The seat for ANC 5A09 is now vacant. Interested candidates may pick up petitions starting today July 31 through August 21, 2023.
ANC 5A09 covers Art Place at Fort Totten, Aventine Fort Totten, Food & Friends, part of Fort Circle Park, and a few blocks in North Michigan Park. Information about how to run for the vacant seat is available in the vacancy notice and on the DC Board of Elections website.
The hearing for UDC’s proposed Lamond-Riggs campus plan is scheduled for October 16, 2023. See Zoning Commission hearing notice, case no. 23-16. This gives ANC 5A and residents plenty of time to organize thoughts on how to respond to the proposed plan. Instructions on how to give live testimony or submit written testimony are in the hearing notice.
UDC still has not updated the campus plan website with the most up-to-date information, but you can view the zoning documents on the Zoning Commission’s website.
Documents previously shared
Mayor Muriel Bowser joined residents to break ground on construction of Riggs Crossing, a senior resident building that will be located on the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE. The lead developer is the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) in partnership with EYA.
The project website is davisbuildsriggsxing.com.
This building accompanies the recently constructed townhome community by EYA called Riggs Park Place. Mayor Bowser celebrated the ribbon cutting of Riggs Park Place last summer. Together, these projects complete the development that started with the construction of Fort Totten Square back in 2015.
Video: Mayor Bowser Breaks Ground on New Affordable Senior Housing Project in Ward 4, July 20, 2023
Aakash Thakkar, chief acquisitions officer at EYA, opened the event and as always recognized the community’s role in this project. Vandalia Joyner-Taylor, a resident of Riggs Park since 1959, introduced Mayor Bowser. Mayor Bowser laid the foundation for these projects, starting as an ANC commissioner before becoming Ward 4 councilmember and then mayor. Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George followed the mayor, recognizing the importance of this affordable housing project in Ward 4. Christopher Donald, executive director & CEO of the DC Housing Finance Agency, and Drew Hubbard, deputy director of the DC Department of Housing & Community Development, both mentioned how this project will help meet the District’s goal of producing 12,000 affordable housing units by 2025. Carmen Romero, CEO of APAH, closed the program.
Overview
Riggs Crossing will consist of 93 income-restricted units for seniors 62 years old and older.
APAH has a lot of experience building affordable housing primarily in Virginia with a couple of projects in Maryland. Riggs Crossing is APAH’s first project in DC. Jaydot will provide case management services for the 10 permanent supportive housing units.
Approximately 5,000 square feet of ground floor retail will be available for below market rate lease for a local/unique retailer.
Construction
Davis Construction is the construction team on this project. Monthly construction updates are available on the project website. On the website, you can also subscribe to receive updates about the project. The site work seen over the past few weeks was pre-construction site work. The team received permits yesterday to begin excavation. Expect about 5 weeks of pounding during excavation. The team has set up a vibration monitor and met with nearby property owners. For construction concerns, email Joanna Shin at jshin@apah.org.
Jobs & Apprenticeship Opportunity
On the website is a list of available construction jobs. In addition, as part of the team’s First Source commitment, they are offering paid apprenticeship opportunities for up to 20 DC residents. From the project website:
As part of our First Source Approved Alternative Plan as well as our Section 3 best faith efforts, DAVIS and APAH have committed to providing training for up to 20 District Residents. We plan to partner with the local Associated Builder’s and Contractor’s (ABC) chapter and enroll interested potential workers in the ABC CORE program for a 10 week training program. We will help graduates find job offers with our trade partners within the industry. Costs for candidates to enroll will be covered by DAVIS and APAH.
If interested in the apprenticeship opportunity, complete the contact form on the “Career” page on the project website or simply stop by the construction trailer (located in the green space in front of Food & Friends) to provide your contact information and let the team know of your interest in enrolling. Please let your neighbors know about this opportunity to take advantage sooner rather than later.
Retail
There will be about 9,500 square feet of ground floor retail space, of which 5,000 square feet will be offered below market rate lease for a local/unique retailer. Right now, the team states that there is not infrastructure capacity for a full-service restaurant, but they might be willing to revisit that decision. Interested parties may contact Joanna Shin at jshin@apah.org.
Pictures of groundbreaking below.
Metro has installed another set of faregates at Fort Totten station, settling on a final design after two rounds of prototype testing that started around November 2022. People are still finding ways around the taller, stronger gates. This final installation follows several weeks of stepped up security presence at the station to deter people from entering the gates without paying. During morning and evening rush hour, a row of officers has been lined up just inside the faregates.
Last month in June, Metro introduced Metro Lift, a reduced fare program for DC, Maryland, and Virginia residents enrolled in SNAP. Information at https://www.wmata.com/fares/Reduced-Fare-Programs/MetroLift/index.cfm.
In other Metro news, last week local news reported that a special police officer shot a teen at Fort Totten station after responding to a fight between a group of people. The teen allegedly fired a gun at another individual. News reports state that the teen has been charged with assault with intent to kill and carrying a pistol without a license. A few months ago in March, a special police officer apparently chased a “suspect” fleeing towards Fort Totten station and discharged his weapon, according to MPD. No more details have been provided about that particular incident.
On July 18, 2023, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) held a pre-construction meeting on the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) from Fort Totten to Takoma. The dedicated project website is https://mbt-forttotten-takoma.ddot.dc.gov. There you can find construction updates and project resources such as design plans and meeting presentations. Construction will take place in phases. Completion is expected in 2025. Send questions/concerns to project email at metbranchtrail@dc.gov.
See Link to MBT Fort Totten-Takoma extension pre-construction meeting
General work hours will be 7:00 am-7:00 pm Monday through Friday. Exact work hours will vary. All available lanes will be open during morning and evening rush hour. Saturday and night work will be reserved for special circumstances and requires advanced notice and DDOT approval. No work will be done on Sundays. DDOT will work with Metro on advance public notice for any necessary temporary bus stop closures.
DDOT answered a number of questions. A few of my questions were (1) where construction staging for Phase 1 will take place; (2) whether DDOT can add the missing curb ramp on 1st Place NE during Phase 1 for people approaching the MBT at Fort Totten from the east and south of Riggs Road; and (3) whether DDOT can easily email weekly or regular construction updates especially those regarding closures impacting pedestrians/bus riders/drivers without making people sign up for a special account. DDOT said they are aware of the missing curb cut issue and will look into it. They will answer the other questions once they have firm responses.
There were also questions about safe accommodations, suggested routes for regular MBT riders north of Fort Totten during construction, whether a bridge across Riggs Road is an option (that could be longer term goal), removal of trees during future phases (DDOT said no tree removal is planned for construction of the Fort Totten-Takoma section), activation of a traffic signal at New Hampshire before completion of the project, something about a blind corner at Maple, alignments in the Piney Branch to Blair Road segment (a future phase), and other stuff I cannot remember right now. Again, DDOT will try to address these questions on the project website when they have firm answers.
General information about the MBT is available at metbranchtrail.com.
Information about Fort Totten-Takoma construction phases, other MBT sections, and a traffic advisory for the Fort Tottten station area below.
Phase 1: Summer 2023 to Winter 2023
Construction Begins Fort Totten Metro Station Parking Area to South Dakota Avenue NE
Phase 2: Winter 2023 to 2024
Construction on South Dakota Avenue NE to McDonald Place NE to Blair Road NW
Construction on East side of roadway
Phase 3: Winter 2024 to Spring 2025
Construction on Blair Road – Oglethorpe Street NW to Aspen Street NW
Construction on East side of roadway
Phase 4: Spring 2025 to Summer 2025
Construction on Blair Road NW – Oglethorpe Street NW to Aspen Street NW
Construction on West side of roadway and Sandy Spring Road NW
Phase 5: Summer 2025
Construction on Blair Road NW – Oglethorpe Street NW to Aspen Street NW and Sandy Spring Road NW
Construction on roadway medians
Other MBT sections
(Aside: For awareness, I was informed that the cycletrack planned for Riggs Road between 1st Place and South Dakota Avenue NE (NOI-23-75-PSD) has been put on hold (maybe indefinitely) due to staffing capacity. DDOT stated they will not proceed before returning to ANC 5A and 4B and other stakeholders. That could happen as soon as fall 2023 but also could be later, depending on when DDOT has capacity to resume the project and address the comments in the NOI).
Traffic Advisory
DDOT has also posted a traffic advisory impacting the Fort Totten Metro station area.
On June 21, 2023, UDC submitted a campus plan application to the DC Zoning Commission for the Lamond-Riggs campus (ZC case no. 23-16). The Lamond-Riggs campus (formerly known as the Bertie Backus campus) houses the university’s community college programs. DC zoning regulations require universities to update campus plans every 10 years. This proposed 2023-2033 campus plan is the first for the Lamond-Riggs campus. UDC plans to attend ANC 5A’s September 2023 meeting to seek a resolution in support of the plan ahead of an anticipated October 2023 zoning hearing.
Documents (from Zoning Commission site)
According to UDC, the goals of the regulations are to ensure that university campuses “(1) are well-planned and designed; (2) have long-term facilities plans; (3) minimize any negative impacts the university may have on the surrounding residential neighborhood; and (4) are consistent and transparent with their planning processes.”
The proposed plan features 5 primary changes to the campus:
The proposed plan has 5 sections:
The plan proposes a two-phase approach to the development of the campus. Phase 1 includes renovation of the existing campus buildings. Phase II includes construction of a new wing and other improvemetns on the campus.
Campus Plan Overview & General Fact Sheet
Campus Development Plan Fact Sheet June 2023
From July 22 to September 4, 2023, the green line will be closed north of Fort Totten station for installation of fiber optic cables.
July 22 & 23: No green line service at all at Fort Totten station (red line service will still be available).
July 24-September 4: Green line will operate every 8 minutes between Fort Totten and Branch Avenue only.
Metro has provided two maps with shuttle service details.
Service July 22 & 23, 2023
Station Closures: Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Hyattsville Crossing, West Hyattsville, Fort Totten (no Green Line service)
Free Shuttle Service
Free local and limited-stop shuttles available during Metrorail operating hours.
Local Service
Limited Service
Due to the volume of customers, wait times can be up to 20 minutes during rush hours.
Service July 24 – September 4, 2023
Station Closures: Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Hyattsville Crossing, West Hyattsville
Free Shuttle Service
Free local and limited-stop shuttles available during Metrorail operating hours.
Local Service
Limited-stop Service
Due to the volume of customers, wait times can be up to 20 minutes during rush hours.
Rail Service
Rail Options
Bus Options
Greenbelt
College Park-U of Md
Hyattsville Crossing
West Hyattsville
Join DC Fray and the Cafritz Foundation for the Children’s Festival Event Series at the Modern at Art Place for some free, community-centered fun every fourth Saturday, 1pm-3pm, from June to September!
Details at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafritz-foundation-childrens-festival-event-series-tickets-658539067077.
July 22nd – Carnival
Share your nostalgic carnival favorites with the whole family this summer! Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to win fun prizes; play games like ring toss, cornhole, Plinko and pin the tail on the donkey; or get your face painted – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
August 26th – Back to School Bash
Ready to kick off this next school year? Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to collect free school supplies and warm up your brains with our immersive instructional experiences including fun math games + a visit from a reptile expert – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
September 23rd – Harry Potter: Movie at The Modern
Calling all young witches and wizards! Show off your house pride by dressing up in your best robes and enjoy themed snacks, trivia, face painting, themed prizes + more. Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation for free, all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
Patricia K. Timbers, a neighbor on Chillum Place NE in Riggs Park, wrote to the Washington Post to ask the origin of the Chillum name. The Post explained that the name comes from Chilham Castle in England. An individual named William Digges recorded the property that sits along the DC/Maryland border and named the parcel Chillum Castle Manor.
In 1763, William Digges patented 4,443 acres of property that today straddles the border of the District and Prince George’s County. That means that he had the property surveyed and registered with the proper authorities. Digges’s acquisition was a consolidation of nine parcels, including 506 acres of something known as Yarrow Head, 620 acres of Smyrna and 1,120 acres of Widows Purchase.
Digges decided to call the newly patented parcel Chillum Castle Manor. This was a reference to the family’s ancestral home back in the county of Kent in southeast England. That ancestral home is in the village of Chilham and is itself called Chilham Castle. You can guess how it’s pronounced: CHILL-uhm.
Kelly, John. “What’s in a name? For Chillum, the story begins at an English castle.” Washington Post July 15, 2023.
The article offers a few other interesting tidbits about the history of the name. Check it out.
Ward Days are back at the National Building Museum!
On July 20, 2023, Ward 4 & Ward 5 residents can enjoy free admission to the museum (401 F Street NW). Museum opens at 10:00 am. Story time at 11:00 am & 1:00 pm. Bring proof of residency with zip code.
As part of the Washington, D.C. community, the National Building Museum invites residents of each D.C. Ward to visit the Summer Block Party installation, Look Here, with free admission to all exhibitions during your specific Ward Day.
When is the Look Here Ward Day for my neighborhood?
I’m ready to visit the Museum, what do I need to know?
| Public Meeting Notice: The Metropolitan Branch Trail Fort Totten to Takoma The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to a virtual project meeting on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 6:00 PM to discuss the status of the Metropolitan Branch Train Project. DDOT will present an overview of the project and discuss project features and milestones. ABOUT THE EVENT DATE: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 TIME: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM VIRTUAL MEETING: WebEx Click here to view the virtual meeting and presentation: tinyurl.com/MBTFortTottenToTakomaProject Event Number: 2308 603 0092 Event Password: Join250! (56462500 from phones and video systems) Dial-in option (audio only): 1-202-860-2110 Access code: 230 860 30092 The WebEx system will prompt you for a Numeric Webinar Password: 82659282. Press the # key to join the meeting. For more information, please contact Kelsey Bridges, DDOT Transportation Planner at 202-438-8972 or e-mail near.northwestiii@dc.gov. |
Sixth Annual Riggs Park Art Crawl
July 14 & 15, 2023
10:00 am-3:00 pm
Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Vendors ● Music ● Books ● Live Painting ● Yoga Demo ● Face Painting ● Balloons ● Caricatures
Presented by The Parks Main Street, Culture Coffee Too, Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and the DC Department of Small & Local Business Development (DSLBD)
Attorney General Brian Schwalb and At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson will lead a community discussion on the environment beginning at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE.
Registration & information at https://oag.dc.gov/about-oag/oag-community.
Youth 18 years old and younger can eat free meals at a number of sites across the city, including a few in the neighborhood and nearby.
Open June 26, 2023 through August 3, 2023
Meals served Monday-Friday
Breakfast: 8:30 am-9:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Open June 26, 2023 through August 18, 2023
Meals served Monday-Friday
Breakfast: 8:30 am-9:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 pm-2:00 pm
Open June 26, 2023 through August 18, 2023
Meals served Monday-Friday
Breakfast: 8:30 am-9:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Open June 26, 2023 through August 18, 20123
Meals served Monday-Friday
Breakfast 8:30 am-9:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Snack 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
If you submitted a photo featured on the Heritage Wall at the Lamond-Riggs Library, artist Michelle Lisa Herman created a small print of the square with your photo as a memento. Please pick up your small print at the library during business hours from branch manager David Gaston. Library hours are 9:00 am-8:00 pm Monday – Wednesday; 12:00 pm-8:00 pm on Thursday; 10:00 am-6:00 pm Friday & Saturday; and 1:00 pm-5:00 pm on Sunday (closed on holidays).
Also, library officials are looking for the individual(s) who submitted the photo in the square pictured below. The photo is of four individuals holding a framed picture of a woman in profile. A small print is available for pickup.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 