Stronghold Way Designation Act of 2025

1

October 7, 2025

Nyasha Howard, Secretary
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004

Dear Secretary Howard,

Today, I am proudly introducing the “Stronghold Way Designation Act of 2025”. Please find
enclosed a signed copy of the legislation.

The symbolic designation honors Stronghold, a small but proud neighborhood located in Ward
5, just east of McMillan Reservoir, not far from The Armed Forces Retirement Home, Trinity
University, and approximately two miles north of the United States Capitol. This close-knit
community represents the heart and history of blue-collar Washington, D.C. — a place where
hardworking women and men laid the foundation for the city we know today.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the youth of the area proudly named their neighborhood Stronghold,
reflecting the spirit of love, solidarity, toughness, and pride that defined the community. Many
residents worked as laborers, tradesmen, and public servants — families who took pride in their
homes, looked after one another, and raised generations deeply connected to the city’s civic
life.

Stronghold’s history is woven into the broader story of Washington, D.C.: a story of
perseverance, unity, and neighborly love in the face of change. Naming this alley “Stronghold
Way” recognizes that legacy and ensures the values of community strength, mutual support,
and belonging continue to be honored in our city’s landscape.

Please feel free to reach out to me or my Legislative Director , Reniya Dinkins, at
rdinkins@dccouncil.gov with any questions or additional information.

Sincerely,

2

Kenyan R. McDuffie
Councilmember, At-Large
Chair, Committee on Business and Economic Development
1

______________________________ 1
Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie 2
3
4
5
6
A BILL 7
8
_________ 9
10
11
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 12
13
__________________ 14
15
To symbolically designate the alley that runs through the Stronghold neighborhood in Ward 5, 16
bounded generally by Michigan Avenue, N.E., North Capitol Street, N.E., and adjacent to 17
Glenwood and Prospect Hill Cemeteries, as “Stronghold Way”. 18
19
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 20
act may be cited as the “Stronghold Way Designation Act of 2025”. 21
Sec. 2. Pursuant to sections 401, 403a, and 423 of the Street and Alley Closing and 22
Acquisition Procedures Act of 1982, effective March 10, 1983 (D.C. Law 4-201; D.C. Official 23
Code §§ 9-204.01, 9-204.03a, and 9-204.23), the Council designates the alley running through 24
the Stronghold neighborhood in Ward 5, bounded by North Capitol Street, N.E., between 25
Michigan Avenue, N.E., and Bryant Street, N.E., as “Stronghold Way”. 26
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 27
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 28
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 29
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 30
Sec. 5. Effective date. 31
2

This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 32
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of Congressional review as 33
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 34
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code § 1-206(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia 35
Register. 36