Free COVID-19 testing will be available tomorrow, February 24, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm via a CORE Neighborhood Pop-Up at Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Road NE). No appointment necessary, but pre-registration is recommended. Pre-register at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/register. Bring your insurance card. More testing information is available at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/testing.
Today at 11:00 am, the Crush Funk Brass Band will be playing on the front lawn at DC Bilingual Public Charter School (33 Riggs Road NE).
On February 10, 2021, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) presented the 65% design plan for the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) extension from Fort Totten to Takoma. View the presentation here.
DDOT is accepting comments on this draft design plan until March 10, 2021. Send written comments to metbranchtrail@dc.gov.
There is a lot happening in this design that is a lot for a blog post, so if you care about this part of the project and missed the presentation, it is worth it to take some time to look at it. The design should be done this spring, with construction anticipated winter 2022 and project completion fall 2023.
A few highlights from the presentation
ANC 4B Draft Resolution
ANC 4B has a draft resolution regarding the design update on the agenda for its upcoming public meeting on February 22. View that draft resolution here. The ANC’s main takeaways, as copied from the resolution, are:
➢ As the design plans for the Fort Totten to Takoma section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail are finalized, the Commission requests that the District Department of Transportation include a turn signal and/or turn lane at the intersection of Aspen Street NW and Blair Road NW for vehicles on Aspen Street that are attempting to turn onto Blair Road.
➢ ANC 4B prefers relocating the 1st Street NE and McDonald Place NE sections of the trail to the nearby National Park Service land. The Commission requests that the District Department of Transportation expedite investigation of the alternative route with NPS, as the alternate route is safer for trail users and residents and has the support of the residents of 1st Street NE and McDonald Place NE currently impacted by the “temporary” route.
➢ The Commission supports the proposed enhancements that would turn the 6600 block of 3rd Street NW into a one-way, and further requests installation of a four-way stop at the intersection of 3rd Street NW and Whittier Street NW.
➢ At the intersection of Blair Road and Van Buren Street NW, the Commission requests inclusions of improved lighting under the adjacent rail corridor underpass.
My own thoughts about this portion of the trail are that while I still think this extension is pretty much an extra wide sidewalk with a portion being on the street, I am glad it is happening. It would be nice to have the trail aligned closer to the tracks through the South Manor neighborhood on 1st Street NE; hopefully NPS will approve that adjustment sooner rather than later. There are a lot of curb cuts on Blair Road. I travel that way from time to time, but it is unclear to me how active many of those driveways are. During the meeting, a representative from the Washington Area Bicyclist Association suggested placing maybe large planters or some other object to informally block off or narrow those driveways that are clearly not in use. Unclear if that is something DDOT will consider. Another person recommended public art along the wall on Blair Road to make it a little more attractive. More to come on that I suppose.
The project website for the Fort Totten-Takoma extension where you can find all project-related documents is http://metbranchtrail.com/met-branch-trail-fort-totten-to-takoma. The DDOT project manager/point of contact is Samer Alhawamdeh (email: samer.alhawamdeh@dc.gov).
Other MBT Section Updates
DDOT also took some time to provide a status report on other sections of the MBT.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is updating its moveDC long-range transportation plan. You might have taken a survey for the 2021 update at the end of 2020 as highlighted in this post. DDOT is out with another survey for the 2021 update (also referred to as the second phase). This one is super short. Take advantage of the opportunity to leave comments by clicking on the comment icon in the survey. Complete the survey here by March 31, 2021.
The project website for the moveDC 2021 update is wemovedc.org. The first phase of the moveDC plan was rolled out in 2014. You can view implementation progress of the 2014 plan here. If you missed the February townhalls, you can view the presentations at wemovedc.org.
Seems like it is survey season. Please take a moment to complete Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s Ward 5 budget survey available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/McDuffie. Complete this survey by noon on February 19.
Also, please take a moment to complete Mayor Muriel Bowser’s budget survey at budget.dc.gov.
This is the time to request that specific neighborhood items and other items you believe are a priority be funded.
ANC 5A Public Meeting
February 24, 2021
6:45 pm
(Note: The “DDOT Refresher” referred to in item 2 on the agenda is a presentation from DDOT. The agency requested time to present to the new commissioners on how the agency works. The bikeshare station referred to in item 3 on the agenda is for a proposed location near South Dakota Avenue and Decatur Street NE.)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84404462291?pwd=MkpjeWRTT1ZHQkk0NFcrTGk5SEdIZz09
Meeting ID: 844 0446 2291
Passcode: 641962
Dial In: 301 715 8592
Agenda Items
ANC 4B Public Meeting
February 22, 2021
7:00 pm
Virtual Meeting Details:
For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://streetjustice-news.zoom.us/j/84214249196?pwd=c3E0bzJmMFpoQ1JwVWFtNmhsVkduUT09. Meeting ID: 842 1424 9196. Password: 964318.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 842 1424 9196. Password: 964318.
To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/vT_b-N09_E0.
Agenda
1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Administrative Items:
A. Instructions re Participation in Virtual Meeting
B. Consideration and Approval of February Agenda
C. Approval of January Regular Public Meeting Minutes
D. Treasurer’s Report
3. Commissioner Updates (if applicable)
4. 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.
5. Reports:
A. Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (3 minutes)
B. Anthony Mitchell, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (3 minutes)
C. Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative (3 minutes)
D. Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (3 minutes)
E. Housing Justice Committee (2 minutes)
6. Presentation: Susan Davis, East Rock Creek Village, Assistance for Individuals 65+ with COVID-19 (coronavirus) Vaccination Appointments (10 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
7. Presentation: Gerard Brown, Program Manager, District Department of Health, Rodent Control (10 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
8. Presentation: Sayra Molina, Program Analyst – Community Engagement, District Department of Transportation, Overview of Programs (5 minute presentation; 1 minute discussion)
9. Consent Calendar:
10. Resolution 4B-21-0104: Providing Feedback On and Expressing Opposition to WMATA Proposed Budget and Service Cuts in Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B (Commissioner Yeats – 5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
11. Resolution 4B-21-0105: Establishing Recreation and Community Spaces Committee (Commissioner Huff – 2 minute presentation; 2 minute discussion)
12. Resolution 4B-21-0106: Providing Feedback on 65% Design of Metropolitan Branch Trail from Fort Totten to Takoma (Commissioner Bromaghim – 2 minute presentation; 2 minute discussion)
13. Adjournment
Next Regular Public Meeting: Monday, March 22, 2021, 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 Jocelynn Johnson (4B03@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B04 Brenda Parks (4B04@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B05 (vacant); 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)
ANC Commissioner Damion McDuffie, Sr. (5A01) will hold his first single member district meeting (SMD) this Thursday, February 18, at 6:30 pm. The meeting will address the increase in gun related crimes in the SMD. Send any questions to Commissioner McDuffie at 5A01@anc.dc.gov.
Agenda below
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ANC 5A01 Community Meeting
Thursday Feb 18, 2021 6:30-7:30PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82566072676?pwd=UUxmbDlZbGVkcGNoUUNNNWdGMVVQZz09
Meeting ID: 825 6607 2676
Passcode: 401487
Dial by your location 1 301 715 8592
Meeting ID: 825 6607 2676
Passcode: 401487
AGENDA
A neighbor passed along photos of installation of the new playground at Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Road NE). The playground will be located on the Nicholson Street side of the rec. Looks like the playground equipment is on site. Benches, drinking fountain, surface, and plantings are still to come. This will be a nice treat for families to enjoy when the weather turns this spring.
As noted in this post, Love & Care Child Development Center expects to open soon at The Modern at Art Place on Galloway Street NE. The daycare applied for a certificate of occupancy on January 12, 2021. Residents might have seen construction taking place outside the building this week. I have been told that is being done to install a wheelchair access ramp for the daycare center.
Today, District officials announced that the District will begin using Lamond Recreation Center for coronavirus vaccine administration for individuals booking appointments through the city’s portal at vaccinate.dc.gov. Expect to see increased activity around that area next week.
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From the press release:
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
(Washington, DC) – Today, DC Health announced that on Thursday, February 11 at 9:00 am, approximately 2,500 vaccination appointments will be made available to DC residents who live in priority zip codes and are 65 years old or older and/or work in a health care setting.
The priority zip codes are focused in Wards 5, 7, and 8 and include: 20422, 20011, 20017, 20018, 20002, 20001, 20019, 20020, 20032, 20593. Priority zip codes include areas of the city where residents are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, including number of cases and mortality rate. Wards 5, 7, and 8 are being prioritized because they have the lowest percentages of residents who are 65 and older who have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
On Friday, February 12 at 9 am, DC Health will make approximately 2,500 additional appointments available for all District residents who are 65 years of age and older and/or health care workers in DC.
To date, more than 1 in 3 DC seniors have already received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Additionally, due to increased vaccination operations and a need for more space, beginning Monday, February 15, the District will begin using the Lamond Recreation Center instead of the Hattie Holmes Wellness Center. Beginning with this Thursday’s appointment release, appointments beginning on Tuesday, February 16 will be booked at the Lamond Recreation Center. DC Health will work with Safeway to notify all individuals currently scheduled for second doses at Hattie Holmes of the change, and signage and personnel will also be on site at Hattie Holmes to assist with the transition.
The following populations are now receiving the vaccine in Washington, DC: individuals who work in health care settings; members of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department; residents of long-term and intermediate care facilities and residents of community residential facilities/group homes; DC residents who are 65 years old and older; individuals experiencing homelessness; members of the Metropolitan Police Department; Continuity of District Government personnel; Department of Corrections employees and residents; teachers and staff who are, or will be, working in person at a traditional or public charter school; and child care workers and teachers and staff at independent schools in DC.
Updates to the vaccinate.dc.gov Portal and Coronavirus Call Center
DC Health and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer continue working together, using feedback from the community, to improve the process of booking a vaccination appointment through vaccinate.dc.gov and the Coronavirus Call Center.
Improvements going into effect tomorrow include:
On Thursday morning, more than 230 call takers will be available to help residents make appointments over the phone. It is still recommended that residents with internet access use the vaccinate.dc.gov portal to make an appointment.
There was yet another shooting in the neighborhood. This time around 10:30 am today near Hamilton Street NE and Ingraham Street NE. Last week, there were shootings literally four days in a row near Jefferson Street NE. They took a break for the snowstorm and started again after the snowstorm. Meetings are happening, but neither MPD nor DC officials are going to say publicly exactly what they are doing to address this very real public health and safety threat. Nor do they have a clear public answer for why there is this recent spike in shootings, providing answers such as individuals being released from prison who are being targeted by violence or individuals who have committed offenses such as robberies who are now being targeted in retaliation, but they are not going to give details on investigations in any public setting.
What they will say publicly is that they strongly encourage residents to take advantage of the city’s private security rebate program to receive reimbursement for the purchase and installation of security cameras on homes. Residents receiving public assistance may receive a voucher for purchase and installation of cameras. In addition, eligible seniors and persons with disabilities may receive private security cameras at no charge through the DC Department of Aging and Community Living.
Residents can text tips to MPD at 50411.
And residents should feel free to express their concerns and suggestions for addressing this issue to DC officials:
Mayor Bowser Chief of Staff John Falcicchio – john.falcicchio@dc.gov
Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie – kenyan.mcduffie@dccouncil.us
Acting Deputy Mayor for Public Safety & Justice Christopher Geldhart – christopher.geldart@dc.gov with a copy to community outreach specialist Jasmin Benab at jasmin.benab@dc.gov
Interim MPD Chief Robert Contee – robert.contee@dc.gov
Hopefully we as a neighborhood can get a handle on these now daily shootings being perpetrated by known individuals to the community.
DPR Ready2Play Ward 5 Virtual Meeting
Monday, February 8, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm RSVP
Monday, February 8, is your opportunity to discuss the particular parks and rec centers in Ward 5 that you would like to see prioritized for future capital improvements and to share your ideas on the types of recreational programming, park design, and priorities you would like to see addressed in the Ready2Play plan. The District Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) will share findings from its recent Ready2Play Citywide Survey and senior staff from DPR will be on hand to hear suggestions. This is our chance to let DPR know that we would like to see collaboration with National Park Service to get a trail at Fort Circle Park at South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. This is also our chance to let DPR know that we would like to see the green space in front of Food & Friends on the southwest corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE preserved for community recreation space. We have the ability to work with stakeholders and developers to develop a vision for both spaces.
ALSO, DPR is reopening the citywide survey in order to get more input from more residents. So, if you missed filling it out the first time around, now is your chance to tell DC officials your ideas for parks and recreation centers in the District. Go ahead and let DC officials know you’d like to see a trail and other context-respectful amenities at Fort Circle Park. Let them know that you’d like to see the green space in front of Food & Friends programmed for community space such as an art park or history park or any number of things. Remind them that these requests are outlined in the neighborhood’s area development plan. Want to see more amenities in Riggs Park, such as tennis courts, or a pool, or a skate park? Let DPR know. Complete the survey at https://ready2playdc.com/citywide-survey by March 1, 2021.
Neighborhood breweries continue to provide food options in this neighborhood with very few.
Hellbender Brewing Company (5788 2nd Street NE) currently has a regular lineup featuring Grassfed Griddle on Thursdays, Timber Pizza on Fridays and Saturdays, and We Rise Bread Company on Sundays. You can stay warm at one of the outdoor tables with firepits and newly installed patio heaters nearby. Or stop by and order your food to go.
In Lamond, 3 Stars Brewing Company (6400 Chillum Place NW) has teamed up with Rose’s Luxury for pickup options. In addition, you can find a rotating cast of popup options.
And as always, our neighborhood coffee shop Culture Coffee Too (300 Riggs Road NE) is open Tuesday through Saturday for coffee, tea, and sandwiches.
By Robert Oliver (Contributor)
Did you know that the District of Columbia government has been working on dramatically increasing access to free W-Fi since January 2017? This work is being done through the DC Smart Street Lighting program to replace approximately 75,000 streetlights bulbs with energy-efficient light emitting diodes (LEDs). This project also includes “installing wireless access points across the District, improving the DC-NET Wi-Fi program.” More detailed information on the Smart Street Program can be found here.
On January 24, 2017, the District of Columbia government hosted an industry forum to discuss the concept of the Smart Street Lighting program. The information flyer is available here. Today, the program is still ongoing. However, the capacity of DC-Net has been increased with the installation of new wireless access hubs throughout the city. DC-Net now offers an online map of its free Wi-Fi network. By just entering your address, you can see the Wi-Fi access hubs nearest you.
While the digital divide still exists, DC-Net has made free Wi-Fi more accessible through the DC Smart Street Lighting program.
Mayor Muriel Bowser is holding four budget engagement forums this month, including one specifically for seniors. For more information, visit budget.dc.gov.
I attended one of these exercises several years ago. I think it was informative insofar as providing a snapshot of how resources are allocated in the budget and how budget decisions get made. The pandemic presents a huge challenge, so it will be interesting to see what the mayor’s budget ends up looking like.
In addition, remember to fill out Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s Ward 5 budget survey by February 19 to provide input on his budget requests to the mayor.
Have thoughts about how DDOT is doing? Want to give praise to DCPL? DC Council agency performance oversight hearings are coming up. Instructions on how to participate or submit testimony are at the end of the public hearing notice.
In addition, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George is asking residents for input regarding the oversight hearings. Councilmember Lewis George sits on the Committee on Human Services; Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs; Committee on Labor and Workforce Development; and the Committee on Transportation and the Environment. Share your input via this google form and be as detailed as possible.
From ANC 4B
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Housing Justice Committee will meet on Monday, February 8, 2021, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Committee will be meeting virtually. Details about participating/watching the meeting are included below:
For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://streetjustice-news.zoom.us/j/81882674590?pwd=V3h0RUw0bmJHV1RrNnhiMVVpamthdz09. Meeting ID: 818 8267 4590. Password: 488799.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 818 8267 4590. Password: 488799.
To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/1dCp0ZxC8rQ.
Additional information is available on the Commission’s website at https://anc4b.com/committees/housing-justice-committee/.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 