There will be a vacancy on ANC 4B in single member district 4B09 representing part of Riggs Park, effective June 30, 2023. Nominating petitions will be available starting July 3, 2023.
ANC 4B09 Boundaries
ANC 4B09 boundary map from DC Board of Elections
ANC 4B09 includes Fort Totten Square, LaSalle-Backus Elementary School, Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center, and Riggs Park Place. It will also include the forthcoming mixed-use retail/senior apartment building that will be on the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE. Groundbreaking on that building is likely to occur in the coming weeks.
A. Secretary Update 1. Minutes for Approval (May 2023)
B. Commission Action Items/Updates 1. Providence Urgent Care and Imagining Center Closure (5A03) 2. 4975 South Dakota Ave NE Gas Station Plans (5A08) 3. 120 Taussig Place-Olivia Akinsan ( 5A05) 4. Yu Ying presentation and action Carlie Fishlow (5A05)
C. Administrative Matters 1. Task Force Groups Update
V. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VI. Reports & Presentations
A. DC Public Charter Schools John Carlos Green
B. The Campaign to Reduce Lead Exposure & Asthma- Shanna Anderson
VII. Community Comment Period
VIII. Next Meeting: September 27, 2023. ANC 5A will be on summer recess for July and August
The developer for Art Place at Fort Totten just distributed this notice regarding the intersection at South Dakota Avenue & Ingraham Street NE.
A new traffic signal has been installed at South Dakota Avenue & Ingraham Street NE. In accordance with DDOT policy, the signal will have flashing lights 24 hours a day for 7 days starting June 22. During this period, there will not be a push activated crossing sign. Pedestrians will have to wait for car traffic to yield at the yellow light prior to crossing. While this traffic pattern is temporary, please exercise increased caution while using this intersection during this period.
Celebrate the first anniversary in the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library with a day full of fun events for all ages with light snacks and refereshments sponsored by the Friends of the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library.
Events
10:30 am – Happy Birthday Story Time #1 – Read, Sing, & Dance
11:00 am – Craft Activity – Youth Quilt Making (all day event)
11:45 am – Craft Activity – Various Arts & Crafts (all day)
Noon – Sarah Ramson on Harp
12:30 pm – The making of the Heritage Wall with artist Michelle Herman
1:15 pm – Official Dedication of the Heritage Wall with special guest speakers
2:00 pm – One Year Anniversary Celebration Reception
Whether you’re a historian or simply interested in preserving the legacy of our community, this workshop is for you. Attend and share your unique perspective to help create something special for Ward 5!
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is considering placing a roundabout at the 2nd Street/3rd Street NE intersection just north of Riggs Road NE, along with a few other modifications, to deal with the longstanding issues of U-turns and left turns out of Walmart’s parking garage on 3rd Street. (View NOI-23-110-TESD). Submit comments on the proposal to kornelius.anderson@dc.gov by July 7, 2023.
DDOT proposes the following modifications:
Conversion of the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Streets NE to a roundabout configuration;
Installation of a raised lane separator with vertical flexible posts on 3rd Street NE between 2nd Street NE and the 310 Riggs Road NE (Walmart) parking garage on 3rd Street NW; and,
Installation of crosswalks at the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Streets NE.
The Notice of Intent (NOI) states:
[F]ield observations indicate that motorists frequently turn left from the Walmart garage or make U-turns to access southbound 3rd Street NE. In support of Washington DC’s commitment to the Vision Zero goal, DDOT conducted a safety and operations study of 3rd Street NE between Riggs Road and 2nd Street NE, to develop the proposed recommendations identified above and improve safety for all users.
As a result of the study, DDOT determined that the most effective way to address the mid-block safety issues is to install a raised lane separator with vertical posts from the raised median on 3rd Street NE to the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Street NE. To facilitate U-turns, DDOT will convert the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Streets NE to a roundabout configuration. Following the conversion, approximately 19 parking spaces will be removed from 2nd and 3rd Streets NE to accommodate the roundabout. Figure 1 shows the proposed signs, pavement markings and the raised lane separator along 3rd St NE.
Background
A bit of background on this proposal. Back in early 2018 when I served as president of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, I created a spreadsheet of issues along the Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue NE corridor and arranged a walkthrough of the corridor with representatives from DDOT, MOCRs, ANC commissioners, and representatives from councilmember offices. I suggested the idea of a roundabout for the 2nd/3rd Street intersection (even though roundabouts make me nervous) and asked for a bunch of other longstanding requests, such as crosswalks at 2nd/3rd Street, removal of parking near Walmart’s driveway, blocking left turns out of Walmart’s driveway, all-way stop at 3rd & Chillum Place NE, and blocking parking near the southwest corner of 3rd and Chillum. I opened service requests for all of these issues, kept track of communications with District officials, and gave that information to ANC 4B. ANC 4B in turn created resolutions regarding these issues.
So it has taken some years to get to this point and several issues remain unaddressed. DDOT did install a no parking sign close to Walmart’s driveway last year, but of course people ignore the sign and still park right up to the driveway. I think DDOT needs to physically prevent the ability to park there because right now drivers exiting the driveway still need to pull out pretty far to see if there is oncoming traffic. We also need a way to prevent people from parking right near the intersection close to 300 Riggs Road NE where a Wing Stop will replace the coffee shop. The parking shenanigans will only get worse once that restaurant opens. And the intersection at 3rd & Chillum needs to be addressed.
As for this NOI, with respect to the proposed lengthy raised lane separator, I was told that DDOT is taking this action because it is faster to install this separator than to actually extend the median. I was told that perhaps in the future the separator could be converted into an extended median.
The only other thing I will say about this is that it really does highlight the deficiencies in the large tract review process for projects that do not go through the planned unit development process. Much of this should have been taken care of during the design and construction of Fort Totten Square when we raised these issues. I raise shortcomings with the large tract review process whenever I can with District officials, also to point out why the constant changes to the traffic safety investigation process are kind of bogus.
In any case, ANC 4B has developed a draft resolution in support of the proposed modifications in this NOI.
Be sure to submit comments on the proposed modifications for NOI-23-110-TESD to kornelius.anderson@dc.gov by July 7, 2023.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592.
Meeting ID: 832 8769 6066. Passcode: 262224
Call to Order & Roll Call
Administrative Items
Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting
Election of Treasurer
Consideration and Approval of Agenda
Approval of May 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Updates
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.
Reports
Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (3 min)
Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (3 min)
Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education (3 min)
Representative, Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (3 min)
Arianna Gard, Director, Growth and Resilience Across Development Lab, University of Maryland, Result of Community and Resilient Environments Project (10-minute presentation; 5-minute discussion)
Gragg, Cardona, and Souadi, Affordable Assisted Living Facility, 7709 Georgia Ave, NW (Sq. 2961, Lot 810), Map Amendment from MU-4 to MU-10 (Case No. 23-11) (10-minute presentation; 5-minute discussion)
Planned Unit Development by NHPF and the Elm Gardens Tenants Association, 7050 Eastern Avenue NW, Elm Gardens (ZC #22-33) (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)
Consent Calendar
Resolution 4B-23-0601: Calling for Timely Maintenance and Stronger Coordination Among DC Government Agencies for Stormwater Management Facilities (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Smith)
Resolution 4B–23-0602: Supporting Safety Improvements on 3rd Street NE Between Riggs Road and 2nd Street NE (NOI 23-110-TESD) (Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Huff)
Resolution 4B-23-0603: Requesting Additional District Department of Transportation and Department of Public Works Traffic Calming Measures in the 5900 Block of 2nd Street NW, 200 Block of Peabody Street NW, and 200 Block of Oglethorpe Street NW (Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Cohen)
Resolution 4B-23-0604: Calling for Better Maintenance of National Park Service Controlled DC Parks and Accountability to DC Residents (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Gilligan)
Letter: Requesting a Community-Driven Process for Park Programming and Design at the Takoma Metro Station Project (HPA-23-288) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer)
Resolution 4B-23-0605: Opposing Weakening of Police Accountability Measures in B25-014, the Police Officer Recruitment and Retention Act of 2023 & Supporting Recommendations for Recruitment and Retention (Commissioner Johnson)
Adjournment
ANC 4B is in recess for the month of July.
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for August 8 at 6:30pm.
The next Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for August 28 at 7:00pm.
AGENDA i. Call to order @ 6:15pm ii. Welcome iii. SMD Updates iv. Councilmember Parker updates v. Presentation by Community Mediation DC vi. Community Comments vii. Adjourn
Join Casey Trees as we celebrate Land Conservation Day at Hellbender Brewing Company!
Sunday June 25, 2023, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Celebrate the end of Land Conservation month at Hellbender Brewing with:
🌳 Tree Tours
📝 Tree-via (Tree based trivia!)
🎸 Live Music
🎟 Raffles & Games
🚛 BBQ Food Truck
🍺 And try the exclusive Casey Trees seasonal beer!
Casey Trees’ land conservation program aims to restore fragmented patches of urban forest, enhance urban ecosystems and public health, and protect green space for trees to grow and neighbors to connect with nature. We work with local landowners to steward natural areas and improve the conditions of those sites.
Green spaces, such as our conservation easements, work as protective buffers to slow down and retain stormwater runoff, reduce ambient air temperatures, improve air quality, provide habitat for wildlife and reduce heating and cooling costs. In addition, they provide gathering places for communities to recreate and connect with one another.
Join us on our conservation easement “Hellbender Hill” to celebrate all the benefits of protected green spaces!
Note: This is a public event – you do not need a ticket. However, registering for a free ticket helps us predict attendance, and donating in the event checkout directly supports Casey Trees’ efforts to restore, enhance, and protect DC’s tree canopy.
Schedule
Event runs 1:00pm – 7:00pm.
Hellbender Beer Hall and outside patio open for the duration of the event, as well as BBQ food truck (Beef Space BBQ), raffles, partner tables, and several games all open 1-7pm. Exclusive seasonal beer, “Fruit for Thought” Serviceberry Saison served – a saison brewed with berries picked from local Serviceberry trees. Proceeds from this beer support Casey Trees’ efforts to restore, enhance, and protect DC’s tree canopy.
Other activities are scheduled at:
1:00pm – Tree Tour of Hellbender Hill (first tour)
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 every fourth Saturday, 1pm-3pm, from June to September!
Enjoy some summer fun for the whole family! Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation for lawn games, races, a mini golf course + prizes as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
July 22nd – Carnival
Share your nostalgic carnival favorites with the whole family this summer! Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to win fun prizes; play games like ring toss, cornhole, Plinko and pin the tail on the donkey; or get your face painted – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
August 26th – Back to School Bash
Ready to kick off this next school year? Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to collect free school supplies and warm up your brains with our immersive instructional experiences including fun math games + a visit from a reptile expert – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
September 23rd – Harry Potter: Movie at The Modern
Calling all young witches and wizards! Show off your house pride by dressing up in your best robes and enjoy themed snacks, trivia, face painting, themed prizes + more. Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation for free, all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
The District’s population, both Black and white, boomed with the expansion of federal government and military jobs during the New Deal and World War II. The 1950 Census recorded DC’s highest population ever, more than 800,000, a number it has yet to reach since.
With the demobilization following WWII, more resources became available to build new housing for that booming population. In June 1950, the first ads appeared in the Washington Post and the Evening Star for a new development: “Live better… and more economically… in beautiful Riggs Park, Washington’s newest Subdivision!” The ads highlighted the offer for veterans to buy a house with just a $50 down payment.
The name “Riggs Park” appeared in the Washington Post for the first time in this ad on June 25, 1950. (via ProQuest Historical Newspapers)
The suburbs boomed, too, and in the 1950s, DC’s population underwent major changes. In 1950, the city’s population was 65% white; by 1960, it was 54% Black. The 1960 Census showed the first decline in the District’s overall population in its history, which would continue for each of the next four decades.
White flight to the suburbs was driven by both racial and economic factors, one of which was transportation. Automobile usage swelled: in the 1950s, American auto manufacturers sold one new car for every three residents. To serve them, U.S. governments embarked on efforts to extend and widen roads, including an influx of federal funding under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, signed by President Eisenhower.
“White Man’s Road thru Black Man’s Home”
Against this context, officials developed plans to expand freeways in DC, which protesters would come to deride as “White Man’s Road thru Black Man’s Home.”
In Wards 4 and 5, planners aimed to build the North Central Freeway through neighborhoods such as Brookland, Michigan Park and North Michigan Park, Lamond-Riggs, and Takoma. Fort Circle Park would have been paved over to become the Northeast Freeway. If these plans had succeeded, today our neighborhood would be a highway interchange.
They didn’t succeed – because of the freeway revolts. A multiracial coalition of activists banded together in the 1960s to oppose the destruction of neighborhoods, the pollution that would result from the freeways, and the prioritization of (largely white) suburban commuters over (largely Black) urban residents. The freeway opponents, by and large, won: most of the planned freeways, including the North Central Freeway and the Northeast Freeway, were never built. By the 1970s, the remaining plans were formally withdrawn.
Lamond-Riggs is not merely a footnote to this history. Simon Cain, president of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, served as the first chair of the Emergency Committee on the Transportation Crisis, the focal point of opposition to the freeway plans.
The freeway revolts were a watershed moment for racial and environmental justice in DC. If the freeways had been built, our neighborhoods would be radically different, with more traffic, more noise, more pollution (and related diseases like asthma), and more disinvestment. Lamond-Riggs would be somewhere to drive through, rather than somewhere to live.
There were other notable consequences of the freeway revolts. The protests were a launching pad for future leaders, including Marion Barry (who would later serve as Mayor of DC) and Sammie Abbott (who would later serve as Mayor of Takoma Park). In addition, the revolts led to the creation of Metrorail as an alternative to freeways. Today, Metro’s Red Line parallels the planned route for the North Central Freeway, serving Brookland, Fort Totten, and Takoma – without having paved them over.
A couple of updates on the soil testing saga at Fort Totten Park. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton is working with the National Park Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers to determine the scope of further soil testing in the park.
Recall back in 2017, National Park Service officials informed the ANC and elected officials in the city that a Metro contractor brought in soil from a toxic World War I munitions testing site in Spring Valley to rehabilitate NPS parkland on the west side of Fort Totten Park. That parkland had been used as a staging area for construction of Metro’s green line in the 1990s. NPS stated that the contaminated soil had been removed from the park and that soil testing in that area did not show any cause for concern.
In July 2020, an unexploded ordnance was found on the east side of the park where a pedestrian trail was planned between Gallatin and Galloway Street. Residents expressed concern that NPS likely did not know the extent of where soil from Spring Valley was taken in the park. Emails and concerns went unaddressed and residents simply received assurances that everything was okay.
In April 2023 two canisters were found on the west side of the park. The US Army Corps of Engineers is still testing those canisters and the area on the west side of the park remains closed.
The more recent discoveries of munitions in the park led Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, at the urging of residents and ANC Commissioner Zachary Ammerman (5A09), to start periodically requesting soil testing throughout the park. Commissioner Ammerman has created a timeline of events at https://www.anc5a09.com/trackers/fort-circle-park-toxic-waste-timeline.
On April 26, ANC 5A passed a resolution supporting further testing in the park. On May 10, 2023, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton sent another letter to NPS and the Army Corps of Engineers regarding soil testing. That letter requested a response by May 24. (See Congresswoman Norton letter dated May 10). Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker also sent to NPS a letter regarding soil testing. (See CM Parker letter dated May 19).
I reached out to Congresswoman Norton’s office on May 31 to find out if her office had received a response. On June 1, her office informed me that they did not receive a response but that they did receive a briefing on May 25. Her office sent another letter on June 1.
It appears there will be some type of investigation to determine what NPS lands were impacted by Metro’s green line construction and where soil from Spring Valley may have been delivered by Metro’s contractor. Congresswoman Norton’s office is still working with NPS, Metro, and District officials on the scope and timeline for getting all of this done. Her office is also working on a couple of different strategies for getting to the bottom of this issue. I offered a few suggestions to Congresswoman Norton’s office, one of which just involved better communication with residents. We should be getting more information about what is planned in the coming weeks.
· 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 unmute.
Respect others when speaking
Respect our guest.
Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
Presidents Update
NMP Community Yard Sale – Open to all – Saturday, June 24th 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Rain Date July 1 Contact Susan Letherer 202-441-2076 or Lula King 202-635-7777 Fee $25.00 and $10.00 for table
Bulk Trash and Electronic Roll-off – NMP Residents Saturday, July 24, 2023 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Roll-off location 1333 Emerson St NE in front of NMP Recreation Center 2nd roll-off location is pending Seniors 50+ and Disabled residents will need to register for home pick up To Register: Contact Carmen Williams 202-841-5256 or Debra Whittford 202-744-9082
NMP Community Day Saturday, August 12, 2023 – 12:00 noon until 7:00 pm North Michigan Park Recreation Center Vendor tables of information fun activities , food and music for the entire family
Community Development Task Force First meeting was May 8th There will be several meeting scheduled during the summer months to prepare for the Sept hearings for McDonalds and the gas station at Z Burger The Task force is open to NMP residents who have paid their annual dues
Last Civic Association until September 2023
Community Leader Reports
Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Christian Starghill / Christopher Ingram
Ward 5 Council member’s Office – Carlos McKnight
Scholarship Night – June 7, 2023
NMP awards two $1,000.00 scholarships per year for new or returning students 2023 Scholarship Recipients
Ciara Hargrove University of Hartford, Hartford, CN First Time Student
Nikitta DIxon University of the District of Columbia Returning Student
Have ideas about an important person, place, or event in Ward 5 that should be the subject of a commemorative work such as a plaza, sculpture, plaque recognizing the significance/contribution of the individual or event to local history?
The Parks Main Street is partnering with the DC Office of Planning (OP) on a Ward 5 commemorative works project.
1. Individuals, groups, events, or other significant elements of DC culture/history and of long-term, historic importance with a connection to Ward 5.
2. A person who has been deceased for at least 10 years or an event that has occurred at least 10 years ago.
The submission form asks for the name of the subject, the significance of the subject, a location in Ward 5 associated with the subject, and any photos/drawings/documents related to the subject.
At the first public meeting held on May 31, planning officials explained that Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8 have the lowest number of commemorative works in the city, so OP is working with partners like The Parks Main Street to assist with the process for identifying subjects and sites for commemorative works and the design process for works in those wards. Some subject ideas mentioned in the first meeting were the freeway fights in the 1960s, the family behind a Black-owned piano manufacturing company called Shadd Pianos, the architects and the inspiration behind the original Lamond-Riggs Library (brothers Charles & Robert Bryant and Lillian Huff), and the impact of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association.
June 2023: OP and partners work to identify subjects and sites.
July 2023: Visioning about possible ways to commemorate subject.
August & September 2023: Concept design, refinement, and review by the commemorative works committee.
Please let your neighbors know, especially elderly neighbors who might have valuable information to share about potential subjects so that they can be part of this process.
We are being blessed with a plethora of live music options in the neighborhood. Fridays at Fort Totten kicks off today at the Modern. And Hellbender is also featuring live music at the brewery.
First Fridays at Hellbender
Check out Bad Luck Gold at Hellbender (5788 2nd Street NE) tonight and every first Friday of the month 8 pm-10pm. El Jefe Pizza will be in the house tonight.
Hellbender is also bringing us Sunday Sounds. Summer is right around the corner. The weather is heating up and it’s the perfect time for That Sunday Sound. That Sunday Sound is a live music series sponsored by Hellbender Brewing Company and The Parks Main Street. Join Hellbender and The Parks Main Street for this FREE event, Sundays in June from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm to enjoy local musicians.
June Music Calendar
June 4: DJ Laura Lopez (soul/funk/city pop vinyl set)
June 11: The Potecasi Slade ‘Xperience (blues/funk)
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
