August 10, 2026
Hello everyone,
I have a few updates to share this week including:
- The latest on the RFK Master Plan
- An update on the November ANC election
- Ongoing concerns about large parties on Kenilworth Avenue NE
- A neighborhood walk with Councilmember Wendell Felder
- Coordinated rat abatement in the neighborhood
RFK Master Plan: ANC 7D Feedback
Last week, ANC 7D held a special meeting to discuss the RFK Master Plan and hear directly from residents about their concerns and priorities. The goal was to gather community feedback as we prepare ANC 7D’s formal response to the plan which is due August 14. Capitol Hill Corner published a write-up of the meeting so if you weren't able to attend, you can read more about what we discussed and the issues neighbors raised.
ANC 7D will meet again this week to work on our formal letter. I’ll share more information about the process and the final letter once it is available.
Thank You for Helping Me Get on the Ballot
I’m excited to share that I received the signatures I needed to get on the ballot for ANC again this November! Thank you to everyone who signed my petition, talked with me while I was collecting signatures, or offered your support. I really appreciated getting the chance to catch up with so many neighbors.
As I was collecting signatures, I found myself reflecting on everything we've worked on together over the past year. I decided to put together a recap of my first year as your ANC Commissioner, including the work I've done on neighborhood issues, constituent services, District advocacy, RFK redevelopment, and keeping residents informed. Read my reflection on my first year as ANC Commissioner.
Ongoing Concerns About Large Parties on Kenilworth Avenue
Next, I want to address an issue that I know has been frustrating many residents: the large recurring parties on Kenilworth Avenue NE between Blaine Street and Alden Place.
This past weekend was one of the worst we've seen in a while. A very large crowd was drinking in the streets with cars and people blocking the roadway, vehicles parked on sidewalks and in alleys, and loud music continuing until around 4 AM. The following morning, residents were left dealing with trash, food, broken glass, and other debris throughout the streets.
I've been escalating this issue to the agencies and officials who can help address different parts of the problem, including DDOT, Councilmember Wendell Felder's office, MPD, including Commander Jaron Hickman and his supervisor Assistant Chief Lavenhouse, the Clean Team which has been coming through to help with the cleanup, and Barac Co. property management.
This morning, Commander Hickman told me, "Unfortunately, these types of gatherings are quite common throughout the 6th District. Usually, we will take a posture of monitoring the crowds as we are limited on what we can do if citizens are on public space." I don't think that is an adequate answer when residents are reporting blocked streets and sidewalks, vehicles blocking alleys and fire hydrants, public drinking, loud music, littering, and other violations occurring during these gatherings. I am asking MPD to clarify what residents should expect when these violations are happening and to develop a response to these recurring incidents.
As a next step, I need your help in documenting these issues. When you see one of these large parties (usually on Saturday or Sunday nights), please call 311 or 911 while it is happening and report what you are observing. Please be specific about the location and the issues you are seeing. If you receive a 311 service request number, please send it to me so I can keep track of the reports. If you call 311 or 911, please also let me know whether police responded and, if so, approximately when they arrived and what happened afterward. This information will help us understand not only how often these incidents occur but also how they are being handled.
If you have already contacted me about this, thank you. I know how frustrating it is to have your weekend disrupted and then wake up to a neighborhood covered in trash. And a special thank-you to the neighbors who helped me spend more than an hour picking up trash yesterday morning. Together, we collected over 11 bags of trash left behind after the party. I really appreciate everyone who continues to show up for our community.
I'll keep working with the relevant agencies and will share updates as I have them.
Wednesday Walk with Councilmember Wendell Felder
The Office of Councilmember Wendell Felder is continuing weekly Wednesday Walks, a community outreach effort to connect directly with residents and ensure everyone is aware of the resources, programs, and services available across Ward 7. Each Wednesday from 12-4, their team, volunteers, and community partners visit neighborhoods to share information, answer questions, and help connect residents to support.
This week's walk is in River Terrace starting at the River Terrace Education Campis at 11:45 AM. If you would like to volunteer, please sign up using this volunteer registration form.
This could be a great opportunity to speak with the Councilmember directly about the aforementioned issue with parties on Kenilworth Ave.
Coordinated Rat Abatement - Clay St. and Dix St.
Lastly, a group of River Terrace neighbors has been working on a coordinated approach to the rat problem, and I wanted to share it with the rest of the neighborhood.
They’ve created a petition to organize rat abatement for an entire area at once rather than having residents submit individual requests to 311 separately. The idea is to get as many households in the affected area signed up as possible and then submit the request as a group with the hope that treating the area together will be more effective.
Sign the petition for coordinated rat abatement! If you live in the highlighted area, please consider signing the petition even if you haven't personally seen rats. Coordinated participation can help give the District a better picture of the extent of the problem and allow treatment to be organized across the affected area.
Don't live in the highlighted area? You can create your own petition for your block or neighboring blocks and organize residents to participate together.
As always, if there’s something happening in River Terrace that you think I should know about, please reach out. I’m always happy to help connect residents with the right District agency or resource.
Best,
Katie
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