December Downtowner
By • December 9, 2024 0 183
D.C. Businesses May Have to Take Cash Again
Unless the District Council acts, D.C. businesses will soon be required to accept cash. Three years ago, the District first required businesses to do so, but paused enforcement due to the pandemic and lack of funds. Legislation that blocked the law on account of crime concerns will expire on Jan. 1. Council members Christina Henderson and Kenyan McDuffie are expected to propose legislation to delay enforcement or exempt some businesses.
Mayor Bowser Dedicates Marion Barry Murals
The new Marion Barry murals. Courtesy D.C. Mayor’s Office.
On Nov. 23, the Marion Barry, Jr. Legacy Murals at the Marion S. Barry, Jr. Building were dedicated by the former mayor’s widow, Cora Masters Barry, and current D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. The three panels — “Big Vision,” “Big Impact” and “Big Legacy” — were designed by Nabeeh “Nabi” Bilal. Barry (1936-2014), in office from 1979 to 1991 and 1995 to 1999, “taught us the importance of having a big vision,” said Mayor Bowser.
GU Student Wins Schlossberg Look-Alike Contest
Courtesy @nagy_minaj.
Over the last month, celebrity look-alike contests have popped up all over, but one in New York focusing on actor Timothée Chalamet went viral because Chalamet actually showed up. D.C. decided to hold its own version, looking for a double for Jack Schlossberg (JFK’s grandson). Hundreds turned out for the event, which ultimately crowned Daniel Bonomo, 25, a graduate student studying foreign service at Georgetown University.
White House Holiday Theme, Décor Unveiled
Continuing a tradition started by first lady Lou Henry Hoover in 1929, first lady Jill Biden unveiled the White House holiday décor on Dec. 2. The 2024 theme is: “A Season of Peace and Light.” Former first lady Jackie Kennedy began the tradition of picking a theme (her original in 1961: “The Nutcracker”). This year’s White House holiday decorations include over 28,000 ornaments and 165,075 lights.
Nats Park, Capital One Arena to Get Upgrades
Nationals Park. Courtesy MLB.
The District Council passed legislation in late November to allow upgrades at Nationals Park and fund renovations to Capital One Arena. The dedicated stream of revenue to aid Nationals Park will be at no new cost to D.C. The $515-million package in public funds for Capital One Arena was part of a deal that Mayor Bowser negotiated earlier this year to keep the Capitals and Wizards in the District through 2050.
DDOT Won’t Enforce Citywide Right-on-Red Ban Yet
Courtesy DDOT.
In 2025, a citywide ban on turning right at a red traffic signal was to go into effect in D.C. But the District Department of Transportation told ABC-7 that it is unable to fully enforce the ban since funding for advertisements and signage — $385,000 was specified in the 2022 legislation — wasn’t budgeted by the District Council. Until then, enforcement will be limited to the intersections (about half of them) where signs have gone up.
