For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 842 1424 9196. Password: 964318. To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y5Ihh9wavAE
Agenda
1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Administrative Items:
A. Instructions re Participation in Virtual Meeting B. Consideration and Approval of October Agenda C. Approval of September Regular Public Meeting Minutes D. Treasurer’s Report & Quarterly Financial Report for Fourth Quarter 2021 E. Vote on Expanding Maximum Grant Amount
3. Commissioner Updates (if applicable)
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. Anthony Mitchell, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (3 minutes) B. Tamira Benitez, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (3 minutes) C. Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (3 minutes) D. Housing Justice Committee (2 minutes)E. Vision Zero Committee (2 minutes)
6. Presentation: William Henderson, Executive Director of Operations & Dr. Tracy Wright, CEO, Paul Public Charter School, Community Engagement (5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
7. Presentation: At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman (or representative), Chair of the Subcommittee on Redistricting, Redistricting in Washington, DC (10 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
This month, ANC 4B will be submitting resolutions to request that DDOT update faded roadway signage and stripe crosswalks within 4B. ANC 4B needs your help. If you are aware of either circumstance on your block or a block that you frequent, would you please share that location to ensure the resolution is comprehensive. If you can take a picture as well, you will receive a bonus point. It is helpful if you have a 311 service request number for the request, but it is not necessary for these resolutions.
Send location and pictures to Commissioner Brooks at 4b08@anc.dc.gov
The Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) recently released its 2021 Neighborhood Profiles. Find the profile sheet for Riggs Park here. Forthcoming projects Riggs Park Place and Art Place at Fort Totten Phase II are once again highlighted in the profile.
I always like to see if there is anything different from year to year. You can see the 2020 profile sheet here. I can’t say there’s much change in demographic data (expected). The neighborhood Main Street for Riggs Park (The Parks Main Street) gets prominent placement, having expanded in the last year or so to include the businesses on 2nd and 3rd streets NE. WDCEP also added Manor Park to the profile sheet this year because The Parks Main Street also covers one commercial block in the Manor Park neighborhood.
A couple of items included in the 2020 profile that did not make it into this year’s profile are the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) from Brookland to Fort Totten and the full rebuild of the neighborhood library, the Lamond-Riggs Library. Both of those are big exciting projects, and both are on track to be completed in the next several months (the MBT extension in December 2021 and the library in spring 2022).
It’s a tall order to capture a neighborhood in one small snapshot, so I always appreciate WDCEP’s efforts to highlight DC’s many diverse commercial corridors in a simple, elegant manner. Shoutout to head of WDCEP Keith Sellars who is a fellow Riggs Park neighbor.
1. Call to Order & Roll Call 2. Approval of October Meeting Agenda 3. Presentation: Will Perkins, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George, Vision Zero in Ward 4 4. Discussion: a. Crosswalk Improvements within Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B b. Street Sign Replacement within Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B c. Safe Passage to School Expansion Act of 2021 d. DDOT Fast-Tracking Vision Zero Projects 5. Questions/Comments 6. Adjournment
1. Outreach, Planning, Community Inclusion 2. Operations and Maintenance 3. Programming (Organized and Coordinated Activities)
The Commission is seeking applicants for Committee membership. You must be a resident or businessowner within the Commission’s boundaries to be a member.
If you are interested in serving as a member of the Committee, please send a statement of interest, including any relevant experience, by October 31. The Commission will not be monitoring responses to the listservs. Please send any statements of interest directly to the Chair of the Committee, Commissioner LaRoya Huff (4B09), at 4B09@anc.dc.gov or 202-704-2427.
From DDOT presentation: Views of proposed location for new bikeshare location, South Dakota Avenue & Galloway Street NE
A 15-dock bikeshare station is slated for the northwestern corner of South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Bicycle Program Specialist Greg Matlesky was on the agenda for ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher’s (5A08) community meeting on September 21, 2021. His presentation was cut short due to technical issues.
One note, the price chart on slide 5 in the presentation is now out of date. The new pricing/time restrictions, effective October 1, 2021, can be found here, reprinted below.
There is additional pricing information for ebikes on the website.
In a follow-up email, Mr. Matlesky stated that DDOT hopes to install the new station sometime next year, but he said that supply chain issues are affecting bikeshare installations so DDOT cannot say for sure (and also their efforts right now are focused on replacing original installations from 2010 and 2011). He said they hope to have a full network of bikeshare stations along the South Dakota Avenue NE corridor within a year or two.
From DDOT presentation: View of bikeshare locations near South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE
(Note: I am super late in getting this post up. The meeting was unnecessarily over 3 hours long and was a bit of a mess. I’m sure I’m forgetting something.)
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on September 22, 2021. Commissioners present: Damion McDuffie (5A01); Charles Lockett (5A02); Ronnie Edwards – Chair (5A05); Derrick Holloway (5A06); Sandi Washington – Treasurer (5A07); Gordon Fletcher – Vice Chair (5A08). ANC 5A04 is vacant.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton appeared at the top of the meeting. Usually her visits to public meetings can take a good portion of the meeting, but she had few remarks, mostly highlighting some wins she got for DC.
Franklin Park downtown received a big renovation thanks to a partnership with businesses, District government, federal government
New Frederick Douglass bridge opening thanks in part to funding secured by Congresswoman Norton
There is more support for DC statehood in Congress
With respect to the Gallatin/Galloway pedestrian path, Congresswoman Norton said it has been delayed too long.
I asked Congresswoman Norton about the best way to approach getting an MOU and funding in place for Fort Circle Park at South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE similar to that for Franklin Park. She responded that she will get back to the ANC on this and that the Franklin Park MOU/renovation was something the businesses downtown really wanted.
MPD Police Report
Derek Staten, the former community liaison for MPD’s 4th District (which covers most of ANC 5A), has moved on to MPD headquarters for a broader outreach role within MPD. (Note: The new 4th District community liaison is Officer Robert Hamrick. His email is robert.hamrick@dc.gov. His phone number is (202) 744-0822. Interesting to me that the new community liaison is a police officer).
There was a shooting somewhere near Fort Totten Drive NE and 2nd Street NE. No other information provided about that.
Below are some screenshots from the presentation, which is not yet available on the ANC’s website.
Proposed Condo Conversion 65-97 Hawaii Avenue NE, 66 & 98 Webster Street NE (5A06) BZA case number 20507
This is where the meeting went off the rails. I noted in my recap of the ANC’s June 2021 meeting that there were two projects in SMD 5A06. ANC Commissioner Derrick Holloway (5A06) missed that there are two different projects in his SMD. Anyhow, a lot of time was spent on the proposed condo conversion at 65-97 Hawaii Avenue NE because this will be a big project and there are a lot of issues. Chair Edwards likes to say that the commission cannot vote on anything unless there is a written document indicating exactly what the ANC is voting on. Well, the commissioners can be forgiven for not knowing exactly what relief they were being asked to vote on or what they were being asked to support because there was not a presentation (there was one at the June meeting) and Commissioner Holloway did not do a great job of explaining what a resolution to the BZA would say. (Note: This is why I have previously asked the ANC if they can circulate draft resolutions prior to the ANC meeting so that residents can know what they are voting on. How can residents know if the commissioners themselves do not even know, but I digress). Also, the ANC decided to forego a special meeting to discuss this project and turns out they probably could have benefited from some time devoted to just this project as we all got to witness the effect of not meeting on this project. Commissioner McDuffie recommended tabling a vote to discuss the issues more, but Commissioner Holloway was adamant about taking a vote. In the end, Commissioners McDuffie (5A01), Edwards (5A05), Holloway (5A06), and Fletcher (5A08) voted “yes” to support the project. Commissioner Washington (5A08) voted “yes with conditions” and Commissioner Lockett changed his original “no” vote to “yes with conditions” to follow Commissioner Washington.
On to the specifics, much of which we heard back in June:
Mark Mlakar with M Squared bought the property in October of 2020. He said he was surprised at the condition of property and said there was a huge squatter problem, no accountability with the people living there, property is being used as a dumping ground, and that he was doing his best to deal with the trash. He said he has frequent trash pickups, a team of residents sends him pictures whenever people dump trash, and the trash is picked up the same day or the next day. He said the proposed development will fix this issue by creating homeownership opportunities for each building. Each building will have dedicated, secure trash facilities so that no dumping is possible and there will be security cameras throughout the property. He said that the project will add 54 parking spaces that do not exist right now. He also proposes installing stormwater systems to deal with heavy rains. He said the biggest benefit of the project is providing good, safe, decent, affordable housing in buildings that have been neglected for the last 25 years. He said the buildings are beyond their useful life and that they have to be renovated. There will be 14 below-market inclusionary zoning, but he said market rate is actually below IZ limits, so the entire project will consist of affordable units.
Commissioner Holloway said the team has been moving people to other locations. He said the transformations have been good, the buildings have become a problem, there are MS-13 gang members living there (or something like that), and that he is taking care of his seniors. He said the development team is working with housing counselors and attorneys to assist individuals with limited English proficiency to help them relocate and explain their rights.
Commissioner Washington, whose SMD abuts the project, asked if Commissioner Holloway took a vote of the residents in support of or against the project. Commissioner Holloway stated he did not take a vote, but stated he held two SMD meetings. He said there were about 36 people signed into the meeting and there was no opposition expressed at the meeting. Commissioner Washington continued to express concern about the level of outreach done regarding the project and whether the ANC was addressing all of the concerns about the project.
Commissioner Lockett asked if the property owner had done mold remediation; Mr. Mlakar stated he did. Mr. Mlakar also repeated statements previously made by the developement team that the root cause of the mold needs to be addressed. In Mr. Mlakar’s view the root cause is what he says is an excessive number of people living in a one bedroom apartment that exceeds the housing code. Commissioner Holloway stated he contacted the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) about the mold issue and that DCRA worked with the owner to close down one of the buildings with the mold issues and relocate the residents.
(Note: The BZA hearing was on October 6, 2021. Looks like there will be a limited scope continued hearing on November 17, 2021. And just from briefly looking at the record in this matter, looks like there are some meaty issues here. The ANC filed two reports. I do not know that I would describe the conditions in either report as real conditions, but they are there for people to read).
Art Place at Fort Totten Phase 2 Proposed Modifications
The development team for Art Place at Fort Totten presented before the full ANC on proposed modifications to Phase 2, otherwise known as Block B. The team gave the same presentation the day before at Commissioner Fletcher’s SMD meeting. I covered this topic separately in theseposts, so I will not recount the details here.
Commissioner Lockett asked about sit-down restaurants, to which the team responded they are excited about the food hall proposed for Block B.
Commissioner Fletcher moved to support the proposed modifications with the condition that there be protected bike lanes on 3rd Street. The commissioners present voted unanimously to support the motion.
Pepco DC PLUG Initiative
The DC PLUG initiative is a reliability/resilience project to underground power lines by putting primary feeders underground. Secondary/communications lines will remain above ground. The project is being funded by both Pepco & DC. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is responsible for all civil design/engineering. Pepco is responsible for electrical design/engineering. The project is currently in the design phase for a feeder that serves neighborhoods in ANC 5A. Once design is done, there will be open houses to share information about timeline and where the team will be working. Note, this is a different project from Pepco’s Capital Grid project. For DC PLUG related concerns, please visit www.dcpluginfo.com, email Pepco at questions@dcpluginfo.com, or email Laisha Dougherty at Laisha.Dougherty@exeloncorp.com
230 Webster Street(5A06) BZA case number 20533
View of 230 Webster Street NE behind tree230 Webster Street NE lot/landscaping site plan
This is the second project in SMD 5A06. Commissioner Holloway was not prepared to discuss this project because he thought it was the same as the condo conversion project at 65-97 Hawaii Avenue NE. The 230 Webster project seeks to convert an existing two-unit semi-detached building into a three-unit building. There is currently one level on the top floor of the building. The second unit is actually two levels, so the developer is proposing to separate the two-level unit into separate units. The third unit unit will be located in the cellar level. The building slopes down towards the back of the property, so there is sunlight and it is a habitable space according to the developer.
The developer will make landscaping upgrades and renovate the property. The developer is not planning to make other changes to the home itself; they are not planning to add a floor to the existing structure.
The developer is seeking special exception relief to add the one unit in the cellar level.
The ANC will have a special meeting on the second Wednesday in October to discuss this project. The Board of Zoning Adjustment hearing is scheduled for October 27, 2021.
ANC Budget
ANC 5A has lots of money in the bank. Commissioner Washington, ANC 5A treasurer, presented a proposed fiscal year 2022 budget. The budget looked the same as it usually does year to year. The ANC’s original proposed budget breakdown:
$10,000 for communications
$8,500 for office supplies and equipment printing
$1,000 for purchase of services
$100 for bank charges
$500 for miscellaneous items such as the ANC security fund.
The original proposed budget also listed $5,000 for grants. The ANC voted to raise the amount for grants to $15,000, with Commissioner Lockett voting no.
Previously Commissioner Washington stated that the ANC was suspending grant disbursements until the DC Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (OANC) could provide grant guidelines applicable to all ANCs citywide. Commissioner Washington stated at this meeting that OANC has provided those guidelines. It is not clear if ANC 5A’s website has the updated grant guidelines on the website. The current guidelines on the ANC’s website state that ANC 5A will not award more than $2,000 to an organization in a single fiscal year. Just perusing other ANC websites, it looks like some ANCs have guidelines with a higher maximum amount, so it is not clear if OANC or the individual ANCs set their own grant amounts. In any case, if you have questions about the grantmaking process for ANC 5A, email Commissioner Washington at 5A07@anc.dc.gov and the ANC commissioner for your area.
Miscellaneous
A resident inquired about the 5G cell towers that Verizon is planning to install in North Michigan Park near Sargent Road and Emerson Street NE (in ANC 5A02). The resident expressed health concerns about these small cell towers, and requested to meet with Chair Edwards. This topic comes up from time to time. This particular location is in Commissioner Lockett’s SMD, but the resident specifically requested to meet with Chair Edwards.
Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio was not present at the meeting, but she provided the commissioners with an ANC website update prior to the meeting. She stated that the ANC’s website development is on track on and on budget. I noted that it appears that some work still needs to be done. It is not clear when the website will be completed, but it is live and some of the pages are being updated. The ANC’s website is https://anc5a.org.
Next time you visit Culture Coffee Too for coffee or tea, drop off a new or gently used winter coat for CCT’s winter coat drive. October 9 – November 30, 2021, at 300 Riggs Road NE.
Image of original proposed location for pedestrian path between Gallatin and Galloway streets NE
At ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher’s 5A08 single member district (SMD) meeting on September 21, 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) provided more information about the need to halt construction on the long-awaited formal pedestrian path between Gallatin and Galloway streets NE that is supposed to connect North Michigan Park to Fort Totten Metro station.
The upshot is that as the construction team removed soil from the site, they encountered infrastructure that they and Metro believe is for the green line tunnel at Fort Totten Metro station. NPS is now working with Metro to find a more suitable location to build the pedestrian path away from Metro’s infrastructure. In response to a question about whether they believe that they will need to move the path significantly further east towards South Dakota Avenue, potentially making the path unnecessary because then people could just use South Dakota Avenue, NPS responded that they hope not. In response to a question about whether they believe they will run into the same issue regarding construction of a sidewalk on the south side of Galloway Street NE between South Dakota Avenue and 4th Street NE, NPS responded they hope not. With respect to the sidewalk, NPS stated that project is still in the design phase and that DDOT just transferred money received from the Federal Highway Administration for the project (NPS also stated this back in April 2021, so not quite sure what it means to say that DDOT just transferred the money).
NPS also stated they hoped to remove the fallen tree on the detour path by the end of September. Any issues with the detour path can be sent to nick_bartolomeo@nps.gov and kym_elder@nps.gov.
NPS did not provide a new timeline for getting the pedestrian path constructed. Metro is cooperating with NPS. NPS said it will take time to redesign the trail. Once the trail is redesigned, it will have to clear stormwater management review with the District Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE).
At the full ANC meeting on September 22, 2021, ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) informed Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) that residents are frustrated by yet another delay. Congresswoman Norton responded that this path has been delayed too long. Not exactly clear what her office will do about it. Commissioner Fletcher stated that he will invite NPS to ANC 5A’s October meeting.
I am behind in posting, will catch up over the next few days. Starting with this picture I took of a sign at the Five Guys at Fort Totten Square around 8:00 pm during Art All Night on September 24, 2021. The sign stated that the restaurant, not scheduled to close until 10:00 pm, was closed due to short staff.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Housing Justice Committee will meet on Monday, October 11, 2021, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Committee will be meeting virtually. Details about participating/watching the meeting are included below:
We have received more information about the second application for a modification of consequence for the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten (also known as Block B or the FEZ at Art Place), originally covered in this post. The development team for the Cafritz Foundation presented at the single member district meeting of ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) on September 21, 2021, and at the regularly scheduled meeting of ANC 5A on September 22, 2021.
A few clarifications provided from the development team based on questions/feedback from residents
All of the buildings for Block B will have green roofs.
There will be 147 vehicle parking spaces for the residents (1 for every 2 units) and 347 vehicle parking spaces for commercial uses.
The team proposes a raised crosswalk on Ingraham Street.
The team proposes a “striped curb extension” on the corner of 4th Street and Kennedy Street NE. This was in response to questions about the team’s proposal to add an additional loading berth near 4th and Kennedy to accommodate the need for more loading capacity due to the more varied uses that will now be part of the second phase.
The team is hopeful that with the gym One Life Fitness coming to Building A (scheduled to open in January 2022) and the increased use of vaccines, that leasing activity will pick up for Building A. The team believes that the “Food Hall concept in Block B will allow for significant opportunities for quality dining options. The Food Hall concept allows ‘up and coming’ chefs/restauranteurs opportunities that may not be available in established restaurant spaces.”
As required by the Zoning Commission order, the team continues to engage in conversations with DC Public Library about the potential to accommodate parking for the Lamond-Riggs Library in the development.
Extension of 3rd Street NE between Ingraham & Kennedy
The biggest takeaway to me, and one not reflected in any of the developer’s submissions to the Zoning Commission or in the biweekly Phase 2 construction updates from the developer, was that the development team will be “extending 3rd Street between Ingraham and Kennedy Street NE” to provide access to vehicles. For those unfamiliar with this location, west of South Dakota Avenue, there is a bend in the road to go from Kennedy onto 3rd Street and then vehicles can go no further. There is a short, worn asphalt path that pedestrians use to get to and from the Fort Totten Metro station and other nearby locations. There used to be bollards there, but the bollards have been removed, and a makeshift ramp has been put in place. Rocketship, Social Justice School, and AppleTree opened up for in-person instruction this fall and I have seen many families walking along this path to get to the schools, which occupy the renovated warehouses at 5450 3rd Street NE. The road picks up again on the other side of that short path near the entrance to the parking lots for the Aventine apartment buildings.
Below is google map bird’s eye view of the location of the proposed 3rd Street extension
Below is the view of the path from the Kennedy Street side.
Below is the view of the path from the Aventine side.
The Zoning Commission order in this matter requires the developer to provide sidewalks and a bike path here. Specifically, the order states, “The Applicant will improve pedestrian infrastructure of 3rd Street, N.E. by providing a new concrete 6-foot wide standard sidewalk, as well as an 8-foot-wide asphalt bicycle lane, as shown on Exhibit 44E of the record.” (See that exhibit here). Residents in that area had been asking for an ADA-compliant path for a while. Apparently, as the developer was going through the public space permit process to do this work, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) requested that they actually build a whole road instead, not just extend the water lines, and to also pay for that road construction.
It was definitely news to me that DDOT had been talking to the developer about extending the road for vehicle access for a whole year without informing the ANC. We just happened to find out because resident Gavin Baker asked about the status of the bike/pedestrian path. Only at the ANC meeting on September 22, did we learn that there was this whole plan to extend the road with two travel lanes (one in each direction), sidewalks on both sides, and no bike lanes. The developer said they agreed to do the work because they were asked to do it, and they said that they believe it abides by “the spirit” of the relevant condition in the zoning order.
To be clear, I do not think the development team was trying to do something underhanded; it sounds like they were doing what a District agency asked them to do. For whatever reason, no one thought to inform residents that this was the plan. And it is just another reminder that this continues to happen. Just like when DDOT apparently instructed the developer to remove the crosswalk in the 400 block of Galloway Street NE, and just kind of made things up for a few years, resulting in a lot of confusion and a lot of work by residents to get the crosswalk restored safely. Just like DDOT permitted a whole new road on Ingraham Street to be constructed without a full traffic signal and then just kinda made things up for a couple of years about why they were delaying installation of a HAWK signal before finally relenting after a lot of work by residents. And the countless of other pedestrian safety requests that remain unaddressed, with residents being told to “go through the ANC” even if the ANC is not responsive to residents at all, and DDOT just kinda making things up, resulting in a lot of work by residents to get even the most basic things done.
It looks like DDOT approved the permit for the work on 3rd Street on September 15, 2021. At the full ANC meeting on September 22, Commissioner Fletcher moved to support the developer’s second application for a modification of consequence on the condition that protected bike lanes be installed where 3rd Street will be extended. The commissioners present voted unanimously to support the motion.
A little background and does this make sense
Just based on my previous perusal of a bunch of zoning documents and talking to people over the years, I know there is a whole, long history behind wanting to connect some of the disconnected streets around Fort Totten Metro station to attempt to straighten out the grid. Property for the Greystar-owned Aventine apartments (formerly known as Fort Totten Station apartments, which were originally built in the late aughts as a joint development project between Clark Realty Capital and Metro via a 99 year ground lease) abuts the public space where 3rd Street would be extended. Apparently at some point, more apartment buildings for the Aventine were supposed to have been built there, but the recession hit back in the day and they never got built, and that is partially why that area looks the way it does (don’t quote me on any of this, this is just my recollection of history and events).
I have my own opinion about opening up 3rd Street to cars here, but without benefit of a discussion with DDOT, it is hard to say if this whole plan apparently being considered in isolation of anything else happening in that area makes sense, if protected bike lanes make sense (just from what the development team stated, there is just enough space to build a road with two lanes, and a standard sidewalk on either side), or what actually makes the most sense if something other than what is required by the zoning order is going to be done.
The Zoning Commission is scheduled to address the application for a modification of consequence at a meeting on October 14, 2021.
Kyla Woods is a new Ward 5 DC mayor’s office community liaison (otherwise known as MOCR for the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services), serving alongside Nokomis Hunter. Brittany Butler is no longer one of the Ward 5 MOCRS. Ms. Woods can be reached by email at kyla.woods1@dc.gov or by phone at (202) 394-4399.
The Parks Main Street board vice chair Ray Crawford greeting Art All Night attendees
Kudos to The Parks Main Street (TPMS) Executive Director Edwin Washington, The Parks Main Street board of directors, participating businesses, artists, sponsors, and District of Columbia government agencies for executing a very enjoyable Art All Night experience in Riggs Park on September 24, 2021. Check out video from The Parks Main Street here.
Mr. Washington, in particular, did a phenomenal job organizing this neighborhood’s inaugural participation in this annual event, a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that he had to organize the participation of two different neighborhoods–Riggs Park and Manor Park–which together make up The Parks Main Street. The weather was great, and it was quite wonderful to see so many neighbors come out to support this event.
In Riggs Park, the evening featured performing arts, visual arts, beverage tastings, and more over the course of four hours at four principal locations: Troka Insurance, Hellbender Brewery, Culture Coffee Too, and Riggs Wine & Liquor. I managed to make it to every venue location in Riggs Park except Hellbender’s open mic. I was quite impressed by the lineup of the artists who performed.
There were Latin-American artists at Troka Insurance
Christopher Prince jazz singer & bandkept the crowd entertained at Culture Coffee Too, September 24, 2021.
Asian-American artists performed at Riggs Wine & Liquor.
Keyboardist Lizzziee Bluee performing outside of Riggs Wine & Liquor, September 24, 2021.
The tasting stations at Riggs Wine & Liquor were quite popular.
Four tasting stations at Riggs Wine & Liquor for Art All Night, September 24, 2021.
There were also a few vendors, live painting, and visual artists at each location, including Melissa Crawford (aka MC), the wife of The Parks Main Street board vice chair Ray Crawford. The things you learn about neighbors!
“More of this, please” was a familiar refrain I heard throughout the night. I agree. The Parks Main Street is led by a part-time executive director and an all-volunteer board. To support more good things happening in the neighborhood, consider giving a donation to The Parks Main Street at https://theparksmainstreet.org/support/donate. And let The Parks Main Street know how you can volunteer your time and support in the future at https://theparksmainstreet.org/support/volunteer. Follow The Parks Main Street on twitter, facebook, and instagram.
Come on out tonight to enjoy activities around the neighborhood for Art All Night at The Parks Main Street. The weather will be great. See the updated schedule below.
7:30pm: Sarah-mari Ramson – Harp / Flute / Tenor Steel Pan
8:30pm: Rain Young – Art Demonstration
9:30pm: Tangent Band – R& B / Jazz / Soul
Special appearance by Jordan Seitz – Fire Dancer
Venue performances subject to change
All public health guidance and safety measures to ensure the wellbeing of artists, performers, attendees, patrons, and business owners will be followed.
A. Instructions re Participation in Virtual Meeting B. Consideration and Approval of September Agenda C. Approval of July Regular Public Meeting Minutes D. Treasurer’s Report, Quarterly Financial Report for Third Quarter 2021 & Consideration and Approval of Budget for Fiscal Year 2022
3. Commissioner Updates (if applicable)
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. Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (10 minutes) B. Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (10 minutes) C. Anthony Mitchell, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (3 minutes) D. Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative (3 minutes) E. Housing Justice Committee (2 minutes) F. Vision Zero Committee (2 minutes) G. Community Safety & Support Committee (2 minutes)
7. Presentation: Alisa Molyneaux, Emory Beacon of Light & Christopher Powell, DC Recovery Community Alliance, Drug and Opioid Abuse (5-minute presentation; 5-minute discussion)
8. Presentation: William Henderson, Executive Director of Operations & Dr. Tracy Wright, CEO, Paul Public Charter School, Community Engagement (5-minute presentation; 5-minute discussion)
9. Consent Calendar:
Resolution 4B-21-0901: Requesting Installation of Raised Crosswalks at the Intersections of Kansas Avenue, NW, and Madison Street, NW; Kansas Avenue, NW, and Nicholson Street, NW; and 2nd Street, NW, and Sheridan Street, NW (Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson)
Resolution 4B-21-0902: Requesting Installation of Speed Humps on Fern Place, NW, Between Georgia Avenue, NW, and Blair Road, NW (Commissioner Yeats)
Resolution 4B-21-0903: Encouraging Enhancements to and Formalized Use of ANC Resolution Portal (Commissioner Palmer & Commissioner Yeats)
Resolution 4B-21-0904: Calling for District Department of General Services to Provide Online Dashboard to Track Status of DC School Facilities (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, & Commissioner Yeats)
Letter Requesting MPD Camera Maintenance & Assessment (Commissioner Huff)
10. Resolution 4B-21-0905: Opposing Concept Plan for 1000 Main Drive, NW, Parcels A-G of The Parks at Walter Reed (HPA 21-154) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson, Commissioner Palmer, & Commissioner Bromaghim)
11. Adjournment
Next Regular Public Meeting: Monday, October 25, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
