Downtowner News: Franklin Park, Foo Fighters, Gun Violence, Women’s March
By • September 27, 2021 0 1073
Franklin Park Reopens
Franklin Park in Downtown D.C. has reopened with a children’s garden, renovated bathrooms and lots more. The park, a five acre space bound by I and K Streets NW, 13th to 14th Street, is managed by the BID in partnership with D.C. government and the National Park Service, Street Sense reported. There are now ADA accessible sidewalks, canopies of trees, more lighting and better seating. The central fountain has also been restored with interactive water and light additions.
Mayor Bowser Extends Deadline for Ticket Amnesty Program
Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended the deadline for the ticket amnesty program until December 31 of this year. The program, which launched June 1, 2021, has had more than 32,000 drivers participate. The result was the settlement of $44 million worth of tickets. D.C. and non-D.C. drivers will have until year’s end to pay without doubling their penalties on moving violations, photo enforcement and parking tickets.
Fighters Surprise at the 9:30 Club
The rock band Foo Fighters, recently nominated for the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, played a surprise concert at the 9:30 Club on V St. NW September 9. The event was part of the venue’s reopening celebrations. Tickets were limited to two, and those who attended were required to be fully vaccinated or have a negative Covid test from the last three days. Foo Fighters lead singer Dave Grohl grew up in Springfield, VA, played drums for Nirvana, then after the death of Curt Cobain launched his solo project Foo Fighters, now a band. Grohl used to be a part-owner of the 9:30 Club.
Have a Dream? Extras Needed for Netflix Movie
If you want to be a part of an upcoming Netflix movie that recreates the 1963 March on Washington, take note. The film will be produced by Barack Obama’s Higher Ground Productions and follows unsung hero Bayard Rustin, key organizer and assistant to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, according to WTOP. The movie is set to be directed by George C. Wolfe, who previously worked on the movie “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” If you’re feeling “extra,” go to: Rustin-DC@RoseLockeCasting.com.
More Gun Violence in D.C.
A shootout last week left one man dead and a portion of the incident was captured on a surveillance camera. According to NBC Washington, it was the second shooting within 24 hours on Morton St. NW. Three men running down an alley between Lamont and Morton Streets NW were seen on camera, firing rounds. When the police arrived on scene, a man was pronounced dead in the alley. As of press time, MPD has not released his name.
The Women’s March is Back
After the Texas abortion ruling, The Women’s March is returning to D.C. on Saturday October 2 to protest in favor of women’s reproductive freedom. There will be marches in every state two days before the U.S. Supreme Court reconvenes Monday October 4. The events page does not have specific details just yet but does include a form to fill out to get more information when it’s available. The march in D.C. will begin at 11 a.m. For information, go to womensmarch.com.
Washington Post Tokyo Bureau Chief is Out
In the wake of a lawsuit by journalist Felicia Sonmez, The Washington Post’s Tokyo bureau chief Simon Denyer is out, according to The Washington Post. The person Sonmez mentioned in her suit “faced sexual misconduct allegations including sending an unsolicited photo of his underwear-covered crotch to a young woman.” The Daily Beast said in August that the Post investigated Denyer’s actions but management ultimately determined no wrongdoing. Denyer was issued a warning at that point. Denyer will be replaced at the Tokyo bureau by Michelle Ye Hee Lee.
Mayor Bowser Cuts Ribbon on $440 million Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge
The Georgetowner reported last week that Mayor Muriel Bowser and the D.C. Department of Transportation Acting Director Everett Lott cut the ribbon on the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge across the Anacostia River. The duo was joined by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD). More on the opening can be found on the Georgetowner’s web site, Georgetowner.com.
ICYMI: Various Metro Stations Are Back in Service
In case you missed the news, four stations on the Metro’s green and yellow lines officially reopened earlier this month. The Greenbelt, College Park, Prince George’s Plaza and West Hyattsville stations are now back in business, according to the DC City Paper. WMATA had trains stopping at Fort Totten so they could repair and update platforms. The reopening comes in the wake of changes that took effect on September 5, including weekend rides for a $2 flat fee and staying open until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday evenings and opening at 7 a.m. on Sundays.
