Back in June, the DC Public Charter School Board approved Social Justice School’s relocation application (see this post for information about the relocation). The plan remains having modular classrooms in place at 333 Kennedy Street NE for the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. If there is a delay, classes will be held temporarily at Impact DMV Church on First Place NE.
School officials are still negotiating with the Cafritz Foundation over a permanent move to the remaining warehouse at 3rd and Kennedy Street NE. If they reach an agreement, school officials anticipate that construction on the warehouse will take approximately 18 months and that they will be able to occupy the space in time for the 2026-2027 school year.
Aerial view of space reserved for Social Justice School temporary location in black border.
There will be two back-to-school events in the neighborhood on August 17, 2024, one at Riggs-LaSalle Rec and one at Fort Totten Metro station.
Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center Back-to-School Community Day August 17, 2024 11:00 am-1:00 pm Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Road NE)
Free backpacks, school supplies, snacks & ice cream. Hosted by Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Recreation, Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, and the Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George.
Hosted by Metro Transit Police Community Services Bureau. Children of all ages are welcome from elementary to high school.
• Free School Supplies • Kids Haircuts & Glam Station Makeovers • DJ and Music • Games and Fun • Complimentary Food & Desserts • Petting Zoo • Miniature Train Rides
Food & Friends is requesting a curb cut on South Dakota Avenue just north of Kennedy Street NE. The so-called conceptual curb cut request will be the subject of a DC Public Space Committee meeting on August 22, 2024 (application #445416).
Food & Friends is looking to expand its building on the corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE in order to serve more clients. Because the land to the north of the property is District-owned land slated for park space, Food & Friends is looking to expand east towards South Dakota. Food & Friends reps have been to a few meetings, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions. They are calling this a conceptual curb cut project because they contend that their expansion is years away. So apparently the Public Space Committee is going to decide on whether the organization can get a curb cut on South Dakota Avenue in the absence of any information about their building expansion plan.
Conceptual curb cut diagram provided by Food & Friends.
Curb Cut Design
Residents do not have access to public space applications in the city’s online permitting system, which is known as TOPS. What we do know is that they are requesting a pretty sizeable curb cut (leading to a driveway) that looks to be about 33 feet wide on a block that currently has none. In an email to me, they said, “The design includes a 6-foot-wide pedestrian safety island, increased turn radii to alleviate off-tracking, and right-in/right-out movement.” We also know that curb cut access will likely require some amount of public space beyond just sidewalk access because of the way the property lines are drawn. But it is not clear to me based on the one diagram we have exactly how much public space they are requesting.
They say they are requesting this curb cut because they are thinking about building an expanded kitchen facility closer to South Dakota Avenue. So, they will want to reroute food delivery (via 18-wheeler trucks) to the South Dakota side in the future. My understanding is that DDOT is requesting that they close one of their two curb cuts on Riggs Road if they want a curb cut on South Dakota. My understanding is that staff and volunteers would continue to use Riggs to access the parking lot. But it’s a pretty large parking lot, so who knows if that space would be reconfigured as well as part of an expansion plan.
In an email to me, Food & Friends said:
Sixty-five staff, 80 kitchen volunteers, 10 Food & Friends delivery vans, 30 volunteer delivery cars and several vendor delivery trucks (including semi-sized) currently travel to our location daily to prepare and home-deliver 6,000 meals a day to the region’s most vulnerable neighbors. We encourage use of Metro and cycling (we had a cycling team in the 2000s!) and routinely shuttle our staff and volunteers to the Metro station to encourage less vehicles.
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker submitted a letter in support of the conceptual curb cut to the Public Space Committee.
My thoughts
I do not think anyone has done a really good job of explaining what is really happening here and we’re being asked to comment on something on which we lack full information, specifically impacts to public space. Obviously, Food & Friends plans to build on their property and may even want more public space than what is being publicly discussed. Residents do not have access to applications in TOPS and the ANC is not doing anything regarding this matter. I’m sure most support Food & Friends in their goal to serve more clients around the region.
(Fun fact about me: I served in Americorps in DC before continuing my education. One team member was placed at Food & Friends, and we would have team service days at Food & Friends at their old location in Southeast DC. I’m a big fan and supporter of Food & Friends).
We already know that curb cuts introduce vehicle/pedestrian conflicts. I think a really useful conversation would be how to maximize the amount of public space available to the community, how to minimize harm introduced by installing a new curb cut on the block, and how to safely and most efficiently accommodate the multiple uses that the property owners in the immediate area wish to put in that one little area.
I think it would be super useful for the property owners in the area to talk to one another, particularly the Cafritz Foundation (and their tenants) and Food & Friends. This conversation could also include Metro, National Park Service, and Impact DMV Church. I get the impression they don’t really communicate about their plans and how they are connected to an actual neighborhood, and I think that lack of communication at an institutional level makes it way more difficult than it needs to be to get things done.
Anyways, submit comments to the Public Space Committee at public.spacecommittee@dc.gov by August 20 and send a copy of your comments to CM Parker.
[Ed. Note: Republishing this post because today, August 15, is the last day to submit comments for the first phase of engagement on the South Dakota Avenue Corridor Safety Project. There is still time to provide feedback to DDOT to make sure we address speeding through street design, get needed improvements at key intersections in the neighborhood, and work towards developing a corridor that safely supports multiple means of moving around the neighborhood outside of just private vehicles.]
DDOT is looking at ways to address safety issues on South Dakota Avenue from Bladensburg Road NE to Riggs Road NE.
Let DDOT know what you think about what is needed along the corridor by completing this questionnaire and providing information on this public input map (where you can identify important changes you’d like to see at specific intersections like more visible crosswalks, better pedestrian accommodations, etc).
Councilmember Parker earmarked funds in the FY2024 budget for a road diet on the corridor. While much of the media attention has been erroneously focused on bike lanes, the alternatives for a road diet include potential parking lanes where there are none currently, as well. It is worth taking a look at the presentation slides to see all of the alternatives, including how DDOT could potentially address traffic diversion to side streets or address congestion through, for example, signal timing.
Most agree speeding is a problem on South Dakota. There is a relatively low volume of vehicles during off-peak hours, which makes the wide road ripe for speeding. There are too many crashes and near misses. People feel unsafe crossing the street. Too many pedestrians have been injured or killed walking along the corridor. People want to be able to safely walk and bike to points along the corridor. Everyone wants the situation to be addressed. The question is how to get there.
Project Scope
DDOT is going to study the entire corridor, examine three concepts for a road diet, select one concept, and design and build the concept on one portion of the corridor. DDOT will also make spot improvements at certain intersections, which is why it is really important to indicate on the map where improvements are needed. DDOT plans to start construction on the southern end (near Bladensburg) because they state that is where there is highest need.
DDOT is going to study three options for the corridor.
Option One: 3 lanes with full-time parking
Option one would have three lanes with parking on each side of the street.
Maintains one lane in each direction
Uses curbside space for full-time parking
Center space can be left turn lanes or pedestrian islands depending on needs
(Currently, no parking is allowed on South Dakota except for limited parking on the west side of South Dakota between Galloway and Ingraham (soon extending to Kennedy). A couple of churches closer to the southern end of the corridor use a lane for parking on Sundays.)
Option Two: 3 lanes with parking and two-way protected bike lanes
Option two would have three lanes with parking and a two-way protected bike lane:
Maintains one travel lane in each direction
Uses curbside on one curb face for protected bike lanes
Uses opposite curb for parking
Center space can be left turn lanes or pedestrian islands depending on need
Option Three: 3 lanes with protected bike lanes in each direction
Option three would have three lanes with protected bike lanes in each direction.
Maintains one lane in each direction
Uses curbside space for protected bike lanes
Center space can be left turn lanes or pedestrian islands depending on needs
Project Timeline
DDOT plans to gather data, explore concepts, and gather input before holding a second round of public meetings in fall 2024, having a third round of public meetings in winter 2024/2025, beginning work on design plans in spring 2025, and finally starting construction just on the southern end in summer 2025.
Though DDOT is going to focus the limited construction money on the southern end of the corridor to start, please take the time to provide input to DDOT about neighborhood issues through this public engagement effort. In particular, I think that highlighting problematic intersections and needed safety, mobility, and access improvements in the neighborhood on the public map will be useful given that we know there are no immediate plans for bike lanes on SDA in the neighborhood.
Contacts
Questions may be sent to the project team:
Sayra Molina, Corridor Safety Team sayra.molina2@dc.gov
Metro and DC Public Library are partnering to offer Metro Lift and Senior SmarTrip card registration at select library locations. Eligible residents save 50% on bus and rail fares.
Representatives will be at Lamond-Riggs Library August 12-16. 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE Monday – Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Bring current government-issued ID with proof of age, phone number, SNAP electronic benefits transfer card, and SNAP benefits summary (household).
The DC Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) gave an update on plans for a neighborhood park on the southwest corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE.
I am going to call this more of a neighborhood green space because calling it a park evokes visions of a playground and vast amenities, which is not at all what is happening here. There is only $400,000 allocated for design and construction of this green space so it will be more like signage, landscaping, benches, that kind of thing (unless more funding comes).
The project website is https://dgs.dc.gov/page/riggs-south-dakota-park-0. I would say to ignore the design start date on the presentation slide shown above because it does not make sense and conflicts with what is on the project website:
Address: Riggs Road & South Dakota, NE Ward: 5 DPR Project Manager: Nick Kushner DGS Project Manager: TBD Project Status: Scope of Work Development Design Start Date: Summer 2024 Design End Date: TBD Project Delivery: Design-Build Architect: TBD General Contractor: TBD Current Budget: $400k Construction Start Date: TBD Construction End Date: TBD DGS Contact: Chellese Grove
I reached out to DPR to get a better understanding of the process for this green space. Here is what DPR stated.
There are two key phases in the design process:
1. Initial Community Input: Later this summer, DPR’s Community Planning team, led by Nick Kushner, will host a “Walk and Talk” in the park. This session will gather initial input from stakeholders . . . to help inform the design.
2. Design Kickoff: The actual design work begins once [DPR] hires a design team. This is anticipated to start in summer 2025, contingent on [DPR’s] collaboration with DDOT to either transfer the property or obtain the necessary permits. After the design team is on board, [DPR will] hold further meetings with the community to refine the concepts. [DPR] do[es]n’t yet have a timeline for the DDOT coordination.
DPR also shared with me an overall project timeline that they made sure to say is tentative and subject to change based on permitting, weather, etc.
Late Summer 2024: DPR “Walk and Talk” – Stakeholder feedback session.
Late Summer 2025: Design process begins after the Landscape Architect is hired and DDOT approvals are in place. Please note that this could possibly start sooner, but we like to err on the side of caution when it comes to projected timelines.
Fall/Winter 2025: Community meeting to refine the design.
Spring/Summer 2026: Construction begins.
We have been writing about this space for a while now and the advocacy behind activating this green space. The tricky thing is that the space sits in DDOT’s portfolio given that it consists of the old right-of-way. DDOT does not want to give it up, for reasons. (Residents can see that it is currently serving as a construction staging area for the Riggs Crossing Senior Residences development project). DDOT has repeatedly stated (to me at least) that DPR will need to program the space through the public space permitting process, whereas DPR previously understood that the space would be transferred into DPR’s portfolio. I am hoping that we will not stay on this merry-go-round of dealing with the same question and that the right hand and left hand will really start working together. That will take leadership.
Also complicating things a bit are expansion plans by Food & Friends and their curb cut project. More on that to come.
Let DDOT know what you think about what is needed along the corridor by completing this questionnaire and providing information on this public input map (where you can identify important changes you’d like to see at specific intersections like more visible crosswalks, better pedestrian accommodations, etc). Give your input by August 15, 2024.
Councilmember Parker earmarked funds in the FY2024 budget for a road diet on the corridor. While much of the media attention has been erroneously focused on bike lanes, the alternatives for a road diet include potential parking lanes where there are none currently, as well. It is worth taking a look at the presentation slides to see all of the alternatives, including how DDOT could potentially address traffic diversion to side streets.
Most agree speeding is a problem on South Dakota. There is a relatively low volume of vehicles during off-peak hours, which makes the wide road ripe for speeding. There are too many crashes and near misses. People feel unsafe crossing the street. Too many pedestrians have been injured or killed walking along the corridor. People want to be able to safely walk and bike to points along the corridor. Everyone wants the situation to be addressed. The question is how to get there.
Project Scope
DDOT is going to study the entire corridor, examine three concepts for a road diet, select one concept, and design and build the concept on one portion of the corridor. DDOT will also make spot improvements at certain intersections, which is why it is really important to indicate on the map where improvements are needed. DDOT plans to start construction on the southern end (near Bladensburg) because they state that is where there is highest need.
DDOT is going to study three options for the corridor.
Option One: 3 lanes with full-time parking
Option one would have three lanes with parking on each side of the street.
Maintains one lane in each direction
Uses curbside space for full-time parking
Center space can be left turn lanes or pedestrian islands depending on needs
(Currently, no parking is allowed on South Dakota except for limited parking on the west side of South Dakota between Galloway and Ingraham (soon extending to Kennedy). A couple of churches closer to the southern end of the corridor use a lane for parking on Sundays.)
Option Two: 3 lanes with parking and two-way protected bike lanes
Option two would have three lanes with parking and a two-way protected bike lane:
Maintains one travel lane in each direction
Uses curbside on one curb face for protected bike lanes
Uses opposite curb for parking
Center space can be left turn lanes or pedestrian islands depending on need
Option Three: 3 lanes with protected bike lanes in each direction
Option three would have three lanes with protected bike lanes in each direction.
Maintains one lane in each direction
Uses curbside space for protected bike lanes
Center space can be left turn lanes or pedestrian islands depending on needs
Project Timeline
DDOT plans to gather data, explore concepts, and gather input before holding a second round of public meetings in fall 2024, having a third round of public meetings in winter 2024/2025, beginning work on design plans in spring 2025, and finally starting construction just on the southern end in summer 2025.
Though DDOT is going to focus the limited construction money on the southern end of the corridor, please take the time to provide input to DDOT about neighborhood issues through this public engagement effort. In particular, I think that highlighting problematic intersections and needed safety, mobility, and access improvements in the neighborhood on the public map will be useful given that we know there are no immediate plans for bike lanes on SDA in the neighborhood.
Contacts
Questions may be sent to the project team:
Sayra Molina, Corridor Safety Team sayra.molina2@dc.gov
Jazz in the Park Thursday, August 15, 2024 Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center 501 Riggs Road NE 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Join the DC Department of Parks & Recreation for Jazz in the Park at Riggs-LaSalle Rec! Bring your chairs, blankets and a nice cold drink, and enjoy some jazz.
DPR will host Jazz in the Park at North Michigan Park Rec on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
During the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J Huff Community Library “Heritage Wall” dedication event and artist talk last year, many attendees expressed an interest in an “index” to complement the artwork. Artist Michelle Lisa Herman and Stephanie Mills Trice have been awarded a Humanities DC grant to develop a printed publication to serve as both an “index” of the Heritage Wall and to highlight the history of the Lamond-Riggs and Fort Totten area. Copies of the final publication will be distributed to neighborhood organizations and the library.
Michelle and Stephanie are now asking for previous participants and contributors to tell the story of their contributed materials and their connections to the Lamond-Riggs and Fort Totten neighborhoods so they may include them in this publication.
They would love for you to fill out this form to supply information about your contributions, or if you prefer, provide contact information so they can conduct a short oral history interview.
Ward 4 ANC map from DC Office of PlanningWard 5 ANC map from DC Office of Planning
Candidates for ANC single member districts 4B08 and 5A01 serving Riggs Park still needed!
If you call yourself a reasonable, respectful person interested in improving where you live, please consider running for a seat on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC). Each ANC commissioner represents approximately 2,000 residents who make up a single member district (SMD). Find your ANC/SMD.
Nominating petitions to run for ANC in the November general election are available from the DC Board of Elections. Petitions are due at 5:00 pm on August 7, 2024. Information about how to run for the ANC is available on the Board of Election website at https://www.dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners.
Riggs Park is served by ANCs 4B and ANC 5A, specifically ANC 4B08, 4B09, 4B10, 5A01, 5A02, and 5A09. So far, there are no candidates for 4B08 and 5A01 serving Riggs Park. If you have been a resident of one of these SMDs for at least 60 days, please consider running for ANC. There is still time to pick up petitions and collect 25 signatures from registered voters in the SMD.
ANC 4B has 10 SMDs. So far 8 candidates have picked up petitions:
4B01 – Slobodan Milic
4B01 – Al Canata
4B03 – Keenan Courtland
4B05 – Jose Barrios
4B06 – Incumbent commissioner Tiffani Nicole Johnson
4B07 – Incumbent commissioner Michael Cohen
4B09 – Danielle Geong
4B10 – Incumbent commissioner Jinin Berry
ANC 5A has 9 SMDs. So far 5 people have picked up petitions:
5A02 – Tim Thomas
5A03 – Incumbent commissioner Emily Singer Lucio
5A06 – Derrick Holloway
5A08 – Elaine Alston
5A09 – Incumbent commissioner Shelagh Bocoum
ANCs can weigh in on all sorts of matters that affect residents (planning and development projects, services by District agencies, etc.) so it really can make a difference to have proactive, reasonable people in these positions. If you are a reasonable, respectful person who would not mind doing some unpaid community work and would enjoy interacting with residents, District agencies, and neighborhood businesses to make our neighborhood a bit better, go ahead and run. We all thank you in advance.
There will be a special North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting held:
Date: Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: Faith United Church 4900 10th Street NE Washington, DC 20017
The guest for this meeting is the Department of Transportation (DDOT) to discuss proposed safety changes for South Dakota Avenue. One of the proposed changes is adding bike lanes along the avenue.
This is your opportunity to voice your concern and to offer alternative measures for safety along the avenue.
Yesterday around 8pm, there was a shooting at Lamond Recreation Center that killed a 14-year-old and critically injured another teen. MPD is still investigating but stated they believe the shooting happened outside the building near the field while a basketball game was being played inside the gym. It’s really depraved behavior to shoot near a rec center. Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked to contact MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text to 50411.
Condolences to the families and community impacted.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 