Wednesday, February 12, 2025
By Joe Massaua
I’ve learned a lot over my two years of service as a commissioner on Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E. I’m grateful to my colleagues for their wisdom and mentorship. Despite the age gap (some of them are old enough to be my grandparents!), I’m proud to call them friends. Representing the undergraduates of Georgetown, I’ve had to walk a tightrope with regard to the needs of my constituents and the university administration. All the while, it’s been a pleasure to serve.??
Coming in, I am grateful for the immediate advice of our Ward 2 Council member, Brooke Pinto. She’s told me that I am the only undergraduate to have audited her local government seminar so far, and from the start “Professor” Pinto showed me the ropes of getting things done in D.C. Priorities for my term evolved along with my understanding of power and the role of local government.
Georgetown is such a beautiful and fascinating neighborhood in D.C. and so much of our role on the ANC is continued stewardship for local businesses. When I was elected in the fall of 2022, Washington was still climbing out of a deep hole from the pandemic. I’ve been glad to see our retail vacancy rate drop and exciting new restaurants, including La Bonne Vache and Osteria Mozza, arrive. Georgetown is cool again!??
The majority of my role on the ANC is constituent services, being the most local connection between undergraduates and District government. I’ve enjoyed partnering with the steadfast Rachel Shank at Georgetown Main Street to connect students with small businesses and small businesses with students. As a liaison, I’ve helped sororities find spots for events, connected affinity groups with restaurants and worked to save a beloved bagel joint. Joe Sternlieb, Faith Broderick and Greg Billing at the Georgetown Business Improvement District have guided me to see a vision of Georgetown with a vibrant streetscape, outdoor dining and bike access.?? ?
In January of 2023, I learned of an exciting idea to save the oldest trolley bridge of its kind in the District and convert it to a multi-use pedestrian trail. Working with advocates in Foxhall and at the DC Preservation League, we built a student-led coalition on campus and encouraged the Council to provide $250,000 to study the adaptive reuse of the Foundry Branch Trolley Trestle. Working with Brett Young, Rebecca Miller and Peter Harnik, I came to love this structure and propose a vision for this old bridge on par with New York City’s High Line. I will continue to fight to save this trestle and provide more access to our beautiful hilltop at 37th and O. The trestle has been a lesson in persistence and cooperation, and in 20 years I hope to ride across this bridge — a shining example of student activism.??
Georgetown University and its community partnership have been an incredible model of consensus and getting smart things done. I’d like to thank Cory Peterson, Ron Lewis and Sherry Rutherford for their mentorship and assistance with my priority of rodent mitigation on campus. Over the past year, we’ve seen tangible quality of life improvements for Georgetown students. I could not have been successful without their collaboration.
To my colleagues on ANC 2E and the incoming student commissioners, I wish you well. This job is unpaid and requires so much time and commitment. Our neighbors are better off because of you. My journey as a public servant has been a crash course in local government and a wonderful ride.?
Joe Massaua is a student at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and will graduate in May.