Monthly Archives: July 2020

Fort Circle Park & Eastern Avenue Trail Included in Regional Plan

Posted by nextstoprp in Recreation, Transportation
Image of neighborhood portion of National Capital Trail Network. Source: https://www.mwcog.org/maps/map-listing/national-capital-trail

Neighbor Gavin Baker sent me an article from DCist regarding the approval of the National Capital Trail Network. Last week, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, an arm of the regional Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, approved the trail network via a board resolution. The plan includes a paved trail near/through Fort Circle Park, connecting to the Metropolitan Branch Trail near Fort Totten, and a trail along Eastern Avenue. The Fort Circle Park trail (named as a part of the Met Branch Trail) was previously included in the District Department of Transportation’s moveDC plan. The resolution calls for annual progress reports and priorization for funding for the trail network.

South Dakota Avenue Road Resurfacing

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Looks like South Dakota Avenue between Gallatin Street and Kennedy Street is finally going to be repaved. DDOT news release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2020 

Media Contacts:

Lauren Stephens – (202) 465-6112, lauren.stephens@dc.gov 

Mariam Nabizad – (202) 359-2678, mariam.nabizad@dc.gov  

Temporary Lane Closures and Parking Restrictions on South Dakota Avenue from Gallatin Street to Kennedy Street NE Starting Saturday, July 25, 2020

(Washington, DC) — The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is scheduled to temporarily close travel lanes and restrict curbside parking on South Dakota Avenue from Gallatin Street to Kennedy Street NE starting on or about Saturday, July 25, 2020, weather permitting. At least one lane will be open to traffic in each direction.

The closures and restrictions are needed for resurfacing. The contractor is authorized to work Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work will be authorized on some Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. when necessary. Construction is scheduled to be completed by Friday, August 14, 2020, weather permitting.

Parking restriction signs will be posted at least 72 hours in advance at locations where parking will not be allowed. These signs will notify the duration and dates of “No Parking” and provide contact information of the engineer in charge.

Traffic control devices will be in place. 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.

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The mission of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is to enhance the quality of life for District residents and visitors by ensuring that people, goods, and information move efficiently and safely with minimal adverse impact on residents and the environment. 

Follow us on Twitter for transportation-related updates and more; like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Visit the website at www.ddot.dc.gov. Visit goDCgo.com for more information on transportation options in the District. 

North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Trail Construction Halted; Ordnance Found

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk
View of trail from Gallatin Street NE, July 24, 2020

The DC Line published a press release from the National Park Service (NPS) stating an unexploded ordnance was found during construction of the long-awaited trail between Galloway Street NE and Gallatin Street NE near Fort Totten Metro Station. Construction of the trail to provide a formal pedestrian path between North Michigan Park and Fort Totten Metro Station began a couple of weeks ago. Residents noticed Metro Transit police and other officers redirecting traffic from the area on July 22, 2020. I have reached out to NPS for more information and will update the post when I hear back.

Press release below:

News Release — National Park Service

For immediate release: July 23, 2020

Contact: Katie Liming

Unexploded ordnance discovered during trail construction 

WASHINGTON – On July 22, a WWI-era unexploded ordnance was discovered during construction work on a park trail. Out of an abundance of caution and until more research can be completed, an area of Fort Totten Park, in the Michigan Park neighborhood, is closed, and the National Park Service (NPS) is urging people to stay out of the area.  

The area is currently marked with caution tape, and warning signs and fence will be installed as quickly as possible.   

United States Park Police and Metropolitan Police Department responded after heavy rain revealed the ordnance, and the site was cordoned off immediately. The U.S. Army is analyzing and is expected to destroy the ordnance at Marine Corps Base Quantico.  

The public’s safety is the NPS’s most important priority. Trail construction is halted, and the NPS is working to determine the next steps needed to evaluate the area. We will provide updates as more information is available.  

Note: This closure is not in the vicinity of and does not impact DDOT construction work on the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

July 27: ANC 4B Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting
Monday, July 27, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting Details:

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85049260373?pwd=eklnN1BXWGxYWEJkdnNQVFNrTkFBZz09. Meeting ID: 850-4926-0373. Password: 237111.

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 850-4926-0373. Password: 237111.

To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/XYd8tRYHA-0.

Agenda

1.        Call to Order & Roll Call

2.        Administrative Items:

A. Consideration and Approval of July Agenda
B. Instructions regarding Participation in Virtual Meeting
C. Approval of June Regular Public Meeting Minutes
D. Treasurer’s Report
E. Commissioner Updates (if applicable)

3.        Presentation: Area Main Streets on Supports During COVID-19 and Re-Opening

A. Edwin Washington, Executive Director, The Parks Main Street (3 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
B. Laura Barclay, Executive Director, Old Takoma Business Association (3 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
C. Paul Ruppert, Executive Director, Upper Georgia Avenue Main Street (3 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
D. Gabriela Mossi, Executive Director, Uptown Main Street (3 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)

4.        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)

5.        Consent Calendar:

  • Resolution 4B-20-0701: ANC 4B Request for Mandatory Use of Masks during COVID-19 Pandemic (Commissioner Johnson)
  • Resolution 4B-20-0702: ANC 4B Additional Recommendations on the Metropolitan Branch Trail (Commissioner Johnson & Commissioner Brooks)

6.        Resolution 4B-20-0703: Opposing Expansion of Renaissance Center for Culture Home Day Care at 240 Quackenbos Street, NW (BZA 20186) (Commissioner Brooks)

7.        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.

8.        Adjournment 

Next Regular Public Meeting: Monday, September 28, 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)

DPR Master Planning Process & New Community Playground

Posted by nextstoprp in Recreation

Ready2Play DC DPR Master Plan

The District Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is undertaking a 20-year master planning effort called Ready2Play DC. Information is available at https://ready2playdc.com. There you will find links to FAQs, surveys, and meeting information. Importantly, this effort is not just for DC/DPR-owned parks and centers. It will also address National Park Service (NPS) parkland, of which we have plenty in this community. The first priority in the planning process is the Statewide DC Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The SCORP project page states:

As part of this Master Plan process, DPR will be drafting and submitting a new Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) to the National Park Service. This SCORP is a requirement of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act. It is a 5-year planning document that sets high-level goals and a prioritizing framework (called the Open Project Selection Process) for how DC will select future projects to be submitted for LWCF matching grant dollars.

On the Ready2play site, you can also suggest parks for vacant or green spaces in the neighborhood or suggest improvements for existing rec centers and parks. share “big” ideas, and tag existing rec centers and parks that you love and share why.

Over the years, there have been efforts to get traction behind implementing elements of the neighborhood’s adopted area development plan related to green space in the neighborhood. In 2017, ANC 5A passed a resolution that I helped draft to preserve the green space in front of Food & Friends for neighborhood recreation. On this blog, I have catalogued efforts regarding the NPS parkland at South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE (formally known as the Civil War Defenses of Washington; informally known as Fort Circle Park). I personally submitted comments during the Comprehensive Plan process and budget process to advocate for a two-phase approach for the NPS parkland, starting with a paved trail around the perimeter of the park and adding amenities from there. Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie included funding for an environmental impact assessement of a paved trail at Fort Circle Park in his budget request letter to the mayor before she submitted her budget to the council.

As a neighborhood, we can all bolster these efforts by submitting comments during the DPR master planning process noting that these efforts are all in alignment with the neighborhood’s area development plan. (Aside: Before anyone asks, I am not that concerned about dog parks because a dog park is part of the plan for the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten). And you can also share whatever other comments you may have regarding recreation in the neighborhood or DC in general. Please take a moment to participate by adding your comments at the Ready2play site or participating in an upcoming community meeting.

Upcoming Ready2Play Meetings – Registration Required

Wednesday 7/15 12-1pm

Meeting link: https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/onstage/g.php?MTID=e9ed1346354db2246359d9fed10f757c7

Thursday 7/16 6-8pm

Meeting link: https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/onstage/g.php?MTID=e891809de900d82f9509a2c6b0039e7ea

Friday 7/17 12-1pm

Meeting link:
https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/onstage/g.php?MTID=e037eae21fbdae8fda53b24420e819681

New Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center Playground

Earlier this week, I received an email from DPR stating the agency has awarded a design-build contract for a new playground at Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Road NE) that will be located on the Nicholson Street NE side of the center. The existing playground was reopened to the community last year after being closed to the public for several years. During the time we were working to get the playground reopened, there were discussions about getting a new playground because there seemed to be a general consensus that the existing playground could be much better. Eventually funding became available for a new playground. There will be a community meeting scheduled in the upcoming weeks to review initial concept ideas and to gather community feedback on what residents would like in a new playground. Project scope, timeline, and community impacts will also be discussed. That is all of the information I have right now. I do not know if the idea is to supplement the existing playground with additional amenities or what. So stay tuned for information on when that meeting will be scheduled and start thinking about what you would like to see in a playground at Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center.

North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Metro Station Pedestrian Trail Construction

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk

By Robert Oliver (Contributor)

At long last, work has begun on the pedestrian trail connecting Gallatin and Galloway Streets NE across Fort Circle Park east of the Fort Totten Metro station. I noted work was imminent in this post. On July 11, 2020, a field surveyor from GORDON, a land development consulting firm, staked out the pathway.

GORDON field surveyor at work on pedestrian path

Today, workers from Autumn General Contractors, the primary contractor, arrived to begin the construction process. I spoke to the construction supervisor, who stated that this project will be completed in 120 days or less, depending on weather conditions.

General contractor at work

The construction supervisor stated the path will be fenced off while under construction, but the remaining parkland will not be restricted.

The National Park Service should be commended for finally addressing this longstanding community concern. By this fall, North Michigan Park and its neighboring communities will have a paved, lit, and safe path to the metro station.

July 15: Listening Session with Ward 4 Candidate Janeese Lewis George

Posted by nextstoprp in Ward 4
Lawc-riggs-park_1v2-07-09-20

Janeese Lewis George won the Democratic primary nomination to represent Ward 4 on the DC Council. Ahead of the general election in November, she is holding a series of virtual listening sessions throughout Ward 4. The first will be geared towards Lamond-Riggs residents on July 15, 2020, at 7:00 pm. RSVP at the link.

Lamond-Riggs is one of the few areas that Ms. George did not carry in the primary election, but it was close. This listening session is an official campaign event, so keep that in mind. This post is not an endorsement of Ms. George. I am posting it here for residents on the Ward 4 side of the neighborhood who might be interested in speaking with the candidate. To learn more about her platform, visit https://www.janeese4dc.com.

Perry Redd of the DC Statehood Green party will also appear on the ballot for the Ward 4 Council seat in November.

EYA St. Josephite Townhome Project Gets Green Light

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

Bisnow DC reports that the DC Court of Appeals upheld the Zoning Commission’s order approving the St. Josephite townhome project in Michigan Park. I mention it here only because that project, which will be about one mile from the neighborhood at 12th Street and Allison Street NE, was previously the subject of several ANC 5A meetings. And EYA, which is developing Riggs Park Place here in the neighborhood, is also the developer for the St. Josephite project.

The article notes that townhome sales for Riggs Park Place began in June and EYA already has contracts on 20 of the 90 homes for sale. Construction for Riggs Park Place is anticipated to begin this month.

Social Justice School Charter Fully Approved

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Education, Uncategorized

On June 29, 2020, the DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB) voted to fully approve a 15-year charter for the Social Justice School, effective July 1, 2020. School officials have attended several ANC 5A meetings over the past year to inform residents about plans. The school will be located at 5450 3rd Street NE. The school has a three year lease agreement with Rocketship Public Charter School to co-locate at the site, with a one-year option to extend. Construction to renovate the old warehouses at this location to house school facilities is ongoing.

According to documents on file, Social Justice School will operate a middle school serving grades 5 through 8. For its first year of operation in school year 2020-2021, the school has a target enrollment of 65 students–maximum 75 students–in grades 5 and 6. Its goal is to grow the student population to a total of 300 students in grades 5 through 8 by school year 2023-2024. On June 16, 2020, the day after the school enrollment deadline, the school had 41 enrolled students. Because enrollment lags target, the DCPCSB required the school to develop a contingency budget. See the contingency budget here and the contingency budget narrative here. The DCPCSB determined that the school will be financially viable with an enrollment of 41 students and that the school will have sufficient resources to deliver its programs:

Based on the review of the contingency budget, DC PCSB staff concludes that, at an enrollment of 41 students:
● The school will be financially viable. The budget shows a positive net income of $59,558 and 112 days of cash on hand. To help offset decreased revenue, Social Justice PCS has secured a $500,000 credit enhancement from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and a $250,000 loan from CityBridge for facilities-related costs if required. Also, NewSchools Venture Fund has promised an additional $160,000-grant pending its full charter approval (see Attachment B).
● The school will have sufficient resources to deliver its program. The budget maintains appropriate levels of staffing, including one English language arts teacher, one math teacher, one science/wellness teacher, and one liberatory design thinking teacher. Some key personnel positions have been reimagined. For example, the executive director will assume the responsibilities of the principal, while the previously identified principal will serve as the founding math teacher. Also, the director of student supports with [sic] oversee both case management and service delivery for the projected four English learners and nine students with disabilities.

It is still too early to know what school will look like for DC students in the fall. If in-person classes are scheduled, with Rocketship, AppleTree, and Social Justice School at the campus at 3rd Street and Kennedy Street NE, we will have quite a few new students in this corner of the neighborhood.

Ramdass Pharmacy & Health Equity in Washington Post

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

Dr. Anthony Ramdass, owner of neighborhood pharmacy Ramdass Pharmacy, discusses his work assisting vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic in this column by Courtland Milloy in the Washington Post. Dr. Ramdass visits homes of seniors to deliver prescriptions and vaccinations. This is one column by Mr. Milloy that I am happy to promote. Learn a bit about our neighborhood pharmacist and why health equity is so important.