Jimmie Williams

PBCCA – Penn Ave East Economic Development Series
(Come hear about development along Pennsylvania Avenue East of the River – Guests Speakers from DC Office of Planning, Engagement and Design, and Ward 7 Planner)

February 14 Valentines’ Day
Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church 3000 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (rear entrance)
Many of our residents have expressed concern about the development along Pennsylvania Avenue SE Corridor (east of the river).   Residents of Penn Branch and surrounding communities are generally pleased that the outdated Penn Branch Shopping Center was in August 2016 purchased by Jair Lynch Real Estate.  However, many have expressed concern about the overall development of Pennsylvania Avenue east of the river corridor.   Residents have expressed concerns about the need for revitalization similar to many other parts of the city.   Over the last few months residents have also expressed concerns about Penn Avenue East traffic flow and congestion, retail shops and restaurants, creating a

walkable community.

We are pleased to announce that our meetings over the next few months will specially focus on issues impact growth and development in our community.   Our  guest speaker at our February 14 meeting will be Deborah Crain Kemp, Neighborhood Planner – Ward 7 Office of Planning and Tanya Washington Stern, Deputy Director, Office of Planning, Engagement and Design.

Come show your love and concern for you community hear ask questions about plans impacting our community!

Attached are helpful materials for your review: The first two are handout versions of Far Northeast and Southeast Area Element boards displayed during the Open House portion of the October 27, 2016 PlanDC community meeting.

Far Northeast & Southeast Area Element Demographics Board handout:

Far Northeast & Southeast Area Element Policy Summary Board handout:

October 27, 2016 PlanDC Meeting Summary (with public comments): featuring the Far Northeast & Southeast Area Element and Far Southeast & Southwest Area Element:

All of these materials are available on the project website, PlanDC.dc.gov.  Just click on the links below for more information:

Below is the presentation for the October 27, 2016 PlanDC Community Meeting that featured the Far Northeast & Southeast Area Element. Many of these slides will be shown at the meeting on the 14th:

DC Security Camera Incentive: Time is Running Out

Funds are still available, if you plan to purchase an outside security camera for your home, you should hurry if you want to qualify for a rebate. Funds will run out soon. The Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants is currently offering rebates of up to $200 per camera and $500 per residence for the purchase and installation of security cameras. You can purchase external cameras for you home at stores like Costco and Best Buy.  (The first notice of the DC security program appears in the October 2016 Penn Brancher newsletter.  Our guest for the October 2016 meeting was Christopher Dyer, from the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants.)

The Penn Branch Citizens Civic Association would like to have at least two residences on every block equipped with external security cameras with recording/monitoring capabilities.

Camera System Specifications

Security camera systems must meet minimum technical and video quality specifications below, and must retain video footage for at least forty-eight (48) hours. All cameras must be outdoor, weather proof cameras. Purchase a camera(s) that designed for the outdoors.

For more information click here: Security Camera Reimbursements

Places to Purchase Security Cameras and suggestions

You can purchase a very good security camera system from Costco or Bestbuy with 4 cameras, 8 channels, 4 megapixels with 1 terabyte of storage for under $500.00.   You can also purchase the Nest camera system which is a good product, but pricey since you will have to subscribe to their online service to get video alerts.  The Next camera is a good product with very clear audio.  However, Nest does provide limited storage without a plan.  You can also purchase a wireless Arlo security system by Netgear which includes three cameras.  The cameras don’t have a cord, but they also don’t have audio, and use batteries.  (The links below will direct you to security cameras for each store).

We would love to hear from you if you have suggestions about security cameras.

We’re pleased to have Reading Partners DC from Reading Partners DC at our January 10 meeting to discuss reading volunteers at schools in Ward 7.   Reading Partners works with low-income schools to help students master essential reading skills through one-on-one tutoring.  Our guest speaker is Josh Vellegos.

Joshua Vallejos graduated from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, with a bachelor’s in political science. After graduating, he did three years of service with AmeriCorps—one with City Year Denver and two with Reading Partners DC. Josh’s experience as a site coordinator increased his passion for education, and the positive impact nonprofits can have on a community. During 2015-16, Josh worked as a program associate with Reading Partners North Texas and managed a portfolio of schools and AmeriCorps members. In July 2016, Joshua rejoined the DC team as a program manager and is excited to continue helping students become lifelong readers.