Ah, Hill Buzz on a Wednesday. What’s been going on?
The Frederick Douglass memorial bridge opens on Friday to actual vehicular traffic, but it was inaugurated earlier this week with a 5K run and walk. This is the largest infrastructure project to be completed in the District and it cost $480 million. Check out the bridge’s project website here. It was delivered ahead of time, as well, which is quite impressive. (If only schools’ HVAC had been delivered ahead of time as well.) Robert and I took pictures, which you can check out here. The Hill is Home
Remember the large flag installation that took over the median across from the DC Armory last fall? “In America” is coming back on September 17, but this time it’s taking over the National Mall, between 15th and 17th Streets. If you’d like to volunteer your time to help with the installation, click the link here.
Do you love dogs? Are you artistic? If so, why not help the Virginia Avenue Dog Park, the largest free public dog park in the District, come up with a logo? Whether you are a graphic designer or just a Canva enthusiast, visit the Logo Contest website for more information. The deadline for entries is September 15, 2021.
In education news, the DC government has no plans to hold any kind of virtual learning option, even as COVID cases start appearing at schools all over the District. Parents across town are both relieved and anxious, especially those of children under 12. (Washington Post and Washington Informer)
Yesterday, Stuart-Hobson Middle School had two positive cases and Eliot-Hine Middle School had one; this is not as dire when contrasted with an entire 6th grade class east of the river quarantined. For unvaccinated students, this translates to two weeks’ worth of missed instruction with absolutely no teacher input other than, purportedly, take-home packets.
Meanwhile, Mayor Bowser, joined by DCPS Chancellor Lewis Ferebee and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen cut the ribbon on the eagerly-anticipated renovation of the Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan Education campus at 2nd and G NE today. This is one of several schools reopening this year and, perhaps due to the pandemic, was delivered in record time. Work in the school began in 2019. The school looks beautiful and we’ll be glad to hear no more of sewage backups and rats in the pantry— at least for a while. EOM press release
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband Chasten welcomed a boy and a girl into their home. AP
Predictably, sites like MotH and neighbors all over lost it. Yes, we are all overjoyed for our famous neighbors, so please let us know how we can help!
Loved seeing neighbor Armand Lione and his research on the Anacostans or Nacotchtank people featured in this Washington Post article by Dana Hedgpeth.
The Rosedale Library will be closed for repairs for a month starting this week. The DC Line
DCist‘s Jordan Pascale interviewed several Capitol Hill residents who talked about their fears after January 6 and especially about September 18, a purported date where insurrectionists will visit the Capital (and the Capitol) in support of the January 6 rally and for those who were incarcerated in relation to their insurgent activities. Roll Call
While plans to reassemble a fence may be in the works, recent morning walks around the Capitol complex have included sightings of top military brass examining the perimeter. While it is our hope that nothing comes to pass on September 18, it would be great if near neighbors were also kept in the loop and thought of in safety plans. If a fence goes up, it may protect the Capitol complex, but it does not protect the neighborhood from violence or hostility. Someone needs to inform and protect us neighbors, and someone needs to look out for us, not just as an afterthought but as a vulnerable party that is being attacked by people who wish to harm our country– and us.
Mark your calendar: Car-free Day is coming this September 21. More information here.