Remaking Dave Thomas Circle

For decades, the badly-designed intersection of New York and Florida Avenues NE confused drivers, caused injuries to pedestrians and bikers, and cut off Eckington from neighborhoods to the south. Mayor Marion Barry proposed an underground freeway link and Metro extension, DDOT attempted realigning the lanes into a "virtual circle" in 2010, and the Washington Post traced the history of the intersection at the edge of the L'Enfant Plan, including the Wendy's that opened there in 1984. DDOT wants to keep 70,000 cars going through the intersection, but the community continually pressed for something better.

From 2022 to 2025, a transformation of "Dave Thomas Circle" into Mamie "Peanut" Johnson Plaza began, including straightening the street grid, making turns more intuitive, and adding safer pedestrian and bus infrastructure. I joined Mayor Muriel Bowser at the July 2023 demolition of the Wendy's, helped the plan included sidewalks and crosswalks in all directions, and helped resolve issues to expedite construction that concluded in summer 2025. I also sponsored ANC5F-26-041 which supported a successful grant award for art installation in the plaza.

How can you help? Share ideas for further improvements to this intersection with DDOT, and CC your commissioner and NoMa BID.