Charles Allen

09/11/2026

Today we unveiled a ceremonial street renaming at 3rd and I Street, SW after Lenora Baker, five years after her passing.

Lenora was a beloved member of the Southwest community, deeply engaged at Westminster, always an advocate for her community.

And you can see that in the huge turnout from her family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate the unveiling of Lenora Baker Way in Southwest. I was proud to join our community to remember and celebrate her.

09/10/2026

Ready, set, read!

The Southeast Library is officially open. It was years in the making, and everyone’s joyous reactions made it worth it (along with the line out the door!).

09/09/2026

‼️ The Southeast Library is BACK! And I got a tour.

The modernization keeps the best parts of the historic landmark, while doubling in size through an underground expansion.

It's got new, dedicated spaces for children and teens, a skylight, meeting rooms, and updated tech.

Check it out and come celebrate with us on Thursday, September 10! 🎉

Link in bio for more info.

09/08/2026

👀 Psst: Peep that renovated Southeast Library.

And that's right, the library returns this Thursday, September 10!

Some new features include:

📚️ Expanded space for children, teens, and adults

📚️ More space for books, computers, and seating

📚️ Preservation and restoration of the building's historic elements

📚️ Universally accessible entrance (as well as maintaining the original historic entrance)

📚️ Restoring the exterior landscape

📚️ Environmentally sustainable design

📚️ And more meeting, collaboration, and study space

Check out here how we'll plan to celebrate: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/events?l=Southeast+Neighborhood+Library&r=range&start=2026-09-10

09/04/2026

Yesterday, I spent several hours touring Capitol Vista, an all-affordable apartment building in Mt. Vernon Triangle that opened in late 2020. DC taxpayers supported the development to the tune of $18 million from the Housing Production Trust Fund, and the management company receives significant payments from taxpayers in the form of rent subsidies each month.

Nearly six years after opening, Faria Management company is running the building into the ground. My staff visited the building earlier this summer after several residents reached out to us about broken elevators, leaks and mold, no air conditioning, bugs and pests, and unsafe conditions. Yesterday, I went for a follow-up, and it’s fair to say that most of the problems remain.

The name Faria Management might right a bell. That’s because just this week, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced a major lawsuit against this company based on conditions at another affordable property they manage across the street from Ward 6 off H St NE. I think we’ve got clear patterns of the same mismanagement and neglect here at Capitol Vista.

I want to thank the tenants for taking me through the building and showing me these conditions, and to DC Jobs with Justice for their work to support them.

09/04/2026

⛈️ I've heard from many of you throughout the morning about the storm. Lots of debris and fallen trees all across the city.

From DDOT: Fallen trees can cause serious damage. Please stay safe and watch for power lines or hanging limbs.

If a tree fall has impacted public space, report it to 311. ☎️

09/04/2026

☎️ Call 311.

As we’re assessing the damage this morning from the storm, there are a lot of downed trees. DDOT will have dozens of teams out today working to clear but it will take time. Please call 311 to report a downed tree or blocked sidewalk/road. Please also add a little extra time for school & work.

09/01/2026

The option to build that new station has got to remain on the table.

The question of whether to build a second train station at RFK has divided a neighborhood — and city government.

08/29/2026

The west end of Pennsylvania Ave NW is about to undergo a big makeover. This is a project years in the making finally coming to life, set to be complete next summer. Thanks to for walking me through the project this week. The final road will feel a lot more tight knit and welcoming -- I've added a photo of how it looks today and how that same block is being designed to look next year.

On our walk, we also checked in on two office-to-residential conversions taking place downtown -- a key part of transforming downtown is getting more people to call it home!

08/28/2026

One of my top priorities continues to be improving our roadways and intersections around DC. I got to meet with neighbors around 23rd and L Street NW, where sadly a person was crossing the intersection and was tragically hit by a driver and killed.

This is an intersection we're working with DDOT to make safer for everyone to get around. And we also need to focus on enforcement of dangerous drivers.