Monthly Archives: December 2024

Riggs Crossing December 2024 Construction Update

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

From Davis Construction

Mid December ‘24 Update

Dec 12

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Recently Completed Construction

Framing / Facade / Roof

  • Balcony Installation
  • Exterior Facade Caulking
  • Solar Panel Installation
  • Terrace Railing and Paver Installation
  • Rough Grading
  • DDOT Structural Planting Soil at Tree Pits
  • Metal bay window roofs
  • 2nd Floor Terrace Siding + Coping
  • Bulk Siding Complete!

Interior Work (Rough-Ins and Finishes)

  • Level 1 Amenity
    • Millwork and countertops
    • Wall Tile
    • 1st Coat of Paint
    • Plumbing fixtures
    • mailboxes
    • Aluminum Storefront Doors and Glazing
    • Interior Door Glass / Glazing
    • Decorative light installation
    • Lighting Controls
    • Specialty Plank Ceilings
  • Level 1-2 Residential Spaces
    • Installed Doors + Trim, Tile, Cabinets, Countertops, HVAC Start-ups, Water Heater Installation, MEP Trim, Flooring, Carpet, Shelving, Bath Accessories, Final Paint
    • Corridor carpet complete
  • Level 3 Residential Floors
    • Installed Doors + Trim, Tile, Cabinets, Countertops, HVAC Start-ups, Water Heater Installation, MEP Trim, Flooring, Shelving, Bath Accessories, Final Paint
    • Corridor MEP Trim Out
  • Level 4 Units
    • Installed Doors + Trim, Tile, Cabinets, Countertops, HVAC Start-ups, Water Heater Installation, MEP Trim, Flooring, Shelving, Bath Accessories, Final Paint
  • Elevator Installation Substantially Complete
  • Garage + Base Building
    • Heat Trace Start-up
    • Garage Fan and Lighting Start-ups
    • HVAC Equipment Start-ups
    • Stairwell Security Gate Installation
    • PERMANENT POWER ESTABLISHED

Ongoing and Upcoming Work

Work is taking place in many facets of the building at once and is broken down as follows:

Overall Progress

We’re preparing for our final inspections. Over the next few months, we will be conducting trade and building final inspections for each and every unit, room, garage space in the building. Once all of these are completed, we’ll work closely with DC to process our Certificate of Occupancy Paperwork. We’ll also go through ADA inspections/certifications to ensure that everything we built to the proper accessible standards. We’re right near the finish line and trying to push our way across!

Exterior Work

As you can see, we have started our site concrete including replacement of nearly the entire Riggs Road sidewalk frontage. This also includes the amenity entrance ramp, paver base, and concrete seat walls. On the east side (towards the townhomes), we have excavated for our bioretention facilities and will pour the walls and backfill the walls shortly. From there, we’ll install our underdrain systems and bioretention specialty media. We’ll also install patio pavers and a perimeter fence / guardrail around the patio.

On the north side of the building (facing Riggs Park Place NE), we have commenced with structural demolition and repairs of a concrete beam. Once complete, we will finish the weather barrier on the building as well as the brick facade, overhead doors, metal panels, and signage. On the west, we will be installing railings at the ramp and entry stairs. Once signage is fabricated, it will be installed above the main entry canopy and then the canopy glass will be completed. On the South (near South Dakote Ave NE), we’ll be replacing the last section of DDOT sidewalk and completed our site entry walkway. Once our Comcast telecom conduits are installed, this concrete will be poured in the next few weeks.

Our site concrete should be largely completed except for the north side by the end of the year and the plantings will commence in early 2025, signaling the completion of the sitework! Our perimeter fence will be removed from the full site in early January 2025 and has already begun to be taken down incrementally in conjunction with our work.

In the coming weeks, please expect periodic soil trucks with large hoses and cranes to blow in the bioretention soil in the narrow area between our building and the adjacent townhomes. This will likely consist of 8-12” diameter hoses to install stone and speciatly media. We’ll also have a few more upcoming crane picks with a crane staged on our half of Riggs Park Place NE to install the Green Roof Sedum Mats.

Interior Work (Rough-Ins and Finishes)

  • Garage level MEP rough-ins are nearly complete. DAVIS is performing quality control checks and punchlist items to prepare for final inspections.
  • Elevator final inspections are tentatively scheduled for the end of 2024.
  • Permanent access control and security systems will be online
  • Amenity Spaces
    • We’re installing our final flooring, base, MEP trim, and preparing for final inspections imminently.
  • Level 1 Residential Corridor
    • Our specialty wall panels are being installed and then we’ll final paint to complete this corridor.
    • After paint, we’ll proceed with final inspections.
    • Units are in the midst of final inspections
  • Level 2
    • Units are complete and undergoing final inspections.
    • DAVIS is completing our punchlist ahead of owner acceptance walks and final inspections.
    • Corridor amenity room ceiling coordination and layout is being finalized
    • Back of house fire alarm and life safety system testing and trim out.
  • Level 3
    • Installing unit and corridor carpet
    • Laying out and roughing in specialty amenity ceilings
    • Finalizing back of house MEP trim out and Fire Alarm trim out
  • Level 4
    • Final painting units
    • Installing shelving and bath accessories
    • Finalizing amenity HVAC unit start-ups.
    • Installing MEP trim and prepping for fire alarm finals

Community + Safety

  • The perimeter fence will be removed shortly after New Year’s Day
  • The east side bioretention concrete will finish within the next 2-3 weeks depending on weather. Installation of specialty soil and media via large hoses alongside our building will be visible.
  • A crane or two will arrive near the end of the year to complete our green roofing systems. This will be from Riggs Park Place NE so we do not damage any newly poured sidewalk.
  • Please DO NOT utilize the sidewalks that are roped off. This is still an active construction site and overhead hazards, while minimized, still exist.
  • Thank YOU VERY MUCH for permitted access through the neighborhood to better facilitate bioretention excavation and installation. This was one of the most difficult portions of work to complete and your cooperation has greatly helped us expedite this process and minimize the disturbance. We greatly appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

December 21: Children’s Festival – Home for the Holidays

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

2024 Children’s Festival Event Series

Hosted by DC Fray & the Cafritz Foundation

3rd Saturday, September-December

1:00 pm-3:00 pm

The Modern at Art Place

400 Galloway Street NE

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafritz-foundation-childrens-festival-event-series-tickets-993683322567

Join DC Fray + the Cafritz Foundation for the Children’s Festival Event Series for some free, community-centered fun every third Saturday through December! See details below.

December 21 – Home for the Holidays

Get ready to get in the holiday spirit with hot chocolate, ornament decorating, donated gifts, a cozy holiday movie, and a chance to meet the one and only Santa Claus, all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.

Hellbender Closing December 22

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street
Closing message from Hellbender on facebook.

Hellbender will be closing on December 22, 2024, and I am sad to see them go. Hellbender offered food trucks and pizza on the weekends for a neighborhood starving for decent food options. I appreciate that Hellbender provided a place for neighbors to gather, hear and perform live music, support local artists at the annual holiday market, and just enjoy a chill spot in the neighborhood for so many years. Thanks to Ben, LT, and the rest of the gang for their hard work all these years.

Social media message from founder Ben Evans:

Good afternoon. Hellbender Brewing Company will be closing at the end of this week after over 10 years of business. This has been an extremely difficult decision, but it is final. We love our local community and LT Goodluck and I are passionate about beer. Our last day of operation will be this Sunday, 12/22. I want to thank everyone who helped us get this far. Nothing about this journey has been easy, but 2024 has been our most difficult year to date. I hope that people find other spaces that are trying to bring the community together, and I hope that they support them any way they can. We look forward to raising one last pint with you all over the next several days.

Cheers,

Ben Evans

Founder & Head Brewer

December 20-30: Major Construction on Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Starting December 20, 2024, Metro will close select downtown stations on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines for an 11-day construction project.

Key Details:

· December 20-26: Farragut West, McPherson Square, and the lower level of Metro Center will be closed.

· December 27-30: The closures expand to include Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, and L’Enfant Plaza (lower level).

· Stations will reopen December 31.

During the closure, free shuttle buses will replace train service. The project includes replacing fasteners, welding joints, upgrading platform lighting, and more.

View information at wmata.com/majorconstruction.

Food Entrepreneurs – Reserve Spot for UDC’s Lamond-Riggs Shared Commercial Kitchen Open House on January 24, 2025

Posted by nextstoprp in UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus & Expansion (formerly Bertie Backus Campus)

UDC’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) will be holding a Shared Commercial Kitchen Open House at UDC’s Lamond-Riggs campus on January 24, 2025, 4pm-6pm.

Food entrepreneurs can reserve a spot at the open house through the Shared Commercial Kitchen Open House Eventbrite Link.

From UDC CAUSES

ATTENTION: UDC-CAUSES is looking for caterers, pop-up restaurant owners, food truck operators, bakers, and food entrepreneurs!

Join us for our Shared Commercial Kitchen Open House at UDC’s Lamond Riggs campus, and network with industry professionals from D.C.’s vibrant culinary community.

Explore our state-of-the-art shared kitchen, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and learn about our small business incubation program to support your goals. The college supports small business owners and inspires culinary arts professionals to expand their impact and vision.

The informative guided tour will help you gain insights into the application process and access valuable resources to support your culinary journey.

Light refreshments will be served.

For more details, reach out to Dr. Carlton Crockett at carlton.crockett@udc.edu.

Aldi Grocery Store Ribbon Cutting

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten
New Aldi grocery store ribbon cutting with Cafritz Foundation officials, Aldi representatives, DC elected officials, and Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association president Barbara Rogers.

On December 5, 2024, residents and elected officials helped celebrate the official opening of the District’s newest Aldi grocery store, located at 5300 South Dakota Avenue NE in Riggs Park. Cafritz Foundation President/CEO Jane Lipton Cafritz, At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker, and Aldi District Manager Andrew Heisig gave brief remarks.

Jane Lipton Cafritz opened the ribbon cutting ceremony.
At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie.
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker.

The new grocery store anchors the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten under development by the Cafritz Foundation along South Dakota Avenue NE between Ingraham and Kennedy streets. Store hours are 9am-8pm Monday through Sunday.

At 24,000 square feet, this location is Aldi’s largest in DC to date. Ms. Cafritz noted that the team is especially proud to fulfill a commitment they made to neighborhood residents back in 2006 when Art Place was first conceived, to have a high-quality grocery store with fresh produce. The store will eventually be joined by about 294 apartments, 30 artist studios/maker spaces, and possibly an entertainment venue, children’s museum, and additional retail to round out the second phase.

Art Place Phase 1, located on South Dakota Avenue NE between Galloway and Ingraham streets, opened in 2017 with approximately 520 apartments. One Life Fitness gym anchors the first phase, joined by Love and Care Child Development Center, Hibiscus Medical internal medicine/primary care practice, Ramdass Pharmacy, and Shining Stars Pediatric Dentistry. Menomale Pizza anticipates opening a location in the first phase in 2025.

Find information about Art Place at Fort Totten at artplacedc.com. Follow updates on instagram (@artplacedc) and on facebook.

December 5: Aldi Grand Opening in Riggs Park

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Uncategorized

Aldi will be opening at 5300 South Dakota Avenue NE on December 5, 2024. Sneak peek on December 4. Workers were handing out coupons this morning at Fort Totten Metro station.

—

Grand opening events from Aldi

Be There For Your New ALDI Grand Opening

We’re stocking our shelves with aisle after aisle of products you’ll love, and we can’t wait to meet you! The grand opening for our new grocery store in Washington is right around the corner, and so are your savings. We’ve got everything from fresh produce delivered daily to everyday essentials you can never have enough of. Circle the date December 5th and come experience a better way to shop. You can find us at 5300 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington, DC 20011. Swing by and don’t forget your ALDI quarter!

Get a Sneak Peek Starting on December 4th

Get a Sneak Peek of the new ALDI store starting on December 4th. Fully shop the store and find all your favorite ALDI products.
We are so excited to see you!

Join the Ribbon Cutting

Our grand opening is right around the corner! We will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on December 5th at 9:00 a.m. The ceremony will take place about 30 minutes before the store opens. Customers will be allowed to enter the store immediately following the ceremony. We look forward to being your go-to grocer!

Enter for a chance to win a $500 Gift Card!*

Look for the signs inside the store to scan the code and enter your details for a chance to win a $500 ALDI Gift Card!* Enter between December 5 – 8.

* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER/WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE CHANCES OF WINNING. Open to legal residents of 50 US or DC, 18+ and at least age of majority. Subject to full Official Rules available via our website Grand Openings Terms & Conditions or at the ALDI Store. Begins 12/05/2024 and ends 12/08/2024 local time during store hours. Limit 1 entry per person/household. Prize: One $500 ALDI gift card. Odds depend on number of eligible entries. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: ALDI, Inc., 1200 N. Kirk Rd., Batavia, IL 60510.

Receive a Golden Ticket

The first 100 customers on December 5th will receive a Golden Ticket that could be worth up to $100.** An ALDI employee will hand out laminated numbered cards.

** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Valid only at ALDI Store at 5300 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington, DC 20011 (“Store”). Begins when Store opens on 12/05/2024; ends when Store closes that day or when all prizes are claimed, if earlier. Open to US residents age 18+ who live within 50 miles of Store. Void where prohibited. Subject to full Official Rules available via our website Grand Openings Terms & Conditions or at the ALDI Store. Odds depend on total # of participants and time of arrival. Total ARV of all prizes: $2200. See rules for full prize details and odds. Sponsor: ALDI, Inc., 1200 N. Kirk Rd., Batavia, IL 60510.

Get a Bag of ALDI Goodies

On December 5th the first 100 customers will receive a bag of ALDI goodies. An ALDI employee will hand out a free eco-friendly bag stuffed with ALDI products!

Free Shopping Tote

On December 5th look for an ALDI employee to receive your Free ALDI Shopping Tote! Quantities are limited, so make sure you get to the store early to enjoy all of the festivities!

ALDI Gives Back

ALDI is proud to donate $1,000 to a local Feeding America affiliate as part of this grand opening. ALDI is committed to ending food insecurity by working with Feeding America and its network of affiliates to increase the access local communities have to quality nutritious foods required for a healthy and active lifestyle. In addition to this donation, ALDI will also work to ensure food that is no longer sellable, but is still edible, is available to the local community through the Feeding America network.

December 4: North Michigan Park Civic Association Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk

From North Michigan Park Civic Association

North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

VIRTUAL ONLY

Virtual Meeting

Meeting ID 882 7345 2110

Pass code 930240

Call In 1-301-715-8592

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88273452110?pwd=dmZ3R1liOTRKY1FyS3hlYlBqWnBWUT09

Meeting Agenda 

·         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 un mute. 
  • Respect others when speaking
  • Respect our guest.
  • Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.

Community Update 

  • Report from Committee Chair on open Executive Board positions
  • No Civic Association meeting January 1 
  • Upcoming meeting for the Safety and Security Committee
    • Still time to join the committee
  • Jubileaf Medical Cannabis storefront 4900 blk South Dakota ave NE

Guest Speakers:

Susan and William Webster – Jubileaf Medical Cannabis 

Community Leader Reports

  • Mayor’s Office – MOCR –  Christian Starghill , Anthony Black
  • Ward 5 Council Member’s Office –  Oliver Stoute 
  • ANC Commissioners 5A02, 5A03, 5A08, 5A09
  • Faith United Church – Rev. Joseph K. Williams, Sr. 

Community Concerns:

Open to residents

Adjourn

November 20, 2024 ANC 5A Meeting Recap: Jubileaf Medical Marijuana Dispensary

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A held its public meeting on November 20, 2024. Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair, Secretary; Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 and 5A07 are vacant.

Commission Business

The ANC approved a Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Chair Fletcher stated the annual report is due on December 1, 2024, so he is asking each commissioner to submit a list of activities in their respective single member district (SMD).

Jubileaf Medical Marijuana Dispensary (5A08)

Husband/wife team Susan and William Webster want to open a wellness center/pharmacy that will be a medical marijuana dispensary at 4942 South Dakota Avenue NE (in the strip mall next to the McDonald’s). A representative from DC’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) attended the meeting. As discussed at the October ANC meeting, Jubileaf received a conditional license as a social equity applicant. The ABCA rep stated that the Websters have not submitted their location and other information necessary for ABCA to issue them a placard in order to have a hearing.

Jubileaf has a signed lease for their location, but they were mistaken about the steps needed to move forward. They have to submit their location information as a first step for ABCA to determine if the location is appropriate (not too close to schools, etc.). Until they submit all of the required information, there is nothing for the ANC to vote on because the ANC vote has to occur within a certain timeframe of the placard. ABCA does not accept early protests.

Commissioner Fletcher said the Jubileaf team attended his and Commissioner Bocoum’s joint SMD meeting on November 18. Apparently, at that meeting people asked Jubileaf for renderings, a security plan, community benefits, and property beautification plans. Commissioner Fletcher said he talked to the property owner who said that he was aware of Jubileaf’s beautification plans but clarified that he as the property owner had no plans to beautify the entire strip mall.

At the full ANC meeting, a resident asked if Jubileaf plans to deliver products (they would like to); if they checked for the number of halfway houses in the area (they have not); if they will accept cash/credit/debit (yes); if they will allow self-certification (likely); and if they will have pre-rolled smokes (maybe).

Residents asked the ABCA rep why a group of five individuals cannot protest a cannabis license application as they can with a liquor license application. The ABCA rep said that the DC Council wrote the law permitting just an ANC to be able to protest a cannabis license. She noted that there was a recent amendment to the law that now enable protests by a daycare center within 400 feet of a proposed location, an abutting property owner, or a property owner across the street from the proposed location. The standard for these groups to protest are whether the applicant is violating the law or if the application is in violation of traffic or pedestrian safety standards. She said in the Jubileaf matter, the ANC would be protesting under the same appropriateness standards for liquor licenses (real property values, peace/quiet, parking needs/vehicular & pedestrian safety, etc.).

The president of the North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting said she will have Jubileaf present at the civic association meeting on December 4.

Ward 5 Council Report (Oliver Stoute, Constituent Services Coordinator to CM Zachary Parker)

CM Parker and his team gave away turkeys on November 20. ERAP reopened on November 20. Councilmember Parker held a roundtable on DYRS on November 22.

Metro has finalized the Better Bus proposal. Review at betterbus.wmata.com.

DPR held a Ward 5 projects construction update on November 25.

The Ward 5 Senior Advisory Committee will meet on December 4 at Model Cities.

The Ward 5 holiday party will be on December 19 at Dock 5 at Union Market.

A resident asked if CM Parker could help Jubileaf find a different location in a “more commercial area” as opposed to a “more residential area.”

A resident asked if CM Parker’s office could do something about undocked bikes/scooters being left in alleys and on sidewalks (residents can submit a 311 request for dockless vehicle complaint to have the scooters/bikes picked up).

Mayor’s Office Ward 5 Report (Anthony Black, Ward 5 MOCR)

The Safeway Feast of Sharing was on November 27.

DC Health Link registration is open.

MOCR Ward 5 days are on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am-3pm. Contact Mr. Black at anthony.black@dc.gov.

Social Housing Bill

Slides from social housing presentation

Rob Hoffman gave a presentation in support of a social housing bill introduced by Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, the Green New Deal for Housing Amendment Act (B25-0191.

Miscellaneous

Commissioner Lucio said that Faith United Church had trouble getting turkeys for the giveaway planned for their mobile market, so she reached out to EYA. EYA gave the church enough money to give away 100 turkeys.

A resident asked if there have been any updates about Yu Ying’s discussion with DDOT about making certain streets one way. Commissioner Fletcher said he has not heard anything from Commissioner Tyeron Boston (5A05). The school sits in Commissioner Boston’s SMD. Commissioner Fletcher sits on the board of Yu Ying, so he recuses himself from ANC actions related to the school. The resident noted that Commissioner Boston has been absent for three straight meetings. She said she wrote her name in on the ballot (unclear if she registered to run as a write-in candidate).

A resident asked about the Providence campus. Commissioner Lucio repeated what she said at the last ANC meeting. The DC attorney general is still investigating the sale. Commissioner Lucio is working with CM Parker’s office to have money from the sale “earmarked” for the healthcare needs of Ward 5 residents. There will likely be an urgent care center. A resident asked about asbestos in the buildings on the campus. Commissioner Lucio said she would put the resident in touch with SHDPA, the District agency responsible for providing certificates of need to health care facilities in DC.

This was Commissioner Fletcher’s last ANC meeting. Unless there are any special meetings before the end of the year, the next ANC meeting with be in January 2025.

Tonight December 2: LRCA Public Meeting/Holiday Social/Toy Drive (Hybrid)

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

From Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association

The December 2024 LRCA Community meeting will be held on Monday, December 2, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST.

This in-person meeting will be a Holiday Social at the Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, Meeting Room 1, located at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20011. No formal speakers, just a chance to connect with neighbors, enjoy music, and food, and join in the fun with ugly sweater and festive sweater/hat contests.

Please bring an unwrapped toy for a student in need to the meeting. If you can’t make it, there will be a collection box at the library until December 16.

The meeting will also be live-streamed via the Zoom webinar platform:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82364707300?pwd=Rta6NVIH4RWk6gPxCVLjozaYwoMm4a.1

Or dial in by phone: 301-715-8592
Webinar ID: 823 6470 7300

Agenda Items include:

  • Welcome/Invocation
  • Update from Elected Officials
  • Officers Report, Minutes, Treasurer Report
  • Community Social

Support LRCA – pay your annual membership, join a committee, share your ideas.

Join the Lamond-Riggs community e-mail list.

Read the LRCA December 2024 Newsletter.

Students can earn community service hours by assisting with the distribution of the LRCA monthly newsletter. If you are interested, please reach out to LRCA President Barbara Rogers at Barbara@lrcadc.org or call 202-904-1027.

Map of LRCA boundaries