Author Archives: nextstoprp

Metro alert: L’Enfant station temporarily closed; Green/yellow line service suspended downtown

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Metro alert

L’Enfant Plaza Station temporarily closed; Green/Yellow service suspended in Downtown DC

Updated 5:05 p.m.

Green Line shuttle bus boarding locations –
Navy Yard – NJ Ave & M St SE
Waterfront – M St & 4th SW
L’Enfant Plaza – C St & 7th St SW
Archives – Pennsylvania Ave & 7th Street NW
Gallery Place – H St & 7th St NW
Mt Vernon Sq – M St & 7th St NW

Downtown Yellow Line customers should use Blue Line service between Downtown DC & Virginia. Transfer after Pentagon City to a Huntington-bound Yellow Line train.

Yellow & Green Line customers at Mt Vernon Sq may use Metrobus Route 70 or 79 to reach Gallery Place & Archives.

NON-METRO ALTERNATIVES
DC Circulator:  from M St/Navy Yard: 2 different routes available to either Eastern Market (OR/SV/BL Metrorail) or Union Station (Metrorail Red Line). SmarTrip accepted.
VRE:  Fredericksburg Line from Union Station or L’Enfant Plaza to Crystal City, King Street-Alexandria and Franconia-Springfield

 

###

Metro Transit Police and fire department personnel are on scene at L’Enfant Plaza for smoke in the station.

The source of the smoke has not been determined. The station has been evacuated and is temporarily closed at this time.

Metro has activated tunnel fans to ventilate the area.

Service Information

  • Green Line service is SUSPENDED between Navy Yard and Mt Vernon Square.
  • Yellow Line service is SUSPENDED between Pentagon City and Mt Vernon Square.
  • Blue/Orange/Silver line trains are BYPASSING L’Enfant Plaza (passing through the station without stopping).
  • L’Enfant Plaza is closed.
  • Riders should consider alternate travel options. To view bus options, use Metro’s trip planner and select the “bus only” option. Expect significant delays.

News release issued at 3:54 pm, January 12, 2015.

Proposed Capital Bikeshare price increase

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation and tagged with

Capital Bikeshare is hosting an open house on January 28, 2015, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library (901 G Street NW) to discuss proposed price increases, future expansion plans, and rider policy. The price for an annual pre-paid membership would increase $10 to $85. Usage fees for trips over 30 minutes would remain the same. The entire proposed fee schedule is printed in the chart below. Written comments on the proposed fee schedule may also be submitted via email by February 15, 2015.

Proposed price increases

Proposed price increases (source: Capital Bikeshare)

 

Icy sidewalks around Art Place construction site

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

We were surprised to find the sidewalks around the Art Place at Fort Totten construction site still covered in snow and ice last night. This is the first significant winter weather event since construction began in earnest summer 2014. We hope this is not what we can look forward to during the winter for the next few years of construction. If the sidewalks are still icy, consider submitting a 311 request for snow/ice removal.

Note January 8:  We received a 311 update at 2:30 pm stating that the area has been plowed and salted.

Comments due February 19 on direct path option for metro shortcut between Gallatin & Galloway

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

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The National Park Service conducted an Environmental Assessment on four alternatives to the current shortcuts pedestrians use between Gallatin Street and Galloway Street NE to  access Fort Totten metro station. The NPS selected the direct path option as its preferred alternative. We covered the proposed options [(1)No Action; (2) Improve Street Side Access/Fence off Area; (3) Direct Trail; (4) Trail System] in this post last year. The NPS plans to hold a public meeting about the Environmental Assessment (date and location to be determined) during the open comment period, which runs from January 6 to February 19, 2015 .

The project website provides the following summary:

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Park Service has prepared an Environmental Assessment that describes four alternatives for the Fort Totten-North Michigan Park Pedestrian Access Improvements Project, as well as the impacts on natural and historic resources of implementing these alternatives. The National Park Service has identified “Alternative 3: Direct Trail” as the preferred alternative. Under this alternative, the National Park Service would construct a paved multi-use trail through the project area, which is part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington and is managed by Rock Creek Park. The design for the trail, which would connect Gallatin and Galloway Streets, NE, would account for existing topography to allow for sufficient sight lines and proper grade for universal accessibility. In addition, existing unofficial trails would be closed and restored with native vegetation. This alternative also would include the option to incorporate low impact, fully shielded pole lighting into the trail design.

The Environmental Assessment for each option is available on the project website and also at Rock Creek Park Headquarters (3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008) and the Rock Creek Park Nature Center (5200 Glover Road, NW, Washington, D.C. 20015).

Comments may be submitted online by clicking on the “Open for Comment” tab on the project website or by mailing to:

Rock Creek Park
Attn: Fort Totten-North Michigan Park Pedestrian Access Improvements EA
3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008

Stay tuned for a date for the public meeting.

January 13: Brookland Middle School Principal Selection

Posted by nextstoprp in Education and tagged with

On January 13, 2015, in partnership with the Brookland Civic Association and DCPS, the Ward 5 Council on Education is hosting a meeting on the selection of a principal for the new Brookland Middle School.

The meeting will be 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Lamond Riggs Library (5401 South Dakota Avenue NE). If you have questions prior to the meeting, contact Andrew Katz-Moses with DCPS.

Fort Totten Square Walmart opening pushed back

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Totten Square and tagged with ,

We have an update on the Fort Totten Square Walmart from community representatives. The Walmart will not open in spring 2015 as anticipated due to changes in the construction schedule, but is expected to open in either summer or fall 2015. The opening of the hiring center will be pushed back as well.

From January 19 to January 30, 2015, the Walmart Foundation is accepting applications from qualified non-profit organizations for grants in the $25,000-$250,000 range.  Visit the Foundation website for more information. Organizations interested in smaller grants should contact Kimberly Lockett.

Walmart representatives also shared the following Q & As:

1. What additional retailers at Fort Totten Square, other than Walmart?

JBG and Lowe are still in lease negotiations with restaurants and neighborhood serving retail.

2. Will there be any retailers inside the Walmart store?

No, there will not be other retailers located inside of the Walmart store.

3. What is the character of the Fort Totten Walmart going to be?

There will not be any other retailers inside the store, but there will be grocery, financial services, and health & wellness services. Financial services include GoBank accounts, Walmart-to-Walmart wire transfer and Blue Bird pre-paid check cards.

4. Where is the Walmart customer parking entrance and is there zoned parking in the DDOT plan for the neighborhood?

Customers will enter Walmart from two parking entrances, one on Riggs Rd. NE the other on 3rd [St.] NE, per the plan approved by DDOT. Community stakeholder meetings after the store opening will be used to receive feedback on issues including parking, transportation, etc. If there are any specific issues noted by the community, Walmart will work with [the]community to address any outstanding issues. There is no zoned parking directly surrounding the store due to garage parking availability.

5. What will traffic patterns be for delivery trucks to Walmart and Fort Totten Square?

All truck loading/unloading for Walmart will be conducted inside the underground parking garage. Trucks will use Riggs Rd. NE and not travel on Chillum Rd. or other local roads.

6. Employment

a. How many people will be employed at the Walmart?

Approximately 300 associates will be employed at the Walmart

b. Are there requirements for local hiring?

While there are no local hiring mandates, our stores actively recruit, hire and retain associates from the local community. For example, over 65% of Walmart’s associates in Washington’s two existing stores are DC residents.

c. What will the job hiring center look like and what is the application process?

All of the applications are submitted online. Our HR department reviews all applications and interviews candidates at the job hiring center. Once a candidate has satisfied the conditions stated in the offer of employment, they begin training and employment shortly thereafter.

January 6 – 12: NSO in Your Neighborhood, Brookland to NoMa

Posted by nextstoprp in Arts and tagged with , , ,

From January 6 through January 12, the National Symphony Orchestra is hosting “NSO in Your Neighborhood: Brookland to NOMA” with free performances in venues around Brookland, Woodridge, and NOMA. All of the events are free. Some require RSVP.  The full schedule is listed below with links for registration.

—

Tuesday, January 6

Central Union Mission
11 a.m.–12 p.m.
65 Massachusetts Ave., NW
NSO musicians David Murray, trombone; Matthew Guilford, bass trombone; Stephen Dumaine, tuba; and Peter Ellefson, guest trombone, perform classical works at D.C.’s oldest social services agency.

Noyes Education Campus
7–8 p.m.
Auditorium at 2725 10th St., NE
Following a weeklong songwriting workshop led by arts organization Kid Pan Alley, students from Noyes Education Campus perform their original material with NSO musicians Glenn Donnellan, violin; Jamie Roberts, oboe; and Charles Nilles, bass, as well as musicians from Kid Pan Alley.

National Public Radio
RSVP required »
7–8:30 p.m.
1111 North Capitol St., NE
NSO musicians Nurit Bar-Josef, concertmaster; Eric deWaardt, viola; Mark Evans, cello; and Aaron Goldman, principal flute, perform chamber music in NPR’s new Studio 1.

Woodridge Interim Library
Family Performance: Peter and the Wolf
7–8 p.m.
1790 Douglas St., NE (Main Floor)
NSO musicians Alice Weinreb, flute; Nicholas Stovall, principal oboe; Paul Cigan, clarinet; Truman Harris, bassoon; and Laurel Bennert Ohlson, horn, perform a family program centered on the classic Peter and the Wolf. The library will incorporate a story time featuring books on the same theme.

Wednesday, January 7

Wells Fargo
4–5 p.m.
1200 1st St., NE
NSO musician Adriana Horne, principal harp, plays a variety of classical works.

Union Market
Official Kick-Off Concert
RSVP required »
6–8 p.m.
1309 5th St., NE, Dock 5 (2nd Floor)
Historic Union Market is not only home to more than 30 of the top artisanal food producers in the region, but above the marketplace it also boasts the distinctive event space Dock 5. Come early to dine, shop, and explore Union Market—and then enjoy NSO musicians Glenn Donnellan, Teri Lee, Carole Evans, and Jan Chong, violins; Mark Evans, cello; Charles Nilles, bass; and Joe Connell, percussion, as they bring their mix of rock ‘n’ roll, blues/jazz, fiddling, and maybe even classical to this spacious urban venue. An arrival time of 6 p.m. is suggested; the performance begins at 7 p.m.

Dance Place
RSVP required »
7–8 p.m.
3225 8th St., NE
NSO musicians Nurit Bar-Josef, concertmaster; Eric deWaardt, viola; and Aaron Goldman, principal flute, perform chamber music while choreography is performed by ReVision, a professional modern dance company.

Thursday, January 8

NOMA Business Improvement District: The Lobby Project
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
1200 1st St., NE
NSO musicians Joel Fuller and Alexandra Osborne, violins; Mahoko Eguchi, viola; and Rachel Young, cello—otherwise known as The Last Stand Quartet—perform classical works.

Central Union Mission
4–5 p.m.
65 Massachusetts Ave., NW
NSO musicians Jamie Roberts, oboe; Pavel Pekarsky, violin; and Eugena Chang, cello, perform a chamber concert with Steve Combs, guest baritone; Malorie Blake Shin, guest violin; and Derek Smith, guest viola, at D.C.’s oldest social services agency.

Howard University School of Divinity
5–6 p.m.
Howard Thurman Chapel
1400 Shepherd St., NE
NSO musicians Eugene Mondie, clarinet; Sue Heineman, bassoon; Mark Evans, cello; and Lisa Emenheiser, piano, perform classical works.

Turkey Thicket Recreation
5–6 p.m.
1100 Michigan Ave., NE
NSO musician Glenn Donnellan, violin, gives a performance for both children and adults.

Friday, January 9

Echostage
Full Orchestra Concert
RSVP required »
2135 Queens Chapel Rd., NE
Led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, the NSO collaborates with three Washington artists at Echostage, D.C.’s newest and largest nightlife concert venue. DJ Stylus, dubbed “The Vibe Conductor” by his fans, launches the action with his self-described “party rocking philosophy.” Bach and Pachelbel then meet Christylez Bacon and Wytold. Christylez Bacon, a Grammy®-nominated musician “whose sound lives at the intersection of soul, hip-hop, and jazz” (Washington Post), and Wytold, performer extraordinaire on the electric six-stringed cello, also bring some of their original compositions to the NSO. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with DJ Stylus; the NSO and guests begin at 8:30 p.m.

  • Bernstein: Candide—Overture
  • Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93 (Movement II)
  • Christylez Bacon: X-2
  • Bach/Wytold: Bach Remix, themes from the Cello Suite No. 1, Prelude
  • Pachelbel/Christylez Bacon: It’s the Beatbox, themes from Canon in D major
  • Prokofiev: “Dance of the Knights” from Romeo and Juliet
  • Wytold: My Regards
  • Christylez Bacon: Mambo Sauce
  • Bernstein: “Mambo” from West Side Story

Saturday, January 10

Art Enables
12:30–1:30 p.m.
2204 Rhode Island Ave., NE
NSO musicians Joel Fuller and Alexandra Osborne, violins; Mahoko Eguchi, viola; and Rachel Young, cello—otherwise known as The Last Stand Quartet—perform during a community arts workshop.

McKinley Technology Education Campus
NSO Family Concert & Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo”
RSVP required »
3–5 p.m.
151 T St., NE
From 3 to 4 p.m., kids of all ages can enjoy hands-on fun with our Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo.” From 4 to 5 p.m., the NSO brings mirth, musical mastery, and more to a family program called “Exploring Extremes” hosted by Marissa Regni, principal second violin, and NSO Assistant Conductor Ankush Kumar Bahl.

  • Beethoven: Adagio—Allegro vivace (Mvt. 1) from Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60
  • Holst: “Mars” from The Planets
  • Mahler: Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor
  • Mozart: Adagio-Allegro from String Quartet in C major, K. 465, “Dissonant”
  • Tchaikovsky: “Ave verum corpus” from Suite No. 4 in G major, Op. 61, “Mozartiana”
  • Haydn: Andante (Mvt. II) from Symphony No. 94 in G major, “Surprise”
  • Khachaturian: “Sabre Dance” from Gayaneh
  • Veracini: Allegro for Solo Violin
  • Strauss: An Alpine Symphony, Op. 64
  • Brahms: Adagio—Più andante—Allegro non troppo, ma con brio from Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
  • Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever

Mount Sinai Baptist Church
7–8:30 p.m.
1615 3rd St., NW
NSO musicians Natasha Bogachek and Zino Bogachek, violins; and Eric deWaardt, viola, perform a classical concert for the church and surrounding community.

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
7–8 p.m.
Crypt Church (Lower Level)
400 Michigan Ave., NE
NSO musicians Jamie Roberts, oboe; Pavel Pekarsky, violin; and Eugena Chang, cello, perform a chamber concert with Steve Combs, guest baritone; Malorie Blake Shin, guest violin; Derek Smith, guest viola; and Todd Fickley, guest organ.

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America
7:30–8:30 p.m.
1400 Quincy St., NE
NSO musician Steven Hendrickson, trumpet, performs a chamber concert with Phil Snedecor, guest trumpet, and Russell Weismann, guest organ and Dean of the D.C. chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Sunday, January 11

Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family
2–3 p.m.
4250 Harewood Rd., NE
NSO musicians Linda Schroeder, violin, and Denise Wilkinson, viola, perform a chamber concert along with Andrei Pidkivka, guest folk instruments; Solomia Gorokhivska, guest violin; and Alicia Ward, guest cello, to follow the Parish’s Christmas dinner.

Northwest One Library
2–3 p.m.
155 L St., NW (Main Floor)
NSO musician Janet Frank, cello, performs a chamber concert with John Moran, guest cello.

Trinity Washington University
2–3 p.m.
125 Michigan Ave., NE
NSO musicians David Murray, trombone; Matthew Guilford, bass trombone; and Stephen Dumaine, tuba, perform a chamber concert with Peter Ellefson, guest trombone. The concert includes a collaboration with a brass ensemble from Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Woodridge Interim Library
2:30–3:30 p.m.
1790 Douglas St., NE
NSO musicians Natasha Bogachek and Zino Bogachek, violins, play classical works.

Central Union Mission
4–5 p.m.
65 Massachusetts Ave., NW
NSO musician Janet Frank, cello, and John Moran, guest cello, perform a chamber concert at D.C.’s oldest social services agency.

Central Union Mission
6–7 p.m.
65 Massachusetts Ave., NW
NSO musician Glenn Donnellan, violin, performs a concert at D.C.’s oldest social services agency.

Monday, January 12

The Catholic University of America
Ensemble Performance
3:40–4:45 p.m.
Caldwell Auditorium In Ward Hall
620 Michigan Ave., NE
NSO musicians David Murray, trombone; Matthew Guilford, bass trombone; Stephen Dumaine, tuba; and Peter Ellefson, guest trombone, perform and hold a panel discussion with Catholic University’s School of Music students. The public is invited to attend.

The Catholic University of America
Finale Concert with the Full Orchestra
RSVP required »
7:30–9 p.m.
620 Michigan Ave., NE
Music Director Christoph Eschenbach leads the NSO in a concert saluting Catholic University’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music on its 50th anniversary. The all-Mozart program includes the Overture to The Marriage of Figaro and Symphony No. 41 (“Jupiter”), plus Principal Flute Aaron Goldman is featured in Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 2, with cadenzas by Lera Auerbach, commissioned by the NSO.

 

January 17: Talking Transition DC Town Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

A neighbor brings to our attention the “Talking Transition DC Town Meeting,” a scheduled January 17 townhall meeting sponsored by a coalition of organizations that seeks to inform Mayor Bowser’s policy priorities. An online survey is also available. From the website:

The Talking Transition DC survey is available online for residents across the city to express their sentiments on the most pressing issues at this time of transition. In total, Talking Transition DC’s goal is to obtain the input and ideas of ten thousand Washingtonians about the future of a more equitable and prosperous Washington, D.C.

Talking Transition DC Town Meeting

Saturday, January 17, 2015

9:30 AM – 3:30 PM   Doors Open at 9:00 AM

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Washington, DC 20001

FREE LUNCH AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED!

During this time of transition in our city, it’s important that District residents come together and help create a common vision for our future. Join us for an interactive, high tech Town Meeting that will bring together hundreds of residents from all eight wards to talk about the important issues facing Washington, DC.

  • Learn about the various challenges facing our city
  • Help identify priorities for the new Mayor
  • Talk in small groups with people from all parts of the District
  • Generate ideas about how we can make our local government more effective

All the results will be shared with Mayor Bowser and members of her new administration.

REGISTER TODAY! SEATING IS LIMITED!

Register by January 10th to guarantee your seat at the meeting! Go to www.TalkingTransitionDC.com to register or get more information.

Registration Options:

Have questions about Talking Transition DC Town Meeting? Contact Talking Transition DC

Happy New Year

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized and tagged with

Happy New Year. With the new year we welcome new District of Columbia mayor Muriel Bowser. Check out this video from last year when then mayoral candidate Bowser welcomed the Washington Post to her Riggs Park home.

Read below Mayor Bowser’s remarks at her January 2 inauguration (from the Executive Office of the Mayor):

—

Well good morning. Thank you for joining us here today. It’s indeed the greatest honor of my life to be sworn in as Mayor of my hometown.

Today, as we begin a new year, we come together to renew our commitment to this city.

Grateful for God’s love and mercy.

Knowing that we build on the work of generations of Washingtonians who have fought to make this city a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

And knowing that now, the responsibility is ours.

Knowing That We Are Washington, DC.

It’s a new day in Washington – a fresh start for all of our families that call DC home.

It’s a time to reinvent our government, making it better, more efficient, and dedicated to supporting all of our families.

Two months ago, we came together on Election Day to re-affirm our Democratic values:

  • That each of us is equal in the eyes of God and our government,
  • That every Washingtonian deserves a fair shot and a seat at the table,
  • That every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to live in a safe and affordable home,
  • And that the Middle Class is worth protecting and fighting for.

In this administration, a Bowser Administration, we’re going to fight for those values.

Continue reading →

December 18 ANC 5A meeting wrapup

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A held its holiday celebration on December 18 with a few items on the agenda:

  • ANC 5A plans to draft a resolution opposing the selection of Bridges and Briya Public Charter School for the Mamie D. Lee school building.  ANC 5A sent a letter in support of a different school before the selection was announced. Commissioner Sandi Washington, in whose SMD the school sits, cited a few reasons for opposing the selection.  (1) The new school will serve 400 students.  The school also plans to partner with Mary’s Center to offer medical services. As a result, the commissioner believes there factors will be an increase in traffic and congestion.  (2) The operating hours for the new school will be 7:00 am – 10:00 pm because the school plans to offer nighttime GED classes. These hours raise public safety concerns for the commissioner. (3) It is unclear if Bridges and Briya plan to simply add on to the current school building or if they plan to tear down part or all of the building to build what Commissioner Washington says will be a five story building. In either case, the building will not look the same and the community expressed concern about how large the new building will be. (4) The school the ANC supported planned to serve special needs students, as Mamie D. Lee currently does. Bridges and Briya will not exclusively serve special needs students.
  • Commissioner Angel Alston announced that she received the PUD documents from Comstock to build an additional 47 townhomes in North Michigan Park near Capital Area Food Bank.
  • A board member of Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School (4401 8th Street NE) reported on the management and personnel changes at the school.  He stated the changes resulted in the school going from a Tier 4 school to a Tier 2 school.

Mamie D. Lee School Building awarded to Bridges and Briya Public Charter School

Posted by nextstoprp in Education and tagged with ,

The Mayor’s Office issued a press release announcing that the Mamie D. Lee school building, located at 100 Gallatin Street NE, was awarded to Bridges and Briya Public Charter School. Mamie D. Lee, which serves special needs students, will close at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. The release provides a few details about the new school:

Bridges and Briya are partnering to offer a full spectrum of education programming from infant and toddler to adult programs. Bridges, which will serve 400 students at capacity, will provide a pre-Kindergarten and elementary school program with a focus on serving a high proportion of students with special needs in an inclusive environment. Briya will offer GED and vocational education for adults as well as infant and toddler programs for children of students attending Briya’s adult programs.  At capacity, Briya will serve 225 adults and 36 infants and toddlers.

Bridges and Briya will also partner with Mary’s Center, which will provide medical, dental and mental health services. Mary’s Center will be equipped to address early intervention for infants and toddlers and will offer athletic and wellness opportunities for community members.

Bridges and Briya presented their plans at an ANC 5A meeting in October.  During that meeting, a couple of commissioners expressed public safety concerns about operating a school beyond traditional school hours (as Bridges and Briya plan to do) because the immediate area around the school, including the paved path leading to Fort Totten metro station, is not well lit at night. ANC 5A ultimately decided to support the application of a different school.

Bridges and Briya plan to add on to the Mamie Lee school building. They anticipate being open for the 2015-2016 school year in their new home.

 

Home prices are up

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

DC Urbanturf has news on what we all know.  Home prices in the neighborhood are up. The site shows Riggs Park coming in at number 5 of the top 10 neighborhoods where median sales price rose the most.  The neighborhood saw an 18% increase, from $285,000 in 2013 to $336,500 in 2014.  On top of that, despite the large increase in inventory, average number of days on the market decreased from 41 to 25.

Events: Week of December 8

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

A few events of interest this week

December 8: Councilmember McDuffie is hosting a meeting on the Ward 5 industrial land transformation report at the Holiday Inn Express (1917 Bladensburg Road NE, near New York Avenue NE), 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

December 11: Councilmember McDuffie’s holiday party, Gallaudet University, Sorensen and Language Communication Center (800 Florida Avenue NE ), 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

December 13: Brookland Middle School (12th Street and Michigan Avenue NE) ribbon cutting ceremony, 11:00 am with tours from 12:00 -12:30 pm

 

 

Ward 5 Heritage Guide Released

Posted by nextstoprp in Neighborhood Profile and tagged with

DC’s Office of Planning recently released the Ward 5 Heritage Guide, a 68-page guide chock full of information about the development of the ward and points of interest in various ward 5 neighborhoods. Construction of the Riggs Park subdivision began in 1952. The guide highlights how the Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education led to the departure of white families from ward 5 neighborhoods to neighborhoods west of Rock Creek Park.  That led the way for black families to move into these communities, including Riggs Park. (Sidenote: I recently met a family that moved into the neighborhood on Jefferson Street in 1954 and left in 1995).  The guide provides a fascinating look into how the ward developed over time from the 1800s to present day.

Metro news: Grocery pickup & bidders for development of long-term parking lot

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Totten Metro Development and tagged with , ,

Catching up on news, starting with metro news

Grocery pickup at Fort Totten metro station

WMATA is negotiating an agreement with Giant’s online Peapod service to allow grocery pickup at three metro stations, including Fort Totten metro station. The six-month pilot project could start as early as spring 2015. There will be a minimum order of $60 and a $2.95 pickup fee. Customers will prepay online and choose a pick-up day of Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The other two stations involved in the pilot project are Glenmont and Van Dorn Street. The project was initiated by Giant.

Initial bids received for development of long-term parking lot

In other metro news, after receiving an unsolicited offer to develop the long-term parking lot at Fort Totten metro station, WMATA re-released the RFP for joint development of the parking lot and received two “solid” initial proposals. Recall from this post that WMATA issued an RFP for joint development of the parking lot in November 2013 and received no proposals. At that time, WMATA stated it suspected the cost of replacing the parking lot was an obstacle and also that investors were probably waiting to see how planned development in the area would shape up. Accordingly, WMATA stated it planned to re-release the RFP in a year or two once Fort Totten Square and Art Place were further along. Now it appears that hunch was correct, as Art Place is well underway in construction and Fort Totten Square is expected to come online in spring 2015.

The RFP is largely the same with an emphasis on transit-oriented development. The development should promote safe, walkable, attractive communities with quality design and placemaking elements. As we stated in our post last year on the topic, let’s hope these initial proposals are more attractive than Aventine Fort Totten (and Rhode Island Row). WMATA plans to discuss the timeline and initial proposals in general terms at an ANC meeting, so stay tuned for that.