Matthew Holden

Housing The District of Columbia is facing a housing shortage caused by high demand and a lack of inventory across the city. U Street is a desirable neighborhood, rich in amenities including good schools, jobs, and public transit. The ANC should do its part to support building more housing in the neighborhood so more people can benefit from living here. When affluent neighborhoods resist development, we perpetuate residential segregation and put unfair pressure on other neighborhoods to pick up the slack. To keep our neighborhood vibrant and inclusive, we must support the development of more housing, including affordable units. Infrastructure / Transportation The 16th Street Bus Lanes are an important project that has helped speed up travel times on some of the busiest bus routes in the city, but essential projects like this shouldn’t take decades to complete. I support efforts in the neighborhood to continue to improve bus access like Florida Ave Bus Priority and the U Street Bus Priority Projects to help people move more effeciently through the neighborhood and beyond. Economy Our local businesses are what gives the neighborhood its character. 1B07 sits in between Adams Morgan and the Wider U Street Corridor. The ANC should be a supportive facilitator between our local businesses and the DC Government, encouraging the success of existing businesses and attracting new businesses to fill empty storefronts. Infrastructure / Transportation Biking is an affordable, healthy, and sustainable method of transportation that should be safe for all users, regardless of age or ability. Building additional protected bike infrastructure will encourage more residents and visitors to safely bike in the neighborhood. A greater share of people biking will reduce private vehicle and uber/lyft trips that create traffic and take parking spots away from people who need to drive. Well designed bike lanes also encourage pedestrian safety by ensuring cyclists and e-scooters have a safe place to travel that’s not the sidewalk. Infrastructure / Transportation U Street has very narrow sidewalks impeding safe pedestrian movement through the neighborhood. New streetscape programs should prioritize walkability and ADA compliant accessibility improvements that protect pedestrians and encourage more people to walk to our shops and restaurants.