UDC will hold a virtual community meeting on the proposed Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan on September 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm. Please join this meeting to share your thoughts.
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
For more information or questions, contact Juanita Gray at juanita.gray@udc.edu or (202) 536-9605.
Zoning Commission Hearing
The Zoning Commission issued a corrected public hearing notice for the proposed campus plan (ZC case no. 23-16). The hearing will be at 4:00 pm on October 30, 2023. Instructions for testifying orally or submitting written testimony are in the hearing notice.
The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is reviewing the sale of the Providence Hospital site (1150 Varnum Street NE) to a for-profit entity and is holding a public hearing to receive stakeholder and resident input.
Join us Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the University of the District of Columbia Community College Lamond-Riggs Campus (Formerly Bertie Backus) located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE, to observe or testify at the hearing. Individuals must RSVP to testify.
To accommodate as many participants as possible, oral testimony is limited to three (3) minutes per person. Alternatively, individuals may submit written testimony as a Word or PDF file via email to providencehospitalcomments@oag.dc.gov.
The deadline to submit written testimony is Friday, September 8th at 5:00 PM.
Please RSVP here to attend the hearing and for additional information.
Click on each position for the full job posting, a description of the position, and instructions on how to apply. You can also find the postings under the DC Council’s list of job openings. If you have any questions about the openings, please email Chief of Staff, Kelly Hunt, at khunt@dccouncil.gov.
Residents of Wards 4, 5, and 7 are invited to vote on the subject for a future commemorative work from now until Friday, September 1. The DC Office of Planning previously accepted nominations for commemorative works subjects and has now prepared information on each as well as a dedicated website for each ward to vote on. The selected subject will be the focus of artists and consultants hired by the Office of Planning to prepare a concept design of a work, with additional community feedback and updates informing the final design.
DC Caribbean Carnival on Georgia Avenue – Long-standing celebration held on Georgia Avenue NW showcasing the traditions and culture of the Caribbean islands.
Founding of DC Youth Orchestra – Organization providing access to musical training and the first youth orchestra to play at the Kennedy Center.
Highway Revolts – Integrated coalition of activists who prevented the construction of a highway system through DC.
Vanilla Beane – An influential milliner and small business owner who was inducted into the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers Hall of Fame.
Neighbors Inc. – Actively fought against discriminatory real estate practices and promoted integrated communities in DC.
Stephen Whatley – ANC Commissioner and veteran who fought for community participation in the redevelopment of Walter Reed.
United Blacks Against Discrimination (U-BAD) – Organization that protested working conditions and racial inequality at Walter Reed.
Ward 5 Nominations
Dr. Alexander Augusta – First African American medical professor and hospital leader in the US, highest-ranking African American officer in the Union Army, and civil rights activist.
Charles L. Bryant and Robert E. Bryant – Founders of the oldest Black owned architecture firm in the US and mentors to young architects and engineers.
Empower DC – Citywide non-profit focused on strengthening low-income Black communities.
Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol – Recognition of enslaved people forced to construct the Capitol.
Founding of Dance Place – Community institution providing access to movement arts regardless of means or background.
Hurd v. Hodge – Landmark Supreme Court case that struck down racial covenants in DC.
Integration of Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association – First integrated community association in DC and influential force fighting highways and advocating for Metro.
Lillian Huff – Community and Democratic political activist who served as the chair of the first Statehood Convention and was appointed to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.
Mary Jane Patterson – First African American woman to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the US and a prominent DC educator.
Shirley Horn – Grammy Award winning singer who performed at the White House, was honored by Congress, and named to the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters.
Sterling Allen Brown – Renowned poet considered an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance and DC’s first Poet Laureate.
Boundary map of ANC 4B09 provided by DC Board of Elections
Residents in ANC single member district 4B09 have a new ANC commissioner. ANC Commissioner Derrick Thompson, who was recently installed by Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, has jumped right in, supporting a number of events in the neighborhood and around the city. I reached out to Commissioner Thompson with a few questions to introduce himself to residents. His responses are below. Commissioner Thompson can be reached by email at 4B09@anc.dc.gov.
1. Please provide a brief introduction of yourself to residents.
Thanks for this opportunity. I’m a Los Angeles native who has lived in D.C. since 2018 with the vast majority of that time being a Riggs Park resident. I work at the National League of Cities in the marketing communications strategy division. In fact, a good half of my professional career has been spent handling marketing communications strategy in the local government space, including time at the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County. I’m an alum of California State University Long Beach (bachelor’s degree in journalism) and University of Texas at Arlington (master’s degree in communications). Also I’m a dog dad, an avid traveler having visited at least 15 countries and I’m studying at Payne Theological Seminary. To learn more, residents can follow me @ThompsonDC4BO9 on Twitter (X) and Instagram.
2. (a) Why are you interested in serving on the ANC?
(b) Why do you believe you are prepared to represent the residents of ANC 4B09?
(c) For ANC 4B specifically, how do you propose to improve the representation provided by the commission for residents?
Having worked in the local government space for a decade, it’s very clear that Riggs Park – the place I’ve called home for nearly five years – is at a critical crossroads. I believe Riggs Park has all the potential to be one of the best neighborhoods in the District. So much good has happened in the past few years, and so much is to come, including the Riggs Crossing Senior Residences. However, without intentional direction and a voice to that direction, community progress can be stifled. When coupling my passion for the future of this community with my local government experience, the opportunity to represent the concerns and interests of my neighbors as Commissioner for Single Member District 4B09 seemed like an ideal way to serve my government as well as my community.
3. What are your top 3-5 priorities in finishing out the term?
My priorities will be the community’s priorities, so I look forward to learning more about what’s important to Riggs Park residents. However, in conversations with neighbors, there seems to be great consensus that public safety is an issue we must get ahead of in Riggs Park. Reimagining What Community Safety Looks and Feels Like seems to be a key priority for this community.
Also, as noted earlier, our community is at a development crossroads. I know there’s significant community support for prioritizing Intentional Retail, Business Development in Riggs Park.
Thirdly, our community already is home to many senior adults. In fact, Ward 4 is home to one of the highest percentages of senior residents in the District, and in 2025, we’ll have 93 more senior families who will call Riggs Park home. With that in mind, Setting Senior Adults for Successful Living in Riggs Park must be prioritized and top of mind.
Also, I’ve heard the need to Engage More Riggs Park Constituents in Community Matters as a top priority. Right now, I’m in talks with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association President about being part of their upcoming membership drive. That being said, whatever steps we can take to involve more people in what’s happening in Riggs Park will help us accomplish so much for the community at large. There’s power in numbers! If there’s community agreement and support for these four priorities, we can call it the Riggs Park Priority RISE Plan.
4. What responsibility do you believe the ANC has in formally responding to citywide proposals?
Our job as commissioners is to brighten the corners where we are. As Commissioner, my commitment is to the residents in Single Member District 4B09. Accordingly, when citywide proposals directly impact our community–or populations significantly represented in our community such as seniors–then I think we should definitely be part of those conversations.
5. You will represent an area that is the center of large-scale neighborhood development? In what ways do you believe that the development currently taking place is and/or is not compatible with the Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue Area Development Plan?
Indeed, a lot is happening in Riggs Park and surrounding areas. One of the plan’s items that stands out to me is the call for a diverse retail development and fostering a pedestrian friendly community. That made me think of the recent loss of Culture Coffee TOO, which creates a void as well as an opportunity for our community. There’s a lot of talk about what business will occupy that space, which is warranted because people understand that what occupies that space can and will influence the tenor of the neighborhood. It’s too early for me to get into specifics, I’ll just say that there are certain parts of this plan that are important for us to prioritize now given this critical time in our community’s history.
6. What specific steps would you propose taking to continue implementing the area development plan?
Coming into the commissioner role mid-term requires me to ramp up on what’s happening in Riggs Park and what’s already in the works before I can discuss specifics. I anticipate steps I take will be informed, intentional and data-supported so we can direct the necessary attention to those plan elements that are of the most importance to Riggs Parks residents.
Residents of Wards 4, 5, and 7 are invited to vote on the subject for a future commemorative work from now until Friday, August 25. The DC Office of Planning previously accepted nominations for commemorative works subjects and has now prepared information on each as well as a dedicated website for each ward to vote on. The selected subject will be the focus of artists and consultants hired by the Office of Planning to prepare a concept design of a work, with additional community feedback and updates informing the final design.
DC Caribbean Carnival on Georgia Avenue – Long-standing celebration held on Georgia Avenue NW showcasing the traditions and culture of the Caribbean islands.
Founding of DC Youth Orchestra – Organization providing access to musical training and the first youth orchestra to play at the Kennedy Center.
Highway Revolts – Integrated coalition of activists who prevented the construction of a highway system through DC.
Vanilla Beane – An influential milliner and small business owner who was inducted into the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers Hall of Fame.
Neighbors Inc. – Actively fought against discriminatory real estate practices and promoted integrated communities in DC.
Stephen Whatley – ANC Commissioner and veteran who fought for community participation in the redevelopment of Walter Reed.
United Blacks Against Discrimination (U-BAD) – Organization that protested working conditions and racial inequality at Walter Reed.
Ward 5 Nominations
Dr. Alexander Augusta – First African American medical professor and hospital leader in the US, highest-ranking African American officer in the Union Army, and civil rights activist.
Charles L. Bryant and Robert E. Bryant – Founders of the oldest Black owned architecture firm in the US and mentors to young architects and engineers.
Empower DC – Citywide non-profit focused on strengthening low-income Black communities.
Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol – Recognition of enslaved people forced to construct the Capitol.
Founding of Dance Place – Community institution providing access to movement arts regardless of means or background.
Hurd v. Hodge – Landmark Supreme Court case that struck down racial covenants in DC.
Integration of Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association – First integrated community association in DC and influential force fighting highways and advocating for Metro.
Lillian Huff – Community and Democratic political activist who served as the chair of the first Statehood Convention and was appointed to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.
Mary Jane Patterson – First African American woman to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the US and a prominent DC educator.
Shirley Horn – Grammy Award winning singer who performed at the White House, was honored by Congress, and named to the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters.
Sterling Allen Brown – Renowned poet considered an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance and DC’s first Poet Laureate.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592.
Meeting ID: 832 8769 6066. Passcode: 262224
Call to Order & Roll Call
Administrative Items
Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting
Consideration and Approval of Agenda
Approval of June 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Treasurer’s Report & Approval of Quarterly Financial Report for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023
Commissioner Updates
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.
Reports
Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (3 min)
Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (3 min)
Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education (3 min)
Housing Justice Committee (2 min)
Vision Zero Committee (2 min)
Presentation: Colin Thomas, Principal, Thomas Development, 6634 & 6640 Georgia Ave, NW, Proposed Map Amendment to Rezone Property from RA-2 to RA-3 (Case No. 22-37) (10-minute presentation, 10-minute discussion)
Presentation: Rodd Monts, Director of State Policy, SchoolHouse Connection, Student Homelessness and Opportunities for Support (10-minute presentation, 10-minute discussion)
Presentation: Julio Valdez, JVS Project Space, “Takoma Taking Flight” Mural Proposal at Takoma Elementary School (10-minute presentation, 5-minute discussion)
Letter: Supporting “Takoma Taking Flight” Proposal for the Public Art Building Communities Grant Program (Commissioner Palmer)
Consent Calendar
Resolution 4B-23-0801: Calling for Additional Hardening of Protected Bike Lane on Piney Branch Road, NW, Due to Repeated Damage (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats & Commissioner Brooks)
Resolution 4B-23-0802: Calling for the District Department of Public Works to Conduct More Regular Collection of Public Trash and Recycling Cans and for Greater Transparency Regarding Location of Cans and Frequency of Collection (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Gilligan)
Resolution 4B-23-0803: Requesting Applicant Engagement with Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B and Highlighting Stormwater Mitigation Needs for 6817 5th Street, NW (HPA 23-364) and 6819 5th Street, NW (HPA-23-365) (Commissioner Palmer & Commissioner Yeats)
Adjournment
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for September 12 at 6:30pm.
The next Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 26 at 7:00pm.
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!
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.
Tonight, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker will hold a virtual meeting about Metro’s development plans at Brookland station and Fort Totten station (register for link). The meeting will present a 30,000 foot view of the plans as Metro begins the development process at both stations.
Fort Totten station
Metro recently authorized moving forward with a solicitation for joint development of the large parking lot at Fort Totten station (see this post on the authorization). As outlined in the board document, Metro believes there is potential for 750 housing units with retail and expanded Metro Transit Police precinct facilities, along with a parking garage for no loss of long-term Metro parking spaces (408 spaces). Metro plans to keep the small parking lot in front of the 7-Eleven (approximately 58 spaces, which I believe is more than the lot holds today). (Update 8/23: During the meeting, Metro officials stated that they do not plan to change or increase the number of parking spaces in the short-term lot, which is currently around 32 spaces). In the board document, Metro states, “A Compact Public Hearing is not required because there are no changes to the capacity of or access to transit facilities.”
My understanding is that a project at Fort Totten station will require some local funding in order to be viable. So realistically a project is some ways off (and may not happen at all).
There are some questions worth raising. I sent a few questions to Councilmember Parker’s office about Metro’s plan to keep and perhaps even increase the number of parking spaces in the small parking lot, needed site circulation improvements, the decision to cut yellow line service to Fort Totten, Metro’s retail plan, and the need for environmental improvements on the large parking lot, particularly if a development project does not move forward. I believe a representative from Metro will attend CM Parker’s tonight, but I do not know if they will be prepared to answer questions.
Residents of Wards 4, 5, and 7 are invited to vote on the subject for a future commemorative work from now until Friday, August 25. The DC Office of Planning previously accepted nominations for commemorative works subjects and has now prepared information on each as well as a dedicated website for each ward to vote on. The selected subject will be the focus of artists and consultants hired by the Office of Planning to prepare a concept design of a work, with additional community feedback and updates informing the final design.
DC Caribbean Carnival on Georgia Avenue – Long-standing celebration held on Georgia Avenue NW showcasing the traditions and culture of the Caribbean islands.
Founding of DC Youth Orchestra – Organization providing access to musical training and the first youth orchestra to play at the Kennedy Center.
Highway Revolts – Integrated coalition of activists who prevented the construction of a highway system through DC.
Vanilla Beane – An influential milliner and small business owner who was inducted into the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers Hall of Fame.
Neighbors Inc. – Actively fought against discriminatory real estate practices and promoted integrated communities in DC.
Stephen Whatley – ANC Commissioner and veteran who fought for community participation in the redevelopment of Walter Reed.
United Blacks Against Discrimination (U-BAD) – Organization that protested working conditions and racial inequality at Walter Reed.
Ward 5 Nominations
Dr. Alexander Augusta – First African American medical professor and hospital leader in the US, highest-ranking African American officer in the Union Army, and civil rights activist.
Charles L. Bryant and Robert E. Bryant – Founders of the oldest Black owned architecture firm in the US and mentors to young architects and engineers.
Empower DC – Citywide non-profit focused on strengthening low-income Black communities.
Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol – Recognition of enslaved people forced to construct the Capitol.
Founding of Dance Place – Community institution providing access to movement arts regardless of means or background.
Hurd v. Hodge – Landmark Supreme Court case that struck down racial covenants in DC.
Integration of Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association – First integrated community association in DC and influential force fighting highways and advocating for Metro.
Lillian Huff – Community and Democratic political activist who served as the chair of the first Statehood Convention and was appointed to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.
Mary Jane Patterson – First African American woman to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the US and a prominent DC educator.
Shirley Horn – Grammy Award winning singer who performed at the White House, was honored by Congress, and named to the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters.
Sterling Allen Brown – Renowned poet considered an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance and DC’s first Poet Laureate.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) published a newsletter on the Met Branch Trail (MBT) Fort Totten to Takoma extension. You can sign up to receive the newsletter and email updates at https://forms.office.com/r/p4heFT9diL. This issue covers the general timeline and provides links to a few project resources, such as the pre-construction meeting recording and FAQs. It also provides information about Phase 1 construction staging (previously described in this post). The project website is https://mbt-forttotten-takoma.ddot.dc.gov.
Project Timeline
Phase 1: Summer 2023 to Fall 2025 Construction Begins Fort Totten Metro Station Parking Area to South Dakota Avenue NE
Phase 2: Winter 2023 to Winter 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
Congratulations to Food & Friends! The neighobrhood organization was voted “Best nonprofit” and “Best place to volunteer” in Washington City Paper’s Best of DC 2023 people’s poll. The organization is located at 219 Riggs Road NE. Check out the website and volunteer opportunities at https://foodandfriends.org.
Ward 5 Metro Station Development Community Meeting August 22, 2023 6:00 pm
Description from Office of CM Parker
Councilmember Zachary Parker seeks to update Ward 5 neighbors about development opportunities at the Brookland Metro and Fort Totten Metro stations. As a champion for expanding affordable housing, the Councilmember seeks to build support for increasing Ward 5’s (affordable) housing supply and delivering long-needed amenities for our community. Join for an opportunity to learn more about Councilmember’s Parker’s vision for the future of the Brookland Metro and Fort Totten Metro stations.
We’re taking over the entire Turkey Thicket campus and our annual Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway will happen at Brookland Middle (free quality backpack and school supplies).
Confirmed activities include:
Massages and a workout class by Bikram Yoga Works – Ivy City
Line Dancing
Softball game by Woodridge Warriors
Moon bounces, honey-making stations, and face paint for the kids
DJ and live band
Taste of Ward 5 featuring some of your favorite Ward 5 restaurants
Voter registration
Government and community vendors including DC Health, Medstar, DC Water, and more
And of course there will be food!
Enjoy food from the grill and Rita’s
Food samples from Ward 5 restaurants and more
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Ward 5 Awards Ceremony @ Trinity Washington University
Free backpacks & school supplies. Hosted by Metro Transit Police Community Services Bureau. Children of all ages are welcome from elementary to high school. There will be family-friendly activities, including a moon bounce, miniature train rides, a live DJ and band, and free food.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has added a question & answer document to the website for the Fort Totten to Takoma extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT). In addition, DDOT emailed me separately about the questions I submitted. My questions and DDOT’s responses below.
1. Where will construction staging for Phase 1 be located?
DDOT Response:
The construction crew will initially be staging materials, within the DDOT ROW, on the East side of South Dakota Ave NE at the intersection of Madison St NE/First St NE/South Dakota Ave NE. Additional potential staging areas will be looked at on an as needed basis.
2. Can DDOT send construction notices about closures impacting pedestrians/bus riders/drivers by email without requiring people to open an ArcGIS account?
DDOT Response:
You are able to sign up for email updates through the website at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/p4heFT9diL. There will be a newsletter sent out about the project on a regular basis.
3. As part of Phase 1, can DDOT install the missing curb cut on 1st Place NE that will make it easier for those of us east of Fort Totten Metro station south of Riggs Road NE to get onto the MBT at Fort Totten station? I appreciate that DDOT will look into this. I raised issues about connections from the east when the Brookland-Fort Totten extension was being constructed & I raised the issue again after that section was completed.
DDOT Response:
The team is continuing to investigate the issue regarding installing the missing curb cut on 1st Place NE, which is the property of WMATA. In order to add the curb cut, the incorporation of additional bicycle facilities may be required and/or a crosswalk that will direct bicyclists to and from the MBT. 1st Place NE doesn’t currently have bicycle facilities and features high volumes of buses coming to and from the Metro Station. Further evaluation and coordination with WMATA is necessary to evaluate the design of 1st Pl NE and the potential impacts of the addition of a bike ramp. DDOT is currently discussing this with WMATA and in the context of future development at the Fort Totten Metro Station. The current plans for the MBT directs bikers to the existing curb cut further north on 1st Place which will be tied in with the next section of the MBT with proper crossings and signages visible to motorists and buses.
The North Michigan Park Civic Association along with the Michigan Park 4 Life Reunion and the Department of Parks and Recreation will host the annual North Michigan Park Community Day and Reunion Event
Date – Saturday, August 12, 2023 Time – 12:00 noon until 7:00 pm Location – North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 1333 Emerson Street NE
This is a family event, bring your chair, blanket and zest for fun. There will be food, music, and games for the entire family.
This is a timeline for some of the gaming events:
Gaming Events
Bingo 12:30 – 1:30 Simon Says – 12:30 -1:30 Musical Chairs – 1:30 – 2:00 Children’s Story Time – 2:00 – 3:00 Touch Fire Truck – 1:00 – 4:00 Game Truck – 2:00 – 5:00 Bubble Bounce – 2:00 – 4:00 Moon Bounce 1:00 – 6:00 360 Camera – 1:00 – 6:00
Other Outside Games Dodge Ball Sack Race Hop Scotch Tug of War Hula Hoop Big Checkers
Next Stop...Riggs Park 