Foggy Bottom Association

Reflections on 2024

John George, FBA President

Dear Foggy Bottom and West End Neighbors,

As 2024 ends, I want to thank you all for your support and involvement. This year, we held several hybrid community meetings, hosted the Spring Clean-up with GWU, held a picnic in memory of Ellie Becker, and continued advocating for the renovation of 26th Street Park.

We stayed connected with DC agencies to address local issues and supported the History Project, which has done an incredible job preserving our community’s story.

Thank you to our partners, including the Foggy Bottom Trust, GWU, FBWE Village, local leaders, and members like you, we’ve made great strides in strengthening our neighborhood. I’m excited for what we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead!

John George President Foggy Bottom Association

FBA Board 2024

President ........................................................... John George

Vice President……………………………………………..Will Crane

Treasurer ........................................................... Zach Cohen

Debbie Baker Sadie Cornelius

The Garden Committee…………………………………………………..….Peter Maye

The History Project…………………………………Denise Vogt and Frank Leone

The Infrastructure Committee (FBA/IC)………………………….…Will Crane

The Main Streets Project……………………………Sadie Cornelius/John George

The 26th St Park Project………………Zach Cohen/FBA Board/Community

The Preferred Merchant Program…………J. Ford Huffman/Sadie Cornelius

The FBA Bylaws Revision……………..……………..Zach Cohen/Debbie Baker

2024 GWU Senior………………….……………………………………..Addy Malady

2024 GWU Senior…………………………………………………………..Ji Yoon Suh

2024 GWU Senior……………………………………………………….Mukund Garg

Community Events

The Holiday Party, our Signature Event!

Together, with over 100 community members, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, and Councilmember Brooke Pinto, we gathered in the stunning atrium at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to celebrate the season, enjoy nibbles from preferred merchants, and share our accomplishments of the year. Also, it was a time for community recognition as well:

• 2023 Olga Corey Community Spirit Award:

• Tamara Lanham, 24th St

• 2023 Agency Partner Award: Christopher Powell, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services

Ellie Becker Garden Party. After the spring weather failed to cooperate with us, the FBA hosted the bi-annual Ellie Becker Garden Party in the fall, featuring the Corn FactoryFoodTruck. The Ellie Becker Garden Party honors long-time community member Ellie Becker, bringing nearly 100 neighbors together to enjoy our gardens with food, drinks, and fun. Thank you, Ellie!

Spring Clean-up “Dumpster Day”. In May, the FBA partnered with GWU to assist with off-campus move-out to reduce bulk trash in the neighborhood. This year, we were thrilled the Salvation Army joined the effort so that lightly used items could be reused. Students and other community members nearly filled an entire box truck with donations and a big dumpster keeping the bulk trash out of the street. We are grateful for GWU’s partnership and support for this important initiative.

Our 2024 Initiatives

Advocacy:LeadingbyExample

The

History Project

The FBA History Project celebrates its fourth year of researching and sharing Foggy Bottom neighborhood history.

Thanks to a grant from the FoggyBottomTrust the next phase of the HouseMapProject is well underway, and allows users to learn the stories house by house. Updated census records and city directory data is now live.

Especially exciting is the inclusion of two square blocks from 26th St. west to the Potomac River where the neighborhood once bustled. Now this land sits abandoned, blighted, and scarred with the false promises of Highway Planners and Urban Renewal policies.

The GeorgeWashington UniversityGelmanLibrary SpecialCollectionsResearch Center now maintains digitally indexed copies of the Foggy Bottom News from1958 to 2006, thanks to their generous donation.

The History Project Co-Chairs

FrankLeoneandDeniseVogt edited chapters on Foggy Bottom for Washington on Foot, Smithsonian Press and contributed once again to the DC HistoryConference . The FBA/HP was proud to commemorate Leonard Grimes, famed underground railroad conductor as he was inducted into the Abolition Hall of Fame.

The virtual Historic DistrictHistoryand Arts walking tours have been tremendously successful with analytic counters surpassing 15,000 unique experiences since 2021.

FBA History Project CoChairs Frank Leone and Denise Vogt

The Foggy Bottom West End Main Streets Program

In November 2024, The FBA applied for the Foggy Bottom West End Main Street program grant through the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). This program focuses on the economic vitality of our neighborhood to keep businesses local and serve the community. Our FBA Board, along with many businesses and residents, are strongly in favor of this program to help our small businesses through technical assistance, grants, promotion, and much more. We should know the outcome by end of the year and we intend to hit the ground running should we be awarded.

The Garden Committee

Small Island Garden at 25th and K Streets NW In an effort to stop weed growth, volunteers cleared old rocks and weed blockers, and replaced river rocks and finished with mulch, resulting in a more attractive space.

26th and I Streets Green Wall The unbearable heat and drought during the summer of 2024 took a toll on the green wall. Even well-established trees suffered, and watering efforts were unsuccessful. We’ve hired a landscaper to select replacement plants and establish a watering plan for Summer 2025.

Public Gardens Maintenance Several areas throughout the community are managed through volunteer efforts and a landscaper who assists us in the spring and fall. The maintenance includes trimming, raking, grass-cutting, fertilizing, and mulching.

Building Community through Volunteering The Gardening committee had a very successful spring annual cleanup with help from GWU students and neighbors. Long- time neighbors as well as residents new to the community came out to help. We rely on community volunteers to keep the neighborhood looking great and to help keep our costs lower.

Gardening Supplies The garden committee purchased gardening supplies to use throughout the year.

The Garden Committee thanksall volunteers!

Snows Court Task Force

The Snows Court Task Force seeks to improve quality of life for our alley neighbors while preserving the integrity of the Historic District. Once deemed slums and slated for complete demolition, Snows Court is now a postmodern example of higher density urban living on a small scale. CM Brooke Pintoworked with FBA Board Member WillCrane to assemble dozens of stakeholders to protect, preserve, and promote the interest of these hidden homes.

Article from January 1946

Onceuponatime,gas tanksloomedlarge overFoggyBottom. Now;in2024,utility wiresand storm floodingplagueour Historic Residential Alleys.Allphotos feature 23 Snows Court NW

The Infrastructure Committee

Alley Surface Rehabilitation Project

Lobbied DDOT to complete the 2005 Historic Alley Rehabilitation Project using surveys and land transfer deeds.

Bollard installation for at-risk Gas Meters The relocation of gas meters from inside homes was a welcome project by Washington Gas—but the overlooked alley dwellings received this much need protection years later in 2024.

Historic Sign Inventory and Report Our Historic District signs are faded, pealing, and even fell onto a parked car. The FBA is working with DDOT and Office of Planning to repair and rehab these vital markers.

The “Paper Alley” Project These unpaved public alleys are said to only exist on paper well, not in Foggy Bottom! FBA worked with DDOT and DC Water to reclaim these vital access paths by removing invasive trees growing out of an old storm drain.

Lighting and Signage FBA ensured street light conversions to LED were fully completed and look great! They also allow for directional and intensity adjustment.

Rat Replacement Containers: FBA continues to press DPW on the urgency to improve our sanitation containers by collaborating on a PILOT program for Historic Districts.

Utility Pole Assessment and Replacement: With consumer choice an important facet of phone and internet, the FBA is spearheading utility company design standards that respect the Historic District by keeping wires and poles well managed and safe.

Potomac River Tunnel Project: Many have noticed and contacted the FBA about the massive public works project south of the Lincoln Memorial. The FBA is listed as an interested party in planning documents relating to this project. We aim to ensure appropriate public access during these vital public works improvement projects.

Neighborhood Sidewalk Restoration A major water main break in December 2023 led to a 60 ft long sidewalk to sink dangerously below grade. FBA/IC worked with DDOT and DC Water to remediate this hazard in weeks, not years!

FBA Board Member and Infrastructure ChairWillCranediscussesalleyissueswith CM Brooke Pinto.

Resident Benefits

Advocacy The FBA remains committed to advocating for you before the D.C. Council, city agencies, and the ANC. The FBA’s primary focus over the last year has been ensuring that the 26th Street Park construction finally begins, and with a design that benefits all members of the community. Much work remains to be done to make sure that the spaces are used to their full potential, but we are grateful that the project is finally advancing. We wish to provide a special thanks to AlanKarnofsky, the Chief of Staff to the D.C. Department of General Services, and his team for taking a personal interest in advancing the project. We are also grateful to Commissioner Ed Comer for his continuous support of the project.

Current park on November 20th, 2024. Revised Concept Drawings for an anticipated Spring 2025 shovel ready project.

Finance The FBA continues to streamline our finances to deliver the most for our members. This year, we were pleased to engage AngelaFuller of IndigoSunflower as our new bookkeeper, who has already greatly improved our processes, reducing the significant burden on the

Board. As always, the FBA is grateful to the Foggy Bottom Trust who funds the majority of the FBA’s annual budget.

GWU Relations

Our strong partnership with The George Washington University continues. GWU Liaisons attend our FBA Meetings to share news from the University and PresidentEllenGranberg was a guest speaker in 2024. She is setting a tone of collaboration between the University and the Community. GWU Business Major Seniors assist the FBA in various advocacy and social media each semester. As GWU considered a refresh of the I Street Mall, community members, including those from the FBA, were consulted.

GWU offers community members access to a variety of campus benefits, including use of the libraries, course audits for neighbors 60+, and the opportunity to join the health center. Many in the neighborhood also take advantage of the Wellness Center, Class Auditing, Composting, Gelman Library, Sporting Events, and other special events.

EasternRedbudinfullbloom,Spring2024

The Aston The Aston Non-Congregate Bridge Housing (NCBH) Facility, located at 1129 New Hampshire Avenue NW, has finally cut the ceremonial ribbon and is officially open!

Formerly a GWU dorm, the Aston was purchased by DC in August 2023 to create a temporary residence and serve as a bridge to supportive, permanent housing.

TheAstonribboncuttingwith MayorBowserandCMBrookePinto

Neighbors expressed concerns about business, safety, and the up-to-one-hundred homeless people overwhelming the streets awaiting admission into this selective program. The lack of transparency by DC agencies has fueled suspicions that this project could slide into disrepair if agencies are not held to community accountability.

FBA Board Member and CAT representativeReneBielwith CM BrookePintoat Aston Opening,Nov2024

The FBA is committed to success on this project while ensuring resident and business voices are heard by the District. Former Board Member Maria Vellecamade significant contributions to the Good Neighbor Agreement and current Board Member ReneBiel now serves as the FBA voice on the Community Advisory Team, also known as the “CAT.” This panel of agency partners, community leaders, and service providers collaborated on drafting the Good Neighbor agreement signed by those admitted into the program.

Marketing & Membership To improve our communications and increase engagement with members and new neighbors alike while reducing costs, the FBA, led by Board member Sadie Cornelius , with the support of GWU students, switched email marketing platforms; created a new newsletter template; restarted our Instagram page; and shared a table at Farmer’s Market with the Foggy Bottom West-End Village to promote membership and Historic District awareness.

FBA Board Members (Zach Cohen and Will Crane), Peter Maye along with GW reps.

Newsletter The twice monthly FBA News is a centerpiece of our neighborhood communication. Volunteers share photos and article ideas to our volunteer editor, Peter Maye. The publication goes out to approximately 300 FBA members and has a fantastic read rate of 78%.

Preferred Merchants The Preferred Merchant program welcomed four new businesses in 2024. Expat is a restaurant and sports bar, Onkei serves traditional Japanese comfort food, and Arepa Zone serves authentic Venezuelan food (all within Western Market) as well as KinderCare child care and learning center in the Watergate. J.FordHuffman leads the outreach.

We continue to reach out to new businesses opening in Western Market. The Preferred Merchant program is not only a great benefit to FBA members (who receive up to a 20% discount) but helps attract customers to keep our small businesses strong for years to come.

Social Media

Engagement

Our most liked social media post on Instagram in 2024 was a beautiful picture of Foggy Bottom covered in snow on January 19, 2024. Follow us onInstagram at

ThankyoutothefabulousRiverInnforhosting theFBAmonthlyBoardMeetings! And toour 2024PreferredMerchantsbelow: