Norton Says Refusal of Architect of the Capitol and Senate Sergeant at Arms to Attend Her Louisiana Avenue Bike Lane Community Meeting Tonight is a Missed Opportunity that Disrespects Transparency
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released Norton's letter to Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers and Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger expressing her deep disappointment that both officials have refused to attend her community meeting tonight on the Louisiana Avenue Bike Lane project. The community meeting will be held tonight, Wednesday, October 24, 2018, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building (Second Floor). Before Norton's meeting, the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host an open house from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. to share with residents the visual representations of the preliminary plan for the bike lane, answer questions and address concerns.
In her letter, Norton wrote "Your refusal is disrespectful to the residents of the District of Columbia and to me as a Member of Congress, and it reflects poorly on your commitment to transparency… Since the beginning of my tenure in Congress, I have successfully worked to secure funding for bike infrastructure to ensure that the District has a strong network of connected bike lanes and trails throughout the city. Louisiana Avenue is one of the few portions of the District's bike lane network that is not connected, making timely completion of this project critical to ensure the safety of bikers and to reduce automobile congestion… I appreciate that Mr. Ayers has at least communicated in writing to DDOT eight issues that he wants DDOT to resolve prior to completing the final design… Mr. Stenger has failed to outline his concerns in writing, although he has indicated what they are to staff."
At the meeting, Norton will host a panel of public officials and community leaders to discuss the project and next steps, as well as receive input from residents. Panelists will include D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6); Sam Zimbabwe, Chief Project Delivery Officer, DDOT; Joe McCann, Chair, ANC 6C Environment, Parks and Events Committee; and Garrett Hennigan, Community Organizer, Washington Area Bicyclists Association.
Norton's full letter is below.
The Honorable Stephen T. Ayers
Architect of the Capitol
U.S. Capitol, Room SB-16
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Michael C. Stenger
Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate
U.S. Capitol, Room S-151
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Messrs. Ayers and Stenger:
I write to express my profound disappointment in your last-minute refusal to attend the community meeting I am hosting tonight on the Louisiana Avenue Bike Lane. I urge you to reconsider your attendance. Your refusal is disrespectful to the residents of the District of Columbia and to me as a Member of Congress, and it reflects poorly on your commitment to transparency.
I very much appreciate that your offices and the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) have been working collaboratively on the bike lane project and that progress and sensible compromises have been made. Since the beginning of my tenure in Congress, I have successfully worked to secure funding for bike infrastructure to ensure that the District has a strong network of connected bike lanes and trails throughout the city. Louisiana Avenue is one of the few portions of the District's bike lane network that is not connected, making timely completion of this project critical to ensure the safety of bikers and to reduce automobile congestion. I also recognize that you report to congressional leadership and committees, and would, of course, not ask you to go beyond discussing the outstanding issues to be resolved. Your attendance, however, would enable the public to understand the issues that are still being completed and why there are good reasons for further delay before the final approval.
At the same time, I appreciate that Mr. Ayers has at least communicated in writing to DDOT eight issues that he wants DDOT to resolve prior to completing the final design, and I intend to make those steps understood this evening. There is no reason why Mr. Ayers could not have indicated the same concerns to the public this evening and stated that he could not go further because of continuing discussion among the parties. Mr. Stenger has failed to outline his concerns in writing, although he has indicated what they are to staff.
Finally, your staffs informed my staff yesterday, one day before our event was scheduled to take place, that you would not attend. As you know, I called you both separately, but my calls have yet to be returned. I would hope that we all would agree that every Member of Congress is entitled to the courtesy of a return call at the request of the Member.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton