Monthly Archives: October 2019

Rocketship Riggs Park Campus Approved

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

As expected, on October 28, 2019, the DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB) voted to approve Rocketship’s application to amend its charter to open a third campus serving grades preK3-5 at 5450 3rd Street NE near Fort Totten metro station (off Kennedy Street NE). I wrote about the proposal here, here, and here.The Board’s full public meeting record can be viewed here. The amendment to the charter agreement is here. According to DCPCSB, 14 comments were submitted in support and 3 in opposition prior to close of the comment period and a public hearing on September 16. DCPCSB noted ANC 5A requested additional time to submit comments before DCPCSB’s vote, but as we know, the full ANC did not get around to voting on the application despite the many meetings on the topic, so the ANC did not submit additional comments for the record. ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08), in whose single member district the school will sit, submitted a letter in support in his capacity as commissioner of ANC 5A08. That letter was included with Rocketship’s application. I expect the ANC will work with Rocketship to address concerns as the school progresses towards opening.

When DCPCSB approved Rocketship’s original charter application to open up to eight campuses in DC, it set a number of conditions in order for the school to open new campuses. One of the conditions is that each existing campus must be Tier 1 with a minimum Performance Management Framework (PMF) score of 65. Rocketship currently has two campuses open in DC. According to Rocketship’s submission, Rocketship Legacy Prep, which began operations in Ward 7 in the 2017-2018 school year, is Tier 1 with a 94.6% PMF. Rocketship Rise Academy, which began operations in Ward 8 in the 2016-2017 school year, is Tier 2 with a 62.4% PMF. I suppose that is close enough to meeting the PMF condition for the Board’s purpose. At the request of the Board, the school submitted for the record a summary of its market analysis in response to two letters in opposition questioning the school’s analysis regarding need for another charter elementary school in Ward 5. The Board noted some concerns with Rocketship’s long-term financial stability and therefore will monitor the school’s financials as the third campus progresses.

On October 29, the day after the Board’s vote, Fox 5 DC reported disturbing news that apparently leadership at Rocketship Rise Academy waited until October 29 (the same day the news story was published) to notify parents about an attempted kidnapping that occurred at the school on October 11. According to the news report, in a letter to parents, Rocketship acknowledged they should have notified parents earlier. Apparently, the incident occurred during the school’s aftercare program, which is operated by Springboard Education. Staff from Rocketship and Springboard were able to stop the individual from taking the children out of the school. An investigation is ongoing. This appears to involve the same Springboard contractor that operated many before care and aftercare programs in DCPS and several charter schools until earlier this year when it made headlines following allegations that a Springboard employee inappropriately touched and kissed a student and an investigation revealed that Springboard could not show that all of its employees completed a background check. While DCPS and some charter schools terminated their contract with Springboard following that news, it appears Rocketship did not. I imagine this incident will make Rocketship reconsider its contract with Springboard and also how it will make sure students are safe at all Rocketship campuses.

The new campus in Riggs Park will open in two phases. A construction trailer has already been set up at the site, and construction workers are present to begin interior renovation of the north building. Renovation of that building is supposed to be completed in time for students to attend the school in the 2020-2021 school year. As previously noted, Rocketship plans to sublease part of the campus to a middle school, the Social Justice Charter School, contingent on demand for Rocketship seats.

Site of Rocketship’s planned third campus at 5450 3rd Street NE

Chick-fil-A for KFC?

Posted by nextstoprp in Chick-fil-A, Neighborhood Development
Google map image of KFC/Taco Bell at Riggs Road and 3rd Street NE

Chick-fil-A is apparently interested in opening a location in Riggs Park. The plan is to demo the KFC/Taco Bell located at 220 Riggs Road NE plus the former Dakota Liquor property next door to the KFC at 5510 3rd Street NE and reorient a new building on the site with a drive-thru. The developer attended the single member district meeting of ANC Commissioner Alison Brooks (4B08) earlier this month and provided renderings. (I have not received a copy of the renderings just yet). The developer will also apparently attend the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) meeting on November 4. No notice has been given about that meeting just yet, but my understanding is that the developer will be there, so if you are interested in learning more, you can attend Monday’s LRCA meeting at 7:00 pm at LaSalle-Backus Education Campus (501 Riggs Road NE).

Chick-fil-A is known for having drive-thrus that are a bit of a cluster, so hopefully they will work with DDOT on a foolproof plan for not backing up traffic on either Riggs Road, 3rd Street, or 2nd Street. Drivers have long engaged in hijinks, such as illegal U-turns, to enter the KFC drive-thru on 3rd Street. Walmart visitors also exit onto 3rd Street, adding to the traffic on that narrow road. And 3rd Street and 2nd Street form kind of a gnarly intersection just north of this location that residents have long asked DDOT to do something about because that intersection does not make sense for either motorists or pedestrians.

Google map satellite view of 2nd Street NE/3rd Street NE intersection

A CubeSmart opened at 5600 2nd Street NE within the past year. We know even more development is coming to that small corridor, as earlier this year in March, the Zoning Commission voted to approve a map amendment request for the properties located at 5642, 5648, and 5650 3rd Street NE to change the zoning designation for those properties to mixed-use. See this post for that story. No word just yet on the intended uses for those properties, but a Chick-fil-A at the corner of Riggs Road and 3rd Street NE will definitely change the game for this part of the community.

November 19: Lamond-Riggs Library Design Community Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

SAVE THE DATE

Lamond-Riggs Library Community Meeting: Design of the New Library
November 19, 2019
7:00 PM
Lamond-Riggs Library
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE

Join your friends and neighbors for the next meeting about the new Lamond-Riggs Library. The design team will share the latest designs and gather your feedback. Learn more about the project at dclibrary.org/newlamondriggs.


Housing Affordability Goals & Comprehensive Plan Updates

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B, ANC 5A, Neighborhood Development

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY GOALS

On October 15, 2019, Mayor Muriel Bowser released her administration’s Housing Equity Report with housing affordability goals by planning area. The District’s eight planning areas are contained in the District’s Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan). Just as this neighborhood sits in two wards, this neighborhood also sits in two planning areas–Upper Northeast and Rock Creek East. Most of the news focused on the mayor’s desire to add more affordable housing west of Rock Creek Park, but this neighborhood’s planning areas fall in the top four areas for housing production goals, 1,500 units for Rock Creek East and 1,350 units for Upper Northeast. Based on what is in the pipeline already though, the number of new housing units that our planning areas must produce–340 for Rock Creek East and 190 for Upper Northeast–is fairly low compared to what other areas must produce in order to meet the administration’s goals. The report explains the methodology used to get to the goals for each planning area on page 10. The report is a fairly high level report just to start the conversation. For updates, visit housing.dc.gov.

PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATES

On October 15, the mayor and the Office of Planning (OP) also released proposed amendments to the Comp Plan. The DC Council recently approved the Framework element of the Comp Plan, which took over two years to get through the public process. OP has produced a number of helpful summaries of each element of the Comp Plan and a review tip guide. I strongly encourage people to at least look at the updates for our neighborhood’s planning areas, again those are Upper Northeast and Rock Creek East. The summary for Upper Northeast is here and the summary for Rock Creek East is here. It is not clear when the Council will hold a hearing on the rest of the proposed amendments to the plan.

OP is holding public meetings on the proposed updates. Ward 4’s is on November 19 at 6:00 pm at Roosevelt High School (4400 Iowa Avenue NW) and Ward 5’s is on November 23 at 10:00 am at Luke C. Moore High School (1001 Monroe Street NE). OP recommends that residents work with their ANC commissioners so that the ANC can incorporate feedback into an ANC resolution. OP will respond to feeback received from ANC resolutions. Send your comments to your ANC by December 20. Some residents are already asking OP to extend the comment period (including some at the last ANC 5A meeting), but so far there is no indication that the comment period will be extended.

OP’s suggestions for ANC review:

  • Review Area Elements and sections of the Generalized Policy Map (GPM) and Future Land Use Map (FLUM) that correspond with the ANC’s Planning Area
  • Review Citywide Element Summaries
  • Consider dividing up review across ANC or with ANC’s land use or zoning committee
  • Attend Ward meeting to hear feedback from your constituents.
  • OP will share with ANCs a summary of feedback received during the Ward meetings
  • Upload ANC Resolutions by January 31 onto the ANC portal at resolutions.anc.dc.gov

Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue Area Development Plan Implementation

One nice thing about the proposed updates to each of our planning areas is the very clear priority on implementing elements of the Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue Area Development Plan, our neighborhood’s area development plan (sometimes referred to as our small area plan). This is important. The plan was approved by the DC Council in 2009. The most recent implementation report is from 2016. You can see there is still lots to be done, which makes sense given the amount of development we anticipate in the next two to three years. One big achievement we did get is the startup of a Main Street for the corridor. That has already yielded big dividends in the less than one year that it has officially been operating. There are other pieces of the area development plan independent of development that could use some attention though, especially regarding the neighborhood’s open spaces.

The disadvantage in this neighborhood’s stratification between two planning area is evident in the updates to the Comp Plan. It seems as if OP cannot figure out what to call this area neighborhood (understandable). That aside, the update to the Upper Northeast Element (pages 36-38) mentions the area development plan in addressing what it calls the Fort Totten metro station area, but the actual policy recommendations in the area development plan are included only in the Rock Creek East Element update (pages 40-42). I suppose this was done to avoid duplication, but I am not sure it makes sense. It is not clear why only some of the policy recommendations from the area development plan made it into the Comp Plan update, so I would recommend that all of them be incorporated. The Upper Northeast Element update also adds “high-density” housing, office, and retail uses for the Fort Totten station metro area (p. 37), which is not consistent at all with the area development plan or the proposed future land use map or generalized policy map. In addition, I would also recommend highlighting the recommendations in the moveDC plan for our neighborhood, which were developed in 2014 after the area development plan was created, and which I wrote about in this post.

I do recommend that residents become familiar with the area development plan. You can read the executive summary here and the recommendations here. When I served as president of Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) from summer 2017 to summer 2019, I always referenced the plan whenever we submitted comments regarding any development project in the neighborhood. When budget season rolled around, we would use that plan to advocate for targeted dollars for this neighborhood. Each year, we should be advocating for our elected officials (ANCs, Council, and mayor) to support funding to implement elements of the plan. This is one area where I think the Main Street can be especially useful. Elected officials come and go, but having a consistent entity dedicated to improving the corridor naturally lends itself to making sure the area development plan stays at the top of everyone’s agenda.

Implementation of the area development plan is one clear item that we can have our ANCs address in a resolution, highlighting particular areas of the plan that still need to be addressed.

Ward 5 Works Industrial Land Transformation Study

OP also recommends priority in implementing recommendations of the Ward 5 Works Industrial Land Transformation Study. I wrote about that study in this post. As noted in that post, our neighborhood is more of a footnote in the report, but all areas of the city will be well-served by District officials actually taking steps to really address municipal planning, particularly for especially burdensome municipal functions. And certain recommendations for other areas of city could be useful for the land abutting the tracks in our neck of the woods from Fort Totten to Takoma. Given the focus on gaining statehood, it is really critical that District officials figure out how to house and carry out municipal functions in the District.

PROPOSED MAP AMENDMENTS

The Comp Plan has two maps, a Generalized Policy Map (GPM) and a Future Land Use Designation Map (FLUM). You can see the proposed GPM here. It is missing the Main Street for the South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road Corridor. (maybe there needs to be an official designation, not sure). You can see the proposed FLUM here. The FLUM is not a zoning map; it provides an understanding of how development decisions should be made. The FLUM has been the subject of much debate particularly in the litigation that has challenged a number of development projects across the District. For this neighborhood, the proposed FLUM is pretty much consistent with what is contained in the area development plan. A few amendments to highlight below.

McDonald’s & Faith United Church of Christ

The Office of Planning is recommending approval of change in the FLUM for the McDonald’s property on South Dakota Avenue and Delafield Street NE (Square 3786, Lots 1 and 801) from low density commercial to moderate density commercial (see p. 78 responding to submission 2081). This change was requested by Holland & Knight, which represents the owner of the McDonald’s. The owner has been a frequent visitor to ANC 5A about this change, which is the only reason I am mentioning this here. Just down the street from the McDonald’s, Faith United Church had requested a change in the zoning designation for its property from low density residential/commercial to medium density residential/commercial. OP is not recommending approval of that change (see p. 62 responding to submission 1066). Faith United has tried more than once to build affordable housing, particularly for seniors, on their three-acre parcel of land. These efforts have been rebuffed by North Michigan Park residents over traffic and parking concerns. I have heard several long-time North Michigan Park residents laud the fact that there are no apartment buildings in that neighborhood. It is an interesting thing to be proud of (as opposed to being fine with having a new drive-thru in that area), particularly as there is this discussion about affordable housing. Anyways, perhaps OP’s rejection of the change to the FLUM for the church’s parcel will stop the church from trying to add multifamily housing to its property for a long time. We will see.

1st Place NE & Riggs Road NE

Moving north, OP is recommending change in the FLUM for the western side of 1st Place NE at Riggs Road from Parks, Recreation, and Open Space to Medium Density Commercial/Medium Density Residential (see p. 114, submission 9946).

Recommendations

I am still looking at the specifics of our neighborhood’s planning area updates as well as the updates for the major policy areas (transportation, housing, infrastructure, etc.). So far, here are my recommendations just for our planning area updates:

  1. Highlight the importance of implementing the neighborhood’s area development plan (with particular focus areas)
  2. Incorporate all of the policy recommendations from the area development plan
  3. Highlight important of Ward 5 Works Plan & to extent certain recommendations for other areas would be beneficial in our neighborhood (such as buffers and creative uses of industrial space), highlight those
  4. Highlight importance of moveDC plan with recommendations for our neighborhood
  5. Highlight importance of implementing the 2007 South Dakota Avenue Streetscape Study (Given that no District agency can find this study and that its status on the area development plan implementation report in 2016 is listed as future status, I am not sure this study has been implemented
  6. The General Policy Map needs to reflect the Main Street for the South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road corridor
  7. Be clear that the area around Fort Totten metro station is designated for either medium or moderate density, not high density, noting importance of mitigating impacts to specifically the Riggs Park neighborhood.

This is just my take. What do people think of the major policy themes of the elements for this neighborhood–Upper Northeast and Rock Creek East. What feedback do you have for our ANC commissioners for them to incorporate into an ANC resolution?

NBC Washington News Story on New HAWK Signal

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

NBC Washington has a nice two-minute video featuring contributor David Kosub on the new HAWK signal that was finally installed at South Dakota Avenue and Ingraham Street NE on September 26. The new signal is really helpful in helping pedestrians cross this busy intersection, but a few residents have reported that drivers sometimes do not stop when the signal is red. Also, the signal has malfunctioned a couple of times already, so if you see that it is flashing yellow constantly, please submit a 311 request so that it can be fixed. Please continue to contact your Ward 5 MOCR Malik Miller and ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) with concerns about how this signal is operating.

October 23, 2019 ANC 5A Meeting Recap

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

The ANC did not have a quorum for its monthly public meeting on October 23, 2019, so this meeting became a discussion of general community issues. Commissioners present: Chair Ronnie Edwards (5A05), Emily Singer Lucio (5A03), and Gordon Fletcher (5A08).

Shawn Hilgendorf, Committee Director for the Committee on Facilities and Procurement chaired by At-Large Councilmember Robert White, is visiting ANC meetings throughout DC. Councilmember White is finishing up a series of roundtables with ANCs to hear what their needs are. A couple of pieces of legislation are pending, one to give ANCs great weight in tbe comprehensive plan review process and the other to provide support within the Office of ANCs for commissions as they assess development projects. Many ANCs are ill-equipped to effectively advocate for communities with respect to development projects in which developers are represented by attorneys, architects, and other experts, so the idea is to have staff with planning and other expertise within the Office of ANCs to provide support to commissioners. If you have thoughts or concerns you would like share about how the ANC is operating, you can email Mr. Hilgendorf at shilgendorf@dccouncil.us.

Rocketship Charter School and Social Justice Charter School were on the agenda again. The DC Public Charter School Board is scheduled to hold a vote on October 28 on Rocketship’s application to open a third campus near Fort Totten metro station. Without a quorum, the ANC could not vote on the application. Commissioner Edwards stated the ANC will hold a special meeting within the next two weeks. I suppose the ANC wants to have a vote even though any special meeting will have to be after the DCPCSB’s vote on October 28.

DC Water is performing upgrades to the Soldiers’ Home Reservoir, located at the intersection of Arnold Drive and Pershing Dirve, NW on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. See handout here. Estimated construction start date is late Octobet 2019 and estimated construction completion date is late December 2020. Golf course operations on the two affected airways will be limited during construction and the fairways will be restored after construction is done. For more information, contact DC Water Project Manager Willis Thomas at (202) 787-7616 or willis.thomas@dcwater.com.

MPD public safety report: There continue to be a lot of smash and grabs from cars. Seriously, do not leave anything in your cars. It will be taken and you will be left with a smashed window to repair. The T-Mobile has now been robbed of phones twice. Someone was robbed on South Dakota Avenue near the 7-11. Be aware of your surroundings especially as it is getting darker earlier.

Without a quorum, the ANC was not able to vote on its fiscal year 2020 budget, so the budget will be presented at a future meeting.

The November meeting is scheduled for Novemer 20, 2019, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Next Stop Neighbors – Robert “The Library Guy” Oliver

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

By David Kosub (Contributor)

Robert Oliver has been a fixture in our community for decades. He is the type of person with a deep knowledge of the community, will rally folks to address a community concern, ask many questions during community meetings, and will  be seen out and about at community events. But, how well do you really know him?

Join us today for this Next Stop Neighbors episode where we have a porch conversation with Mr. Oliver, We’ll hear about some crazy July 4th parties, his activism to get a paved trail connecting North Michigan Park with Fort Totten metro, learn why he always has enough change to take a bus, some info on the status of the Lamond-Riggs Library redevelopment…and best of all, some magic too!

Click here to listen to the conversation (running time: 12 minutes)

Robert Oliver and David Kosub in front of the Lamond-Riggs Library

Background on Next Stop Neighbors:

Welcome to Next Stop Neighbors where we get an opportunity to hear the voices behind the faces and places in Lamond-Riggs and the surrounding communities. Through this podcast series, you will meet some friendly neighbors and hear their perspectives on the community through civil, casual conversations. From the small business owner who just opened up, to the non-profit organization trying to make a difference, to the community leader describing their vision for the neighborhood, and the resident around the corner who has lived here for 50 years, we all have a story to tell. We welcome recommendations and, better yet, your own 10-minute interviews too!

Can’t get enough Next Stop Neighbors? Check out these past conversations for more:

Soon-to-Be Moms and Soon-to-Be Dads (September 2019)
Explore! Children’s Museum (August 2019)
Troka Insurance (July 2019)
Ms. V and Culture Coffee Too (July 2019)
Bertie Backus Urban Food Hub (June 2019)
LRCA Forward Team (April 2019)
Ramdass Pharmacy (March 2019)

October 28: ANC 4B Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

Editor Note: I have been asked to publish the ANC 4B agenda each month. Please find the agenda copied & pasted from ANC 4B Commissioner & Secretary Erin Palmer (4B02) below.


Please see the embedded and attached agenda for the next public meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B on Monday, October 28, 2019, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Emery Recreation Center, 5801 Georgia Ave., NW. *Please note the change in meeting time and location to accommodate the Metropolitan Police Department as they prepare for their Halloween Party at MPD’s 4th District Headquarters.*

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B 

Regular Public Meeting

Monday, October 28, 2019, 6:30 p.m.

Emery Recreation Center, 5801 Georgia Ave., NW

Agenda

  1. Call to Order & Roll Call
  2. Old Business (if applicable)
  3. Consideration and Approval of Agenda
  4. Approval of September Regular Public Meeting Minutes
  5. Treasurer’s Report, Approval of Quarterly Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter 2019, & Approval of Budget for Fiscal Year 2020
  6. Reports:
    1. Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (3 minutes)
    2. Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon T. Todd (3 minutes)
    3. Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (3 minutes)
    4. Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative Frazier O’Leary (3 minutes)
  7. Community Concerns: This is the time for questions or statements from members of the public about issues on the agenda or other areas of concern. Please limit your statement or question to one minute.
  8. Presentation: Representative, DC Department of Transportation, Urban Forestry Division (Commissioner Palmer – 5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
  9. Presentation: Jaime Yarussi, Deputy Inspector General for Business Management, DC Office of the Inspector General (Commissioner Parks – 5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
  10. Presentation on Proposed Development at 225 Vine Street, NW (Commissioner Bromaghim – 5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
  11. Consent Calendar: 

    Resolution 4B-19-1001: Supporting the Concept Design of the Arts Plaza, Dog Park & Building 82 and 90 Improvements at The Parks at Walter Reed (Commissioner Bromaghim)

    Resolution 4B-19-1002: Calling for Accelerated Modernization of Whittier Education Campus (Commissioner Palmer)

    Resolution 4B-19-1003: Supporting Two-Story Rear Addition and Deck at 6903 5th Street, NW, H.P.A. No. 19-600 (Commissioner Palmer)

    Resolution 4B-19-1004: Calling on DC Housing Authority to Preserve Public Housing and Protect Public Housing Residents (Commissioner Palmer)Resolution 4B-19-1005: Supporting Proposed Extension and Calling for Expansion and Improvement of Rent Control (Commissioner Palmer)Resolution 4B-19-1006: Calling for Action on Hate Crimes in the District of Columbia (Commissioner Yeats)Resolution 4B-19-1007: Request for Traffic Calming Measures Within Single Member District 4B06 (Commissioner Johnson)
  12. ​Resolution 4B-19-1008: Supporting Renewal of Alcoholic Beverage License for Haydee’s, 6303 Georgia A​ve, NW (ABRA-060187) (Commissioner Knickerbocker – 3 minute presentation; 3 minute discussion)
  13. Re​solution 4B-19-1009: Resolution on Trinity Episcopal Church (BZA 20111) (Commissioner Yeats – 3 minute presentation; 3 minute discussion)
  14. Adjournment

Please Note: Anyone in the audience may speak on any subject during “Community Concerns.” You may also contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings. Discussion on other agenda items will generally be limited to Commissioners. Finally, the meeting may not last beyond 9:00 p.m. unless extended by a two/thirds vote of the Commission.

Next Regular Public Meeting:  Monday, November 25, 2019, 7:00 p.m., MPD, 4th District Station, 6001 Georgia Ave., NW

Contact your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner: ANC 4B01 Evan Yeats (4B01@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B02 Erin Palmer (4B02@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B03 Scot Knickerbocker (4B03@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B04 Brenda Parks (4B04@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B05 Perry Redd (4B05@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B06 Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B07 Geoff Bromaghim (4B07@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B08 Alison Brooks (4B08@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B09 LaRoya Huff (4B09@anc.dc.gov)

Erin Palmer, Secretary, ANC 4B

ANC 4B02 Commissioner

How Would You Like to Use Your Neighborhood National Park?

Posted by nextstoprp in Neighborhood Development, Recreation

By David Kosub (Contributor)

Remnants of an earthen fortification exists right in Riggs Park’s backyard. Constructed from the surrounding ground, it helped protect the District of Columbia from invasion from from Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Oh, how times have changed.

When going through the neighborhood today, we may not even give it a second thought. We may now only think of the area surrounding Fort Totten as a main transportation hub, an urban forest, and an open field adjacent to South Dakota Ave NE. But, could it be something more? 

Originally known as the Fort Circle Parks, the Civil War Defenses of Washington (CWDW) (of which Fort Totten is a part) are a unique National Park System (NPS) asset located very close to home. In 2004, NPS released a plan to manage and preserve the circle of forts, with a particular focus to “preserve significant natural features, including substantial acreage of mature native hardwood forest, geologic and aquatic resources, and a diversity of important habitat for indigenous flora and fauna that are unusual in an urban setting and that contribute to the uniqueness of the nation’s capital.” In addition to natural preservation, it also called for enhancing knowledge on the forts’ cultural significance to the Civil War and encouraging recreation.

Let’s work as a community now to finally achieve these 15-year old goals for our slice of the CWDW. Following the enactment of the public lands package of bills earlier this spring, the District of Columbia and NPS can now enter into agreements to maintain and operate NPS properties in the District. See this post here for more.

With assistance from the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), I  recently spoke with NPS about this issue, with a focus on reactivating the parcel of CWDW parkland bounded by Galloway Street, South Dakota Avenue, and Gallatin Street NE. Generally speaking, they appear willing to help, but we must work within the framework on the CWDW management plan. For instance, this area is zoned as “recreation” meaning open green space must be preserved, and “organized and informal recreational activities will be the primary use.” Thus, picnicking, pick-up games, community events, and the like are allowable, but things like playgrounds and water features which distract from the historical nature are not.

So, how would you like to use this space? Add your thoughts to the comments section or send me an email here. I’ll synthesize the ideas and share back in a follow-up post.

As a start, NPS threw out the following suggestions. They previously approved a multi-purpose trail to be installed, but this will be a timely and costly endeavor, one for which funds are not available. They could reinstall and enhance the picnic area with new tables, trash cans, grills, roof features, and even a composting toilet. However, they noted that the community has raised concerns previously related to potentially nefarious and illicit activities when picnic tables used to be there (see this caught on camera footage).

Programming with NPS events is possible too. The 2004 plan calls for the activity center at Fort Dupont to be transformed into a center educating the community on the cultural history and natural resources within the CWDW. This center, according to the plan, will help “schools within walking distance of the fort sites to use these areas as local outdoor classrooms  for cultural and environmental education.” Perhaps our local schools and library educational activities could benefit from this?  

Wayfinding signage would be great to help passersby know more about this national park. Such signage could explain the landscape and its historical importance. The plan also indicates that “signs, site furniture, and interpretive materials [were to be purchased] as a way to make the [CWDW[ more visible.” When we spoke, NPS appeared amenable to this idea as the 2004 plan talks about how markers are helpful to create a consistent interpretation of the cultural significance of the CWDW.

I also would love to see more trees around the perimeter of the site. That said, I recognize the call for maintaining the character of the large swath of open space in the 2004 plan, but trees provide many tangible benefits to a community that I feel they cannot be overlooked. NPS was hesitant about planting more trees around the perimeter, but they did not completely shut the door on the idea.

Finally, the plan does recognize the “need for visitors to be safe while in the parks. NPS indicated the design for a paved trail between Galloway and Gallatin is underway and will share information upon its completion. Congresswoman Norton is also aware of this community concern (see here).

We have a great opportunity as a community to engage with this space. The Parks Main Street (on whose Board I serve), aims to revitalize the Riggs Park small business corridor. This could be facilitated through creating historical markers, hosting promotional events, and securing resources to beautify the visual character of the nearby parkland adjacent to the neighborhood. Perhaps since the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association approved the Community Benefits Agreement with EYA for the Fort Totten South project this past June, we could use future promised “funding [as noted in the agreement] to complete improvements or upgrades . . . following [in-kind design services and a minimum of three visioning sessions . . . [for the] activation of Fort Circle Park.” (Read more on this agreement here). Maybe ANC 5A could invite NPS to an upcoming meeting to hear directly from the community on this issue (building on Congresswoman Norton’s offer a couple weeks back to help bring NPS here for a community discussion). Call me a dreamer, but maybe all three could combine forces on this too. Either way, your ideas are welcomed in the comments section below or via email to me directly.

Lane Closures Riggs Road October 12-15

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2019 
Media Contacts 
Lauren Stephens – (202) 465-6112, lauren.stephens@dc.gov

Temporary Lane Closures on Eastbound Riggs Road  between North Capitol Street and First Street NE Begin October 12

(Washington, DC) – The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is scheduling lane closures on Riggs Road eastbound from North Capitol Street to 1st Street NE starting on Saturday, October 12, 2019, weather permitting. At least one lane will be open to traffic in each direction.

The closures and restrictions are needed for roadway repairs. The contractor is authorized to work Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Construction is scheduled to be completed by October 15, 2019, weather permitting.

Parking restriction signs will be posted at least 72 hours in advance at locations where parking will be prohibited. These signs will notify the duration and dates of the parking restriction and provide contact information of the engineer in charge. 

Traffic controls will be in place to warn drivers approaching the areas. Motorists should anticipate moderate delays due to the lane closures. Drivers are advised to stay alert while traveling through these locations and to be observant of the work zone.

New Riggs Park Neighborhood Mural

Posted by nextstoprp in Arts, Main Street, Neighborhood Development

Artist Jay Hudson brings us another neighborhood mural – this one a “We are Riggs Park” statement on the side of Riggs Wine & Liquor. Funding for the mural was provided by The Parks Main Street, District Department of Small and Local Business Development, and Riggs Wine & Liquor owner John Yoo. Next up is restoration of the sign.

“We are Riggs Park” mural by Jay Hudson. Photo credit: Jay Hudson

Jay is well-known around the neighborhood. He installed a mural on the other side of the liquor store during the inaugural 2018 Riggs Park Art Crawl.

Mural at Riggs Wine & Liquor by Jay Hudson. Photo credit: Jay Hudson

He brought us this cool mural on the side of Hellbender Brewing Company’s building (though unfortunately that mural is no longer with us).

Mural at Hellbender by Jay Hudson. Photo credit: Jay Hudson

And he is the creator of the large mural inside of Culture Coffee Too.

Mural at Coffee Culture Too by Jay Hudson

October 24: Meow Wolf Community Conversation

Posted by nextstoprp in Arts, Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

Sharing from Meow Wolf. Note – due to space limitation, RSVP is highly encouraged:

Join Meow Wolf D.C. for two informal gatherings at the Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library! We want to hear from Fort Totten residents,
community members, artists, students, and YOU about the challenges and
opportunities the local arts community faces. You’ll also learn more about the ins and outs of Meow Wolf, hear about our upcoming DC project, and have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input.

We’re scheduled to open Meow Wolf D.C. in 2022 and we’re just getting started. Community Conversations will take place throughout the D.C. metro area throughout the coming years with more dates to be announced.

DATE
Thursday, October 24

TIME
There will be 2 sessions on October 24. Information presented will be the same
Pick one to attend:
4:00pm – 5:30pm
6:00pm – 7:30pm

LOCATION
Lamond-Riggs Library
5401 South Dakota Ave NE
Washington, DC 20011

RSVP is not required, but helps us with planning.
Kindly RSVP to DC@meowwolf.com
Light refreshments will be provided.

Car break-ins

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety

Police officers mention it at every meeting: Do not leave anything visible or valuable in cars. First it appeared that car break-ins were confined to larger institutions like Providence Hospital and Walmart. Then there was a spree around Fort Totten metro station. Now it looks like the culprits are infiltrating the residential areas. Lt. Patrick Schaut stated there were 9 smashed windows over the weekend. So please do not leave anything visible in your cars at all, no phone chargers or anything. Better yet, do not leave anything in your car at all because it will be taken. Please be vigilant and if you know who is going around smashing car windows, let MPD know.

Culture Coffee Too Promoting Neighborhood Entrepreneurs

Posted by nextstoprp in Neighborhood Development

If you frequent Culture Coffee Too, at some point you have probably seen Little Miss Sophia selling her candied apples and other treats. Check out this Washington Post feature by Courtland Milloy on Miss Sophia and her mentor Veronica “Ms. V.” Cooper, owner of Culture Coffee Too:

Sophia has a mentor — as all budding entrepreneurs should — who runs a coffeehouse in her Riggs Park neighborhood. Veronica Cooper, 68, is owner of Coffee Culture Too. She has a can-do attitude. When it comes to encountering obstacles, in business or life, she says, “You maneuver around them, or you go through them, and you get things done.”