Events: Envision DC Planning with Acting Director Andrew Trueblood

Andrew Trueblood has been an advocate for equitable urbanism since long before he joined the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in 2013. Now he awaits confirmation as the Director of the DC Office of Planning. He's charged with producing 36,000 housing units by 2025—including more homes and affordable homes in all parts of the city—and working with councilmembers to update the Comprehensive Plan, among many other planning needs.

Join fellow GGWash readers on Tuesday, February 19 at 6 pm at the WeWork Metropolitan Square (1440 G Street NW) for an open forum with Acting Director Trueblood, where you’ll hear his vision for the DC Office of Planning and have the opportunity to ask questions. Tickets are only $10, and FREE for GGWash Neighbors! RSVP here.

Other events from around the region:

Tuesday, February 12

Make Parks and Recreation as good in real life as on TV: Air any concerns or praise you have for the Department of Parks and Recreation to its management and the councilmembers with oversight. Have your say and hear others' perspectives starting at 10 am in Room 123 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW). Anyone who wishes to testify should contact Nate Fleming to sign up.

Integrate DC public transit with DDOT Director Marootian: Merge with other road users at the American Public Transportation Association (1300 I Street NW) at 5 pm to hear District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Jeff Marootian “offer his views on the changing mobility landscape, and how transit and the new array of mobility options (bikes, scooters, TNCs, taxis, car-sharing) can work together in an integrated system with transit as the backbone.” Enjoy a “wine-and-cheese reception beginning at 5 pm, followed by a presentation and discussion from 5:30 – 6:30 pm.” RSVP via email here.

Join the “deaf space” revolution: Gather with the NoMa Business Improvement District (1200 First Street NE) at 6 pm to hear how businesses are “adapting 'deaf space' design practices, including Starbuck’s first US signing store and Streetcar 82 Brewing Co., the District’s first deaf-owned brewery. Enjoy beverages and light bites from Stellina Pizzeria as you learn simple ways spaces can be more accommodating, the difficulties of starting a deaf-run business, and some of the city’s plans to aid in the growing 'deaf space' revolution.” Find more information here.

Debate the state of Metrorail: At this month's meeting of the Montgomery County Action Committee for Transit, ride to the Silver Spring Civic Center (One Veterans Pl) at 7:30 pm to hear “Faiz Siddiqui, Washington Post reporter covering the DC Metro, Uber and Lyft, and transit-oriented tech start-ups” address the state of Metrorail with panel speakers including “Katherine Kortum Chair of WMATA RAC (also an engineer at TRB); Stephen Repetski of Metro Reasons; James Pizzurro (developer of DC Metro Hero app); and Dion Baker (ATU 689 Train Operator and Executive Board Shop Steward).” Find more information here.

Wednesday, February 13

WassaMATA with you?: Air any concerns or praise you have for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to its management and councilmembers with oversight. Have your say and hear others' perspectives starting at 10 am in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW). Anyone who wishes to testify should contact Sarina Loy to sign up.

Get some DC exposure(s): Swing by Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Avenue NW) between 6 and 10 pm for the opening reception of the Exposed DC Photography Show, where “43 winning photographs were chosen from a contest for their unique view of the Washington area – not as a political venue or tourist destination, but as a place where we live and work and love every day.” Tickets are $20-25 and include wine, beer, and snacks.

Budget some time for DC's budget: Head over to Luke C. Moore High School (1001 Monroe Street NE) from 6:30 to 8 pm for an “overview of the budgeting process” and “share your budget priorities directly with [Ward 5] Councilmember [Kenyan] McDuffie.” Find more information here.

For more information, visit http://KenyanMcDuffieWard5.com/Budget

Thursday, February 14

Add your energy to DC's environment: Air any concerns or praise you have for the Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency and/or the Department of Energy and the Environment to their management and councilmembers with oversight. Have your say and hear others' perspectives starting at 11 am in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW). Anyone who wishes to testify should contact Aukima Benjamin to sign up.

Friday, February 15

Work on that public service: Air any concerns or praise you have for the Food Policy Council and/or the Department of Public Works to their management and councilmembers with oversight. Have your say and hear others' perspectives starting at 11 am in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW). Anyone who wishes to testify should contact Aukima Benjamin to sign up.

Sunday, February 17

Celebrate Black History Month locally: At 9:30 am at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site's Visitor Center (1411 W Street SE), “join local reporter and historian John Muller on a walk through Old Anacostia, examining the neighborhood through the eyes of residents past and present.” Muller will “blend historic research and contemporary Ward 8 politics… exploring our city’s most historic Historic District. Stories of presidents, famed one-time resident Frederick Douglass, 19th-century architecture and neighborhood folklore will be woven throughout.” Get your $20 ticket here.

Check out more urbanist events at ggwash.org/calendar. Do you have an event you'd like to see featured in the weekly events post? Submit it here.