Author Archives: nextstoprp

October 2: LRCA public meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association, Uncategorized

I am the new president of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association. I will post meeting notices on the blog. Unless stated otherwise, blog content and opinions are my own and not that of the LRCA. That said, I encourage residents to attend meetings when possible.

The first public meeting is Monday, October 2 at 7:00 pm at LaSalle Backus EC (501 Riggs Road NE, enter on Madison Street). Pepco will present on its plans to underground power lines along some neighborhood streets. The Lamond-Riggs Library Friends group will discuss their survey on rebuilding the neighborhood library. Be sure to fill out the survey by October 20. Residents will also have the opportunity to sign up for LRCA committees.

Check out LRCA’s website at http://www.lrcadc.org, consider becoming a member by paying annual dues ($10 for individuals and $15 for households with two or more adults), and join the community listserv. Comments, suggestions, questions welcome at info@lrcadc.org.

Met Branch Trail Petition

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B, Transportation

The Ward 4 MBT Coalition has created a petition to show support for completion of the Metropolitan Branch Trail beyond Riggs Road NE into Takoma (Ward 4 route). DC’s Department of Transportation released a design-construction request for proposals for the Brookland to Fort Totten extension. DDOT has not selected a contractor for that portion just yet, but a selection could be made soon. The extension beyond Riggs Road though has been the subject of lots of meetings and compromise. ANC 4B’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee held a public meeting on the proposed Ward 4 route on September 5, 2017. Details of that meeting are available here and here.

We wrote about the proposed Ward 4 route in this post. It will essentially be an enlarged sidewalk along Riggs Road, sharrows along 1st Street NE and contraflow bike lane on McDonald Place NE (compromise design), and then an enlarged sidewalk on Blair Road NW into Takoma. There is some disagreement about which street to branch off Blair into Takoma, but that is the gist of the route. ANC 4B Commissioner Tanya Topolewski (4B02) raised the possibility of having the route run along 3rd Street NW to provide access to the Takoma Recreation Center, but it is not clear at this point how many people support that option.

The National Park Service has shown new willingness to have the route run parallel to the metro tracks past Riggs Road. Therefore, some commissioners want to be sure that any resolution in support of the Ward 4 extension will have an assurance from DDOT that the agency will diligently pursue the option of having an off-road trail parallel to the tracks, since that is the option that mostly everyone believes is best. It is not clear when ANC 4B will take up a resolution on the extension, but if you are interested in showing support for the MBT’s completion before then, here’s a petition.

September 15: 70’s Soul Movie Night at Riggs-LaSalle Rec

Posted by nextstoprp in Recreation

70’s Soul at Riggs
On the big screen
(Showing performances by some of the best 70’s artist)

Friday, September 15, 2017
Riggs-LaSalle Community Center
501 Riggs Road NE – on the field
Begins After Sunset (8:30 p.m.)

Bring your Lawn Chairs and Blankets.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes for best 70’s outfit!

Please join Commissioner Barbara Rogers, 4B08 and DC Department of Parks and Recreation for an end of the summer party. Come out and boogie with your neighbors. Hot dogs, popcorn and water provided.

For information call Commissioner Barbara Rogers on 202-904-1027.
(Rain date Saturday, September 16, 2017- 8:30 p.m.)

October 5: Lamond-Riggs Library Modernization Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

Advance notice from DC Public Library:
—

Dear Lamond Riggs Library Patrons –

We have been communicating with many of you for the past 4-5 years regarding the modernization of the Lamond Riggs Library. We are pleased to announce that we are nearing the time to begin the design process for a new Lamond Riggs Library. To this end, we are holding a Lamond-Riggs Library Community Meeting to take place on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Library [5401 South Dakota Avenue NE]. Please note, this preliminary meeting will not discuss the design of the proposed library but serve to familiarize us with one another and to inform the community of DCPL’s engagement process.

The Request for Funding Proposals (RFP) for design services will be issued in early November 2017.

September 14: DDOT Public Meeting on Eastern Avenue Rehabilitation Project

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

From DDOT:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is holding the second public meeting to discuss the Rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue NE Project (from New Hampshire to Whittier Street NW). DDOT will present design concepts based on community feedback and gather additional comments from the community at this meeitng.

When: Thursday, September 14, 2017
Where: EF International Language Center, 6896 Laurel Street NW, Washington, DC 20012
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Eastern Avenue Info Card FINAL

 

August 20: MPD PSA 405 Meet ‘n’ Greet

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety

Meet your MPD PSA 405 officers

August 20, 2017
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Across from 1012 Galloway St. NE

To find your PSA, go to http://geospatial.dcgis.dc.gov/PSAFinder

From MPD:

The patrol officers of PSA 405 would like to provide an opportunity for the residents and officers to mingle. The officers patrolling your PSA during the day and evening tour of duties, will be stopping through to meet with the PSA residents. This is a great opportunity for you to become more familiar with the officers and for them to become more familiar with you. We hope you can stop by to say hello!

August 14: Public safety townhall discussion

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety

From ANC Commissioner Tischa Cockrell (4B09):

One Community/One Voice

Please join us for a Public Town Hall Discussion with Lt. Posey and Captain Weedon, members of our Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and a Representative from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

  • When: Monday, August 14, 2017 @ 6:30 pm
  • Where: Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center in the Multi-Purpose Room

We will discuss any questions you have in regards to our community. MPD and OAG will also share and discuss programs and opportunities to assist us. This meeting is open to the public. Young people are strongly encouraged to attend.

Hope to see you there!

Commissioner Tischa Cockrell, ANC4B09

August 8: CM McDuffie Office Hours at Lamond-Riggs Library-CANCELLED

Posted by nextstoprp in Council

Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie has published office hours for the month of August. He will be at Lamond-Riggs Library on August 8 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Mon, Aug 7 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM Starbucks Edgewood/Brookland 655 Michigan Ave NE
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Joe Cole Rec Center 1299 Neal Street NE
Tues, Aug 8 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Ward 5 Day:
National Building Museum		 401 F Street NW
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Lamond Riggs Library 5401 South Dakota Ave NE
Wed, Aug 9 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM MGM Roast Beef 905 Brentwood Road NE
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Starbucks
Dakota Crossing/Fort Lincoln		 2430 Market Street NE

ANC 5A July 27, 2017 Meeting Recap

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

Guest post

ANC 5A Commissioners held a second special meeting on Thursday, July 27, 2017. All of the commissioners were present except Commissioner Keisha Cofield-Lynch (5A03).

DC WATER GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM UPDATE

Representatives from DC Water and their contractors gave a briefing on the DC Clean Rivers Project, Rock Creek Project A. With this project, DC Water is attempting to limit storm water runoff through several green infrastructure strategies.

The DC Water representatives explained that city streets and sidewalls are impervious and force large amounts of storm water into the sewer system. These sewers are often overwhelmed by major downpours which result in sewer overflow and waterway pollution. To decrease the volume of runoff, DC Water will rely on green infrastructure– Planter Bioretention, Curb Extension Bioretention, Alley Permeable Pavement and Parking Lane Permeable Pavement.

ANC 5A has two alley permeable pavement projects scheduled: (1) alley off Hamilton Street NE between North Capitol Street and Rock Creek Church Road NE and (2) Rock Creek Church Road NE between Hamilton Street and Riggs Road NE. Work on the first alley is anticipated to start on August 21, 2017. Construction will occur 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Friday (with rain day make-up on Saturday). Utility marking, rodent control and community outreach will be done prior to construction. The contractor said roadway disturbance should be minimal and all construction materials and activity should be contained to the alley. In connection with this project, residents in the project area may request downspout disconnect and a free rain barrel.

For more information contact DC Water by phone or email at (202) 448-9040 or http://www.dcwater.com/RockCreekGreen.

DC Water Rock Creek GI Project Area A

DOEE EDUCATION ON INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Mr. Joseph Walton of the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) gave a presentation on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Mr. Walton said all city schools and registered day-cares are required to develop an integrated pest management plan. He emphasized that pesticides are poisonous and should be used sparingly. The IPM program provides a three-step pest control solution:

  • Control Pest – by not fostering a welcoming environment. Ensure cleanliness inside and outside of your home;
  • Starve Them – by denying sources of food and water. Ensure your garbage bins seal properly, clean food preparation areas, fix leaks, etc.; and
  • Deny Pest Access – by denying access to your home. Ensure that all cracks, gaps, etc. into your home are sealed.

For more information, contact Mr. Walton by email or phone at joseph.walton@dc.gov or 202.535.2612.

ANC 5A WEBSITE UPDATE

ANC 5A is finalizing a contract for a new ANC 5A website with both Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) and Commissioner Isaiah Burroughs (5A04) acting as primary contacts. Commissioner Fletcher said the new website will allow more transparency and be more user-friendly and efficient than the District-provided website. In addition to new content, the website will contain past ANC documents such as resolutions and minutes dating back to January 2013. Commissioner Fletcher expects the site to be operational by September 1, 2017.

BUSINESS CARD UPDATE

The ANC is still researching the cost and other aspects of business card development. A local business, Quality Printer, on 301 Kennedy Street NW has been suggested as the vendor.

ANC 5A08 PROPOSAL TO CONVERT CITY PROPERTY TO A DPR-MANAGED PARK

Commissioner Fletcher (5A08) raised a proposal to create a park within the boundaries of ANC 5A08 on District-owned property located on the southwest corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE in front of Food & Friends (see picture below). Excluding federally-held National Park Service (NPS) land, development is rapidly depleting neighborhood green space. The commission passed Commissioner Fletcher’s motion for the ANC to develop a letter in support of requesting the transfer of the land from DDOT to DPR for the purpose of developing a DPR-managed park. (See community park resolution).

Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue NE intersection

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

ANC 5A commissioners raised a few issues with the community. First, some commissioners believe that DC government entities do not take ANC concerns seriously even though District law states that government entities are to give “great weight” to ANC issues and concerns.

Second, Chairman Edwards noted that the ANC has limited authority and no legal jurisdiction to order a remedy in disputes. This issue arose due to a dispute between a developer and a homeowner in which the homeowner wants the ANC to order a solution. Chair Edwards stated the ANC will do what it can within its authority, but at some point residents need to decide if they want to pursue legal remedies.

Finally, Metro has selected additional homes within ANC 5A to test for vibrations in response to complaints that heavier trains traveling underground on the green line are causing homes to vibrate. Metro stated no homeowners in ANC 5A responded to the initial request for testing. If interested in vibration testing, contact Metro Government Relations Officer Ann Chisolm at achisolm@wmata.com

The next ANC meeting will be on September 27, 2017.

August 5: Explore! Summer Children’s Festival

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explore-summer-family-festival-tickets-36063548043

Explore! Summer Children’s Festival
August 5, 2017
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
5234 4th Street NE

From Explore! Children’s Museum:

Our final festival of the Summer is here! Come learn about Explore! Children’s Museum, create something new with Imagination Stage and play with members of your DC community and local teaching artists – all at the site of the future Children’s Museum!

We will be providing free books again from local author Tom Noll and coloring books from Color with Luna! Learn to play different instruments at the Percussion Playground from The Uncle Devin Show!
There will be a Mad Science show from 11:30 – 12:15 p.m. – Don’t Miss it! Light snacks and water will be available.