Yesterday, Mayor Muriel Bowser shared part of her proposed fiscal year 2023 budget with the DC Council. Additional parts of the budget will be released over the next few days. I have not taken a look at any of it yet (I have been looking at those ANC boundary discussion maps!). But resident Gavin Baker passed along his initial take on budget items in or close to Lamond-Riggs that he is kindly permitting me to share on the blog, copied below.

• Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center to get a roof replacement in FY23.
• LaSalle-Backus Elementary School modernization is still included on the same timeframe as last year’s budget (project to start in FY27). Unclear if a swing space in the area will be provided during construction (Truesdell and Whittier are also scheduled for modernization in the next few years and folks have asked for a local swing space during those projects).
• UDC Bertie Backus campus to get funding for renovations and building addition. There’s also still $500K in this year’s budget, not yet used, for beautification at UDC Backus.
• The Eastern Ave. rehabilitation and Lamond-Riggs streetscape projects are still listed, although the amounts and timing are not specified in these documents.
• Nearby:
  • A new DC Public Library in Manor Park/Brightwood Park is funded (replacing the current Shepherd Park library), exact site TBD; project to start in FY27. (The new Lamond-Riggs Library is already fully funded, under construction, and expected to open this summer.)
  • Fort Totten Trash Transfer Station is funded for design and construction of pollution prevention and stormwater treatment best management practices.
  • The Metropolitan Branch Trail Blair to Piney Branch and 1st Pl. to Oglethorpe projects are still listed, although the amounts and timing are not specified in these documents.
  • The North Capitol St. project is still listed, although the amount and timing is not specified in these documents.
  • Coolidge High School to get a separate kitchen and dining area (currently shared with Wells Middle School).
  • North Michigan Park Recreation Center to get playground improvements in FY23.

Details in the FY 2023 documents here: https://cfo.dc.gov/page/annual-operating-budget-and-capital-plan

Editor’s Note: I will just add for reference the budget request letters sent to Mayor Bowser by Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie before Mayor Bowser shared the first part of her budget with the Council. A few highlights from CM Lewis George’s letter include (1) a request for funding for swing space in Ward 4 for when Truesdell, Whittier, and LaSalle-Backus undergo modernization (advocated by ANC 4B, ANC 4D, and many residents); (2) a request for some specific improvements to Lamond Recreation Center (advocated by the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association under the leadership of Barbara Rogers) and improvements to Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (advocated by the Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center under the leadership of Tischa Cockrell with board member Robert Oliver, as well as LRCA, based on longstanding requests from staff and residents); and (3) a request to accelerate funding for rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue NE (advocated by just about everyone in the eastern part of Ward 4 and several nearby in Ward 5). Worth taking a look at both letters to see all of the good things the Councilmembers requested.

More to come when Mayor Bowser releases her full budget.