Monthly Archives: May 2022

New Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library art seeks community contributions

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

From DC Public Library

News Release
Thursday, May 26, 2022, 7:59 a.m

New Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library art seeks community contributions
Heritage Wall to feature a quilt-inspired collage.

The DC Public Library has selected two contributors to the “Heritage Wall” at the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, artist Michelle L. Herman and the community.

Herman will create a digital tapestry inspired by the idea of a quilt that reflects the history of the community surrounding the new Lamond-Riggs/ Lillian J. Huff Library. The new art will enhance the new Lamond-Riggs/ Lillian J. Huff Library by creating a vibrant, inspirational welcome to the building that responds to the community’s desire to have artwork that reflects them. The Heritage Wall will span the first and second floors of the new library next to the building’s entrance. The art will be a striking feature visible outside the library and close-up.

To complete the quilt, residents will be invited to contribute family photographs and fabric swatches. Herman will scan the materials and use them to create a digital collage.

In the coming weeks, the Library will announce the opening date for the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library. At that time, a schedule will be released of when community members will be able to bring their  photos and fabric samples for the artist to use  

Herman is a multidisciplinary artist and a resident of the Lamond-Riggs community, who has exhibited throughout the Washington, DC area in 4 solo exhibitions and several group exhibitions. She holds both a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Arts from The Maryland Institute College of Art. She was selected after the Library issued a Request for Qualifications to engage individual artists, designers, and art/design teams in January. 

Located at 5401 South Dakota Ave. NE the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library is nearly complete. The new 23,500 square foot space will feature a wide range of flexible spaces including expanded space for adults, teens and children; a variety of collaboration spaces including a living room-style seating area;  a large meeting room with a capacity for 100 people; and 7 reservable meeting spaces.

New Lamond-Riggs Library will Honor Lillian J. Huff

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

From DC Public Library

News Release
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, 6:42 p.m

New Lamond-Riggs Library will honor longtime Ward 5 resident Lillian J. Huff
DC Public Library Board of Trustees Approves Building Naming.

The soon-to-be-open library at 5401 South Dakota Ave. NE will have a new name. At its May meeting, the DC Public Library Board of Trustees voted that the new library would be named the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library, honoring the longtime activist and Ward 5 resident.

A former President of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association and a former Democratic National Committee member, Huff was instrumental in securing the funding from Congress to build the original Lamond-Riggs Library. Huff served as the first President of the Friends of the Lamond-Riggs Library. She was also Vice President of the Federation of Friends of the DC Public Library. Huff was also the elected leader of the District’s Delegation to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services in 1978. President Jimmy Carter appointed her Vice-Chairperson of the Pre-White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.  

The Lamond Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library will replace the old Lamond-Riggs Library. The new 23,500 square foot library will feature:

  • Expanded space for adults, teens and children;
  • A variety of collaboration spaces including a living room-style seating area;
  • A large meeting room with a capacity for 100 people, dividable into separate smaller rooms
  • 7 additional reservable meeting spaces, one for up to 12 people, two for up to six people each, and four study spaces designed for 2 people; and
  • Outdoor spaces on each floor with comfortable seating.

The District of Columbia Public Library was created in 1896 by an Act of Congress. Congress established the Board of Library Trustees to set policy for the library. The Board of Trustees of the Library is comprised of nine unpaid District residents from wards around the city. Meetings of the Board of Library Trustees are generally held on the fourth Wednesday of every other month and these meetings are open to the public. For more information about the DC Public Library Board of Trustees, click here.  

Light Posting

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Note: Posting will be light the next few weeks as I get back up to speed. There likely will not be an ANC meeting recap for this month’s meeting.

  • Cafritz Foundation brings on new development partner for performance venue at Art Place at Fort Totten’s second phase, tvg hospitality, headed by Ben Lovett, a co-founder of Mumford & Sons – reported by Washington Business Journal (paywall) – (Note the team stated in its last submission to the Zoning Commission that it had signed an operating agreement with the venue group (tvg) to manage the performance venue and food hall.)

Kansas Avenue Protected Bike Lanes – Open for Public Comment

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

The office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George recently tweeted about the notice of intent (NOI 22-169-PSD) published by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to install protected bike lanes on a short stretch of Kansas Avenue between Chillum Place NE and 2nd Street NW. The NOI, available on DDOT’s NOI website, is open for public comment until June 28, 2022. Comments may be submitted to mike.goodno@dc.gov.

From the overview in the NOI:

Kansas Avenue has been identified as part of the bicycle priority network in MoveDC, the District of Columbia’s statewide long-range transportation plan. Standard unprotected bicycle lanes exist today on a majority of Kansas Avenue. The two exceptions are south of Upshur Street and a gap between Chillum Place NE and Blair Road. With this notice, DDOT proposes to close that network gap with one-way protected bike lanes between Chillum Place NE and Blair Road NW and convert portions of the existing unprotected bike lanes between Blair Road and 2nd Street NW to protected.

Also available on the NOI site is ANC 4B’s resolution in support of closing the gap here on Kansas Avenue. This connection will be an important one for those in Lamond-Riggs traveling from the east to connect to the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), which will eventually run along Blair Road near this location. (Also shoutout to resident Gavin Baker who takes every opportunity to remind DDOT of the need to fill this gap and not forget about people connecting to the trail from the east).

Images of the proposed design are below

Lamond-Riggs Boys & Girls Club Reunion Event

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association, Recreation, Riggs Park

WUSA 9 television provided really nice coverage of the Lamond-Riggs Boys & Girls Club Reunion & Community Welcoming event that took place on May 14, 2022 at the Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center. It was a wonderful event where people who grew up in the neighborhood came together to celebrate their pride in a neighborhood that invested so much in them. The Lamond-Riggs Boys and Girls Club got its start in a little red church building and eventually found a home in the Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center. Seeing so many come back to the neighborhood to attend this event and express so much joy at seeing old neighbors with whom they grew up, it became even clearer why so many chose this neighborhood in the 1960s to call home and why so many who grew up here feel such great pride in the neighborhood.

The event was emceed by Howard Burnett, who grew up in Riggs Park and went on to become a senior administrator with Prince George’s County Public Schools. The program recognized all those who made a difference in the lives of the young people in the neighborhood–founders of the boys and girls club, coaches, and community partners. Guest speaker Richard Dyer, who is the president and general manager of WUSA 9 television, also grew up in Riggs Park. His family lived in the neighborhood from 1967 to 1992.

Pictures of the program below

Origin of event

The event grew out of facebook group conversations among individuals who grew up in the neighborhood, talking about the changes that they were seeing in the neighborhood. Those conversations made their way to Frank Jones, who also grew up in Riggs Park and has a special talent for putting on events. Mr. Jones retired from many years of service at the Walter Reed Medical Center, including in special events. He decided to volunteer his organization, the DC High School Alumni Association, to sponsor the event and pulled together a team of three committees to assist. Many of those assisting in the planning were his fellow Coolidge High School alumni. Mr. Jones said one of his goals was to make sure the event would be a bridge between generations and unite residents. That is one reason the event was stylized as both a reunion and community welcoming event. The team also wanted to give back, so they decided to donate funds to both the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) and the Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center.

It really was a special treat to see so many come back, hear how much the boys and girls club meant to them, and hear how they wish to continue meeting the needs of youth in the neighborhood.

Additional event photos below

Howard Burnett emceeing event
Committee members with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser
Riggs-LaSalle Rec director Shirleta Settles & Friends of the Rec board member Robert Oliver
LRCA president Barbara Rogers
Frank Jones
Howard Burnett
LRCA president Barbara Rogers & Richard Dyer
Book of Riggs-LaSalle Rec Center origin

May 25: ANC 5A Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A Monthly Public Meeting
May 25, 2022
6:45 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84468779532?pwd=VGJCRGhlQUxTdldqbDU2RXVEd2ZUUT09

Meeting ID:  844 6877 9532   

Passcode: 097050

Dial In: 301 715 8592

All residents will be muted.  Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.

Agenda Items

  •  Commission Business
    •  Z.C. Case No. 22-19 (McDonalds Corporation – Map Amendment for property located at Square 3786, Lot 1 (4950 S. Dakota Avenue, N.E.) 5A03
    • Wesley Housing project 5A07
  • Community Updates
    • MPD- Police Chief
    • Mayor’s Office
    • Councilmember McDuffie’s office 

May 23: ANC 4B Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting 
Monday, May 23, 2022, 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/89234876272?pwd=ekx4MlpxNWgrd014OEZoSENnUWlDUT09. Meeting ID: 892 3487 6272. Passcode: 847782. 

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 892 3487 6272. Passcode: 847782. 

Agenda 

1.         Call to Order & Roll Call  

2.         Administrative Items: 

A. Instructions re Participation in Virtual Meeting 

B. Consideration and Approval of May Agenda 

C. Approval of April 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. Anthony Mitchell, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (3 minutes)  

B. James Lewis, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (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) 

F. Vision Zero Committee (2 minutes) 

G. Community Safety & Supports Committee (2 minutes) 

6.         Presentation: Everett Lott, Director, District Department of Transportation, Discussion re Commission Issues and Community Concerns (30 minute presentation; 20 minute discussion) 

  • High Turnover of DDOT Community Engagement Specialists 
  • Lack of Transparency and Action for Traffic Safety Investigation Requests 
  • Difficulties with Traffic Safety Investigation Dashboard 
  • Closure of 311 Requests Without Action 
  • Lack of Responses to ANC Resolutions and Changing Standards for ANC Requests 
  • Inability to Seek Action on Neighborhood-Wide Traffic Calming 
  • Hardening of Short-Term Traffic Safety Infrastructure 
  • Placement and Replacement of Traffic Signs 
  • Sidewalk Gaps and Repairs 
  • Specific Outstanding Requests – Commission Resolutions, Traffic Safety Investigations; 311 Requests 

7.         Consent Calendar:  

Resolution 4B-22-0501: Noting Lengthy History of Requests & Calling for Four-Way Stop Signs at 6th and Butternut Streets, NW (Commissioner Palmer) 

8.         Letter: Supporting Affordable Housing in High-Needs Areas Tax Abatement for Takoma Metro Station Development (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Palmer & Commissioner Bromaghim – 2 minutes presentation, 2 minutes discussion) 

9.         Resolution 4B-22-0502: Maintaining Access to Abortions in Washington, DC (Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson – 2 minutes presentation, 2 minutes discussion)  

10.     Resolution 4B-22-0503: Renewal of Alcoholic Beverage License for Oohh’s & Aahh’s Restaurant, LLC, 5933 Georgia Avenue, NW (ABRA-107879) (Commissioner Parks – 2 minutes presentation, 2 minutes discussion) 

11.     Adjournment

Next Regular Public Meeting: Monday, June 27, 2022, 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) 

Z Burger is Open

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk
Z Burger open on South Dakota Avenue NE

Z Burger is now open at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE (across from the McDonald’s). The restaurant is open every day from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. It is connected to the minimart but there is a separate entrance for the restaurant as well. There are a few small tables inside. We now have an abundance of burger (and milkshake!) places to choose from in less than a one mile radius. How did we get so lucky.

Z Burger Menu & Milkshake Board

May 14: Lamond-Riggs Boys & Girls Club Reunion Event

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond-Riggs

Lamond-Riggs Boys & Girls Club Reunion & Community Welcoming

May 14, 2022
12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center
501 Riggs Road NE

Note: Due to expected rain, some of the outdoor activities for this event have been cancelled. Everyone is invited to attend the indoor program at 12:00 pm.

Lamond-Riggs Boys & Girls Club Reunion & Community Welcoming event will celebrate the rich history and numerous successes yielded by the Lamond-Riggs Boys & Girls Club (LRBGC) located in Northeast Washington, D.C. The products of this community remain the cornerstone of many families within the community, reside with families throughout the District, Maryland, Virginia areas and also around the world. The reunion will acknowledge the past and present of this community landmark who have benefited and/or supported the LRBGC in building the lives of successful women and men. The services afforded to the LRBGC community over the years have built foundational success for many youth and families which have contributed to the influence of exceptional doctors, educators, business leaders, community leaders, clergy and numerous other professions.

12:00 PM – 1:00PM

Community Awards & Recognitions

Community Development/Support
Parent Involvement
Founders & Administrators
Cheerleaders
Coaches

Links to Lamond-Riggs & North Michigan Park Candidate Forums

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association, Lamond-Riggs, North Michigan PArk

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) and the North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) did a great job of hosting two candidate forums for the upcoming primary election earlier this week .

The Ward 5 DC Council candidate forum was held on May 10, 2022. Participating candidates: Kathy Henderson, Gordon Fletcher, Zachary Parker, Faith Gibson Hubbard, Vincent Orange.

The DC Mayor candidate forum was held on May 9, 2022. Participating candidates: James Butler, Mayor Muriel Bowser, At-large Councilmember Robert White. Mayor Bowser did let the associations know ahead of time that due to a prior commitment, she would be late. She arrived about 44 minutes into the forum.

Links to view the forums are below.

Ward 5 DC Council Candidate Forum, May 10, 2022 (2 hours)

DC Mayor Candidate Forum, May 9, 2022 (2 hours) (forum starts around 4:35 mark)

The primary election is June 21, 2022. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters begining May 16, 2022. Useful information about the primary election, including mail ballot drop box locations, vote center locations, and instructions on how to register to vote or update voter registration information, is available on the DC Board of Elections website at https://dcboe.org/PrimaryElection2022.

Tonight May 10: Lamond-Riggs & North Michigan Park Ward 5 DC Council Candidate Forum

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond-Riggs, North Michigan PArk

Reminder: Ward 5 DC Council Candidate Forum, hosted by the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Assocation and the North Michigan Park Civic Association, is tonight at 6:30 pm

Confirmed:
Gordon Fletcher
Kathy Henderson
Faith Gibson Hubbard
Gary Johnson
Vincent Orange
Zachary Parker 

Join the webinar online via Zoom

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88562218708?pwd=TmllTHlUL0phdUl3RlNoZzBodktOdz09
Passcode: 362936

-or-

Dial-in by phone using one of the phone numbers below

(646) 558-8656 or
(301) 715-8592 or
(312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 885 6221 8708
Passcode: 362936

Or, view on YouTube: bit.ly/LRCAYouTube

Art Place at Fort Totten Phase 2 Representative

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

Sharing information from Lambis Rank

As noted in the introduction below, Lambis Rank will be the primary point of contact for construction concerns for Art Place at Fort Totten Phase 2 and will be the official reviewer of comments/questions submitted to hello@fezartplace.com. The project’s main website is https://www.artplacedc.com.

Art Place at Fort Totten – Phase 2 Introduction to Applicant Representative

Tonight May 9: Lamond-Riggs & North Michigan Park DC Mayor Candidate Forum

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond-Riggs, North Michigan PArk

Reminder: DC Mayor Candidate Forum, hosted by the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Assocation and the North Michigan Park Civic Association, is tonight at 6:30 pm

Confirmed:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
James Butler
Councilmember Robert White 

Join the webinar online via Zoom

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88562218708?pwd=TmllTHlUL0phdUl3RlNoZzBodktOdz09
Passcode: 362936

-or-

Dial-in by phone using one of the phone numbers below

(646) 558-8656 or
(301) 715-8592 or
(312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 885 6221 8708
Passcode: 362936

Or, view on YouTube: bit.ly/LRCAYouTube

McDonald’s Presentation on Rezoning Application

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk

Sharing a few clarifications regarding McDonald’s rezoning application (ZC case number 22-19) provided by McDonald’s counsel Holland & Knight and the owner Raoul Alvarez at the meeting held by ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) on May 5, 2022. See McDonald’s Presentation May 5, 2022. The presentation and minutes from that meeting are available on ANC 5A’s website under Documents→Meeting Minutes→Single Member District→5A03.

They said McDonald’s is pursuing this rezoning in order to build a new restaurant with a drive-thru to replace the current restaurant at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE. They said the higher mixed-use designation they are seeking (MU-7B) would permit them to build a drive-thru whereas their current mixed-use designation (MU-3A) does not. Specifically they said that the MU 7 Zone is within MU Use Group F, citing to 11 U DCMR § 500.2, and that in MU Use Group F, eating and drinking establishments are permitted as a matter of right, including the drive thru, citing to 11 U DCMR § 515.1.

They do not plan to maximize height or lot occupancy. The newly built restaurant will likely top out around 36 feet and the building will be around roughly 5,000 square feet. They do not intend to build on the wooded lot behind the McDonald’s. They do not intend to build housing. They simply want the rezoning for a drive-thru. (Edited to add: They acknowledged they have been trying to add a drive-thru for many many years. To that point, when I was looking up zoning documents, I came across this one from 1982). They said none of this is mentioned in their application because the question before the Zoning Commission is narrow–whether the requested zoning change is not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan. They said the Zoning Commission prefers that applicants not include things like site plans and the rest for a rezoning application. McDonald’s plans to provide site plans, traffic circulation plans, color schemes, and the rest at future community meetings.

The rezoning application is just for the McDonald’s. While the change to the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) during the Comp Plan amendment process did affect the properties in the plaza next door to the McDonald’s, the rezoning application filed by McDonald’s with the Zoning Commission is just for the lot on which McDonald’s sits. If the owners of the properties in the strip mall want to rezone those properties (which are in a different lot), they will have to go through their own rezoning process with the Zoning Commission.

This rezoning application by McDonald’s is just the next step in the process to complete the zoning change process they started many years ago during the Comp Plan amendment process. Recall the ANC supported their rezoning request in 2017 and McDonald’s asked for reaffirmation of that support in 2019. The Comp Plan update took a while so only now have they reached the point where they are seeking the rezoning by the Zoning Commission and that is why they are now seeking the ANC’s support once again. They said they can work with the ANC during the permitting process in terms of securing any assurances that the ANC may want.

Commissioner Lucio requested that McDonald’s attend the regularly scheduled ANC 5A meeting later this month. Hopefully by then they will have an FAQ sheet prepared so that everyone is equipped with the pertinent information.

Commissioner Lucio plans to have a meeting with ANC Commissioner Charles Lockett (5A02), ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08), and North Michigan Park Civic Association president Carmen Williams so that they can all work together on this. If you live in that area and have questions about any of this, you can reach out to one of them.

Lamond-Riggs Library Construction Update and Sneak Preview

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

From DC Public Library

Consigli Construction and sub-contractors have been making steady progress rebuilding your library, and we are very close to the finish line. Below is an update on progress along with some photos.

Construction progress update with photographs below:

  • Exterior custom architectural metal panel installation is underway.
  • Exterior cladding (Trespa® panel) installation is complete.
  • Entry Pathway is in place and concrete walkways within the fence enclosure are underway. 
  • All utilities – PEPCO, Washington Gas, Water, & Verizon are live
  • Construction trailer has left the site.
  • Mechanical, Plumbing final inspections have passed.
  • Electrical, Fire alarm, Elevator and sprinkler final inspections are scheduled. 
  • Custom Built-in’s and book shelving installation has progressed well, furniture arrival is scheduled for next week.

What to expect in the weeks ahead?

  • You will receive an update from me as soon as we have the (conditional) certificate of occupancy from DCRA
  • You will receive dates for closure of the interim library and opening ceremony for the new library
  • Hardscape, landscape work, will continue along with close out inspections.

Shot from Jefferson St. showing exterior custom architectural metal panel installation underway

Shot from the alley showing completion of Exterior cladding (Trespa® panels)

Concrete in place at Entrance

Progress in Children’s area First Floor

Progress in Adult Collection Space

Progress in Productivity Center, Anything Anytime Area

Any general questions from the community can be directed to Library’s Community engagement liaison Martha Saccocio at her email: Martha.Saccocio@dc.gov.

Any time-sensitive Construction Safety issues can be reported to Consigli Construction Superintendent- Michael Davis at 202.570.3375.