NEIGHBORHOOD
Shaw Streets by Pleasant Mann Mayor Bowser and the community cut ribbon to open new Banneker Academic High School. Photo: Pleasant Mann
Ribbon-Cutting for Banneker Academic High School in Shaw
Mayor Muriel Bowser along with councilmembers, educators and residents gathered on Saturday morning, Sept. 28, to cut a ribbon celebrating the opening of a new home for the Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. One of the most academically rigorous schools in the DC Public School (DCPS) system, Banneker had been located on Euclid Street in a Depression-era building. “For 40 years, Banneker students and educators have made DC proud. Today, we deliver on our promise to the Banneker community with a world-class facility that embodies their decadeslong commitment to academic excellence,” said Mayor Bowser. “We recognize that our community now has this stunning school because our Banneker Achievers refused to settle for anything less than what they deserved. The best part of all of this: we can now deliver the highest quality Banneker education to even more young people in our city ‒ and that should make us all proud.”
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The $135 million project produced a 175,000-square-foot, four-story building, with more than 30 classrooms and specialty labs for science courses, lab spaces with the latest technology, resource rooms that include spaces for small group projects and instruction, as well as gym and cafeteria spaces. Exterior sculpture and murals by local artists decorate the building. The school has its own regulation-sized running track and recreational field. Banneker is DCPS’ first Net Zero Energy Ready building, producing as much energy as it uses. Its energy-generation suite features an underground, geothermal-water-source heat pump, and solar panels installed on the roof of the building and on the canopies located above the athletic field bleachers and staff parking lot. The Banneker project also provides improvements for the neighborhood, such as a new skatepark, an improved dog park, a tennis court, two basketball courts, an outdoor fitness area and outdoor seating areas. The Department of Parks and Recreation opened these amenities on October 2, with a formal ceremony coming later.
RAMMY Awards Return to Shaw
Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) brought the RAMMY awards, celebrating excellence in the restaurant and hospitality industry, back to the Washington Convention Center on Sunday evening, Sept. 19. Entitled “A Night among Bright Stars,” the 2021 RAMMYs were the first in-person version of the event since the pandemic started. This year’s format differed from past years, with all attendees required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and with a list of award categories that expressed some of the stresses of the past 18 months on the restaurant industry. Shaw establishments got a lot of nominations, but only a few awards. DC Ghostburger, based at Espita Mezcaleria, won for Outstanding Ghost Kitchen or Pop-up Concept. In accepting the award, Espita Chef Rob Aikens credited the pop-up with allowing the restaurant to rehire its employees during the pandemic crisis. Oyster Oyster won the award for Most Innovative To-Go Packaging Game. Oyster Oyster Chef Rob Rubba also got a Good Neighbor Award for his work with Willa Pelini and
