Author Archives: nextstoprp

November 18, 2020 ANC 5A Meeting Recap: DCPS School Reopening; Library Zoning Relief; Cityblock Health; Backus Food Hub Project & More

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on November 18, 2020. Commissioners present: Grace Lewis – Parliamentarian (5A02); Emily Singer Lucio – Secretary (5A03); Ronnie Edwards – Chair (5A05); Claudia Barragan (5A06); Sandi Washington – Treasurer (5A07); Gordon Fletcher – Vice Chair (5A08). Commissioner Washington departed early. Lucky her, the meeting lasted until almost 10:30 pm.

DC Office of Attorney General

The DC Office of Attorney General Office of Consumer Protection has a price gouging taskforce. Concerns about price gouging can be made on the consumer protection hotline at (202) 442-9828 or email at consumer.protection@dc.gov. Other consumer protection complaints can also be submitted to the hotline.

MPD Report

The Riggs Park neighborhood is in MPD public service area (PSA) 406. MPD holds a Sector 2 meeting covering PSAs 405, 406, and 407 the second Tuesday of each month from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Carjackings are up citywide, but there have been a couple of arrests of individuals believed responsible for multiple carjacking offenses. MPD stated there is a spike in shootings between crews from recently released individuals. With the holiday season approaching, consider having packages delivered to safe locations.

There have been a few shootings in Riggs Park recently, specifically in the 800 block of Jefferson Street NE and the 800 block of Oglethorpe NE. MPD 4D Captain Bryan Christian stated some of the violence can be attributed to individuals who were released pending their hearing date due to COVID-19. In response to my question about having a permanent camera installed on Oglethorpe Street, Captain Christian stated that is a decision made by MPD leadership. In response to my question about whether the city provides case management services to these recently released individuals, Captain Christian stated the city does site visits to individuals’ homes through the Court Services Supervision and Offender Supervision Agency for DC (CSOSA).

ANC 5A08 Public Safety Task Force

For the ANC 5A08 public safety task force, MPD will work with Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) to set up a regular walk with MPD and other DC government agencies such as DDOT or DPW. MPD asked Commissioner Fletcher to have at least six residents available for the walks. The walks are supposed to be resident-led.

Ward 5 MOCR Report

Malik Miller is leaving his role as the Ward 5 mayor’s office liaison (MOCR). Nokomis Hunter will be the new Ward 5 MOCR.

Ward 5 State Board of Education

Ward 5 SBOE Representative Zachary Parker noted that DCPS has opened CARES classrooms in some schools, including LaSalle-Backus. View Mr. Parker’s presentation here. DCPS has a school readiness reopening checklist, but it does not include testing.

After the meeting, Mr. Parker sent the following points about CARES classrooms.

  • Access to CARES classrooms is by invitation only; 400+ DC students have accepted seats so far 
  • CARES classrooms are not covered by teachers and are merely an opportunity for students to engage in online learning in a school setting with supervision
  • There are currently 29 elementary schools open with CARES classrooms; Ward 5 campuses include NOYES and Wheatley…..LaSalle-Backus EC should be of interest to you too 
  • DCPS is looking to open more schools and CARES classrooms after Thanksgiving 
  • CARES classrooms are primarily targeting high-need students (i.e., students with disabilities, those who are homeless, English language learners, etc.), though principals have some flexibility 
  • These CARES classrooms are opening as COVID-19 rates are rising nationally, and in DC, our rate was 4.8% yesterday 
  • All schools with CARES classrooms are supposed to have nurses on-site and will follow DC Health guidelines for COVID-19 precautions

In addition, following the meeting, Mr. Parker shared that OSSE has a new Special Education Resource Hub, which includes many resources for families. Also, the Office of the Ombudsman is a great resource for counseling and intervention for families who feel as though their needs are not being met at school. The Office works to mediate conflicts between schools and families.

Mr. Parker and his predecessor Ward 5 SBOE representative Mark Jones are standing up an organization called Ward 5 Education Trust to provide financial support to Ward 5 public schools.

Art Place at Fort Totten

The commission voted to support the public space application for two curb cuts on Ingraham Street NE and one curb cut on Kennedy Street NE for the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten.

ANC 5A Office Space

The ANC has finally received the self-insured document it needs to occupy space at the Modern at Art Place, which is being provided as a community benefit.

ANC 5A Website

Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) is continuing work on selecting a website designer to design a new ANC 5A website. The ANC plans to release a survey to solicit input on the features and resources residents would like to see in a new site.

Comprehensive Plan Amendments

Commissioner Fletcher testified on behalf of ANC 5A at the recent Comp Plan hearing. Written testimony may be submitted for the record. The record closes at 5:00 pm on Decemer 3, 2020.

Rocketship Social Justice Public Charter School

Correction 11/24/2020: Social Justice School presented at the meeting not Rocketship.

Rocketship Social Justice School received its charter earlier this year and opened the 2020-2021 school year with 50 students. Most of the students live in Wards 4, 5, and 8, and are engaging in distance learning. Approximately 10 students are receiving in-person instruction. These in-person seats were prioritized for students experiencing homelessness and for students whose parents are first responders.

Cityblock Health Services

CityBlock Health Services is seeking citywide support for its certificate of need application to DC’s State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) to establish “ambulatory community based health services.” Cityblock serves clients primarily in Wards 5, 7, and 8. They are not looking to open a physical location in ANC 5A; they are simply doing community outreach to councilmembers and ANC communities in which they provide services.

Lamond-Riggs Library Board of Zoning Adjustment Requests

Update 11/24/2020: View DCPL’s presentation here.

The ANC voted to support DC Public Library requests for special exception relief from the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) to support the rebuilding of the Lamond-Riggs Library.

Lot occupancy

One request is to slightly exceed the allowable lot occupancy. For the R-2 zone in which the library sits, the allowable lot occupancy is 40 percent. The existing library actually already exceeds that restriction, occupying 47 percent of the lot. The new library will occupy 49.5 percent of the lot.

Parking

Existing Lamond-Riggs Library parking
Proposed Lamond-Riggs Library parking

The other request concerns relief from minimum vehicle parking requirements. The library is supposed to have a minimum of 11 vehicle parking spaces. The existing library does have 11 spaces, but one is a noncompliant handicap space because it is outside of the lot line and another one has limited access because of its location next to the library’s dumpster. The new library will only have 9 parking spaces, one being a fully compliant handicap parking space, because of site constraints and the amount of amenities that need to be accommodated on the lot. The BZA case number is 20392. The hearing will be on January 13, 2021.

DCPL is still waiting for its raze permit. They expect to receive that in the coming weeks and the building will be taken down shortly thereafter. View the new library design and other rebuilding information on the project website at https://www.dclibrary.org/newlamondriggs.

UDC/Pepco Ag. Pod Project

UDC and Pepco are teaming up to establish an “Ag. Pod” at UDC’s Backus Urban Food Hub, housed at UDC Backus at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. The system will be used to grow food year-round. See this post for more information. UDC has two surveys seeking community input.

(1) A community survey to introduce the project and capture people’s interest: 
https://udc.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6MyQ2BqV0l2uWVL

(2) A community survey to help the team select the best wrap design for the project: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B9N696S

UDC is requesting input on both surveys by December 4, 2020.

Miscellaneous

The ANC does not usually have a regular public meeting in December. The ANC will welcome three new commissioners to represent single member districts 5A01, 5A02, and 5A06 in January 2021.

UDC Backus Food Hub Ag. Pod Project – Take Surveys by December 4

Posted by nextstoprp in Backus Urban Food Hub

There will soon be a new addition to the Bertie Backus Food Hub housed at UDC’s Backus campus (the large hoop houses visible on the Galloway Street NE side of the campus). At ANC 5A’s recent meeting, Acting Director of UDC CAUSES Dr. Kamran Zendehdel shared that UDC is teaming up with Pepco to house an “Ag. Pod” at the food hub. This food production system will be used to grow vegetables and herbs year round to supply food in food desert areas around the city. The team is working on an entrepreneurial training model to train interested residents in Wards 5, 7, and 8. Currently, the Backus food hub contains a hydroponics system, aquaponics system, native plant nursery, compost, and community garden. Buildout of a community incubator commercial kitchen that will be accessible at low cost is also in progress.

View UDC’s presentation here.

UDC is requesting input on two surveys related to the Ag. Pod project.

(1) A community survey to introduce the project and capture people’s interest: 
https://udc.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6MyQ2BqV0l2uWVL

(2) A community survey to help the team select the best wrap design for the project: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B9N696S

UDC is requesting input on both surveys by December 4, 2020.

The Ag. Pod measures 50 feet by 10 feet. For comparison, the aquaponic system is 30 feet by 84 feet. The goal is to install the pod in December or early January.

Ward 5 Education Trust Informational Meeting Tonight

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

At last night’s ANC 5A meeting, Ward 5 State Board of Education Representative Zachary Parker mentioned that he and the former state board rep Mark Jones are having an informational meeting tonight at 6:00 pm about standing up an organization to support Ward 5 schools called Ward 5 Education Trust.

Those of us who live on the Ward 5 side of Riggs Park are actually zoned for Ward 4 schools, but there are a number of charter schools in Ward 5 that serve Riggs Park families. I do not have any more information than what was briefly shared at the meeting last night, but I think the idea is to develop an organization that will be able to provide financial support PTA-style to Ward 5 schools. Some schools in the District have strong PTAs that have lots of money to fund supplies and all sorts of enrichment activities for those school communities, but they are few and far between in Ward 5.

If you are interested in learning more and being involved in this effort, you can register for the informational meeting at this link.

November 23: ANC 4B Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting
Monday, November 23, 2020, 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/84214249196?pwd=c3E0bzJmMFpoQ1JwVWFtNmhsVkduUT09.  
Meeting ID: 842-1424-9196.
Password: 964318

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/Ba2OO0NJ7cU.

Agenda

1.        Call to Order & Roll Call  

2.        Administrative Items: 
A. Consideration and Approval of November Agenda 
B. Instructions re Participation in Virtual Meeting 
C. Approval of October Regular Public Meeting Minutes 
D. Approval of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B Annual Report – 2020 
E. Treasurer’s Report & Update re Grants  
F. Commissioner Updates (if applicable) 

3.        Reports:
A. Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (10 minutes) 
B. Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon T. Todd (3 minutes) 
C. Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (3 minutes)  
D. Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative Frazier O’Leary (3 minutes)  

4.        Consent Calendar:  

Resolution 4B-20-1101: Requesting Installation of Speed Humps on the 200 – 500 Block of Quackenbos Street, NE (Commissioner Brooks) 

Resolution 4B-20-1102: Requesting Installation of Speed Humps on the Unit Block of Kennedy Street, NE, between North Capitol Street, NE, and 1st Street, NE(Commissioner Brooks)  

Resolution 4B-20-1103: Requesting Installation of Speed Humps on 7th Street, NW, between Fern Place, NW, and Dahlia Street, NW(Commissioner Yeats)   

Resolution 4B-20-1104: Requesting Installation of Speed Humps on the 600 Block of Madison Street, NW (Commissioner Redd) 

5.        Presentation: The Parks at Walter Reed Development Team & Resolution 4B‑20-1105: Supporting Proposed Concept Design for The Parks at Walter Reed Building QRS (Commissioner Palmer and Commissioner Bromaghim – 10 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion) 

6.        Presentation: Rank the Vote DC and Resolution 4B-20-1106: Calling for Ranked Choice Voting in the District of Columbia (Commissioner Palmer – 5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion) 

7.        Resolution 4B-20-1107: Supporting the Preliminary Design Concept and Providing Initial Community Input for 6928 Maple Street, NW (Commissioner Bromaghim – 5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion) 

8.        Presentation: Cozen O’Conner and Resolution 4B-20-1108: Supporting Requested Variance for 11 Nicholson Street, NW (BZA 20390) (Commissioner Johnson – 5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)

9.        Resolution 4B-20-1109: Supporting DDOT’s Notice of Intent to Modify the Intersection of North Capitol & Longfellow Streets, NE (Commissioner Brooks – 3 minute presentation; 3 minute discussion)

10.     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. 

11.     Adjournment 

Next Regular Public Meeting: Monday, January 25, 2021, 7:00 p.m. 

Contact your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner: ANC 4B01 Evan Yeats (4B01@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B02 Erin Palmer (4B02@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B03 Scot Knickerbocker (4B03@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B04 Brenda Parks (4B04@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B05 Perry Redd (4B05@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B06 Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B07 Geoff Bromaghim (4B07@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B08 Alison Brooks (4B08@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B09 LaRoya Huff (4B09@anc.dc.gov) 

POSTPONED-December 2: Congresswoman Norton Quarterly National Park Service Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Circle Park

Update 11/18/2020: This meeting will be postponed until first quarter 2021

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton will be holding her quarterly meeting with the National Park Service (NPS) on December 2, 2020. This is a good opportunity to ask about issues pertaining to NPS parkland and property in the neighborhood. Email nortonevents@mail.house.gov for the Zoom link. See the press release below.

Norton to Hold Quarterly Community Meeting with the National Park Service and D.C. Residents

Nov 2, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will hold a virtual community meeting open to all District of Columbia residents with representatives from the National Park Service (NPS) on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Her quarterly community meetings have been popular with her constituents. Virtually all D.C. neighborhood parks are within NPS’s jurisdiction.

“Our parks, allowing us to get fresh air, have been our lifelines during this pandemic. My quarterly meetings have become the most effective way for me to hear from constituents and work to resolve concerns on issues related to parks and federal land that fall under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service,” Norton said. “I look forward to hearing from my constituents.”

To attend, email NortonEvents@mail.house.gov for the Zoom link. The event will be open to the public and to the media.

Culture Coffee Too Receives a Streatery Winter Ready Grant

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street

By David Kosub (Contributor)

Congratulations goes out to Ms. V and Culture Coffee Too! Our local Riggs Park coffee shop located at 300 Riggs Road NE received a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture to winterize their outdoor dining setup. As reported on DCist yesterday, “each restaurant could get up to $6,000 for tents, heaters, propane, lighting, furniture and advertising” through the District’s Streatery Winter Ready Grant program.

Culture Coffee Too will use their funds to purchase a tent and heaters. Ms. V wanted me to share the following with the community, “Y’all come down and enjoy the tent when it goes up…around November 20.” I personally cannot wait to have one of their black bean burgers with a peanut butter and banana smoothie under that tent! But, don’t wait until the 20th, go in as soon as you can to share the good vibes. Tomorrow, November 7, beginning at 11:00 am, there will be live painting and music outdoors for a modified Riggs Park art crawl.  

Support your local small businesses! The winter will be a difficult time and they will need our help. A complete list of the District’s restaurants receiving a grant can be found here.

October 28, 2020 ANC 5A Meeting Recap: Budget; Comp Plan; Website; Office Space

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on October 28, 2020. Commissioners present: Grace Lewis – Parliamentarian (5A02); Emily Singer Lucio – Secretary (5A03); Ronnie Edwards – Chair (5A05); Claudia Barragan (5A06); Sandi Washington – Treasurer (5A07); Gordon Fletcher – Vice Chair (5A08)

The ANC used this meeting primarily to discuss ANC business.

ANC Budget

The ANC is supposed to prepare a budget for the new fiscal year. They have to get public input, so there could be a special meeting in the next couple of weeks for that. Think about if you have specific ideas for how the ANC should use its funds.

ANC Annual Report

The ANC is supposed to prepare an annual report. The ANC did not submit a 2018-2019 report, so this year’s annual report will cover activities from 2018 to 2020.

Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan)

Chair Ronnie Edwards (5A05) thanked the residents who worked on the ANC’s resolution to the DC Office of Planning (OP) regarding the proposed Comp Plan amendments (see part one and part two of ANC 5A’s submission). OP responded to the ANC’s submission back in April of this year. OP accepted two of the ANC’s comments for inclusion in OP’s draft plan, acknowledged around thirty-five comments as consistent with and already incorporated elsewhere in the draft plan, and rejected around nine comments as either inconsistent with or out of the scope of the plan. OP’s response letter stated the agency would be interested in talking with the ANC about its submission (language included in responses to all of the ANCs), so Chair Edwards mentioned having OP at a meeting to do so. (Given that OP’s response was sent in April and the Council is having a hearing on the proposed amendments on November 12 and 13, I am not sure when a conversation will realistically happen). The ANC plans to testify at the Comp Plan hearing.

ANC 5A Website

Commissioners Gordon Fletcher (5A08) and Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) are leading the project to revamp the ANC’s website. The ANC will secure at least three bids for the design. Commissioner Claudia Barragan (5A06) implored the ANC to contract with someone who lives in the District (preferably in Ward 5). After all, she noted, the ANC often asks developers to hire Ward 5 residents and do business with local companies so it only makes sense for the ANC to hold itself to the same standard. If you or anyone you know may be interested in designing a website for the ANC that can be easily maintained, reach out to Commissioners Fletcher and Lucio for a scope of work.

ANC Office Space

The saga that is the ANC office space at Art Place at Fort Totten continues. The developer is requesting a self-insured document from the ANC so that the ANC may occupy the space free of charge. Getting that document is turning out to be a little difficult. During the meeting, Commissioner Fletcher, who represents the SMD where Art Place sits, displayed a document that other ANCs have received from District government for a similar purpose to explain what he needs. Director of the Office of ANC Gottlieb Simon was in the meeting and seemed to suggest that getting a similar document to ANC 5A would require jumping through a little more hoops for some reason. But they are working on it.

Art Place at Fort Totten

An item not on the agenda was a public space application for curb cuts for the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten. The permit expediter handling the application for the developer appeared at the meeting to explain that the request is for two curb cuts on Ingraham Street NE and one curb cut on Kennedy Street NE. The full commission was not aware of the application so they will review it for the next meeting.

Miscellaneous

The ANC will work on recording its public meetings.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on November 18 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Riggs Park Place Groundbreaking

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

On October 30, 2020, Mayor Muriel Bowser broke ground on Riggs Park Place, a new EYA townhome community at the corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE that will have 90 townhomes (five below market rate), 80 rental units for seniors, and retail. The project will be built in two phases beginning with the townhomes. Over 50 percent of the homes have been sold.

This project has been in the works in some form or fashion since at least 2006. During the groundbreaking, Gwen Cofield and I were recognized for our efforts in representing the community (view a video snippet here). Pictures and the full press release below.

Gwen Cofield with Edwin Washington, Executive Director of The Parks Main Street
Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd viewing 3D model
Mayor Bowser with communications team and DMPED Director of Real Estate Sarosh Olpadwala
Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd giving remarks
EYA Executive Vice President Aakash Thakkar giving remarks
Groundbreaking with Mayor Bowser
Mayor Bowser with current and former leadership of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association and The Parks Main Street

Mayor Bowser Breaks Ground on Riggs Park Place, Bringing 170 New Homes to Ward 4

Friday, October 30, 2020

New Development to Deliver Homeownership Opportunities, Apartments for Seniors, and Retail Options

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd, along with Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), broke ground on Riggs Park Place in Ward 4, a long-awaited housing community of townhomes, apartments, and retail located at the intersection of Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue, NE.

“Today is a special day in Ward 4 – we are excited to start construction on Riggs Park Place, a community where DC residents from all walks of life can call home,” said Mayor Bowser. “We’re going to keep investing in projects that bring housing, particularly affordable housing, to neighborhoods across all eight wards.”

The first phase of Riggs Park Place will feature 90 new townhomes for sale, five of which will be designated as affordable homeownership opportunities. Phase two will be an 80-unit mixed-use senior apartment community with at least 30 affordable units. The 90 townhomes will be modern, two-, three-, and four-bedroom floor plans close to Fort Totten Metro Station, a café and shopping across Riggs Road, the newly renovated Lamond-Riggs Library, as well as cultural and art experiences at Art Place, an adjacent mixed-use development offering apartments, retail, a new fitness center, a children’s museum, and more.

“I couldn’t be prouder to break ground at this historic development after working for years with the community, developers and other stakeholders,” said Councilmember Todd. “This new community in the Riggs Park/Fort Totten neighborhood is a huge win for our seniors who wish to age in place, our families and individuals alike who are looking for an affordable place to live. It is these economic opportunities and creation of affordable housing that will uplift our communities and help us make an equitable recovery.”

“This project is an example of how the Bowser Administration continues to push ahead on complex, and long-stalled projects because we know that having safe and affordable housing options and neighborhood amenities for our communities is what our residents want,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio. “We also want to thank this community for their active engagement in this project for many years and for sticking with us to get to today.”

Other financial partners for Riggs Park Place include EYA, JBG Smith and Paramount Development, with its lender, Eagle Bank.

“Riggs Park Place, and our partnership with the city, exemplify EYA’s ability to effectively work with residents, local jurisdictions, and our financial partners to both create value and bring meaningful projects to life,” said Aakash Thakkar, EVP at EYA. “Despite uncertain times, this partnership has shown that there is tremendous demand for high-quality, attainably priced new housing in the region. The public-private nature of the project, its revitalization impact on the neighborhood, and its delivery of missing middle townhomes that address a broad demographic are all core tenets of EYA’s mission. We appreciate the partnership with JBG Smith, Paramount Development, Eagle Bank, the District, and the community that enabled us to move the project forward.”

Bowser Administration’s Commitment to Affordable Housing

Mayor Bowser reaffirmed her commitment to investments in affordable housing with her Fiscal Year 2021 budget, recognizing that both short- and long-term efforts must be ongoing to preserve housing affordability and stability for all District residents. The Mayor’s FY21 budget includes an investment of $100 million in the Housing Production Trust Fund – for the sixth consecutive year – and a $1 million investment in the Housing Preservation Fund.

At the start of her second term, Mayor Bowser set a bold goal to deliver an additional 36,000 units of housing – including at least 12,000 units of affordable housing – by 2025. From January 2019 through July 2020, the District has produced 10,658 units, of which 1,692 are affordable. You can track the District’s progress toward #36000by2025 at open.dc.gov/36000by2025.

The Haunting of Clover Adams

Posted by nextstoprp in History

By David Kosub (Contributor)

…Then in 1885…the room (in what is now the Hay Adams Hotel) is warm, yet still somehow oddly…cold. Quiet, except for the sound of wood burning in the fireplace. Smell of almonds perfuming the still air. Photograph developing chemicals are spilled on the ground. The body of a woman lies lifeless on a rug nearby. The husband who finds her is devastated.

…Now in 2020…her restless spirit continues haunting the grounds where her body lies for eternity…grounds, which may be uneasy to hear, lie very close to you. Read on, if you dare.

Marion “Clover” Hooper Adams was an interesting character in her day. Sure, she was married to Henry Adams—of Boston Presidential family notoriety–but but she was oh so much more. An accomplished photographer for her day, she captured images that became a commentary on the role of women in society and domestic life.

Marion “Clover” Hooper Adams. Source: Wikipedia

She also experienced severe mental illness and depression. And, on one fateful day, she brought her 42 year life to an end by swallowing some of the very same developing chemicals that brought her photos to life. Chemicals, no less, that commonly contained potassium cyanide.

No suicide note found. So, why did she do it? Some say it was the loss of her father months back. Some think it was the claustrophobia caused by the domestic role of women in her day. Some believe it was because Henry stymie her artistic ambitions. Maybe it was the affair she learned about? Regardless, her suicide haunted Henry’s psyche for the rest of his life (even though she was not mentioned once in his award winning autobiography).

Henry commissioned a statue for Clover years later. Inspired by the Buddhist principle of nirvana, it depicted his anguish over her death in bronze for hereafter. The anonymous and androgynous figure, now overlooking her grave site encircled by conifers and granite, hides behind a shroud. And, if you look at its face, you too will understand the grief he must have felt. When Henry passed a few decades later, he too was buried right there under the gaze of the contemplative figure. You can walk through it here.

Adams memorial statue in Rock Creek Cemetery. Source: DC Historic Sites

Those who visit the site say they can strongly feel Clover’s presence. Others, after time spent near the statue, are overtaken by sadness, grief, and despair. Both Clover and Henry have been seen wandering the grounds. Now, it’s time for you to experience the site and feel their grief firsthand. Their spirits are both right here, a short 30 minute walk from Riggs Park, in Section E of Rock Creek Cemetery, right off Allison St NW and North Capitol. 

If you miss Clover during your visit, that may be because she is getting payback in nearby Pikesville, Maryland. A couple decades after the statue began overseeing her eternal resting place, General Felix Agnus made an illegal replica of it  for his own family plot. Since then, visitors have experienced strange activity at the so-called Black Aggie statue (watch this video). Legend has it that “her” eyes glow red at night, which could make you go blind if looked upon. Grass refused to grow nearby. Pregnant women would miscarry if walking through her shadow. And, naturally, you would die from extreme fright if you sat on her lap or stayed overnight with her. After frisky teens and drunk college kids kept breaking into the Druid Ridge cemetery to get their late night kicks, the family shipped the statue off to the Smithsonian for safekeeping in the late 1960s. Eventually,  Black Aggie  would reside outside the Dolly Madison House in Lafayette Square, mere steps from the hotel where Clover took her own life.

If you are the type of person who likes staying overnight near an androgynous shrouded statute with glowing eyes in a cemetery, well, then you should write next year’s Riggs Park spooky post. I suspect you have some interesting stories to tell…Happy Halloween!

Eastern Avenue NE Rehabilitation Update: Design Nearly Complete, Construction A Ways Off

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

The rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue NE from New Hampshire Avenue NE to Whittier Street NW is near the 95% design stage. At ANC 4B’s meeting on October 26, 2020, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) shared that final design is expected early 2021. There is not funding for construction yet. DDOT stated that the earliest they are looking at getting funding for construction is fiscal year 2023. You can view the livestream of the meeting here (DDOT presentation begins at the 8:22 minute mark).

This project has been in the works for many years. DDOT explained that the delay in completing the design is due to expansion of the scope of work.

DDOT Ward 4 Liaison Sayra Molina stated that DDOT will have another meeting for residents after the design is complete. DDOT will discuss with residents interim, short-term traffic calming measures that may be possible, such as signage and markings. Because Eastern is classified as an arterial road, DDOT will not install speed humps.

The project website is https://ddot.dc.gov/page/rehabilitation-eastern-avenue-ne.

Walmart Boarded Up – Still Open

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street
Walmart at 310 Riggs Road NE, October 29, 2020. Photo credit: Kenny Gibbs

A neighbor passed along a photo of the Walmart on Riggs Road NE with barriers in front the building and boarded up windows. The store remains open. Some businesses have started boarding up in anticipation of potential protests leading up to and following Election Day. I happened to drive downtown yesterday to pick up some items from my office and noticed businesses downtown boarding up. The Parks Main Street communicated that District officials are not presently recommending that businesses board up but are recommending that businesses make sure their insurance is up-to-date and that employees know what to do in case of emergencies.

Business on 11th Street NW downtown being boarded up

In addition, there have been two straight nights of protests a couple of miles from the neighborhood on Kennedy Street NW and near DC police Fourth District headquarters on Georgia Avenue NW following the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton. The police department’s initial statement of Mr. Hylton’s death stated Fourth District officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop of the young man on Friday, October 23, after observing him riding a moped on the sidewalk in the 500 block of Kennedy Street NW without a helmet. The statement went on to say he fled on the moped, drove through an alley, and collided with a passenger vehicle upon exiting the alley. Witnesses dispute this police account, contending that police pursued Mr. Hylton in contravention of a no-pursuit policy for traffic infractions. Camera footage of the interaction could possibly be released today.

November 1: Meet ANC 4B09 Candidate Tischa Cockrell at Hellbender

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Get out the vote at Hellbender Brewing Company

On Sunday, November 1, 2020, the Tischa Cockrell for ANC 4B-09 Campaign will gather (socially distanced, outside) at Hellbender Brewing Company from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. The brewery will open an hour early at 12:00 pm for Tischa’s campaign, and a food truck will also be available. 

This is a great chance to meet the candidate and learn more about the race to represent 4B-09 as ANC Commissioner. 

Hellbender Brewing Company
5788 2nd Street NE, Washington D.C. 20011
Just up 2nd Street behind Walmart

MoveDC Transportation Plan Update Highlights

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

We noted in this post that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is soliciting public input to update the moveDC long-range transportation plan that was adopted in 2014. Thanks to neighbor Gavin Baker for pulling together some proposed update highlights for Lamond-Riggs outlined below.

DDOT is asking for survey responses by November 10 about goals and priorities for updating moveDC. DDOT is also asking for feedback by November 10 on three maps of proposed mobility priority networks for transit, bikes, and freight.

With respect to the bike map, there are some differences from the 2014 plan, if you are inclined to leave comments on and propose changes to the map.

  • The 2014 plan proposed bike facilities for Riggs Road NE/Missouri Road NW/Military Avenue NW, but in the draft 2020 map, it looks like bike facilities for the Riggs Road NE portion east of North Capitol Street have been removed. Riggs Road is one of the few places where bicyclists can cross the train tracks. It does not make sense to stop the bike network on Missouri/Military at North Capitol Street. DDOT should continue the bike network on Riggs Road NE (as proposed in the 2014 plan) especially given that there are bike lanes east of Eastern Avenue into Prince George’s County. Removing the Riggs Road NE portion from the bike network would leave a gap for no seemingly identifiable reason.
  • The 2014 plan did not include bike facilities on New Hampshire Avenue north and east of North Capitol Street, but these facilities are proposed in the draft 2020 map, so feel free to indicate that you like that on the map.
  • The draft 2020 map proposes to close the gap on Kansas Avenue between Blair Road and Chillum Place, which was not included in the 2014 plan. Again, feel free to leave a comment indicating you like that piece.
  • The Eastern Avenue trail is new to the 2020 draft. It looks like a lot in the National Capital Trail Network plan recently approved by MWCOG is in this draft, at least the segments for this neighborhood.
  • The 2014 plan included two new street connections over/under the train tracks between Kansas and Riggs, which are not shown in the 2020 draft. It is not clear if that is because they are not “bicycle facilities” and so they are not shown on the bike map, or if it is because DDOT has dropped the idea.

As for why DDOT is updating a plan that was adopted in 2014 and that still has a lot left to be implemented, DDOT stated in a virtual townhall that it is general practice to update long-range plans every five to eight years.

One key point to note is that on September 22, 2020, the DC Council unanimously passed a Vison Zero omnibus bill. The legislation is under review by the mayor’s office. Assuming the legislation goes into effect, it would require DDOT to build transit and bike facilities listed in the long-range plan when they are doing other major work on that road segment, so it would give some teeth to these maps.

The project website is wemovedc.org.