ANC Commissioners Elaine Alston (5A08) and Jack Hermes (5A04) are planning a protest of a potential medical cannabis dispensary looking to open at 4942 South Dakota Avenue NE. The protest will be 1pm-3pm on July 13, 2025. For questions, contact the commissioners at 5A08@anc.dc.gov and 5A04@anc.dc.gov.
ANC 5A will have Urban Atlantic at the next public meeting on June 25, 2025, to discuss the Boys Town redevelopment project. The property sits at 4801 Sargent Road NE in ANC 5A02.
The only reason I am writing a post now is so that residents can be prepared to ask questions and provide initial feedback on this project because I am not sure if the ANC has a plan in mind for dealing with this project.
Vicki Davis, founder/president of Urban Atlantic, has briefly introduced the project to ANC 5A, and has presented to the North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) and at the single member district meeting for ANC Commissioner Timothy Thomas (5A02). Joel Lawson from DC’s Office of Planning attended the 5A02 meeting to answer questions about the Large Tract Review process.
Boys Town has been closed for about one year. They have a contract to sell the property to Urban Atlantic. The property is going to be sold to someone, if it is not Urban Atlantic (people should keep that in mind).
The property is zoned R-2 so duplexes and triplexes can be built as a matter of right. Urban Atlantic will be building duplexes in conformity with the zoning restrictions for the R-2 zone. So that means it will be a matter of right development. Therefore there will not be a public hearing.
Initial Proposal
Because the property is over three acres, the project has to go through Large Tract Review by the Office of Planning (OP). ANCs and civic associations receive notice of Large Tract Review applications. ANCs and civic associations can and should submit responses to Urban Atlantic’s Large Tract Review application. As of June 18, Urban Atlantic had not submitted their application yet. They are working on their traffic study and plan to submit their application by the end of the month.
From Office of Planning:
What is Large Tract Review?
What are the Goals of Large Tract Review
What Does the Large Tract Review Assess?
Notification:
The Office of Planning is supposed to produce a final report within 60 days of the application submission. Urban Atlantic stated they intend to submit their LTR application at the end of June. So the ANC really should have a plan for how they intend to address this application. They do not have time to dilly-dally.
Feedback
I recommend that nearby residents who care about what is happening here share written feedback with the following people:
Honestly, people should probably just email all 8 commissioners on the ANC (ANC 5A05 is still vacant). It is not at all clear how the ANC intends to handle this application. It is not clear to me that Commissioner Thomas understands that the ANC should in fact provide written feedback to the development team and OP. I think it would be beneficial for neighbors close to the site to band together to provide written feedback with reasonable suggestions, keeping the goals of Large Tract Review in mind, because there is no assurance that the ANC will pass on feedback to Urban Atlantic.
Issues I have heard raised at meetings and passed on to me by residents so far. I imagine a lot of this will be addressed in the Large Tract Review application.
Retail
The property is zoned for residential use not retail use. There is not going to be retail on the site.
Stormwater runoff
This is the biggie and people should look to see how Urban Atlantic addresses stormwater runoff in the Large Tract Review application. The two mounds in front of the campus were constructed by fill dirt brought in during the construction of Fort Totten Metro station. Apparently those two mounds of dirt cause all sorts of runoff problems for neighbors along Sargent. In addition, North Michigan Park Recreation Center also has a big issue with runoff from Boys Town. The mounds of dirt will be removed, but otherwise no real details just yet about how they will address the drainage issues in the area.
Other Environmental Issues
Residents have asked about tree canopy, how many trees will be removed/retained, new trees planted, etc. Urban Atlantic stated they have already met with a forester and will comply with DDOT guidelines. The initial site plan presented so far shows large planting areas along the perimeter of the site. Urban Atlantic said they will meet and likely exceed the required Green Area Ratio.
In response to questions, Ms. Davis said they are doing soil testing now and so far sampling has not indicated any big issues.
Transportation Demand Management
This is another biggie. We know the planned redevelopment will have a tremendous impact on neighborhood streets. The Providence campus down the street will also be redeveloped in a few years, so we know there needs to be a robust transportation demand management plan.
Sargent Road Entrance
Urban Atlantic is planning to keep the main entrance/exit on Sargent Road with the long driveway between the row of trees. They currently plan to have just that single entrance/exit. NMPCA asked them to consider having a second exit elsewhere on the campus in case of emergency. Urban Atlantic said this will be addressed in their traffic study/Large Tract Review application.
A resident shared with me that the traffic study should address the impacts of the development at the Sargent Road entrance and whether certain measures are warranted:
Bus stop
There is a bus stop near the entrance to the campus in the 4800 block of Sargent Road NE. A resident shared with me that it would be useful if Urban Atlantic could upgrade the stop with a bus shelter to help encourage new residents to ride the bus. And if there is not room for a bus shelter in the existing right of way, perhaps an easement on the property for one could be granted.
Bikeshare station
There is a thought a bikeshare station could go near the campus somewhere.
One-time SmarTrip or Bikeshare membership & Information about transportation options provided to homebuyers
Urban Atlantic could be asked to provide these membership options and information to each initial homebuyer. And when they finally figure out what to do with the Main Building, they should ensure that similar provision be made for tenants/employees of that building as well.
Pedestrian Access to North Michigan Park Recreation Center
Urban Atlantic has noted that they have agreed to OP’s recommendation that they install a pedestrian walkway to access the North Michigan Park Recreation Center, which abuts the rear of the property.
Trails
Ms. Davis has stated they are opening up the campus and will build one mile of sidewalks throughout the site. She sometimes has described these as trails, other times as sidewalks. They are sidewalks. One suggestion has been to maybe build an actual walking trail around the campus.
Community Benefits
Community benefits are typically associated with planned unit developments (PUDs). This is not a PUD. It is a matter of right project. That has not stopped nearby residents and the NMPCA from asking for community benefits.
Urban Atlantic has previously stated they are looking at building a playground on the site that would be open to the public. Residents have pointed out that the rec center is basically in the backyard of the campus, so there is probably less of a need for public access to a new playground in that location. I do not know where they will land on this.
Other things I have heard tossed around include a pool (no), refresh of North Michigan Park signs, one-time enhancements to the small triangle green spaces in the area.
If people want community benefits, I think they should propose reasonable benefits in writing.
Historic Preservation
Ms. Davis often starts her presentation talking about the history of Boys Town, which was founded by Father Edward Flanagan. Before it was a school for boys in need, it was a school for girls. Residents, OP, and the ANC so far have all mentioned recognizing the historic use of the site.
Urban Atlantic plans to keep the 8,000 square foot Main Building, but at this point, it is unclear if they plan to go through the process of formally seeking historic designation of the building or if OP will suggest that they consider doing so. Perhaps there is some way to meaningfully mark the historic nature of the property besides the small plaque that is in front of the campus.
ANC Commissioner Jack Hermes (5A04) has asked Urban Atlantic to somehow recognize the Catholic history of the property.
One resident has suggested to the ANC that Urban Atlantic be asked to pay for (1) a historian to write a history of Boys Town DC, St. Gertrude’s School, and the earlier history of the site; (2) a photographer to thoroughly document the campus before its demolition, and (3) a small print run to provide copies to the DC Public Library, DC History Center, local university libraries, etc.; and (4) the historian’s expenses to present at the DC History Conference.
Main Building
Urban Atlantic said they are still accepting suggestions for how to use the 8,000 square foot Main Building. Ideas thrown around include a daycare center, affordable housing (I would be curious if this is something OP opines on), clubhouse (Ms. Davis said no). Ms. Davis mentioned that it may be some time before they decide what to do with the building. For purposes of the traffic study, she said they will assume worst case scenario. If you have ideas about the building, reach out to Urban Atlantic.
I am sure I am forgetting some things. A lot of this will probably be repeated tomorrow at the ANC meeting. For residents who care about this project, I suggest speaking up and requesting that the ANC and civic association provide concise written feedback to the Large Tract Review application once it is submitted. That may require having a special meeting over the summer.
From North Michigan Park Civic Association
North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
FACE TO FACE only
Faith United Church
4900 10th Street NE
Washington, DC 20017
Meeting Agenda
· Call to Order
· Opening Prayer – Silent
· Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
· Meeting Protocol is Robert’s Rules of Order
· Respect others when speaking
· Respect our guest.
· Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
Guest Speaker for Meeting:
Ward 5 Council Member – Zachary Parker
Scholarship Award Presentation
· Taibat Yussuf
Presentation regarding the Providence Hospital development
· EYA Development – Evan Goldman
Community Leader Reports
· Mayor’s Office – Anthony Black / Christian Stargill
· ANC Commissioners – Commissioners 5A02, 5A03, 5A08, 5A09
· Faith United Church – Pastor Joseph K. Williams, Sr.
Q & A from the community
Meeting adjourn
ANC Commissioner Elaine Alston (5A08) is hosting an ANC Single Member District meeting at 7:00 pm on May 27, 2025, at UDC Community College (5171 South Dakota Avenue NE) to discuss the following:
Ward 5 Family Bike Ride
May 17, 2025
10:30 am
Gather at North Michigan Park Recreation Center
1333 Emerson Street NE
Join the ride to Metrobar
DC’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) issued a new placard providing notice of a public hearing for Clinical Health and Wellness, a medical marijuana retailer seeking to open at 4942 South Dakota Avenue NE in North Michigan Park (the strip mall next to the McDonald’s). The property sits in ANC 5A08. ABCA rescinded the old placard. The new protest petition deadline is June 23, 2025.
From North Michigan Park Civic Association
North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
FACE TO FACE only
Meeting Agenda
· Call to Order
· Opening Prayer – Silent
· Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Community Update
GUEST SPEAKERS
MAYOR, MURIEL BOWSER Q & A
Community Leader Reports
Community Concerns:
Open to residents
Adjourn
From North Michigan Park Civic Association
North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
VIRTUAL ONLY
Virtual Meeting
Meeting ID 882 7345 2110
Pass code 930240
Call In 1-301-715-8592
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88273452110?pwd=dmZ3R1liOTRKY1FyS3hlYlBqWnBWUT09
Meeting Agenda
· Call to Order
· Opening Prayer – Silent
· Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Community Update
GUEST SPEAKERS
Phil Thomas, Director of MOCR and Clean City
Robert Butler, Public Affairs Specialist
Q & A
Community Leader Reports
Community Concerns:
Open to residents
Adjourn
The North Michigan Park Civic Association is accepting scholarship applications for its 2025 Higher Education Scholarship. The Association plans to offer a $1000 scholarship to two students who live in North MIchigan Park. Applicants must be currently enrolled in (2024-2025) or accepted to an accredited college, university or trade program. The parent/guardian of the student must be a paid member of the North Michigan Park Civic Association (dues paid by March 31, 2025). Applications and required documents must be received or postmarked by May 2, 2025.
Link: North Michigan Park Civic Association 2025 Scholarship Application
Link: North Michigan Park Civic Association 2025 Membership Application
From North Michigan Park Civic Association
North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
VIRTUAL ONLY
Virtual Meeting
Meeting ID 882 7345 2110
Pass code 930240
Call In 1-301-715-8592
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88273452110?pwd=dmZ3R1liOTRKY1FyS3hlYlBqWnBWUT09
Meeting Agenda
· Call to Order
· Opening Prayer – Silent
· Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Community Update
Guest Speakers
Jackie Reyes, Director Community Affairs
Edwardo Perdomo, Director Latino Affairs
Q & A
Guest Speaker
DPW- Inspector Darlette Sallie Comer
Community Leader Reports
Community Concerns:
Open to residents
Adjourn
Lots is happening around the neighborhood. Make sure you are on the distribution list for your neighborhood and advisory neighborhood commission (ANC) for meeting notices and updates.
Also, other elected officials and District government agencies have email lists to which you can subscribe if you like getting lots of information in your inbox. The mayor and council all have active social media accounts if that is your jam.
Lamond-Riggs
LRCA has a google group.
North Michigan Park
To join NMPCA’s distribution list, email NMPCA president Carmen Williams at carm8954@aol.com.
ANC 4B does a nice job of posting meeting notices & information on its website at http://anc4b.org. You can subscribe to ANC 4B’s email list via the ANC’s website.
ANC 4B also has several committees. Meeting notices for those committees are posted on the ANC’s website.
To join ANC 5A’s email list, fill out the form on ANC 5A’s website at https://anc5a.org.
Individual commissioners have their own distribution lists as well, so I recommend reaching out to your commissioner to find out if they have a single member district (SMD) distribution list. Find your ANC/SMD. Find contact information for your commissioner: ANC 4B; ANC 5A.
I know that these commissioners have SMD distribution lists:
Feel free to reach out to your commissioner to ask about the best way to get updates for your area.
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
Councilmember Janeese Lewis George distributes a weekly newsletter. Sign up at https://www.janeeseward4.com/newsletter.
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker
Councilmember Zachary Parker also distributes a weekly newsletter. Sign up at ward5.us/newsletter. He also produces a weekly podcast called The Ward 5 Wave. A recent podcast featured Riggs Park neighbor Sia Barbara Kamara, a volunteer coordinator of the monthly mobile market at Faith United Church who has a remarkable life story.
DC At-large Councilmembers & DC Council Chair
Each of the DC At-large Councilmembers and DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson distribute a newsletter. I think it is helpful to also follow the councilmembers who chair committees that interest you, for example the committee on transportation, committee on business & economic development, etc.
DC Muriel Mayor Bowser & District government agencies
If you find yourself often having questions about certain District government agencies, it is a good idea to subscribe to the distribution lists for those agencies. Visit mayor.dc.gov to subscribe to newsletters and email updates for Mayor Bowser as well as a long list of District government agencies. You can also subscribe to individual agency newsletters by visiting the agency’s website. For example, DDOT distributes a weekly construction update newsletter that includes notice of sidewalk and street paving locations.
DC MOCRS (Mayor’s Office Liaisons)
DC mayor office liaisons (known as MOCRs) typically have a distribution list. There is regular turnover in the MOCR office, as each MOCR typically serves around two years. Reach out to your Ward 4 or Ward 5 MOCR to be added to their list.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
The police department has a google group for the Fourth District. MPD 4D Sector 2 (which covers the neighborhood) meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Reach out to Officer Robert Hamrick for more information at robert.hamrick@dc.gov.
MPD’s 4D Citizens Advisory Council meets the 4th Thursday of each month.
The McDonald’s located at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE in North Michigan Park will close on March 1, 2025, in order to be rebuilt with a drive-thru. The last day of service will be February 28. Their goal is to reopen in August 2025 with a grand reopening planned for around Labor Day.
Representatives for McDonald’s attended ANC 5A’s public meeting last night. Instead of waiting to do a recap for the entire meeting, I am sharing a few highlights now.
They said that on March 1, the entire perimeter of the property will be fenced off. It will be about six weeks before the building is demolished.
Construction workers will likely park in the side lot, but the team is still talking to Faith United Church about using the church’s parking lot.
The crosswalk on the southwest side of Delafield and South Dakota will be closed, but it is not clear when that will happen. They said that 72-hour notice will be provided before closing sidewalks. There was mention of jersey barriers being placed on Delafield (the utilities for the restaurant are located on the corner of Delafield) but again unclear when all of that will happen. This might impact parking on Delafield but again unclear. They said the bus stop on South Dakota will not be impacted.
They said there are four phases to the construction, but they did not specify what those phases are.
Since their presentation to North Michigan Park Civic Assocation, they have settled on a number of 22 seats inside the new restaurant, much less seating than the current restaurant. There will be two kiosks for ordering (not three as shown in the image).
I will share more in a meeting recap.
The ANC asked the team to come back to the ANC to provide a more comprehensive construction plan because they could not answer a lot of basic questions. That special meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 13.
Neighbor Shameek shared that on February 15, 2025, there was a house fire in the 600 block of Farragut Place NE. DC Fire & EMS reports no fatalities or injuries. One household was temporarily displaced. I will share any information about ways to assist the impacted households that I receive. As a reminder, DC residents can request installation of a free smoke alarm through 311.
At last week’s North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) meeting, McDonald’s gave an update on plans for the restaurant located at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE.
McDonald’s Presentation to NMPCA (February 2025).
The restaurant has new owners. The Gavignano family owns McDonald’s restaurants between Baltimore and Richmond. The McDonald’s on South Dakota Avenue was the 40th McDonald’s built in the entire country. It will be demolished in the coming weeks. ANC 5A previously circulated a pre-construction update.
One change from previous plans is that the new McDonald’s will be one story instead of two. Cars will enter and exit from South Dakota Avenue. There will be a dual drive-thru lane. A pedestrian walkway along Delafield will provide pedestrian access to the restaurant. They said that the rebuilding should not impact the Route 80 bus stop in front of the restaurant.
They are still working on a seating plan. Because of how the new restaurant will be designed, there will be fewer seats, roughly a maximum of 28 seats. They said they may have room to add two to four more. They said the seating will be more comfortable and also ADA-compliant. They are also looking at having smaller movable tables that they could put out during busy hours to add a bit more seating. They are doing a seating audit to look at how customers are currently using the indoor seating during different hours of the day.
The construction manager was not aware of permissible construction hours. They could not really answer questions about where their construction workers will park, but the new pastor of Faith United Church next door offered to talk with them about reaching an agreement to use the church’s parking lot.
In response to a question about pest control, they said that they are required to have a signed contract with a pest control company for the entirety of the project. They said they already have a contract in place and that they will be prepared to check and empty traps every day.
In response to a question from a resident who lives across the street from the restaurant, they said that the speakers will in fact face Delafield Street. But they said that residents should not be disturbed because there will be landscaping that can absorb the sound.
In response to a question about possible damage to homes, they said they do not expect having to use the large equipment that is used for drilling into rock. They do not expect there to be loud, disruptive banging that residents encounter with large construction projects. I imagine the civic association/ANC will circulate contact information for McDonald’s for residents to report issues/emergencies.
The team said they want to support community events and asked about how to get access to neighborhood email lists and such.
Timeline
They have an ambitious goal to reopen by August 11, 2025. That date is dependent on getting their raze permits soon. They said it will take about 90 days to clean, prep, and demo site, so they expect to pour footers for a new store around May 15. From there they expect about another 90 days to construct the new building.
ANC 5A Chair Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) was on the meeting and invited the team to attend a full ANC meeting.
[Ed. Note: At last week’s North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting, NMPCA representatives noted that ICE has been in the community.]
Message circulated by North Michigan Park Civic Association
Please share this information with your neighbor. Everyone knows someone who may be impacted with the Immigration issues. There will be a representative from MOLA [Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs] at the next NMP Civic Association Meeting to talk about resources.
MOCA [Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs] has a repository of grantees that do work with immigrants through the community.
Here is also a list of resources for immigrant communities: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WHdkVxfEtBt9l_BPDrNPTqRpp2ojPBuj
As well as the Know Your Rights: https://www.cliniclegal.org/resources/protecting-your-community/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-guide-your-rights-when
ANC 5A distributed an image of a letter from McDonald’s to ANC 5A regarding the demolition and rebuilding of the McDonald’s located at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE.
The image reads:
February 3, 2025
TO: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A
5171 South Dakota Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20017
RE: McDonald’s Restaurant Pre-Construction Update
4950 S DAKOTA NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20017
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing to advise the status and timing, as known today, of the upcoming rebuild of the referenced McDonald’s, specifically the project’s start date.
McDonald’s is in Final Plan Review with the DC Department of Buildings.
We are expecting the Building Permit to be released on or before Thursday, February 13th and our Last Day of Sales to be on Monday, February 17th.
McDonald’s will send a RELEASE TO CONSTRUCTION notice via email to the General Contractor, Mingle Construction, no later than Thursday, February 13th, IF those dates continue to hold.
I will personally ensure the Commissioners are copied on that Release, when it occurs.
Residents are instructed to send questions, comments, and concerns to ANC Commissioner Elaine Alston (5A08) at 5A08@anc.dc.gov.
From North Michigan Park Civic Association
North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
VIRTUAL ONLY
Virtual Meeting
Meeting ID 882 7345 2110
Pass code 930240
Call In 1-301-715-8592
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88273452110?pwd=dmZ3R1liOTRKY1FyS3hlYlBqWnBWUT09
Meeting Agenda
· Call to Order
· Opening Prayer – Silent
· Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Community Update
Guest Speakers:
McDonalds Update – Introduction of New Owners
Community Leader Reports
Community Concerns:
Open to residents
Adjourn
From North Michigan Park Civic Association
North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
VIRTUAL ONLY
Virtual Meeting
Meeting ID 882 7345 2110
Pass code 930240
Call In 1-301-715-8592
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88273452110?pwd=dmZ3R1liOTRKY1FyS3hlYlBqWnBWUT09
Meeting Agenda
· Call to Order
· Opening Prayer – Silent
· Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Community Update
Guest Speakers:
Susan and William Webster – Jubileaf Medical Cannabis
Community Leader Reports
Community Concerns:
Open to residents
Adjourn
Ward 5 Turkey Giveaway Pop-Up
November 20, 2024
1:30 pm
North Michigan Park Recreation Center
1333 Emerson Street NE
The Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker will host a popup at North Michigan Park Rec Center to give away a limited number of free turkeys. Turkeys will be distributed first come, first served.
Catholic Charities Child Development Center Open House
November 16, 2024
10:00 am-2:00 pm
801 Buchanan Street NE
Neighbors are invited to the Catholic Charities Child Development Center Open House. Meet the educators, tour classrooms, and learn more about affordable care program for children from six weeks to three years of age.
Information about the planned Kennedy Institute redevelopment is available at https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/program/conway-education-center. See Press Release on Groundbreaking.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
