Monthly Archives: August 2021

Second Modification for Art Place at Fort Totten Phase 2 Submitted

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

As expected, the Cafritz Foundation has submitted a second application for a modification of consequence for the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten (also known as “Block B” or “The FEZ at Art Place“) with the DC Zoning Commission (zoning case number 06-10F). After a multi-year journey that is too much to capture in this post, the Zoning Commission approved the second phase of this planned unit development (PUD) with Meow Wolf, effective March 20, 2020 (see these posts for that discussion). On April 21, 2020, the developer filed an application for a modification of consequence with a few changes that was approved by the Zoning Commission, effective September 4, 2020. Now that Meow Wolf is no longer part of the second phase, the developer is back with another application for a modification of consequence due to the change in tenant mix.

The submission dated August 26, 2021, states,

As a result of the unprecedented impacts of the COVID pandemic, Meow Wolf determined that it was no longer able to move forward with the ratified lease for space at the Art Place at Fort Totten Phase B. While no longer pursuing the original plans, Meow Wolf and the Applicant remain excited about the vibrant creative community of Washington DC and the vision for the Arts Place at Fort Totten. Both parties agreed to keep open the option to work together in the coming years in order to find ways to honor each other’s social impact mission for the benefit of the metropolitan area.

Proposed modifications from the submission

  • Modification of Commercial Use
    • Meow Wolf being replaced with similar immersive arts experience
    • Previously approved uses remain (children’s museum, food hall, grocery store, arts uses, theater/entertainment space) – (Note: submission notes developer is in talks with the Venue Group to manage the theater/entertainment space and is in talks with Illuminarium, Super Blue, and Artechouse about being part of the family entertainment zone (FEZ)
    • Overall commercial use area reduced by 33,500 square feet
  • Modification of residential use
    • Extend north residential tower & eliminate amenity terrace to add residential units all the way to Kennedy Street (Note: all of the additional units would be market-rate)
    • Last remaining Riggs Plaza garden apartment no longer needed
    • Dog Park relocated to new corner of 4th & Kennedy
  • Architectural Modifications
    • “Fort” on corner of Ingraham & 4th removed to improve indoor/outdoor dining experience
    • Height of drum reduced by 2 stories based on replacing Meow Wolf
    • Terrace added above retail on South Dakota Avenue
    • Area of excavation for parking & parking count reduced based on revised program
    • Electrical transformers & switchgear relocated based on new garage footprint
    • Traffic study updated to show no adverse impact to new program with parking reduction (Note: parking reduced from 717 vehicle spaces to 494 spaces, believes fits more of the demand due to fewer peak hour trips, same access points into the site, removed one garage entrance)
    • Loading berth off 4th Street added to enhance flexibility for commercial tenants
    • Palette on residential towers revised based on more neutral colors
  • The Cafritz Foundation states they will abide by proposed mitigations in the original PUD–full traffic signal at South Dakota Avenue & Ingraham Street NE, pedestrian improvements on Ingraham Street, improvements on South Dakota Avenue NE and on Kennedy Street NE

The developer believes that the changes are not so significant as to require a hearing and anticipates that the Zoning Commission will be able to consider the modification on the record at a public meeting on September 30, 2021.

The project sits in ANC 5A08. ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) will likely hold a single member district (SMD) meeting sometime in September about the proposed changes, so stay tuned for that.

Some images of the proposed changes below:

Vote for The Parks Main Street Best of DC 2021 Finalists

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street

From The Parks Main Street

Thank you to everyone who took time to nominate businesses in The Parks Main Street (TPMS) corridor for Washington City Paper’s Best of DC 2021. Now it’s time to vote!

Please take a minute to vote for the following businesses in The Parks Main Street that are finalists for Best of DC 2021.

Vote Now through September 19 until 11:59 pm using the link below!

VOTE for TPMS Businesses/Nonprofit


Best Architecture Firm – AMAR Group LLC (Manor Park)

Best Dance Company – The Davis Center (Manor Park)

Best Dry Cleaners – Riggs Dry Cleaners (Riggs Park)

Best Food Nonprofit – Food & Friends (Riggs Park)

Best Place to Volunteer – Food & Friends

Best COVID Support Services – Food & Friends

Best Neighborhood Festival We Missed Most – Art All Night

Back to School for New Neighborhood Charter Schools

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

Last night, ANC 5A distributed the following communication from the principals of Rocketship Infinity Community Prep Public Charter School, AppleTree at Rocketship, and The Social Justice Public Charter School. The schools are located on one campus in the newly renovated warehouses at 5450 3rd Street NE (off Kennedy Street NE near Fort Totten Metro station). If you would like to be added to ANC 5A’s email distribution list, please contact ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03), secretary for ANC 5A, at 5A03@anc.dc.gov.

From ANC 5A

Greetings Valued Members of the Ward 5 Community,

               The 5450 3rd street Campus, which comprises Rocketship Infinity Community Prep, AppleTree at Rocketship, and Social Justice School, are excited to start the 2021-2022 school year in person. In anticipation of our start, we wanted to be proactive in communicating start and end times for arrival and dismissal and efforts we are making to mitigate traffic in the local community.

Rocketship and AppleTree will begin school on Monday, August 23 with 225 students in grades PK3-Third Grade. Social Justice School will begin school on Thursday, August 26 with 115 students in grades 5-7. With that in mind, Rocketship and AppleTree will begin arrival at 7:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Dismissal will begin at 3:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesdays are an early release day with dismissal beginning at 1:50pm.

Social Justice will begin at 8:00 a.m. Monday-Friday. Dismissal will begin at 3:45 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesdays are an early release day with dismissal beginning at 12:30pm. Our goal is to ensure a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal for our students and mitigate excessive traffic in the area.

To that end, we have put the following plans into place.

  1. We are also working to have a traffic control officer who will be stationed at the intersection of South Dakota and Kennedy during arrival and dismissal windows.
  2. We have a staggered start and dismissal schedule to reduce the amount of families dropping off and picking up students.
  3. We will have multiple members of each school community working outside to ensure and maintain the flow of traffic up and down 3rd street.

We do express gratitude in advance for your patience through the first few weeks of school as we get our families, many of whom are joining us in person for the first time, used to the flow of the system and routine of arrival and dismissal. We are proud to be a part of the Ward 5 Community and look forward to partnering together.  Please feel free to contact us, via our information below, with any questions and we will be sure to schedule a meeting and or tour to address questions in the coming weeks. 

Respectfully,

Angel McNeil, Founding Principal, Rocketship Infinity Community Prep
amcneil@rsed.org

Paige Lester, Principal, AppleTree at Rocketship
paige.lester@appletreeinstitue.org

Brandon Johnson, Founding Principal, Social Justice School.
brandon@thesocialjusticeschool.org

Today August 19: WSJ Reporter Michael C. Bender Book Talk on 2020 Election at Culture Coffee Too

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Book Talk: Senior White House Reporter for the Wall Street Journal Michael C. Bender Discussing His Book, “Frankly We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost”

August 19, 2021
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Culture Coffee Too
300 Riggs Road NE
Washington, DC 20011

Free registration on eventbrite. Books available for purchase for $30 plus tax


North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Pedestrian Trail Construction Progress

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Circle Park, North Michigan PArk, Transportation

By Robert Oliver (Contributor)

Construction activity has begun in earnest on the North Michigan Park-Fort Totten pedestrian trail after being halted in July 2020 due to the discovery of an unexploded ordnance on the trail. After testing the soil and getting negative test results, the National Park Service removed the fencing around the trail last month to resume work.

On Tuesday, August 10, 2021, surveyors surveyed and staked the trail a year after its closure. 

Surveyor team, August 10, 2021. Photo credit: Robert Oliver

On Thursday, August 12, 2021, the Oak Hill construction team arrived to complete the job. Oak Hill is a subcontractor hired by Autumn General Contracting, LLC. Oak Hill’s construction supervisor stated work to complete the pedestrian path connecting Galloway and Gallatin streets NE across Fort Totten Park should take around six weeks. The crew began removing dirt to prepare the site.

Hauling dirt, August 12, 2021. Photo credit: Robert Oliver

  

View of trail construction towards Galloway Street NE, August 12, 2021. Photo credit: Robert Oliver
View of trail construction towards Gallatin Street NE, August 12, 2021. Photo credit: Robert Oliver

August 8: Boil Water Advisory Lifted – Follow Protective Measures Before Using Tap Water

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety

DC Water has lifted the Boil Water Advisory for all customers.

Please see the interactive map at www.dcwater.com or call the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 to verify if your address was in the affected area.

Customers residing in the previously affected area should take the following precautions before returning to normal water usage:

  • Run the cold water taps for 10 minutes (if water was not used at all during the advisory).
  • Discard food or ice prepared with water that was not boiled during the advisory.
  • Consult the owner’s manual to find out how to sanitize appliances and home filtration systems if used during the advisory.

From DC Water

Boil Water Advisory lifted for all customers

August 8, 2021

Protective actions given for those in the smaller impact area

Este aviso y más información están también disponibles en www.dcwater.com, y preguntas frecuentes bilingües se encuentran en www.dcwater.com/BWAliftFAQ.

All DC Water customers in the impact area under the boil water advisory can use tap water for all purposes after following the instructions provided below.

DC Water issued the boil water advisory as a conservative measure to protect public health, and we sincerely appreciate our customers’ patience while we took necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the tap water we deliver.

David L. Gadis, CEO and General Manager of DC Water, said, “Protecting the health and safety of our customers is our highest priority. We understand actions like these are very disruptive, but we will always put our customers’ safety first.”

DC Water lifted the boil water advisory after tests confirmed that drinking water meets all water quality safety standards. DC Water tested water samples from multiple sites in the affected area and has verified that the there is no risk of water contamination from the loss of pressure in some portions of the distribution system. Therefore, DC Water has ended the bottled water distribution.

Please see the interactive map at www.dcwater.com or call the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 to verify if your address was in the affected area.

Customers residing in the previously affected area should take the following precautions before returning to normal water usage:

  • Run the cold water taps for 10 minutes (if water was not used at all during the advisory).
  • Discard food or ice prepared with water that was not boiled during the advisory.
  • Consult the owner’s manual to find out how to sanitize appliances and home filtration systems if used during the advisory.

On August 6, DC Water received one positive test from a sampling site located in the affected area. On August 7 and August 8, subsequent testing did not detect the presence of coliform bacteria contamination. 

In the late afternoon of Wednesday, August 4, 2021, crews closed valves in the area of 13th Street and Spring Road, NW in an effort to isolate a leak on a 36” water transmission line to make repairs, causing low or no water pressure to area homes. System pressure was restored and the 36” water transmission line has been repaired.

Please share this information with your friends and neighbors, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this public notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Please read the FAQ for action following the Boil Water Advisory which is located on the website.

DC Water will work with customers to answer questions and respond to additional issues following the Boil Water Advisory. Customers with water quality questions should contact the Drinking Water Division at (202) 612-3440 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

All other questions or suggestions should be directed to DC Water Customer Service at 202-354-3600 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400. Information is also available at www.dcwater.com and FAQs are provided at dcwater.com/BWAliftFAQ.Sign up for
DC Water News.

August 7: Boil Water Advisory Still in Effect for Riggs Park & Certain Parts of Northeast DC – Pick up Free Water Today at North Michigan Park Rec Center

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety
Area still impacted by boil water advisory shown in red includes Riggs Park, August 7, 2021

The Boil Water Advisory is still in effect for Riggs Park and a smaller portion of Northeast DC. Affected residents may pick up free water at North Michigan Park Recreation Center (1333 Emerson Street NE) today, August 7, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The rough boundaries of the area still under the advisory are:

  • East of North Capitol Street
  • West of Eastern Avenue
  • South of New Hampshire Avenue
  • North of Taylor Street

Customers can view the interactive map or call the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 to verify if their residence falls within the area still affected.

From DC Water

*UPDATE* Boil Water Advisory lifted for most customers – continues for roughly 4,200 customers in NE

August 7, 2021

Este aviso y más información están también disponibles en www.dcwater.com, y preguntas frecuentes bilingües se encuentran en www.dcwater.com/boilwaterFAQ. 

Following two consecutive days of clear samples for most of the Advisory area, DC Water is lifting the Boil Water Advisory for a portion of the impacted area. DC Water has determined boundaries for a smaller impacted area which will remain under a Boil Water Advisory until two consecutive days of clear samples are obtained. Customers can view the interactive map or call the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 to verify if their residence falls within the area still affected. Customers located in the impacted area should continue boiling water for drinking and cooking until further notice. 

Customers who are not located in this updated Advisory area can use tap water after running cold-water taps for 10 minutes before returning to normal water usage. Running the cold-water tap will replace water sitting in pipes during the advisory with fresh water from the water main.

The impact area which remains under an Advisory includes portions of neighborhoods in Queens Chapel, Michigan Park, North Michigan Park, Chillum Station and Terra Cotta.
It is anticipated sample results for the remaining impact area will be analyzed by Sunday morning, August 8.

Customers still affected by the boil water advisory should continue to follow these precautions:

•    Discard any beverages and ice made before and during this advisory.
•    Run cold water until clear (if discolored) prior to boiling.
•    Run cold water for 2 minutes if known sources of lead are present prior to boiling. 
•    Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute and let it cool. 
•    Store cooled water in a clean, covered container.

Cooled, boiled water or bottled water should be used for:

•    Drinking
•    Brushing teeth
•    Preparing and cooking food
•    Washing fruits and vegetables
•    Preparing infant formula
•    Making ice 
•    Giving water to pets

*Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiled or bottled water.

Customers who are still impacted by the Boil Water Advisory may receive water at North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 1333 Emerson St., NE, Washington, DC, from the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. today.

Today, two consecutive days of samples taken throughout the Boil Water Advisory impact area confirmed there was no impact to water quality resulting from the pressure loss event on August 4th in most of the impacted area. However, an advisory remains in place for an isolated area where one sample was positive for Total Coliform on August 6. DC Water has taken an additional sample from the location, following localized flushing of the distribution system, and expects to have results by Sunday morning August 8. 

DC Water has consulted closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the Advisory and action plan. DC Water will continue flushing water from the system, to bring fresh water into the area. The Authority will continue testing water samples to assess tap water safety. The safety and health of our customers are our top priorities, and the boil water advisory will remain in effect until we confirm that the tap water is safe.

DC Water issued the Boil Water Advisory after a temporary loss of pressure in a portion of the distribution system in the late afternoon of August 4, 2021.  On Thursday, August 5, DC Water collected water samples at 10 locations in the impacted area. Those samples were tested overnight, and DC Water analyzed the results the morning of August 6. The nine samples that were negative for coliform bacteria yesterday were also negative today. The one sampling location that tested positive yesterday for coliform bacteria today tested negative. A second consecutive negative test is required before the advisory is lifted in the remaining impacted area. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present.

The impacted area which remains under an advisory includes the neighborhoods of Queens Chapel, Fort Totten, Michigan Park, North Michigan Park and Riggs Park. The impacted area is generally:

•    East of North Capitol Street
•    West of Eastern Avenue
•    South of New Hampshire Avenue
•    North of Taylor Street

Due to the loss of pressure in the system, it may have been possible for bacteria or other disease-causing organisms to enter the water through cracks, breaks or joints in the distribution system. 

Bacteria and other disease-causing contamination such as viruses and parasites can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.

The symptoms above are not only caused by microbes in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

Please share this information with all other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. 

Customers with water quality questions should contact the Department of Water Quality at (202) 612-3440 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). All other questions should be directed to DC Water Customer Service at (202) 354-3600 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), the 24-Hour Command Center at 202-612-3400 or the Office of Marketing and Communications at (202) 787-2200 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Information is also available at www.dcwater.com and FAQs are provided at www.dcwater.com/boilwaterFAQ.

August 5: Boil Water Advisory Issued for Riggs Park & Parts of Northeast DC until at least August 7

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety
Map of area affected by boil water advisory, August 5, 2021

From DC Water

DRINKING WATER ADVISORY

DC Water Issues Boil Water Advisory for Customers in Some Neighborhoods of Northeast DC

August 5, 2021

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) is issuing a Boil Water Advisory today for some customers after a temporary loss of pressure in the late afternoon of August 4, 2021. DC Water advises customers to not drink or cook with their water without boiling it first if they are in the impact area which includes the neighborhoods of Edgewood, Brookland, Fort Lincoln, Woodridge, Queens Chapel, Michigan Park and North Michigan Park. The impacted area is generally:

  • East of North Capitol Street
  • West of Eastern Avenue
  • South of New Hampshire Avenue
  • North of New York Avenue

DC Water advises customers to search their address on the interactive map or call the 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 to determine if they are in the impact area of this advisory. Customers in the impacted area should boil water used for drinking and cooking. Customers outside this area can continue normal water use. 

Map of Impacted Area

This is a precautionary notice to customers in the impacted area to boil water that may be ingested due to water of unknown quality in this localized area of the system. This advisory will remain in place until follow-up testing confirms the water is safe to drink.

Customers in the impacted area should:
•    Discard any beverages and ice made before and during this advisory.
•    Run cold water until clear (if discolored) prior to boiling.
•    Run cold water for 2 minutes if known sources of lead are present prior to boiling. 
•    Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute and let it cool. 
•    Store cooled water in a clean, covered container. 

Cooled, boiled water or bottled water should be used for:

•    Drinking
•    Brushing teeth
•    Preparing and cooking food
•    Washing fruits and vegetables
•    Preparing infant formula
•    Making ice 
•    Giving water to pets

*Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiled or bottled water.

In the late afternoon of Wednesday, August 4, 2021, crews closed valves in the area of 13th Street and Spring Road, NW in an effort to isolate a leak on a 36” water transmission line to make repairs. Subsequently, DC Water received a number of calls from customers in Northeast DC who were experiencing low or no water pressure. 

System pressure was restored within the hour and service has been fully restored.  

Due to the loss of pressure in the system, it may have been for bacteria or other disease-causing organisms to enter the water through cracks, breaks or joints in the distribution system.  

Bacteria and other disease-causing contamination such as viruses and parasites can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.

The symptoms above are not only caused by microbes in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

We have no information that the water was contaminated by this incident, but issue this advisory as a precaution while we test the water.  DC Water is currently collecting samples in the impacted area. The advisory will be lifted when tests on two consecutive days show no bacteria are present and all customers can continue normal water use, which we anticipate will be on Saturday, August 7. 

Please share this information with all other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.  

Customers with water quality questions should contact the Department of Water Quality at (202) 612-3440 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). All other questions should be directed to DC Water Customer Service at (202) 354-3600 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), the 24-Hour Command Center at 202-612-3400 or the Office of Marketing and Communications at (202) 787-2200 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). 

Information is also available at www.dcwater.com and Bilingual FAQs are provided at www.dcwater.com/boilwaterFAQ.  

Este aviso y más información están también disponibles en www.dcwater.com, y preguntas frecuentes bilingües se encuentran en www.dcwater.com/boilwaterFAQ.