A couple of days ago, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office issued a press release regarding her recent letter to leadership of the National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and WMATA requesting a joint meeting to discuss the ordnance that was found in Fort Totten Park over a year ago. We discussed this issue in this post.

From Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office

Norton Requests Meeting to Discuss Unexploded Ordnance Found on Fort Totten Trail

Feb 15, 2022 

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Last week, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote the Director of the National Park Service, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the General Manager and CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to request a meeting to discuss the discovery of an unexploded ordinance on the Fort Totten Trail in the District of Columbia.

“I have been working to clean up the Spring Valley Formerly Used Defense Site since ordnance were first discovered there, in 1993, and this new discovery is extremely concerning,” Norton said. “I am committed to ensuring that residents across the District of Columbia are safe from such ordnance, chemical weapons and soil and groundwater contamination.”

February 10, 2022

Charles F. Sams III                                  Lieutenant General Scott A. Spellmon

Director                                                  Chief of Engineers and Commanding General

National Park Service                             U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

1100 Ohio Drive SW                               441 G Street NW

Washington, DC 20242                            Washington, DC 20314-1000

Paul J. Wiedefeld

General Manager and CEO

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

600 5th Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

Dear Director Sams, Lieutenant General Spellmon and General Manager Wiedefeld:

I write to request a meeting next week with the appropriate officials from the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to discuss the discovery of an unexploded ordnance on the Fort Totten Trail in the District of Columbia and the scope of the investigation of the trail and surrounding areas for ordnance and soil and groundwater contamination.  It appears the ordnance may be linked to the Spring Valley Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS).

I have been working to clean up the Spring Valley FUDS since ordnance were first discovered there, in 1993.  I am committed to ensuring that residents across the District of Columbia are safe from ordnance, chemical weapons and soil and groundwater contamination.

            My office will contact your offices to schedule the meeting.

  Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton

###

WTOP is reporting that there may in fact be a connection between the munition found on the planned Gallatin/Galloway Street NE pedestrian trail previously under construction and the Spring Valley WWI munitions site in Northwest DC. Metro used fill dirt from Spring Valley to remediate National Park Service (NPS) parkland in Fort Totten Park during construction of Metro’s green line. Recall that in December 2020, I posted about this possible connection. I raised the issue again at one of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s quarterly NPS meetings on March 25, 2021. The Congresswoman’s staff did not get to my questions during the meeting, but I followed up directly with NPS the next day.

I asked Rock Creek Park Superintendent Julia Washburn by email:

1. What is the timeline for getting test results and action regarding the unexploded ordnance found on the pedestrian trail under construction in Fort Totten Park near Fort Totten metro station. On Dec. 16, 2020, NPS informed ANC 5A that “[t]he contractor has just recently notified us that all test results are expected later this winter, no later than mid-January 2021.” It is now approaching April 2021. Is work actually being done to address this issue. It seems as if the timeline keeps getting pushed back.

I would also add that I am concerned about the possibility that the ordnance may have resulted from contamination from soil brought in from Spring Valley during remediation of the parkland during Metro construction. I know that NPS notified the ANC in 2017 about this issue and stated in 2018 that there were no concerns, but I do not believe the ANC received any official report and I question whether NPS knows the scope of the spread of the soil from Spring Valley in the park. Can NPS provide comment on that? 

Rock Creek Park Deputy Superintendent Frank Young responded by email on April 1, 2021:

We anticipate having the testing done soon. The park is consulting with the Army this week or next on the testing results. We will follow up with the ANCs when this consultation is completed.

There is no evidence that there are any soils from Spring Valley present in the area between Gallatin and Galloway Streets NE. All soils from Spring Valley on the west side of Fort Totten (along Farragut Street NE) were removed by WMATA several decades ago.

After discovery of the ordnance in July 2020, NPS halted construction of the trail and hired a contractor to do testing. I asked at that time if the contractor was only testing the soil where the pedestrian trail was going to be located or if they were taking samples elsewhere in the park as well. Unclear. In any case, NPS restarted construction in July 2021 after “negative test results.” NPS then paused construction again in September 2021 after “discovering” infrastructure associated with the green line tunnel where the path was under construction. NPS hired a contractor to survey the area (again) to find a more suitable location for the trail. NPS stated at ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher’s 5A08 single member district meeting in November 2021 that they would get back to ANC 5A after the new year likely in January with updates about where the trail will be located. NPS was not on the agenda for the ANC’s January 2022 meeting.

So now today February 9, 2022, we have reporting that there may be a connection between the munition found on the trail and the Spring Valley site, NPS giving the media the same comments they gave me last year, and Congresswoman Norton belatedly calling for a joint meeting of the Army Corps of Engineers, NPS, and Metro. Interesting

Another opportunity to chime in on the DC budget. This one with Mayor Muriel Bowser. Submit your budget requests at https://mayor.dc.gov/fy2023-fairshot-budget.

Budget Engagement Forums

Senior Virtual Budget Engagement Forum

Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 12 pm
Dial in: 844-881-1314 *No passcode required*
Watch live on DCN 16 and Mayor Bowser’s Social Media Accounts
For more information and to RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/FairShotBudgetSenior

District-Wide Budget Engagement Forum

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 6 pm
View and participate at budget.dc.gov
For more information and to RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/FairShotBudget

On December 13, 2021, the DC Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Modification of Significance application submitted by the Cafritz Foundation for the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten (known as Block B). The case number is 06-10G. To sign up to testify or to submit written comments, follow the instructions in the hearing notice. Written comments must be submitted at least 24 hours before the hearing.

Block B will sit on South Dakota Avenue NE between Ingraham Street NE and Kennedy Street NE. We have covered the modification process extensively on the blog the past several weeks. The proposed changes, resulting from the loss of Meow Wolf from the project, were previously submitted as part of a Modification of Consequence application in case number 06-10F. The Zoning Commission determined that a limited scope public hearing was necessary and withdrew case 06-10F. The development team resubmitted the proposed changes in the Modification of Significance application.

A few updates on what has happened in late November/December, as documents are being submitted on a weekly basis.

Developer’s Supplemental Statement

Previously, in the withdrawn Modification of Consequence case (06-10F), DC’s Office of Planning (OP) and the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) submitted filings requesting additional information from the development team. On October 1, 2021, OP requested the team to submit information about the proposed color palette changes, clarifications on the architectural details of some of the uses, and information regarding negotiations with the new operator for the family entertainment zone (FEZ), grocery store, and children’s museum. OP also strongly urged the developer to consider making some of the additional 23 housing units dedicated below market-rate units, even though the developer is not legally required to do so. On October 11, 2021, LRCA requested information about changes to 3rd Street NE and pedestrian safety measures and also requested that certain conditions from case 06-10F apply to the new case.

The developer submitted an initial statement in support of the new application on October 19, 2021.

On October 26, 2021, the Office of Planning submitted an updated report for this matter. In the updated report, OP also evaluated the proposed changes through a racial equity lens, again requesting more dedicated affordable units.

On November 22, 2021, the developer submitted a supplemental statement to address the issues raised by OP and LRCA. It looks like the team has abandoned its plan to change the color palette. The developer proposes to reserve 3 of the 23 additional housing units as Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) units (dedicated below market-rate units).

In response to OP’s question about the FEZ, the developer stated:

The Applicant has signed an operating agreement with the Venue Group to manage and program the food hall and performing arts spaces. The Applicant is finalizing its lease negotiations with Explore! Children’s Museum. The Applicant continues to meet with numerous groups/organizations that will lease the immersive arts space(s). However, the Applicant is not yet in a position to definitively state which of these groups/organizations will be coming to Block B. Pursuant to the terms of the lease with Aldi, the Applicant is required to provide the grocery store space to Aldi by January 2024. In order to meet that deadline, the Applicant will be starting Foundation to Grade work on the site in January, 2022.

As part of its filing, the developer also submitted a racial equity analysis. The developer also provided an updated trip generation analysis and analysis of the 3rd Street connection, stating the new road segment will have a de minimis impact.

DDOT Report

On December 3, 2021, DDOT submitted a report stating the agency does not object to the application for a modification, with two conditions: (1) Conditions related to transportation demand management, loading, and transportation improvments remain in effect. (2) The developer will fund and construct the 3rd Street segment, subject to DDOT approval.

Office of Planning Final Pre-hearing Report

On December 6, 2021, the Office of Planning submitted a final pre-hearing report. In that report, OP encouraged the developer to make more than 3 of the additional 23 units IZ units. In addition, OP has requested a description of the type and distribution of the IZ units. OP’s final report contains a handy chart comparing what was previously approved to what is being proposed now.

Here are the proposed changes at this point (as reflected in OP’s final report):

• Add a northern extension to the wing on the west side of the former 4th Street, to contain an additional 23 residential units. 20 would be market rate and, as of November 22, 2021’s filings, 3 have been proffered as Inclusionary Zoning units;
• Change the interactive entertainment provider from Meow Wolf to the Venue Group and reduce the square footage and volume of the venue;
• Reduce the height of the glass “drum” enclosure in the FEZ area by about 22 feet while maintaining the approved maximum height for the wings containing residential units;
• Modify the internal layouts and space allocations for the entertainment, retail and cultural components;
• As of the November 22 filings, the applicant is no longer proposing changes to the previously approved colors of the façade of the western “residential” wing;
• Relocate the planned dog park to the corner of 4th and Kennedy Streets;
• Eliminate an open-air, stone-faced gazebo (a.k.a the “fort”), expanding both the FEZ footprint and enlarging the adjacent plaza;
• Add a terrace level above the South Dakota Avenue retail;
• Reduce parking spaces from 717 to 494, a 34% reduction for this phase, consistent with what the applicant states is the changed parking demand resulting from the change in the FEZ’s interactive entertainment provider;
• Add a loading berth to the east wing, accessed from of[f] the closed 4th Street;
• Reduce FAR by 0.32.

There are a lot more details in all of the documents, updated renderings, and the like, available on the Zoning Commission’s website, case number 06-10G, for anyone interested.

ANC 4B Report

The development team attended ANC 4B’s public meeting on November 22, 2021. The ANC voted to submit a resolution in support of the modifications to Block B, with recommendations.

ANC 4B is an affected party in this matter. The project sits across the street from ANC 4B. The boundary between ANC 4B and ANC 5A is Kennedy Street NE east of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE west of South Dakota Avenue. ANC 4B had previously chosen not to participate in proceedings regarding the second phase.

ANC 4B’s Housing Justice Committee reviewed the project at a meeting on November 8, 2021. The Committee submitted a number of questions requesting information from the development team. See the development team’s responses here.

ANC 4B’s resolution builds upon OP’s and LRCA’s previous submissions and makes several recommendations:

• Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B supports the proposed Modification of Significance, but asks that the Zoning Commission and the developer improve the project as to both affordability and stree safety.
• Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B supports the reduction in parking for the Block B Planned Unit Development.
• Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B generally supports the additional 23 units of housing with the addition of at least three income-restricted Inclusionary Zoning units, but the Commission urges the development team to consider additional income-restricted Inclusionary Zoning units in light of the length of time that has transpired since the original Planned Unit Development; the increased need for affordable housing, particularly in this area; and the overall legacy of racial discrimination as to affordable housing and home ownership.
• Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B requests the development team and the Zoning Commission require that the additional Inclusionary Zoning units be family-sized, as the thirty artist units will not support families who need affordable housing.
• Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B requests the development team and the Zoning Commission require that the additional Inclusionary Zoning units be at the 50% Median Family Income level, the most deeply affordable level in the Inclusionary Zoning program.
• Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B requests the development team and the Zoning Commission require that the 84 Riggs Plaza leaseholder apartments be permanently designated as affordable, senior housing in perpetuity.
• Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B requests that the Zoning Commission and the developer significantly improve the physical traffic calming on 3rd Street, NE and adjoining streets beyond just paint and signage to include street treatments, chicanes, raised crosswalks or other physical treatments designed to reduce vehicle speeds and create a shared space for vulnerable road users.
• Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B requests that the Zoning Commission and the developer require the creation of a comprehensive school zone safety plan developed in cooperation with the District Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program for the schools located in the Planned Unit Development. The plan should at a minimum include pick up and drop off planning for students; crossing guard placements; flashing school zone speed limit signs; an examination of crosswalks and intersections for additional treatments including raised crosswalks, rapid flashing beacons, pedestrian hybrid beacons, and flashing stops signs; and consideration of speed humps and speed tables.

By family-sized units, the ANC means units with three or more bedrooms.

ANC 5A

ANC 5A previously supported the Modification of Consequence application in case 06-10F in a resolution with one condition requesting protected bike lanes on 3rd Street. At a public meeting on November 17, 2021, the ANC did vote to support the new Modification of Significance Application. I do not see an ANC report in the record for 06-10G and I do not know if the ANC plans to submit a report.

Aside on the discussion regarding income-restricted units

It is interesting to me that in its October 26th report, OP referenced a 2018 analysis of dedicated affordable housing by ANC when ANC/SMD boundaries are political boundaries that do change (ANC 5A’s boundaries for example did change after the 2010 Census). I know this project is sometimes treated as if it is on an island by itself separate and apart from an existing neighborhood, but it really is not. And if one looks at the income-restricted units in the neighborhood, such as the Milestone Apartments on 2nd Street NE, less than a half-mile north from this project that just happen to be located in ANC 4B, one gets a different story. But that is just an aside.

Also, when this project was first considered way back when, LRCA at that time requested that the income-restricted subsidized units be income-restricted subsidized in perpetuity and submitted testimony to that effect at a public Zoning hearing in 2009. With respect to the Riggs Plaza tenants, citing project economics, the developer instead offered an affordability covenant that would last for the life of the tenant or 20 years, whichever is longer. For the other income-restricted units, the affordability covenant would run 20 years. In 2010, the Zoning Commission approved the entire multi-phase project with the affordability commitments proferred by the developer at that time (Order No. 06-10). (This is one of the documents I was referring to in a previous post talking about the history behind wanting to connect some of the disconnected streets; it includes reference to connecting 3rd Street to Riggs Road). The Zoning Commission could have ordered stronger commitments then.

Fast forward to today and similar conversations about income-restricted units are taking place again, now with respect to the new units being proposed for Block B. The developer could of course agree to revisit its previous affordability commitment.

Again all just an observation.

Statements Regarding Building A

At the ANC 4B meeting on November 22, the development team addressed the amount of space still available for leasing in Building A, the first phase that was completed in 2017. Sean Cahill, a consultant on the project, stated that the development team is looking at ways to activate the old warehouses near 4th and Kennedy Street NE, as well as some of the retail space in Building A.

(And of course, finally having an anchor in place for Building A should help a lot).

From DC for Democracy

Topic: DC Council Chair and Mayoral Candidate Forum
Description: Please join DC for Democracy for two events in one:

1) DC Council Chair candidate forum with Phil Mendelson and Erin Palmer (7-8pm)
2) Mayoral candidate forum with Robert White (8-9pm)

Moderator: Kimberly Perry, Executive Director of DC Action.

All incumbents, as well as challengers who have filed to run in the Democratic primary using the Fair Elections (public financing) program, were invited to participate.

Both segments will include questions from the audience.

Registration link here 

Uptown Craft District Launch
November 21, 2021
12:00 pm

Launch of the Uptown Craft District, DC’s newest destination for craft beverages. Featuring local music acts and prize drawings for people who get stamps at multiple stops. Media sponsor: TakomaRadio.org, WOWD 94.3 fm.

Locations:

• 3 Stars Brewing Company – 6400 Chillum Place NW
• ANXO Cidery – 711 Kennedy Street NW
• Chacho Spirits – 6031 Kansas Avenue NW
• Hellbender Brewing Company – 5788 2nd Street NE

Catching up on a few tidbits from the past couple of weeks

News from the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association

1. The Fitlot funded by AARP has been installed on the outdoor field at the Lamond Recreation Center located at 20 Tuckerman Street NE.
2. Pepco has finished its work on Riggs Road NE. A traffic light will be installed at 1st Street and Riggs Road NE in the coming weeks. This traffic signal is part of the plans for the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Fort Totten to Takoma, but the installation of the traffic signal is being expedited ahead of the rest of that trail extension.
3. Construction work for the Chick-fil-A at 220 Riggs Road NE recently caused power outages nearby. They apologize for the inconvenience.
4. Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George said there will be a Thanksgiving senior luncheon on November 17. Sign up through Hattie Holmes. CM Lewis George’s office will also be hosting a turkey giveaway in Lamond-Riggs.
5. ANC Commissioner Damion McDuffie (5A01) will hold a single member district meeting on November 17, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm.

COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children Ages 5-11

Find information about COVID-19 vaccination shots for children at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/get-vaccinated.

Changes to Fort Totten Transfer Station Services and Hours

Effective Monday, October 4, 2021, Fort Totten transfer station will have new residential drop-off hours. Citizen’s drop-off will be available Monday through Friday from 10 am until 2 pm, and Saturday from 7 am until 2 pm.

Beginning October 9, 2021, residents will be able to drop off their household hazardous waste and electronics recycling every Saturday from 7 am until 2 pm at the Benning Road Transfer Station, located at 3200 Benning Road, NE, Washington, DC, 20019. During this change, the Fort Totten Transfer Station will not accept hazardous household items. 

Document shredding will occur the first Saturday of every month at the Benning Road Transfer Station ONLY, from 7 am until 2 pm, beginning November 6, 2021.

Leaf Collection & Pumpkin Dropoff

https://dpw.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-kicks-leaf-collection-season-reminds-residents-compost-old-pumpkins

It’s leaf collection season. DPW will be using a vacuum process for collecting leaves. Residents whose properties are serviced by DPW are asked to rake their leaves for collection to the curb or into the tree box at the front of their residence. To help facilitate the vacuum process, residents are also asked to keep vehicles away from the curb lanes on scheduled collection days.

Beginning the week of November 6, most pumpkins and gourds can be taken to one of nine food waste collection sites in the District for composting, in support of the District’s zero waste efforts. Please note that pumpkins decorated with paint, glitter or other inorganic matter cannot be composted.

Culture Coffee Too Winter Coat Drive

Please continue to drop off new or gently used winter coats at Culture Coffee Too, 300 Riggs Road NE, through November 30, 2021.

From ANC 4B

Vision Zero Committee Meeting 
Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 5:30 p.m. 

Virtual Meeting Details: 

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link:https://streetjustice-news.zoom.us/j/83166670715?pwd=V3RDR05ydlc0eFZZUC9EbmFBWkhPdz09. Meeting ID: 831 6667 0715. Password: 488799. 

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 831 6667 0715. Password: 488799. 

To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/PbHxKWu8X0s. 

[DRAFT] Agenda 

1. Call to Order & Roll Call  
2. Approval of October Meeting Agenda 
3. Presentation: Will Perkins, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George, Vision Zero in Ward 4 
4. Discussion:  
a. Crosswalk Improvements within Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B 
b. Street Sign Replacement within Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B 
c. Safe Passage to School Expansion Act of 2021 
d. DDOT Fast-Tracking Vision Zero Projects   
5. Questions/Comments
6. Adjournment 

Next Meeting: November 17, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. 

Next time you visit Culture Coffee Too for coffee or tea, drop off a new or gently used winter coat for CCT’s winter coat drive. October 9 – November 30, 2021, at 300 Riggs Road NE.

I am behind in posting, will catch up over the next few days. Starting with this picture I took of a sign at the Five Guys at Fort Totten Square around 8:00 pm during Art All Night on September 24, 2021. The sign stated that the restaurant, not scheduled to close until 10:00 pm, was closed due to short staff.

Book Talk: Senior White House Reporter for the Wall Street Journal Michael C. Bender Discussing His Book, “Frankly We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost”

August 19, 2021
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Culture Coffee Too
300 Riggs Road NE
Washington, DC 20011

Free registration on eventbrite. Books available for purchase for $30 plus tax

The Rock Creek Conservancy has cancelled the Summer in the Parks event at Fort Circle Park today due to the weather. Join Rock Creek Conservancy the remaining Thursdays in July at Fort Circle Park from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for Summer in the Parks.

ANC 5A held a special public meeting on June 16, 2021. All commissioners were present: Damion McDuffie, Sr. (5A01); Charles Lockett (5A02); Emily Singer Lucio – Secretary (5A03); Ronnie Edwards – Chair (5A05); Derrick Holloway (5A06); Sandi Washington – Treasurer (5A07); Gordon Fletcher – Vice Chair (5A08).

Vacant ANC 5A04 seat

The DC Board of Elections certified a vacancy for ANC 5A single member district (SMD) 5A04, which covers Catholic University. The university identified a candidate, Rev. Michael Witczak, to run for the seat. Originally from Milwaukee, Rev. Witczak is a fourteen-year resident of DC and a professor of theology at Catholic University. He lives on the grounds of the university.

Over the years, the ANC 5A04 seat has been filled sporadically by Catholic University students who sometimes have to leave in the middle of a term depending on when they graduate. University officials hope that Rev. Witczak will be able to provide continous university representation on the ANC, assuming he satisfies the requirements to be elected and remains interested in serving. The petition period to collect signatures runs from June 1 to June 21.

Hybrid in-person/virtual ANC meetings

Commissioner Lucio stated that the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (OANC) has asked the ANCs whether they anticipate being able to return to in-person meetings this fall. ANC 5A uses UDC’s Backus campus for meetings. UDC has not decided yet if the facility will be open to the public this September for the ANC’s use.

A discussion followed of a letter that was circulated among ANCs citywide requesting that the Council permit ANCs to have hybrid in-person and virtual meetings. (Aside: It looks like that letter was sent to the Council on June 10, 2021, see https://twitter.com/Alison6B09/status/1403031272474169349). ANC 5A used this special meeting to discuss whether to support the letter. After an interesting discussion started by Commissioner Washington expressing concern about a few ANCs making decisions for ANCs citywide, ANC 5A decided that they will draft their own letter at some point that I suppose they will send to the Council at some point. (Aside: All of this discussion was taking place without residents knowing what the ANC was talking about because, for whatever reason, the ANC does not make letters/resolutions being discussed available to residents ahead of time. In pre-pandemic times, resolutions would at least be available in hard copy at the meeting).

ANC 5A website

The ANC continues to make progress on updating its website. Each commissioner will have individual pages on the new site where they can post meeting notices and other items, and residents will be able to contact individuals through the site. Send suggestions/questions about the website update to Commissioner Lucio. No date given for launch of the new site just yet.

MPD Police Report

Captain Kevin Kentish is the new captain for MPD’s Fourth District. His email address is kevin.kentish@dc.gov.

Lt. Patrick Schaut gave usual advice–do not leave anything visible in cars. After seeing a slight decrease in car break-ins, MPD is now seeing an increase again. Also, take advantage of the city’s private security camera incentive program to install security cameras on your home.

ANC 5A public safety task force

Commissioner Fletcher is working with residents in ANC 5A08 to fill out a neighborhood safety assessment plan with DC’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE). That led to a discussion of how these plans will be used. Commissioner McDuffie noted that he had some questions about ONSE’s response to the safety assessment plan developed for ANC 5A01, and that is why he has not shared information about outcomes of engagement with ONSE just yet. (Aside: I have a lot to write about all of the various public safety meetings that have taken place over the past two years or so. More to come on that in a separate post). Other commissioners expressed interest in filling out a plan for their areas.

The next ANC 5A public safety meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 30, 2021.

Lamond-Riggs Library

The cost of materials to rebuild the Lamond-Riggs Library at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE has increased significantly, but construction continues. You can see visible progress of construction at the site on South Dakota Avenue and Kennedy Street NE.

The Lamond-Riggs Interim Library, located at 395 Ingraham Street NE, will open on June 28, 2021. Patrons will be able to pick up holds, browse a small collection, and use public computers.

The next ANC 5A monthly public meeting will be June 23, 2021.

UDC Wards 4 & 5 Virtual Listening Session on Green Infrastructure & Gentrification
June 8, 2021
6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Register at https://green-infrastructure-community-listening-session45.eventbrite.com
Send questions in advance to Elizabeth.Gearin@udc.edu

ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) single member district (SMD) Meeting
April 27, 2021
6:30 pm-8:00 pm

Agenda

1. Recap of last SMD meeting
2. Recap of ANC 5A meeting
3. Update on Art Place at Fort Totten developent
4. Update on Rocketship Public Charter School
5. Update on Social Justice Public Charter School
6. Update on ANC 5A Public Safety Task Force
7. Community concerns

Who: All D.C. Residents

Speakers: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and National Park Service representatives

What: A joint community meeting with the National Park Service

Where: Please email NortonEvents@mail.house.gov to RSVP for the event and receive the Zoom link

When: Thursday, March 25

Time: 7:00 pm  

This event is open to the public. Please feel welcome to share this information widely as you deem fit.

Today at 11:00 am, the Crush Funk Brass Band will be playing on the front lawn at DC Bilingual Public Charter School (33 Riggs Road NE).