Meet the Candidates: Andrew Koval for 3F05

This is the first installment of our 2022 “Meet the Candidates” series, introducing you to the people running for ANC 3F. As we noted in the series introduction, 3F05 is one of two competitive races. The candidates who will appear on the November 8th ballot for this single member district are James Tandaric and Andrew Koval, whose statement is below.

ANC 3F05 includes UDC and the Howard University School of Law, Burke School, several embassies, and Van Ness businesses on the west side of Connecticut Avenue. Residents live in single-family detached houses, duplexes, and high-rise apartments and condos.

Here is Andrew Koval’s statement:

My name is Andrew Koval. I grew up about 1 hour away from here on Kent Island, MD. I live in Van Ness with my soon to be wife, Heather and our dog, Daxter. We have lived in Van Ness since 2020. I lived in Brightwood for one year before that and in Silver Spring for three years before that. We love everything about living in this neighborhood, from the restaurants, to transit access, proximity to Rock Creek Park and the community.

I attended Towson University and got a dual degree in Business Administration-Marketing and Electronic Business. I have been working in the real estate industry since 2012 doing various things, from affordable residential and commercial property management for a combined total of about 5 years, to large-building construction for the last 4 years.

As a member of the Van Ness South Tenants Association, in January 2022, we released a 45-page report detailing the maintenance failings of our landlord, an institutional real estate ownership firm. We shined a light on the dark underbelly of some of the extractive practices coming from the commercial real estate investment industry. This report eventually ended up yielding positive results in catalyzing needed repairs and getting DCRA more involved in oversight.

My top priorities in running for your ANC 3F05 Commissioner are to help strengthen the connectivity and inter-reliance of the community, to advocate for housing and tenant’s rights, public safety and transportation improvements.

I have experience working with, cooperating with and getting results from many agencies from very different angles. I hope to ensure District agencies are responsive to constituents and effective. I will advocate for better community oversight and control where lacking.

I want to advocate for the protection and expansion of Rent Stabilization, tenant organizing and the Tenants Opportunity to Purchase Act. I want to work towards increased density, especially where transit-oriented. I support affordable, workforce housing and the Green New Deal social housing legislation.

I want to lend my occupational experience in working within public space constraints and DDOT enforcement to the bike lane implementation. I would like to do so in a productive way that addresses valid community concerns and will have a positive climate, health and safety impact for generations.

I want to help fill vacant retail and hopefully somehow utilize the vacant spaces at UDC and the Whittle School.

I want to hear what issues are important to you. I plan to do more canvasing and meet and greets before the election on November 8th. Please visit my website, andrewmkoval.com, for more information and feel free to reach out. Don’t forget! The last day to ensure you are registered to vote is October 18th.

Andrew Koval can be contacted at andrew4anc3f05@gmail.com. His website is andrewmkoval.com.