Final Preliminary Report

Monday, July 11, 2011

Ward 8 Community Summit Washington, DC - July 9, 2011

On Saturday, July 9, 2011, throughout the day, nearly 600 Ward 8 residents, community leaders, District officials, and guests joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Councilmember Marion Barry, other Councilmembers, and Agency Directors at the Savoy and Thurgood Marshall Academy Sports and Learning Center. At this Ward 8 Community Summit, participants worked together to help shape the future of Ward 8. Mayor Gray welcomed all community members. He stressed that there are many exciting developments taking place in the ward, and the community must play a role in shaping those developments. Councilmember Marion Barry also extended a warm welcome and emphasized the need for residents to work together during the summit to help the transformation of the ward. The Ward 8 Community Summit had three main goals: Show the community the big picture of potential development and investment in Ward 8 and clarify connections across projects; Listen to the communitys guidance on key policy issues in housing, retail, transportation, and jobs; and Support actions the community can take to shape the future of Ward 8 and connect with opportunities in and outside of the ward. Throughout the meeting, participants used keypad polling to register their views and engaged in facilitated group discussions about the future of Ward 8 communities. The Ward 8 Community Summit utilized methodology from AmericaSpeaks, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that engages citizens in public decision-making. This Preliminary Report is a summary of the priorities and preferences expressed by Ward 8 community members at the July 9 meeting. Following the summit, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and his administration will review feedback from the summit and report back to the community at a town hall meeting in mid September. Additional quarterly town meetings will be scheduled for the following year to ensure ongoing dialogue with citizens and the community. Everyone who registered for the summit will be notified once the meeting is scheduled.

Who Attended the Ward 8 Community Summit?

Gender Female Male Age 15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55 - 64 65 and better Household Income Under $25,000 $25,000 to $50,000 $50,000 to $75,000 Over $75,000 Not sure July 9 54% 46% 5% 4% 14% 14% 21% 22% 20% July 9 18% 22% 21% 31% 8% Census 55% 45% 14% 11% 19% 18% 17% 13% 9% Census 41% 30% 14% 14%

Town meeting demographics are compared with the demographics of Ward 8. Race/Ethnicity Black or African American White or Caucasian Latino Asian American More than one race Other July 9 86% 6% 0% 0% 6% 2% Census 94% 4% 1.7% 0.3% 0.9% 0% July 9 67% 40% 33% 22% 18% 6%

Which statements apply to you? I live in Ward 8 I shop in Ward 8 I work in Ward 8 I worship in Ward 8 I own a business in Ward 8 None apply

Who Attended the Ward 8 Community Summit? (Continued)

What is your housing situation? Rent an apartment or home Own a single family attached home Own a single family detached home Own a condo or apartment Homeless / Live in a shelter Live in a group home Other July 9 30% 33% 21% 11% 2% 0% 4% I have lived in Ward 8 for Less than 5 years Between 5 and 10 years Between 10 and 20 years Between 20 and 30 years More than 30 years I dont currently live in Ward 8 Where do you go for household needs? Ward 8 Wards 7 & 8 Other areas of DC Prince Georges County, MD Northern Virginia Other areas of Maryland July 9 21% 14% 10% 10% 21% 24% July 9 20% 12% 23% 26% 16% 4%

What People Love Most about Ward 8

Concerns in Ward 8

Community members talked about what they most love about Ward 8. Top responses included:
New and Potential Growth and Development Opportunities 65% Location in the Cityclose to the river, close to downtown, suburbs in the city - 61% The Spirit of the People and sense of community - 47% Historic and Unique Jewel in the Rough - 41% Green space views and parks (Anacostia Park, lots of trees) 34% Friendly people Folks ready for change - 27%

Participants discussed what they are most concerned about in Ward 8. Responses included:
Lack of jobsnot enough hiring of Ward 8 residents - 47% Lack of services for youth (education, recreation, and job training) - 40% Dont feel safe in Ward (high crime rate, not enough lighting) - 37% Limited retail opportunities for consumers - 28% Gentrification might displace residents - 24% Poor perception of Ward in rest of the city and region - 23% Too much unrealized potential of residents - 21% Need more live, work, play opportunities - 19% Not enough opportunity for small businesses - 14% Improve quality of life issues (like loitering, litter) - 13%

BUILDING: Managing Growth

Given constrained resources and long lead times for large projects, what is highest priority near term (2-5 yrs) development opportunity that we should focus on to achieve the most benefits for existing Ward residents?
Scattered site vacant property redevelopment (depending on location new housing or mixed use housing/retail) 52% St Elizabeths East (regional center with office, housing, retail and community facilities) 21% Poplar Point - (regional center with housing, retail, parks, and some office) 11% Barry Farm (housing site repositioned to improve quality of units, add retail, and serve a mix of incomes) 11% Highland Addition (housing site repositioned to improve quality of units and serve a mix of incomes) 6%

Participants brainstormed about key benefits that will come to Ward 8 as a result of developments in the coming years. Popular responses included:
More JOBS! Better housing: more affordable, rise in home ownership Retail opportunities: easy to access, more diverse services (grocery, restaurants, drug stores, etc) Lower crime Decrease in abandoned and vacant properties Opportunities for small and local business ownersthey employ the most people Property values will rise. Demographics will change, and this is both a good and a bad thing. Improved educational opportunities for youth and adults. Better schools, More services. Improved quality of life: People take pride in the ward.

Participants also offered their thoughts on how to ensure that benefits in Ward 8 will be linked to residents. The top responses were:
Improve job access and job readiness 47% Better coordination among government, ANCs, nonprofits, community organizations, private sector, & residents 36 Involve more residents in planning and development 33% Enforce the lawmake sure employers comply with First Source and Community Benefits Agreement - 30% Provide incentives for employers to hire Ward 8 residents 30%

PRESERVING: Housing and Retail

Community members discussed the Mayors key principles that can be used to guide new physical development and growth in the years to come.
These principles are:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Preserve and enhance existing neighborhoods Target new development to vacant sites Develop regional centers for employment and business Increase density at key sites Link investments in places to investments in people What is your level of agreement with these principles as an effective way to guide future growth in Ward 8? Very high 33% High 32% Medium 24% Low 6% Very low 5 %

If all these principles are followed, will development in Ward 8 be what we want? Why or why not? Why:
Well feel safer with crime reduced Vacant sites will be utilized, eyesores removed Improved neighborhood aesthetics future designs uplift the face of the community Workforce training is better: more job hires Preserve the historic character of the community. Preserving and enhancing needs a lot of thought and effort. New is not always better Changing the landscape may assist in changing attitudes Will only work if we address gentrification - not displacing people and culture of Ward 8

Why not:

The people most affected are not at the table Only the loud voices will be heard Development might lead to: o Less affordability and displacement o Too much traffic and density o Loss of original neighborhood identity and feel

Participants discussed what should be done in Ward 8 to achieve the right balance of residential development that includes a diverse range of housing choices for existing and new residents. Popular ideas that emerged were:
Homeownership is critical to stable neighborhoods. We need education on home buying and maintaining homes, because people just assume they cannot afford it and do not qualify. Vacant & blighted properties need to be taken care of. Clean it or lien it; maintain what we have here. Affordability for renters and homeowners is important. Define affordable housing and make sure options are available for all income ranges. Focus on people and housing: development & preservation of affordable housing should include preservation of existing residents. Recognize shared concerns and create strong relationships within the community, across all income groups. Provide tax relief for people who need it most like families and seniors. Increase enforcement of codes for vacant properties / absentee landlords. Increase education and outreach to residents about opportunities and existing housing programs.

Community members proposed and prioritized strategies that could be used to achieve balanced residential development that includes a diverse range of housing choices for existing and new residents.
Acquire and redevelop vacant properties 37% Develop and preserve affordable housing units 31% Increase education and outreach to residents about opportunities and existing housing programs 29% Increase enforcement of codes for vacant properties and absentee landlords 28% Assist renters, prospective homebuyers, and homebuyers 18% Prevent foreclosures whenever possible 17% Provide tax relief for people who need it most, like families and seniors 15% Expand outreach and use of DCHousingSeach.org, a tool to match residents with affordable housing 6%

Community members developed strategies to ensure that existing commercial areas and businesses thrive going forward. The popular strategies were:
Support locally based businesses, both start-ups and existing 36% Make physical improvements to streets and storefronts (lighting, sidewalks, trees, murals, etc) 35% Provide funding and tax incentives to new businesses, both federal and local 23% Curb loitering by creating opportunities for young people and services for the homeless 22% Limit the number of liquor stores in Anacostia/MLK 21% Need to diversify existing mix of businesses 19% Improve transportationbetter connections to get people to and from retail centers 15% Provide more parking spaces 8%

CONNECTING: Transportation
More and more, Ward 8 residents are getting around and traveling in different ways. At the Community Summit, participants discussed the types of connections that will have a positive impact on the community.

Ward 8 residents considered which of the following transportation options should be the Districts priorities:
A balance among physical connections within the Ward, between the Ward and the metro region, and between the ward and the rest of the city 62% Improve physical connections within the Ward 15% Improve physical connections to the region 15% Improve physical connections to the rest of the city 8%

Participants gave feedback to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) about how to prioritize funding in the next 2 to 5 years.
Neighborhood quality of life and safety improvements 40% Expansion of transit services to connect the Ward to the rest of the city and region 30% Streetscaping and public realm improvements 13% Expansion of transit services to connect destinations within the Ward 9% Road improvements and traffic operations 8%

How should the District proceed with completing the Anacostia Street Car line on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SE?
Complete planning and delay implementation to address community and financial concerns 42% Complete planning and proceed with implementation 27% Delay planning indefinitely 26% No opinion 6%

What is your level of support for requesting the District consider whether to reuse the 11th Street Bridge to link both sides of river to a network of parks and recreation resources?
Very High 68% High 13% Medium 11% Low 1% Very low 7%

EMPOWERING: Jobs
How can key stakeholders help current unemployed and underemployed residents of Ward 8 effectively prepare for the jobs in key growth areas over the next 1-2 years both those who are job-ready now and those who need support to become more job-ready? Those who are job-ready now:
Provide incentives to business to train and hire individuals from Ward 8 44% Better ways of communicating job opportunities and placement including job fairs and DOES website and texting to reach younger people 36% Improve training opportunities increase understanding of criteria, skills needed amongst unemployed 34% Reintegration for returning citizens (ex-offenders) 19% More computer and internet facilities for improving job readiness. Provide training and support for those who need it 18% Emphasize re-training, Help people see that the age of a job for life is over 15% Individuals with jobs should mentor those without jobs in resume building, customer service, etc 13%

Those who need support to become more jobready:

Provide more widespread vocational training for youth & adults 41% Businesses work with government to ensure job training matches available and anticipated jobs 37% Make job training programs more accountable in terms of spending and effectiveness 32% Changing the mindset of the chronically unemployed has to be based in the community 27% Government to invest in adult basic education and GED training 19% Private sector and government should provide career mentoring 18%

Community members ranked the top 2 potential strategies that could be used to prepare residents and businesses for future opportunities related to the new DHS headquarters.
Build a community empowerment center on St Elizabeths East campus to be a one-stop center for connecting residents and businesses to employment and procurement opportunities 50% Expand adult education and career pathway development in DHS fields (security, information technology) 48% Launch small business incubation program that would provide space and support for entrepreneurs to start up businesses 39% Promote mentoring and internship programs at DHS West Campus 24% Link residents to construction or near-term jobs 22%

COMMUNITY ACTION: Next Steps

What is one thing YOU can do to ensure progress on the issues weve talked about today that are most important to you?
Stay committed and involved in the community Create a dedicated website w/ blogging for ideas; foster creativity Hold elected officials and staff accountable I will bug councilmember Barrys office so that he will keep the promises made today Take the information back to neighbors in my personal community Help design and conduct the community navigators program Mentor people in my community (youth, seniors, those who need it)

What can people do together?

Hold education sessions to dispel myths around the Ward Use social media, blogs to share ideas around Ward and inform public about community groups and events Hold ongoing, issue-oriented meetings similar to todays Summit Everyone needs to get connected: community orgs, faith-based groups, public & private sector, businesses, tenants/condo associations, etc Break generations dependency on government foster independence and use government to enhance, not support Work where you live

Evaluation Polling
What is your level of satisfaction with the Summit?
Very high 51% High 32% Medium 12% Low 1% Very low 3%

What is your level of satisfaction with the use of technology at this summit?
Very high 77% High 14% Medium 8% Low 1% Very low 1%

To what degree have your opinions or perspectives changed or shifted today?

A lot 17% Quite a bit 32% A little bit 32% Not at all 20%

All summit materials, including the presentations, participant packages, and maps will be posted on the following DC government web sites: www.dcbiz.dc.gov www.planning.dc.gov To learn more about the results from the Ward 8 Community summit, please visit americaspeaks.org/ward8communitysummit

This word cloud is composed of the Ward 8 neighborhoods represented at the Ward 8 Community Summit.