event is free and open to the public.

This year's auction aims to build a strong financial foundation for professional development opportunities for teachers, enrichment programs for students, and future modernization of the building.  Friends of Ross Elementary, both in the neighborhood and nationwide, have helped to raise more than $40,000 for the school in the past two years.

"Ross Elementary continues to be an incredible asset to the neighborhood and Ward," said Evans.  "I hope everyone will support our local school and school children at this important fundraising event."

Ross Elementary is a public elementary school for 150 preschool through fifth grade children, located in the heart of Dupont Circle.

Please click here for more information about this year's auction.

Andrew Huff is Evans' Dupont Circle liaison. 

School Beautification Day in Shaw Slated for Saturday

Photo courtesy of CCCA.

Looking for an opportunity to enjoy the spring weather with your friends and neighbors?  Want to help to beautiful a neighborhood school?  You'll have your chance on Saturday, April 30 at KIPP DC's Shaw campus (421 P Street, NW).

From 8:00am-1:00pm, Shaw neighbors and church congregations will help to beautiful the KIPP DC campus by planting low growing, drought hardy plants in the tree boxes surrounding the school.  Additional contributions from neighbors and area businesses are also appreciated.

"Saturday will offer a great chance for neighbors to come together for the benefit of one of our many great neighborhood schools," said Evans.  "I hope everyone will consider pitching in a few hours to help beautify this corner of Shaw."

The event is being sponsored by the Convention Center Community Association (CCCA).  Individuals or businesses interested in participating should contact CCCA President Martin Moulton.

Windy Abdul-Rahim is Evans' Shaw liaison. 

Councilmember Evans joined Mayor Vincent Gray, At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson, MPD Chief Cathy Lanier, and US Attorney Ron Machen at the April meeting of the Convention Center Community Association (CCCA).

The meeting largely focused on the issue of crime in the Shaw neighborhood.  Evans gave an historical perspective of how far the Shaw neighborhood has come over the years, while acknowledging the challenges which still exist for many residents in the area.

"Shaw is a different place than it was ten years ago," said Evans.  "While we have come a long way, we still have work to do in ensuring a safe neighborhood for everyone who lives, works, and visits here."

Evans went on to discuss neighborhood improvements such as the Kennedy Recreation Center, the Washington Convention Center, the soon to be opened O Street Market and Kelsey Gardens development, and the new Watha T. Daniel Library.

"Given all of these important neighborhood accomplishments, we are still experiencing shootings, which is unacceptable," said Evans.

The US Attorney encouraged the community to stand up and to "say something if you see something," and help law enforcement put away known criminals.  Chief Lanier explained that while overall crime across the city is decreasing, including violent crimes, the department is struggling with robberies and burglaries.  At Councilmember Evans' request, MPD has also diverted additional resources from across the District to the Shaw neighborhood. 

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Paul Quander and DC Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe.

Windy Abdul-Rahim is Evans' Shaw liaison. 

The Logan Circle Community Association (LCCA) is sponsoring a very 20th-century neighborhood rummage sale on the 1300 block of Vermont Avenue, NW on Saturday, April 30 from 9:00am-1:00pm. 

The public is invited to participate, either as shoppers or as sellers.  Sellers need to supply their own tables and chairs and there is a $10 fee to help defray the cost of publicity.

There's no need to make reservations and no alternative rain date.  Just show up rain or shine and enjoy a fun neighborhood event with your Logan Circle neighbors.

For more information, please contact Frank Mobilio.

Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Logan Circle liaison. 

The Department of Public Works (DPW) recently announced that effective Monday, April 25 it will begin charging residents $45 each for new 32-gallon trash cart and 32-gallon recycling cart.  Previously, new homeowners and those who had their cans stolen were provided new carts at no charge.  If you had already requested a trash and/or recycling cart from DPW prior to April 25, you will not be charged. 

"While we are not pleased with this new fee, we are passing along this information so that our residents have it.  We also encourage residents to mark their carts with an address for identification," Evans said.  "I have asked DPW to see if there is a way to remove this fee as they work through their FY 2012 budget."

Remember that putting out your trash without using a can is not an option, and you could be fined.  If you don't have a city issued trash can, you can use one that you've purchased from an area hardware store. 

Sherri Kimbel is Evans' DPW liaison.