February 3, 2022

Ward 3 Update:

Dear Neighbors,

The Ward 3 COVID Center will open tomorrow, February 4th, at the Chevy
Chase Pavilion in the Friendship Heights neighborhood. The launch of this
site has been weeks in the making and will serve as a one stop shop for
residents to access vaccinations, boosters, take-home rapid antigen tests,
PCR tests, and KN95 masks (note: the distribution of KN95 masks is
currently limited to two masks per District resident, so please be sure to
bring proof of identification). While not centrally located in the Ward,
this site practically sits on top of the Friendship Heights Metro Station,
has both garage and neighborhood parking, and is accessible by several
[1]bus lines.

If you are not familiar with the Chevy Chase Pavilion, the address is 5335
Wisconsin Ave NW. The Ward 3 COVID Center's upcoming hours of operation are
below:
* Monday: 10 am - 8 pm
* Tuesday: CLOSED
* Wednesday: 10 am - 8 pm
* Thursday: 11 am - 9 pm
* Friday: 9 am - 7 pm
* Saturday: 10 am - 8 pm
* Sunday: 9 am - 7 pm

This month also marks several important dates during the limited public
health emergency. Not only has the emergency declaration been extended
through February 15th (for more on what this means, please click [2]here),
but the indoor mask mandate for certain congregate spaces has been extended
through February 28th.

It is also important to note that the vaccination for entry requirement
will become even more stringent on February 15th, and residents will be
required to show proof of either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine
or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for entry into certain indoor
spaces. This will apply to everyone aged 12 and older, so, if you are
eligible for the second dose in your vaccine series, please make plans to
[3]get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Regards,

Mary

Ward 3's First Housing Production Trust Fund Investment

From The Washington Post - D.C. announces first affordable housing project
in Ward 3 backed by housing production trust

"The development will add 93 units to a Friendship Heights senior living
facility known as the Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home that will accommodate
District residents “at a range of income levels,” according to D.C.
officials.

Though the Lisner Home project makes up only a fraction of the new housing
announced Wednesday, Council Member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) said she hopes
the senior facility opening its doors will kick off a wave of new
affordable housing options in neighborhoods like Friendship Heights, Chevy
Chase and Tenleytown where affordable housing stock remains low.

Cheh said “there is considerable support for increasing the availability of
affordable housing in the ward” and that many of her constituents see the
issue as a “moral obligation.”

[4]Read the Full Story

Remembering Ward 3 Neighbor & UDC Professor Edgar S. Cahn

Honoring the Life & Legacy of Edgar Cahn - On February 1st, the Council
voted in unanymous support of Councilmember Cheh's Ceremonial Resolution to
honor the remarkable life and legacy of service of Edgar S. Cahn.

Edgar was a visionary lawyer, social justice organizer, legal scholar, and
educator at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. March 23rd, 2022 will be
known as Edgar Cahn Day in the District of Columbia. To read more on this
remarkable Ward 3 neighbor, please see:

[5]The [6]Edgar S. Cahn Legacy Recognition Resolution of 2022

Ward 3 Quick Reads

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Kennedy Center - To commemorate the
Year of the Tiger, the REACH at the Kennedy Center has been illuminated
with 100 lanterns (all crafted by Chinese artisans) for residents and
families to enjoy. The lanterns will be on display through Monday, February
6th. For more information, please see: [7]Lunar New Year Winter Lanterns.

Upgrading DC Streetlights - The Council has approved a new streetlight
contract that will significantly upgrade the District's streetlight system.
As reported in [8]DCist, replacing the fixtures will cut streetlight energy
use in half and prevent 38,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year
—equivalent to not driving about 87 million miles.

The Council's Performance Oversight Season has Begun - Click [9]here for a
summary from The Forest Hills Connection on the District's ongoing
performance oversight and budget work in areas such as transportation,
public safety, housing affordability, & more.

Offer Input on Metro's Budget - The public comment period for [10]Metro's
Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget is officially open. Metro is encouraging the
public to share feedback on fare and service proposals before the comment
period ends at 5 pm on Tuesday, February 15th. To provide written comments,
please see: [11]wmata.com/budget.

VPP Extension Reminder - A quick reminder that residents' hard copy 2020
visitor parking passes will remain valid through April 15th, 2022.

Closing a Loophole to Protect the Tree Canopy

Protecting the Tree Canopy - 27 heritage trees (defined as those old growth
trees with a circumference between 44-100 inches) were illegally removed in
2021. Last week, a heritage tree, suspected to be over 100 years old, was
illegally cut down by developers in the Takoma neighborhood. Unfortunately,
due to a loophole in the law, the District's Urban Forestry Division was
helpless to stop the removal.

[12]The Urban Forest Preservation Authority Amendment Act of 2021,
introduced by Councilmembers Cheh and Allen, will close that loophole and
empower the District's arborists with stop-work order authority to
immediately stop the illegal removal of the District's old growth trees.

To read more about the tree lost in Takoma (pictured above), please see the
following from [13]DCist: Developer In Takoma Cuts Protected Heritage Tree,
Over Protests From Neighbors

Regular Metrobus Service to Return Next Week!

Rebuilding Bus Service - After weeks of reduced bus service, regular
weekday Metrobus service will return on February 7th. This service
restoration is linked with the reduction in area coronavirus case numbers,
driver recovery, and a return of drivers to work. The current service
interruption demonstrates how getting vaccinated and wearing a mask
(especially during times of high transmission) helps to protect the
community and maintain the operation of essential services.

Financial Support Available for Local Businesses

[14]

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Celebrate Black History Month with the Local Arts Community

[15]

Honor & Celebrate - The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the DC
Black History Celebration Committee have put together an event guide to
celebrate the many virtual and in-person Black History Month events being
held across the District.

These free events include art exhibits, community presentations, book
discussions, music events, film showings, and more. Click below for the
full guide to all local Black History Month events:

[16]Black History Month 2022 Event Guide

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to reach us via [17]email or phone through our main line
at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent
services requests.

[18]Facebook [19]Twitter [20]marycheh.com

FOLLOW MARY

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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