The D.C. Council on Dec. 2 extended the juvenile curfew implemented in November until April 2026 in an effort to reduce crime.

However, Navy Yard residents question whether this is a fair public safety measure or will further criminalize Washington, D.C.’s predominately Black and Brown youth—without addressing root causes.

After a large, chaotic fight on Halloween night, the D.C. Council implemented a juvenile curfew in that prohibited large groups of teens under 17 from gathering on the streets after 11:00pm.Ìı Just one month into the curfew, and amid further disturbances, council members voted 10-3 to extend the juvenile curfew until spring 2026.

While some residents praise the measure as a step towards increased public safety, others raise concerns about what this may mean for D.C. youth.

Michael Lewis, a Ward 6 resident and father of a 16-year-old daughter, said that just as deploying the National Guard was not about fighting crime, he’s wary of the curfew.

Brittney Gates, 38-year-old former federal employee who lives in the Navy Yard said, while some residents feel safter, she feels more unsafe by the growing police presence around the kids.

Federal employee Vonni K., who withheld her last name for privacy concerns, has a 17-year-old college son in D.C. She said she’s not as worried about him because he is less inclined to be out late.Ìı She said the curfew also deters the kids who are not out causing trouble since they don’t want the hassle of being stopped by police.

Mixed reactions from residents.

Lewis said he believes the extended curfew is a ploy by the administration to keep residents distracted from the real issues.Ìı He said they want everyone to talk about this issue and advance the narrative about crime in D.C., but he said the curfew alone won’t change it.

Gates concedes she is “genuinely torn� on the curfew issue. As a Navy Yard resident, she said people pay high prices to live in this neighborhood with an expectation of safety.

Gates said she doesn’t fear for her personal safety, but she has seen large groups of kids congregating around the neighborhood. Around the fourth of July she witnessed teens dangerously igniting fireworks near buildings.

She said it’s quieter since the curfew, but the city should focus on programs, jobs and spaces to keep kids productively occupied. If the city doesn’t address the root issues, Gate said, the curfew will be a temporary fix.

Vonni K. said three years ago, in the quiet of the pandemic, she may have had a different, perhaps more self-righteous opinion about the curfew. However, after seeing her son’s experience with crime in the city, she said she supports an extended curfew—and whatever it takes to combat crime.

She recounted how her college-age son and friends—all honor students—had to hide behind cars to avoid drive-by gunfire after a high school football game. Because of such incidents, school officials moved all sports events to the daytime to reduce late-night alterations.

“The gut check is that suddenly, when it’s your kid who comes home telling you about having to dive behind a car, it becomes much realer. What are we willing to do here to make this not happen again?�

As a federal worker, Vonni K. said she’s lived overseas in some dangerous places and has been evacuated three times because of civil unrest.Ìı She said her son was taken to school in armored vehicles, yet it wasn’t until he returned to the nation’s capital that he personally witnessed regular violence.

She recalled when he witnessed a fight at school in which a kid was pummeled to the ground and stabbed. She said considering the situations they experienced living overseas, she couldn’t imagine she would need to prepare him for the violence in Washington, D.C.

Vonni K. lamented the perceived absence of parental curfews and said that if parents had set curfews and boundaries in the home, the city wouldn’t have to.

“I am positive that the word ‘curfew’ does not exist in some houses, and it is the city that has introduced this word,� Vonni said that the curfew may represent the first real restriction some kids have faced.

Profiling is baked in.

According to the Juvenile Curfew Second Emergency Amendment Act of 2025, the Metropolitan Police chief can declare juvenile curfew areas where large youth gathering pose public safety risks.

Some residents said they were concerned about how the curfew would be declared and enforced and the potential for police to unfairly profile Black and Brown youth.

Taking a pragmatic approach, Vonni K. said, “They would have to profile, right? There is a profile baked in, and the profile is someone who appears to be under the age of 18, so there has to be some degree of profiling for police to apply it.�

Lewis, more wary of profiling, said the curfew is merely a means to target teens.

“I think it really sends a message to young people that they’re not wanted here—it’s a way to corral them and be able to profile them,� Lewis said. He said public trust has been eroded due to the deployment of National Guard and every measure to reduce crime should be met with elevated scrutiny.

Questioning the racial lines of enforcement between predominantly White institutions and historically Black universities, Vonni K. asked

“Would the young people from Georgetown and American University be treated the same as those from Howard University—I don’t know, I would sure hope so,� she said.

Gates, understanding that curfew implementation will lead to profiling, said, “I recognize that this disproportionately affects the Black community and our Black youth to be able to congregate in spaces.� Gates said the curfew would create a false sense of security in the community and disenfranchise the youth.

Vonni K., recounted an incident two years ago when an off-duty law enforcement officer shot a and killed a 13-year-old boy who tried to carjack him.Ìı She said the juvenile had been arrested several times prior, “These are the dire scenarios the city is up against.â€�

A safer D.C.

Residents remain united in need of a safer D.C.; they debate whether the curfew will reduce crime or criminalize youth.

Gates said kids are not outside as much in the winter, so she is cautious of statistics indicating incidents have decreased since the extended curfew was implemented.

Vonni K. said she’d like to see the data to understand how the curfew is affecting crime.Ìı She said if there is a better way to contain crime—she’s open, but for now, she supports the curfew to bring crime down.

“For folks who are, like, adamantly opposed— which I am in principle, but not in practice. What would you suggest?… Because what we’re doing so far is not working,â€� she said.

“But I think sometimes, you know, we forget that we were once kids too,� Gates said.

The post Youth curfew extended to increase safety in Navy Yard first appeared on 91ÇÑ×Ó.

But a remedy for their concerns is expected next year. The D.C.-based supermarket chain Streets Market announced in August that it will open a location at The Wharf in 2026.

For now, though, Safeway, which sits steps away from the Waterfront Metro Station, continues to be the only supermarket in Southwest, serving over 3,000 people. Some residents prefer to travel a mile to shop at Navy Yard grocery stores like Harris Teeter and Whole Foods rather than face the crowded aisles, empty shelves and a potential lack of produce at their local Safeway.

Southwest produce

The Safeway is located in the center of Southwest at 1100 Fourth St. SW. The grocery store sells fresh fruits and vegetables, boxed and canned goods, and features a hot bar so residents can prepare meals quickly while shopping.

Malachi Hansen, assistant store director for Safeway, said problems can arise because it is the sole chain grocery store in the Southwest. He said it is unfortunate that residents are faced with the inconveniences of their location.

“We will continue to be an option,� Hansen said. “Even though we are the only option.�

Safeway will continue to provide an abundance of food to Southwest residents, even if some residents choose to shop at further grocery stores, he said.

Hansen, a Southwest resident himself, said the area needs more shops to provide customers with options.

“A little more availability,� Hansen said. “More places to allow customers to shop at, providing them with affordable groceries.�

Friendly Food Market sits at 1399 Half St. SW, just one block from Nationals Park in the eastern portion of the Southwest Waterfront. Though the market does sell groceries, it mainly offers items like canned vegetables, prepackaged dry foods and frozen ready-to-eat meals.

Residents who live closer to the store don’t have the same fresh produce options as Safeway consumers do when shopping for convenience. They face a 12-minute walk to Safeway or a 17-minute walk to the nearest grocery store in Navy Yard.

The Southwest Business Improvement District holds the weekly Farmers Market SW on Saturday mornings at the 425 M St. SW lot from Spring through Fall. The market offers fresh locally grown food by providing residents with pasture meats, local produce and eggs.

The market also creates a safe space for residents browsing produce by providing hot meals, activities and live music.

The market’s final day of the season, Dec. 20, will leave residents without a secondary source of fresh produce in Southwest until spring 2026.

We are thrilled to announce that is opening at in 2026!

Offering a wide selection of local, everyday practical goods, Streets Market offers fresh produce, groceries, flowers, prepared dishes, and more coming to 798 Maine Ave SW near .

— The Wharf (@TheWharfDC)

Streets Market announced the 2026 arrival of a new location at 798 Maine Ave. SW. The store is expected to replace a closed Orangetheory Fitness next to a CVS Pharmacy.

The D.C. area-based grocery store chain first opened shops in 2014. Its stores sell fresh produce, meat, seafood and packaged meals. They also include a kitchen and bar.

The location can be reached in 11 minutes on foot or 8 minutes by the C55 bus from the Waterfront Metro Station.

Streets currently has .

The supermarket chain didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Navy Yard’s availability

As they wait for Streets to open, many residents say they are frequenting Whole Foods and Harris Teeter in Navy Yard, further from their homes.

Whole Foods is located at 101 H St. SE, blocks away from the Navy Yard – Ballpark Metro Station. Harris Teeter sits at 401 M St. SE in central Navy Yard.

Residents who choose to skip the Waterfront Safeway travel about a mile, or 20 minutes on foot, to and from the Navy Yard grocery stores. Those who walk may end up lugging heavy grocery bags back across the quadrants.

Residents traveling to the grocery stores by Metrorail could ride the green line to the Navy Yard – Ballpark Metro Station, followed by a seven-minute walk. Residents can travel also via the five-minute C11 bus ride and an eight-minute walk.

What’s in the cart for SW residents?

Southwest resident David Moore said that shopping in Southwest is “a bit annoying.� Safeway serves too many people at a time, he said.

Residents may have to plan out their trips to the grocery store, aligning with stocking schedules, to avoid shopping among empty shelves, the longtime resident said.

“I mean, as soon as they put it out, it’s pretty much gone because there’s just not enough for everybody that lives here,� Moore said.

Moore visits Whole Foods and Harris Teeter located in Navy Yard, though he generally shops at Safeway because of its proximity. However, commuting from the Southeast grocery stores back home with bags of food has become an issue during the trips, he said.

“If I ride a bike, I can be there in six, seven minutes,â€� Moore said. “But if I got a bunch of bags, I’m walking. So, it’s about 20 minutes.â€�

Moore said plopping down another grocery store in the area could improve the shopping experience of residents, citing the planned construction of Streets Market in the neighborhood.

Sofia Abdirizak, an American University graduate student, said that she often does not have issues when choosing where to shop for groceries, living on the border of Waterfront and Navy Yard.

The Southwest resident told 91ÇÑ×Ó the cost of produce is her only concern when shopping in the area. Biweekly grocery store runs to Whole Foods or Harris Teeter can cost her more than $240 a month, she said.

“I mean, I’m not trying to go to Whole Foods every time,� Abdirizak said. “It’s expensive.�

Abdirizak said she shops at Navy Yard grocery stores by car for convenience, rarely visiting the Safeway in Southwest.

While driving to grocery stores is an advantage for her, scattered market locations may hinder residents who do not own cars, she said.

“It is a bit of a walk … if you don’t have a car or want to take the bus,â€� Abdirizak said. “I have a car, so it’s not too bad if I need to do big trips.â€�

Abdirizak said that another grocery store in Southwest would allow residents to have more choices when deciding where to shop. People in the surrounding neighborhoods would also benefit from an extra market, she said.

“I think one more grocery store, especially closer to Capitol Hill, would be helpful,� Abdirizak said. “Like maybe another Safeway or a Giant.�

The post Southwest residents want more room on the table for fresh produce first appeared on 91ÇÑ×Ó.

With rallies and events planned until the end of the year, organizersÌıare building stronger coalitionsÌıand amping up urgency inÌıD.C.’s fight forÌıself-governance.  Ìı

Just asÌıFree DC, a grassroots movement that supports local self-determination,Ìımobilized residentsÌıfor theÌı“Pack the Courtâ€� demonstrationÌıat the Oct. 24 hearing,Ìıthe group’s leadersÌıare training, protesting,ÌıbuildingÌıresistance movements andÌıstrategic coalitions across state lines to underscore the urgency of local autonomyÌıand D.C.’s tumultuous roadÌıto self-governance. Ìı

Free DCÌıExecutive Director Keya ChatterjeeÌısaidÌıthe increasing consolidation of power and systemic erosion of democratic normsÌıhas the country making a democratic U-turn.Ìı

“The U.S. isÌıaÌıbacksliding democracy transitioning to a competitive authoritarian state,â€�ÌıChatterjeeÌısaid.Ìı

With aÌıfive-year campaignÌıstrategyÌıfor self-rule, Chatterjee saidÌıthe goal is to be strategic in every cycle of attack from this administration.ÌıÌı

She characterized economic attacks, mass firings, National Guard deployment, local funding freezes, and legislative attacks as some examples of irreparable harm the federal government is causing residents. ÌıÌı

Chatterjee said,Ìıwith every attack on rights and freedoms,ÌıFree DCÌıgets stronger—growingÌıat double the speed thanÌıinÌıyears past—toÌıbuild unity,ÌıÌı

“Every effective movement is unified,â€�ÌıChatterjee said.Ìı

Admitting she is clear-eyed about the challenges, Chatterjee said they have a 7.5% chance of success relying on the traditional electoral process, but by building a unified civil resistance movement, organizers believe they can increase the odds to about 50/50.Ìı

“Our end goal is to have equal representation under the law for the people of D.C.,� she said.

Pack the CourtÌıProtestÌı

Free DC organizersÌısay they haveÌıa sense of urgency, not seen before,Ìıas they describe a democracy that is slipping away to authoritarian rule. Ìı

Packing the U.S. District Courthouse with D.C. residents was just one of the many protests Free DC said they have planned to express the importance of the moment and the commitment to sustained activism. 

The courthouse protest started as a short walk from Constitution Avenue and rallied in front of the U.S. District Court, where they sang songs, chanted and eventually lined up to enter the court hearing.Ìı

Capitol Hill resident Randy Martin said Washingtonians are not accepting this situation, calling it “crazyâ€� and adding that people will continue to show up. Ìı

Katie Henke, a Hill East resident who works in international development, said she has worked in authoritarian countries in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe and the military presence on D.C. streets reminded her of those regimes. Ìı

 “I don’t want to see that in our country, and so I want to stand up for my neighbors,â€� Henke said. Ìı

The legal battle in the courthouse Ìı

Inside the courtroom,ÌıinÌı,ÌıD.C.ÌıAttorney General Brian SchwalbÌı thatÌıthe deploymentÌıof the National GuardÌıundermined the District’s right to self-govern. He equated the deployment to an illegal occupation that is harmful to the city and its residents.  Ìı

Schwalb said that the troops were not trained to do the job of law enforcement and made residents less safe. Ìı

“Today we again made clear: the U.S. military should not be policing American citizens on American soil,â€� Schwalb said after the hearing. “It does not make us safer to have out-of-state military—many of whom are not from here and do not know our communities—policing our streets, driving military vehicles, armed with rifles and carrying handcuffs.â€� Ìı

Linda Alexander, a protester who sat through the hearings, said she wanted to be fair and hear both sides.  Alexander said even though she felt safer in Ward 7 since the deployment of troops, she recognized that it’s time for them to go home and spend time with their family. Ìı

Eric Hamilton, an attorney representing the Trump administration, argued that the case should be dismissed since the president has broad authorities. Ìı

D.C. is a municipal corporation with limitedÌıauthority,ÌıHamiltonÌısaid,ÌıcriticizingÌıtheÌıattorney generalÌıfor not aligning with the president’s position.ÌıÌı

Accusing Schwalb of political posturing, Hamilton said, “D.C. is not a state, however much the attorney general wants to pretend it is, and he is doing damage to the District.â€� Ìı

ÌıJudge JiaÌıM.ÌıCobbÌıis expected to make a rulingÌılater this year.Ìı

ÌıThe voices of the movement Ìı

ÌıLaw student Byron Brooks said he came to the hearing to see how the process unfolds. Ìı

“We’re in an unprecedented time of democracy, or dictatorship, depending how it’s viewed.  So, today’s case will definitely set the precedence on where we are headed as a nation,â€� Brooks said.Ìı

Matt Gordon said he saw the issue as a constitutional crisis. He said, as a veteran who has served his country, he sees the deployment as an illegal abuse of power.  Ìı

Henke described the impact on her neighbors: “Poor kids are going to and from school, passing these guards with rifles bigger than their torsos. It’s disgusting. This is what you see in authoritarian countries, and I don’t want to see that in ours.â€� Ìı

“This is a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act,â€� said Gordon, a self-described angry veteran. “It’s one step closer towards an authoritarian takeover of this country.â€�  Ìı

The Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits the use of military for domestic law enforcement, with a few exceptions, such as protecting federal property and quelling domestic violence. Ìı

After the hearing 

At a press briefing following the hearing, Schwalb said, “When this lawsuit was filed several weeks ago, I said it was D.C. today. It was going to be other cities shortly. In fact, that is exactly what has happened. This is fundamentally un-American.â€� Ìı

During the press briefing, Henke chanted and heckled Hamilton while holding a Free DC sign prominently in the backdrop. Chants echoed off the courthouse to disrupt Hamilton’s briefing, as he referred to protestors as a “woke mob.�

Hamilton sparred with disruptive protestors but was ultimately drowned out by chanting and walked away. Ìı

°Â³ó²¹³Ù’s a³ó±ğ²¹»å Ìı

The intensity and frequency ofÌıFree DCÌıactivitiesÌıhaveÌısurged, partnering with Virginia and Maryland affiliates to build local momentum for self-governance.  Ìı

ChatterjeeÌısaid that, sinceÌıD.C.ÌılacksÌırepresentation,ÌıFree DCÌımust reach out to states to build political pressure and create a network of resistance.Ìı

Chatterjee said she wants the local D.C. government to stop complying with federal demands and legitimizing illegal actions that harm D.C. residents. ÌıShe said D.C. local government must be on “Team Democracyâ€� and prioritize protecting the community over appeasing the regime.Ìı

“When you give an authoritarian regime what they want, they just take more,â€�ÌıChatterjee said.Ìı

With events planned in each ward, every month until the end of the year, organizers are conducting extensive and sustained training programs and building coalitions for mass non-cooperation strategies to fundamentally reimagine democracy in the nation’s capital.Ìı

“Whether it takes ten months or ten years, we must be absolutely resolute in our fight,� said Rig, who used the moniker U.S. Army Overlord.

“As the government wants to escalate its attacks against the District of Columbia, we will clearly have to take more measures to withhold our support,� Henke said.

The resistance continues and prioritizes joy, community resilience, non-violent strategies, and alternative support systems as the way forward, Chatterjee said. Ìı

“There’s no oppressed people in the history of the world that have ever succeeded without joy,â€�Ìıshe said.Ìı

“Justice looks like the military being off our streets and one step closer toward statehood,” Gordon said.Ìı

The post Beyond ‘Packing the Courthouse’: D.C.’s long road to self-governance  first appeared on 91ÇÑ×Ó.

What was the groove? “,� a go-go style, funk track rooted in the D.C. sound. The song, which will serve as the official anthem of the 11th Street Bridge Park, was released Oct. 5 at the Go-Go Museum.

The 11^th Street Bridge Park, a transformational elevated bridge park development, held its song release party to celebrate development and determination—honoring the city’s past and future.

The song was written by D.C.’s own grammy-nominated artist Raheem DeVaughn, produced by the famed Lorenzo Johnson aka Zo Smooth and co-produced by go-go legend, Salih Williams, better known by his stage name Bootsy Vegas, brings local rhythms interwoven with community spirit.

Devaughn and Williams said they took on this project because it was more than just a musical endeavor; it was a community driven initiative to create positive change and celebrate D.C.’s rich cultural history.

“Through music, we can communicate,� Williams said, “There’s a lack of historical understanding about a lot of these projects.�

A bridge like no other.

Thirteen years in the making, the project is now fully funded, is expected to break ground in spring of 2026 and launch in 2028.

A collaboration between the D.C. government and Building Bridges Across the River non-profit, Bridge Park strives to be the model for equitable development—strategically focused on housing, the arts, workforce and small business development.

Scott Kratz, the president and CEO of Building Bridges Across the River, said Bridge Park is a different kind of project.

“We’ve learned from projects of the past where residents have been displaced,� Kratz said. Gentrification, emblematic of D.C. evolving neighborhoods, has long plagued well-intentioned projects across the District.

“We had to be intentional about this work,� Kratz said. “It would have been easy to say, gentrification is a serious issue, but that’s not our job—we’re building a park.�

Kratz said before engaging a single designer, Bridge Park spent two years talking to residents, asking, “What did they think about transforming an old freeway into a park?�

The inclusive, community-led development will be the first of its kind—transforming the old, abandoned 11^th Street Bridge piers into a cutting-edge, elevated park. The vision is to create a community space that integrates historically disenfranchised neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River and the surrounding communities.

The Bridge Park will include playgrounds, urban agriculture, an Environmental Education Center and a 250-seat outdoor River Amphitheater.

Lovail Long, a Ward 8 resident and owner of DC Black Broadway, said, “This project means everything to me.�

Long, who produces stage plays and musicals, said the amphitheater will offer a space where he’ll be able to perform live for the community. Like his fond childhood memories of performances in Anacostia Park, Long said he and his wife wants to create memories through arts and music for a new generation of children.

Kratz said intentional development puts the community at the center.Ìı Building Bridges has invested more than $100 million in the community—more than needed to build the park.Ìı Through community-based initiatives like Homebuyer’s Club, 182 Ward 8 renters became homeowners and Bridge Park has secured 230 units of permanently affordable housing.

Bridge Park even worked with local artists and the community to create the anthem song befitting of this visionary park.

And the go-go beat goes on.

The percussion-driven go-go anthem was commissioned and curated by Ronald Moten, co-founder of the Go-Go Museum, along with Bridge Park leaders to symbolize the partnership between the Bridge Park development and the community.

Natalie Hopkinson, co-founder and chief curator of the Go-Go Museum and professor at American University, said, “go-go music is the official music of the D.C., codified in legislation,� so elevating the music is only natural.

Just as Moten cofounded the museum to preserve the culture and history of his beloved go-go music, he said he partnered with the 11^th Street Bridge Park because of its community-led, community-driven approach.

Through the loud, reverberating music, Moten said, “We started differently from most museums—most opened with an endowment—we opened with no money and people banging on the door asking us why aren’t you open,� noting parallels to the Bridge Park grassroots development approach.

DeVaughn, host of “The Original Quiet Storm,� the number one night-time show in D.C., said creating the anthem was a passion project to help the community and elevate go-go music.

After being “schooled� on the historical context of the bridge and learning enslaved people walked the original 11 Street Bridge every day, he said the project resonated with is lifelong commitment to the music and community.

DeVaughn said he views the song and performance as a way to bridge gaps and support black-owned businesses and create a platform that celebrates go-go—the heartbeat of D.C.

“Most importantly, we’re about having a footprint in the community and being of service,� DeVaughn said.

A former co-host of the famed Donnie Simpson Show, Williams said he came to “perform with a purpose.� Co-producing the song not only honors go-go pioneer Chuck Brown’s legacy, Williams said, “it brings people together who might not have been checking for go-go but left with an appreciation.�

In addition to creating music, Williams now dedicates his time to teaching kids broadcast journalism. He said he partnered with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation to teach journalism and provide scholarships to high school students in Ward 7 and 8.

Williams said creating the Bridge Park anthem with Johnson and DeVaughn was a natural extension of his work supporting his community where he was born, raised and still lives.

It’s about the community.

“A community on the river,� Kratz said. “Many people in the community have never been out on boats.�

Building Bridges works with local boating organizations like Seafarer’s Yacht Club and Anacostia Boathouse Association to connect the community with the Anacostia River.Ìı Bridge Park partners to offer free boat rides and to give community members an opportunity to kayak and canoe along the river.

D.C. transplant and American University Alum Jayra Collier’s employer Plum Good has been a Bridge Park sponsor for eight years.Ìı Collier said through its partnership, Park Bridge has promoted its teas, spices and sauces.

Collier said she hopes other transplants like herself will get to see “The real D.C.,� to promote local businesses and have a space to enjoy and rest.

Residents living along the Anacostia River deserve a waterfront just as beautiful as the residents of Georgetown,� Kratz said.

The song release party symbolizes a celebratory reflection of where the project started. Kratz said, “Long term residents who’ve been here through some of the challenging times, through the disinvestment, can be here for the good times.â€�

Much like D.C.’s syncopated go-go music, the future of the Anacostia community history must be preserved, said Dr. Deborah Evans, board member of the Go-Go Museum.

“Progress is good, but we have to maintain the history of the community.�

The post “Take it to the Bridgeâ€�: Go-go song release party celebrates 11th Street Bridge Park first appeared on 91ÇÑ×Ó.

Initially deployed to combat crime, the National Guard is now turning to advisory neighborhood commissions seeking a community to-do list; not everyone is on board.

Picking up trash is not the reason they came to D.C., but it’s now part of the Guard’s new mission.

With crime in D.C. at a 30-year low, President Trump in August declared a crime emergency invoking the Home Rule Act to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department and activate the National Guard from D.C. and six Republican-led states.Ìı Just weeks into the deployment, the National Guard is seeking beautification projects across the city—a move that has sparked mixed reactions from caution to collaboration.Ìı Leaders and residents are divided on whether to collaborate or stand firm on the Guard’s departure.

“If you want people to do beautification projects, why not rehire the people that were just fired from the National Park Service,� Adams said.

A shift in direction happened Sept. 8 when D.C. National Guard Director Marcus Hunt sent a District-wide letter to advisory neighborhood commissioners “requesting help identifying projects on neighborhood beautification efforts.�

Hunt, a native Washingtonian and Ward 8 resident, appealed to commissioners with a sense of partnership and urged leaders to work “alongside� the National Guards as a community.

The response has been mixed. Earlier this month, 93 different ANCs penned a published in The 51^st opposing the deployment of National Guard troops in D.C. “It is a direct attack on the freedom and independence every community deserves,� the commissioners wrote.

Commissioners in Ward 8 were among the first to reject Hunt’s request to help, voting unanimously to refuse the offer. “We don’t need the National Guard in the community to help with beautificationâ€� they said.

Ward 1 ANC leaders also declined to respond, calling the offer “uncomfortable and concerning.�

However, Ward 7 Commissioner John Adams said, “We invite and embrace� the help.

ANC 6B, which represents Capitol Hill and Hill East is still pondering the decision.

David Sobelsohn, ANC 6B secretary, said that ANC Commissioner Edward Ryder considered holding an emergency meeting on the request but ultimately decided to wait until the full body meeting on Oct. 15 when the public can weigh in.

The troops will be here until December, so we have time to make a “measured decision,” Sobelsohn said.

Sobelsohn said some constituents would like to see the ANCs work more collaboratively with the National Guard. ÌıHe said his commission conferred with the Home Rule Caucus, an informal group of roughly 75 ANCs that advocates for D.C. self-governance.

Sobelsohn said the alternative responses falls into three camps: reject the offer outright, find collaborative ways to work with the troops or ignore the offer and don’t respond. “One and three are essentially the same,� he added.

While all ANCs agree in principle that the troops should go home, Sobelsohn said there is a school of thought that says, “if they are going to wander the streets aimlessly, we should let them do something.�

Former federal contractor Ryan Donaldson, who said he has witnessed crime first-hand, deemed the National Guard as a necessary deterrent and supports its presence for both safety and beautification efforts.

Donaldson, a Capitol Hill resident, said as a federal city, D.C. represents the pride of the nation and “we need to put our best foot forward.�

Donaldson said he has had his bike stolen a few times, witnessed a resident assaulted by a homeless person and even found a discarded handgun at a D.C. Metro station.Ìı “So yes, I support more police and National Guard presence—not just for me but for everyone who lives and works here,â€� he said.

However, Adams said she sees the beautification efforts as a political move.

“If this was really about crime, we’d see the National Guard in high-crime areas—not picking up trash near $800,000 homes and monuments,� she said. “This feels more like a test of presidential power than a public safety mission.�

Adams, a remote tech employee, added, “We don’t need troops to beautify D.C.—this money could be going toward schools and school programs, instead it’s being spent on a military presence we didn’t ask for.�

Pentagon civilian employee Mark T., who declined to provide his last name due to privacy concerns, has lived on Capitol Hill for 20 years; he offered what he described as a pragmatic approach. “If the situation has been imposed on us, let’s make the best of it,� he said.

If handled correctly and the contributions are meaningful, Mark T. said it won’t legitimize federal overreach but rather help the community. “If not, we run the risk of sounding like hyper-liberal complainers,â€� he added.

Home Rule Caucus Chairman Miguel Trindade Deramo coordinates advocacy across the commissions and urged the National Guard to remain focused on its mission of “readiness to respond to security threats.�

On Sept. 18, the Home Rule Caucus published a to Hunt thanking him for his offer but expressing “collective disapproval.� The letter cited a misuse of federal resources and warned of a troubling precedent.

Trindade Deramo told 91ÇÑ×Ó there is a lot of work to be done around the city, noting the inappropriate use of the Guards.

“They are trained soldiers; we don’t need them picking up trash and laying mulch, Trindade Deramo said.� The federal government needed to properly fund the National Park Services and the other agencies trained for these matters, he said.

Trindade Deramo said he didn’t fault wards who accepted the National Guard’s offer but stressed the principle of local autonomy outweighs the short-term service they provide.

Adams admits her children are amused and curious about the Guards posted in the neighborhood, but she cautioned this political environment is a slippery slope.

“Leaders should be standing up and pushing back and not playing along to make the troops look more useful,� she said.

D.C. leaders are navigating a delicate dance asserting local authority while responding to federal pressure and oversight.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and Council Chair Phil Mendelson spent five hours testifying before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Sept. 18.Ìı While Bowser did not push back on the National Guard, she emphasized public safety must be managed locally.

“Let us do our job,� she told committee members.

Even with differing opinions on beautification projects, there is consensus that the Guards must be treated respectfully. Adams said, “They didn’t ask for this mission, but they are here to serve.â€�Ìı Mark T. added “Let’s treat them with the pride and decorum the uniform deserves.â€�

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As Nationals fans celebrate the start of another baseball season, the streets of Navy Yard have already seen an increase in foot traffic.

For nearby businesses, the boost is good for more than just atmosphere — it brings a financial win as well.

Bluejacket, a nearby restaurant and brewery, saw a 50% increase in sales opening weekend.

“Baseball is always a big influx for us,� Bluejacket general manager David Delaplaine said. “This year has certainly been even moreso, I’d say so far. … Between it being the Phillies for the home opener and it just being beautiful weather, cherry blossoms, all that, it was a bit busier.�

That 50% increase, however, tends to be the peak for Bluejacket. Delaplaine said the restaurant expects a consistent 10 to 20% increase in sales on game days throughout the season.

All-Purpose Pizzeria, another Navy Yard game day spot, has also seen the benefits of baseball’s return.

“It’s been fantastic,â€� All-Purpose Pizzeria general manager Leon Kent said. “… It was overnight. The streets were packed.â€�

The Nationals are averaging nearly 32,000 fans per game so far this season. Local restaurants have prepared accordingly. 

“If you know what you need by certain dates, just kind of hitting those markers as it comes closer and closer to the date, theoretically by Thursday, or opening day, you are ready to go,� Kent said.

Still, some fans prefer to eat inside the stadium.

“I like going inside the stadium and [mingling] around on the inside,� Nationals fan Godfrey Williams said. “I was just deciding on what we [were] going to have for dinner here.�

The Nationals’ next home game is set for April 22 at 6:45 p.m. against the Baltimore Orioles.

“It’s a beautiful day, and I’m glad that baseball season started back,� Williams said.

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After gaining approval from the National Capital Planning Commission in early November, Redbrick and the Navy Yard are now working out the details in private.

The Navy’s current museum is located within Navy Yard walls and requires visitors to pass through to visit. The new location will be on Fourth and Tingey streets, SE.

Lieutenant Ian McConnaughey, a spokesperson for Naval History and Heritage Command, said the Navy Museum Development Foundation, a non-profit partner of the Navy, is raising funds to develop and construct the new museum building.

“The Navy intends to hold a groundbreaking event on the Navy’s birthday in 2025,â€� McConnaughey said. “The opening of the museum depends on funding, regulatory approvals, and other factors inherent to the construction process.â€�

According to McConnaughey, the land swap came about because the Washington Navy Yard wanted to oversee the development of the parcel of land now leased to Redbrick. Brookfield Properties, another real estate company that initially had development rights for the parcel, had plans to construct a high-rise residential building there.

The Navy took issue with the placement of that building, however. It said the building would stand too close to the yard, therefore posing “� in that it made the Navy Yard susceptible to eavesdropping.

“Acquiring the land will allow the Navy to control potential future reuse of the land, thus mitigating security concerns,� McConnaughey said.

The Navy Yard offered a parcel of land from its campus. The Navy will retain ownership of the land but will lease it to Redbrick, which now controls the parcel, for development.

The Navy intends to use the swap and construction of a new museum building to improve upon the current museum’s design.

“Currently, we are holding working groups around the country with active-duty sailors in an effort to come up with new ideas and elements, in order to get their take on how they would like to see their service represented in the new museum,â€� McConnaughey said. “Their responses, along with input from other stakeholders, will help the National Museum of the U.S. Navy’s curatorial team develop the museum’s interpretive plan.â€�

McConnaughey said the new building’s plan will also involve technological developments to better display the exhibits and make the museum more accessible overall. The current museum stands within the Navy Yard’s walls and requires all visitors to pass through significant security measures to just get into the parking lot.

“That plan will ensure the new facility is a purpose-built museum that will allow the Navy to tell its story using state-of-the-art technology combined with the Navy’s vast collection of artifacts, artwork, and manuscripts,â€� McConnaughey said. “We’re excited by exploring the possibility of using technology to personalize experiences for our visitors and to allow veterans to see images and artifacts connected to their own service.â€�

The on the matter made to the National Capital Planning Commission said that the land going to Redbrick will be developed into residential, retail, hospitality, and office spaces, although the exact plans at this stage are not clear.

Redbrick LMD did not return 91ÇÑ×Ó’s requests for comment.

A boost in business

Ted Juthras, vice president of planning and public realm for the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District, said he expected the developments to affect the surrounding areas for the better.

“The museum will likely draw over a million additional visitors to the neighborhood each year, which will help bolster our retail market and market the neighborhood to prospective residents and commercial tenants,� Juthras said.

Chloe Donnelly, a resident of neighboring Southwest Waterfront, said she liked the idea of the Redbrick development plans, but she felt that there were other issues that she was more concerned about at the moment, given the increase in crime in the neighborhood.

“I think whoever is doing the developing needs to work with the city to make it safer, and in my opinion that starts with grassroots efforts to improve quality of life for low-income families,� Donnelly said. “It’s not an immediate solution and would take time, but I think if more funding is going to go toward making things safer, then funding should also go toward addressing the cause of crime.�

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DDOT initiated the to repair and improve bridges across I-695, as well as providing better lighting, signs, and drainage alongside the freeway. The most important aspect, however, involves the repairs made to the bridges’ infrastructure.

The New Jersey Avenue Bridge, in particular, suffers from steel corrosion and concrete deterioration of its pilings. The deterioration is notable, but not so severe that the bridge must be shut down.

According to the DDOT Freeway Rehabilitation project overview, the damage comes from the natural wear and tear of age and exposure to the elements. The bridges were originally built in the early 1960s and were last updated in 1991.

Construction on the Southeast/Southwest Freeway Bridges is still a few years to come, according to the District Department of Transportation.

DDOT Public Information Officer German Vigil said that the project is still in its design phase, but that the department expects to see construction begin in three years, if all goes well.

“We are currently at that 65% design development milestone,� Vigil said. “Construction is projected to start in 2026 depending on funding availability.�

Vigil emphasized that work can only begin when the project’s funding is secured.

“The project is estimated to last two to three years from its start date,� Vigil said. “This is all dependent on funding and procurements. Once that is confirmed, we can provide a construction schedule with more details, which will all be posted on our website.�

Since the project is still in its earliest stages, many residents of neighborhoods surrounding the freeway bridges are unaware of the potential construction.

“I haven’t heard anything,� said Navy Yard resident Justin Purvis. “Not at all.�

According to the project overview, DDOT expects to see an increase in traffic and a decrease in parking availability as construction begins.

Vigil said that, as of now, residents should not expect any immediate road closures due to construction on the project, but that DDOT will continue to update surrounding communities with information about how they will be impacted.

“DDOT is conducting robust traffic analysis and will conduct extensive public engagement with ANCs and members of these communities, which will inform residents of the traffic management plan,� Vigil said. “Residents are encouraged to visit and sign up for project updates.�

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Matt LaFortune, who is the chair of ANC 6B’s Transportation Committee, said that the ANC was in communication with DDOT to plan for any future road closures.

“We are expecting them,” LaFortune said. “We asked [DDOT] a number of questions at our meeting where they presented this project about their plan for road closures. They’re expected to keep at least one lane both ways going throughout, but we ask that they communicate with us if there’s going to be any impact on traffic in the neighborhood.”

LaFortune also said that DDOT had spoken to ANC 6B about the necessity of securing funding for the project, while also assuring them that any minor delays they encountered would not represent a danger to the bridges.

“It didn’t seem from DDOT that if [construction] got pushed back six months or even a year, that that would be critical,” he said. “But we were hearing from them that they did want to move, move on this. The sooner the better, I guess.”

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The Capitol City Circus School teaches a variety of aerial arts, trapeze and acrobatics, with its performances usually showcasing its students’ skills. The Monster Mash show, however, consisted entirely of school staff.

Lindsay Schukosky, a coach at the school and performer at Monster Mash, said the show was the first of its kind.

“This is our very first staff show. A lot of our shows have students, which is fun, but this one was just all staff,� she said.

The Monster Mash show involved a series of performances, each with their own monster theme, costuming and form of acrobatics. The performers stepped into the roles of mummies, vampires, witches and skeletons.

The Capitol City Circus School holds classes for children and adults, and accepts people of all experience levels. It also offers workshops for large groups and parties.

Schukosky said she has worked with the school for four years now, and that she has enjoyed every minute.

“I’m one of the newer people, and I’m a mom,� she said. “I just started and it’s just amazing. I love it here. I love it, they’ve trained me to do so many things. I get to coach and perform and play with friends. It’s so fun.�

Schukosky said the school was open to anyone who was interested in learning and highly recommended that new people join.

“I was a gymnast in college, and then I took 15 years off to be a mom and do all that stuff, and then I decided to get back into it. I just started over, and it was so wonderful,� she said. “Bring friends, anyone can do it, all levels. Anyone is welcome, and we support everyone. We’ll help you, and it’s a wonderful community to be a part of.�

Audience members reacted to the performances with great enthusiasm, with one person comparing the performances to a much more famous production.

“We were at Cirque de Soleil last Friday. We came [to Monster Mash] this week and it was definitely just as exciting,� said Chris Parkison. “The amount of athleticism and artistry was really amazing. I was just really impressed with what they were able to do.�

“I thought the show was great. It seems like a lot of the performers had a lot of excellent athleticism and really showcased their character and artistry. It was well done,� said another audience member, Morgan Bailey.

Schukosky said that anyone who missed the Monster Mash performance this weekend can attend the Circus School’s student show tonight or Thursday.

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The Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District hopes its plan to connect the Navy Yard and Capitol Hill neighborhoods will make the area friendly to pedestrians and revitalize underused spaces. The BID proposed the plan in August 2022, and the project has moved along steadily since.

Erik Salmi, deputy chief of staff for Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, said that those involved were still trying to find a contractor for the section of the plan near Garfield Park, which delayed the project somewhat, but they expected to see construction begin by the end of the year.

“Councilmember Allen has been pushing to create that space, working with DDOT, funding it in the budget. We’re all systems go at this point,� Salmi said.

Salmi said there were active communities on either side of Virginia Avenue that would benefit from making the area more walkable.

“The Virginia Avenue underpass connects to a dog park and another part of the underpass that has a really nice vibrant park already in place, and I think you can get a good sense there of what we’re trying to get to in terms of creating a welcoming and fun and open space that people of all ages can enjoy,� Salmi said.

Salmi said it was an exciting project and he was glad people were taking an interest. The plan overall includes a variety of different small developments across the length of the highway, including new murals, green spaces, and sidewalks with better lighting.

“The idea is to create both a safe and welcoming place to cross underneath 695, which obviously is not friendly to pedestrians at all, and at the same time, use that space to create more park space, gathering space, community space, and do so in a way that assures neighbors on both sides feel like they own it,� Salmi said.

Many residents echoed Salmi’s enthusiasm for the project.

“A lot of these places would benefit from better lighting and plants,� resident Diego Garces said.

Resident Jason Secrest said he “didn’t know about the project, but it’s long overdue.â€�

The BID took note of residents’ opinions when it planned the developments. It also considered existing assets in the area, such as dog parks, community gardens and walkways.

Some areas of the underpass have already been developed. The space on the L and Second Street block has dog parks and sidewalks going beneath the overpass. Residents offered mixed reviews of the fixtures already built.

“I like having a skatepark and a mural wall, but the current version is so decrepit and uninviting,� said Maura Kennedy.

Other residents brought up concerns about the homeless encampments that exist under the currently undeveloped portions of the underpass.

When asked about the project, the first thing Bob Craycraft from Southwest Waterfront North had to say was, “Aren’t they primarily shelter for the homeless? How would ‘revitalization’ impact them?â€�

The BID’s acknowledged the homeless encampments as a challenge facing the project and said it would find “long-term housing solutions� for anyone using the underpass as a home. The BID did not respond to questions about whether they had any substantive plans to act upon this challenge.

Salmi said that Councilmember Allen had subsidized housing vouchers for his ward in the past, but for matters pertaining to the homeless under Virginia Avenue, he deferred to the office of Mayor Muriel Bowser.

“The city runs an encampment team that does regular engagement with folks and tries to find a better and long-term living situation for them, so that’s what we hope is going to happen here as we get closer to construction,� Salmi said.

Salmi also said his team understood the complexities of the situation.

“It’s important. In all of these scenarios, we want to see people get into housing. This shouldn’t be an acceptable place for people to live, and I know it works for the moment,� Salmi said. “The whole point is not to punish folks who are out on the street, but it is to get them to a more stable housing environment and assess their individual needs, which can be challenging and can take time.�

Salmi said walkable neighborhoods were an important thing on people’s minds all across D.C., and that this project would help with that.

“It is ultimately going to be a nice connection between two neighborhoods. It’s kind of reclaiming space taken by the highway for so long,� Salmi said. “The Vision Plan has been in place for a long time, and so it is exciting that it’s finally moving forward.�

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