At last nights Ward 5 redistricting task force meeting, residents got to see what new single member district (smd) boundaries would look like. Ward 5 as a whole will undergo a commission face lift. Many of the existing smd's that crossed neighborhood lines and major geographical boundaries have been fixed. The proposed smd's are all roughly the same size and serve smaller more defined areas. Though the number has to be recounted to ensure accuracy, it looks as if ward 5 will go from 36 smd's to 40. The task force will now focus on creating commissions.
How Eckington changes:
Currently Eckington is broken down into 3 smd's; 5c05, 5c07, and 5c02. With the exception of SMD 5c05, the other two Eckington commissions both cross into other neighborhoods. SMD 5c02 covers both Eckington and a portion of the bates area and 5c07 crosses Rhode Island into Edgewood. The proposed new Eckington SMD's are completely contained within the neighborhoods boundaries. The plan divides Eckington into two parts, East and West, using a combination of Summit Place, 2nd Street and Eckington place as the dividing line. The eastern portion of Eckington would have 2100 residents and the western 1955. Below is a map of the proposed SMD changes.
Thoughts...
As your neighbor to the South, I think it would be great if Square 3584, the Washington Gateway project at NY/Florida, could be included in one of these SMDs.
ReplyDeleteThis would be the only NoMa parcel in whatever SMD it winds up in (and potentially the only one in its ANC, depending on how your maps are being drawn). With the MBT on its East side (leading up to NoMa West), and even more of NoMa to the South, this area will be an integral part of the emerging NoMa neighborhood.
Thank you for your consideration.
Thanks for the comment. While I understand some of the reasoning behind your suggestion, I don't agree. The southern half of the proposed eastern Eckington SMD, from R Street south, is all considered NoMa. There is currently a large residential development dubbed "NoMa West" being constructed along Harry Thomas Way. The community has worked with the developers to integrate access points to the MBT that would connect the site with its neighboring communities.
ReplyDeleteAs with all things along our boarders, I hope that we can network and communicate to ensure this project and others reflect the needs and wishes of our communities.
I certainly agree that a large part of the eastern Eckington SMD contains NoMa. That's why I think it would make sense to add the Washington Gateway project to that as well, since otherwise it would be orphaned in another part of Ward 5.
ReplyDeleteEither way, I look forward to working with you on issues across our border! I was just sworn in last week to replace Anne Phelps.
I just read your comment again, and I think you misread what I wrote. I definitely am NOT advocating for the Washington Gateway site at Florida/New York to go to Ward 6. I think it should be incorporated into your Ward 5 "blue" SMD instead of being in the ANC to your East.
ReplyDeleteWard 5 contains about 1/3 of NoMa, and I think it would strengthen your voice if NoMa West, XM, Washington Gateway, and the other projects were in a single ANC.