Join DC Fray and the Cafritz Foundation for the Children’s Festival Event Series at the Modern at Art Place for some free, community-centered fun every fourth Saturday, 1pm-3pm, from June to September!
Enjoy some summer fun for the whole family! Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation for lawn games, races, a mini golf course + prizes as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
July 22nd – Carnival
Share your nostalgic carnival favorites with the whole family this summer! Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to win fun prizes; play games like ring toss, cornhole, Plinko and pin the tail on the donkey; or get your face painted – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
August 26th – Back to School Bash
Ready to kick off this next school year? Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to collect free school supplies and warm up your brains with our immersive instructional experiences including fun math games + a visit from a reptile expert – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
September 23rd – Harry Potter: Movie at The Modern
Calling all young witches and wizards! Show off your house pride by dressing up in your best robes and enjoy themed snacks, trivia, face painting, themed prizes + more. Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation for free, all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
As previously noted, UDC renamed the Bertie Backus Campus the Lamond-Riggs Campus. The campus, located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE, houses the university’s community college program. UDC is undergoing a campus plan process for this campus. The most recent campus plan presentation given at the joint ANC 5A01/5A09 meeting on May 22 reflects the updated name. UDC also passed along a fact sheet. I think having a sense of where they are going for our neighborhood campus is useful for organizing thoughts and thinking about any gaps that need to be filled.
The draft campus plan has several overall objectives.
Establish the Lamond-Riggs Campus as a landmark community college hub emerging as an important economic engine for the District of Columbia and the region;
Create opportunities to enhance the student experience by creating a courtyard environment that will engage the students from both classroom wings and provide an outdoor place for activities;
Establish efficient space layouts within the campus to provide better access and circulation for students and improve operational effectiveness;
Accommodate future growth and implementation of new technologies while maintaining a commitment to the environment;
Reduce parking, recognizing that the University is in an urban setting with direct access to mass transit and may be accessed by multiple modes of transportation;
Design new lab space for flexible use to accommodate the interdisciplinary nature of education;
Improve the urban campus to effectively maximize the utilization of open areas with the aim to provide much needed green space and better pedestrian circulation through the new courtyard design; and
Strengthen the campus’ image and character by promoting the University’s distinct identity through wayfinding and placemaking.
The draft plan has five elements.
1. Campus Development Element
Outlines the renovation and modernization strategy for the existing academic building and describes a new built addition to provide more office space, academic space, and new student-oriented amenities such as a coffee station, student center, and media center.
The new addition would create a new student entrance and connect to Wing A to accommodate the anticipated increase in students based on an enrollment goal of 3,000 community college students by 2030.
2. Transportation Element
Seeks to enhance pedestrian safety, leverage the campus’ adjacency to the Fort Totten Metrorail Station, reduce automobile dependency, and improve circulation and connectivity in and around campus.
Proposes a Transportation Demand Management (“TDM”) plan for the campus intended to decrease reliance vehicular use and encourage multimodal transportation.
3. Sustainability Element
Strategizes ways for the University to provide additional green roof space and develop more sustainable stormwater management practices, install additional solar panels, and build upon existing sustainability initiatives such as the community garden and the AGPods.
4. Community Relations Element
Establishes a communications plan with the neighboring community and District at large to more effectively address any campus growth-related concerns.
Describes opportunities for the University to partner with local programs and organizations.
5. Campus Character Element
Describes strategies to improve the campus appearance and identity through distinct campus signage, streetscape improvements to activate South Dakota Avenue NW, and architectural features across campus that will express the flagship identity of the University as a Historically Black College or University.
Campus Development Plan
The campus development plan in the May presentation is similar to that provided to the full ANC in April. I covered the phased development plan in this post titled UDC Bertie Backus Campus Development Plan presentation – April 2023. To recap, UDC will undertake a phased modernization of the campus. Phase I will update the existing buidlings on campus. Phase II will include a new wing and courtyard. Currently, there is no funding for the second phase.
Phase One
Renovate and modernize the existing academic building (Wings A, B, and C) and facilities – no new exterior construction will occur in this Phase.
Upgrade mechanical spaces and HVAC facilities for more efficient heating, cooling, and overall energy use.
Upgrade the building’s structural elements to have the rooftop become solar-ready for the future installation of solar panels.
Improve and repair the building façade.
Improve the public realm along South Dakota Avenue NE to provide public seating, planters, and public art.
Develop a new green space between the three wings next to the Galloway Street NE parking area
Provide student-oriented amenities such as a coffee and food service station
Fully renovate the interior and unused space in Wing C to provide additional lab space and other academic capabilities
Renovate the parking areas to provide efficient stormwater management facilities such as bioretention areas and vegetation
Update parking facilities – the Hamilton Street NE parking area will provide 18 parking spaces, and the Galloway Street NE parking area will provide approximately 160 parking spaces.
Phase I renderingPhase I rendering
Phase Two
Construct the new Wing D, which will facilitate an open courtyard condition by encircling and expanding the new green space provided in Phase I.
Provide additional academic and administrative space in the new Wing D, as well as modern mechanical, electrical, and plumbing equipment intended to support the University’s sustainability goals.
Provide additional amenity space, including a new student forum.
Provide pedestrian-oriented landscaping, seating areas, stormwater management facilities, and open grass areas for rest and relaxation in the expanded courtyard.
Construct a green roof on the new Wing D to support the University and the District’s sustainability goals.
Update parking facilities – the Hamilton Street NE parking area will maintain the 18 parking spaces, and the Galloway Street NE parking area will be modified to provide approximately 100 parking spaces.
Phase II renderingPhase II rendering
UDC officials had time to answer a few specific questions about the proposal.
There is reference to a “new loading/service area” close to Hamilton Street. UDC said this not an entirely new loading area, but they acknowledged it might get more use and therefore they will have a loading management plan.
There are roughly 180 parking spaces on the Galloway side of the campus. The first phase will see a slight reduction to roughtly 160 spaces. In phase two, there will be a further reduction to 100 spaces.
The DOES American Job Center will be vacating the grounds at some point and UDC will use that space for the community college.
The existing buildings cannot support a green roof. That is why the development plan proposes a green roof only for the new wing that will be built in the second phase.
UDC clarified that they intend to replace the chain link fence with a more architectural fence similar to what was placed on the Hamilton Street side of the campus.
The May presentation details a bit more the priorities and considerations for the Lamond-Riggs campus related to buildings/facilities, campus wayfinding and programming, open space/urban design, transportation/circulation, sustainability, and utilities/infrastructure.
The May presentation also provides an updated timeline for this process.
Next Steps/Milestones
May 22: Present to OP
May 22: Present to SMD5A01
Present to ANC5A at their May 24 or June 28 meeting.
Summer 2023: Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan application intended be filed with the District’s Zoning Commission.
Fall 2023: Zoning Commission approval of Campus Plan anticipated
Given the timeline, I think it would be useful for neighbors to look at the fact sheets, especially the one for the overall campus plan to think about if there are important things that we want UDC to consider including before they actually file an application. I do not know the ANC’s plan for moving forward, but it looks like UDC plans to present one more time at the ANC’s June meeting. Probably a good idea to be prepared to give feedback there.
Send questions or comments to Juanita Gray at juanita.gray@udc.edu.
[Ed. Note: This construction notice references the traffic signal recently installed at South Dakota Avenue & Ingraham Street NE. DDOT stated that signal will be activated around June 12. I have asked DDOT about issues with the signal at South Dakota & Hamilton.]
The popular Fridays at Fort Totten summer concert series kicks off next Friday June 2. The series, sponsored by The Modern at Art Place & DC Fray, features a different artist 6pm to 8pm each Friday from June through August.
Bring a chair, hang out with neighbors, and enjoy live music, a food truck, and games.
At last night’s ANC 5A01 & 5A09 meeting, UDC mentioned that the Backus campus has been renamed the Lamond-Riggs campus. Formal announcement from UDC below:
The University of the District of Columbia renames the Bertie Backus Campus to the Lamond-Riggs Campus
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Bertie Backus Campus has been renamed the University of the District of Columbia Lamond-Riggs Campus. The University Board of Trustees approved the change on April 25, 2023, to recognize the historic neighborhood while aligning the UDC Campus’s name with the site.
Located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE, in the Riggs Park neighborhood, the Lamond-Riggs Campus is home to the UDC Community College (UDC-CC), with over 1,450 registered students as of spring 2023. The building located on the Campus will retain the Bertie Backus name to maintain the historical significance of the building to the community.
“Renaming the Bertie Backus Campus as the University of the District of Columbia Lamond-Riggs Campus perfectly aligns with our goals of being a part of and honoring this historical community,” said UDC President Ronald Mason Jr. “Although the name has changed, our goal of providing an accessible community hub for quality education remains the same.”
UDC-CC serves students pursuing associate degrees or certificates, which include law enforcement, information technology, engineering sciences and accredited programs, such as nursing, mortuary science, respiratory therapy, and aviation maintenance technology. Students who apply to the Community College are admitted on an open admissions basis. The UDC-CC at the Lamond-Riggs Campus is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and closed on Sunday.
“The renaming can create a stronger sense of connection between the College and its community and continue to build trust and goodwill,” said Dean of the UDC-CC Marilyn Hamilton. “We are increasing the visibility and accessibility of the College to the residents of the neighborhood and those surrounding it. Moreover, this helps reinforce the College’s role as a vital institution that is part of the larger system of public higher education that makes up the University of the District of Columbia.”
Over the next few weeks, modifications will be made to signage and promotional materials to reflect the name change of the Campus.
Last year, Metro released its 10-year strategic plan and included Fort Totten in the list of stations for which Metro would seek a joint development partner in the near term. The Washington Business Journal reports that Metro has given the green light to prepare solicitations for joint development at several Metro stations, including Fort Totten.
At Fort Totten, the proposal could support approximately 680,000 square feet of future development by converting the 408 space Park & Ride lot into a garage and replacing the MTPD precinct.
Aventine Fort Totten is a joint development project that was completed in 2008. In 2013 Metro solicited proposals to redevelop the long-term surface parking lot at Fort Totten station. That solicitation received no bids. Metro subsequently received an unsolicited offer to develop the lot and put out an RFP again in 2014. That solicitation resulted in the selection of Donatelli in 2015. That project was cancelled in 2018. Now Metro is preparing to try again.
Some may or may not know that there is an area development plan for the Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue NE corridor that was approved by the DC Council in 2009. That plan was fully incorporated into the Comp Plan in 2021. Some also may or may not know that in 2010 Metro released a joint development study for Fort Totten station. All of these combined with the transportation access study that Metro released in 2011 provide good context for plans for the station area. (All of these documents are in the Neighborhood Document Library on the blog).
A lot of development has happened since those plans and studies were released.
Fort Totten Square, which includes a Walmart with a decently sized grocery component, was completed in 2014.
The Cafritz Foundation completed the first phase of its large development project Art Place at Fort Totten in 2017 and is under active construction on the second phase. The second phase is expected to be completed around 2025.
The Brookland to Fort Totten extension of the Met Branch Trail opened in April 2022.
EYA is nearing completion of the first phase of Riggs Park Place at the corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE. A number of families have moved into the new townhomes there. Groundbreaking on the senior building/retail component of the project will be next.
UDC is undertaking a campus plan process for the Bertie Backus Campus at South Dakota Avenue and Galloway/Hamilton streets NE that will see phased campus development over a few years.
In the midst of all of this, we had a pandemic that shifted how people think about designing spaces for large numbers of people to use.
We also have Metro’s decision to stop runing the yellow line to Fort Totten, which is an interesting one from a development perspective. It used to be the case that one could tout the fact that Fort Totten was the only station outside of the downtown core that had three lines servicing the station. Of course, having two lines is not so shabby either, but still just a perspective I have not seen in all the chatter about the yellow line.
Shortly after starting his tenure as the new general manager of Metro last year, GM Randy Clarke made his rounds of the system. I met him at Fort Totten station and told him that hopefully with some lessons learned from what could have worked better with Aventine and previous bids, Metro can put together a package for Fort Totten that will see a high quality project come to the area. I know construction costs are much higher now and there are supply chain issues still. But we can still do better than what Metro did with Aventine. We can have solid, high quality urban architecture & construction; pedestrian friendly design; appropriately scaled spaces; recycling/waste diversion receptacles on the grounds; advanced stormwater management; better connections to the MBT; and wayfinding signs. In other words, we can have what all the plans for this area contemplate, meeting the needs of Metro and the needs of the surrounding neighborhood.
UDC officials presented on the Bertie Backus Campus Plan at ANC 5A’s meeting on April 26, 2023. UDC officials said they plan to submit the campus plan application to the DC Zoning Commission this month. For information about the campus plan process, visit https://www.udc.edu/campus-master-plan.
(This post described initial meetings about this process).
DC zoning regulations require universities to update campus plans every 10 years. According to UDC, the goal of the regulations are to ensure that university campuses “(1) are well-planned and designed; (2) have long-term facilities plans; (3) minimize any negative impacts the university may have on the surrounding residential neighborhood; and (4) are consistent and transparent with their planning processes.” The Bertie Backus plan under development is the first one for the campus.
The April presentation provides a few more details on the phased development plan for the campus. I have asked for a fact sheet about the Backus campus plan. I will update the post when I receive that information.
The existing campus, located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE, sits on a large city block along South Dakota Avenue between Galloway and Hamilton streets. The campus houses UDC’s community college programs (which were relocated from the university’s North Capitol Street campus) and UDC’s Bertie Backus food hub. There is also a DOES American Job Center located on the grounds with an entrance on Hamilton Street NE. The campus sits in ANC 5A01.
(Separately from the campus plan process, the university is currently completing a few beautification projects on the campus.)
Phase One
The first phase would consist of modernizing the existing buildings on campus.
Upgrade utilities
New HVAC
Solar panel installation
Addition of a few long-term bicycle parking spaces
New green/bioretention spaces, new trees, new wayfinding signs in a reconfigured parking lot (160 parking spaces)
New food court/coffee station on first floor
New loading area close to Hamilton Street
Phase Two
The second phase would consist of an expansion. UDC officials said there is no funding for this phase.
New 55,000 square foot wing and courtyard on part of the existing parking lot.
New main entrance
Reconfigured parking lot with 100 spaces
Green roof on the new wing
Removal of chain link fence
New bike parking along South Dakota Avenue
New UDC clock tower with UDC logo
Improved signage/facade improvements along South Dakota Avenue
New green spaces
Food Hub components and 9/11 memorial will remain
Campus Plan Timeline
May 2023: UDC submits Bertie Backus campus plan application to DC Zoning Commission
On April 28, 2023, the Cafritz Foundation filed a “modification of consequence” for the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten to make sure they are able to get certificates of occupancy turn over the space for buildout of the grocery store and children’s museum before construction of the entire second phase is complete. (ZC case no. 06-10H)
My understanding is that representatives for the Cafritz Foundation will share a quick update about this at tonight’s Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association meeting. Getting the gym open in the first phase was a big deal. Getting spaces turned over to Aldi and the children’s museum for the second phases will be an even bigger deal. As these key tenants come online, the viability of this project remains intact.
This proposed application does not propose any changes to the size, height, uses, or appearance of the Block B PUD Project which was last approved by the Zoning Commission in ZC Order No. 06-1 0G. The modification that the Applicant is requesting in this application is solely related to construction and occupancy sequencing so that the Applicant can deliver the Aldi Grocery Store and the Children’s Museum space by February 28, 2024 (as required by the leases for these spaces), and then continue with construction of the other elements of the Block B PUD Project without decommissioning of construction activity on the site.
There are currently no conditions in ZC Order Nos. 06-l0D, 06-l0E, or 06-l0G that address the ability of the Applicant to open portions of the building as they are ready for occupancy. The purpose of this Modification of Consequence application is to create a specific condition of the Zoning Commission’s approval of the Block B PUD Project that the Applicant can refer to as it processes certificate of occupancy applications with the Department of Buildings, and specifically the Zoning Administrator’s Office.
***
The creation of a condition in the Zoning Commission’s approval of the Block B PUD Project that explicitly allows the identified uses to sequentially and safely occupy each block of space while construction activity continues on remaining portions of the site is essential to the Applicant’s ability to finance and continue the construction of this important project.
• Build the FEZ north block, which includes the ALDI grocery store and Children’s Museum core and shell. The core and shell will be complete, including rooftop green roof areas. The Applicant intends to allow the ALDI grocery store to occupy their space first, with parking provided on B1 level of garage. • In support of the occupancy of the ALDI grocery store and Children’s Museum space within the commercial north block, construction of the below-grade garage, the north parking ramp to Kennedy Street, and the commercial loading docks will occur. • The extent of site development includes construction of the ALDI facades to the curb along South Dakota A venue, with attendant civil improvements. In addition, the sidewalks up Kennedy Street and along South Dakota will be installed for pedestrian access to the ALDI and Children’s Museum entrances/exits. The internal private road connection from Kennedy Street to the commercial loading dock will be built in order to provide access to dock.
2nd Construction & Occupancy Sequence
• Construction of the balance of the FEZ central block, and the Residential East, North, and South buildings. The residential buildings will include at-grade, retail core and shell space. • The extent of site development includes construction of the approved site features to access the residential and retail entrances and exits. The alley will be constructed in order to provide access to the residential loading dock, rear entrance, and connection to the private street.
3rd Construction & Occupancy Sequence
• Construction of the balance of the FEZ building, primarily southern block, including the rotunda. • The extent of site development will include the remaining approved site features along the pedestrian sections of the private street and the perimeter of the FEZ building along Ingraham Street and South Dakota A venue.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 