ANC Commissioners will be let in the meeting firsts. All guests are asked to remain muted and use the raise hand feature.
If anyone with a disability needs an accommodation to have full access to the meeting, please email Commissioner Lucio at 5a03@anc.dc.gov Captioning will be turned on.
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Officer Elections- CM Parker
IV. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business A. Minutes (November 2023- Regular and Special Meeting) B. Treasurer Report i. Security Fund ii. FY2024 1st Quarter Financial Report C. Annual Report Actions D. Public Safety Committee E. Faith United Church Community Agreement Update F. ANC 5A Satellite Office Space and Ward 5 Mutual Aid Closure G. Part-Time Temporary Office Assistant Position
V. Commission Action Items/Updates A. Faith United Church of Christ Hypothermia Community Agreement A. 243 Hawaii Ave BZA (5A07) B. 132 Urell Pl BZA (5A05) C. 729 Delafield Street NE BZA (5A09)
VI. Community Updates A. MPD B. Mayor’s Office C. Councilmember Parker’s office
1.Welcome 2. Update from the Mayor’s Office 3. Update from Councilmember Parker’s Office 4. Update regarding Convenience Store/Gas Station 5. Update regarding McDonald’s Development 6. Update regarding Faith United Church of Christ Hypothermia Site 7. Community Concerns
For more information, please contact ANC 5A08 Commissioner Gordon-Andrew Fletcher Phone: 202-556-5958
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
Election of Officers
Appointment of Representative to Walter Reed CAC
Consideration and Approval of Agenda
Approval of November 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Approval of 2024 Meeting Schedule
Approval of ANC Security Fund
Treasurer’s Report and Quarterly Financial Report for First Quarter FY2024
Commissioner Updates
Community Concerns
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 Representative (3 min)
Housing Justice Committee (2 min)
Vision Zero Committee (2 min)
Youth Advisory Committee (2 min)
Presentation: Christopher Dyer, Community Engagement Manager, Department of Parks and Recreation, Update on Spring and Summer Programs and Activities (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)
Presentation: Gragg, Cardona, and Souadi, Update regarding Affordable Assisted Living Facility, 7709 Georgia Ave, NW (Sq. 2961, Lot 810), Map Amendment from MU-4 to MU-10 (DC Zoning Commissioner Case No. 23-11) (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)
Letter: Supporting and Providing Feedback on Proposed Map Amendment from MU-4 to MU-10 for 7709-7723 Georgia Avenue, NW (Case No. 23-11) (Commissioner Colson, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner Yeats)
Presentation: Dr. Linda McKay, Executive Director, Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy Public Charter School, Petition to Public Charter School Board to Amend Charter Agreement to Relocate from Sixth Presbyterian Church at 5413 16th Street, NW to Takoma Park Baptist Church at 635 Aspen Street, NW (10-minute presentation; 15-minute discussion)
Letter: Noting Challenges with Community Engagement Process for Charter School Relocation and Need for Coordination and Oversight for Siting of Public Charter Schools (Commissioner Palmer and Commissioner Yeats)
Consent Calendar:
Resolution 4B-24-0101: Supporting and Providing Feedback on B25-0574, the Do Right by DC Tenants Amendment Act of 2023 (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, and Commissioner Smith)
Resolution 4B-24-0102: Noting History of Requests and Calling for Installation of Meaningful Traffic Calming at the Intersection of 5th Street, NW and Underwood Street, NW (Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, and Commissioner Yeats)
Adjournment
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for February 13 at 6:30pm.
The next Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for February 26 at 7:00pm.
Phase 1 rendering of renovation of existing campus buildings from UDC hearing presentationPhase 2 rendering of new campus wing from UDC hearing presentation
At its public meeting on November 30, 2023, the DC Zoning Commission voted (4-0-1) to take final action to approve UDC’s Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan (2023-2033) (Zoning Commission case no. 23-16). The (-1) is a vacant seat. The campus is located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE in Riggs Park. UDC’s campus plan website is https://www.udc.edu/campus-master-plan.
Formerly known as the Bertie Backus campus, the Lamond-Riggs campus houses the university’s community college program and a few workforce development programs. UDC plans to gradually increase student enrollment at the campus from roughly 1,800 students currently to 3,000 students.
Phase 1 of the campus development plan will involve renovating the existing buildings on the campus. Phase 2 will involve constructing a new wing on the campus. Currently, there is not funding for Phase 2 activities. UDC will have to provide notice and return to the Zoning Commission before proceeding with construction of the new wing.
On December 1, 2023, UDC issued a statement about the campus plan approval, stating in part:
The approved plan features five key changes to the Lamond-Riggs Campus, implemented in two phases:
Modernize and upgrade existing academic buildings and facilities
Strengthen enrollment opportunities and welcome an increase in students, faculty and staff
Promote the University’s distinct identity and wayfinding for public use of campus
Implement on-site urban design improvements along campus frontages
Construct a new wing to increase programs and provide an open-space courtyard for improved green landscaping and sustainable features
Questions about the campus plan may be directed to Avis Russell, UDC General Counsel, at avis.russell@udc.edu or Javier Dussan, UDC Vice President, Facilities and Real Estate Management, at javier.dussan@udc.edu.
Public Hearing
The Zoning Commission held a virtual public hearing on the plan on October 30, 2023.
DDOT Report The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) submitted a pre-hearing report stating that DDOT did not object to the plan with several conditions. DDOT requested that UDC develop a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan and a Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). DDOT requested that UDC enroll students in Metro’s U-Pass program, that UDC address campus parking rates and enforcement mechanism, and that UDC provide covered or indoor bike parking for some of the bike spaces.
Office of Planning Report The DC Office of Planning (OP) also submitted a pre-hearing report that recommended approval of the plan with the condition that maximum student enrollment be capped at 3,000 students and faculty capped at 118 faculty. OP requested that UDC work with the Office of Historic Preservation to document the history of the Bertie Backus Middle School to determine whether the school building is eligible for inclusion in the DC Inventory of Historic Sites and the National Register of Historic Places. The school, built in the 1960s, was named after educator Bertha Arabella “Bertie” Backus. OP’s report included comments from other agencies such as the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), which had several comments about the operation of the food hub at the campus.
ANC 5A Letter in Support ANC 5A submitted a letter in support that outlined several areas of concern based on input from residents (including myself) regarding the Transportation, Sustainability, Campus Relations, and Community Character elements of the plan.
UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan Hearing Presentation UDC presented its plan. New UDC president, Dr. Maurice Edington, attended the hearing and gave brief remarks. The zoning commissioners asked several questions (some of which residents previously asked UDC).
Vice Chair Robert Miller asked about UDC’s response to DOEE’s comments about the food hub. UDC said they are working with DOEE.
Commissioner Joseph Imamura asked why UDC plans to rebuild the parking lot on Galloway Street with new vegetation for Phase 1 and then seemingly plan to remove that newly planted vegetation in order to rebuild the parking lot again for Phase 2. Why not just construct the Phase 2 parking lot. UDC noted that there is not funding for Phase 2 and that they do not know when Phase 2 will be built. They said they are not planting trees in the Phase 1 parking lot islands that will have to be removed, but more so shrubbery.
Commissioner Imamura asked UDC to clarify the plan for the chain link fence along Galloway and along South Dakota. Commissioner Imamura suggested using environmental design to define the campus edge rather than a fence. (Aside: I noted during my oral testimony that UDC would want a way to prevent people from accessing the parking lot without permission after hours and on weekends so that the people who decide to leave empty bottles and trash along the parkland do not decide to take their activities to UDC’s campus).
Commissioner Tiffany Stidham asked about any plan for a shuttle to the metro station or other means of encouraging students/faculty not to drive to campus and also for safety reasons for late-night classes. After Phase 2, the parking lot on Galloway will eventually have just 100 parking spaces for cars and UDC plans to have up to 3,000 students and 118 faculty going to the campus. UDC said they did a survey (presumably during the pandemic) and that the survey did not indicate demand for a shuttle.
In addressing requests by the ANC and residents, UDC noted several times that as a public university, its plan is constrained by funding that has to be approved during the city’s budget process.
DDOT gave a super short presentation as did OP. UDC stated that they were working with DDOT about which conditions would become final. UDC agreed to OP’s conditions. ANC 5A did not have a representative at the hearing.
By the time it was time for public testimony (myself), everyone was ready to call it a day. My written and oral testimony focused on (among other things):
The need for the campus plan to accurately reflect the state of food hub operations and include UDC CAUSES recently developed 5-year food hub strategic plan. Apparently this 5-year plan (which was not available to the public before the hearing) details changes to the food hub that CAUSES officials say are required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provides a portion of funding for the food hub. At an open house in October 2023, CAUSES officials said that Dept. of Ag wants UDC to focus on small farmer entrepreneurs. CAUSES officials said that is why the community garden was removed from the campus.
UDC’s need to work with DDOT to address the cluster that is the South Dakota Avenue/Hamilton Street NE intersection sooner rather than later, especially considering UDC is planning to relocate loading access to the Hamilton Street side of the campus.
UDC’s need for an actual community engagement plan, starting with an up-to-date campus plan website.
A need for the plan to address the role of the community college and campus in the workforce development ecosystem, particularly given the planned departure of the Department of Employment Services (DOES) from the campus.
Campus Naming
In between all of the presentations and reports, Zoning Commission Chair Anthony Hood mentioned more than once that he wants UDC to rename the campus after William Spaulding, the first person to represent Ward 5 on the DC Council following Home Rule. William Spaulding also has ties to UDC. Chair Hood said that he was sure that other people had mentioned this idea to President Edington, but President Edington said he was not aware of this desire. So that is apparently something brewing by folks that we might hear about in the future.
(Aside: UDC’s former president, Ronald Mason, Jr. is responsible for the campus name change, which was approved by university trustees in April 2023. He thought it was important to have a new name to reflect the community college rather than the old name of the middle school. Former President Mason decided to name the campus after the neighborhood in which it sits, just like UDC’s main Van Ness campus. The existing building on the Lamond-Riggs campus is still named the Bertie Backus building).
The Zoning Commission asked UDC to submit a post-hearing statement to address the testimony of the ANC (and myself). UDC also had to outline what conditions the university and DDOT agreed on for the preliminary order.
Zoning Commission Meeting & Decision
UDC Post-hearing Statement UDC submitted a post-hearing statement. The submission includes UDC’s TDM plan, which they say is approved by DDOT. It also includes further revisions to sections of the campus plan.
At the public meeting on November 30, the Zoning Commission decided it was satisfied with UDC’s updates and responses to OP, DDOT, DOEE, and the ANC. Chair Hood said he was sure that UDC would work with residents on better communication and work on issues related to the food hub. He also mentioned one more time for good measure that he wants to see the campus renamed after Mr. Spaulding. Vice Chair Miller chimed in to say he worked with Mr. Spaulding on the council and that he too thought it would be a fitting name. (Aside: It is always interesting to see what Chair Hood decides to expound on extemporaneously during hearings).
UDC Proposed Draft Order The Zoning Commission still needs to issue a final order. UDC submitted a proposed draft order outlining several conditions. UDC’s proposed conditions copied and pasted below:
Campus Plan Term
1. The Campus Plan shall be valid for a period of 10 years.
Enrollment
2. For the duration of the 2023 Plan, the maximum enrollment on the Lamond-Riggs Campus shall not exceed 3,000 students and 118 faculty.
Further Processing
3. The University may construct the proposed Wing D as described in the 2023 Plan, subject to further processing review and approval pursuant to § 210 of the Zoning Regulations: a. The location shall be within the area identified on (Ex. 3 and 2H2-2H3) of the University’s June 21, 2023 Campus Master Plan submission; b. The number of stories, gross floor area, and lot coverage shall be generally consistent with the development summary indicated in the University’s June 21, 2023 Campus Master Plan submission;
4. The University shall provide the community with notice and an opportunity to review the proposed design of the new wing at least 60 days prior to filing of the application for further processing:
a. Notice of the University’s intent to file the application (“Notice of Intent”) shall be provided by U.S. Mail to ANC 5A and all owners of all property within 200 feet of the campus. In addition, the Notice of Intent shall be provided by U.S. Mail to all residents within approximately one block of Square 3757, Lot 802. The Notice of Intent shall state that the University intends to file an application to secure further processing approval to construct the new wing on University property, and shall provide the maximum square footage, description of common areas, and planned pedestrian and vehicular circulation adjacent to the new wing. In addition, the Notice of Intent shall provide a website address (URL) where more information about the proposed wing may be found, and the contact information (name, phone, and email) for a University representative that can be contacted for additional information. Finally, the Notice of Intent shall indicate the date, time, and location of the Preliminary Design Review meeting described below; and
Student Conduct
5. All students at the Lamond-Riggs Campus shall be required to comply with the University Code of Conduct.
6. The University shall use disciplinary intervention for acts of misconduct committed by students (i.e., ‘violations of the Code of Conduct) in the surrounding community (which shall mean within one mile of the University), even if the students are not in properties owned or controlled by the University. The University shall act on incident reports submitted by persons including residents, ANC 5A, community associations, tenant associations, building management, the University’s Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
7. The University shall establish and maintain a relationship with the Metropolitan Police Department to secure referrals on all reports of complaints, infractions, or arrests of University students. The University shall maintain a log of all referrals received and all actions taken.
Transportation and Parking
8. The University shall manage its on-campus parking supply and encourage all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to use transit and other alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle through the implementation of the TDM and PMP measures detailed in Exhibit 24 which reflects all of the commitments made by the University.
9. The University shall encourage all visitors attending special events on campus to use transit or park in University or other area parking facilities. The University shall work with area institutions and commercial parking operators as well as use attendant parking to provide additional parking as needed during these events.
10. The University shall direct all construction traffic to avoid routes through the adjacent residential neighborhoods through contract provisions or similar mechanisms.
Community Outreach
11. University representatives shall attend ANC 5A’s monthly meeting, providing updates on the 2023 Plan process and continuing a line a communication between University leadership and community members and stakeholders.
Residents with Nation Park Service ranger for cleanup of woods between Gallatin and Galloway streets NE on January 15, 2024. Photo credit Shelagh Bocoum.Residents with ANC Commissioner Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) (left) post cleanup. Photo credit Shelagh Bocoum.
Shoutout and thanks to the North Michigan Park neighbors who braved the cold on Monday, January 15, to pick up trash on the trail and in the woods between Gallatin and Galloway streets NE near Fort Totten Metro station. Resident Peter Duncan Boller suggested the clean-up and ANC Commissioner Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) linked up with the National Park Service (NPS).
The Council has a hearing portal that should make it a little easier to sign up to testify and to submit testimony for each committee at https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings. Find the committee oversight hearing that interests you and click on the appropriate button to either sign up to testify or to submit your written testimony.
Have issues with how an agency is performing? Have ideas about how to make things better?
Is there something that multiple neighbors are experiencing with an agency that remains unresolved despite multiple attempts at resolution?
Is there an agency doing something well that might be a useful idea for another agency?
Are there things that an agency is doing well but you just wish they were doing more of whatever that thing is?
Metrorail weekend service for Saturday, January 6 through Sunday, January 7
Advisory Effective: 1/6/24 – 1/7/24
Hours: Sat 7 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Sun 7 a.m. – 2 a.m.; Mon 7 a.m. – midnight
Service-At-A-Glance
Red Line
Free shuttle buses replace trains between Noma-Gallaudet and Brookland. Rhode Island Ave closed. Trains run every 6 minutes (daytime) and 10 minutes (evening) between Shady Grove and Noma-Gallaudet; every 15 minutes between Brookland and Glenmont.
Silver Line
Modified service between Ashburn and Smithsonian. Trains run every 18 minutes.
Blue Line
Trains single tracking between Smithsonian and Federal Center SW. Trains run every 18 minutes between Franconia and Downtown Largo.
Orange Line
Trains single tracking between Smithsonian and Federal Center SW. Trains run every 18 minutes between Vienna and New Carrollton.
On December 16, 2023, the DC Department of Parks & Recreation released Ready2Play, a 20-year parks and recreation plan. The project website has a handy storymap that provides an easy way to walk through the plan, starting with a high level overview and priorities before getting to specific recommendations. Probably the easiest way to see site-specific recommendations is by looking at the capital blueprint. That section contains charts with recommendations for specific parks and recreation centers.
Those who followed the process will notice that while the draft plan included specific funding year recommendations for many of the site-specific recommendations, the final plan does not because there is a budget process for getting things funded. The final plan denotes those projects that are currently funded and DPR substantially revised the implementation section (beginning on p. 110 of the plan) so it now includes a description of short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions. DPR describes the implementation section as follows:
The implementation section lays out an action-by-action guide on how the success of each action will be measured. For some actions, there are relevant metrics that will be tracked and reported on annually. For others, there are implementation outputs or deliverables that will be an initial measure of success for that action. Every action is also assigned a projected timeframe for when its achievement seems most possible and practical. Some actions are ongoing, while others are categorized into short-, medium- or long-term timeframes. Short-term actions are anticipated to be completed by the end of FY26, medium-term actions are anticipated to be completed by the end of FY30, and long-term actions are anticipated to be completed in the years following FY30. Each of the actions also has a corresponding funding value that estimates the range of funding that implementing the action will require. If the funding value is listed as N/A, it is anticipated that DPR can complete this task in-house or with the resources already available within current operating or capital budget funding levels.
I attended the Ready2Play plan release party and neighbor Gavin also took a look at the plan for mentions of parks and recs in Riggs Park and nearby areas. I think the plan for our neighborhood parks & rec centers largely reflects the important long-term advocacy of neighbors as well as our engagement throughout the Ready2Play process. It does not contain everything we need or want in our neighborhood parks and rec centers, but it is a useful tool that can be used by neighbors to advocate for funding for implementation of pieces of the plan in the future.
Update of existing amenities: Rec center, spray park
New amenities: Tennis court, community garden, exercise equipment, track/fitness loop; “safety and inclusion” improvements (funded)
These recommendations are mostly the same as the draft plan, but the “safety and inclusion” column is new. DPR defines safety and inclusion element this way:
A safety and inclusive space highlights areas where there will be an enhanced security upgrade to protect the safety of users of the facility. This could include new cameras, security staff, lighting or other site improvements to enhance the safety of site users.
The Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Rec advocated for these safety features during the public process.
Riggs Road and South Dakota Park
New amenities: “General improvements”
This item refers to the District-owned green space on the southwest corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE. It is part of the portfolio of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). The neighborhood’s 2009 area development plan envisioned this site as park space.
This site was not listed in the DPR’s draft plan, but residents continued our yearslong advocacy for funding and to have this space included in DPR’s master plan. We worked with ANC 5A, former and current Ward 5 councilmember, and others to make this happen.
There is (a little bit of) money in the budget for this park space. My understanding is that DPR is waiting for DDOT to complete the land transfer.
Lamond Recreation Center
Update of existing amenities: Playground, field
New amenities: Community garden
The draft plan included new exercise equipment, but a FitLot was installed late summer 2022.
Keene Field
Update of existing amenities: Field
New amenities: Tennis court, community garden, exercise equipment, track/fitness loop
This is the same as the draft plan.
Gavin points out that the plan also lists Keene under “Recommended natural areas | forest patches,” but it is not listed on the site table for Keene.
North Michigan Park Recreation Center
Update of existing amenities: Rec center
New amenities: Spray park, exercise equipment, track/fitness loop, nature trails or connection enhancement, natural areas/forest patches, adaptive recreation
This is the same as the draft plan.
Reservation 0574 (New Hampshire, Ingraham, and 1st Sts., NW)
New amenities: Playground, exercise equipment
This is the same as the draft plan.
National Park Service Partnership Recommendations
The Ready2Play plan includes sites for potential partnerships with the National Park Service (NPS). Fort Totten Park and Fort Circle Park on South Dakota Avenue NE are included in the list of sites to “assess and discuss with NPS for further collaboration, based on neighborhood desire, need, and quality of site/amenity,” and shown as recommended NPS sites for transfers of jurisdiction (TOJ) or cooperative management agreements (CMA). These were recommendations in the draft plan as well. The implementation plan shows that these TOJ/CMA discussions with NPS are ongoing.
At the release party, DPR staff stated that DPR is looking to use TOJs more (transferring ownership of park space owned by federal government to District government) to transfer bundles of park spaces together rather than pursuing transfers one by one. In addition, I was told that current DPR staff believe that TOJs rather than CMAs would be more useful for long-term goals because with a TOJ, park space owned by the federal government would be transferred to the District government. By having ownership of the park space, the District would then have more authority and control over what can be done with the parks. With CMAs, the District can use invest its own capital funding in federal parks for enjoyment of residents and visitors, but the federal government still retains ownership and therefore still has to approve what types of activities/amenities/programming can be done in the park. (A recent example of a CMA is Franklin Park downtown).
Future Planning and Other Recommendations
The Ready2Play plan includes sites for potential planning efforts. North Michigan Park/Queens Chapel, Brightwood Park/Manor Park, and MBT & Piney Branch are recommended as “areas to study for potential park expansion.” These were recommendations in the draft plan as well.
The draft plan recommended, “Work with DDOT and NPS to further develop the Fort Circle Park hiker/biker trail system.” This recommendation is not listed in the final plan. Unclear why this was removed or if it is somehow incorporated into another recommendation, such as the TOJ/CMA recommendations. I will just note that a trail along the perimeter of Fort Circle Park is an element of the neighborhood’s 2009 area development plan as well as the National Capital Trail Network.
Next Steps
This is quick snapshot of recommendations relevant to the neighborhood in the Ready2Play plan. The plan was an ambitious undertaking for DPR. It is worth taking some time to look at the plan not just for recommendations specific to the neighborhood, but also to see all of the really cool things envisioned for the city, such as the District’s first net-zero rec center as well as what sounds like a massive planned project for Kenilworth Park (125 acres!). It will be up to neighbors to continue advocating for improvements to our neighborhood parks and rec centers, and that includes some specific things that did not make it into the final plan (we can make it fit though).
With 2023 coming to a close, our project site has transformed! Since our last update, we have completed our concrete foundations, underground MEP, and our slab-on-grade. We’ve poured most of our level 1 deck where the main amenity space and future retail will be. We’ve formed the last portion of this level 1 deck and will begin forming the garage ramp before the end of the year. We will also be close to 2/3 topped out with our concrete portion of the building where only the north slab should remain. We plan to top out our concrete structure within the first two weeks of January. Thank you to all of our trade partners, design partners, and our client for helping us reach this critical juncture on the project.
Upcoming Work
Starting early 2024, we will begin building our CMU (cinderblock) towers for our stairwells, elevators, and trash chute. This kicks off a new phase of construction as we transition from concrete structures to wood framing. When wood framers arrive, you can expect to see a new mobile tower crane on-site, staged in a similar location to our current mobile crane along Riggs Road NE. This is to facilitate the lifting of wood trusses and lumber to the elevated decks. Further, our large dewatering system will be demobilizing shortly as we’re no longer in the deeper portions of our foundation that encountered groundwater. While the wood framing is occurring, you’ll see several other activities including:
Steel angle installation around the 2nd floor. This angle will support the brick over large spans and above the concrete portion of the building.
Excavations, steel pile removal, and waterproofing the tops of our foundation walls. These are smaller, roughly 4’ deep excavations that will be backfilled.
The start of metal stud framing and exterior sheathing
Our goal is to top out framing, install windows, and have the building substantially dried in come spring time. This will kick off our brick, siding, and balcony work on the exterior while we complete mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins on the interior before moving into interior finishes.
Please note that we will be shifting our site perimeter fence on the east elevation near the townhomes. The fence will move further east (towards the townhomes) into the permissible construction easement. This additional space will be required in order to allow the proper equipment to access this elevation safely and efficiently in order to best maintain our schedule. Plan to see small excavation equipment, forklifts, aerial lifts, and scaffolding within this area.
In the Event of Inclement Weather:
In the event of snow or other wintery weather, DAVIS has snow/ice melt on hand to ensure the sidewalks around our site and the walkway on our site have minimal tripping hazards.
Snow will be cleared from wood decks over the edge of the building with controlled access zones below.
If a large snow storm occurs, DAVIS will hire the necessary personnel to remove snow from site or consolidate on/near site to provide access pathways for our project.
Community Involvement
We’ve tried to mesh into the Fort Totten and Riggs communities. Thus far, DAVIS, KCM, and APAH have:
Taken the safety of the Riggs Park Place NE entrance to heart. We have removed portions of our fence mesh and adjusted the barricades and fencing angles to improve visibility between the private entrance and Riggs Road NE.
We have also ordered and installed a custom, photo-reflective sign in the median notifying passing drivers of the entrance upcoming.
We have worked with the local ANC and LRCA (Lamond-Riggs Citizen Association) to obtain TCP approval for the necessary site staging along Riggs Road. We have devised and implemented a plan to minimize rush hour congestion and noise as mush as possible.
Mowed the tall grass around the trailer and on DDOT’s land.
Periodically cleaned up the area around our site. This includes trying to maintain a clean area from both construction debris and any windblown debris from the neighborhood or pedestrians.
Conducted preconstruction surveys of adjacent townhomes to document any changes that may be caused by the project.
Connected with Food & Friends for volunteering opportunities. DAVIS personnel helped deliver Thanksgiving meals!
Registered 22+ District residents into a paid job training program that will commence in the new year. We will make every effort to provide these individual with job opportunities.
Attended Art All Night and supported local businesses.
With the new year comes new opportunities for the DC Council to conduct oversight of District agencies. Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker is soliciting input from residents to inform his oversight process.
The survey introduction notes that CM Parker’s office is “particularly interested in identifying patterns of problematic agency performance; waste or inefficiencies in government spending (including contracts or grants) and processes; and any shortcomings in an agency’s ability to meet the needs of Ward 5 and District residents.”
If you prefer to give feedback by phone, contact 202-724-8028.
· Call to Order · Opening Prayer – Silent · Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Meeting Protocol is Robert’s Rules of Order
Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to unmute.
Respect others when speaking
Respect our guest.
Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
Happy New Year from the NMPCA
Community Development Task Force
Meeting will be scheduled next week regarding the request for a gas station at the 4Mart. Hearing canceled until Jan. owner must meet with Community and the ANC – The store has reopened for business. An invitation was sent to the owner who failed to respond
Faith United Church hypothermia site – No results from ANC, Community will move forward with or Safety and Security task force
Swearing In of Executive Board Officers:
Swearing in performed by Mr. Anthony Hood
First Vice President – John Lucio
Treasurer – Debra Whitford
Recording Secretary – Nikitta Dixon
Community Leader Reports
Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Christian Starghill / Christopher Ingram
Ward 5 Council member’s Office – Carlos McKnight
ANC Commissioners 5A02, 5A03, 5A08
Community Concerns:
Open to residents
Safety – 2 recent carjackings one in the 5100 blk of Eastern Ave NE in SMD5A02 and one in the 5000 blk of 8th St NE in SMD5A08
For the sixth year in a row, Metro will bring a bus to donation sites around the region. All in-person locations are conveniently located near grocery or retail stores. Bring your donations from home or stop at the store on your way to Metro and drop off your donations before taking the train or bus.
“Please join us in the New Year by giving to the Capital Area Food Bank to help families with food insecurities,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “We often say that Metro is the life blood of the community by getting people around the region, and the Fill-A-Bus campaign is another way that we can serve our neighbors.”
You can donate healthy, unopened, non-perishable food items in person outside the following Metrorail stations:
Wednesday, Jan. 3
Anacostia Station on Howard Road from 6-10 a.m.
Fort Totten Station at Bus Bay K from 2-6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 5
Friendship Heights Station at Bus Bay K from 6-10 a.m.
Silver Spring Station at Bus Bay J from 2-6 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 8
Pentagon City Station at 12th and South Hayes (near Nordstrom’s entrance) from 6-10 a.m.
Tysons Station at Bus Bay G from 2-6 p.m.
You can also make donations online to the Capital Area Food Bank through the Fill-A-Bus website by Jan. 12. Every $1 donated provides two meals.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 