At the ANC 5A meeting on October 28, the Cafritz Foundation development team (Sean Cahill and counsel Christopher Cohen) shared leasing and other updates for Art Place at Fort Totten. They will aim to share quarterly updates moving forward. I will post a meeting recap later but thought it worthwhile to post this information separately here.

Leasing Updates

Menomale – Still building out space at 5184 South Dakota Avenue NE

• The team said the owner of Menomale is acting as his own general contractor while also operating their two other locations in Brookland and Noma so it is taking a bit longer to open than anticipated. The Cafritz team is looking into helping out so that the restaurant can open more quickly, hopefully 1st quarter 2027.

Ms. Toya’s Kitchen – Lease signed with Miskiri Hospitality. I believe this will go in the old T-Mobile space but do not quote me on that.

• Anticipated opening: 3rd quarter 2027

Sip Wine & Spirits – Lease signed. This is a wine store (not a wine bar) that will offer occasional wine tastings.

• Anticipated opening: 3rd quarter 2027

Chipotle – At lease signing stage for space in same row as gym along South Dakota

Dunkin Donuts – In negotiation for space next to gym along South Dakota

Navy Federal Credit Union – Letter of Intent signed for big chunk of space near the corner of South Dakota & Ingraham

Hair & nail salon (not Phenix Salon Suites) – In negotiation for small space near corner of South Dakota & Ingraham. Did not mention name, but I believe they said the salon has a location in Prince George’s County and wants to open in DC.

Arts organization – In talks to take the point at South Dakota and Galloway. Walkthrough coming up

• Idea here is to fold Tz’ikin Cafe into this space. If this works out, there will be outdoor seating for the cafe.

Explore! Museum – Located at 395 Ingraham Street NE, will expand into adjacent space to add another 2,000 square feet.

Sky Zone – Lease signed for large second-floor space above the Aldi along South Dakota.

• Anticipated opening: Late 2027

Signage

The team also shared renderings of updated signage for The Modern. They will remove the 10+ vertical banners on the facade along South Dakota and replace them with a few blade signs. This is something that neighbors on Galloway and on Hamilton have been asking about for a few years now.

Solar Panels

They are also looking at installing solar panels on top of The Modern. With that, they will look into adding EV charging stations.

Rat abatement

The team said that there was a large bus used for storage at The Modern that became a home for rats. The property management company has exterminated the bus and plan to remove it. With the eateries anticipated to come online next year, they plan to increase the frequency of trash collection. The eateries will have sealed, refrigerated trash rooms.

Dog Park

Neighbors will still have to wait for the second phase housing to be built for the dog park.

Miscellaneous

Commissioner Sellars asked the team to move the fence along South Dakota at Kennedy back to match the setback of the buildings south of Kennedy to provide a better pedestrian experience. The team did not agree to that for liability reasons they said, but said they will limb up the trees on the vacant lot.

In response to a question about A/C at the establishments in Phase 1, the team said that commercial tenants are responsible for HVAC but they also said that they have provided larger areas to place equipment and the issues have been resolved.

When Meow Wolf was part of the project, the team offered as a community benefit occasional discount or community days. I asked the team if they would honor that proffered benefit with the new entertainment operators, like Sky Zone. The team said they have raised this with Sky Zone. The arts programming is already largely free or heavily subsidized. I also encouraged the team to reach out when the various operators are ready to begin hiring so that local residents can apply for jobs. Hopefully, they will do that.

Not mentioned, but I will just use this post as another opportunity to plug the new programming for youth and older adults at Art Place. Registration is open. Please let your neighbors know.

The Cafritz Foundation has launched the Art Place Arts District, a new lineup of weekly theater, storytelling and leadership programs, brought to life with local arts organizations right here in Riggs Park. Programs run weekly now through mid-December.

Registration is open HERE.

For ages 11–15

• Mondays, 3:45–4:45 PM: Scenes & Stories: Myths

• Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:45–5:00 PM: Drama Club: A Page to Stage Workshop

• Wednesdays, 1:00–2:15 PM: R.O.Y.A.L. Voices (Readying Our Young Aspiring Leaders)

• Wednesdays, 3:45–4:45 PM: Scenes & Stories: Monsters

• Fridays, 3:45–5:00 PM: Play Lab

• Fridays, 5:00–7:00 PM: Playback Theatre Workshop

Designed for adults 55+

• Thursdays, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM: Community Shakespeare Read: Hamlet

Download the flyer and share with your neighbors! Link: Art Place Arts District Fall 2026 Programming Flyer.

Follow Art Place on social media (@artplacedc) for up-to-date programming information.

On Friday, October 23, Art Place hosts Fort Totten Fall Fest & Movie Night, a free gathering that moves from pumpkin decorating to an outdoor screening of Hotel Transylvania to a glow party. The action unfolds on the lawn at 4th Street NE and Galloway Street NE, by The Modern at Art Place, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) notified ANC 5A that Aldi has applied for a renewal of its license to sell beer and wine with a tasting endorsement. A hearing is scheduled for December 21, 2026. Petitions or letters in opposition or support are due by November 30, 2026.

A placard notifying the public will be issued this Friday October 16.