Monthly Archives: May 2020

Riggs Park Place Townhome Development Update

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Park Place (formerly Fort Totten South)
Riggs Park Place with Woonerf

At ANC 4B’s meeting on May 26, 2020, EYA presented updated plans for Riggs Park Place (formerly known as Fort Totten South), the mixed-use townhome development proposed for the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE directly across the street from the Walmart. The project is located in the boundaries of ANC 4B, specifically ANC single member district 4B09. One thing EYA noted is that the project was formerly known as Fort Totten South. They had always planned to change the name. The project is now called Riggs Park Place because the project is located in the Riggs Park neighborhood (as is pretty much all of the development taking place around Fort Totten metro station). Edwin Washington, executive director of The Parks Main Street, was able to convey to EYA the importance of making sure development does not rename or rebrand the neighborhood, intentionally or not.

View the presentation to ANC 4B here:
EYA Riggs Park Place Community Update Presentation May 2020

As previously noted, the plans have changed many times over the past several years, with the latest iteration being for-sale traditional townhomes along with senior rental housing and retail. Part of land to be developed for the project is owned by the District so that meant jumping through a few more hoops than usual. EYA anticipates completely closing the deal with the District in mid-June 2020 with construction starting July 2020. Because the project involves disposition of public land, EYA also has a community benefits agreement with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA). (Disclosure: I worked on and signed the agreement during my service on the board of the LRCA. I no longer serve on LRCA’s board.)

The project will be built in two phases. The first phase will be construction of 90 townhomes. These will be traditional townhomes with garages. Of the 90 homes, five will be offered below market rate. All of the below market rate homes will have three bedrooms, have the same exterior fixtures as the market rate units, and have the same interior features as the market rate units. Options offered for the below market homes will be the same as those offered for the market rate homes and will be offered at market rate. If things run smoothly from here, they anticipate having the first set of homes completed by mid-2021.

The multifamily portion containing the senior housing and retail will be constructed in the second phase beginning in fall 2022, with completion anticipated around fall 2024. This part of the development will front Riggs Road. Of the 84 senior rental units, 30 have to be designated affordable units. The developer wants to make all of the senior rental units affordable and is working through financing to make that happen.

EYA is going with a “contemporary industrial” look for the project. ANC Commissioner Alison Brooks (4B08) stated that the project does not look like anything in the neighborhood. There is a lot of brick facade in the project. Whenever a new development comes on board, some residents tend to state they want red brick because red brick is what people are used to in the neighborhood. As EYA has tweaked the design over the years, residents seem to be pleased with the design, but realistically no project is ever going to please everyone. EYA got in touch with a couple of the artists who designed some of the murals in the neighborhood and hopes to work with them to incorporate art into the project.

EYA held a virtual sales grand opening yesterday. Prices for the townhomes begin in the mid-$500,000 range. More information on the project is available on EYA’s website at https://www.eya.com/townhomes/washington-dc/riggs-park-place-fort-totten-metro


Lamond-Riggs Library Final Design Unveiled

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

On May 20, 2020, DC Public Library officials held the final design meeting for the Lamond-Riggs Library, which will be completely rebuilt at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE. HGA and Consigli are the design/build team. View the presentation here.

The design seeks to highlight some of the things residents said they wanted in a new library, such as lots of natural light, quiet spaces, having a place to highlight local history, and having a “wow” factor inside and outside. As noted in this post, the final design incorporates feedback from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. They have added more trees and a canopy for more shade for the outdoor seating areas, simplified the material and color palette, and extended the building facade further along South Dakota Avenue by reconfiguring the parking lot. To be code compliant, they will remove the curb cut closest to the South Dakota Avenue/Kennedy Street NE intersection resulting in just one vehicular entrance and exit to the site. The one commission recomendation the design team pushed back on was retention of what the design team referred to as the heritage tree. The commission questioned the need for retaining the tree given its health and placement on the site close to the corner of Jefferson Street. The design team felt it was important to retain the tree because it informs much of the design concept. So the tree will remain.

The project remains fully funded. The next steps are for the library to move the furniture and collections out of the existing location, conduct hazardous material abatement, disconnect utilities, and apply for a raze permit. From there, construction should move full steam ahead with completion expected late 2021. As noted many times by many people, this will be one of a few large active construction projects in the immediate vicinity over the next one to two years. DCPL officials and the construction team stated they will follow DDOT construction guidelines and convey road and sidewalk closures in advance to the community.

An interim library has been established at one of the retail locations at the Modern at Art Place at 395 Ingraham Street NE, just off South Dakota Avenue. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, all DC library facilities remain closed to the public. When facilities are permitted to open, the interim library will open with appropriate public health guidelines in place.

The project website is dclibrary.org/newlamondriggs. Questions and comments may be sent to martha.saccocio@dc.gov.

So long to the old library.

Lamond-Riggs Library built in 1983

May 27: ANC 5A Monthly Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A Virtual Public Meeting
May 27, 2020
6:45 pm

ANC 5A’s monthly meeting will be held online only in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in compliance with Mayor Bowser’s Stay-At-Home Order. 

Join Zoom Meeting 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83153548292?pwd=bGk1TTgybW0vZm9jWlRMYWVnSi96UT09
Meeting ID: 831 5354 8292
Password: 348337
Call In: 1 929 436 2866

All residents will be muted.  Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.
AGENDA ITEMS 
1. Lamond Riggs Library Renovation Update 5A01
2. ANC 5A Community Taskforce Discussion SMD 5A08  
3. Art Place at Fort Totten Update SMD 5A08 

May 26: ANC 4B Monthly Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

*Please note the change in date from the fourth Monday of the month to Tuesday, May 26 based on the Memorial Day holiday.* The Commission will be meeting virtually; details about participating/watching the meeting are included in the agenda.

Regular Public Meeting

Tuesday, May 26, 2020, 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Meeting Details:

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://bit.ly/ANC4BMay2020. 

Meeting ID: 895-4942-8082. Password: 237111.

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 895-4942-8082. Password: 237111.

To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExNOAObmzNU.

Agenda

1.        Call to Order & Roll Call

2.        Administrative Items:A. Instructions regarding Participation in Virtual MeetingB. Consideration and Approval of May AgendaC. Approval of April Regular Public Meeting MinutesD. Treasurer’s ReportE. Commissioner Updates (if applicable)

3.        Presentation: Chancellor Lewis Ferebee, DC Public Schools, Mayor Bowser’s Proposed Budget(Commissioner Yeats – 10 minute presentation; 10 minute discussion)

4.        Presentation: At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman, Guidance re Unemployment Benefits(Commissioner Palmer – 10 minute presentation; 10 minute discussion)

Please see the following linked documents for additional information regarding unemployment benefits: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA); Accessing Unemployment Quick Guide.

5.        Presentation: Jason Sereno, Development Director, EYA, Proposed Development at 5543 South Dakota Avenue, NE (Commissioner Huff – 10 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)

6.        Reports:

A. Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (3 minutes)
B. Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon T. Todd (3 minutes)
C. Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (3 minutes)
D. Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative Frazier O’Leary (3 minutes)

7.        Consent Calendar: 

Letter to Committee on Transportation and the Environment Regarding Performance Oversight of District Department of Transportation (Commissioner Yeats)

Letter Requesting Audit of Office of Unified Communications (Commissioner Yeats)

Resolution 4B-20-0501: Requesting Elimination of Two Parking Spaces on 3rd Street, NE (Commissioner Brooks)

Resolution 4B-20-0502: Calling for Assessment and Plan to Broaden Municipal Internet (Commissioner Palmer)

Resolution 4B-20-0503: Calling on MPD to Address Speeding on Riggs Road, NE (Eastern to Nicholson) (Commissioner Huff)

8.        Community Concerns: *Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak during community concerns. The Commission will provide additional details regarding how to present community concerns via the virtual meeting at the start of the meeting.* 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. You may also contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings

9.     Adjournment

Next Regular Public Meeting: Monday June 22, 2020, 7:00 p.m.

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)

May 20: Lamond-Riggs Library Community Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

Lamond-Riggs Library Community Meeting
May 20, 2020
6:00 pm

Join your friends and neighbors for a virtual community meeting about the Lamond-Riggs Library project. The design team will:

  • Share final designs for the new library
  • Provide a project timeline
  • Talk about what to expect during construction
  • Gather community feedback and answer questions

This meeting will be held online. Please click on this link to join the meeting.

Meeting attendees will be muted and their cameras will be turned off. Attendees will be able to see and hear the presentation, but the presenters will not be able to see or hear the attendees. During the Q&A portion of the meeting, attendees can type questions into the chat window or ask to have their microphone unmuted to ask their question verbally.

Learn more about this project at dclibrary.org/newlamondriggs

May 13: ANC 5A08 SMD Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A08 SMD Meeting with ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher
May 13, 2020
6:30 pm-8:00 pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86822803204?pwd=Q1l0SXVWb0ZURmVlb2RKb2FnbXRZUT09
Meeting ID: 868 2280 3204  Password: 095917

Dial by your location:  929 436 2866 
Meeting ID: 868 2280 3204  Password: 095917

Agenda:
1. Recap of last SMD meeting
2. Recap of last ANC meeting
3. Art Place at Fort Totten Update
4. Update on ANC 5A08 Task Force
5. Update regarding Lamond-Riggs Library
6. Traffic congestion at UDC-CC Backus due to COVID-19 testing

Ramdass Pharmacy featured in DCist

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street

As part of its “Still at Workers” series, DCist has a great profile of Ramdass Pharmacy, our local neighborhood pharmacy. Owner Anthony Ramdass discusses what it is like serving the community and patients as well as the challenges facing the pharmacy as we deal with the COVID-19 crisis. Located in the Modern at Art Place on Ingraham Street NE, the pharmacy fills an important role during this public health delivery, offering delivery of prescriptions. Residents can also stop in to pick up prescriptions as well. Check it out.

Support The Parks Main Street Businesses

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street

The Parks Main Street (TPMS) was formed to help support businesses in Riggs Park and Manor Park. It took a lot of time and effort to get the Main Street up and running last year. It is now run by enthusiastic executive director Edwin Washington with the help of an all-volunteer board. Please consider supporting The Parks Main Street for Giving Tuesday to make sure the organization can continue to support and attract thriving local businesses to our neighborhood. You can easily do so online at https://theparksmainstreet.org/support/donate. See message from TPMS below.

—

A neighborhood is the people who live, work, learn and play there. It is cultural institutions; And small and large businesses serving neighborhood people through good and bad times.

The COVID-19 pandemic is as bad as it gets.

Help preserve small businesses in The Parks Main Street (TPMS) business districts in Riggs Park and Manor Park by keeping them operating today, so they can be there for us tomorrow.

Our goal is to raise $15,000 to supplement the funding TPMS receives from the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) to help struggling businesses with rent and payroll shortages, marketing outreach and employee and customer safety practices during COVID-19.

Can you donate $5? $10? $20? Any amount will help sustain these small businesses Now. Shop Small and Support Small with a donation on #GivingTuesdayNow. Your tax-deductible support will make a big difference!

https://theparksmainstreet.org/support/donate

Who are The Parks Main Street legacy businesses?

They are small, mostly women and family owned entrepreneurs who have served customers in the DC area for up to 50- years. They are owners of diverse ages, multicultural ethnic groups and professional backgrounds such as military service, higher education, health care, national retail and food service, and home design and improvement, to name a few industries.

In Manor Park maybe you’ve held a birthday or anniversary party at The VIP Room. Got your child’s first haircut at Manor Park Barber Shop. Purchased a hat at Bene Millinery & Bridal Shop still run by its 100-year old founder, Vanilla Beane, or eaten at Peaches’ Kitchen or Senbeb Café & Natural Foods.

In Riggs Park you may have experienced a wine tasting at Riggs Liquors. Or a free art exhibition and workshop at Culture Coffee Too. Or had the pharmacist-owner of Ramdass Pharmacy come to your home to administer vaccinations to a senior loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are the business legacies The Parks Main Street is working to preserve. Please help us by frequenting these businesses as often as you can and giving what you can. And ask your friends, family members, co-workers, and those in your professional and social circles to Shop Small and Support Small with a donation on #GivingTuesdayNow. Your tax-deductible support will make a big difference!

https://theparksmainstreet.org/support/donate

The Parks Main Street Small Business Grant Recipients

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street

The Parks Main Street awarded $34,000 in funding to support small businesses in Riggs Park and Manor Park. The funding is especially useful during the public health emergency. See message from The Parks Main Street below.
—

The Parks Main Street (TPMS) Congratulates FY2020 TPMS Small Business Grant Recipients!

The grants provide relief for rent, payroll, utilities and insurance during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The small businesses grant recipients proudly serve you in Riggs Park and Manor Park:

The Davis Center   https://theparksmainstreet.org/services/the-davis-center/

Manor Park Barber Shop https://theparksmainstreet.org/services/manor-park-barber-shop/

Ramdass Pharmacy https://theparksmainstreet.org/merchandise/ramdass-pharmacy/

DeColores Learning Center  https://theparksmainstreet.org/services/de-colores-learning-center/

Senbeb Café & Natural Foods  https://theparksmainstreet.org/eat/senbeb-cafe/                          

Troka Insurance https://theparksmainstreet.org/services/troka-insurance/

Peaches Kitchen and Catering  https://theparksmainstreet.org/eat/peaches-kitchen-restaurant-catering-service/

Integrative Body Work & Wellness  https://theparksmainstreet.org/services/integrative-bodywork-llc/

Please click the link below for TPMS Small Business Grant Recipients “Thank You” Video. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1StGwDxT8XIKxvZ_zF_lBZtI8718iOEvn/view?usp=sharing

This video was coordinated by the TPMS Promotions Committee with filming by TPMS Board Member and Promotions Committee co-chair Joann Stevens and committee member Roger Glass.
Production and graphics by Kelcie Glass through Arts for Our Children, Inc. 

For the latest information on the District Government’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.

Edwin D. Washington | Executive Director
The Parks Main Street
A Program of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement
Direct (202) 774-5542
info@theparksmainstreet.org
As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, The Parks Main Street is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.