18 May 2011

6A Takes A Postion on Redistricting

At its May meeting, ANC 6A in Northeast Capitol Hill voted to take a position on redistricting, with rumors abounding as to the possible loss of communities on its eastern edge to Ward 7.  In a letter to Councilmembers Brown, Evans and Mendelson – members of the Special Committee on Redistricting – the ANC not only argues against removing any of its eastern communities, such as Rosedale, but also advocates for restoring the Kingman Park area back to Ward 6.

The ANC argues that moving its boundary further west disrupts a geographically contiguous area, bordered by the Anacostia River, RFK and its parking areas, Interstate 295 and the Anacostia Parks.  The letter also points out that plans for economic development and schools that have been painstakingly discussed and negotiated amongst neighbors and civic leaders would be jeopardized by dividing existing, cohesive communities.  Rosedale Recreation Center is specifically mentioned as one of the projects in progress that could suffer should it end up on the margin of Ward 7 but continuing to primarily serve a Ward 6 constituency.

Additionally, the ANC cites the hard work, and delicate compromises, that exist relating to traffic volume and patterns along the heavily used commuter route around RFK stadium and down C Street and North Carolina Avenue, NE.  In progress for well over a year, major initiatives like the C Street NE Project, that take on key issues relating to quality of life could face delays should the movement of boundary lines result in new and unfamiliar leadership.

Alternatively, the Commission notes, “there is a common pattern of development, housing stock and neighborhood history that closely ties Hill East and Rosedale to the rest of the Capitol Hill community.”  They further ask that natural boundaries, such as the Anacostia and Interstate 295, be honored by returning Kingman Park to Ward 6 after being moved to Ward 7 following the 2000 census.

For those interested and/or affected by redistricting, a reminder that you can weigh in with Councilmember Michael A. Brown at a community roundtable tonight, May 18th, 6-8pm at at the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (Karrick Hall – Building 17) located at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE. If you have any questions about this event, please feel free to call Brittany Donald at 202-724-8105 or Carlton Terry at 202-724-8106.

On Monday the Special Committee on Redistricting announced the following timeline for its activities:

Wednesday, May 25th: anticipated release of a proposed redistricting map

Tuesday, May 26th, 1pm: vote on the proposed redistricting map
John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (the room number hasn’t been confirmed as of this writing). While the committee doesn’t take public testimony at this meeting, it is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.

Thursday, June 2nd, 10am: public hearing
John A. Wilson Building (the room number hasn’t been confirmed as of this writing). That hearing is open to the public and residents are encouraged to testify. To sign up to testify, please contact Mr. Drew Hubbard of Councilmember Brown’s staff via email at or by phone at 724-8105.

Tuesday, June 7th, 10am:  Council debate on the proposed map at its regularly scheduled meeting
This meeting is  open to the public and will be held in the Council Chambers of the John A. Wilson Building.

Thanks to the office of Councilmember Wells for the updated timeline for the Special Committee.

Sharee Lawler is Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for ANC 6A-05.

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