Author Archives: nextstoprp

March 27, 2024 ANC 5A Public Meeting Recap: Boys Town Closure; Affordable Housing Development Planned First Place & Riggs Road NE

Posted by nextstoprp in Neighborhood Development

[Updated 4/3/2024 to correct date of DPW Community Conversation. It will be on April 24, 2024.]

ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on March 27, 2024. Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Diego Rojas (5A04); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 and 5A07 are vacant.

DC Commission on Arts & Humanities was on the agenda, but they did not show up.

ANC Public Safety Update

(I missed the first few minutes of the meeting so I missed a portion of the public safety update).

MPD’s 4th District held an Air Tag giveaway on March 22, 2024. ANC 5A discussed with the North Michigan Park Civic Association splitting the cost of 500 Air Tags for another giveaway. The ANC voted (2-1) to support spending up to $300 to purchase Air Tags in conjunctions with the civic association. Commissioner Cozart voted against because he wanted to make sure it is an allowable expense before supporting it. Commissioners Rojas and Bocoum voted to support. (Commissioner Malone joined the meeting after the vote).

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

Mayor Bowser announced that the Wizards and Capitals will stay in DC to 2050.

The Cherry Blossom parade was on March 30.

With spring here, community clean-ups are starting. Anyone can organize a clean-up. The Mayor’s Office of the Clean City provides support for clean-ups by providing bags, pickers, gloves, and rakes. See Mayor Bowser’s Spring Clean Up.

Street sweeping is in effect. DPW issued warnings and will now start issuing fines. For alley cleanings, submit a service request to 311.

Free tax preparation service is provided at Turkey Thicket Rec Center every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am-2:00 pm through April 11, 2024.

There will be a community conversation with DPW Director Timothy Spriggs on April 24. Residents can submit questions in advance through April 2.

DDOT is collaborating with ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) and Commissioner Colleen Costello (5B05) to install alley restriction signs in alleys along Varnum, Taylor, Taussig, and Urell streets NE for the spring season.

Mr. Black said he is happy to assist the ANC and North Michigan Park with planning another Air Tag giveaway.

Mr. Black’s Ward days are Tuesday and Friday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm, when he can meet residents and commissioners around the ward for any issues.

Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator for Councilmember Zachary Parker)

Councilmember Parker introduced a bill to address truancy. (Read press release).

On March 29, 2024, CM Parker held his monthly Ward 5 public safety call with guests from the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) and MPD 5D Commander Sylvan Altieri. Access slides and view a recording of the meeting. Learn more about the OGVP at https://www.buildingblocks.dc.gov. The public safety calls are held the last Wednesday of each month. The next one will be on April 24, 2024.

The city is still in the middle of Fiscal Year 2025 budget delays. Mayor Bowser will submit her proposed budget to the Council on April 3, 2024. The Council will take a first vote on May 29, 2024, and a second vote on June 12, 2024.

On April 4, 2024, at 11:00 am there will be a street designation naming ceremony for Edna Brown Coleman by Delta Towers on the 1400 block of Morse Street NE. Coleman was one of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, which started at Howard University.

CM Parker had a meeting with DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum and discussed the $1 million for FY 2024 improvements on South Dakota Avenue NE. DDOT is still working out final details. The street lighting team will brighten lights on the 5000 and 5100 blocks of South Dakota Avenue.

CM Parker’s office launched a Ward 5 Wave podcast.

Chair Fletcher asked again for the councilmember’s help with getting MPD to the ANC meeting. Ward 5 MOCR Anthony Black stated he will help the ANC with this.

Boys Town Closure (5A02) (Kichelle Coleman, Executive Director)

Boys Town will close its physical location at 4801 Sargent Road NE. Executive Director Kichelle Coleman stated that the residential program ended in 2022 and the organization had hoped to continue having more impact in DC with community-based services working with children and families. She said the closure has to do with the regulatory environment and reimbursement rates.

The organization announced in December 2023 that they were looking to wind down around July 1, 2024.

The organization currently has a commitment to 10 public schools regarding truancy reduction so they will continue to serve those schools through that commitment.

The behavioral clinic will continue to operate as an outpatient clinic through April 2024.

Ms. Coleman said Boys Town will continue providing virtual parenting classes; the national hotline will continue to operate; and the national program will still offer training to schools across DC.

They will discuss the sale of the property at a future ANC meeting.

Gas Station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE (5A08) (BZA case no. 17963A)

The applicant seeking to have a gas station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE has requested another hearing postponement. The hearing was scheduled for April 3, 2024.

Affordable Housing Development, First Place & Riggs Road NE (5A07) (Felipe Serpa, developer)

View presentation given to DC Council Committee of the Whole

View sightlines schematic design provided by developer

A 100% income-restricted affordable housing development is planned for the southwest corner of First Place & Riggs Road NE in ANC 5A07 (across from Impact DMV Church). The ANC seat for this area is currently vacant so Chair Fletcher is handling communication with the developer, Valor Development.

There is a parking lot on the southwest corner owned by Impact DMV church and a lot next to that with the brick structure that is owned by Local Union 11. The developer plans to purchase and combine the two lots in order to build the project. They need to close a paper alley that sits between the two lots to do so. The Council has to approve alley closures. The developer is working with CM Parker’s office on this (see bill no. B25-0636). The developer came before the ANC to request support for closure of the paper alley. The developer shared the presentation given to the DC Council Committee of the Whole.

(Aside: Local Union 11 ran into financial issues several years ago).

The project is in the beginning stages, starting with the alley closure. The developer stated they will likely apply for tax credits and bonds from the city to help finance the project in mid-2024.

The plan is to have around 104 two-bedroom and three-bedroom units with the express goal of supporting housing for families. Currently, the developer does not have plans for retail in the project.

The developer stated that the project will be a matter-of-right project, meaning they will not be seeking any zoning relief. The maximum allowable height for the building is 65 feet. Part of the deal with the church is to provide church parking in the development because the church currently uses the parking lot for overflow parking. The plan is to have underground parking for the church as well as the residential units.

The presentation given to the Council (and ANC) includes preliminary comments from District agencies about the alley closure. DDOT and the Office of Planning both commented about impact/access to the Met Branch Trail. The Fort Totten to Takoma section of the MBT currently under construction runs along First Place near the Metro station and west from First along Riggs Road. The developer stated they are working with DDOT on public space design and access to the MBT. (Aside: I looked up the public hearing for the bill. Here is DDOT’s testimony with objections).

A resident noted there used to be a gas station where the parking lot sits. The developer stated they are aware and will be working with DOEE on any necessary environmental mitigation.

The next ANC meeting will be April 24, 2024.

April 3: North Michigan Park Civic Association Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk, Uncategorized

From North Michigan Park Civic Association

North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

VIRTUAL ONLY

Virtual Meeting Access

Meeting ID 882 7345 2110

Passcode 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.

 NMPCA – Community Information

  • Boys Town on Sargent Road
  • Open position on the Board of Directors for the 2nd Vice President 
  • NMPCA Scholarship – Scholarship Committee update
  • NMPCA – Membership Drive – Membership Committee update
  • Upcoming Events
    • May (date to be determined) Community Clean Up (Clean Streets)
    • Scholarship Night – Wednesday, June 5, 2024
    • Community Day – Saturday June 8, 2024 12:00 noon un 4:00 p.m. (NEED VOLUNTEERS)
    • Roll Off Day for Ward 5 – Bulk Trash, debris, and electronics to E-Cycle – July 27th at the North Michigan Park Recreation Center 
  • NMPCA – on summer break July and August 

PUBLIC SAFETY DISCUSSION

Guest Speakers for this evening:

  • Rodney Foxworth from Lamond Riggs

 Community Leader Reports

  • Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Anthony Black 
  • Ward 5 Council member’s Office –  Carlos McKnight
  • ANC Commissioners 5A02, 5A03, 5A08, 5A09
  • Faith United Church

Community Concerns:

Open to residents

Adjourn

April 1-15: Application Period Open for DDOT E-Bike Voucher Program – Preferred Applicants Only

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

DDOT is helping make e-bikes more affordable for DC residents through the District E-Bike
Incentive Program! Preferred Applicants (DC residents enrolled in SNAP/TANF/Medicaid or DC
Health Alliance) can apply between April 1 – 15 to receive up to $2,000 towards the purchase of
an e-bike, cargo e-bike, e-bike maintenance, or other qualified accessories. To learn more, visit ddot.dc.gov/ebikes.

Things to Know

  • Applicants can apply anytime between April 1 – April 15.
  • Voucher recipients will be chosen at random after the application window closes.
  • Preferred Applicants (District resident enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
    Program (SNAP)), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or the DC
    Healthcare Alliance) are the only applications being accepted during this round.
  • Applicants must apply and be an approved voucher recipient BEFORE purchasing an e-bike.
  • Approved applicants can redeem their vouchers only at authorized bike retailers.
  • Voucher amounts vary based on applicant status and the item intended for purchase.
    See website for details.

List of DC Programs We All Should Know

Posted by nextstoprp in Council

Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and her team put together a great list of DC programs that more DC residents should know about or take advantage of. Her team states that many of the ideas came directly from neighbors who shared how these programs impact their lives for the better.

View the list at www.petworthnews.org/blog/cm-lewis-george-dc-programs.

And in case you missed it, back in January, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parkers’s weekly newsletter included a link to DC Health’s LinkU, which provides a list of health, food, housing, and community assistance resources.

Retail Opportunity – Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH), developer of Riggs Crossing Senior Residences, is seeking interested local and unique retail tenants for under-market lease opportunity. The project is currently under construction at 307 Riggs Road NE on the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE in Riggs Park. Project delivery expected first quarter 2025.

There will be two virtual information sessions:

  • Thursday, April 25, 2025 at 2:00 pm
  • Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 10:00 am

Submit initial inquiries by May 23, 2024.

Click here for the Retail Brochure.
Click here for the Microsoft Teams invite to join during the scheduled informational sessions.

Send questions/inquiries to Joanna Ha Yean Shin at jshin@apah.org.

APAH is very interested in assistance from residents who have connections to unique, local retailers. Help APAH make this a great project.

NPS Updates: North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Metro Pedestrian Path; Fort Totten Park Soil Testing

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Circle Park, National Park Service, North Michigan PArk

A couple of updates on National Park Service (NPS) issues in the neighborhood.

North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Metro Pedestrian Path

Neighbor Gavin noted the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) will consider approval of preliminary and final site development plans for the North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Metro pedestrian path at a meeting on April 4, 2024 (titled Fort Totten Trail Realignment on the agenda).

This formal path between Gallatin and Galloway streets NE in parkland near Fort Totten Metro station has been delayed for years, first due to the discovery of an unexploded WWI ordnance during construction and then when workers encountered the high point of Metro’s tunnel. NPS had to determine a more suitable location for the path.

In January of this year, NPS stated that they were at about 70% design on the new realignment and expected the design to be completed this spring.

According to an NCPC February 2024 project report prepared by NPS, the path will be shifted about 20 feet to the east of the original location to avoid interference with Metro infrastructure. The path will be 10 feet wide. Eleven trees will have to be removed.

The report states:

A preferred alternative was selected in December 2022 from this study to realign the trail and the south entrance approximately 20 feet to the east, to redesign the entry at the south end of the trail and redesign the trail centerline profile to maximize tunnel coverage. A drainage ditch for the proposed new trail will drain to the DDOT catch basin and trench. Bollards will be employed at both sides of the tunnel to restrict the entry of heavy vehicles over the tunnel area. The trail profile will provide allowable steep grades with landings to meet accessibility criteria according to the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards with a goal of increasing the cover over the tunnel.

The realigned trail will meet WMATA’s max loading requirements. Part of the trail from Galloway Street to just before the tunnel will utilize permeable pavement. The remaining part of the trail that goes over the tunnel and down to Gallatin Street NE will utilize concrete which meets WMATA’s requirement for 30 inch frost depth above the tunnel.

The construction document phase will be completed Spring/Summer 2024. The construction solicitation phase is expected to occur in late 2024, pending the availability of funding, which has not been identified at this time.

The anticipated construction cost is approximately $650,000.

The project is listed under the “Proposed Exceptions” section on the agenda. Proposed exceptions are “types of projects where NCPC staff determines that a project is exempt from Commission review, based on certain criteria.”

NPS stated earlier this week that they are actively seeking construction funding and that discussions continue within NPS and with the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding investigations and potential site remediation in the areas where the unexploded ordnances were found.

Fort Totten Park Soil Testing

With respect to the request for more comprehensive soil testing in Fort Totten Park, NPS states that they continue to work with the Army Corps to identify funding to investigate unexploded ordnance and any site contamination issues in Fort Totten Park.

March 30: OP Urban Design Walking Tour

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Join the Office of Planning and DC Public Library for an Urban Design Walking Tour on Saturday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library (5401 South Dakota Ave NE). Urban Designers from the Office of Planning will help demystify urban planning through the exploration of design terminology with practical examples and visuals. Following the session, take a short walk around the neighborhood to apply this newfound knowledge on our city’s streets. Learn how planners and designers think about public space and how we can all work together to improve it. RSVPs are requested for planning purposes but not required. Learn more about the walking tour and register.

March 22: MPD Air Tag/Tile Giveaway 4:30 pm-7:30 pm at Fort Circle Park

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety

From the Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker:

After advocating directly to Chief Smith on behalf of Ward 5 neighbors, Councilmember Parker is glad to share that MPD has agreed to hold an AirTag/Tile Giveaway for neighbors residing in the Fourth District (neighborhoods north of Michigan Ave NE). MPD just announced today that they will hold the giveaway tomorrow, March 22, from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Fort Circle Park (800-1100 Galloway St NE). Please see the attached graphic for additional details. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions! Ward5contact@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8028.

See https://mpdc.dc.gov/trackmystuff.

March 27: ANC 5A Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

From ANC 5A

ANC 5A Meeting
Wednesday, March 27 at 6:45 pm

VIRTUAL ONLY

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86210460261?pwd=NnF5RElVd0orWWppd3FPRGlPMjRPZz09

Meeting ID:  862 1046 0261

Passcode:  869469

Dial In: 301 715 8592

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 (February 2024)
B. Public Safety Committee Update

V. Commission Action Items/Updates

VI. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office

VII. Reports & Presentations
A. 4975 South Dakota Ave NE Gas Station E Charging Station (5A08)
B. Boys Town Closure (5A02)
C. DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

VIII. Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 24, 2024

IX. Adjourn

Call for Artists: Riggs Park Traffic Control Box Art Project – Application Deadline April 15, 2024

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street

CALL FOR ARTISTS – Riggs Park Traffic Control Box Art Project

Applications due by Monday April 15, 2024

The Parks Main Street (TPMS), with funding from EYA (developers of Riggs Park Place) and the support of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA), seeks artist proposals for designs to wrap traffic control boxes in Riggs Park featuring artwork by local artists of all ages.

The community selected artwork will be professionally printed on vinyl wrapping and installed by local printers. The expected lifespan for the vinyl wraps is about six years but may be removed early. TPMS and its vendors will be responsible for managing maintenance of wraps.

Application due by Monday April 15, 2024.

The selected artwork will be announced on or around May 10, 2024.

Final selected artwork design on or around May 25, 2024.

Click the link to apply: Riggs Park Traffic Control Box Art Project – CALL FOR ARTISTS

March 27: Ward 5 Monthly Public Safety Call – Register in Advance

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites residents to join his next Monthly Public Safety Call on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.

Guests will be representatives from the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (Kandis M. Catalan and MeghanMarie Fowler-Finn), MPD Fourth District Commander Nikki Lavenhouse, and MPD Fifth District Commander Sylvan Altieri.

Register to receive the meeting link at ward5.us/monthlycall. The meeting will be livestreamed on CM Parker’s YouTube channel. It will be recorded, and slides will be shared afterwards.

March 25: ANC 4B Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

From ANC 4B

ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting Agenda
Monday, March 25, 2024, 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Meeting Details:

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82117281005?pwd=aXErTHg3azVXb0VNN2FweEhnTU1nZz09.

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592.

Meeting ID: 821 1728 1005. Passcode: 875689.

1.   Call to Order & Roll Call

2.   Administrative Items:

A. Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting

B.  Consideration and Approval of March 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda

C. Approval of February 2024 Regular Public Meeting Minutes

3.   Commissioner Updates

4.   Community Concerns

*Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak during community concerns. The Commission will provide additional details regarding how to present community concerns via the virtual meeting at the start of the 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 also contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings.*

5.   Reports:

A. Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (5 minutes)

B. Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (5 minutes)

C.  Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education (5 minutes)

D.  Kornelius Anderson, Community Engagement Specialist, District Department of Transportation (10 minutes)

E. Housing Justice Committee (2 minutes)

F. Vision Zero Committee (2 minutes)

G. Youth Advisory Committee (2 minutes)

H. Community Safety & Support Committee (2 minutes)

6.   Presentation: Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal (20-minute presentation; 15-minute discussion) [Tentative]

7.   Presentation: Marty Sullivan, Sullivan & Barros, LLP, Application for Zoning Modification at 5924 9th Street, NW for Five Additional Dwelling Units (BZA Case #21106) (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)

  • Resolution 4B-24-0301: Supporting Special Exceptions for Five Additional Dwelling Units at 5924 9th Street, NW (BZA Case #21106) (Commissioner Gilligan)

8.   Resolution 4B-24-0302: Calling for Greater Transparency and Coordination in Permitting Neighborhood Utility Work and Improvements to DC Transportation Online Permitting System (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, and Commissioner Smith)

9.   Adjournment

The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for April 9 at 6:30 p.m.

The next ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for April 22 at 7:00 p.m.

The next ANC 4B Housing Justice Committee Meeting is scheduled for April 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The next ANC 4B Vision Zero Committee Meeting is scheduled for April 17 at 7:00 p.m.

agenda-25mar2024-finalDownload

Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George FY2025 Budget Request Letter

Posted by nextstoprp in Ward 4

Last week, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George submitted her fiscal year 2025 budget request letter to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. The mayor was expected to submit her proposed budget to the council on March 20, but there may be a delay in the mayor’s submission.

Councilmember Lewis George notes that her requests are informed in part by her neighborhood listening sessions and CARE day events. The requests address “housing and health, investing in our educators and our youth, and investing in public safety and community needs.”

Items of note regarding the neighborhood copied from the letter and pasted below.

Add Capacity Near Whittier Elementary School for Swing Space and Relieve Nearby Crowding. Whittier Elementary School’s overdue modernization will begin in school year 2025-26, meaning students and staff will be learning in temporary swing space for two years. DCPS’ current plan is for Whittier to occupy the former Sharpe Health Campus on 13th Street, over two miles away from Whittier. That distance is likely to cause enrollment declines and staff turnover as families depart what would otherwise be a neighborhood school. Simultaneously, students at Ida B. Wells Middle School and Coolidge High School, who share a building across the street from Whittier, are experiencing severe overcrowding. Last year Ida B. Wells was at 119% utilization and Coolidge was at 125% utilization – two of the top five most crowded schools in the city. We can solve both problems by either constructing a temporary modular campus on District-owned land near Whittier, Wells, and Coolidge, or leasing/purchasing another building nearby. This additional capacity can be used first as proximate swing space for Whittier and then space to relieve overcrowding at Wells and Coolidge – supporting our Ward 4 neighborhood schools and community.

Retain the School Connect program at LaSalle-Backus Elementary School and Ida B. Wells Middle School. The fiscal year 2024 budget included funding for a Department of For Hire Vehicles School Connect route between LaSalle-Backus Elementary School and Ida B. Wells Middle School. Students living in the Lamond-Riggs community of Wards 4 and 5 do not have a direct or safe route from home to their neighborhood middle school, Ida B. Wells. This program is particularly important for students who are often late or even absent because they must accompany their younger siblings to school before their own classes start. The recently opened School Connect program helps eliminate this gap for a select number of students and families identified by each school’s administrators most in need of support. We must continue this Safe Passage investment.

Invest in our DPR recreation centers and programming. Parks and recreational activities are important for our communities. I had the opportunity to tour many DPR recreation centers and there are improvements needed throughout the District. However, there are numerous facilities in Ward 4 that are seriously overdue for modernization and need to be upgraded. Our families and seniors deserve clean and well-maintained parks. Ward 4 centers that need upgrading include:

  • Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center: a new environmentally friendly turf field; repair or replace the gymnasium roof

Fund Broad Branch Road, Eastern Avenue, and Grant Circle Rehabilitation Projects. DDOT has announced plans to rehabilitate Broad Branch Road between Linnean Avenue and Beach Drive; Eastern Avenue between New Hampshire and Whittier; and Grant Circle. Each project will bring critical infrastructure upgrades and traffic safety improvements to key transit corridors. I am asking for these important projects to be fully funded.

Metropolitan Branch Trail. Design a trail connection between the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) at Fort Totten and the future Prince George’s County Connector. In 2023, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission secured funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop a shared-use path between the Northwest Branch Trail of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail in Chillum to Avondale Community Park, which borders Eastern Avenue in the District. To complement this project, DDOT should begin planning its own trail connection to the Metropolitan Branch Trail along Eastern Avenue and Gallatin Street N.E.

Keep modernizations on time and maintain their funding. A number of projects in Ward 4 are scheduled for upcoming modernizations. It is important for all of the projects to remain on schedule and that the community is updated. The Ward 4 community is excited for these projects and it’s important that we continue to invest in our neighborhoods with modernized facilities.

  • LaSalle-Backus Elementary Modernization

DDOT E-Bike Voucher Program Application Period Opens April 1 for Preferred Applicants

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Yesterday, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced that applications for the e-bike voucher program will be accepted from eligible “Preferred Applicants” from April 1 to April 15, 2024.

A Preferred Applicant is “a District resident enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or the DC Healthcare Alliance.” Proof of District residency and proof of enrollment in one of these programs will be required if applying as a Preferred Applicant. Residents must apply for and receive a voucher before purchasing an e-bike.

If funds remain, a second application window will open for Standard Applicants.

E-bikes are a great way to travel around the city, especially with the completed Metropolitan Branch Trail extension to Fort Totten station and the gradual progress the city is making to construct more protected bike infrastructure.

For more information about the e-bike voucher program, visit ddot.dc.gov/ebikes.

UDC Inauguration Activities

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

UDC will kick off a few days of activities for the inauguration of UDC’s 10th president Dr. Maurice Edington the week of March 11, 2024. There will be an academic symposium at the Lamond-Riggs campus on March 13, 2024. View the full list of inauguration activities at https://www.udc.edu/inauguration.

Academic Symposium

Wednesday, March 13
Advancing the Mission of the Urban HBCU: Showcasing Excellence, Elevating Possibility
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus Auditorium
5171 South Dakota Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20017