Category Archives: Uncategorized

Fort Totten Square: Wing Stop & 2nd Phase Rendering

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Totten Square, Uncategorized and tagged with

JBGR, the retail arm of developer JBG, has updated the marketing brochure for Fort Totten Square showing the addition of Wing Stop to the development on the corner of Chillum Place and Riggs Road NE. That leaves one more retail slot available for that corner and one slot still available on the corner of 3rd Street and Riggs Road. Usual caveat: This is just a marketing brochure, not any declaration of binding leases.

The brochure also includes a site plan and rendering for the second phase of the development. Recall that the developers own property south of Phase I on South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road. They are in negotiation with the District to purchase an adjacent District-owned parcel to build a second phase (see our post on that process here). The site plan depicts retail fronting Riggs Road and a portion of South Dakota Avenue with residences above the retail. A separate entirely residential building sits on South Dakota Avenue. The buildings surround an above-grade parking structure.

A bit of commentary: The retail offerings for Phase I are a big disappointment. I suppose we should not be too surprised once a 120,000 square foot Walmart was signed on as the ground floor anchor. And once Carolina Kitchen pulled out, it was just a matter of time for the developers to line up other retail tenants for a 2015 opening. The developers have said they already have more (and presumably better) interest in the second phase from retailers, as that location offers better visibility. We’ll see what that means.

September 11: Community hearing on leasing of Mamie D. Lee school building

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

On September 11, 2014, DC government officials will hold a public hearing before officially making the Mamie D. Lee school building, located at 100 Gallatin Street NE, available for lease by public charter schools through a request for offers (RFO). The purpose of the hearing is to better align community needs with requests of the charter schools. Currently, the school serves students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The District plans to consolidate Mamie D. Lee and Sharpe Health School in one building at River Terrace Elementary School in Ward 7 by fall 2015. The hearing takes place at 6:30 pm at Lamond Riggs Library (5401 South Dakota Avenue NE)

Comment on Changes to the Visitor Parking Permit Program

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

The District Department of Transportation is soliciting comments on changes it is proposing to the way it administers the visitor parking program.  Currently, a visitor parking permit is mailed to every residence located on a residential permit parking (RPP) block in the neighborhood.  Under the proposal, residents living on RPP blocks will have to apply online or over the phone for an annual visitor parking permit.

To view the proposal and comment, click here.  The agency prefers online comments, but written comments may be addressed to  Samuel D. Zimbabwe, Associate Director, District Department of Transportation, 55 M Street, S.E., 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20003

The comment period is open until September 20, 2014.  The current permits will expire December 31, 2014 (disregard the September 2014 expiration date printed on the permits).

September 9: Final Community Hearing on PEPCO Undergrounding Plan

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

From the hearing notice:

The Commission will convene a final community hearing at the following location on the specified date to receive comments from the public:

September 9, 2014 – 6 p.m.

D.C. Public Service Commission

Hearing Room

1333 H Street, NW, 7th Floor East Tower

Washington, DC 20005

Those who wish to testify at the community hearing should contact the Commission Secretary by the close of business on September 4, 2014, by calling (202) 626-5150. Representatives of organizations shall be permitted a maximum of five minutes for oral presentations. Individuals shall be permitted a maximum of three minutes for oral presentations. If an organization or an individual is unable to offer comments at the community hearings, written statements may be submitted by September 15, 2014 to the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, 1333 H Street, NW, Suite 200, West Tower, Washington, DC 20005.

Ward 5 Industrial Land Transformation Report “Ward 5 Works” Released

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Ward 5 Industrial Land Transformation Study

We are back from summer break to take a look at “Ward 5 Works” (pdf), the long-awaited report from the Ward 5 Industrial Land Transformation Task Force, released to the public on August 27, 2014. The report sets forth policy recommendations concerning the industrial land in Ward 5 for the next 5 years:

  • Create an Industrial Advocate to serve as a liaison to Ward 5 residents and spearhead marketing, business attraction, technical assistance and coordination among businesses
  • Revise the zoning code to preserve industrial land, buffer residential uses from industrial impacts, encourage inclusion of retail space in production, distribution, and repair (PDR) businesses, and reduce the amount time to obtain a building or occupancy permit
  • Improve waste management activities and limit future ones and launch a pilot Good Neighbor program
  • Coordinate workforce development program with the Industrial Advocate to ensure a pipeline of PDR jobs for District residents
  • Help Ward 5 business access financial resources and technical assistance
  • Build support for industrial uses and change perception of Ward 5
  • Explore potential for a “creative hub” and partner with private sector to support development of affordable space for PDR
  • Enhance access to Ward 5 with investment in bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian connections, bus service, streetcar and other premium transit options
  • Invest in new and upgraded community amenities, such as parks, retail, restaurants, streetscapes and family-friendly destinations

The area around Fort Totten metro station, where most of the industrial land in the neighborhood is concentrated, seems to be more of a footnote in the report.  There are probably a few reasons for this. The report focuses primarily on the Ivy City neighborhood and the New York Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue corridors because most of the industrial land in the ward is concentrated in those areas. It also highlights Brookland as a potential creative hub, building off of the energy created by Dance Place, the artist housing, and the Monroe Street Market Arts Walk.  There is not much vacant or underleased land around Fort Totten on the Ward 5 side. Some of the land has already been developed for residential use. For example, the Aventine Fort Totten Apartments sit on WMATA-owned land. Also in the neighborhood are the Capital Area Food Bank, salt domes, a privately-owned plumbing business, and the trash transfer station. The report notes the municipal facilities have a natural buffer in Fort Totten Park, so the nuisance factor is limited. (Though we cannot forget about the recent fire at the trash transfer station and the fact that the hilly road portion of the MBT between Fort Totten and Brookland does not offer a pleasant biking experience). And finally, the Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue small area plan, which went into effect in 2009, offers plenty of recommendations for the neighborhood, many of which we are seeing come to fruition.

The report, then, has limited value in terms of official action for the neighborhood. The few specific recommendations have either already been done or are in the planning process. For example, it recommends a bikeshare station at the metro station (check) and improved pedestrian/cycling connections along South Dakota Avenue (on DDOT’s planning list). However, that is not to say some of the ideas advocated for other areas, such as culinary incubators, small-scale local production, media and creative arts spaces, urban agriculture, and tool libraries, cannot be done in this neighborhood. Probably the most important recommendation in the report is to consolidate the municipal facilities along West Virginia Avenue NE and create a PDR hub. The report notes that DC’s government will continue to need an industrial land base for municipal functions. Some municipal functions and industrial uses are more of a burden than others. We have already seen the neighborhood jockeying taking place over WMATA’s desire to either renovate or build a bus barn to serve the upper Northeast and Northwest areas of the city. To the extent government officials can actually follow through on the report’s recommendation to develop a master facilities plan to protect land for municipal functions, while reducing the nuisance factor on neighboring residences, this neighborhood will be well served by the report. 

For media coverage of the report, see the Washington City Paper, Washington Post, and the Washington Times.

Five Guys to Fort Totten Square

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Totten Square, Uncategorized and tagged with ,

Editor’s note 7/24/2014: We should have added the usual caveat that the brochure does not mean a lease has been signed. We’ve been told the developers have a letter of intent with Five Guys, not a signed lease just yet.

According to an updated brochure from JBGR (the retail arm of developer JBG), Five Guys will be joining Subway at Fort Totten Square on the corner of Riggs Road & Chillum Place NE. That space was to be occupied by Carolina Kitchen/TKO Burger before they pulled out. This addition leaves one vacant retail space between the Subway and the Five Guys, as well as the vacant space on the corner of 3rd Street & Riggs Road, to which the developers have been hoping to lure a coffee shop.

Fort Totten Square Site Plan

Nearby Farmers Markets + Potomac Pastry

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Check out nearby farmers markets this summer.

Brookland Farmers Market #1

  • Tuesdays, 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Location:  Near 10th & Otis Street NE, under the Michigan Avenue bridge (next to Brookland metro station)

At the Tuesday market, in addition to traditional market fare like fresh fruit and veggies, you will find Potomac Pastry, a new dessert and pastry business founded by a Brookland resident.  Potomac Pastry serves super delicious, fresh treats like croissants, macarons, kouign ammans, and more.  If you have not tried a kouign amman, believe me you will want to try one.  Check out Potomac Pastry at the Tuesday market and support local.

Brookland Farmers Market #2

  • Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Location: Arts Walk, Monroe Street Market (716 Monroe Street NE)

Petworth Community Market

  • Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Location: Upshur & 9th Street NW (at Georgia Avenue)

Takoma Park Farmers Market

  • Sundays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, all year round
  • Location: Laurel Avenue, historic Old Takoma (just a short walk from Takoma metro station)

 

New Brookland Restaurants

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Neighboring Brookland is enjoying a restaurant blitz.

Brookland’s Finest Bar & Kitchen (from the owners of The Pug and Solly’s) officially opened June 9. Location: 3126 12th St. NE. Facebook page

Smith Public Trust (from the owners of Smith Commons) is in soft open mode until after the World Cup. Location: 3514 12th St NE. View the menu here.

Steel Plate (from the owners of Rustik) opened June 25 and will offer a 20% discount to diners until June 29. Location: 3523 12th St. NE. View the menu here.

Brookland Pint (from the owners of Meridian Pint) anticipates a late July opening in Monroe Street Market.

Draft moveDC plan released

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Remember attending all of those open houses for moveDC?  DDOT has released its draft moveDC plan.  An online survey is available and feedback on the draft plan will be accepted until July 6, 2014.

It is worth taking the time to look at the plan, which has laudable policy goals and big-ticket items that will affect how people travel throughout the city.  This post focuses on the items specific to the neighborhood.

Bicycle Element

The plan lists a number of bicycle elements relevant to the neighborhood.

  • Completion of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT)
  • Cycle tracks on Missouri Avenue NW, New Hampshire Avenue NW, and South Dakota Avenue NE
  • Bicycle connection between Brookland and Columbia Heights
  • Completion of Prince George’s Connector from Gallatin Street NE to the Prince George’s County Line
  • The plan sets a goal that 75% of DC residents and 90% of DC employees be located within a quarter-mile of a CaBi station
  • Fort Totten metro station is listed as one area in which DDOT should concentrate to improve accommodations for bicyclists

However, in terms of priority, completion of the MBT from Fort Totten to the Maryland line is listed as Tier 1, while the Prince George’s Connector and South Dakota Avenue project are Tier 3.  The plan states prioritization is based on community/stakeholder support, existing commitments, and ensuring that investments are distributed across the city in service of current and future residents.

Transit Element

High-frequency bus service connecting Fort Totten and Friendship Heights is listed as a Tier 2 priority. Most of the Tier 1 priorites involve the streetcar.  The Takoma/Silver Spring line is listed as a Tier 2 priority.

Vehicular Element

New street crossings north of the Fort Totten tracks (Longfellow Street NE between 1st Street NE and 3rd Street NE; Sligo Mill Road between Oglethorpe Road NW and Chillum Place NE) are Tier 3 & 4 priorities, respectively.

Other elements include transportation demand management; parking and curbside management; and sustainability and livability.  Visit the moveDC site to read about all of the elements and the policy and implementation frameworks.  Comment by July 6, 2014.

ANC 5A meeting wrapup

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Guest post

On April 23, 2014, ANC 5A held its monthly community meeting at the Backus Campus of UDC’s Community College. The meeting included information on the following topics.

Auto-Related Crime Has Increased

MPD Officer Lucas reported on police activity in the Fourth District.  Year-to-date, there have been dramatic increases in the number of stolen autos and the number of incidents of theft from autos.

Officer Lucas reminded us of the steps that each of us can take to avoid becoming a victim of auto-related crimes. (Click here and here for auto crime-prevention tips.)

New Trash/Recycling Receptacles

Call 311 to arrange pickup of your old, unwanted trash and recycling receptacles

2015 Budget

The DC budget cycle for FY 2015 is in-progress, so public hearings on the budget are being conducted. This website has the 11-page public hearing schedule for DC’s “Fiscal Year 2015 Proposed Budget and Financial Plan.”

Bike Lanes

Commissioner Edwards said that DDOT is moving ahead with its plans for bike lanes this year. (See this list of “2014 Planned Bikeways” and this link for a map of those bikeways). These plans include bike lanes on Harewood Road between Michigan Avenue and Taylor Street, and on Fort Totten Drive between Bates Road and Rock Creek Church Road. If you need more information on the bike lanes or have comments, contact DDOT Bicycle Program Specialist Mike Goodno at mike.goodno@dc.gov or (202) 671-0681.

National Park Service Options; Comments Due May 2nd

The Commissioners passed a resolution in support of a direct path between Gallatin and Galloway Street, the option that the community agreed upon at the recent SMD 5A08 meeting on improvements to the NPS paths between Gallatin and Galloway Streets. Contact Commissioner Alston about wording of the resolution. Remember comments are due May 2nd on the project’s website.

New Charter School to Open on AFRH Campus This Fall

Golnar Abedin, Ph.D., is Executive Director/Principal of the Creative Minds International Public Charter School, currently located at 3224 16th Street NW in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

Dr. Abedin said that this fall, the school will open an additional facility, for pre-school through 5th-grade students, on the campus of the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH; aka the Old Soldiers’ Home).

After Dr. Abedin described the School’s programs and admissions policies, the ANC 5A Commission voted to pass a resolution in support of the School’s AFRH facility. (Note that the application period for Creative’s 2014-2015 school year closed in March.)

An April 2nd article in the Washington City Paper about the school’s additional facility also mentions other ways the AFRH campus could soon be open to non-AFRH residents.

Education Officials Discuss Plans

DC Councilmember David Catania and DC School Board President Mark Jones spoke about various initiatives in the DC public school system.

Councilmember Catania, who is Chair of the Council’s Committee on Education, described the Committee’s recent legislative efforts. President Jones announced that the Deputy Mayor for Education is holding a series of community meetings to get the public’s opinions on the proposals she has made to change school feeder patterns and boundaries.  (Greater Greater Education blog has a post discussing the boundary change process that also includes a link to an app created by Code for DC to help families determine how the proposed changes affect them.)

Also, President Jones described the School Board’s work on revisions to high school graduation requirements to ensure preparation for college or careers.

Former ANC5A Commissioner Rip Preston reminded us that a non-profit, community-based organization, the Ward 5 Council on Education, is working to improve the quality of education in Ward 5 schools.

DC Humanities Council Offers Grants; Proposal Deadline is May 9th

Natasha Brown, from the Humanities Council of Washington, DC, announced that proposals are due May 9th for applications for the DC Community Heritage Project (DCCHP) grant. This particular grant provides funding and support to community leaders interested in preserving the history, architecture, and collective memory of their neighborhoods. The Humanities Council has other community-based grant programs as well.

Architect Viewpoint on Fort Totten Square

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

The Architectural Record has a nice article on Fort Totten Square with a few renderings (click link to see photos).  The architect, Hickok Cole, noted how the topography of the land was favorable to incorporating underground parking.  From the very beginning of the project, the architects stated they wanted to build something that was more modern for the neighborhood.  They accomplish that with several types of material on the Riggs Street facade, but they incorporate more brick veneer for the apartments on the 3rd Street side to blend in with the more residential feel of that street.  They also use more brick on the retail space at the corner of Chillum Place.

The developers noted they want to attract young people who want access to the city without paying downtown prices.  Judging from the renderings, the residents will be enjoy two beautiful courtyards with a pool and other amenities.  At the Fort Totten Square community meeting, someone did ask about neighborhood access to the pool.  The answer is to become friends one of the residents there.

On a personal note, I have never been crazy about the amount of blue branding incorporated into the design.  However, it will be a massive structure, so once we see it at scale, perhaps it will not seem as overwhelming.

Fort Totten Square view from 3rd & Riggs. Photo courtesy of JBG

Fort Totten Square view from 3rd & Riggs. Photo courtesy of JBG

Fort Totten Square courtyard. Photo courtesy of JBG

Fort Totten Square courtyard. Photo courtesy of JBG