Author Archives: nextstoprp

June 22: DDOT Virtual Public Meeting on Eastern Avenue NE Rehabilitation Project

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

From DDOT

DDOT Eastern Avenue NE Rehabilitation Project Virtual Meeting Flyer

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, for a presentation on the Rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue NE (from New Hampshire Avenue NE to Whittier Street NW) project. DDOT will share an update on the project and discuss the upcoming steps at this virtual public meeting.

Project website: https://ddot.dc.gov/page/rehabilitation-eastern-avenue.

DATE: Wednesday, June 22, 2022

TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

VIRTUAL MEETING: WEBEX

To view the virtual presentation: rebrand.ly/EasternAveJune22

Event Number: 2313 398 4282

Event Password: June22!

Dial-in option (audio only): 1-202-860-2110 Access code: 2313 398 4282

The Webex system will prompt you for a Numeric Webinar Password: 5863220
Press the # key to join the meeting.

Having difficulties joining the meeting?

If you need technical support during the meeting, please dial 202-309-3491.

Project Background

Eastern Avenue is a boundary street between Washington DC and the state of Maryland. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), in support of DDOT’s moveDC plan and Mayor Bowser’s Vision Zero Initiative, is working to create a safer, more livable, sustainable and attractive corridor. This project is in the design; this June 2022 meeting will be the last public meeting before the final design is completed.

Project Overview

The project objective is to increase multi-modal (pedestrian, bicyclist and motorist) safety and to improve the corridor’s appearance and functionality with new pavement and granite curbs; new sidewalks; addition of bicycle lanes; improved lighting; improved drainage; and new landscaping, while reducing vehicular speeds with curb extensions, signal upgrades and pavement markings.

Key Improvements

DDOT has integrated the following key elements into this project since the public meetings based on community feedback:
• Signal modifications and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements at the intersection of Eastern Avenue NE and New Hampshire Avenue NE
• Signal modifications and ADA improvements at the intersection of Eastern Avenue NE and Kansas Avenue NE
• New traffic signal and intersection reconfiguration at Eastern Avenue NE and Sligo Mill Road NE
• Full depth roadway pavement reconstruction for the entire length of the project
• Street lighting upgrade for the entire length of the project
• Granite curbs for the entire length of the project
• New inlets and replace and upsize damaged existing inlets
• New sidewalks and replace damaged existing sidewalks

Project Timeline

  • Public Meeting #1
    • December 2016
  • Public Meeting #2
    • September 2017
  • Public Meeting #3
    • June 2022
  • Design Completion
    • July 2022
  • Anticipated Construction
    • 2026

Project Contact
Stacee Hemby, Community Outreach
stacee@tbaconnects.com

June 22: ANC 5A Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A Public Meeting
June 22, 2022
6:45 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84468779532?pwd=VGJCRGhlQUxTdldqbDU2RXVEd2ZUUT09

Meeting ID:  844 6877 9532   Passcode: 097050

Dial In: 301 715 8592

Agenda Items

  • Commission Business
    •  Z.C. Case No. 22-19 (McDonalds Corporation – Map Amendment for property located at Square 3786, Lot 1 (4950 S. Dakota Avenue, N.E.) 5A03
  • Community Updates
    • MPD-Police Chief
    • Mayor’s Office
    • Councilmember McDuffie’s office 

June 22: ANC 4B Vision Zero Committee Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

From ANC 4B

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Vision Zero Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Committee will be meeting virtually. Details about participating in the meeting are included below:

ANC 4B – Vision Zero Committee (June) 
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83644791758?pwd=YkM3TlBqMzZTdm5HYU5WSDB2RW5DQT09

Meeting ID: 836 4479 1758

Passcode: 608192

For participation via phone call 301-715-8592 and enter the meeting ID and passcode.

Additional information is available on the Commission’s website: https://anc4b.com/committees/vision-zero-committee/. 

June 18: Met Branch Trail Brookland-Fort Totten Extension Ribbon Cutting

Posted by nextstoprp in Met Branch Trail

From the District Department of Transportation (DDOT)

Join the Executive Office of the Mayor, NPS, and DDOT this Saturday to celebrate the opening of the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Brookland to Fort Totten. Event information can be found here:

Metropolitan Branch Trail Ribbon Cutting Tickets, Sat, Jun 18, 2022 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite

Celebrate the opening of the District’s newest trail and enjoy a bike ride from Fort Totten to Brookland

About this event

Join Mayor Bowser to celebrate the completion of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) between Brookland and Fort Totten. The newest section extends the popular MBT, closing a gap in DC’s pedestrian and bicycle network. Following remarks from officials, participants are invited to walk or ride along the new section of trail.

Saturday, June 18, 2022
10:30 am
Fort Totten Park
5200 Block of First Place NE (Next to Fort Totten Metro Station)
Washington, DC 20011

Riggs Park Place Ribbon Cutting

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Park Place (formerly Fort Totten South)

New neighbors are moving into Riggs Park! On June 9, 2022, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser cut the ribbon for Riggs Park Place, a new townhome community under construction by EYA on the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE. The project broke ground in October 2020. The first few homeowners started moving in a couple of weeks ago, including Jimmy and Nyanda Alexis who gave a shoutout to Black excellence and introduced Mayor Bowser to give remarks to mark the occasion.

As many know, this project is a bit personal for the mayor. The seeds for this project were planted many many years ago when Mayor Bowser lived in Riggs Park and represented the neighborhood as an ANC commissioner. So the mayor has seen the project evolve through lots of twists and turns from her time on the ANC, then as a councilmember representing Ward 4, and finally now as mayor. From reconfiguring the South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road NE intersection to eliminate the fly-bys, selling and shoring up the land, working through several design concepts, dealing with assorted red tape, and securing financing for this project during a global pandemic, it has been a journey. During that time in all of those roles, the mayor worked hand in hand with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA). In his remarks, Aakash Thakkar, EYA Chief Acquisitions Officer, recognized the efforts of the LRCA in representing the community, particularly those whom I affectionately call the gang–Barbara Rogers, Gwen Cofield, former ANC 4B Commissioner Tischa Cockrell, and I.

Mayor Bowser also introduced the members of what she is calling a Black Homeownership Strike Force. DC Office of Planning Director Anita Cozart and Reverend Graylan Hagler (minister of Plymouth Congregational Church of Christ, which is just a few blocks away from Riggs Parks Place) are co-chairs. (Neighbors might also recognize in the pictures former neighbor Harrison Beacher, president of the Greater Capitol Area Association of Realtors (GCAAR), who was asked to be a member of the strike force). Mayor Bowser tasked the strike force with coming up with recommendations that can start to be implemented at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2022. Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, who chairs the Council committee on business and economic development, also gave remarks.

The 90 townhomes comprise the first phase of the project. The second phase will consist of a little over 90 affordable rental units for seniors in a multifamily building with ground floor retail. Groundbreaking on the second phase is expected in 3rd quarter 2023.

I know lots of people have lots of thoughts about this project. I for one think that one of the better decisions JBG Smith made with respect to this neighborhood is changing course from initially wanting to build roughly another 250 apartments as a companion to Fort Totten Square to teaming up with EYA, a builder that is known for being relatively responsive to community input, to build this project. With prices originally starting in the mid-$500,000 range, it was no surprise (to me) that the homes quickly sold. I always say one nice thing that I like about Riggs Park is that it really is a neighborhood of socioeconomic diversity and for the most part it works well. I look forward to seeing retail options follow suit.

Video of the ribbon cutting from the mayor’s office.

Photos below courtesy of Gwen Cofield

New Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library to Open June 27

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

From DC Public Library

Friday, June 10, 2022, 10:31 a.m.

News Release

New Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library to Open June 27

The new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library, located at 5401 South Dakota Ave. NE, will open Monday, June 27. District residents and library customers are invited to join the opening festivities starting at 11 am.

The new 23,500-square-foot library continues the DC Public Library’s Facilities Master Plan priority of building neighborhood libraries that are at least 20,000 sq. ft., are flexible enough to accommodate changing uses and new technologies and are environmentally friendly. It features:

  • Expanded space for adults, teens and children;
  • A variety of collaboration spaces including a living room-style seating area;
  • A large meeting room with a capacity for 100 people, dividable into separate smaller rooms
  • 7 additional reservable meeting spaces, one for up to 12 people, two for up to six people each, and four study spaces designed for 2 people; and
  • Outdoor spaces on each floor with comfortable seating.

The Lamond-Riggs Interim Library, located at 395 Ingraham St. NE, will close on Wednesday, June 15 at 8 p.m.

In preparation for the transition to the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library, all due dates for books and other materials borrowed from the interim library have been extended to mid-July. During the move, Library customers can return books and other materials to any DC Public Library. Holds can also be picked up from any location customers select. The location closest to the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library is the Woodridge Library located at 1801 Hamlin St. NE.

Save the Date: June 22 – DDOT Virtual Public Meeting on Eastern Avenue NE Rehabilitation Project

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Nice to see there may be some progress on the Eastern Avenue NE rehabilitation project. The District Department of Transporation will be holding a virtual public meeting on the project on June 22, 2022. DDOT released preliminary plans way back in late 2016. Change in the project scope delayed things a bit. Looks like the last post I have on this project is from October 2020.

—

From DDOT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2022

Media Contacts:
German Vigil – (202) 306-1668, german.vigil@dc.gov
Mariam Nabizad – (202) 359-2678, mariam.nabizad@dc.gov

Public Meeting Notice: Virtual Meeting 
Rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue (from New Hampshire Avenue NE to Whittier Street NW) on June 22, 2022

(Washington, DC) — The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, for a presentation on the Rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue NE (from New Hampshire Avenue NE to Whittier Street NW) project. DDOT will share an update on the project and discuss the upcoming steps at this virtual public meeting. For more information about the project please visit ddot.dc.gov/page/rehabilitation-eastern-avenue or contact the project manager Tesfalem Aim, email Tesfalem.Aim@dc.gov or 202-427-0851.

DATE: Wednesday, June 22, 2022

TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

VIRTUAL MEETING: WEBEX

To view the virtual presentation: rebrand.ly/EasternAveJune22

Event Number: 2313 398 4282

Event Password: June22!

Dial-in option (audio only): 1-202-860-2110 Access code: 2313 398 4282

The Webex system will prompt you for an Attendee ID, this is not required. Press the # key to join the meeting.

Having difficulties joining the meeting?

If you need technical support during the meeting, please dial 202-309-3491.

June 9: ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) Community Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) Spring/Summer Single Member District Meeting
June 9, 2022
6:30 pm-8:00 pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85123053931?pwd=UTRvQkFKcDY4L0ZqWW9rSFBZMTJBdz09

Meeting ID: 851 2305 3931
Passcode: 842297

Dial by your location
 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Agenda

  1. DDOT Update – Alley Improvements & Speed Bump Request
  2. Update from DC Water
  3. Public Safety Update – MPD
  4. Update from the Mayor’s Office – Nokomis Hunter
  5. Update from Councilmember McDuffie’s Office
  6. Update from Art Place at Fort Totten
  7. Community Concerns

For more information contact Commissioner Fletcher. Send questions in advance.
Phone: (202) 556-5958
Email: 5A08@anc.dc.gov

June 7: Virtual Meeting – Met Branch Trail – Blair Road to Piney Branch Road Project NW

Posted by nextstoprp in Met Branch Trail

From DDOT

Friday, May 20, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts

Public Meeting Notice: Virtual Meeting – Met Branch Trail – Blair Road to Piney Branch Road Project NW 

(Washington, DC) — The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host a virtual public meeting to discuss the Metropolitan Branch Trail – Blair Road to Piney Branch Road NW. DDOT will present design concept updates and receive community feedback. This is the second public meeting for this project, and DDOT will share updates to the proposed design and project schedule. For more information on this project please visit metbranchtrail.com, or contact the project manager Michael Alvino at michael.alvino@dc.gov or 202-497-7153.

WHAT: Metropolitan Branch Trail (Blair Road to Piney Branch Road NW) Public Meeting

WHEN: June 7, 2022

TIME: 6:30 PM

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING:

Attendee Link: rebrand.ly/MBTBlair2PineyBranch

Webinar Number: 2300 263 1832

Webinar Password: June7!

Dial-in Option (audio only): 1-202-860-2110. Access Code: 2300 263 1832. The Webex system will prompt you for an Attendee ID, this is not required. Press the # key to join the meeting.

Can’t Make a Meeting?

Materials from this meeting will be made available at www.metbranchtrail.com within 48 hours of the conclusion of the meeting. 

June 3-August 26: Fridays at Fort Totten Concert Series

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

Glad to see the Fridays at Fort Totten concert series is back this summer after a pandemic hiatus. It is always a fun time. Bring a chair & enjoy live music.

From DC Fray/District Fray Magazine

The Fridays at Fort Totten Summer Concert Series is back!

About this event

Every Friday, meet us at the corner of Galloway Street and South Dakota Ave. NE from 6pm-8pm for amazing live music and delicious food from local food trucks!

We hope to see you there! In partnership with The Modern at Art Place.

  • June 3rd | Emma G
  • June 10th | Marvillous Beats
  • June 17th | The Shane Gamble Band
  • June 24th | YML AND FRIENDS
  • July 1st | N Tyme Jazz Ensemble
  • July 8th | Pebble to Pearl
  • July 15th | DWQ Jazz Band
  • July 22nd | Groovalicious
  • July 29th | Shake the Room
  • August 5th | DANDY
  • August 12th | The Junior Bryce Band
  • August 19th | JWX: The Jarreau Williams Experience
  • August 26th | Dave Keller

Tonight June 1: North Michigan Park meeting on McDonald’s Rezoning Request for a Drive-Thru

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk
Proposed rendering of new McDonald’s from presentation to ANC 5A, May 25, 2022.
Context photo of current McDonald’s at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE

The North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) is holding a meeting tonight on McDonald’s map amendment (rezoning) request that is being pursued in order to replace the existing McDonald’s restaurant at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE with a new two-story restaurant with a drive-thru. If you live in that area and care about this, plan to attend. Also reach out to NMPCA president Carmen Williams to be added to her distribution list if you are not receiving emails from the NMPCA. Her email address is carm8954@aol.com.

At the ANC 5A meeting on May 25, 2022, the ANC tabled the issue at the request of Ms. Williams and ANC Commissioner Charles Lockett (5A02) so that they could hold meetings with their constituents. The McDonald’s sits in ANC single member district (SMD) 5A03, represented by ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03), but it is across the street from ANC 5A02 and a couple of blocks from ANC 5A08. The ANC plans to take up the matter again at its June meeting. Counsel for McDonald’s anticipates that a Zoning Commission hearing will be scheduled in the fall in either September or October. The ANC hopes to be able to take a vote at the June meeting and prepare a report since the ANC takes a summer break in July and August.

McDonald’s presentation from the May meeting, which includes a simple rendering, and other documents related to the request are available on the ANC’s website under Documents→Presentations→2022→May 2022→McDonalds. Edited to add: They will replace the renderings that are currently in the restaurant. At the meeting, the owner said the plan is to have the kitchen on the second floor; there would not be any seating on the second floor. This would allow them to have a building with a smaller footprint. He said that currently, the food is cooked in the basement of the restaurant and brought up to the first floor. Also, counsel stated that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has asked McDonald’s to perform a queue analysis. In keeping with what they previously planned, they said they plan to remove the curb cut on South Dakota closest to Delafield Street.

(See this post for FAQs that were previously distributed by email by ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03). The restaurant sits in her single member district (SMD)).

—

NMPCA’s meeting notice copied below

FACE TO FACE IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL:

The June meeting is an important meeting concerning the zone changes in the McDonalds area. Your voice is important to the changes in the North Michigan Park Community. If a vote is taken you need to be counted.

North Michigan Park Civic Association Meeting Agenda
June 1, 2022
7:00 pm

FACE TO FACE IN PERSON
NMP Recreation Center
1313 Emerson Street NE
Washington, DC 20017

&

Virtual Meeting
Meeting ID 882 7345 2110
Passcode 930240
Call In 1-301-715-8592

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88273452110?pwd=dmZ3R1liOTRKY1FyS3hlYlBqWnBWUT09

  • Call to Order
  • Opening Prayer – Silent
  • Roll Call of Officers
  • Previous month Meeting Minutes available upon request

Community Updates

NMPCA Community Updates

  • NMPCA Scholarship – June 2022
  • Community Clean Up Date – June 4, 2022 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
    • Meet at the Recreation Center
  • Community Day Event  with NMPCA, NMP Reunion and DPR – Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 12:00 noon until 7:00 pm
  • MPD – as assigned
  • MPD – Community Laison
  • Mayor’s Office – Nokomis Hunter

GUEST SPEAKER

Leila Batties Representing McDonalds

  • Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s Office – Kelly Cislo
  • ANC Commissioners
    • 5A02 Charles Lockett
    • 5A03 Emily Lucio
    • 5A08 Gordon Fletcher
  • Department of Recreation – Joe Clark
  • Faith United Church

Community Concerns

Adjourn

New Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library art seeks community contributions

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

From DC Public Library

News Release
Thursday, May 26, 2022, 7:59 a.m

New Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library art seeks community contributions
Heritage Wall to feature a quilt-inspired collage.

The DC Public Library has selected two contributors to the “Heritage Wall” at the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, artist Michelle L. Herman and the community.

Herman will create a digital tapestry inspired by the idea of a quilt that reflects the history of the community surrounding the new Lamond-Riggs/ Lillian J. Huff Library. The new art will enhance the new Lamond-Riggs/ Lillian J. Huff Library by creating a vibrant, inspirational welcome to the building that responds to the community’s desire to have artwork that reflects them. The Heritage Wall will span the first and second floors of the new library next to the building’s entrance. The art will be a striking feature visible outside the library and close-up.

To complete the quilt, residents will be invited to contribute family photographs and fabric swatches. Herman will scan the materials and use them to create a digital collage.

In the coming weeks, the Library will announce the opening date for the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library. At that time, a schedule will be released of when community members will be able to bring their  photos and fabric samples for the artist to use  

Herman is a multidisciplinary artist and a resident of the Lamond-Riggs community, who has exhibited throughout the Washington, DC area in 4 solo exhibitions and several group exhibitions. She holds both a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Arts from The Maryland Institute College of Art. She was selected after the Library issued a Request for Qualifications to engage individual artists, designers, and art/design teams in January. 

Located at 5401 South Dakota Ave. NE the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library is nearly complete. The new 23,500 square foot space will feature a wide range of flexible spaces including expanded space for adults, teens and children; a variety of collaboration spaces including a living room-style seating area;  a large meeting room with a capacity for 100 people; and 7 reservable meeting spaces.

New Lamond-Riggs Library will Honor Lillian J. Huff

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

From DC Public Library

News Release
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, 6:42 p.m

New Lamond-Riggs Library will honor longtime Ward 5 resident Lillian J. Huff
DC Public Library Board of Trustees Approves Building Naming.

The soon-to-be-open library at 5401 South Dakota Ave. NE will have a new name. At its May meeting, the DC Public Library Board of Trustees voted that the new library would be named the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library, honoring the longtime activist and Ward 5 resident.

A former President of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association and a former Democratic National Committee member, Huff was instrumental in securing the funding from Congress to build the original Lamond-Riggs Library. Huff served as the first President of the Friends of the Lamond-Riggs Library. She was also Vice President of the Federation of Friends of the DC Public Library. Huff was also the elected leader of the District’s Delegation to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services in 1978. President Jimmy Carter appointed her Vice-Chairperson of the Pre-White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.  

The Lamond Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library will replace the old Lamond-Riggs Library. The new 23,500 square foot library will feature:

  • Expanded space for adults, teens and children;
  • A variety of collaboration spaces including a living room-style seating area;
  • A large meeting room with a capacity for 100 people, dividable into separate smaller rooms
  • 7 additional reservable meeting spaces, one for up to 12 people, two for up to six people each, and four study spaces designed for 2 people; and
  • Outdoor spaces on each floor with comfortable seating.

The District of Columbia Public Library was created in 1896 by an Act of Congress. Congress established the Board of Library Trustees to set policy for the library. The Board of Trustees of the Library is comprised of nine unpaid District residents from wards around the city. Meetings of the Board of Library Trustees are generally held on the fourth Wednesday of every other month and these meetings are open to the public. For more information about the DC Public Library Board of Trustees, click here.  

Light Posting

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Note: Posting will be light the next few weeks as I get back up to speed. There likely will not be an ANC meeting recap for this month’s meeting.

  • Cafritz Foundation brings on new development partner for performance venue at Art Place at Fort Totten’s second phase, tvg hospitality, headed by Ben Lovett, a co-founder of Mumford & Sons – reported by Washington Business Journal (paywall) – (Note the team stated in its last submission to the Zoning Commission that it had signed an operating agreement with the venue group (tvg) to manage the performance venue and food hall.)