I have been told that Wingstop is now looking at opening around May 15, 2024. The restaurant is opening in the space formerly occupied by Culture Coffee Too at 300 Riggs Road NE. Take all of this with the grain of salt.
Wingstop is opening soon at 300 Riggs Road NE. The Department of Employment Services (DOES) will host a job fair at DOES headquarters on April 12, 2024.
Wingstop Job Fair
April 12, 2024
10:00 am-2:00 pm
Department of Employment Services
4058 Minnesota Avenue NE
The DC Zoning Commission recently issued a final order for UDC’s Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan (2023-2033) (ZC case no. 23-16). A public hearing was held on October 30, 2023. The Zoning Commission took final action to approve the plan on November 30, 2023. The campus is located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE in Riggs Park in ANC 5A01. UDC’s campus plan website is https://www.udc.edu/campus-master-plan.
Formerly known as the Bertie Backus campus, the Lamond-Riggs campus houses the university’s community college program and a few workforce development programs. UDC plans to gradually increase student enrollment at the campus from roughly 1,800 students currently to 3,000 students.
(The grounds also house an American Job Center for the DC Department of Employment Services. The job center will eventually relocate).
UDC plans a two-phase campus development process. Phase 1 will involve renovating the existing buildings on the campus. Phase 2 will involve constructing a new wing on the campus. Currently, there is no funding for Phase 2 activities.
The Zoning Commission order includes conditions related to campus enrollment, further processing, student conduct, a transportation demand management plan, a performance monitoring plan, and community outreach. Enrollment will be limited to 3,000 students with 118 faculty. UDC will have to return to the Zoning Commission for construction of the new wing and will have to provide 60 days’ notice to ANC 5A for review of the design.
This was a long process that I think could have been run a lot better by the university and their counsel. I do want to acknowledge ANC Commissioner Duvalier Malone (5A01), who I think did a nice job of listening to residents and making sure our voices were heard during this process. With a new university president in place, early collaboration with the DC Council and District agencies like DDOT, and better communication, I think UDC can make implementation of this campus plan a beneficial process for the university and the neighborhood.
Wingstop will be opening at 300 Riggs Road NE (former Culture Coffee Too space) mid- to late-April 2024 (possibly around April 22).
Wingstop is looking to hire for around 28 positions at this location, manager and crew positions. The owner plans to hold a job fair with the DC Department of Employment Services, tentatively scheduled for April 9, 2024, 10:00 am-2:00 pm, at Lamond-Riggs Library (5401 South Dakota Avenue NE).
I am waiting for official confirmation/flyer with job fair details.
[Updated 4/3/2024 to correct date of DPW Community Conversation. It will be on April 24, 2024.]
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on March 27, 2024. Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Diego Rojas (5A04); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 and 5A07 are vacant.
DC Commission on Arts & Humanities was on the agenda, but they did not show up.
ANC Public Safety Update
(I missed the first few minutes of the meeting so I missed a portion of the public safety update).
MPD’s 4th District held an Air Tag giveaway on March 22, 2024. ANC 5A discussed with the North Michigan Park Civic Association splitting the cost of 500 Air Tags for another giveaway. The ANC voted (2-1) to support spending up to $300 to purchase Air Tags in conjunctions with the civic association. Commissioner Cozart voted against because he wanted to make sure it is an allowable expense before supporting it. Commissioners Rojas and Bocoum voted to support. (Commissioner Malone joined the meeting after the vote).
Ward 5 Mayor’s Office Report (Anthony Black, Ward 5 MOCR)
Mayor Bowser announced that the Wizards and Capitals will stay in DC to 2050.
The Cherry Blossom parade was on March 30.
With spring here, community clean-ups are starting. Anyone can organize a clean-up. The Mayor’s Office of the Clean City provides support for clean-ups by providing bags, pickers, gloves, and rakes. See Mayor Bowser’s Spring Clean Up.
Street sweeping is in effect. DPW issued warnings and will now start issuing fines. For alley cleanings, submit a service request to 311.
Free tax preparation service is provided at Turkey Thicket Rec Center every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am-2:00 pm through April 11, 2024.
There will be a community conversation with DPW Director Timothy Spriggs on April 24. Residents can submit questions in advance through April 2.
DDOT is collaborating with ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) and Commissioner Colleen Costello (5B05) to install alley restriction signs in alleys along Varnum, Taylor, Taussig, and Urell streets NE for the spring season.
Mr. Black said he is happy to assist the ANC and North Michigan Park with planning another Air Tag giveaway.
Mr. Black’s Ward days are Tuesday and Friday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm, when he can meet residents and commissioners around the ward for any issues.
Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator for Councilmember Zachary Parker)
Councilmember Parker introduced a bill to address truancy. (Read press release).
On March 29, 2024, CM Parker held his monthly Ward 5 public safety call with guests from the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) and MPD 5D Commander Sylvan Altieri. Access slides and view a recording of the meeting. Learn more about the OGVP at https://www.buildingblocks.dc.gov. The public safety calls are held the last Wednesday of each month. The next one will be on April 24, 2024.
The city is still in the middle of Fiscal Year 2025 budget delays. Mayor Bowser will submit her proposed budget to the Council on April 3, 2024. The Council will take a first vote on May 29, 2024, and a second vote on June 12, 2024.
On April 4, 2024, at 11:00 am there will be a street designation naming ceremony for Edna Brown Coleman by Delta Towers on the 1400 block of Morse Street NE. Coleman was one of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, which started at Howard University.
CM Parker had a meeting with DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum and discussed the $1 million for FY 2024 improvements on South Dakota Avenue NE. DDOT is still working out final details. The street lighting team will brighten lights on the 5000 and 5100 blocks of South Dakota Avenue.
CM Parker’s office launched a Ward 5 Wave podcast.
Chair Fletcher asked again for the councilmember’s help with getting MPD to the ANC meeting. Ward 5 MOCR Anthony Black stated he will help the ANC with this.
Boys Town Closure (5A02) (Kichelle Coleman, Executive Director)
Boys Town will close its physical location at 4801 Sargent Road NE. Executive Director Kichelle Coleman stated that the residential program ended in 2022 and the organization had hoped to continue having more impact in DC with community-based services working with children and families. She said the closure has to do with the regulatory environment and reimbursement rates.
The organization announced in December 2023 that they were looking to wind down around July 1, 2024.
The organization currently has a commitment to 10 public schools regarding truancy reduction so they will continue to serve those schools through that commitment.
The behavioral clinic will continue to operate as an outpatient clinic through April 2024.
Ms. Coleman said Boys Town will continue providing virtual parenting classes; the national hotline will continue to operate; and the national program will still offer training to schools across DC.
They will discuss the sale of the property at a future ANC meeting.
Gas Station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE (5A08) (BZA case no. 17963A)
The applicant seeking to have a gas station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE has requested another hearing postponement. The hearing was scheduled for April 3, 2024.
Affordable Housing Development, First Place & Riggs Road NE (5A07) (Felipe Serpa, developer)
View presentation given to DC Council Committee of the Whole
View sightlines schematic design provided by developer
A 100% income-restricted affordable housing development is planned for the southwest corner of First Place & Riggs Road NE in ANC 5A07 (across from Impact DMV Church). The ANC seat for this area is currently vacant so Chair Fletcher is handling communication with the developer, Valor Development.
There is a parking lot on the southwest corner owned by Impact DMV church and a lot next to that with the brick structure that is owned by Local Union 11. The developer plans to purchase and combine the two lots in order to build the project. They need to close a paper alley that sits between the two lots to do so. The Council has to approve alley closures. The developer is working with CM Parker’s office on this (see bill no. B25-0636). The developer came before the ANC to request support for closure of the paper alley. The developer shared the presentation given to the DC Council Committee of the Whole.
(Aside: Local Union 11 ran into financial issues several years ago).
The project is in the beginning stages, starting with the alley closure. The developer stated they will likely apply for tax credits and bonds from the city to help finance the project in mid-2024.
The plan is to have around 104 two-bedroom and three-bedroom units with the express goal of supporting housing for families. Currently, the developer does not have plans for retail in the project.
The developer stated that the project will be a matter-of-right project, meaning they will not be seeking any zoning relief. The maximum allowable height for the building is 65 feet. Part of the deal with the church is to provide church parking in the development because the church currently uses the parking lot for overflow parking. The plan is to have underground parking for the church as well as the residential units.
The presentation given to the Council (and ANC) includes preliminary comments from District agencies about the alley closure. DDOT and the Office of Planning both commented about impact/access to the Met Branch Trail. The Fort Totten to Takoma section of the MBT currently under construction runs along First Place near the Metro station and west from First along Riggs Road. The developer stated they are working with DDOT on public space design and access to the MBT. (Aside: I looked up the public hearing for the bill. Here is DDOT’s testimony with objections).
A resident noted there used to be a gas station where the parking lot sits. The developer stated they are aware and will be working with DOEE on any necessary environmental mitigation.
The next ANC meeting will be April 24, 2024.
The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH), developer of Riggs Crossing Senior Residences, is seeking interested local and unique retail tenants for under-market lease opportunity. The project is currently under construction at 307 Riggs Road NE on the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE in Riggs Park. Project delivery expected first quarter 2025.
There will be two virtual information sessions:
Submit initial inquiries by May 23, 2024.
Click here for the Retail Brochure.
Click here for the Microsoft Teams invite to join during the scheduled informational sessions.
Send questions/inquiries to Joanna Ha Yean Shin at jshin@apah.org.
APAH is very interested in assistance from residents who have connections to unique, local retailers. Help APAH make this a great project.
UDC will kick off a few days of activities for the inauguration of UDC’s 10th president Dr. Maurice Edington the week of March 11, 2024. There will be an academic symposium at the Lamond-Riggs campus on March 13, 2024. View the full list of inauguration activities at https://www.udc.edu/inauguration.
Academic Symposium
Wednesday, March 13
Advancing the Mission of the Urban HBCU: Showcasing Excellence, Elevating Possibility
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus Auditorium
5171 South Dakota Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20017
Updated to correct last date of enrollment to March 7.
The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing and Davis Construction (the team behind Riggs Crossing Senior Residences) are offering paid apprenticeship training for up to 20 DC residents through a partnership with the local Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapter. They plan to enroll interested potential workers in the ABC CORE program for a 10-week training program. The final opportunity to take advantage of this opportunity is Thursday, March 7, 2024.
APAH and Davis will help graduates find job offers with trade partners within the industry. Costs for candidates to enroll will be covered by DAVIS and APAH.
If interested in the apprenticeship opportunity, complete the contact form on the “Career” page on the project website or simply stop by the construction trailer (located in the green space in front of Food & Friends) to provide your contact information and let the team know of your interest in enrolling.
From Davis Construction (copied and pasted below)
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Recently Completed Construction
We achieved one of our major milestones in January – We topped out our concrete structure! This kicks off the next phase of work which involve installing our CMU masonry towers for stairs and elevators prior to wood framing commencing. Since our last update, we had 5 elevated deck pours which is a very high rate of production in roughly 3.5 weeks. Once we completed the groundwork, concrete proceeded switfly! You will also notice that Stair S2 CMU tower nearest South Dakota Avenue topped out in late January.
Ongoing and Upcoming Work
CMU towers at the north side of the site started and should top out by mid-February at the latest. We’re setting our steel beams and embeds in place within the stair and elevator shafts to facilitate future stair and elevator installation. We also mobilized the self-erecting crane for the wood framing operations and have begun layout for wood framing on the concrete deck.
Wood framing is the next critical activity that is starting in 1 week. Layout has commenced and wood deliveries are arriving early February. This will be ongoing for the next 2 months or so. Within the next few weeks, we’ll move the east side silt fence and backfill against the building (after waterproofing) to facilitate access for sheathing and Tyvek from the building perimeter.
We’ll also start installing our below podium steel angles and metal stud framing which will allow us to being rough-ins for below podium work on level 1 and the garage. Plumbing will go first, then HVAC. Once the building is dried in approximately in March, we will begin electrical wiring and insulation activities in a big push to commence drywall.
We plan to install the remaining utilities along Riggs Road this spring once wood framing is complete and before masonry starts on the west facade.
In the Event of Inclement Weather:
We had (2) snow storms the week of 01/15/2024. DAVIS diligently cleared the public sidewalks in front of our trailer and jobsite first to ensure pedestrian and worker safety. Afterwards, the DAVIS team cleared off select portions of the concrete deck to allow masonry to commence work and to provide safe walking paths on the concrete deck for workers. We utilized blankets to cover portions where work was upcoming so clearing was easy and work could continue with minimal delays. If inclement weather occurs, DAVIS will continue to implement similar measures to ensure pedestrian access/safety is secured first and then perform clearing as needed to minimize downtown for productive work on site. We want to do everything in our power to maintain schedule.
At its public meeting on November 30, 2023, the DC Zoning Commission voted (4-0-1) to take final action to approve UDC’s Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan (2023-2033) (Zoning Commission case no. 23-16). The (-1) is a vacant seat. The campus is located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE in Riggs Park. UDC’s campus plan website is https://www.udc.edu/campus-master-plan.
Formerly known as the Bertie Backus campus, the Lamond-Riggs campus houses the university’s community college program and a few workforce development programs. UDC plans to gradually increase student enrollment at the campus from roughly 1,800 students currently to 3,000 students.
Phase 1 of the campus development plan will involve renovating the existing buildings on the campus. Phase 2 will involve constructing a new wing on the campus. Currently, there is not funding for Phase 2 activities. UDC will have to provide notice and return to the Zoning Commission before proceeding with construction of the new wing.
UDC’s hearing presentation contains the most up-to-date renderings and other nuggets of the planned renovation and expansion: UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan Hearing Presentation.
On December 1, 2023, UDC issued a statement about the campus plan approval, stating in part:
The approved plan features five key changes to the Lamond-Riggs Campus, implemented in two phases:
Questions about the campus plan may be directed to Avis Russell, UDC General Counsel, at avis.russell@udc.edu or Javier Dussan, UDC Vice President, Facilities and Real Estate Management, at javier.dussan@udc.edu.
Public Hearing
The Zoning Commission held a virtual public hearing on the plan on October 30, 2023.
DDOT Report
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) submitted a pre-hearing report stating that DDOT did not object to the plan with several conditions. DDOT requested that UDC develop a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan and a Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). DDOT requested that UDC enroll students in Metro’s U-Pass program, that UDC address campus parking rates and enforcement mechanism, and that UDC provide covered or indoor bike parking for some of the bike spaces.
Office of Planning Report
The DC Office of Planning (OP) also submitted a pre-hearing report that recommended approval of the plan with the condition that maximum student enrollment be capped at 3,000 students and faculty capped at 118 faculty. OP requested that UDC work with the Office of Historic Preservation to document the history of the Bertie Backus Middle School to determine whether the school building is eligible for inclusion in the DC Inventory of Historic Sites and the National Register of Historic Places. The school, built in the 1960s, was named after educator Bertha Arabella “Bertie” Backus. OP’s report included comments from other agencies such as the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), which had several comments about the operation of the food hub at the campus.
ANC 5A Letter in Support
ANC 5A submitted a letter in support that outlined several areas of concern based on input from residents (including myself) regarding the Transportation, Sustainability, Campus Relations, and Community Character elements of the plan.
UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan Hearing Presentation
UDC presented its plan. New UDC president, Dr. Maurice Edington, attended the hearing and gave brief remarks. The zoning commissioners asked several questions (some of which residents previously asked UDC).
In addressing requests by the ANC and residents, UDC noted several times that as a public university, its plan is constrained by funding that has to be approved during the city’s budget process.
DDOT gave a super short presentation as did OP. UDC stated that they were working with DDOT about which conditions would become final. UDC agreed to OP’s conditions. ANC 5A did not have a representative at the hearing.
By the time it was time for public testimony (myself), everyone was ready to call it a day. My written and oral testimony focused on (among other things):
Campus Naming
In between all of the presentations and reports, Zoning Commission Chair Anthony Hood mentioned more than once that he wants UDC to rename the campus after William Spaulding, the first person to represent Ward 5 on the DC Council following Home Rule. William Spaulding also has ties to UDC. Chair Hood said that he was sure that other people had mentioned this idea to President Edington, but President Edington said he was not aware of this desire. So that is apparently something brewing by folks that we might hear about in the future.
(Aside: UDC’s former president, Ronald Mason, Jr. is responsible for the campus name change, which was approved by university trustees in April 2023. He thought it was important to have a new name to reflect the community college rather than the old name of the middle school. Former President Mason decided to name the campus after the neighborhood in which it sits, just like UDC’s main Van Ness campus. The existing building on the Lamond-Riggs campus is still named the Bertie Backus building).
The Zoning Commission asked UDC to submit a post-hearing statement to address the testimony of the ANC (and myself). UDC also had to outline what conditions the university and DDOT agreed on for the preliminary order.
Zoning Commission Meeting & Decision
UDC Post-hearing Statement
UDC submitted a post-hearing statement. The submission includes UDC’s TDM plan, which they say is approved by DDOT. It also includes further revisions to sections of the campus plan.
ANC 5A Response to UDC Post-hearing Statement
ANC 5A submitted a response noting that UDC’s post-hearing statement did not address all of the ANC’s concerns.
At the public meeting on November 30, the Zoning Commission decided it was satisfied with UDC’s updates and responses to OP, DDOT, DOEE, and the ANC. Chair Hood said he was sure that UDC would work with residents on better communication and work on issues related to the food hub. He also mentioned one more time for good measure that he wants to see the campus renamed after Mr. Spaulding. Vice Chair Miller chimed in to say he worked with Mr. Spaulding on the council and that he too thought it would be a fitting name. (Aside: It is always interesting to see what Chair Hood decides to expound on extemporaneously during hearings).
UDC Proposed Draft Order
The Zoning Commission still needs to issue a final order. UDC submitted a proposed draft order outlining several conditions. UDC’s proposed conditions copied and pasted below:
Campus Plan Term
1. The Campus Plan shall be valid for a period of 10 years.
Enrollment
2. For the duration of the 2023 Plan, the maximum enrollment on the Lamond-Riggs Campus shall not exceed 3,000 students and 118 faculty.
Further Processing
3. The University may construct the proposed Wing D as described in the 2023 Plan, subject to further processing review and approval pursuant to § 210 of the Zoning Regulations:
a. The location shall be within the area identified on (Ex. 3 and 2H2-2H3) of the University’s June 21, 2023 Campus Master Plan submission;
b. The number of stories, gross floor area, and lot coverage shall be generally consistent with the development summary indicated in the University’s June 21, 2023 Campus Master Plan submission;
4. The University shall provide the community with notice and an opportunity to review the proposed design of the new wing at least 60 days prior to filing of the application for further processing:
a. Notice of the University’s intent to file the application (“Notice of Intent”) shall be provided by U.S. Mail to ANC 5A and all owners of all property within 200 feet of the campus. In addition, the Notice of Intent shall be provided by U.S. Mail to all residents within approximately one block of Square 3757, Lot 802. The Notice of Intent shall state that the University intends to file an application to secure further processing approval to construct the new wing on University property, and shall provide the maximum square footage, description of common areas, and planned pedestrian and vehicular circulation adjacent to the new wing. In addition, the Notice of Intent shall provide a website address (URL) where more information about the proposed wing may be found, and the contact information (name, phone, and email) for a University representative that can be contacted for additional information. Finally, the Notice of Intent shall indicate the date, time, and location of the Preliminary Design Review meeting described below; and
Student Conduct
5. All students at the Lamond-Riggs Campus shall be required to comply with the University Code of Conduct.
6. The University shall use disciplinary intervention for acts of misconduct committed by students (i.e., ‘violations of the Code of Conduct) in the surrounding community (which shall mean within one mile of the University), even if the students are not in properties owned or controlled by the University. The University shall act on incident reports submitted by persons including residents, ANC 5A, community associations, tenant associations, building management, the University’s Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
7. The University shall establish and maintain a relationship with the Metropolitan Police Department to secure referrals on all reports of complaints, infractions, or arrests of University students. The University shall maintain a log of all referrals received and all actions taken.
Transportation and Parking
8. The University shall manage its on-campus parking supply and encourage all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to use transit and other alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle through the implementation of the TDM and PMP measures detailed in Exhibit 24 which reflects all of the commitments made by the University.
9. The University shall encourage all visitors attending special events on campus to use transit or park in University or other area parking facilities. The University shall work with area institutions and commercial parking operators as well as use attendant parking to provide additional parking as needed during these events.
10. The University shall direct all construction traffic to avoid routes through the adjacent residential neighborhoods through contract provisions or similar mechanisms.
Community Outreach
11. University representatives shall attend ANC 5A’s monthly meeting, providing updates on the 2023 Plan process and continuing a line a communication between University leadership and community members and stakeholders.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 