Art Place Construction Notice 5/4/2020 (pdf)
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Support The Parks Main Street Businesses
The Parks Main Street (TPMS) was formed to help support businesses in Riggs Park and Manor Park. It took a lot of time and effort to get the Main Street up and running last year. It is now run by enthusiastic executive director Edwin Washington with the help of an all-volunteer board. Please consider supporting The Parks Main Street for Giving Tuesday to make sure the organization can continue to support and attract thriving local businesses to our neighborhood. You can easily do so online at https://theparksmainstreet.org/support/donate. See message from TPMS below.
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A neighborhood is the people who live, work, learn and play there. It is cultural institutions; And small and large businesses serving neighborhood people through good and bad times.
The COVID-19 pandemic is as bad as it gets.
Help preserve small businesses in The Parks Main Street (TPMS) business districts in Riggs Park and Manor Park by keeping them operating today, so they can be there for us tomorrow.
Our goal is to raise $15,000 to supplement the funding TPMS receives from the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) to help struggling businesses with rent and payroll shortages, marketing outreach and employee and customer safety practices during COVID-19.
Can you donate $5? $10? $20? Any amount will help sustain these small businesses Now. Shop Small and Support Small with a donation on #GivingTuesdayNow. Your tax-deductible support will make a big difference!
https://theparksmainstreet.org/support/donate
Who are The Parks Main Street legacy businesses?
They are small, mostly women and family owned entrepreneurs who have served customers in the DC area for up to 50- years. They are owners of diverse ages, multicultural ethnic groups and professional backgrounds such as military service, higher education, health care, national retail and food service, and home design and improvement, to name a few industries.
In Manor Park maybe you’ve held a birthday or anniversary party at The VIP Room. Got your child’s first haircut at Manor Park Barber Shop. Purchased a hat at Bene Millinery & Bridal Shop still run by its 100-year old founder, Vanilla Beane, or eaten at Peaches’ Kitchen or Senbeb Café & Natural Foods.
In Riggs Park you may have experienced a wine tasting at Riggs Liquors. Or a free art exhibition and workshop at Culture Coffee Too. Or had the pharmacist-owner of Ramdass Pharmacy come to your home to administer vaccinations to a senior loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These are the business legacies The Parks Main Street is working to preserve. Please help us by frequenting these businesses as often as you can and giving what you can. And ask your friends, family members, co-workers, and those in your professional and social circles to Shop Small and Support Small with a donation on #GivingTuesdayNow. Your tax-deductible support will make a big difference!
The Parks Main Street Small Business Grant Recipients
The Parks Main Street awarded $34,000 in funding to support small businesses in Riggs Park and Manor Park. The funding is especially useful during the public health emergency. See message from The Parks Main Street below.
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The Parks Main Street (TPMS) Congratulates FY2020 TPMS Small Business Grant Recipients!
The grants provide relief for rent, payroll, utilities and insurance during this COVID-19 pandemic.
The small businesses grant recipients proudly serve you in Riggs Park and Manor Park:
The Davis Center https://theparksmainstreet.org/services/the-davis-center/
Manor Park Barber Shop https://theparksmainstreet.org/services/manor-park-barber-shop/
Ramdass Pharmacy https://theparksmainstreet.org/merchandise/ramdass-pharmacy/
DeColores Learning Center https://theparksmainstreet.org/services/de-colores-learning-center/
Senbeb Café & Natural Foods https://theparksmainstreet.org/eat/senbeb-cafe/
Troka Insurance https://theparksmainstreet.org/services/troka-insurance/
Peaches Kitchen and Catering https://theparksmainstreet.org/eat/peaches-kitchen-restaurant-catering-service/
Integrative Body Work & Wellness https://theparksmainstreet.org/services/integrative-bodywork-llc/
Please click the link below for TPMS Small Business Grant Recipients “Thank You” Video.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1StGwDxT8XIKxvZ_zF_lBZtI8718iOEvn/view?usp=sharing
This video was coordinated by the TPMS Promotions Committee with filming by TPMS Board Member and Promotions Committee co-chair Joann Stevens and committee member Roger Glass.
Production and graphics by Kelcie Glass through Arts for Our Children, Inc.
For the latest information on the District Government’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
Edwin D. Washington | Executive Director
The Parks Main Street
A Program of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement
Direct (202) 774-5542
info@theparksmainstreet.org
As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, The Parks Main Street is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
April 22, 2020 ANC 5A Meeting Recap
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on April 22, 2020. Commissioners present: Frank Wilds (5A01), Emily Singer Lucio (5A03), Ronnie Edwards (5A05), Claudia Barragan (5A06), Sandi Washington (5A07), Gordon Fletcher (5A08)
The ANC held a virtual meeting for the first time. Given the circumstances, it went fairly well. Some of the presentations ran a little long so the meeting ended after 9:00 pm. No MPD officer was present to give a report.
ANC Business
The second quarter financial report was approved with an ending balance of $26,880.63.
On March 25, 2020, Commissioner Barragan (5A06) submitted a request for reimbursement for direct mail communication to constituents in her single member district (SMD). Expenses included $226.14 for postage and $150 to print postcards. Commissioner Barragan wanted to do direct mail becase she said her SMD does not have an email list and there was no communication to constituents by the previous commissioner. Commissioner Barragan also posted flyers throughout the SMD with her contact information and information about the ANC in English and Spanish.
Commissioner Sandi Washington (5A07), treasurer of the ANC, expressed concern about setting a precedent of paying for direct mail, noting that commissioners typically use grassroots efforts to reach out to constituents and that there will be an election for new ANCs this November. Given the pandemic and social distancing requirements though, door knocking is not realistic at this time. The commission unanimously approved reimbursement for the direct mail expenses.
Commissioner Fletcher Public Safety Task Force Resolution
Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) held a winter single member district (SMD) meeting to discuss increasing crime in the SMD, particularly around Capital Area Food Bank between 6th Street NE & Emerson Park. Residents at the meeting unanimously voted to establish a public safety task force and developed several recommendations. Commissioner Fletcher sought a resolution of support from the ANC for those recommendations. The ANC voted to approve the resolution with a modification to explore expanding the operation of the task force to all of ANC 5A. View the draft letter here.
Mayor’s Office Report (Ward 5 MOCR Malik Miller)
- DC’s Department of Health is coordinating several public COVID-19 testing sites by appointment only. There is a hotline for homebound individuals to get delivery of essential items such as groceries – (888) 349-8323 or visit coronavirus.dc.gov/gethelp.
- DC’s Department of Aging & Community Living is distributing meals for seniors. Call (202) 724-5626. Many grocery stores have dedicated seniors-only shopping hours. See https://coronavirus.dc.gov/food for more information.
- DCPS schools will close May 29; public charter schools will close around same time.
- To apply for unemployment benefits, visit DCnetworks.org or call (202) 724-7000.
- Customers are advised to wear face masks to grocery stores and encouraged to use online and curbside shopping.
- DC has passed legislation to temporarily halt evictions and freeze rent increases. In addition, mortgage lenders must create a 90-day residential/commercial mortgage relief program for those who request it.
- SNAP benefit holders do not need to take action to receive April/May benefits; those benefits will be automatically extended.
- The convention center will be converted into a 500-bed alternate care facility, if necessary.
Ward 5 Councilmember Report (Silas Grant, Senior Advisor)
Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s office noted disparity in deaths related to COVID-19 among African-Americans. His office is exploring creation of mask making operation in the ward. They need general counsel approval before partnering with an organization that is actively fundraising, so they may not be able to be directly involved in the process but do want to make the community aware of the options that exist. They are looking at a model such as Route 1 Mask Match in Maryland.
His office also noted the many mutual aid groups that have been established since the public health emergency was announced. His office would like to work with ANCs to make sure these groups are providing adequate coverage throughout the ward in areas where they are needed most. Many groups are looking for storage places in the ward for donated resources and to serve as distribution locations, so his office will be contacting ANCs for help with that as well.
Commissioner Barragan suggested that his office encourage the mutual aid groups to work with ServeDC to address liability and protection issues given that many of these groups are not registered nonprofit organizations with insurance or a charity license and therefore there is no government oversight of these groups that are working with vulnerable individuals at high risk of exposure. She noted that mutual aid groups in Wards 7 and 8 are working with nonprofit organizations such as Martha’s Table and Capital Area Food Bank, so she suggested that maybe the Ward 5 groups could work with Food & Friends.
Mr. Grant noted that the councilmember’s office just wants the commissioners to be aware that the mutual aid groups exist and that there are opportunities for volunteerism. His office had been working with Martha’s Table to distribute meals to seniors and hope to restart that distribution soon.
Providence Health System (Nicole Commodore, Director of Community Impact and Advocacy; Senai Medhani, Physician Enterprise)
Providence presented on what it is doing to assist during the COVID-19 public health emergency and to provide an update on its urgent care center. View the presentation here.
Chick-fil-A (Zachary Williams, Venable)
Zachary Williams briefly presented briefly on Chick-fil-A’s plan to build a new restaurant at 220 Riggs Road NE where the KFC/Taco Bell and former Dakota Liquors is located. We covered this topic many times on the blog. The restaurant will be roughly 4,000 square feet with 42 interior seats and a drive-thru. The restaurant is seeking a public space permit from DDOT in order to close two curb cuts on 3rd Street, one being the curb cut that is very close to the intersection at 3rd Street and Riggs Road NE. The application is on the agenda for DDOT’s June 2020 public space committee meeting.
The restaurant is in Ward 4. ANC 4B is planning to support the public space permit application. (See Chick-fil-A’s presentation to ANC 4B in February 2020 here). The presentation before ANC 5A was for their awareness. Commissioner Fletcher, whose SMD sits across the street from the proposed location, stated he would let ANC 4B and the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) handle things. However, there will likely be issues on which he will need to work with the ANC 4B commissioners.
Art Place at Fort Totten Block B Modification of Consequence (Paul Tummonds, Sean Cahill)
The developer of Art Place at Fort Totten has filed a Modification of Consequences with the Zoning Commission for Block B to get approval for a few architectural changes. (We covered that in this post).
The first biweekly construction notice to the community has been distributed. Currently, drill rigs are testing soil borings throughout the site. They are proceeding with getting permits for excavation and disconnecting utilities to 7 of the 8 vacant Riggs Plaza apartment buildings. They hope to be under full construction on Block B by July 6, 2020. Construction questions may be sent to hello@fezartplace.com.
DC Bilingual Public Charter School
DC Bilingual is planning to construct a 27,000 square foot extension along Rock Creek Church Road NE to add extra classroom, playground, & outdoor space. The playground and outdoor space will be open to the community outside of school hours and when not in use by the school. The school has discussed renting 30 spaces from the church across the street to provide parking that will be lost during construction.
View the presentation here.
DC Census
Commissioners Fletcher and Lucio encouraged residents to respond to the 2020 Census. The Ward 5 response rate is only 45%, while the DC response rate is 48% & countrywide repsonse rate is 49%.
How Would You Like To Use Your Neighborhood National Park – Part 3: Community Meeting Planning Edition
By David Kosub (Contributor)
Thank you to all the neighbors who have expressed interest and shared thoughts on reactivating the National Park Service (NPS) Civil War Defenses of Washington (CWDW) parkland in our neighborhood (see these posts from October 2019 and December 2019 for more). This is the Fort Totten Park site bounded by Galloway Street NE, South Dakota Avenue NE, and Gallatin Street NE, between Riggs Park and North Michigan Park.
I have shared your feedback and enthusiasm with folks from NPS and they agreed to participate in a community discussion on this topic. Our original target date for this meeting was cancelled due to the COVID-19 emergency and will be rescheduled for when the stay-at-home orders are lifted and we can safely gather again in public. An online/virtual meeting would not be optimal.
This meeting is expected to be similar to an event NPS held last September with the community near Fort Reno. For instance, an NPS park ranger will take us on a historical tour of Fort Totten, describe its role during the Civil War, and its life since. We will then move to hearing about the CWDW management plan, which is the guiding document that will help us better understand what is possible at this site. NPS will share what projects are currently underway or planned, such as wayfinding and historical marker signage, paving the long-awaited social trail, picnic pavilion improvements, and nearby trash mitigation efforts to restore the Anacostia River. It will conclude with NPS hearing directly from us on ways we would like to reactivate and use this CWDW site more for recreational, historical, educational, and cultural purposes, which are allowable under the management plan. Everybody in the community, from residents, to business owners, local developers, The Parks Main Street, civic leaders, and elected officials are welcome to attend.
It is important to note that “reactivation” here does not mean commercial development. Both NPS and the community recognize the importance of keeping an open green space in our neighborhood. This is an opportunity, though, to have us come together with NPS to identify ways to better utilize this public asset for the community.
My NPS colleagues and I will have standing monthly meetings to prep for this event. During these meetings, I’ll relay comments from the community related to the nearby CWDW parklands and report back with answers. So, if you have questions and/or ideas on what to expect at the NPS community meeting to reactivate the parkland, scheduled construction projects, beautification, habitat restoration, etc., please share them with me in the Comments section below or via direct email here.
Finally, some more good news on this site. NPS informed me that the following projects have made progress over the past few months:
- Issued a contract to construct the paved and lighted trail between Galloway Street and Gallatin Streets NE. Construction should start later this spring or early summer, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
- Authorized the District’s Department of Transportation to start construction of the section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail that goes over the Metro green and yellow line tunnel at Fort Totten metro station. Construction should ramp up significantly in the coming weeks.
April 28: Ward 4 DC Council Democratic Candidate Forum
2020 Ward 4 DC Council Democratic Candidate Virtual Forum
April 28, 2020
7:00 pm
Click the following link to join: https://zoom.us/j/95452323745 or dial 301-715-8592. The participant, meeting or webinar ID is 954 5232 3745
Hosted by the Chevy Chase Citizens Association, ANC 3/4G, and the Ward 4 Democrats. Questions will be accepted in advance until 5:00 pm on April 27, 2020, at nolantutor@yahoo.com.
The three Democratic primary candidates have all confirmed attendance: Marlena Edwards, Janeese Lewis George, Councilmember Brandon Todd.
Voices of the DC Fort Totten Storytellers Project
Recently blog contributor David Kosub got in touch with Stephanie Mills Trice to share information about her Voices of the DC Fort Totten Storytellers Project. The project was supported by a DC Oral History Collaborative grant in 2018, providing an oral history of the Fort Totten neighborhood, which sits west of the Fort Totten metro station between Fort Totten Park, the Old Soldiers’ Home, and Rock Creek Church Cemetary.
Ms. Mills Trice states,
As a product of Fort Totten, Jules Johnson and I wanted to tell the truths of our childhood fun and the history of African Americans in the 1950s beginning to enjoy the equal opportunity of purchasing homes in the community developed by Morris Cafritz.
➢ 2011 – We met at the PG County Library on September 19th and the idea was born
➢ 2017 ~ I received an email from Marion Woodfork Simmons written on my birth date March 10 to AAHGS members about oral history training and funding opportunities for individuals with family in DC to partner with DCOHC to conduct interviews.
• 1st interviewee – Arnetta Missy Barnes, DC native, 2nd cousin, 94 years young shares OH
• Missy’s father, Frank worked at Hotel Harrington when he passed in 1925 and in her possession was the original 1925 bereavement donation list on the hotel letterhead with the address 11th & E St NW which still is within of walking distance to the Foggy Bottom area.
➢ 2018 ~ After a 7 year hiatus and on a whim, I put in for a DCOHC grant detailing what was envisioned back in 2011 and the powers to be or serendipity itself I was awarded the grant.Through the journey, we were able to create a network of friends and neighbors who wanted to share their untold life experiences of living in Fort Totten and to-date the collection totals 20 oral histories and still growing. Even more exciting was to end the project with a community celebration at The Modern at Art Place thanks to the Cafritz Foundation the owners and descendants of the developer, Morris Cafritz.
Check out links from the project
Fitting Times Beyond the Fort (video, 15 minutes)
Keep the Story Going with the Fort Totten Storytellers (video, 11 minutes)
Fort Totten Then and Now (National Park Service)
Voices of the DC Fort Totten Storytellers Chew & Chat Celebration Part 1, HumanitiesDC (video, 47 minutes)
Voices of the DC Fort Totten Storytellers Chew & Chat Celebration Part 2, HumanitiesDC (video, 34 minutes)
Slight changes to Art Place Block B plan
The Cafritz Foundation has filed a Modification of Consequence for Block B of Art Place at Fort Totten seeking approval for modifications to the residential, family entertainment zone, and landscaping components of the plan approved by the Zoning Commission. ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) will be having a single member district meeting at some point to discuss the proposed changes.
Proposed residential component changes:
- Modifications to the façade and fenestration treatment of the residential structure along the former 4th Street and Ingraham Street;
- Raising the proposed pedestrian bridge across the closed 4th Street one level – to the third floor;
- Creation of a central lobby for the residential building;
- Grouping of the 30 artist affordable units in the northern tower to create more of an actual artist community rather than having the units dispersed throughout two towers; and
- Creation of separate loading areas for each portion of the residential building rather than having one large loading area.
Proposed Family Entertainment Zone (FEZ) component changes:
- Increase in height of the drum and fins by eighteen inches to better screen the roof structure;
- Reduction in the massing of the structure above the Aldi grocery store along South Dakota Avenue; and
- Internal modifications that result in slightly modified square footage for the various uses.
Proposed landscape component changes:
- Redesign of the Kennedy Street Plaza – removing the previously approved circular drive and vehicular drop-off area;
- Relocation of the dog park to property adjacent to Block B on the west side of former 4th Street; and
- Enlarged 4th Street central plaza for additional restaurant seating
The plan previously included one remaining Riggs Plaza apartment building on the west side of 4th and Kennedy Street NE to accommodate remaining Riggs Plaza tenants. The filing states, “The building that was previously shown in this location is now vacant and is no longer necessary for tenant relocation purposes, as the remaining Riggs Plaza Apartments tenant has been provided relocation opportunities.” So it looks like that space can now accommodate the dog park. Eventually Kennedy Street will be realigned during a future phase.
The case number is 06-10E.
Images of proposed modifications
U.S. Commission of Fine Arts Approved the Lamond-Riggs Library Design
By David Kosub (Contributor)
As part of the redevelopment of the Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library, the proposed design plans were presented to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on January 16, 2020, and again on April 16, 2020 (agenda and meeting presentation here with minutes expected in May/June). Below is an excerpt from the Commission’s letter to the DC Public Library (DCPL) on April 23, 2020, following the April meeting indicating they approved the final plans.
The Commission of Fine Arts approved, based on its prior review of the submission materials, the proposed final design for the replacement of the Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library, located at 5401 South Dakota Avenue, NE. The Commission members expressed appreciation for the project team’s responsiveness to their previous guidance, including clarification of the architectural details and materials and the refinement of the site plan in order to create a sequence of south-facing public spaces that extend the library’s uses through shady, semi-enclosed outdoor rooms.
A recap of the January 2020 Commission of Fine Arts meeting is available here where they reviewed the proposed concept and made some suggestions to DCPL. The “previous guidance” referenced above relates to the following:
- Prioritize retaining the proposed perforated aluminum facade screen as it is essential to the overall design concept
- Requested additional documentation of the perforated screen and its connection to the curtainwall system, as well as the typical details for the various components of the facades
- Plant additional trees on the site to extend the concept of the abstract trees depicted on the facade screen (intended to be reminiscent of the landscape across the street that will soon be lost to a new mixed-use development) into the actual landscape of the library
- Reconceive the proposed parking lot to be a part of the landscape, rather than keeping it as standard pavement, be pervious, and reconfigured to allow for the possible extension of the building’s facade further along the South Dakota Avenue frontage, as well as for the inclusion of additional plantings, such as shade trees, near this corner
- Include a canopy and planting more trees to provide shade for the proposed outdoor seating
- Refine and simplify the proposed material palette to bring additional continuity to the ground plane and furnishings.
ETA: The project website is https://www.dclibrary.org/newlamondriggs
Art Place Construction Notice 4/20/2020 – 5/4/2020
Street closed during COVID-19 testing at Bertie Backus
Heads up, Galloway Street between South Dakota Avenue and 7th Street NE will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays when COVID-19 testing is being conducted at UDC-CC Bertie Backus. The alley just behind the campus will also be closed to traffic. The testing hours are 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, but the security and police officers I spoke to stated they start closing off the street between 8:30 am and 9:00 am. This is the first day of testing so they are hoping to establish a consistent schedule for when they set up and take down street barriers.
April 23 & 24: Grab & Go Meals at Culture Coffee Too
Message from The Parks Main Street
Come join Culture Coffee Too located at 300 Riggs Road NE for a “Grab & Go” promotion on Thursday April 23 and Friday April 24, 2020 from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm.
Prepackaged Afro-Fusion meals will be available from District Chop Bar. Be sure to text COFFEE to (202) 410-5669 to join the VIP Loyalty Program
Wear your mask and social distance.
COVID-19 Test Site at Bertie Backus
Today at her daily press conference, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that UDC-CC’s Bertie Backus campus will serve as a COVID-19 testing site open on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on April 23, 2020. The campus is located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. Appointment is required. Call the testing hotline at (855) 363-0333.
GGW At-Large Democratic Candidate Questionnaire
Greater Greater Washington has questionnaire responses from Robert White, the incumbent Democratic At-Large councilmember and the sole Democratic candidate for an At-Large seat on the DC Council for the primary election scheduled for June 2, 2020. The questionnaire covers issues such as building more housing, bus lanes and bike lanes, how to improve the process for planned unit developments, transit subsidies, and how to improve public housing. Check it out here.
April 27: ANC 4B Monthly Public Meeting (Virtual)
ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting
Monday, April 27, 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/82197261712?pwd=NFQ3V1dKR2dOb04wRUxsWUtNbjVBUT09. Meeting ID: 821-9726-1712. Password: 237111.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 821-9726-1712. Password: 237111.
To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ht_Y3XPgQ-A.
Agenda
1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Administrative Items:
A. Instructions regarding Participation in Virtual Meeting
B. Consideration and Approval of April Agenda
C. Approval of February Regular Public Meeting Minutes
D. Treasurer’s Report & Approval of Quarterly Financial Report for the Second Quarter 2020
E. Commissioner Updates (if applicable)
3. Presentation: LaDawne White and Rachel Coll, District Board of Elections, Vote Safe DC (absentee ballot requests, in-person voting, etc.) (Commissioner Palmer – 10 minute presentation; 10 minute discussion)
4. Presentation: District Department of Aging and Community Living, Resources for Seniors related to COVID-19 (Commissioner Palmer – 5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion) [invited]
5. Presentation: Ward 4 Mutual Aid, Resources and Volunteer Opportunities related to COVID‑19 (Commissioner Palmer – 5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
6. Reports:
A. Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (3 minutes)
B. Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon T. Todd (3 minutes)
C. Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (5 minutes)
D. Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative Frazier O’Leary (3 minutes)
7. Consent Calendar:
Resolution 4B-20-0401: Supporting Request for Special Exception to Lot Occupancy Requirements to Allow Construction of Accessory Dwelling Unit, 7521 9th Street, NW (BZA 20209) (Commissioner Yeats)
Resolution 4B-20-0402: Supporting Resident Only Parking Study for 7400, 7500, and 7700 blocks of Eastern Avenue, NW, 800 block of Juniper Avenue, NW, and 7500 block of 8th Street, NW (Commissioner Yeats)
Resolution 4B-20-0403: Supporting Bike Storage Facility at East Entrance to Takoma Metrorail Station (HPA 20-221) (Commissioner Yeats)
Resolution 4B-20-0404: Supporting Demolition of Two-Story Sleeping Porch and Construction of Open Deck and Replacement of Roof and Windows, 600 Cedar Street, NW (HPA 20-223) (Commissioner Yeats)
Letter to Public Charter School Board Expressing Concerns about Rocketship Academy (Commissioner Yeats)
Resolution 4B-20-0405: Requesting Speed Humps on 1st Street, NE (Commissioner Brooks)
Resolution 4B-20-0406: Supporting DDOT Public Space Permit Application No. 348544, Proposed Chick-fil-A at 220 Riggs Road, NE (Commissioner Brooks)
Resolution 4B-20-0407: Supporting Funding in FY2021 to Address Chronic Homelessness (Commissioner Palmer)
Resolution 4B-20-0408: Calling for Long-Term Commitment to Full Vote-by-Mail Elections (Commissioner Palmer)
Resolution 4B-20-0409: Expressing Gratitude to Essential Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Commissioner Johnson)
8. Resolution 4B-20-0410: Supporting the Proposed Design for 300-308 Carroll Street, NW & 325 Vine Street, NW (Commissioner Bromaghim – 5 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion)
9. 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
10. Adjournment
Next Regular Public Meeting: Tuesday, May 26, 2020, 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)Erin Palmer, Secretary, ANC 4BANC 4B02 Commissioner
For the latest information on the District Government’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
GGW Ward 4 Democratic Candidate Questionnaire
Hard to believe, but there is a DC primary election scheduled for June 2, 2020. Greater Greater Washington has responses to a questionnaire from the Democratic candidates for the Ward 4 council seat. Marlena Edwards and Janeese Lewis George responded to the questionnaire; incumbent Brandon Todd did not.
This campaign season has been turned on its head with fewer opportunities to learn about the candidates. The Greater Greater Washington questionnaire covers issues such as building more housing, bus lanes and bike lanes, how to improve the process for planned unit developments, transit subsidies, and how to improve public housing. If you are interested in learning more about the candidates’ stances on these issues, check it out.
As a reminder, be sure to request your mail-in ballot by 4:45 pm on May 26, 2020. You can easily do so by downloading the Vote 4 DC app on your smartphone.
April 22: ANC 5A Monthly Public Meeting
ANC 5A Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 6:45 pm
ANC 5A’s monthly meeting will be held online only in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in compliance with Mayor Bowser’s Stay-At-Home Order.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95778980024?pwd=eS9hTFBudmZwRTBXNGt3cXFzd09VQT09
Meeting ID: 957 7898 0024
Password: 193221
Call In: 1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID: 957 7898 0024
Password: 193221
All residents will be muted. Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.
AGENDA ITEMS
- MPD
- Chick-fil-A- Zachary Williams
- Providence Medical Center- Nicole Commodore
- DC Bilingual
A word on posting
Posting has been light since the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency began and it will continue to be light. We are all being deluged with emails and ever-changing information every single day and I do not want to add to the pile.
Hopefully by now everyone is plugged into the best information sources. DC’s COVID-19 website is coronavirus.dc.gov. That comprehensive site has information on topics such as free meal/grocery locations, COVID-19 testing, and unemployment insurance. In addition, DC councilmembers are all sending daily updates so reach out to your councilmember if you are interested in being added to their list. Residents are instructed to wear masks to grocery stores, pharmacies, and large retail centers, so do not be surprised if you are turned away if you are not wearing one. ETA: Metro also instructs riders (both metrorail and metrobus) to wear masks. The mayor’s order has been extended to May 15.
Please consider supporting organizations that are supporting individuals and families in need, such as Capital Area Food Bank, Food & Friends, and Martha’s Table. Mutual aid networks have been established across the city. Ward 4’s is here and Ward 5’s is here. Empower DC has a handy community resource guide with links to many different places that are providing resources and that are also accepting donations.
Many residents are supporting local businesses by ordering delivery and takeout. In Riggs Park, Culture Coffee Too has decided to close operations until the public health emergency is over. The Parks Main Street notes Hunan Shrimp Boat, Ramdass Pharmacy, Riggs Dry Cleaners, and Riggs Liquor are all open. In addition, Hellbender is open for curbside pickup with Timber Pizza available on the weekends and lately has been making pre-ordered oysters available for pickup on Thursdays as well. Washington City Paper has a handy article about how to be a good restaurant patron at this time.
Remember to fill out the Census 2020 questionnaire that you should have received in the mail and be sure to request a mail-in (absentee) ballot for the DC primary election that will be held in June. There will be a very small number of precincts open so officials are strongly encouraging all residents to vote by mail.
There will be a few posts coming up this week. If anyone is interested in publishing a post, please reach out. I hope everyone is taking care and staying healthy.
Next Stop Neighbors – Supporting our Small Businesses
By David Kosub (Contributor)
As we continue to address the toll the COVID-19 public health emergency has on our day-to-day lives, our community small businesses are also doing their part. In this installment of Next Stop Neighbors, Mr. Edwin Washington, Executive Director of The Parks Main Street (TPMS), joins us to tell their stories. For disclosure, I serve on the Board of Directors for TPMS. We will hear which small businesses are still open, what TPMS is doing to support them during this time, and how we as a community can help. We hope you find this information helpful and encourage you to share this with others….from an appropriate social distance of course.
Click here to listen to the conversation (running time: 24 minutes)
The following community small businesses are open and available for delivery or pickup. Please call to verify store hours.
Ramdass Pharmacy
475 Ingraham Street NE
(202) 526-2200
Culture Coffee Too (Coffee, smoothies, sandwiches)
300 Riggs Road NE
(202) 507-8349
DoorDash https://www.doordash.com/store/culture-coffee-too-washington-284532/
Hunan Shrimp Boat (Chinese cuisine)
5585 South Dakota Avenue NE
(202) 635-6666
DoorDash https://www.doordash.com/store/hunan-shrimp-boat-washington-236062/
Postmates https://postmates.com/merchant/hunan-shrimp-boat-washington-18047
Background on Next Stop Neighbors:
Welcome to Next Stop Neighbors where we get an opportunity to hear the voices behind the faces and places in Lamond-Riggs and the surrounding communities. Through this podcast series, you will meet some friendly neighbors and hear their perspectives on the community through civil, casual conversations. From the small business owner who just opened up, to the non-profit organization trying to make a difference, to the community leader describing their vision for the neighborhood, and the resident around the corner who has lived here for 50 years, we all have a story to tell. We welcome recommendations and, better yet, your own 10-minute interviews too!
Can’t get enough Next Stop Neighbors? Check out these past conversations for more:
Dr. Kenny Gibbs (January 2020)
Jamal Gray with Meow Wolf (November 2019)
Robert “The Library Guy” Oliver (October 2019)
Soon-to-Be Moms and Soon-to-Be Dads (September 2019)
Explore! Children’s Museum (August 2019)
Troka Insurance (July 2019)
Ms. V and Culture Coffee Too (July 2019)
Bertie Backus Urban Food Hub (June 2019)
LRCA Forward Team (April 2019)
Ramdass Pharmacy (March 2019)
Canceled – ANC 5A Public Meeting March 25, 2020
ANC 5A
Meeting CANCELLED
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 6:45 pm
UDC IS CLOSED
Out of an abundance of caution and because UDC is closed, we have decided to cancel our March meeting.
We ask everyone to do what they need to do to stay healthy. If you need anything, please feel free to reach out to your ANC Commissioner to let us know.
For the most current information and resources available, including meals and food, please go to: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/
- COVID-19 Information for High Risk Residents and Seniors (PDF)
- How to Take Your Oral Temperature – Facebook/Instagram
- How to Take Your Oral Temperature – Twitter
- How to Take Your Oral Temperature (English)
- List of COVID-19 Fighting Products
- Meal Locations for All DC Students
- Stop the Spread of Germs Flyer – English
- Stop Stigma Poster English (PDF)
- Symptoms of Coronavirus
- Symptoms of COVID-19 (English)
- Understanding Contact Investigations
- Videos – DC Government Preparedness Updates
- Was I Exposed? COVID19 Self Assessment Guide
Next Stop...Riggs Park 