Photo Courtesy of Robb Dooling
The Hill is Home is sharing the statements of ANC candidates in our general region. Although the main focus of our blog is Capitol Hill –served by ANCs 6A through 6C– we feel that a community is made stronger by the neighbors with whom we share a close geographical area. We are honored to share candidate statements from neighbors from Ivy City to Navy Yard, with minor style edits. To all of you who are running: Thank you. –Maria Helena Carey and Kate McFadden
My name is Robb Dooling, and I am a candidate for ANC6C06, covering NoMa and Old City. I am running to advocate better affordable housing, parks, and transportation. I also volunteer at NoMa’s farmers market and serve as a councilmember for DC’s Multimodal Accessibility Advisory Council, focused on improving transit and public spaces for people with disabilities.
Affordable housing is the most significant issue in our neighborhood’s future as we add 4,000+ already-planned residential units over the next few years. I am requesting affordable and environmentally sustainable housing for as many of these units as economically possible. I have already started meeting with developers around the neighborhood to communicate these essentials and how my support for any project is conditional on these. Rent control, affordable units, and homeless shelters and services will determine our future as a world-class city for all people.
Our parks and green spaces also need support while our neighborhoods keep changing fast. Most recently, in June, I helped organize the West Virginia Ave. Block Party to celebrate our neighborhood’s newest park on that street. This area became a park between 8th and K St NE after it was closed to cars. All of my best memories in DC all involve helping create parklets, block parties, and other places or moments where we came together as a neighborhood. I will continue that whether I win or lose this election.
Our future also depends on better transportation. In NoMa, 86% of residents commute car-free but we are constrained by the car-oriented and crash-prone thoroughfares of New York Avenue, Florida Avenue, and North Capitol Street. America needs a revolution in sustainable transportation, starting in neighborhoods like NoMa and Old City and empowered with the independence of car-free living in walkable, bikeable, and transit-accessible neighborhoods.
I want to represent people of all abilities and backgrounds who have touched my heart over the years. Love NoMa, love Old City, and will advocate better housing, parks, and transportation. Anybody can get in touch at robbdooling.com.