Recap from a resident who attended the meeting discussing the proposed alignment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) running from Riggs Road NE to Oglethorpe Street NW:

The Greater Saint Paul Church at 5720 South Dakota Avenue, NE hosted a meeting on the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) on Wednesday, September 2, 2015. The South Manor Park alignment portion was discussed. It runs from Riggs Road NE and to Oglethorpe Street NW, including First Street, NE and Manor Place, NE. Brandon Todd, Ward 4 Council Member (CM); Jim Sebastian, DDOT and members of the South Manor Neighborhood Association and MBT were among those present.

Jim gave a presentation on the South Manor Park alignment showing the changes to First Street and New Hampshire Avenue. He mentioned that an alternate route following the Metro tracks was opposed by the National Park Service (NPS), which owned the land.

During the question and answer session, the community reminded Jim that the proposed alignment was rejected during the prior meeting. The community is not opposed to the MBT, but rather to the changes it will bring to First Street, New Hampshire Avenue and the neighborhood in general. For example, traffic on First Street and New Hampshire Avenue is gridlocked during rush hour. Drivers routinely block-the-box at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue, NE and Blair Road, NE causing major backups in each direction. The Metropolitan Police Department has provided little support. As a result, the MBT changes will only exacerbate a bad situation.

The community requests that DDOT and NPS jointly reconsider opening the alternate route along the Metro tracks. Members of the MBT added that they supported this route in their 2010 discussions with NPS, but that NPS would not consider it. Additionally, the community was informed that considering new routes may require an environmental impact study, which could delay the MBT project and/or increase its cost. CM Todd asked Jim to meet with NPS and reconsider the Metro track alternative in light of the community concerns. All parties will meet again on a date to be determined.

Below are documents handed out at the meeting: