A neighbor asked for recommendations for an asbestos abatement company for a home renovation project. If you have worked with or know someone who has worked with a contractor that you would recommend, let us know in the comments.
Question from neighbor: “I’m replacing the flooring in the basement. I need to have asbestos removed prior to having the new flooring installed. I need suggestions for a company that I should use?”
The Pepco Open House that was scheduled for tomorrow March 22 has been postponed to a future date.
Sign up to clean up! Join your Lamond-Riggs neighbors on April 14, 2018, for Spring Clean Up Day. The event will bring together neighbors to make our community more beautiful and healthy.
Register at https://lrca-cleanup.eventbrite.com
Volunteers will pick up trash on neighborhood streets and alleyways across the Lamond-Riggs neighborhood.
We need street captains to help lead the clean up activities! If you’re interested in volunteering, or want to suggest a location where we should send some volunteers, please let us know on the registration page.
Event details:
In case of inclement weather, the clean up will be postponed until Saturday, April 21, and the event details will remain the same.
Bags and gloves for the cleanup are generously provided by the Alice Ferguson Foundation.
Hosted by the Environment Committee of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association
Note: This event has been rescheduled for June 9
From The Harrison Beacher Group:
The Harrison Beacher Group is proudly teaming up with the Humane Rescue Alliance to help their four legged friends find their “fur-ever” home. Join us on April 7th at Fort Circle Park in NE D.C. (on Galloway Street NE) from 1-4pm and meet some adorable cats and dogs available for adoption. We will also have a food truck and giveaways during the event! If you already have a fur-baby, the Humane Rescue Alliance will also be accepting donations of toys, blankets, unopened wet and dry food, and more! RSVP at https://adoptathon.splashthat.com
Pepco Open House
March 22, 2018
LaSalle Backus Education Campus
501 Riggs Road NE
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
RSVP: capitalgrid@pepco.com
Receive information about the Capital Grid Project and the Takoma to Sligo Underground Project. Learn how these projects will affect your travel throughout the neighborhood.
Indoor Compost Training
Saturday, February 3, 2018
9:30 am – 11:30 am
Bertie Backus Urban Food Hub
5171 South Dakota Avenue NE (enter on Galloway Street)
Contact: kamran.zendehdel@udc.edu or (202) 274-7161
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/udc-causes-indoor-compost-training-tickets-42461390161
Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association
Public Meeting
February 5, 2018
7:00 pm
Location: LaSalle-Backus Education Campus (501 Riggs Road NE, enter on Madison Street)
Guests
Mayor Muriel Bowser
DDOT Director Jeff Marootian
Read the LRCA February 2018 newsletter
Pay dues online at http://www.lrcadc.org/join-lrca to support scholarships for neighborhood youth ($10/year for single person membership & $15/year for households of 2+ adults)
From DCPL regarding drilling at Lamond-Riggs Library to examine soil prior to rebuilding project:
Hillis-Carnes Engineering to commence the geotechnical drilling on site tomorrow.
Hillis-Carnes will have a drilling rig/truck on site after 9:30 am and they will be working through COB Friday. Hillis-Carnes will need to come back to finish the drilling and additional inspections next week. The drilling will start in the grassy area around the library building and proceed to the parking lot by Friday. Hillis-Carnes expects the drilling to produce minimal noise disturbance to the neighbors during normal business hours.
Guest Post
Post updated
On November 29, 2017, ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting.
Commissioners present: Grace Lewis (5A02); Isaiah Burroughs (5A04); Ronnie Edwards (5A05); A. Jamaal Lampkin (5A06); Sandi Washington (5A07); Gordon-Andrew Fletcher (5A08). Commissioner Wilds (5A01) is recuperating from surgery and is doing well.
The commissioners unanimously approved the October 2017 minutes.
Police Report
PSA 405 Sergeant Scott Dowling stated that Lieutenant Ashley Rosenthal has been replaced by Lt. Todd Perkins who currently works the midnight shift. Sgt. Dowling’s crime report covered the last 60-days of activity:
| Crime | +/- Change over Prior Period |
| Robbery | +1 |
| Assault w/Deadly Weapon | -4 |
| Gun | -1 |
| Burglary | -3 |
| Property Crimes (Package Theft) | -1 |
| Theft from Auto | -1 |
Sgt. Dowling mentioned that PSA 405’s crime statistics skew upward due to the local hospitals, which are crime hotspots. He also mentioned that the higher prevalence of crime in Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights disproportionately affects the statistics for the Fourth District.
Catholic University of America (CUA) Expansion
Catholic University Architect Margaret Carney and Catholic University General Counsel Lawrence Morris spoke next about CUA’s field expansion. Mrs. Carney explained that CUA wants to develop a playing field on its property adjacent to Bates Street NE and opposite the Fort Totten Transfer Station. The new field would incorporate a storm water management system and feature synthetic turf. Also, 130 parking spaces, additional lighting and restroom facilities are included. Lastly, the DDOT-installed gate on Bates Street NE would be moved to allow CUA traffic to access the field from Fort Totten Drive NE. However, the gate would remain to deter other traffic from accessing John McCormack Drive NE via Bates Street NE. Mr. Morris asked for an ANC 5A letter of support, which ANC 5A voted unanimously to provide.
DC Department of Public Works (DPW)
DPW Inspector Darlett Sally addressed sanitation infractions for a variety of offenses such as (1) using trashcans without lids, placing excess litter on top of trashcans, or leaving trashcans in the alley well before or after trash pickup; (2) using plastic bags (especially black) for leaf disposal; or (3) failing to notify bulk trash in advance of bulk item disposal.
In response to questions, Inspector Sally explained the Helping Hands and Sustainability DC programs. Helping Hands is a community cleanup program in which DPW provides tools and supplies – rakes, brooms, bags, gloves – for use. The inspector provided Mr. David Williams at (202) 615-7190 and Mr. Earl Simpson at (202) 576-9004 as contacts. However, the compost delivery plan promised as part of Sustainable DC is not available yet.
DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH)
Mr. Travis Dread-Hughes cited that the DBH provides mental health and drug addiction support city-wide. According to the DBH website “The Department of Behavioral Health provides prevention, intervention and treatment services and supports for children, youth and adults with mental and/or substance use disorders including emergency psychiatric care and community-based outpatient and residential services.”
Mr. Dread-Hughes informed the audience that DBH has a network of 60 inpatient and outpatient drug and mental health treatment centers throughout the city. All can be accessed by calling a single number, (888) 793-4357, to access a 24-hour helpline. Mr. Dread-Hughes provided the contact information to each audience member. He closed by saying that we need to rise above our stigma against those who truly need help.
Mayor’s Office Report
Ward 5 MOCR Lionell Gaines covered the Mayor’s latest initiatives which follow:
Ward 5 Councilmember’s Office Report
Ms. Chanell Autrey gave the following information from Ward 5 Councilmember McDuffie’s office:
ANC 5A website
Commissioner Fletcher (5A08) said the final website updates, including commissioner biographies, will be done by the end of the year.
Grant Request: Ward 5 Warriors
Mr. Andrew-Fletcher introduced the plight of the Ward 5 Warriors, a Pop Warner football team, to the audience. The Warriors earned a berth to playoff rounds held in Florida, but $30,000 is needed for lodging and travel. So far, the Warriors have only raised $2,500. More importantly, this sum must be raised in a few days.
To do so, the ANC commissioners unanimously agreed to waive the 14-day advance notice requirement to make the grant available. Next and after some discussion, the commissioners agreed to support a $5,000 grant if the team coaches:
Community Concerns
Mr. Oliver, President LRLF, discussed the following:
Activists presented two proposals for ANC 5A consideration:
Chairman Edwards (5A05) collected the resolutions for further review and comment by the commission.
Donate items at the school at 501 Riggs Road NE, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm or after hours and on weekends at 745 Kennedy Street NE.
Donations requested:
From Riggs Park resident David:
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Good day neighbors,
The leaves are changing colors and beginning to fall. The temps are (hopefully) cooling off. Sweaters are coming back into fashion. But with all this change, the monthly Lamond-Riggs neighborhood gathering remains the same! … and you’re invited!
What: Thirsty Third Thursday Neighborhood Gathering
When: Thursday, October 19, 2017 starting around 6pm
Where: Hellbender Brewery – 5788 2nd St NE
Who: All the cool people in the Lamond-Riggs and surrounding neighborhoods
Why: because our neighborhood ties get stronger with each pint
Never come out to one of these before? Well, we hope you can join us this time! Tell a friend. Tell a neighbor. Tell your family. All are welcome.
Have any questions? Just ask!
I am the new president of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association. I will post meeting notices on the blog. Unless stated otherwise, blog content and opinions are my own and not that of the LRCA. That said, I encourage residents to attend meetings when possible.
The first public meeting is Monday, October 2 at 7:00 pm at LaSalle Backus EC (501 Riggs Road NE, enter on Madison Street). Pepco will present on its plans to underground power lines along some neighborhood streets. The Lamond-Riggs Library Friends group will discuss their survey on rebuilding the neighborhood library. Be sure to fill out the survey by October 20. Residents will also have the opportunity to sign up for LRCA committees.
Check out LRCA’s website at http://www.lrcadc.org, consider becoming a member by paying annual dues ($10 for individuals and $15 for households with two or more adults), and join the community listserv. Comments, suggestions, questions welcome at info@lrcadc.org.
Free outdoor showing of the movie Moana
July 8, 2017
8:00 pm
Field at Riggs-LaSalle Rec Center (501 Riggs Rd. NE)
Free popcorn, candy, & water
Bring family, lawn chairs, & blankets
DC’s Department of Energy and Environment’s Green Zone Environmental Program and the Marion Barry Youth Employment have teamed up to offer free landscaping services for eligible seniors in the neighborhood this summer. Window cleaning, raking, mulching, mowing, weed removal, and other services are available. To schedule an appointment, call (202) 669-1906 or apply online. Please let your elderly neighbors who may benefit from this program know.
GZEP 2017 Flyer (pdf)
A couple of residents have organized a happy hour tonight June 15 at Hellbender.
What: Thirsty Third Thursday Happy Hour
Where: Hellbender Brewery (5788 2nd St NE)
Who: Our neighbors in Lamond-Riggs, Brookland, Petworth, Takoma, Michigan Park, etc.
When: Thursday, June 15, 2017 @ 6pm
Why: because it’s fun to get to know folks at the local watering hole
DC’s Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants now offers a voucher program for the private security camera program. Eligible recipients of public assistance will be able to apply for installation of a security camera. Applicants who are tenants will need permission from the property owner. Seniors are eligible for a voucher for a security camera through the Safe at Home program. For details and to apply, visit the program website.
A neighbor read our mind and asked us to report on budget news. On May 30, 2017, the DC Council cast its first vote for a FY 2018 budget. It includes a few items of interest specific to the neighborhood.
New neighborhood library
Funding for modernizing the Lamond-Riggs Library has been moved up to fiscal years 2018 and 2019. There were discussions about including a new library in the Art Place at Fort Totten development. It appears now that question has been answered and it will be renovated at its current location.
Coolidge modernization
Funding for modernization of Coolidge High School and new middle school components is included in the FY 2018 & 2019 budget. Recall LaSalle-Backus Education Campus, currently preK-8, will become preK-5 and students will attend middle school on the Coolidge campus.
Pedestrian Safety
The budget includes money for pedestrian safety improvements including rapid flashing beacon lights at Michigan Avenue and Perry Street NE near Turkey Thicket Recreation Center.
Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie issued a press release highlighting a bevy of other items, including funding for more DCRA inspectors; funding for legislation to provide legal assistance for low-income residents in landlord tenant matters, ban the box in housing, and assess the need for larger family units in rental housing; an increase in money for vouchers for low-income and extremely low-income residents; and an increase in funding for transportation for seniors and disabled residents. To view the complete list of highlights from Councilmember McDuffie, click here. For the complete Council markup of the proposed FY 2018 budget, click here.
On June 1, 2017, at 6:30 pm DC’s Department of Parks & Recreation, ANC 4B Commissioners Tischa Cockrell and Barbara Rogers, and the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations are hosting a meeting to discuss programming at Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center. If you have ideas about programming, things you would like to see at the rec center, then this meeting is for you. The meeting will take place at Riggs-LaSalle Rec (501 Riggs Road NE).
A neighbor Susanna Murley has organized a cleanup of the area around Hellbender Brewery
Saturday, April 29, 2017
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Hellbender (5788 2nd Strett NE)
From the event page:
Please join us as we pick up the trash that has accumulated on Hellbender Hill over the winter. We will meet at Hellbender and clean from there to the corner of New Hampshire and Oglethorpe St. NE.
Bonus: Hellbender will give a free pint to the first 15 people who register!
Hydroponic garden at the Urban Food Hub at Backus Continue reading
Next Stop...Riggs Park 