You might have noticed the big sign on The Modern at Art Place on Galloway Street announcing that a new daycare center called Love & Care Child Development Center will be opening soon. I called the number on the sign and they said they anticipate opening in January 2020, but it is possible I did not hear them correctly. At any rate, they are currently accepting reservations for children 6 weeks to 3 years old. Call (866) 987-0667 for more information.

By David Kosub (Contributor)

You know the museum is coming. You heard the development plans were approved. And, you still have questions. Well, in this edition  of Next Stop Neighbors, Mark Mumm with Explore! Children’s Museum joins us and shares his insights into what’s to come for the project to be located between on South Dakota Avenue NE between Ingraham and Kennedy streets.

We’ll hear about the vision for the museum, projects to engage the community (such as their pop up festival on Saturday, August 24), and potential collaborations with other artistic endeavors. Want to hear how Explore! differs from the National Children’s Museum. Perhaps how local children learn about the solar system? Or even what a Mobile Outreach Manager does? We’ll explore all of that and more in this conversation. 

Click here to listen to the conversation (running time: 10 minutes)

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:

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)

Last night, the Zoning Commission voted 5-0-0 to approve the second phase of the Art Place at Fort Totten planned unit development (Block B). As a reminder, below are the key features of the second phase and the phasing plan for the remainder of the project.

• Family Entertainment Zone (FEZ): Meow Wolf arts collective, children and adult programming
• 24,000 square foot Aldi grocery store
• Food Hall
• Explore! Children’s Museum
• Subsidized ground floor artist studios & maker spaces
• 270 apartments with subsidized artist housing throughout – mix of studios (20%); 1 bedrooms (40%); and 2 bedrooms (40%)
• Ground floor artist studios similar to Brookland Arts Walk
• Other cultural uses
• 35,000 square feet additional ground floor retail
• 4th Street closed to provide shared vehicular/pedestrian walkway
• Green roofs
• Plazas and dog run

Proposed phasing plan

• 1st quarter 2020: Block B construction begins, expected to take 30 months
• 3rd quarter 2022: Block B construction completed
• December 31, 2024: Developer will file PUD application for either Block C or Block D
• December 31, 2030: Developer will file PUD application for final block

The Fridays at Fort Totten free concert series kicks off tomorrow with the Jimi Smooth Band! The concert series, hosted by The Modern at Art Place, features a different band and food truck every Friday 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the corner of South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. Bring a lawn chair for seating.

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.

1. Design adjustments to the planned pedestrian bridge.
2. Consider addition of balconies in residential buildings.
3. Provide samples of all building materials.
4. Either incorporate solar panels in the design or show why solar panels cannot be accommodated on the green roofs.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Make sure consideration is given to how seniors can benefit from the project.
8. Commit to relocating the dog run in the project site as future phases are constructed and Kennedy Street is realigned.
9. Work with community on a retail plan.
10. 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).
11. 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.

Proffered benefits by the developer:

• Seeking LEED Neighborhood Development status
• 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

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

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.

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

Guest post by David Kosub

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.

Today, we meet Dr. Anthony Ramdass, Pharm.D., with Ramdass Pharmacy. Opened in 2018, the pharmacy is conveniently located at 475 Ingraham St NE in the Modern at Art Place building—steps from the Fort Totten Metro. Join us to hear about the pharmacy and its services, Dr. Ramdass’ career, his outlook on the community, as well as his vision for the future of the business.

Click here to listen to the conversation

Like the Next Stop Neighbors podcast and want to tell the story of someone in the community? Well, we welcome recommendations and/or your own 10-minute interviews too!

We previously reported that 24 Hour Fitness is coming to the neighborhood. Here’s the official press release.

MORRIS AND GWENDOLYN CAFRITZ FOUNDATION PARTNER WITH 24 HOUR FITNESS IN FORT TOTTEN

Leading Fitness Pioneer to Open in Art Place Mixed-Use Development In Northeast Washington, D.C. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 4, 2019 –The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation (Cafritz Foundation), developers of the Fort Totten mixed-use development project Art Place, today announced that the lease has been executed for an approximately 40,000 square-foot 24 Hour Fitness club located at Art Place at Fort Totten. This will mark the first 24 Hour Fitness location in D.C. and sixth 24 Hour Fitness club in the Metro region, expanding on its successful footprint across Maryland and Northern Virginia. The 24 Hour Fitness is slated to open within the next few years. 

Celebrating 35 years as an industry leader, 24 Hour Fitness transforms lives every day through fitness. Conveniently located clubs, furnished with a wide variety of strength, cardio and functional training equipment, are the perfect environment for fitness professionals to deliver dynamic personal and group training programs.  GX24^® and cycle rooms feature a popular array of live classes included with membership.  A multitude of additional offerings engage and inspire every member to lead a full and healthy life both inside and outside of the club.  Opening new clubs on average at the brisk pace of one every few weeks, 24 Hour Fitness is headquartered in San Ramon, CA and serves nearly 4 million members in over 430 clubs nationwide.To learn more about the brand and to find a nearby club, visit www.24hourfitness.com.

“We are thrilled to introduce one of the largest and best-in-class fitness names to Art Place and the larger D.C. community,” said Jane Cafritz of the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. “D.C. is recognized as one of the country’s top educated and fittest cities, and proximity to diverse health and wellness offerings is a top priority. We welcome the opportunity to provide our residents and the larger Fort Totten neighborhood access to a full-service health and fitness club as we continue to partner with top lifestyle and cutting-edge retailers at Art Place.” 

Located along South Dakota between Galloway and Ingraham Street NE, the new 24 Hour Fitness will sit below The Modern at Art Place, a 520-unit apartment building. 24 Hour Fitness is part of the first phase of the Art Place at Fort Totten development which opened in the fall of 2017 and includes The Modern, Ramdass Pharmacy, Shiningstars Pediatric Dentistry, T-Mobile and DMV Urgent Care.

The announcement of 24 Hour Fitness joining the development comes on the heels of the Cafritz Foundation’s announcement that ALDI, the nationally recognized leader in the grocery retailing industry, will be opening a 25,000 square-foot ALDI store as part of the second phase of Art Place in 2022. 

“As we continue our expansion plans in the Northeast, we’re excited to bring a flagship club location to the Fort Totten neighborhood in Washington DC,” said Raymond Dewhirst, Senior Director, Real Estate, Development, 24 Hour Fitness.  “The Fort Totten Art Place project is remarkable and we’re delighted to be a part of it.”

At full build out, the multi-phase development is anticipated to include nearly 2 million square feet across a mix of uses. These uses include multi-family residential, retail, cultural, art, public and entertainment spaces.

For more information on the Cafritz Foundation please visit  http://www.cafritzfoundation.org.

Media Contact:

Sofia Royce, PR Director

The Brand Guild

sofia@thebrandguild.com

202.733.5223

About The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is the largest private, independent, local foundation dedicated exclusively to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The Foundation is the legacy of Morris Cafritz–one of Washington’s leading commercial and residential builders from the early 1920’s to the mid-60’s–and is committed to improve the quality of life for residents of the area. Since 1970, the foundation has granted awards totaling more than $447 million. In just the last ten years, $185 million has been awarded to more than 961 organizations in Community Services, Arts & Humanities, Education, Health and the Environment.

In advance of the April 4th public hearing for a requested first stage modification and second stage review for the Art Place at Fort Totten planned unit development, the development team has provided an updated project overview. View the document here. This information has also been posted on the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association’s neighborhood development page.

There will be a few opportunities for residents to learn more and share thoughts/concerns about the plans, which were first submitted in September 2018 and refined in January 2019.

February 28: Lamond-Riggs Development Task Force meeting, 6:30 pm, Lamond-Riggs Library (5401 South Dakota Avenue NE)

March 4: Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association monthly public meeting, 7:00 pm, LaSalle-Backus Education Campus auditorium (501 Riggs Road NE)

March 25: ANC 4B monthly public meeting, 7:00 pm, MPD 4D Headquarters (6001 Georgia Avenue NW)

March 27: ANC 5A monthly public meeting, 6:45 pm, UDC-CC Backus (5171 South Dakota Avenue NE)

Welcome news: 24 Hour Fitness has signed a lease for a 40,000 square foot gym in the first phase of Art Place at Fort Totten along South Dakota Avenue. It is expected to open near the end of this year or early next year.

MORRIS AND GWENDOLYN CAFRITZ FOUNDATION PARTNER WITH ALDI IN FORT TROTTEN

Art Place Mixed-Use Development In Northeast Washington, D.C. Opening 2022

WASHINGTON – February 4, 2019 – The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation (Cafritz Foundation), developers of the Fort Totten mixed-use development project Art Place, today announced that the lease has been executed for an approximately 25,000 square-foot ALDI store at Art Place at Fort Totten. Located on the corner of South Dakota Avenue and Kennedy Street, this will be the largest ALDI DC location and the second ALDI in the city, the first being in the H Street Corridor.

ALDI is a leader in the grocery retailing industry and operates more than 1,800 stores in 35 states. More than 40 million customers each month benefit from the simple, streamlined approach ALDI brings to retailing. ALDI sells frequently purchased grocery and household items, primarily under its exclusive brands, which meet or exceed national name brands on taste and quality.

“We are excited to announce this new addition to the Fort Totten area as part of Art Place,” said Jane Cafritz of the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. “ALDI is known for providing customers with quality and value while ensuring a shopping experience that works with people’s busy lives. We welcome this transformative retailer to the area as we continue to enhance Fort Totten with innovative and art-focused partners.”

The new ALDI store is part of the second phase of the Art Place at Fort Totten development. The first phase opened in the fall of 2017 and includes, The Modern at Art Place, a 520-unit apartment building, Ramdass Pharmacy, Shiningstars Pediatric Dentistry and DMV Urgent Care.

The announcement of ALDI joining the development comes on the heels of the Cafritz Foundation’s announcement that Meow Wolf, the nationally renowned, immersive art experience will also be opening a 75,000-square-foot exhibition in the second phase of the development in 2022.

“In partnership with The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the Fort Totten ALDI store is one of our most innovative and cutting-edge real estate ventures to date,” said Jake DiPiazza, ALDI Frederick Director of Real Estate. “We’re eager to expand our presence in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, and the Fort Totten store will be our second mixed-use development in the area, conveniently located for urban shoppers. The future is bright for our ALDI Washington, D.C. expansion.”

At full build out, the multi-phase development is anticipated to include nearly 2 million square feet across a mix of uses. These uses include multi-family residential, retail, cultural, art, public and entertainment spaces.

For more information on the Cafritz Foundation please visit  http://www.cafritzfoundation.org.

Media Contact:
Sofia Royce, PR Director
The Brand Guild
sofia@thebrandguild.com
202.733.5223

About The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is the largest private, independent, local foundation dedicated exclusively to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The Foundation is the legacy of Morris Cafritz–one of Washington’s leading commercial and residential builders from the early 1920’s to the mid-60’s–and is committed to improve the quality of life for residents of the area. Since 1970, the foundation has granted awards totaling more than $447 million. In just the last ten years, $185 million has been awarded to more than 961 organizations in Community Services, Arts & Humanities, Education, Health and the Environment.

Washington Business Journal is out with the news that Aldi will be coming to Riggs Park in the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten with an anticipated opening date in 2022.