The Cafritz Foundation is seeking input on the new kids pop up space at Art Place at Fort Totten located at 395 Ingraham Street NE (former interim library space).
Please complete the short survey to share your ideas about what you would like to see for kids in the space as soon as possible: Art Place Kids Pop Up Space Survey.
They held a pop up event on June 20 and June 27. If your child did not attend the pop up on June 27, please just fill in your child’s age and answer the rest of the questions.
Be sure to share with neighbors. The more responses, the better. This is your opportunity to shape what the space could look like!
Location: Lamond-Riggs Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Check out the Oren Levine & Friends jazz session tonight at 6:30 at the library.
June 27, 2025
Kids’ Art Space Pop Up at The Modern
Time: 4:00 pm-7:00 pm
Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE (former interim library space at The Modern)
Friday afternoon, join the Cafritz Foundation at their next kids’ pop-up event in their community maker space at The Modern — a creative hub for local kids and families to build, explore, and imagine together.
Explore the railroad that built Fort Totten: the Washington Branch of the B&O Railroad, still running today as the Metro’s Red Line. Kids will work together to build the iconic Thomas Viaduct and an iron truss bridge.
All materials provided. Free and open to all ages.
Families will also be invited to fill out a short survey to help shape future programming.
Location: Lamond-Riggs Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the new library. Children’s activities take place throughout the day.
At 12:30 pm, join neighbors Michelle Lisa Herman and Deborah Grimstead, two of the three co-authors of “Fort Totten and Lamond-Riggs: A Historical Tapestry,” for an author talk to discuss the companion book for the Heritage Wall designed and installed by Herman at the Lamond-Riggs Library.
Kick off this summer’s children’s festival series of free, community-centered fun for the kids. Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to play games like kickball, cornhole, jenga, bouncy balls, sack race; or get cool temporary tattoos. This festival series is always a good time.
Metrorail weekend service for Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, June 29
Advisory Effective: 6/28/25 – 6/29/25
Hours: Sat 6 a.m. – 2 a.m.; Sun 6 a.m. – midnight
Red Line
Free shuttle buses replace trains between Rhode Island Avenue and Takoma. No Red Line service at Fort Totten Station and Brookland-CUA Station closed. Normal Service frequencies between Shady Grove and Rhode Island Avenue stations and between Takoma and Glenmont stations.
PlayStation 4 Video Game Tournament & Virtual Reality Play
and more…
Adult Events
12:30 pm – The Making of the Companion Book for the Heritage Wall.
Our own Deborah Grimstead and Michelle Lisa Herman will lead this author talk. They will discuss “Fort Totten and Lamond-Riggs: A Historical Tapestry,” a written compilation that illuminates the stories behind the 42 Heritage Wall images.
After the event, each panelist is available to discuss the book with interested patrons, and light refreshments are available. This event is hosted in Conference Room 1.
ANC 5A will have Urban Atlantic at the next public meeting on June 25, 2025, to discuss the Boys Town redevelopment project. The property sits at 4801 Sargent Road NE in ANC 5A02.
The only reason I am writing a post now is so that residents can be prepared to ask questions and provide initial feedback on this project because I am not sure if the ANC has a plan in mind for dealing with this project.
Vicki Davis, founder/president of Urban Atlantic, has briefly introduced the project to ANC 5A, and has presented to the North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) and at the single member district meeting for ANC Commissioner Timothy Thomas (5A02). Joel Lawson from DC’s Office of Planning attended the 5A02 meeting to answer questions about the Large Tract Review process.
Boys Town has been closed for about one year. They have a contract to sell the property to Urban Atlantic. The property is going to be sold to someone, if it is not Urban Atlantic (people should keep that in mind).
The property is zoned R-2 so duplexes and triplexes can be built as a matter of right. Urban Atlantic will be building duplexes in conformity with the zoning restrictions for the R-2 zone. So that means it will be a matter of right development. Therefore there will not be a public hearing.
Initial Proposal
12 acre site
153 market rate homes – final prices not yet set
17 Inclusionary Zoning homes at 80% of median area income
Constructing over 1 mile of sidewalks open to the public
40% open space
Improving drainage, removing large mounds of dirt that were added to front of campus
Keeping the old Main Building of 8,000 square feet in place for an undetermined future use
Keeping the main access road, but removing the gate, to open the site to the community
Sharing public site amenities (undetermined at this time)
Because the property is over three acres, the project has to go through Large Tract Review by the Office of Planning (OP). ANCs and civic associations receive notice of Large Tract Review applications. ANCs and civic associations can and should submit responses to Urban Atlantic’s Large Tract Review application. As of June 18, Urban Atlantic had not submitted their application yet. They are working on their traffic study and plan to submit their application by the end of the month.
From Office of Planning:
What is Large Tract Review?
The LTR application process is administered by the Office of Planning, in accordance with the requirements and standards of DCMR Title 10 Chapter 23.
It is not a process that results in an “approval” or “denial”. In this way, it is unlike most District review processes. Instead, it is an administrative review by District agencies and the affected community to identify issues and provide feedback to the developer of a by-right project, prior to applying for a building permit.
It serves as a way for the developer of a large tract of land to receive comments from city agencies and the affected ANC early in the planning and design process of by-right projects.
What are the Goals of Large Tract Review
Minimize adverse environmental, traffic, and neighborhood impacts;
Avoid unnecessary public costs in terms of new services or facilities required of city agencies; and
Carry out the policies of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
What Does the Large Tract Review Assess?
Consistency with District of Columbia laws;
Potential traffic, neighborhood and design impacts; and
Quality of life and environmental impacts.
Notification:
Notice of the application must be sent to:
The directly affected ANC, although OP typically also sends notice to any other ANC with a boundary adjacent to the subject site;
Any known civic association; and
All property owners within 200 feet of the perimeter of the property.
The Office of Planning is supposed to produce a final report within 60 days of the application submission. Urban Atlantic stated they intend to submit their LTR application at the end of June. So the ANC really should have a plan for how they intend to address this application. They do not have time to dilly-dally.
Feedback
I recommend that nearby residents who care about what is happening here share written feedback with the following people:
ANC 5A Chair Emily Singer Lucio – 5A03@anc.dc.gov
ANC Commissioner Timothy Thomas – 5A02@anc.dc.gov
Carmen Williams, President, North Michigan Park Civic Association – carm8954@aol.com
Honestly, people should probably just email all 8 commissioners on the ANC (ANC 5A05 is still vacant). It is not at all clear how the ANC intends to handle this application. It is not clear to me that Commissioner Thomas understands that the ANC should in fact provide written feedback to the development team and OP. I think it would be beneficial for neighbors close to the site to band together to provide written feedback with reasonable suggestions, keeping the goals of Large Tract Review in mind, because there is no assurance that the ANC will pass on feedback to Urban Atlantic.
Issues I have heard raised at meetings and passed on to me by residents so far. I imagine a lot of this will be addressed in the Large Tract Review application.
Retail
The property is zoned for residential use not retail use. There is not going to be retail on the site.
Stormwater runoff
This is the biggie and people should look to see how Urban Atlantic addresses stormwater runoff in the Large Tract Review application. The two mounds in front of the campus were constructed by fill dirt brought in during the construction of Fort Totten Metro station. Apparently those two mounds of dirt cause all sorts of runoff problems for neighbors along Sargent. In addition, North Michigan Park Recreation Center also has a big issue with runoff from Boys Town. The mounds of dirt will be removed, but otherwise no real details just yet about how they will address the drainage issues in the area.
Other Environmental Issues
Residents have asked about tree canopy, how many trees will be removed/retained, new trees planted, etc. Urban Atlantic stated they have already met with a forester and will comply with DDOT guidelines. The initial site plan presented so far shows large planting areas along the perimeter of the site. Urban Atlantic said they will meet and likely exceed the required Green Area Ratio.
In response to questions, Ms. Davis said they are doing soil testing now and so far sampling has not indicated any big issues.
Transportation Demand Management
This is another biggie. We know the planned redevelopment will have a tremendous impact on neighborhood streets. The Providence campus down the street will also be redeveloped in a few years, so we know there needs to be a robust transportation demand management plan.
Sargent Road Entrance
Urban Atlantic is planning to keep the main entrance/exit on Sargent Road with the long driveway between the row of trees. They currently plan to have just that single entrance/exit. NMPCA asked them to consider having a second exit elsewhere on the campus in case of emergency. Urban Atlantic said this will be addressed in their traffic study/Large Tract Review application.
A resident shared with me that the traffic study should address the impacts of the development at the Sargent Road entrance and whether certain measures are warranted:
All-way stop or traffic signal control
Crosswalk markings and curb ramps for pedestrians crossing Sargent Road, for example, to cross from the bus stop on the west side of Sargent to the new development on the east.
Bus stop
There is a bus stop near the entrance to the campus in the 4800 block of Sargent Road NE. A resident shared with me that it would be useful if Urban Atlantic could upgrade the stop with a bus shelter to help encourage new residents to ride the bus. And if there is not room for a bus shelter in the existing right of way, perhaps an easement on the property for one could be granted.
Bikeshare station
There is a thought a bikeshare station could go near the campus somewhere.
One-timeSmarTrip or Bikeshare membership & Information about transportation options provided to homebuyers
Urban Atlantic could be asked to provide these membership options and information to each initial homebuyer. And when they finally figure out what to do with the Main Building, they should ensure that similar provision be made for tenants/employees of that building as well.
Pedestrian Access to North Michigan Park Recreation Center
Urban Atlantic has noted that they have agreed to OP’s recommendation that they install a pedestrian walkway to access the North Michigan Park Recreation Center, which abuts the rear of the property.
Trails
Ms. Davis has stated they are opening up the campus and will build one mile of sidewalks throughout the site. She sometimes has described these as trails, other times as sidewalks. They are sidewalks. One suggestion has been to maybe build an actual walking trail around the campus.
Community Benefits
Community benefits are typically associated with planned unit developments (PUDs). This is not a PUD. It is a matter of right project. That has not stopped nearby residents and the NMPCA from asking for community benefits.
Urban Atlantic has previously stated they are looking at building a playground on the site that would be open to the public. Residents have pointed out that the rec center is basically in the backyard of the campus, so there is probably less of a need for public access to a new playground in that location. I do not know where they will land on this.
Other things I have heard tossed around include a pool (no), refresh of North Michigan Park signs, one-time enhancements to the small triangle green spaces in the area.
If people want community benefits, I think they should propose reasonable benefits in writing.
Historic Preservation
Ms. Davis often starts her presentation talking about the history of Boys Town, which was founded by Father Edward Flanagan. Before it was a school for boys in need, it was a school for girls. Residents, OP, and the ANC so far have all mentioned recognizing the historic use of the site.
Urban Atlantic plans to keep the 8,000 square foot Main Building, but at this point, it is unclear if they plan to go through the process of formally seeking historic designation of the building or if OP will suggest that they consider doing so. Perhaps there is some way to meaningfully mark the historic nature of the property besides the small plaque that is in front of the campus.
ANC Commissioner Jack Hermes (5A04) has asked Urban Atlantic to somehow recognize the Catholic history of the property.
One resident has suggested to the ANC that Urban Atlantic be asked to pay for (1) a historian to write a history of Boys Town DC, St. Gertrude’s School, and the earlier history of the site; (2) a photographer to thoroughly document the campus before its demolition, and (3) a small print run to provide copies to the DC Public Library, DC History Center, local university libraries, etc.; and (4) the historian’s expenses to present at the DC History Conference.
Main Building
Urban Atlantic said they are still accepting suggestions for how to use the 8,000 square foot Main Building. Ideas thrown around include a daycare center, affordable housing (I would be curious if this is something OP opines on), clubhouse (Ms. Davis said no). Ms. Davis mentioned that it may be some time before they decide what to do with the building. For purposes of the traffic study, she said they will assume worst case scenario. If you have ideas about the building, reach out to Urban Atlantic.
I am sure I am forgetting some things. A lot of this will probably be repeated tomorrow at the ANC meeting. For residents who care about this project, I suggest speaking up and requesting that the ANC and civic association provide concise written feedback to the Large Tract Review application once it is submitted. That may require having a special meeting over the summer.
Every facet of life, every gesture, every moment has the potential to inspire. Art sparks something in all of us. Washington, DC has many museums whose collections are a mirror to our lives and an inspiration for beauty, escape and curiosity.
The Art Sparks! project at Art Place brings 30 works of art from 15 world-class museums to the corner of Ingraham St and South Dakota Avenue, NE. Artwork spanning 300 years of history are organized into seven themes. Art Sparks! is presented as a gallery for the community and a reminder of the great institutions we share here in Washington, DC.
The large-scale visuals are grouped around seven themes. It is an interesting artistic presentation, particularly along South Dakota. The visuals along Ingraham are a little less accessible because the fence blocks the sidewalk on that side of the street.
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 select Saturdays, 1pm-3pm, from June to September!
Join DC Fray + the Cafritz Foundationfor our Children’s Festival Event Series for some free, community-centered fun every third Saturday from June to September! Please see the details below and select the date(s) that you plan to join us!
June 28th – Field Day Fun
Share your nostalgic field day favorites with the whole family this summer! Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to play games like kickball, cornhole, jenga, bouncy balls, sack race; or get your cool temporary tattoos – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
July 19th – Summer Splash Water Park
Get ready to make a splash this summer as you dive into an unforgettable water adventure, packed with fun. You’ll cool off with water themed games, enjoy delicious snack bowls, and sip on refreshing beverages. We’ll have special guests to help guide you through the games. Plus, don’t miss out on the awesome giveaways! Dress in your best swimwear and get ready for a day of sun-soaked fun, laughter, and endless memories.
August 23rd – “Minecraft” Back to School Bash & Pizza Party
Enjoy some summer fun for the whole family! Join DC Fray & The Cafritz Foundation for an afternoon of inspiration + prizes as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series to provide supplies and get students and their families enthused about the upcoming schoolyear!
September 13th – Fall Carnival Experience
Ready to experience an amazing Carnival right in your own backyard? Come out and enjoy games, food, a live DJ, and loads of fun! There will even be a face painter on site! All as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
Be Sure to Follow @artplacedcon Instagram for Updates!
Join the Art Place at Fort Totten team to kick off a new kid’s art space at Art Place – a creative maker space for local kids and families to build, imagine, and dream together.
This Friday, June 20 from 4–7 PM, the Art Place team is hosting a hands-on pop-up event at the former interim library space at 395 Ingraham Street NE, where kids can:
Design and build cardboard train cars
Draw their own railroad tracks with sidewalk chalk
Share ideas for what they want to see in the space next
All materials will be provided. Free and open to all ages—just bring your imagination!
Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.
Commissioners will be let into the meeting room first. Once they are all present, the residents will be let in.
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business a. Minutes (May 2025) b. Meeting Protocol Reminder c. Treasurer Report d. Grant application- New Generation Training and Learning Center Community Dy and Book Bag Give Away e. Officers i. Secretary ii. Sargent at Arms
V. Commission Action Items/Updates a. 5A02 Boys Town Development b. 5A03 Providence Hospital Update c. 5A04 CUA Marist Hall Historical Designation d. 5A06 BZA Case no. 20507 65-85 Hawaii Ave NE e. 5A08- Clinical Health and Wellness 4942 South Dakota Ave NE Update
VI. Community Updates a. Mayor’s Office b. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations (Non-Action Items) a. NONE
VIII. Community Comment Period
IX. Next Meeting: a. Special Meeting: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 i. 3rd Quarter Financial Report ii. ABCA and 4942 South Dakota Ave NE b. Wednesday, September 24, 2025
X. Adjourn
Meeting Expectations Goal: To be helpful to the community and standards for accountability. As the elected officials for this community, we set these expectations of all of the ANC 5A Commissioners. • ANC Commissioners are encouraged to be on camera. • ANC Commissioners names and SMD are encouraged to be identified on their screen • ANC Commissioners are encouraged to put their contact information in the chat • Meeting Protocol is Robert’s Rules of Order • Respect others when speaking • Respect our guest. • In order to ask a question or make a comment all in attendance must either use the raise hand feature or raise their hand on screen if there is a question and then wait to be acknowledged. • ANC Commissioners will be called on first before the public during a discussion. • ANC Commissioners will be responsible for presenting Single Member District Items • Members of the community should remain on mute until called upon • Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and will be addressed appropriately by the Chair.
The Main Street Jazz Series continues on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM with a special performance by Oren Levine, a celebrated jazz pianist and award-winning songwriter.
Hosted by The Parks Main Street and presented by the Greater Washington Urban League.
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue, NE
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial +13017158592, 81406325863#
Meeting ID: 814 0632 5863
Call to Order & Roll Call
Administrative Items
Instructions for participation in virtual and in-person meetings
Consideration and approval of May 2025 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
Approval of June 2025 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Updates
Community Concerns
Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak.
The Commission will provide details regarding how to present community concerns at the start of the virtual 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 contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings.
Reports
Leticia Acosta, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (3 minutes)
Darrell Whitmyer, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (3 minutes)
T. Michelle Colson, Ward 4 State Board of Education (3 minutes)
4B Community Safety & Support Committee (3 minutes)
Presentations
Alex Casey, DGS Contractor, Whittier Elementary Modernization Project Swing Spaces
John Glover, Chief External Affairs Officer, Friendship Public Charter School Expansion Plans
Meridith H. Moldenhauer, DGS Contractor, Requesting a Special Exception Relief for MPD Communication Towers
Charon Hines, Director Department on Aging and Community Living, Mayoral Budget FY2026
RESOLUTION #4B-25-0601: Opposition to DCPS Use of Mandatory Reporting Authority as Persecution Against Parents
RESOLUTION #4B-25-0602: In Support of 3rd St NW (Square 3269, Lot 0065) Application for Area Variance Relief as it Relates to Whittier Elementary Modernization Swing Spaces
Letter of Support for Friendship Ideal Charter School Expansion
Please review the Commission’s website for additional information: anc4b.com
Traffic Impacts on Blair Road NW Beginning Saturday, June 21
(WASHINGTON, DC) — The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will complete milling/overlay asphalt work beginning Saturday, June 21. During this work, DDOT will implement a temporary roadway detour which will change north/south bound traffic patterns on Blair Road NW starting at McDonald Place NE continuing thru to Aspen St NW. The work will start at McDonald Place NE and continue to Aspen St NW. Please note that this work will be permanent for the installation of the new Metropolitan Branch Trail extension.
The milling/overlay asphalt work will continue for approximately four weeks.
These lane closures and traffic pattern changes are necessary to complete final paving of the roadways for installation of the multi-use trail in the most efficient manner as a part of the Metropolitan Branch Trail Fort Totten to Takoma Project. For the least amount of public inconvenience, this work will be performed as quickly as possible. During this work a single north/south bound lane of travel will be maintained at a minimum.
Traffic controls, including signage and temporary traffic control barrels/cones will be in placed to guide motorists and pedestrians safely around the work zone. All users of the roadway are advised to stay alert and be observant of signage and work zones while traveling in this area.
Once complete, the Metropolitan Branch Trail Fort Totten to Takoma Project, will include improvements such as new multi-use trail section, sidewalks, streetlights, green area revitalization, and other streetscape elements.
For more information about this project and to stay up to date on traffic related impacts and construction progress, please visit https://mbt-forttotten-takoma.ddot.dc.gov.
Subject: The Boystown property of 12 acres has been sold to Urban Atlantic Development by Boystown, who have been closed for almost one year now, and is being submitted by Urban Atlantic to the Office of Planning for Large Tract Review, based on existing R-2 Zoning, by rights development, before the end of June. The development proposes 170 duplex homes, consistent with existing zoning and the surrounding neighborhood.
Purpose: The Urban Atlantic development team, is committed to communicating with the community as early as possible, and have already introduced themselves to the 5A ANC and the North Michigan Park Civic Association and Queens Chapel Civic Association over the past 2 weeks. The purpose of the meeting is to show you the proposed development, explain the process, answer community questions, and listen to you.
The Proposed Development:
153 market rate homeownership homes – final prices not yet set.
17 Inclusionary Zoning homes at 80% of median income.
12 acres, with:
Over 1 mile of sidewalks open to the public
40% open space,
Improved drainage, and removable of the large mounds of dirt that were added to the site
Keeping the old main building of 8,000 square feet in place for an undetermined future use.
Keeping the main access road, but removing the gate, to open the site to the community, and
For questions, contact task force co-chairs Julia Larsen (julia@lrcadc.org) & Keith Sellars (keith.sellars1@gmail.com)
*Hosted in conjunction with The Parks Main Street and ANC Commissioners Keith Sellars (5A01), Shelagh Bocoum (5A09), Garrett Moore (4B08), Danielle Geong (4B09), & Jinin Berry (4B10).
Location: SoDaRiggs Park on the corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE
Join ANC 4B & 5A Commissioners,* the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, and The Parks Main Street for a clean up day and park concept plan review on June 28, 2025!
Meet at the green space on the corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE to help mulch and pick up trash around the green space or along your street. Water, trash bags, rakes, and grabbers provided.
RSVP to ANC Commissioner Keith Sellars (5A01) at 5A01@anc.dc.gov and ANC Commissioner Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) at 5A09@anc.dc.gov.
*ANC Commissioners Keith Sellars (5A01), Shelagh Bocoum (5A09), Garrett Moore (4B08), & Danielle Geong (4B09). Assistance provided by The Parks Main Street Clean Team, Casey Trees, and DC Department of Public Works (DPW).
Next Stop...Riggs Park 