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Redistricting is a difficult job and this year has been no exception. I want to acknowledge the efforts of my fellow subcommittee members, Councilmembers Michael Brown and Phil Mendelson, as well as the other members of the Council who participated in the process. Most of all, I want to thank the residents who reached out to us by phone and email, as well as by testifying at our three public hearings and speaking at the many community meetings we attended.
The redistricting process is mandated by federal law every ten years and the committee looked at all the Wards to make population shifts that would bring them into relative parity while impacting as few residents as possible, as well as to correct certain changes from the last redistricting process ten years ago.
The 2011 Census reported the District's overall population to be 601,723 people. When divided equally among the eight Wards, this results in an average population of 75,215 residents per Ward. Federal law allows a deviation in Ward population of plus or minus 5 percent, which gave us a range of 71,455 - 78,976 residents within which to work. The District's population increased by 29,664, or 5.2 percent, between 2000 and 2010. It is worth noting that this increase nearly returns the District to its 1990 census population of 606,900 people.
The 2010 Census showed that compared to 2000, Wards 1 through 7 gained population, while Ward 8 lost 215 residents, or 0.3 percent of its population. After the 2010 Census, we learned that Ward 2 exceeded the allowable population range by 939 people, while Ward 7 was below the allowable minimum by 386 residents and Ward 8 was below by 742. All the other Wards remained within the required population range.
The Subcommittee on Redistricting released an initial draft redistricting plan last week and followed that with an additional subcommittee hearing, our third since the process began, which lasted until after 1:00am. In response to this hearing, we were able to issue a revised plan that accommodated a number of the concerns raised. Most notably for Ward 2, we were able to reunite the Penn Quarter neighborhood while also further reuniting the Shaw neighborhood in Ward 6 and restoring the "chimney" toward the northeast corner of Shaw that had been slated to return to Ward 5, which was originally an attempt to reunite a census tract.
The most significant change in the revised plan was to keep many residents of the eastern part of Capitol Hill in Ward 6, pursuant their wishes. The full Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of the revised plan at first reading, with a 12-1 vote, which speaks to the fact that we did the best we could on the subcommittee in balancing competing interests as we redrew the Ward boundaries. A final vote on the Ward redistricting will take place on June 21.
The final step in redistricting is to review the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) and Single Member District (SMD) boundary lines, which we will begin after the second vote on the redistricting plan. Please contact my office if you would like to be involved in the Ward 2 task force or wish to weigh in on any potential changes - I welcome your input.
Jack
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Evans Joins Logan Residents for Square 242 Alley Party
Evans with Mayor Gray and event Chair Doll Gordon.
Councilmember Evans last weekend joined hundreds of Logan Circle residents and Mayor Vincent Gray for the annual Square 242 alley party. Square 242 is bordered by 14th Street, Vermont Avenue, and Rhode Island Avenue, NW.
The 2011 alley party was coordinated by Logan Circle neighbors Doll Gordon, Drew Mitchell, Bill Fisher, Rod Lawrence, Benjamin Dalley, Karol and Grafton Biglow, and Mesfun Ghebrelul (M.G.). Area business also donated services and supplies for the event, including Churchkey, Barrel House Liquors, W. Millar and Company Catering, Fathom Creative, and Popeye's.
"I look forward every year to this event," said Evans. "Hundreds of residents gather to celebrate one of the city's greatest neighborhoods and I am happy to have had the opportunity to join them. Special thanks go out to the neighbors and local businesses that made it happen."
The Square 242 alley party was started 5 years ago by longtime Logan Circle resident and activist Doll Gordon in an effort to connect neighbors and improve public safety.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Logan Circle liaison.
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Evans Attends Ford's Theatre Society Annual Celebration
Evans with Lincoln Medal recipient Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Evans and wife Michele with Lincoln Medal recipient Julie Andrews.
Councilmember Evans recently attended the Ford's Theatre Society annual gala at the Ford's Theatre, which included the presentation of the Lincoln Medal to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julie Andrews, whose careers and commitment to education, understanding, and equality exemplify the character and lasting legacy of President Abraham Lincoln.
The Ford's Theatre Annual Gala benefits the Ford's Theatre Society, its programming, and the new Ford's Theatre Center for Education and Leadership (opening February 2012).
"I am pleased to be a strong supporter of the Ford's and arts in the District," said Evans. "I fought hard to repeal the live theatre ticket tax proposal and will continue to work to ensure that the District is a destination for all arts."
The Lincoln Medal is an annual award given by the Ford's Theatre Society to a person (or persons) who, through their body of work, accomplishments or personal attributes, exemplify the lasting legacy, and mettle of character embodied by President Abraham Lincoln.
For additional information on the Ford's Theatre Society, please click here.
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Golden Triangle Summer Concert Series Underway
 Photo: Golden Triangle BID
The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) recently launched its 2011 summer concert series, which includes a free concert every Wednesday during the month of June from 5:30pm-7:30pm in Farragut Square Park. The park is bordered by K Street, I Street, and 17th Street, NW.
Grab dinner from your favorite downtown restaurant and relax in the park while enjoying some of the most popular local music talent in the District. Upcoming concerts include:
June 15 - Monster Band (Funk, Pop, Dance)
June 22 - Cazhmiere (Top 40, Dance)
June 29 - Sam O & JFC
"The Golden Triangle BID has once again provided a great line-up of local and regional bands for their summer concert series," Evans said. "I encourage everyone to head to Farragut Square Park this month to hear for themselves."
Founded in 1997, the Golden Triangle BID works to enhance the Golden Triangle neighborhood - a 43-block area of DC's central business district that is home to lobbyists, law firms, non-profits, associations, restaurants, hotels, and boutiques.
The BID's primary focus is to provide a clean, safe, and vibrant environment within this neighborhood for area workers and visitors, and to retain and attract businesses to the neighborhood. The BID does this through various programs and services, which include an Ambassador program, homeless outreach, streetscape improvements, marketing, Sounds in the Square concerts, and other events and member services.
Please click here for additional information on the Golden Triangle BID.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' downtown liaison.
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Volta Park Day
Sunday, June 12
 Photo: Georgetown Patch
The Friends of Volta Park will once again be holding Volta Park Day, this year on Saturday, June 12 from 3:00pm-6:00pm in Volta Park (3400 Volta Place, NW). The family-friendly festival will include a moon bounce, mini ferris wheel, dunk tank, sno-cones, and children's activities. In addition, the event will host a cookout and bake sale, live music, and flea market.
Proceeds from the event go towards maintenance of Volta Park and its field, gardens, and playground.
For additional information on the event, contact Mimsy Lindner
or click here.
Ruth Werner is Evans' Georgetown liaison.
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LCCA Picnic Slated for
Sunday, June 12
The Logan Circle Community Association (LCCA) will hold its annual picnic on Sunday, June 12 from 12:00pm-4:00pm at The Residences at Thomas Circle (1330 Massachusetts Avenue, NW). The event will be held rain or shine and you do not have to be an LCCA member to attend.
"This is a great opportunity to greet longtime friends and make new ones," said Evans. "I look forward to attending this great annual event and hope to see many residents there."
LCCA will provide grilled items, as well as condiments and soft drinks. They ask that attendees bring a dish to share and serving utensils.
For additional information on the Logan Circle Community Association and the picnic, please click here.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Logan Circle liaison.
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Volunteers Needed for
Dupont Circle Trees
 Photo: DCCA
The Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) has developed a plan to ensure that newly planted trees in the Dupont Circle area get enough water to survive the District's high summer temperatures. DCCA is now seeking volunteers to make the plan a reality.
The District's Urban Forestry Administration recently planted new trees along the commercial corridors of 17th, 18th, and P Streets, NW as well as along many residential streets in Dupont Circle. Once these trees are planted, however, businesses and residents are responsible for their care and DCCA is ready to help.
Those interested in helping to inventory new and distressed trees in the Dupont Circle area will meet on Saturday, June 11th at 9:00am at the small park at the intersection of T Street, 17th Street, and New Hampshire Avenue, NW. Volunteers will receive brief instructions over doughnuts and coffee before heading off to complete the inventory. Volunteers are asked to bring water and sunscreen and will reconvene at 11:30am to hand in completed forms.
DCCA volunteers will then return two weeks later to check on these trees and to see if they are being watered and cared for. Homes and business that are unable to water and care for their trees will then receive support from DCCA's volunteers throughout the summer months.
"DC is known as 'tree city' thanks to the dedicated residents and business owners who care for our many trees," said Evans. "I am grateful to the DCCA for organizing this effort and appreciate their work to preserve our tree canopy."
For additional information or to volunteer, please contact Nancy Diamond at 202-667-5818 or click here.
Andrew Huff is Evans' Dupont Circle liaison.
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Progression Place Job Fair Scheduled for June 16
The Progression Place Job Fair will be held on June 16 from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Florida Avenue Baptist Church (623 U Street, NW).
Progression Place is a new, mixed-use property at 7th and S Streets, NW, adjacent to the Shaw-Howard Metro station. The Offices at Progression Place will be the new home and national headquarters for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) as well as other office tenants. The Shops at Progression Place will offer a myriad of dining, shopping, and nightlife options to the neighborhood. The 7th Flats will bring 205 brand new apartment dwellings to the Shaw/LeDroit Park neighborhood.
Representatives from ACECO, Baker DC, P & D Drywall, and P.O.S.T. Construction will be present to meet with interested applicants. The District Department of Employment Services and the District of Columbia Housing Authority will also participate.
The event is being hosted by Florida Avenue Baptist Church and DAVIS/Gilford Joint Venture.
For additional information on Progression Place, please click here.
For additional information on the job fair, please email vcolmon@davisconstruction.com.
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MPD Meetings on Police Boundary Alignment Scheduled
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) will discuss plans to improve the delivery of police services in the District of Columbia at a series of upcoming community meetings. Each police district will host a community meeting to discuss new Police Service Area (PSA) boundaries in that district. Community members are invited to attend to get more information and have their questions answered.
Every resident lives in a PSA and every PSA has a team of police officers and officials assigned to it. Residents should get to know their PSA team members and learn how to work with them to fight crime and disorder in their neighborhoods.
The remaining meeting dates and times for the MPD districts located within Ward 2 include:
Third District
Community Room
1620 V Street, NW
June 9 - 7:00pm
Second District
Community Room
3320 Idaho Avenue, NW
June 22 - 7:00pm
For additional information on MPD's Police Service Areas and these upcoming meetings, please click here.
Windy Abdul-Rahim is Evans' MPD liaison.
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Councilmember Evans is pleased to announce that he will be speaking to several civic organizations and attending several community events in June.
"I always look forward to the opportunity to hear directly from residents about what's working and what could be improved in the District," said Evans. "Attending these meetings and events on a regular basis allows me to do just that."
Evans will attend the following meetings and events in June:
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2011
Capital Pride
Parade
Saturday, June 11
5:30pm
As it travels through Dupont Circle and the heart of Ward 2, hundreds of contingents will travel along as thousands come out for this annual spectacle!
For additional information and a parade map, please click here.
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Councilmember Jack Evans
1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Suite 106
Washington, DC 20004
202-724-8085
jevans@dccouncil.us
www.jackevans.org |
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