The Issue: The DC Circulator route up Wisconsin Avenue may soon be no more. The $1 red bus currently runs from Union Station through downtown to M Street, then eventually up Wisconsin. DDOT has proposed cutting the last leg of the service, leaving only two regular city buses to run to upper Georgetown. Despite a big Metrobus route overhaul last year, during which Mayor Adrian Fenty dubbed the Circulator a "great solution," it looks like the bus faces a bumpy ride.

Read More "Neighborhood Watch: How Far Should the Georgetown Circulator Circulate?" »

The Issue: All eyes are on the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza after the Prince of Petworth posted a sneak preview of construction so far. Engineers were out testing the fountains this morning, and Vincent Kumordzie, resident engineer, says it's all pretty much done. What's left? Planting and landscaping on 14/15 September...completed by 25 September. So how's it looking?

Proponent: 12th and W is pretty impressed: "It looks terrific, will be a lovely place to people watch. I just hope they have installed enough seating."

Opponent: Joni, meanwhile, bemoans the lack of greenery...in verse:

Read More "Neighborhood Watch: Columbia Heights and the Civic Plaza" »

The issue: Shaw residents are infuriated by delays at the National Park Service (NPS). They want the agency to hurry up and develop three vacant, rundown properties in the neighborhood, including the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historical Site. Is NPS doing all it can?

No: Irate resident Ray Milefsky writes on the Shaw listserv: "You, the Park Service, are dissing the Shaw community and the City by keeping these buildings as magnets for vagrancy, trash, and criminal activity...We are fed up and angered at being told to look for the pie-in-the-sky when all we can smell is the defecation at your doorstep in OUR neighborhood."

Read More "Neighborhood Watch: Shaw Residents vs. The Park Service" »

The Issue: The Uptown Arts Overlay District Committee has been struggling with how to keep 14th Street—between Thomas Circle and U Street—an artsy mecca. The booming restaurant scene stands accused of provoking rent hikes, a development that leaves arts and retail struggling. According to a new committee report, "by the end of 2009 this district is at serious risk of losing almost one half of its existing contemporary visual arts uses."

The report suggests increasing the limit on restaurant frontages from 25% to 40-50%. And—in certain circumstances—lifting the restrictions on heights for buildings used for art-related activities. But is it inevitable that smaller galleries will be driven out?

No: Andrea Doughty, chair of the Arts Overlay Committee, says: "Art galleries are always at the vanguard, searching for cheaper areas. But we want to incentivize so they remain here.... Everybody benefits from these art uses."

Yes: Sandra Truesdale, proprietor of the Emma Mae Gallery says: "People are coming to the neighborhood with more money. Developers see that and put up rent.... I think that the galleries that are not funded and are directed to lower income people, perhaps they will close. The city should come forward and support small galleries."

Read More "Neighborhood Watch: 14th Street and the Arts Overlay District Committee" »

The Issue: Should we shoot the deer? The National Park Service (NPS) is trying to decide how to deal with the white-tailed deer population. They've been mating like rabbits and eating all the shrubs.

Proponent: Adrienne Colman, Superintendent of Rock Creek Park, says: "It's just one of the options. Montgomery County has been sharpshooting for some years now...It reduces the deer population fairly quickly."

As in Montgomery County, the Rock Creek crew would donate the meat to charity. Three words: free venison burgers.

Opponent: John Hadidian, director of the Urban Wildlife Program at the Humane Society of the United States is sticking up for the deer: "We don't think that the deer should be blamed for something that is natural to them. It doesn't seem that there is a compelling reason to kill these animals."

Alexa Fritts, spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association, says: "overpopulation of deer can have a devastating effect on...songbirds."

Next step: The National Park Service is holding a public meeting at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center (5200 Glover Rd NW) on Wednesday, September 2 to debate the options.

The Issue: The Festival Latino is set to return to Mount Pleasant at the end of September. Or is it? Some local residents and businesses are not completely stoked about the idea.

Proponent: Alberto Ferrufino of Don Juan restaurant says: "We support the festival 100%. There are a few people here who think they are the king or the government, but I don't know what they are protesting about."

Opponent: Kelly DiNardo, manager of Past Tense Yoga studio, writes in a Google group discussion: "We do have some very serious concerns. The current plans call for a stage almost directly outside of the studio. We could not hold classes with that level of noise outside the studio.... While I think the festival provides other value—cultural enrichment, community involvement—it cannot be allowed to damage or undercut Mt. Pleasant businesses."

Local Resident Sam Broeksmit says: "It's a very hard neighborhood to traverse from East to West. Last year they closed Irving street."

Next step: A community meeting to discuss the festival is set for Tuesday 1 September.

CORRECTION: Kelly DiNardo, of Past Tense yoga studio, was identified as an opponent of Fiesta DC's return. While she did have "very serious concerns" about its impact on her studio's classes, DiNardo says she supports the festival overall.

Regular updates on D.C. community issues!

The Issue: The Abdo - Catholic University of America (CUA) development. It fits in with the Small Area Plan (SAP) aimed at rejuvenating Brookland. Both sides of Monroe Street are to be made over, bringing 725 condos units to the area, along with a number of new retail outlets and cafes.

Proponent: Lisa on 10th sees this as a much needed boost to Brookland. She writes on Brookland listserv:

Read More "Neighborhood Watch: Brookland" »