ANC Tackles Sewage Spill, Crime, Resident-Only Parking
By • March 9, 2026 0 558
Due to this year’s calendar, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E will hold its “April” meeting in March, on Monday, March 30.
Mayor’s Office Update
The March 2 meeting began with an update from Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office. Jamika Williams, Ward 2 liaison for the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, announced that the Department of Health has lifted the Potomac River Recreational Advisory — welcome news given the impending warmer weather.
Williams mentioned Women’s History Month events the mayor’s office is holding. In response to a question about leaf and tree collection, Williams asked for exact addresses so she can notify the Department of Public Works.
Metropolitan Police Department Update
The MPD representative announced that there has been an increase in carjackings, noting that people are taking advantage of delivery drivers on e-bikes. On the 1500 block of 27th Street NW, a gun was used in an incident involving an e-bike delivery driver. There have been four incidents since the beginning of the year, involving juveniles.
There have also been incidents at the local Safeway, where, according to the store manager, students were coming in and shoplifting items. Concerns were expressed that the special police officers are not taking action to stop the students. There are plans to coordinate a meeting about this.
Update from Council Member Pinto’s Office
There was an update on the Mount Zion and Female Union Band Cemeteries project. The District Department of Transportation and its contractors, as well as Black Georgetown Foundation Executive Director Lisa Fager, have made sure the project is respecting the archaeological remains at the site.
Pinto’s office encouraged everyone to “make 3-1-1 your friend for the next month,” when it comes to leaf collection, Christmas tree collection, potholes and damaged flexposts.
Regarding the Potomac River sewage spill, E. coli levels have been in a safe range, but swimming is still prohibited. DC Water crews are beginning remediation work on the brush and soil at the spill site. At Pinto’s urging, water testing has gone from weekly to daily.
Pinto’s office held an MPD oversight hearing that lasted over 12 hours, with more than 100 witnesses. In D.C., there have been three federal officer-involved shootings in the last six months. Pinto and her colleagues are exploring the best ways to protect residents.
First, when an MPD officer is on the scene of a federal officer-involved use-of-force incident, the body camera footage would be made public within five days (if the victim or family member consents). Second, the names of any directly involved federal officers would be included in MPD’s database. Finally, requiring a record of all federal officers at daily roll calls would provide more transparency about who is going on joint patrols.
Students have been shoplifting from the Safeway at 1855 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Flickr photo.
Georgetown University Update
There was a brief introduction of Georgetown University’s new Vice President of Government Relations and Community Engagement Adrea Turner (read more about her at georgetowner.com).
Public Schools Update
Commissioner Kishan Putta gave an update on DCPS. The expansion project for John R. Thompson Jr. High School (formerly MacArthur High School) is going well. Hardy Middle School is having a hard time this winter with slow security checks. The school’s cafeteria will be redone this summer.
Streateries
Stephanie Bothwell of the Citizens Association of Georgetown spoke about streateries and sidewalk space. Yellow, Lutèce and Martin’s Tavern did not seem to fall under the heading of a streatery. Also, if outdoor furniture was flipped against the building, it was no longer considered a streatery.
In addition, Bothwell addressed concerns about sandwich boards outside of local businesses. Her understanding is that they are permitted as long as they’re within a certain number of feet from the building. She will investigate further.
New Business: Parking
Resident-only parking was discussed in depth. (Here’s how it works: on blocks with resident-only parking, half the spots would be designated resident-only and the other half would keep the two-hour parking limit.)
DDOT wants ANC commissioners to identify which blocks in their districts could be appropriate for resident-only parking, then DDOT will conduct an evaluation and decide whether to implement it. If all goes as expected, the implementation would take about a year.
A letter to The Georgetowner in the February 2026 print issue (“Our Commissioners Have Resident Parking Proposal”) was cited. The ANC then read a statement of intent to move forward with the process.
Parking enforcement frustrations were also shared. Multiple leaders of Georgetown businesses spoke about the issue, including Deborah Kerson Bilek, CEO of the Georgetown Business Improvement District.
“I acknowledge that the frustration around parking is real,” she said. “If the current issue is inconsistent enforcement of the two-hour limit, shifting to ROP raises the stakes of uneven enforcement without addressing the underlying capacity constraint.” She continued, saying, “ROP sends a message, whether intentionally or not, that Georgetown is closed and unwelcoming.”
CAG President Amy Titus stressed the importance of an open dialogue regarding the issue, vowing to talk to the BID.
Rachel Shank, executive director of Georgetown Main Street, said she is concerned about employees being able to park in the neighborhood and understands that not charging for street parking doesn’t make economic sense. She asked that, if no changes were made to the evening’s resolution, if the ANC can be prepared to pass a second resolution in April asking DDOT to consider other opportunities, like more parking on Wisconsin Avenue and opening more garages.
Longtime Georgetowner Monica Roaché expressed concern about parking enforcement and mentioned her appreciation that the ANC plans to go block by block, as every community in Georgetown is very different.
FY 2027 Budget
The commission went over the Fiscal Year 2027 budget statement that will be sent to Mayor Bowser and the Council. It contains requests for rodent-proof trash cans, more DPW staffing and additional security screening at Hardy Middle School due to long lines causing students to be late to class.
GU Boathouse Update
Georgetown University representatives reported that the university boathouse and waterfront development is moving along and is about to enter a more public phase.
