Meeting Minutes: ANC 8A01 Single Member District Neighborhood Meeting

Date: July 28, 2026
Time: 10:49 PM UTC
Duration: 1 hour, 52 minutes
Chair / Host: Commissioner Tom Donohue (SMD 8A01)

1. Call to Order & Introductions

• Meeting Opened: Commissioner Tom Donohue called the meeting to order and welcomed participants.
• Attendee Introductions:Tom Donohue: ANC 8A01 Commissioner. Maria Stewart: Resident, 2000 block of V St. SE / Nicholson St. SE area. Carolyn Miller: Resident, 1800 block of Minnesota Ave. Evelyn Williams: Resident, 2100 block of Minnesota Ave. Tamika Pinckney: Resident, 2300 block of Nicholson St. Jasmine: Resident, 2100 block of Fairlawn Ave. Angela Richardson: Chief of Staff, Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL). Erica Downing: Co-founder & CEO/CTO of FlowBot Forge; local resident. Lovette Harrison: Local resident (lives directly behind Kramer Middle School).
• Tom Donohue: ANC 8A01 Commissioner.
• Maria Stewart: Resident, 2000 block of V St. SE / Nicholson St. SE area.
• Carolyn Miller: Resident, 1800 block of Minnesota Ave.
• Evelyn Williams: Resident, 2100 block of Minnesota Ave.
• Tamika Pinckney: Resident, 2300 block of Nicholson St.
• Jasmine: Resident, 2100 block of Fairlawn Ave.
• Angela Richardson: Chief of Staff, Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL).
• Erica Downing: Co-founder & CEO/CTO of FlowBot Forge; local resident.
• Lovette Harrison: Local resident (lives directly behind Kramer Middle School).

2. Ward 8 Senior Wellness Center Update

Presenter: Angela Richardson (Chief of Staff, DACL)

• Background & Purpose:DC currently has six senior wellness centers across Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7, as well as one in Congress Heights (Ward 8). The new Fairlawn facility will be a citywide center open to all seniors, focused on nutrition under the motto "Eat Well, Live Better". Co-located at Kramer Middle School, enabling unique intergenerational programming between seniors and students.
• DC currently has six senior wellness centers across Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7, as well as one in Congress Heights (Ward 8).
• The new Fairlawn facility will be a citywide center open to all seniors, focused on nutrition under the motto "Eat Well, Live Better".
• Co-located at Kramer Middle School, enabling unique intergenerational programming between seniors and students.
• Project & Bidding Status:A previously planned groundbreaking was delayed because the initial procurement did not yield the right contractor to meet safety and quality standards. Re-solicitation for the general contractor opens Friday, July 31, 2026. Target Goal: Award contract by end of Fiscal Year 2026 (Sept 30, 2026) and hold the groundbreaking by December 2026.
• A previously planned groundbreaking was delayed because the initial procurement did not yield the right contractor to meet safety and quality standards.
• Re-solicitation for the general contractor opens Friday, July 31, 2026.
• Target Goal: Award contract by end of Fiscal Year 2026 (Sept 30, 2026) and hold the groundbreaking by December 2026.
• Facility Features & Site Layout:Features include a gym, computer lab, multipurpose community rooms, and a state-of-the-art commercial/industrial kitchen for cooking demonstrations and joint meals. Situated on the lot near Kramer Middle School containing the large heritage tree. Basketball courts will be relocated slightly further back. Parking Plans: Parking lot is being reconstructed to provide 45 spots for Kramer Middle School and 44 spots for the Senior Wellness Center.
• Features include a gym, computer lab, multipurpose community rooms, and a state-of-the-art commercial/industrial kitchen for cooking demonstrations and joint meals.
• Situated on the lot near Kramer Middle School containing the large heritage tree. Basketball courts will be relocated slightly further back.
• Parking Plans: Parking lot is being reconstructed to provide 45 spots for Kramer Middle School and 44 spots for the Senior Wellness Center.
• Community & Vendor Q&A:Lovette Harrison voiced concerns regarding traffic/parking influx; Ms. Richardson clarified dedicated parking plans and offered to resend site drawings. Erica Downing inquired about offering AI education/workshops. Ms. Richardson noted DACL works with OCTO and that day-to-day operations will be run by a grantee chosen via a future Request for Proposals (RFP). RFPs are posted on the DACL website, social media, DSLBD, and agency listservs.
• Lovette Harrison voiced concerns regarding traffic/parking influx; Ms. Richardson clarified dedicated parking plans and offered to resend site drawings.
• Erica Downing inquired about offering AI education/workshops. Ms. Richardson noted DACL works with OCTO and that day-to-day operations will be run by a grantee chosen via a future Request for Proposals (RFP). RFPs are posted on the DACL website, social media, DSLBD, and agency listservs.

3. Community Safety, Squatting, & Neighborhood Concerns

Speaker: Commissioner Tom Donohue

• MPD Update: MPD officials were unable to attend due to scheduling/vacation conflicts, but regular communication remains active.
• Squatting & Property Issues (Q Street / 1800 Block Minnesota Ave / 19th St):Discussed ongoing safety issues around drug use and squatting in vacant buildings near Kramer Middle School (specifically 1810/1828 Q St and 1507/1509/1511 19th St). Commissioner Donohue secured authorization from property management allowing MPD enforcement and empowering the Commissioner to issue barring notices. Squatting laws currently limit rapid eviction by MPD; formal letters were sent to DC Council At-Large members requesting site walk-throughs to advocate for stronger anti-squatting legislation and potential property receiverships.
• Discussed ongoing safety issues around drug use and squatting in vacant buildings near Kramer Middle School (specifically 1810/1828 Q St and 1507/1509/1511 19th St).
• Commissioner Donohue secured authorization from property management allowing MPD enforcement and empowering the Commissioner to issue barring notices.
• Squatting laws currently limit rapid eviction by MPD; formal letters were sent to DC Council At-Large members requesting site walk-throughs to advocate for stronger anti-squatting legislation and potential property receiverships.
• Support Services & City Response:Requests have been made for mobile mental health/addiction service vans to establish set weekly schedules in Fairlawn. Elevated unresolved 311 issues (dumped furniture, alley clearing, sewer catch-basin cleanouts) directly to DPW, DC Water, and the Mayor’s Office (MOKER).
• Requests have been made for mobile mental health/addiction service vans to establish set weekly schedules in Fairlawn.
• Elevated unresolved 311 issues (dumped furniture, alley clearing, sewer catch-basin cleanouts) directly to DPW, DC Water, and the Mayor’s Office (MOKER).
• Fire-Damaged Properties (19th St):Requested DPW/DOB abatement teams to clear overgrown weeds/blight from front yards of the fire-damaged townhomes along 19th Street.
• Requested DPW/DOB abatement teams to clear overgrown weeds/blight from front yards of the fire-damaged townhomes along 19th Street.
• White Building (1525 19th St Corridor):Management is awaiting final permits to begin gutting and adding an additional floor to renovate the property.
• Management is awaiting final permits to begin gutting and adding an additional floor to renovate the property.

4. Transportation & School Safety Upgrades

• 19th Street Bus Stop Relocation:The bus stop on Minnesota Ave at 19th St is scheduled to be removed/relocated by year-end to eliminate redundancy with 18th St. Details are available on the ANC 8A01 website.
• The bus stop on Minnesota Ave at 19th St is scheduled to be removed/relocated by year-end to eliminate redundancy with 18th St. Details are available on the ANC 8A01 website.
• Boone Elementary Safety Walk:Commissioner Donohue and Boone Principal Hutchins will conduct a perimeter safety assessment on July 31, 2026, to review student walking routes. Safety modifications (such as flex posts and parking restrictions) similar to Kramer Middle School are expected.
• Commissioner Donohue and Boone Principal Hutchins will conduct a perimeter safety assessment on July 31, 2026, to review student walking routes.
• Safety modifications (such as flex posts and parking restrictions) similar to Kramer Middle School are expected.

5. Community Events & Upcoming Initiatives

• Community Clean-Up Day:Date/Time: Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Location: Meeting at Kramer Middle School. Trash pickers and bags provided.
• Date/Time: Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
• Location: Meeting at Kramer Middle School. Trash pickers and bags provided.
• Community Yard Sale:Date: September 5–6, 2026. Location: Triangle Park. Action: Residents must pre-register for vendor spaces at anc8a01.com.
• Date: September 5–6, 2026.
• Location: Triangle Park.
• Action: Residents must pre-register for vendor spaces at anc8a01.com.
• Fairlawn Block Party / Fall Gathering:Event organizing committee formed (members include Erica Downing, Tamika Pinckney, and Robin) to plan a fall block party/community event targeted for early September.
• Event organizing committee formed (members include Erica Downing, Tamika Pinckney, and Robin) to plan a fall block party/community event targeted for early September.
• Developer Community Benefits Agreements (CBA):Nicholson Project (64 units): Secured $10,000 over two years ($5,000 to Kramer MS for new football uniforms; $5,000 to Boone ES for winter coats/supplies). Frederick Douglass Bridge Hotel Proposal: Commissioner Donohue reaffirmed he will withhold ANC support unless a binding CBA directly benefiting local schools/non-profits is attached.
• Nicholson Project (64 units): Secured $10,000 over two years ($5,000 to Kramer MS for new football uniforms; $5,000 to Boone ES for winter coats/supplies).
• Frederick Douglass Bridge Hotel Proposal: Commissioner Donohue reaffirmed he will withhold ANC support unless a binding CBA directly benefiting local schools/non-profits is attached.

6. ANC Elections Notice

• Petition gathering for the November 3, 2026, ANC Commissioner election is underway.
• Interested residents must collect at least 25 valid signatures from registered voters in their Single Member District (35–40 recommended).

7. Meeting Adjournment

• Next Meeting: Tuesday, August 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
• Official Website: anc8a01.com