[Ed. Note: Construction report distributed to North Michigan Park Civic Association by McDonald’s Area Construction Manager Eileen Seeburger. Send questions to NPMCA President Carmen Williams at carm8954@aol.com.]
TWO items to note, both included in the attached weekly report:
It was determined at our last meeting that the pest service contract was only for during the demo phase. We have corrected and expect the service back onsite this week.
We are getting closer to confirming dates for street work…I will keep you apprised as soon as dates are confirmed.
1 ITEM NOT NOTED ON THE REPORT:
Tree work on the vacant adjacent property is ‘expected’ to begin this Thursday. I have been in frequent communications with Katie Ricketts our immediately adjacent neighborhood, as well as the church – see additional attached
ANC 5A held a special meeting on September 4, 2025. Commissioners present: Keith Sellars (5A01); Tim Thomas (5A02) – Vice Chair; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Chair; Valeria Sosa Garnica (5A07) – Secretary; Elaine Alston (5A08); Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer.
The ANC voted in support of a resolution to condemn the Trump administration’s federal overreach and deployment of National Guard for police purposes; urge Congress to reject any extension of Trump’s emergency request; and demand the restoration of approximately $1 billion of locally raised funds to DC’s budget. All of the commissioners present voted in support except Commissioner Alston who abstained.
Turn plain ceramic tiles into tiny works of art! Drop in to paint a tile (or a matching set) you can take home the same day—perfect for coasters, wall decor, or a gift.
At last night’s North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) meeting, McDonald’s construction manager Eileen Seeburger, gave a brief update about the restaurant rebuilding. The new owner originally expected to open by August 1, but there have been a couple of delays. The property is located at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE and sits in ANC 5A08 in North Michigan Park.
As everyone knows, they started building a structure and then took it down after about a month or so before starting again. Ms. Seeburger said that was due to an error in the general contractor’s survey causing them to build in the wrong spot on the property. She said a second delay was caused last week when the project manager resigned. The team is now back on track and hopes to turn over the building to the franchisee by mid-October with the goal of reopening by the end of October.
Ms. Seeburger stated that she has been on site on Thursdays for the past few weeks and that she has sent ANC Commissioner Elaine Alston (5A08) weekly construction updates in that timeframe. It appears that Commissioner Alston is not distributing these notices so NMPCA president Carmen Williams stated that she would like to receive the notices as well so that she can distribute them to the community.
Ms. Seeburger stated that the team is scheduling their preconstruction meeting with DDOT in order to start doing utility work in the street. They need DDOT’s approval before doing street work. The team will put up notices.
Residents sent the team notice about street flooding at South Dakota & Delafield after a recent rain. Ms. Seeburger stated that she contacted DC Water and DC Water came out to clear one of the storm drains. They are hoping that will help reduce the pooling of water at the corner. She also stated that the team is now covering the site to prevent soil runoff into the drains.
Finally Ms. Seeburger stated that the team will work to remove the graffiti from the construction fence along South Dakota Avenue.
Ms. Seeburger will continue to visit the site on Thursdays.
From the Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker
Join Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker for a night out at the ballgame as the Washington Nationals take on the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 6:45 p.m. The office has a limited number of free tickets for Ward 5 residents, so reserve yours now by visiting ward5.us/gonats!
[Ed. Note: The DC Office of Planning will be present at this meeting. Please attend if you would like to see the most up-to-date presentation about the project and have questions addressed by the project team and OP.]
From ANC 5A02
SINGLE MEMBER DISTRCT 5A02 AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS Boys Town Redevelopment Large Tract Review Neighborhood Meeting
The Urban Atlantic Development team will provide an update on the development status of the former Boys Town site on Sargent Road. Urban Atlantic has submitted a Large Tract Review application with the District’s Office of Planning for the development of 166 duplex homes, consistent with the existing R-2 zoning. The meeting will review the materials submitted with the application and offer an opportunity for community questions and comments.
Wednesday, September 10th 6:30 pm
Microsoft Teams Link: Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 252 113 980 753 1 Passcode: MY9a5Ui2 Dial in by phone: 1 443-948-6064 Code: 682943271# Phone conference ID: 682 943 271#
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 5:00 pm II. Quorum III. Discussion on proposed resolution Condemning Federal Overreach VII. Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 VIII. Adjourn
On August 28, 2025, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker held a townhall on the Trump administration’s federal overreach in DC law enforcement and local affairs. We know that federal agent presence is heavy in Ward 5. They are hanging around federal parkland. They have detained people working as landscapers and construction workers and detained people as they take their children to school. They are showing up to MPD scenes to check people’s immigration status.
CM Parker shared that he was told that the low flying helicopters people had questions about last week were CBP helicopters.
We know that this far-reaching incursion is not limited to MPD though. Even though Trump’s “Crime Emergency in DC” executive order and the Home Rule Act speak to federal request of MPD services, Metro is “cooperating” with federal law enforcement and has permitted a mass presence of federal agents (e.g., HSI, FBI, IRS-CI, CBP) at Fort Totten station (and other stations) along with MPD and Metro Transit Police (MTPD) almost daily for the past two weeks.
At a community meeting on August 26, 2025, DC Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) and Department of General Services (DGS) presented an updated concept plan for the Riggs & South Dakota Park that will be located on the southwest corner of Riggs Road & South Dakota Avenue NE in Riggs Park.
Instead of a straight path through the row of mature trees, there will be a plaza area on the corner of the green space at Riggs & South Dakota. The plaza will be buffered by plantings of evergreen shrubs. Two benches sit in front of the shrubbery to orient the gaze to the existing mature trees and open green space and a planting bed of native plants. The addition of two trees on the western and eastern edge of the plaza will eventually provide shade for the plaza. There will be two solar powered lights, waste/recycling receptacles, bike racks, and a park sign. Right now the design-build team is planning for brushed concrete for the plaza.
Public Art
The team requested ideas for community-driven public art. Most people seemed supportive of some type of vertical sculpture as opposed to something like a ground mural. Some ideas included having a more playable/interactive artistic element reminiscent of the LOVE sculpture in Philadelphia but perhaps spelling out “Riggs” or something to that effect.
The team suggested that the community come to a consensus about themes/inspiration for the art piece and have that incorporated into the design now because the money is available rather than waiting. Seems like something The Parks Main Street, Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, and the ANCs can work together on.
Other Ideas
Residents requested a water fountain with bottle filler along with a spigot. The team stated they will need to determine whether there are already water pipes underneath the space. If there are not, building out infrastructure for water would be cost prohibitive.
The team asked about interest in a community garden club for the native plants but residents pointed out that without a water source, it would be difficult for residents to maintain plantings. Residents have asked for a hose bib from the very beginning. We know that the city will not do a good job of maintaining the planting areas given that the city does not do a good job of even mowing the grass on regular basis. So we really want to make sure that anything planted will be able to be maintained.
Commissioner Bocoum asked about having a sign directing people to walk their bikes through the plaza area.
The team stressed again that this is what the budget of $337,000 will support. Residents can certainly work down the line to request more tree plantings and work with the DC Council on funding for additional elements for the space.
Timeline
The new park should be substantially completed by the end of summer 2026.
Councilmember Robert White is hosting informal conversations in each Ward while the Council is on recess this summer. He will be in Ward 5 tonight August 27, 5-6pm at Metrobar, located at 640 Rhode Island Avenue NE. Register: CM Robert White Summer Office Hours.
SINGLE MEMBER DISTRCT 5A02 AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS Boys Town Redevelopment Large Tract Review Neighborhood Meeting
The Urban Atlantic Development team will provide an update on the development status of the former Boys Town site on Sargent Road. Urban Atlantic has submitted a Large Tract Review application with the District’s Office of Planning for the development of 166 duplex homes, consistent with the existing R-2 zoning. The meeting will review the materials submitted with the application and offer an opportunity for community questions and comments.
Wednesday, September 10th 6:30 pm
Microsoft Teams Link: Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 252 113 980 753 1 Passcode: MY9a5Ui2 Dial in by phone: 1 443-948-6064 Code: 682943271# Phone conference ID: 682 943 271#
Join the DC Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) for the Jazz in the Park series Thursday August 28, 6pm-8pm, at North Michigan Park Rec. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy live music with neighbors.
Join Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker for a townhall on situational update on National Guard troops and federal agents in the District, along with resources for neighbors and an opportunity to ask questions.
Please join the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) for a community meeting to discuss the initial designs for improvements to the triangle park at the intersection of Riggs Road & South Dakota Avenue NE.
Your attendance is greatly appreciated!
Meeting details:
Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Lamond Riggs Neighborhood Library – 5401 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington, DC 20011
Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact Rasheed Jibreel at rasheed.jibreel@dc.gov or by telephone at (202)-341-0158.
Additional websites for the Riggs and South Dakota Triangle Park project.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin alley paving on Monday, August 25, 2025, weather permitting, for the alley bounded by Nicholson St NE, Kensington Pl NE, Madison St NE and 6th St NE (Square 3740). Work will take approximately one week to complete, weather permitting.
Workdays are Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Once the work begins, the areas under construction will be closed and parking will not be permitted. Pedestrians and vehicles will not have access to private property with entrances along the alley.
For questions or concerns contact DDOT at 301-634-4435 or by email at adil.rizvi@dc.gov.
Free and open to the community! The festival series is always a good time for the kids.
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.
A local coffee pop up will offer hot and iced coffee and fresh roasted coffee beans for sale on Saturdays & Sundays, 8am-1pm, in front of One Life Fitness, 5198 South Dakota Avenue NE.
Best for ages 4–12
Next Stop...Riggs Park 