Come one, come all! Let’s have some fun playing in a National Park in our backyard!
What: Fort Circle Field Day
When: Saturday, May 18, 2019, starting around 12:00 noon
Where: We’ll be set up somewhere on the grassy field at Fort Circle Park bounded by South Dakota, Galloway, and Gallatin NE
Who: Everybody is welcome! Tell your neighbor of 40 years across the street and the one who just moved in next door. Tell your friends in Lamond-Riggs. Tell your family in North Michigan Park. Tell your buddy in Manor Park. Tell your puppy we’ll have a yappy hour. Tell the 96 Bus driver, but they may look confused.
Why: Because who doesn’t enjoy just hanging out in the park, meeting some new faces, playing a couple field games, drinking some lemonade, taking in nature, strumming a guitar and thumping a drum, and watching puppies catch frisbees
This is a totally low-key social event. Come and go as you please. Bring some musical instruments. Bring some balls. Bring a lawn chair. Bring some SPF 40. Bring your grandma’s homemade sweet potato pie. And, don’t forget to bring grandma too.
Please spread the word to folks far and wide. Let’s begin reactivating Fort Circle Park for the benefit of our community!
Construction on the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Brookland to Fort Totten was suspended between January and March earlier this year so that DDOT could focus on finishing up the design. Construction resumed in April. I received information from DDOT that up next for construction is Phase B, which will include reconstruction of the existing trail between Gallatin Street and 1st Place NE. A temporary trail will be constructed adjacent to the existing trail to maintain access between Fort Totten metro station and the buildings west of the station. The MBT Fort Totten extension website should be updated with a new construction schedule soon.
I neglected to publish a recap of the Zoning Commission hearing for Art Place at Fort Totten Block B (it’s sitting in my draft box), but now is a good time to give an update since the developer has submitted its post-hearing statement. The public hearing was held on April 4. The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association was granted party status in support of the project and raised a number of issues for the developer to address. (Disclosure: I currently serve as president of LRCA). You can read LRCA’s testimony here. Two residents presented testimony, primarily concerning traffic and transportation issues (read those here and here), and Casey Trees testified, requesting that the developer keep a number of trees that are slated to be removed for construction. The Zoning commissioners also raised a number of issues, which you can read below and in the developer’s post-hearing statement.
Design adjustments to the planned pedestrian bridge.
Consider addition of balconies in residential buildings.
Provide samples of all building materials.
Either incorporate solar panels in the design or show why solar panels cannot be accommodated on the green roofs.
Consider whether some design elements are too busy. In particular, the commission recommended facade guidelines for retailers so that they can still be customized but also look like they are part of the same project.
Investigate using darker colors for the exterior of the residential buildings because lighter colors tend not to age well over time without extensive maintenance to keep the colors clean and fresh.
Make sure consideration is given to how seniors can benefit from the project.
Commit to relocating the dog run in the project site as future phases are constructed and Kennedy Street is realigned.
Work with community on a retail plan.
Consider deeper affordability (both in number of units and income limits) in future phases if total number of housing units exceed the number approved in the original PUD order (around 929).
Resolve various issues with DDOT related to the new light signal, and whether the developer can in fact make crosswalk, right of way, and sidewalk improvements near the project site, in particular on 3rd Street, and where Hamilton, Ingraham, and the public alley meet.
15% discounted admission fee for DC residents for Meow Wolf
25% discounted admission fee on quarterly basis for Ward 4 & 5 residents to Explore! Children’s Museum
Commitment to relocate dog run in future phase of project after Kennedy Street realignment
For artist/maker spaces, will lease at subsidized rate no more than 50% per square foot what other retail tenants will be charged
Commitment to having 3 employment open houses for Aldi grocery store in the 4 months prior to opening
Providing deeper affordability for artist housing to 60% of median family income
Will pay for installation of bikeshare near site
The circular hub that is the prominent feature of the FEZ design will no longer feature the much discussed “kinetic” facade. Ever since the developer revealed its plans, there has been discussion about what exactly is going on, what materials will be used, whether it would be lit, whether it would disturb nearby residences. So in response the developer has gotten rid of the kinetic elements. Below are updated and more detailed renderings. The Zoning Commission will review the project on May 20.
Fridays at Fort Totten free outdoor concert series hosted by the Modern at Art Place is back! Starting June 7, each Friday evening, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm, there will be a band and food truck at the corner of South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. Check out this summer’s lineup.
June 7 – Jimi Smooth Band June 14 – Jarreau Williams Xperience June 21 – Jah Works June 28 – Allthebestkids July 5 – The Monster Band July 12 – Pebble to Pearl July 19 – Sol Roots July 26 – Cecily August 2 – Oh He Dead August 9 – The JoGo Project August 16 – Feel Free August 23 – Deacon Izzy & The Congregation August 30 – Rain Date
UDC is seeking volunteers to assist with cleanup of its native plant nursery located at the Bertie Backus Food Hub at UDC-CC Backus, 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE.
Two dates are available: May 23, 3:00 pm-7:00 pm and May 28, 3:00pm-7:00 pm
Some supplies provided, but bring gloves and wear closed-toe shoes. For questions, please contact Laura at (202) 274-7159.
The Washington, DC Economic Partnership released the 2019 Neighborhood Profiles. View the profile sheet for Riggs Park here. It is exciting to see some new additions to the neighborhood’s profile, including mention of the tenants secured for the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten (Meow Wolf and Aldi) and 24 Hour Fitness for the first phase of the project. The profile also highlights the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Brookland to Fort Totten and the forthcoming EYA mixed-use townhome project, which will feature roughly 160 townhomes and approximately 25,000 square feet of retail. It even has the contact information for the new neighborhood Main Street. The only thing missing from the profile is the neighborhood library’s upcoming $20 million rebuild! All in all, this profile sheet provides a cool, compact visual of the development on deck and a snapshot of the demographics in the neighborhood.
Today is the last day to sign up for the lottery to receive a garden plot at the Bertie Backus community garden, located at the Bertie Backus Food Hub at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. Apply at the link.
Come one, come all! Let’s have some fun playing in a National Park in our backyard!
What: Fort Circle Field Day
When: Saturday, May 18, 2019, starting around 12:00 noon
Where: We’ll be set up somewhere on the grassy field at Fort Circle Park bounded by South Dakota, Galloway, and Gallatin NE
Who: Everybody is welcome! Tell your neighbor of 40 years across the street and the one who just moved in next door. Tell your friends in Lamond-Riggs. Tell your family in North Michigan Park. Tell your buddy in Manor Park. Tell your puppy we’ll have a yappy hour. Tell the 96 Bus driver, but they may look confused.
Why: Because who doesn’t enjoy just hanging out in the park, meeting some new faces, playing a couple field games, drinking some lemonade, taking in nature, strumming a guitar and thumping a drum, and watching puppies catch frisbees
This is a totally low-key social event. Come and go as you please. Bring some musical instruments. Bring some balls. Bring a lawn chair. Bring some SPF 40. Bring your grandma’s homemade sweet potato pie. And, don’t forget to bring grandma too.
Please spread the word to folks far and wide. Let’s begin reactivating Fort Circle Park for the benefit of our community!
The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association is holding an election for new board officers and trustees at its next meeting on May 6 at LaSalle-Backus Education Campus (501 Riggs Road NE) at 7:00 pm. I am supporting the LRCA Forward slate in the election and I encourage my neighbors to do the same. The slate consists of Gwen Cofield for President, Tischa Cockrell for 1st Vice President, and Lisa Wray for 2nd Vice President.
Gwen currently serves as LRCA’s first vice president and chair of LRCA’s development task force. There’s a lot I can say about Gwen, but I think what really matters is that she is a kind person. She has lived in the community for over two decades now. She embraces and is respectful of everyone. She works hard and smart. There have been a lot of development issues to deal with over the past two years, and I think Gwen has represented the community well in these matters. She is terrific at listening to all sides and attempting to resolve conflicts in a respecful manner. As the community continues to grow, I trust Gwen to continue moving the organization forward and remind us all that at the end of the day we are indeed neighbors and should treat one another as neighbors.
I worked with Tischa a lot when she served as second vice president and I served as a trustee on LRCA’s board from 2015 to 2017. We planned the Riggs Park Community Day together last year, which was super fun. I think she accomplished a lot as chair of the youth committee when she was on the board. She works hard and has a lot of great ideas.
Lisa currently serves as a trustee on LRCA’s board and helped plan LRCA’s 70th anniversary celebration.
If you are an LRCA member and paid your membership dues by April 1, I encourage you to vote for:
Gwen Cofield – President Tischa Cockrell – 1st Vice President Lisa Wray – 2nd Vice President
UDC is accepting applications for community garden plots at the Bertie Backus community garden. The community garden is part of the Bertie Backus food hub located at the UDC-CC Backus campus at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. The deadline to apply is May 10.
The Lamond-Riggs Library Friends debuted a new website recently at https://lrlfriends.org. Revived in 2017 under the leadership of Robert Oliver, the new friends group has been a welcome and timely advocacy resource for the Lamond-Riggs neighborhood library. You can also find LRLF on twitter under twitter handle LRLibraryFriend.
Ascension Health, the owners of Providence Hospital, are hosting two meetings to solicit feedback from the community. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their throughts directly with Ascension Health.
DATES: Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25 TIMES: 6:30 – 8:30 PM LOCATION: Providence Ground Floor Lecture Hall, 1150 Varnum St. NE RSVP: To RSVP for the meeting and for more information, please contact communityrelationsdc@ascension.org. Guests should enter at Main Entrance and report to the Welcome Desk for Check-In/Instructions.
The Board of Directors for the South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road Main Street (SDRMS) is currently accepting applications for new members. Volunteers with diverse backgrounds are sought, but particular attention will be paid to those with legal, small business, marketing, promotions, communications, financial, or grant writing experience.
To apply, please fill out a board application form here by May 1 and a board member will be in touch with you. Interviews will be conducted on Sunday May 5 in the afternoon. As part of your application, please be prepared to address the following questions:
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors for the South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road Main Street program?
What strengths will you bring to the board?
Any special skills & relevant community experience to share
Below is more information about serving on the board
What are the expectations for board members?
Board members are expected to make a serious, ethical, and active commitment to support the mission of the SDRMS organization. Through this commitment, they serve on committees, regularly attend board meetings, review budget information, implement projects and policies, as well as willingly volunteer, accept, and complete ad hoc assignments. This includes staying informed on committee matters, preparing for meetings, reviewing Main Street documentation, and participating in fundraising. Importantly, Board members will work collegially and collaboratively with their colleagues on the Board, community volunteers, and the Executive Director to achieve consensus on tasks. Board members must agree to generally accepted ethical standards, regarding confidentiality, prohibitions regarding self-dealing and disclosing any real or potential conflict of interest as it relates to SDRMS business and recuse themselves from any discussion or vote regarding that particular issue.
What committees will be formed, and will board members be expected to join committees?
The foundational committees currently being established focus around Governance/Organization, Communications/Promotions, Resource/Business development/Economic Vitality, Finance, and Design to align with the Main Street approach. Ad hoc subcommittees will likely form around small business development, technical assistance, legal matters, streetscape and public space beautification, and retail surveys. Board members are expected to actively participate and be engaged in at least one committee.
How many hours are expected for Board members to commit to?
Board members should expect to commit to 6-10 hours of Board activities per month. Board members should anticipate regularly participating in the weekly hour Board conference call, at least 75 percent of the two-hour in-person Board meetings every other month per year, and a handful of hours throughout the month to achieve the goals of their agreed upon work and service to the SDRMS program.
The Bertie Backus farmstand is returning this season! Last summer’s inaugural farmstand held monthly at UDC-CC Backus (5171 South Dakota Avenue NE) was a big success so UDC is seeking to expand the offerings and frequency. This year, the farmstand will be held twice per month on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month June through November.
Vendors sought: Handmade Crafts Speciality Prepared Foods Musicians Artists Nursery plants Fruits and Vegetables Community Health Educational Baked Goods Beverages Children’s Activities If you are interested in vending, please contact Maryam Sabur at maryam.abdussabur@udc.edu.
For those unfamiliar with the farmstand, it is one component of UDC’s Bertie Backus Food Hub located at the UDC-CC Backus campus on South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. The food hub has a compost sytem, hydroponics and aquaponics garden, community garden, incubator commercial kitchen, and native plant nursery. Click here to read an article about the food hub.
It’s festival season again with Explore! Children’s Museum. Lots of fun activities are planned, so be sure to register in advance for the free festival. Explore! Spring Community Festival May 4, 2019 10:00 am-1:30 pm The Modern at Art Place 400 Galloway Street NE
Performance Schedule: 10:15 – 10:45am: Dance lessons with District Dance Arts 11:15 – 12:00pm: A Mad Science of DC Show: Things that go BOOM! 12:30 – 1:15pm: Popular Children’s Music Group: The Uncle Devin Show!
From 10:00am – 1:30pm: Petting Zoo Color with Luna Face Painting by Fairy Jennabelle Digital Drawing Station & Educational VR by Samsung Mother’s Day card Makerspace with District Dance Arts
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.
Lisa Wray, Tischa Cockrell, & Gwen Cofield
Today, as the birds chirp and metro passes by on 2nd Street NE, we meet the LRCA Forward team – Gwen Cofield, Tischa Cockrell, and Lisa Wray running as the next Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association President, First Vice-President, and Second Vice-President , respectively. Join us to hear about who they are, their vision for the community, what is working well, where we can improve, and some quirky things about them too. Voting will occur at the May LRCA meeting, so stay informed! And, don’t worry folks, no “dirty tricks” went into the recording of this podcast.
Like the Next
Stop Neighbors podcast and want to tell the story of someone in the community?
Well, we welcome recommendations and, better yet, your own 10-minute interviews
too!
Note: On April 6, 2022, we received a request from one of the three artists who was featured below to remove her name and artwork from the blog post. We have done so. That mural is located on the corner of 3rd Street and Chillum Place NE.
Be sure to check out three cool new storm drain murals here in Riggs Park. These murals are designed to educate people about the Anacostia River and inspire us all to keep trash off the street and out of the river. Guest contributor David Kosub previously wrote about the selected designs here.
At South Dakota & Galloway Street NE is “Jahlil Wormley” by artist Elizabeth Sampson.
“Anacostia River View” by artist Lovancy Ingram is near 219 Riggs Road NE (near Food & Friends).
This was a really fun activity funded through DC’s Department of Energy and Environment’s Community Stormwater Solutions Grant and sponsored by the Anacostia Watershed Society and the environment committee of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association. The weather was perfect for painting. Volunteers from Anacostia Watershed Society joined each artist. My kid neighbor Isabel spent all day painting. Neighbors stopped by to say hi.
This activity followed last weekend’s cleanup of Hellbender Hill. Be sure to sign up for this weekend’s Riggs Park neighborhood-wide cleanup on April 13. All of these activities are planned by the super awesome environment committee of LRCA, chaired by Olga Naidenko and Lauren Boyd. Check out pics from the mural painting below.
Artist Elizabeth Sampson & Riggs Park resident Isabel“Jahlil Wormley”“Jahlil Wormley”“Jahlil Wormley”Samspon and IsabelRiggs Park residents Isabel & I assisting on mural painting“Anacostia River View”“Anacostia River View”Riggs Park family helping out with “Anacostia River View”Artist Lovancy Ingram prepping for painting of “Anacostia River View”
The Riggs Park neighborhood-wide spring clean is just around the corner on April 13, 9:30 am-12:00 pm. Please register in advance at the eventbrite link. The neighborhood has been divided into zones for the cleanup. Please select your zone when you sign up so that crew leaders know whom to expect. Let your neighbors know, bring your kids, and let’s make it bigger than last year’s. The cleanup is being hosted by the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, Anacostia Watershed Society, and the South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road Main Street.
Cleanup zones for April 13th cleanup
A couple dozen residents came out for the Hellbender Hill cleanup on April 6 March 30. We had great weather and a good time. We especially loved all of the kids that came out with their parents to help clean up. Thanks to Hellbender for providing water during the cleanup and free beverages after the cleanup. Thanks to the Anacostia Watershed Society for supplies. Special shoutout to resident Susanna Murley and other members of LRCA’s environment committee for doing such a great job organizing the cleanups (and being patient with last minute requests). Reported haul from the cleanup: 13 tires, 2 cones, 1 bike, 1 fire extinguisher, 4 car batteries, HVAC pieces, and about 40 bags of trash and recycling. Check out photos from the April 6th cleanup and be sure to sign up for the cleanup on April 13.
This Saturday April 6, three storm drain murals will be installed at three locations in our neighborhood.
Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Start point – 10:00 am at grassy area near Food and Friends (219 Riggs Road NE).
This will be a great activity for youth and adults alike. The three artists selected by popular vote at the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association monthly meeting in December 2018 will be preparing for painting the murals and carrying out their work. There will be opportunities to help with the painting and get to know the artists.
Locations of the three murals (by nearest street address):
219 Riggs Road NE
3rd Street and Chillum Place NE
South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE
This activity is funded by the District Department of Energy and Environment Community Stormwater Solutions Grant. Shout out to Olga Naidenko and Lauren Boyd, co-chairs of LRCA’s environment committee, for pursuing a partnership with the Anacostia Watershed Society to apply for the grant so that we can have activities like this and the neighborhood cleanups.
Catching up on blog news regarding Art Place at Fort Totten.
A zoning commission hearing on the second phase of the project (Block B) is scheduled for April 4, 2019.
On March 5, 2019, the developer submitted comprehensive transportation review plans. The documents are lengthy so not linking here, but will link to the transportation demand managment portion of the filing that discusses ways of mitigating traffic and parking congestion. On March 15, the developer filed a supplemental prehearing submission, which includes a construction management plan and proposed security policies. The submission also discusses further refinements to the plaza areas, including a newly proposed dog run at the corner of 4th and Kennedy Street NE.
Site overview of public spaces
Description of plazas
Civic Association
On March 19, the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association filed with the Zoning Commission a request for party status in support of the project. (Disclosure: I currently serve as president of the LRCA). As relayed by the LRCA, that decision was based on a paper and online survey conducted over several months, as well as feedback received in the multiple public meetings that have taken place on this project since the plans were originally filed in September 2018. Yesterday evening, the full LRCA body voted to support the project, concurring with the areas of concerns outlined in the LRCA’s party status application with one additional one. Full list of concerns: (1) Impacts of traffic on neighborhood; (2) Ensuring there are adequate pedestrian pathways; (3) Stormwater management; (4) Ensuring there is adequate security to protect the well-being of visitors to the neighborhood as well as residents; (5) Ensuring there is a plan to provide high-quality, sustainable retail, including neighborhood-serving retail; (6) Ensuring the project is well-integrated into the community; (7) Waste management; and (8) Rodent control.
District Agencies
DC’s Office of Planning (OP) submitted its final report on March 25, recommending approval of the project subject to receipt of additional information (copied from report below):
• Clarification of overall lot occupancy and FAR with and without public streets and alleys, distinguishing between those that would remain open and those proposed for closure; • Clarification of proposed square footages and FARs of particular uses, noting the size of particular uses both with and without space that does not count towards FAR; • Clarification of whether the applicant is committing to LEED Gold Certification for Building B; • Submission of additional illustrations of the relationship between Building A and the proposed Building B, particularly a ground level view from the to-be-closed 4th Street to Building A; • Submission of larger-scale drawings of façade details; • Submission of diagrams showing the distribution of residential unit types throughout the east and west wings of Building B; • The addition of balconies to residential elements; • List amenities focused on project residents; • Clarification of where the proffered dog run will be relocated after it is eliminated by the future realignment of Kennedy Street; • Clarification of whether additional retail leases have been signed for Building A; • Additional detail about wayfinding elements for pedestrians and emergency vehicles; • Clarify amount of solar panels to be provided.
OP restated its encouragement for the Applicant to provide additional affordable units (accessible at lower family median incomes) beyond the total 171 affordable units previously approved for the entire development, of which 141 have already been constructed as part of the first phase and an additional 30 subsidized artist housing units are planned for the second phase. OP recommends that the 30 artist units be affordable for the life of the project (the developer is proposing 20 years). OP also recommends that the developer consider adding three-bedroom units to accommodate families for any future phases that will incorporate residential uses. OP encourages the developer to work with the community on securing neighborhood-serving retail and to consider neighborhood-based employment training for jobs that will be created on the site. All good ideas consistent with what the community has sought.
DC’s Department of Transportation (DDOT) also submitted its final report on March 25, not objecting to approval subject to certain conditions (copied from report below):
• Extend the northbound left turn storage at Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue by 550 feet. The extension would include the restriping of the existing median area currently closed to drivers with bollards on both sides. DDOT needs the Applicant to add lane widths to the concept plan; • Separate eastbound left and through right lanes at South Dakota and Kennedy Street. This mitigation will reduce existing on-street parking on the south side of Kennedy Street. In addition, the available roadway width of Kennedy Street does not seem to be 34 feet as indicated in the CTR but rather approximately 30 feet. Accordingly, the Applicant should commit to implement this mitigation subject to final design and approval at public space permitting; • Add a full signal to the intersection of South Dakota Avenue and Ingraham Street. DDOT is currently developing plans to install a HAWK signal at the intersection. The Applicant should commit to install the signal subject to DDOT approval at permitting; • Improve pedestrian infrastructure at the intersection of Hamilton, Ingraham, and the public alley at the southwest corner of the site. The Applicant should build curb ramps where they are currently missing, and should construct a sidewalk to continue across the alley on the north side of the intersection; and • Improve pedestrian infrastructure on 3rd Street NE, which is a potential pedestrian route between the site and the Fort Totten Metro station. 3rd Street is currently disconnected and does not meet DDOT standards. The Applicant should fund improvements to 3rd Street that provide a connection for pedestrians and bicycles, which is subject to final design and approval at public space permitting.
ANCs
On March 25, ANC 4B agreed to provide a letter in support of the project. On March 27, ANC 5A voted 5-0 in favor of a resolution to support the project. Copies of those documents are not available yet.
Main Street
On April 1, the South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road Main Street submitted a letter in support of the project.
So all around, there is a lot of support for the project with recommendations for further refinements and encouragement for continued collaboration with the community and District agencies. This is a remarkable and welcome change from where the project stood several years ago.
Anyone can submit statements in support of or against the project. The case number is Zoning Commission No. 06-10D
Next Stop...Riggs Park 