Category Archives: Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

Community Benefits Survey

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association, Neighborhood Development

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association is conducting a survey to solicit resident input on preferences for community benefits as it relates to sale of District-owned land on the southeast corner of Riggs Rd & South Dakota Ave NE for development of the second phase of Fort Totten Square. JBG and EYA, developers of the second phase, are proposing to build approximately 170-180 townhomes and around 26,000 square feet of ground level retail. A minimum of 29 homes will be offered below market rate. (This blog previously covered the second phase in these posts).

The survey is 3 questions. It is intended for residents who live within the boundaries of LRCA. We encourage residents to complete the survey by October 3, 2016. (Disclosure: I am an LRCA trustee and member of the development task force and had a hand in crafting this survey.)

Click the link: Community Benefits Survey

LRCA Membership Survey

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

As part of my official duties as a trustee and chair of the communications committee for the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA), I am encouraging residents to fill out a brief 17-question informal survey designed to get feedback about how the organization operates. Responses are anonymous, unless you want us to contact you for any reason. Have ideas about community events you want in the neighborhood? Have ideas for speakers and topics to discuss at meetings? Have fundraising ideas? Is there something the organization could do to encourage your participation in meetings? Please share your thoughts with the LRCA.

Part of the effort of the survey (at least from my perspective) is also to encourage residents to consider taking leadership positions in the organization. A single term for officers and trustees is two years. Our June 2016 meeting finished the first year of the 2015-2017 term. Over the next year, we hope that residents will be encouraged to get involved, so that when those of us currently serving on the board depart, there will be others eagerly waiting to serve.

Please click the link to take the survey: LRCA June 2016 Membership Survey

Save the Date September 24: Vibrant Streets meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association and tagged with , ,

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) is partnering with the DC Office of Planning (OP) on the Vibrant Retail Streets Toolkit, a neighborhood Technical Assistance Program initiative to strengthen and grow retail in neighborhoods throughout the District. The Toolkit is intended to evaluate an area’s retail vibrancy and offer solutions for helping retail areas progress. The LRCA Development Task Force is hosting a meeting on September 24 from 6:30-8:00pm at the Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center at which OP will share information on the application of the Toolkit to this neighborhood.

  • Date & time: Thursday, September 24, 6:30-8:00pm
  • Location: Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center, 501 Riggs Road, NE
  • RSVP to lrcabarb@yahoo.com

Vibrant Retail_Overview_2015_Page_1 Vibrant Retail_Overview_2015_Page_2

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association is now online

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

LRCA website screenshotThe Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) now has an online presence. A group of residents and I, who formed the communications committee for the LRCA, worked over the summer to create a website, facebook page, and twitter page for the LRCA. We hope residents will use these platforms along with the listserv to share ideas, stay informed, and get involved.

On the website, you will find a calendar of events, learn about the history of the LRCA, find out how to get involved, and much more. Please visit the website, follow the LRCA on facebook and twitter, and let us know what you think!

 

The LRCA is looking for a few good volunteers

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association and tagged with

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association is holding its last meeting before the summer break tonight at 7:00 pm at LaSalle-Backus Education Campus (501 Riggs Road NE, enter on Madison & Riggs). If you have been wanting to get involved in community affairs, come on out and sign up to volunteer on a committee:

  • Youth Development/Recreation – Further the development and maintenance of the recreational facilities, after school programs, youth leagues, etc.
  • Education – Promote and improve the education facilities in the area, including schools, libraries, etc.
  • City services/Public safety – Further the development, maintenance and improvement of City-provided services and promote a crime-free community in partnership with the police department, residents, businesses, etc.
  • Membership – Solicit & collect member dues, maintain list of paid members, and plan activities to generate interest & membership in the Association 
  • Budget/Auditing Committee – Obtain financial records of the Association, conduct audit, and submit report to leadership of the Association
  • Nominating Committee – Nominate a slate of candidates for officers of the Association
  • Seniors/Community Economic Development – Further development, knowledge, and use of services targeted for seniors; further development of high standard of living for residents and participate in community planning
  • Newsletter – Provide a quality newsletter & help distribute the newsletter 
  • Communication – Responsible for engagement and outreach to residents through social media, creation/maintenance of LRCA website, and other forms of communication
  • 501(c)(3) – Research feasibility of making Association 501(c)(3) organization
  • LRCA Development Task Force – Review development projects and work with residents, elected officials, and developers to ensure projects consider issues such as density, traffic, public safety, affordability, local job growth, etc.

Save the Date: March 20 Community Meeting with Fort Totten Square developers & Walmart

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Totten Square, Lamond Riggs Citizens Association and tagged with
Fort Totten Square Community Meeting Flyer

Fort Totten Square Community Meeting Flyer

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association and DC Public Library are sponsoring, “What’s Developing at Fort Totten Square,” a community-wide meeting, on Thursday, March 20, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. at the Lamond-Riggs Public Library (5401 South Dakota Avenue NE).

2014 will mark key milestones in the construction of a mixed-use development project at 3rd and Riggs Road NE. Learn what to expect, and get your questions answered by key representatives from Fort Totten Square, Wal-Mart and the community.

For more information or to submit project-specific questions in advance, send an email to lrdtf.info@yahoo.com or call 202-541-6255

Development news roundup: Children’s museum & anchor for Art Place at Fort Totten, a brewery in the neighborhood, and a rehabilitation facility for 6000 New Hampshire

Posted by nextstoprp in 6000 New Hamphsire Ave PUD, Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Lamond Riggs Citizens Association, Neighborhood Development and tagged with , , ,

Lots of development news to report:

  • First up, community representatives held an initial meeting with consultants from the Cafritz team on the children’s museum component of Art Place at Fort Totten.  You may be wondering why we’re talking about the children’s museum component since we reported recently that Cafritz was still looking for an anchor to secure financing for the project.  Well, unofficially there may be an anchor in place (a possible anchor we listed in this post).  We haven’t gotten official word, but it makes more sense that they would schedule a meeting at this point for museum consultants to introduce themselves and solicit community input if there is an anchor on the horizon.  Look for more information in the future from the ANCs and the leadership of the Lamond Riggs Citizens Association and the North Michigan Park Civic Association.
  • The Totten Life blog brings us news of a brewery headed for Riggs Park with a link to a news release from DC Beer.  Hellbender Brewery is building out the space at 5788 2nd St. NE (not too far from Fort Totten Square and 3 Stars Brewing Company).  Just in case you’re curious, according to this release from DC Beer, the brewery is named for the hellbender, the largest salamander in North America.  The Hellbender team plans to use the salamander as a symbol of the team’s “‘environmentally safe brewery practices and waste disposal.'”  The team wants to work with local businesses and residents to make the neighborhood “a better place for everyone.”
  • The Office of Planning recently recommended approval of a modification to the PUD for 6000 New Hampshire Ave NE.  Recall this is the site of the new Comstock detached single family homes and townhomes.  The original developer sold his interest in the 2 other buildings on the property.  These buildings are zoned for residential use and the original PUD called for residential apartment buildings.  The current develper would like to modify the PUD to accommodate a rehabilitation center for mentally disabled adults in one of the buildings and reduce the number of apartments in the other building.  The ANC and LRCA (and other community groups) officially opposed the modification, outlining areas of concern.  The Office of Zoning held a hearing on the modification request on February 21, 2013.  The neighborhood groups and the ANC presented testimony on their areas of concern.  While it is almost certain Zoning will approve the modification, Zoning would like the developer and neighborhood groups to come to a consensus on the outstanding concerns and it appears that such a consensus can be reached.