Both Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker have submitted their FY 2027 budget request letters to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. Links to each below with snippets of neighborhood-specific items.

CM Lewis George FY27 Budget Request Letter

• Provide targeted capital funding for upgrades at Riggs–LaSalle Recreation Center, including a new field, outdoor fitness equipment, replacement of indoor fitness equipment, window repairs in the multipurpose room, new blinds in the computer, senior, multipurpose, and arts and crafts rooms, and updated computers and televisions.

• Fully fund all five Ward 4 Main Street programs, including Petworth, Uptown, Upper Georgia Avenue, Takoma, and Parks, with specific attention to restoring funding for Takoma Main Street, that continues to serve District residents.

• Retain and increase funding for the School Connect program at LaSalle–Backus Elementary and Ida B. Wells Middle School, and increase funding to sustain competitive compensation for School-Based Behavioral Health clinicians and coordinator roles.

• Continue to invest in Ward 4, including through the following capital projects:
  • New Playground at Grant Circle
  • Shepherd Park Library
  • Kennedy Street Library
  • Whittier Modernization and Swing Space
  • LaSalle-Backus Education Campus Modernization
  • Emery Heights Recreation Center Modernization
  • Small Capital Improvements to MPD’s Fourth District station
  • ADA upgrades at Riggs LaSalle Rec. Center
  • Track replacement at Riggs LaSalle Rec. Center
  • Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center Courtyard Enclosure
  • Pre-K Playground replacement at Takoma Elementary
  • 2-5 year old playground replacement at Shepherd Park
  • Playground slide replacement at Lafayette Pointer Park
  • Playground slide replacement at Chevy Chase Community Center

CM Parker FY27 Budget Request Letter

• Begin designing a new trail project to connect the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) to the PG County Connector along Galloway Street and Eastern Ave NE. Y

Worth reading both letters in full to see what citywide policies the councilmembers are pushing and what you may want to advocate for during the upcoming budget hearings.