Emily Singer Lucio Commissioner ANC 5A03 5a03@anc.dc.gov 202-421-8674 Do you live in my SMD, then please join my Listserve and tell your neighbors too: https://groups.io/g/SMD5A03
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on September 25, 2024. Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair, Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 & 5A07 are vacant.
Commission Business
The ANC approved the Fiscal Year 2024 3rd Quarter financial report. The ANC tabled voting on the FY 2025 budget.
The ANC approved a job description for an ANC administrative assistant.
Christian Starghill is a new Ward 5 MOCR. She will be helping out with issues in ANC 5A. She can be reached at christian.starghill@dc.gov or at 202-394-4399. Mr. Black can be reached at anthony.black@dc.gov or at 202-251-5049.
The MOCRs will hold Ward 5 days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:00am-3:00 pm, when they can meet with ANC commissioners and residents across the ward to address issues.
September was National Preparedness month. Art All Night took place across all eight wards.
Ward 5 Council Report (Oliver Stoute, Constituent Services Coordinator for Councilmember Zachary Parker)
Ward 5 Day was a big success, with a shoutout going to Commissioner Lucio for helping with the young entrepreneur fair.
CM Parker is chairing a new subcommittee on libraries and youth affairs.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb plans to issue a letter regarding the investigation into the sale of the Providence campus. Look for that in an upcoming newsletter from CM Parker.
Up in the Air Public Arts Project (Leonina Arismendi & Lynda Andrews-Barry)
The Up in the Air art project is a public call to action for equitable access to clean air in Ward 5 with a special focus on the Ivy City and Trinidad neighborhoods. The “artivists” are currently working to install an exhibit at Trinidad Recreation Center. They are supporting the 2023 Environmental Justice Amendment Act. Residents can support the project by submitting photos to Up in the Air.
National Links Trust was awarded a 50-year operating lease at three golf courses in DC for an initiative called the Nation’s Capital Project. They recently reopened the mini golf course at East Potomac Park. They are turning their attention to renovations at historic Langston Golf Course, which opened in 1939. They will be holding community meetings to get input on the golf course. They emphasized the importance of municipal golf courses and their goal of having the site used for community programs (for example, an exhibit on Black golf history) and workforce development. Stay tuned for notices about community meetings regarding Langston.
Commissioner Updates
5A03
Commissioner Lucio (5A03) will hold a single member district meeting on October 10. She will discuss the Mundo Verde renovation and the friar building that is for sale.
Commissioner Lucio said she is working with CM Parker’s office to make sure the community is considered in the Attorney General’s letter that is forthcoming regarding the Providence campus.
The Kennedy School development is moving ahead. They will be razing the site shortly.
She is working with the HOA of the Michigan Park townhomes to resolve what is the city’s responsibility and what is the HOA’s responsibility.
5A08
Commissioner Fletcher (5A08) will have an SMD meeting on October 24.
There was a groundbreaking for 1 Hawaii Avenue, a 100% income-restricted affordable housing development in ANC 5A06.
5A09
A “party of five” that included Commissioner Bocoum acting in her personal capacity, not as a commissioner, reached a settlement agreement with Aldi for the sale of beer and wine at the store that will be opening soon at 5300 South Dakota Avenue in ANC 5A09.
(Aside: I have to acknowledge ANC 5F Commissioner Aru Sahni (5F02). Back in June I reached out to him to ask for a copy of the settlement agreement that his ANC reached with the Trader Joe’s that will be opening near Brookland Metro station. He responded right away. I shared that agreement with Commissioner Bocoum prior to the ANC’s June meeting, explaining that ABCA encourages parties to copy agreements that have been vetted and approved and tailor them as appropriate. For whatever reason, other commissioners on the ANC did not understand the protest process and created unnecessary confusion in trying to get an agreement at the ANC level. So Bocoum ended up pursuing an agreement as a party of five.)
Miscellaneous
Earlier in the meeting, a resident tried to tie the environmental justice issues in Ward 5 discussed during the “Up in the Air” presentation to the South Dakota Avenue safety study by stating that bike lanes on South Dakota Avenue would cause more car idling. Therefore, the resident said, there will be more air pollution if bike lanes are put on South Dakota Avenue. In response, Commissioner Fletcher said that he has been told that bike lanes have been taken off the table for the South Dakota Avenue project. A resident then stated that DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum said that all bike lane projects across the city have been put on hold. Commissioner Fletcher did not state where he received his information.
Jose Sousa, Chief Operating Officer for Yu Ying, requested to present on the school’s expansion at the ANC’s October meeting.
IV. Commission Business A. Secretary i. Minutes (June 2024) B. Treasurer i. 4th Quarter Financial Report ii. Job Description
V. Commission Action Items/Updates A. Aldi Liquor License Approval (5A09)
VI. Community Updates A. MPD B. Mayor’s Office C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations A. Community Environmental Justice Public Art Project, Lynda Andrews-Barry B. National Links Trust-Damian Cosby, PGA, Executive Director
Ward 4 ANC map from DC Office of PlanningWard 5 ANC map from DC Office of Planning
Candidates for ANC single member districts 4B08 and 5A01 serving Riggs Park still needed!
If you call yourself a reasonable, respectful person interested in improving where you live, please consider running for a seat on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC). Each ANC commissioner represents approximately 2,000 residents who make up a single member district (SMD). Find your ANC/SMD.
Nominating petitions to run for ANC in the November general election are available from the DC Board of Elections. Petitions are due at 5:00 pm on August 7, 2024. Information about how to run for the ANC is available on the Board of Election website at https://www.dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners.
Riggs Park is served by ANCs 4B and ANC 5A, specifically ANC 4B08, 4B09, 4B10, 5A01, 5A02, and 5A09. So far, there are no candidates for 4B08 and 5A01 serving Riggs Park. If you have been a resident of one of these SMDs for at least 60 days, please consider running for ANC. There is still time to pick up petitions and collect 25 signatures from registered voters in the SMD.
ANC 4B has 10 SMDs. So far 8 candidates have picked up petitions:
4B01 – Slobodan Milic
4B01 – Al Canata
4B03 – Keenan Courtland
4B05 – Jose Barrios
4B06 – Incumbent commissioner Tiffani Nicole Johnson
4B07 – Incumbent commissioner Michael Cohen
4B09 – Danielle Geong
4B10 – Incumbent commissioner Jinin Berry
ANC 5A has 9 SMDs. So far 5 people have picked up petitions:
5A02 – Tim Thomas
5A03 – Incumbent commissioner Emily Singer Lucio
5A06 – Derrick Holloway
5A08 – Elaine Alston
5A09 – Incumbent commissioner Shelagh Bocoum
ANCs can weigh in on all sorts of matters that affect residents (planning and development projects, services by District agencies, etc.) so it really can make a difference to have proactive, reasonable people in these positions. If you are a reasonable, respectful person who would not mind doing some unpaid community work and would enjoy interacting with residents, District agencies, and neighborhood businesses to make our neighborhood a bit better, go ahead and run. We all thank you in advance.
Ward 4 ANC map from DC Office of PlanningWard 5 ANC map from DC Office of Planning
If you call yourself a reasonable, respectful person interested in improving where you live, please consider running for a seat on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC). Each ANC commissioner represents approximately 2,000 residents who make up a single member district (SMD). Find your ANC/SMD.
Nominating petitions to run for ANC in the November general election are available from the DC Board of Elections. Petitions are due at 5:00 pm on August 7, 2024. Information about how to run for the ANC is available on the Board of Election website at https://www.dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners.
Riggs Park is served by ANCs 4B and ANC 5A, specifically ANC 4B08, 4B09, 4B10, 5A01, 5A02, and 5A09. So far, there are no candidates for 4B08, 4B09, 4B10, and 5A01 serving Riggs Park. If you have been a resident of one of these SMDs for at least 60 days, please consider running for ANC. There is still time to pick up petitions and collect 25 signatures from registered voters in the SMD.
As always, I like to put in a plug for someone to run in my SMD, which is ANC 5A01. It is a nice manageable area with the Lamond-Riggs Library and UDC Lamond-Riggs campus. I think the residents in this pocket of the neighborhood are pretty low-key, nice folks (I promise).
As a whole, ANCs 4B and 5A need several more candidates so that each has a full commission.
ANC 4B has 10 SMDs. So far 3 candidates have picked up petitions:
4B01 – Slobodan Milic
4B06 – Incumbent commissioner Tiffani Nicole Johnson
4B07 – Incumbent commissioner Michael Cohen
ANC 5A has 9 SMDs. So far 5 people have picked up petitions:
5A02 – Tim Thomas
5A03 – Incumbent commissioner Emily Singer Lucio
5A06 – Derrick Holloway
5A08 – Elaine Alston
5A09 – Incumbent commissioner Shelagh Bocoum
ANCs can weigh in on all sorts of matters that affect residents (planning and development projects, services by District agencies, etc.) so it really can make a difference to have proactive, reasonable people in these positions. If you are a reasonable, respectful person who would not mind doing some unpaid community work and would enjoy interacting with residents, District agencies, and neighborhood businesses to make our neighborhood a bit better, go ahead and run. We all thank you in advance.
6:30 Planned one-block bike lane at Riggs and South Dakota
7:00 Possible future bike lane on South Dakota Ave
Anyone who lives in 5A09 or near Fort Totten Metro Station, please attend the meeting to discuss these issues.
You can also email bike.lanes@dc.gov(please provide your address / distance from Fort Totten) so your opinions will be given more weight) and [copy Commissioner Bocoum at 5A09@anc.dc.gov].
— [Ed. note: I am not sure why Commissioner Bocoum is having another SMD meeting about the alcohol license issue when the protest deadline is July 22. (The hearing was pushed back because Aldi did not post the placard until June 7). It seems Commissioners Fletcher and Lucio are telling her what to do, but neither of them is giving good advice. One or both told her that the license had been approved already, which was obviously not correct, and residents told her that was not correct. Then one or both told her she should have another SMD meeting, which does not make any sense and residents told her that does not make any sense. The full ANC should be having a special meeting to vote on a resolution. So, I am not sure what the ANC is doing and why other commissioners are telling Commissioner Bocoum things that do not make any sense.]
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on June 26, 2024. Commissioners present: Karlus Cozart (5A02); Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair, Secretary; Tyeron Boston (5A05); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 & 5A07 are vacant.
This meeting was super long. Chair Fletcher left about halfway through, but there was still a quorum of commissioners present.
Commission Business
Commissioner Lucio was elected secretary, retroactive to February 2024. An official from the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions conducted the installation.
The ANC apparently previously approved drafting a job description for an assistant to the ANC. That was tasked to Commissioner Bocoum to complete by the ANC’s September 2024 meeting.
Public Safety Update
The ANC held a public safety summit on June 20. Commissioner Cozart, who is heading up the ANC’s public safety committee, stated the ANC had presentations by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Catholic University’s public safety office, and Carlos McKnight representing Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker’s office. Commissioner Cozart will submit a report on the summit at the ANC’s September 2024 public meeting. The ANC also wants to have a public safety summit in the fall.
Owners of Sahara Market & Cafe presented on their alcohol license application. They have vague plans to open some type of eatery in the Avondale Shops strip mall at 1901 Michigan Avenue NE (near Eastern Avenue NE) in ANC 5B. The property sits across the street from ANC 5A02, so Commissioner Cozart has been communicating with commissioners in ANC 5B. The owners also have a restaurant in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Commissioner Cozart held a single member district (SMD) meeting prior to the full ANC meeting. At his SMD meeting, residents expressed concerns about hours of operation, proximity to the childcare center at YMCA, proximity to the church across the street from the proposed eatery, and about the patrons that a restaurant with late night hours serving alcohol in a residential neighborhood would attract.
In response, representatives of Sahara stated that they have changed hours to shut down at midnight, though that apparently had not been reflected in their actual application just yet.
Sahara reps said they want to work with residents to provide amenities that neighbors would support. They said they have heard from Queens Chapel residents that they do not want a liquor store and that they want a bakery or coffee shop. So the owners are bouncing around ideas for a space that will have a coffee component, provide a lunchtime option, and possibly sell fresh produce. They said they are not trying to bring a liquor store to the community.
The ANC voted to oppose Sahara’s applications for a Class B and Class C alcohol license.
Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator for Ward 5 CM Zachary Parker)
Carlos McKnight, constituent services coordinated for CM Parker, noted that residents shared concerns about buses idling on Galloway Street NE for Metro’s bus bridge. The buses will be in the neighborhood until the end of August 2024 to support Metro’s red line construction.
CM Parker reached out to Metro. Metro stated that they will send personnel to monitor idling and will provide a cooling bus for bus operators. Metro sent a letter to ANC 5A Chair Fletcher. Residents asked if someone could share the letter with residents. (Note: CM Parker’s office shared the letter in the Ward 5 newsletter). A resident asked if Metro could stage buses in the parking lots on Eastern Avenue by the Giant instead of on Galloway because of the poor sightlines created by having buses parked on both sides of the street. In addition, the resident expressed concern about the annual practice of people coming to the field to shoot fireworks.
The Takoma station has reopened. Red line closure from Takoma to Glenmont continues until the end of August. Sign up for red line construction alerts. For more information, visit wmata.com/majorconstruction.
The comment period for Metro’s proposed bus redesign network closes July 15, 2024. Give input at https://betterbus.wmata.com/share. CM Parker’s office produced a scorecard of the proposal.
The Council approved the FY2025 budget. Some Ward 5 wins include funding for improvements to the playground at the North Michigan Park Rec Center.
The comment period for the South Dakota Avenue NE corridor safety study project is open until mid-August. Give input: DDOT Questionnaire and at DDOT Public Input Map.
Councilmember Parker attended a public safety meeting at Social Justice School. Metro Transit Police Department representatives attended as well. CM Parker has reached out to Ramdass Pharmacy, which was robbed in mid-June.
(Aside: This was the last ANC meeting for Carlos. In the Ward 5 newsletter, CM Parker’s office notified residents Carlos is no longer with the Ward 5 office. ANC 5A residents should contact Oliver Stoute at ostoute@dccouncil.gov for constituent services requests. Carlos is a wonderful person & we wish him the very best.)
Safety improvements on Fort Drive NE & Taylor Street NE (Anne Welch, DDOT)
DDOT is studying bike lanes along Taylor Street NE and along Harewood Road NW. Construction on bike lanes on Taylor Street is anticipated in Fiscal Year 2025. Construction on bike lanes on Rock Creek Church Road/Harewood Road NE corridor is expected in Fiscal Year 2026
Currently, DDOT is in Phase 1, looking at needs assessment and interagency coordination
Commissioner Boston (5A05) asked if DDOT has taken into consideration that Washington Yu Ying and Washington Latin will be opening campuses on Taylor pretty soon. He asked if DDOT has decided which side of the road the bike lanes will be go on. DDOT responded that they are aware of the schools’ plans and that they are still assessing where the bike lanes will go.
A resident noted that ANC 5A06 is an impacted SMD and that they are without representation.
South Dakota Avenue Corridor Safety Study (Sayra Molina, DDOT)
DDOT is conducting a safety study of the South Dakota Avenue NE corridor between Bladensburg Road NE and Riggs Road NE with the goal of implementing a road diet. DDOT is conducting the first round of public meetings, gathering input, and developing concepts. Give input by mid-August, 2024: DDOT Questionnaire and at DDOT Public Input Map.
St. Anselm’s Abbey School is looking to expand on its existing campus. The plan is to build a new wing to house a new library, office space, a student chapel, and admissions office. The expansion will be served by the existing parking and existing driveway. The school needs BZA relief for the expansion. They are requesting a modification to their private school plan. They do not plan to increase enrollment.
Commissioner Lucio asked if the school could reconfigure the driveway. A representative stated that is currently not included in the scope of work.
Commissioner Lucio asked if St. Anselm had any interest in buying any property from Boys Town, which is being sold. A school rep stated that he did not see any current program needs for additional property and that the sale price will probably be too high, but he stated he will alert his board of the opportunity.
The ANC voted to support St. Anselm’s BZA application.
Community Concerns
I noted that the deadline for protesting Aldi’s beer/wine license application was approaching and that at Commissioner Bocoum’s SMD meeting, residents noted that this would be a good opportunity to pursue a friendly settlement agreement with Aldi. Commissioner Bocoum was misinformed that their beer/wine license application had been approved already, which created some confusion. The ANC agreed to have Commissioner Bocoum pursue a friendly settlement agreement. Commissioner Boston opposed. (Aside: The protest deadline for the application was pushed back to July 22).
Ward 4 ANC map from DC Office of PlanningWard 5 ANC map from DC Office of Planning
If you call yourself a reasonable, respectful person interested in improving where you live, consider running for a seat on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC).
Starting today July 1, nominating petitions to run for ANC in the November general election are available from the DC Board of Elections. Petitions are due at 5:00 pm on August 7, 2024. Information about how to run for the ANC is available on the Board of Election website at https://www.dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners.
Greater Greater Washington is hosting a virtual training on how to run for ANC tonight, July 1 at 6:00 pm. Register at the link.
Each ANC commissioner represents approximately 2,000 residents who make up a single member district (SMD). Find your ANC/SMD.
Maybe you like researching, have ideas about DC’s budget or how to improve the neighborhood, or want to advocate for the community before DC agencies. Maybe you have asked yourself, “Did anyone think of this or that?” when it comes to development. Maybe you have a list of things you wish DDOT were doing in the neighborhood. Well, serving as an ANC commissioner is a chance to serve in a position that matters because views of the commission are given great weight.
ANCs can weigh in on all sorts of matters that affect residents (planning and development projects, services by District agencies, etc.) so it really can make a difference to have proactive, reasonable people in these positions. If you are a reasonable, respectful person who would not mind doing some unpaid community work and would enjoy interacting with residents, District agencies, and neighborhood businesses to make our neighborhood a bit better, go ahead and run. We all thank you in advance.
Neighborhood boundaries and corresponding ANCs
The boundaries of Riggs Park generally are New Hampshire Avenue NE to the north, Eastern Avenue/MD-DC border to the east, Galloway Street to the south, & the Metro red line tracks to the west. (I don’t make the rules). Riggs Park is represented in part by commissioners in ANC 4B08, 4B09, 4B10, 5A01, 5A02, and 5A09.
Lamond is north of New Hampshire Avenue to about Underwood Place NE/NW. Lamond is represented is represented by commissioners in ANC 4B07 and 4B10.
I always like to put in a little plug for my SMD, which is ANC 5A01. It is a nice manageable area with the Lamond-Riggs Library and UDC Lamond-Riggs campus. I think the residents in this pocket of the neighborhood are pretty low-key, nice folks.
Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.
Commissioners will be let into the meeting room first. Once they are all present, the residents will be let in.
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business A. Election and Swearing in of the Secretary B. Secretary i. Minutes (May 2024) C. Treasurer i. 3rd Quarter Financial Report ii. Job Description D. Public Safety Committee Update from June 20th (Commissioner Cozart)
V. Commission Action Items/Updates A. Sahara Market (Ret B and CR) (5A02)
VI. Community Updates A. MPD B. Mayor’s Office C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations A. Dalando Baker (DDOT) South Dakota Ave Traffic Study- DDOT B. St. Anslam’s Abby School Development (5A02) C. Anne Welch (DDOT) Safety improvements on Fort Drive NE and Taylor Street NE from North Capitol Street NW to South Dakota Avenue NE.
ANC 5A just cancelled the special meeting scheduled for tonight.
From ANC 5A:
Please note, this meeting for tonight has been canceled. The election noted below will be conducted at our regular public meeting on June 26, 2024.
—
[Ed. Note: A couple of months ago, the ANC decided that Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03), who had been installed as vice chair at the beginning of the year, would also take on the secretary role for the ANC. I have been told that this special meeting is for the ANC to follow the proper procedures to make her secretary role official.]
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:00 pm II. Quorum III. Agenda Review/Acceptance IV. Commission Business A. Special Election VIII. Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 IX. Adjourn
Topic: ANC 5A Special Meeting Time: Jun 12, 2024 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
[Ed. Note: A couple of months ago, the ANC decided that Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03), who had been installed as vice chair at the beginning of the year, would also take on the secretary role for the ANC. I have been told that this special meeting is for the ANC to follow the proper procedures to make her secretary role official.]
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:00 pm II. Quorum III. Agenda Review/Acceptance IV. Commission Business A. Special Election VIII. Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 IX. Adjourn
Topic: ANC 5A Special Meeting Time: Jun 12, 2024 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
The seats for ANC 5A06 and 5A07 are officially vacant for the rest of the year. By law, if a vacancy occurs within six months of a general election, nominating petitions may not be made available and the seat will remain vacant for the remainder of the term. These two seats have been vacant for several months now. There are quite a few things happening in particularly ANC 5A07, so the rest of the ANC and the chair will have to pick up the slack and stay on top of things in these areas.
Not too early for people to start thinking about running for ANC in the fall!
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on May 22, 2024. Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair & Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 & 5A07 are vacant.
Commission Business
The ANC voted to approve spending $90 to get video recordings of the ANC meetings off zoom and onto the ANC website. Commissioner Cozart voted no.
ANC Public Safety Committee Update
Commissioner Cozart, who is heading up the ANC’s public safety meeting, stated the ANC will tentatively schedule a public safety summit on June 20, 2024, at 6:45 pm. Commissioner Cozart said he has invitations out to the DC Office of Attorney General, DC Department of Youth & Rehabilitation Services, and Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker.
Ward 5 Mayor Office Report(Ward 5 MOCR Anthony Black)
The Giant Barbecue Battle will be in September. Reach out to him for tickets.
Mr. Black has Ward days on Tuesday and Fridays when he can meet residents and commissioners around the ward to discuss any issues.
Mayor Bowser FY2025 Budget Presentation(Phil Thomas, Director, Office of the Clean City)
Director of the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City stated the mayor’s FY 2025 budget has three core principles: (1) public safety; (2) public education; (3) downtown investments.
Ward 5 Council Report(Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator for Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker)
The Council is in the middle of budget season and is looking to reverse some of Mayor Bowser’s propsoed cuts.
Metro is installing permanent bus shelters at Fort Totten and Brookland stations
Metro is redesigning its bus network.
DDOT will be holding kickoff meetings for the South Dakota Avenue corridor safety project on May 30 (virtual) and June 1 (in person).
DDOT Riggs Road NE Cycletrack; Taylor Street Bike Lane Project (Christopher Berg, DDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Program Specialist; Michael Alvino, DDOT Active Transportation Branch Manager)
DDOT plans to reissue a Notice of Intent (NOI) to install a two-way cycletrack on the south side of Riggs Road NE between South Dakota Avenue and 1st Place NE. The goal is to install the cycletrack this year.
In response to questions, Mr. Alvino noted that DDOT is aware of the need for an additional curb cut on 1st Place NE. He also noted that DDOT is still working with National Park Service on a multi-use path on Galloway Street NE near Fort Totten station.
The Taylor Street NE bike plan project is in the planning phase.
As noted, DDOT will hold two kickoff meetings for the South Dakota Avenue corridor safety project.
Food & Friends Expansion & Curb Cut Request (Carrie Stolzfus, Executive Director, & Casey Dyson, Director Government Affairs and External Relations)
Food & Friends wants to expand their building at 219 Riggs Road NE in order to serve more individuals. They state that in order to do so, they will need to expand towards South Dakota Avenue. They have submitted an application to DC’s Public Space Committee for what they are calling a conceptual curb cut on South Dakota Avenue NE between Riggs Road and Kennedy Street. They gave a brief presentation to the ANC to request the ANC’s support of the curb cut. The ANC did not take a vote at the meeting.
When DDOT eliminated the slip lanes on South Dakota Avenue way back when, a contiguous parcel of land was created in front of Food & Friends. That parcel of District-owned land is slated for park space so that is why Food & Friends say they are now looking to expand towards South Dakota. Because of the property lines, Food & Friends would need a bit of public space for a driveway that they want to install (in addition to the curb cut) to access this planned addition.
(I asked if Food & Friends could share information from their public space application, such as vehicle count. It was a bit hard to follow from the presentation exactly what the plans are for having two separate vehicle entrances).
Commissioner Bocoum (5A09) stated she will arrange a meeting with Food & Friends and stakeholders about the expansion and driveway plan before the ANC takes a vote on the public space application.
Miscellaneous
I mentioned that Social Justice School has applied to relocate to 333 Kennedy Street NE (as noted in this post). A DC Public Charter School Board hearing was held on May 20, 2024. The school notified Chair Fletcher but the commissioner for the area, Commissioner Bocoum, was not aware and the ANC did not participate. Councilmember Parker submitted a letter in support of the relocation in advance of the hearing.
The ANC received notification Aldi’s application to obtain a beer/wine license.
IV. Commission Business A. Minutes (April 2024) B. Treasurer: 2nd Quarter Financial Report C. Website Payment for Zoom Recordings D. Public Safety Committee Update
V. Commission Action Items/Updates
VI. Community Updates A. MPD B. Mayor’s Office C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations A. Christopher Berg DDOT Bike Lanes on Riggs and Taylor Street NE B. Sayra Molina, Transportation Specialist, South Dakota Ave NE Safety Project C. Casey Dyson, Government Relations and Public Funding Director Food & Friends
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on April 24, 2024. Commissioners present: Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair & Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Tyeron Boston; Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 & 5A07 are vacant.
This meeting was focused on public safety so there is not much to recap.
No public safety updates from Commissioner Cozart, who heads up the ANC’s public safety committee.
Former ANC Commissioner Sandi Washington noted there was a shooting on North Capitol Street NE. A five-year-old was shot. Former Commissioner Washington asked the ANC for attention on that area of the ANC given that both ANC 5A06 and 5A07 have been vacant for several months now.
Ward 5 MOCR Anthony Black addressed individual questions raised by residents, including mowing/tree care/dumping mitigation needed along public land near Puerto Rico Avenue & Taylor streets NE. As a reminder, Mr. Black is able to meet with residents and commissioners on Tuesdays and Fridays in person to address any issues. Contact Mr. Black at anthony.black@dc.gov.
MPD 4D Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) (Neena Murphy Martin)
Each police district has a citizens advisory council (CAC). Neena Murphy Martin chairs MPD 4th District’s CAC. Commissioner Lucio and Ms. Murphy Martin discussed ways to get more outreach in the Ward 5 part of MPD’s 4th District. For example, they might have punch with a cop. For more info on the CAC, visit https://4dcac.org or contact Ms. Murphy Martin at 4dcacdc@gmail.com.
Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator to Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker)
Councilmember Zachary Parker held his monthly Ward 5 public safety call on April 24. Neighbors were encouraged to testify during budget oversight hearings.
Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair. Commissioners will be let into the meeting room first. Once they are all present, the residents will be let in.
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business A. Minutes (February 2024) B. Public Safety Committee Update
V. Commission Action Items/Updates
VI. Community Updates A. MPD B. Mayor’s Office C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations A. 4975 South Dakota Ave NE Gas Station E Charging Station (5A08) B. Boys Town Closure (5A02) C. DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on February 28, 2024. Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair; Diego Rojas (5A04); Tyeron Boston (5A05); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 and 5A07 are vacant.
Commission Business
Commissioner Diego Rojas resigned as the ANC’s secretary. Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio was sworn in as secretary. She will hold two positions, vice chair and secretary.
The ANC approved minutes for the November 2023 regular meeting (Commissioner Lucio abstained), the November 2023 special meeting, and the January 2024 meeting.
The ANC approved the annual report for 2023. It will be on the ANC’s website.
Public safety report
No real updates from Commissioner Karlus Cozart about the public safety committee. Commissioner Lucio suggested that the ANC reach out to MPD’s 4th District Citizens Advisory Council to foster more engagement with this part of 4D.
Faith United Church Hypothermia Site (5A08)
The temporary hypothermia shelter at Faith United Church will officially close on March 8, 2024. ANC Chair Gordon Fletcher (5A08) stated that the site was little used and that it is unclear if the contract will be renewed. He said that he has stressed to the DC Department of Human Services that if the city wants to renew the contract or provide a similar service within the boundaries of the ANC, then the ANC wants to be notified in advance and be part of the process.
243 Hawaii Avenue NE (5A06) – BZA case no. 21070
The ANC voted to support the conversion of the existing duplex at 243 Hawaii Avenue NE to a two-family flat. The owner presented at the last ANC meeting and came back after doing more outreach to her neighbors.
Catholic University Temporary Modular Housing (5A04) -ZC case no. 12-01G
The ANC voted to support Catholic University’s plan to build temporary modular housing to provide more student housing. Catholic is requesting an amendment and further processing of the university’s 2012 campus plan. The approved campus plan calls for permanent student housing, but because of financial conditions, the university wants to build temporary housing to house up to 125 students.
University representatives stated the housing plan was reviewed by a traffic consultant and by DDOT and that the university expects little impact to traffic and parking. The university expects to begin underground utility work in spring (around May). The units will be constructed off site and brought to campus as they are constructed, likely starting in the fall. The representatives stated that it takes about two weeks to put each unit onto its foundation. The university expects to have the units ready for occupancy in spring semester 2025.
The Zoning Commission hearing is scheduled for March 7, 2024.
Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator for Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker)
Councilmember Parker held his monthly public safety call. Materials from meeting:
Councilmember Parker prepared a year-end review of his first year in office.
Boys Town (5A02)
Chair Fletcher said that Boys Town, located at 4801 Sargent Road NE, is closing. This item was listed on the agenda, but a representative from Boys Town did not attend the meeting. The ANC will aim to have a representative at the March meeting. Commissioner Lucio stated she is concerned because the campus is a large property, so she wants the ANC to be involved in any development plan from the beginning. She wondered aloud whether St. Anselm’s Abbey School might be interested in expanding to part of the property.
Proposed Gas Station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE (5A08) – BZA case no. 17963A
The hearing for the proposed gas station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE has been postponed to April. Chair Fletcher stated he has reached out to the applicant about coming to an ANC meeting but has not heard back yet. (Aside: At the February meeting of the North Michigan Park Civic Association, a representative for the applicant stated that the applicant is not planning to install an electric vehicle charging station instead of a gas station. The hearing has been postponed multiple times at this point, but the representative said he could not say if the applicant will withdraw the application at some point).
Art Place at Fort Totten (5A09)
The development team for Art Place at Fort Totten provided an update on sequencing for the second phase of the project.
The space for Aldi will be turned over to the grocery store for buildout around April 1, 2024. This is the building under construction on the corner of South Dakota Avenue & Kennedy Street NE. Aldi is looking to open around October 1, 2024. This may be a soft opening for certain days/hours. The store will hold hiring fairs this spring/summer either within the store, at The Modern, or at Lamond-Riggs Library. Stay tuned for information about that.
The space for the children’s museum will be turned over for buildout in late summer/early fall 2024. The museum is looking to open late 2025.
The development team is still seeking financing for the second sequence of Phase 2. This is the housing piece (294 housing units, of which 33 are income-restricted, affordable units).
The last sequence will be construction of the rotunda. They are in early negotiations with potential users.
As for Building A (also known as The Modern or Phase 1), the team is still looking to sign a restaurant and an ice cream shop. There was a brewery under lease that had trouble securing financing, so the development team has reached back out with revised leasing terms.
A resident asked about having a police substation in Building A. The team said they are always open to discussions with the city about that and that maybe it could go in the space that was built out for temporary use by the library.
University of the District of Columbia(UDC President Dr. Maurice Edington)
UDC president Dr. Maurice Edington informed the ANC and residents about the university’s new strategic plan. It will be open for public comment for 60 days. View the plan at https://www.udc.edu/strategic-plan. Send feedback to udcstrategicplanning@udc.edu.
Miscellaneous
In response to a question, Commissioner Lucio stated that the Providence Hospital campus deal is still being reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General for DC.
The next ANC 5A public meeting will be March 27, 2024.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 