Washington City Paper is sponsoring a debate for the vacant at-large city council seat at Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW) on Monday, April 15, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm. Send questions to lldebate@washingtoncitypaper.com or tweet them using hashtag #LooseLips between now and April 15. The moderators will be Loose Lips reporter Alan Suderman, NBC4’s Tom Sherwood, and Washington Examiner columnist Jonetta Rose Barras. The special election takes place April 23.
Ward 5 budget townhall April 10 & Lamond Riggs neighborhood library
Mayor Gray will host a budget townhall with a focus on Ward 5 on April 10, 2013 at Luke C. Moore Academy (1001 Monroe St. NE) at 6:30 pm. In his press release on the mayor’s budget, Councilmember McDuffie said that he would like to see money allocated for the modernization of Lamond Riggs library. The mayor’s proposed budget does not include any money for modernizing Lamond Riggs library, but it does provide money so that all DC public libraries will be open 7 days per week.
Updated 3/29/2013
The mayor’s proposed FY 2014 budget includes a line item for renovating the Lamond Riggs library (pdf), with full funding estimated at over $18 million. It notes that the library is 45 years old and is energy inefficient. The spec calls for the library to be substantially renovated “to create a new 21st century state-of-the-art LEED Silver Rated vacility.” The budget includes zero FY 2014 funding for renovating the library, but includes proposed funding for FY 2015 & FY 2016. It notes that Cafritz’s development (Art Place at Fort Totten) includes a spec in a (much) later phase to build a new library for the neighborhood as part of the Art Place development. The document states DCPL is still involved in discussions with Cafritz about this. An older budget timeline projected that the design for a renovated library would be completed by October 2011, with construction starting in Jan 2012 and completed by June 2018. Of course none of those milestones was met and it’s unclear at this point if Cafritz’s proposal is the reason for the delay.
Ward 4 Budget Townhall April 18
Mayor Gray will host a Ward 4 budget townhall on April 18, 2013, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Brightwood Education Campus (1300 Nicholson St. NW)
Site options for new Brookland middle school to serve Ward 5
DC’s Department of General Services has proposed three site options for an arts-focused Ward 5 middle school in Brookland. A few weeks ago, DGS proposed co-locating the middle school with Turkey Thicket rec center. That idea was met with strong opposition. Now, DGS has proposed three standalone site options, but the school would still be placed in close proximity to the rec center. Visit the DGS Brookland middle school site to see a presentation on the options and a list of FAQs. Embedded in the presentation is a link to let officials know what you think of the plans.
On a couple of Ward 5 listservs, there is still discussion about putting the middle school in a different location than Brookland (e.g. at UDC Community College Backus campus, which used to house a middle school), but it’s not clear if that is really a consideration at this point.
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Hanger Clinic (prosthetics and orthotics shop) opening near Fort Totten metro
The signage is up for Hanger Clinic, filling out one of the long vacant commercial spaces near the 7-Eleven across from Fort Totten metro station. Hanger Clinic is one of the nation’s largest providers of prothestics and orthotics. Information about their products and services can be found here. Certainly a welcome sign for the commercial space near the metro.
The Hampshires (6000 New Hampshire Ave NE) featured in Urbanturf
Urbanturf has a sponsor feature from Comstock on The Hampshires, the new housing community being developed in Riggs Park at 6000 New Hampshire Ave NE. We’ve mainly reported on 6000 New Hampshire in the context of the PUD modification concerning the portion of the development sold to a second developer. Upon completion, The Hampshires will have 38 detached homes and 73 townhouses surrounding open green space and a dog park. Neighborhood representatives attended the grand opening of the detached homes in September. Comstock starts construction on the townhomes this week.
Funny aside: DC Urbanturf’s facebook post asks the question, “Do you know where that is?” in reference to Lamond Riggs.
March 27: Candidate forum for at-large city council seat
A special election for the vacant at-large city council seat and a vote on a DC Charter Amendment for budget autonomy will be held on April 23, 2013. The DC Federation of Civic Association is sponsoring a candidate forum on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at 6:30 pm, at Eastern Senior High School (1700 East Capitol St. NE). WJLA news reporter Sam Ford will moderate.
It’s official: Busboys & Poets going to Takoma (and Brookland)
This post has been updated
The Washington Post breaks the official news that Busboys & Poets owner has signed a lease to bring the restaurant to the new Carroll St. development in Takoma. Also reported is that the owner is negotiating to open a sixth location in Brookland.
This is semi-good news for Riggs Park (remember what we mentioned about being sandwiched between these two neighborhoods in this post). Both Takoma and Brookland are sort of walkable (or certainly bikeable) from Riggs Park, so it looks like in a couple of years we’ll get to have our pick of two Busboys to patronize.
One instructive point from the article is owner Andy Shallal’s statement that he received emails from Takoma residents soliciting him to bring his restaurant to the neighborhood. He said that he likes to go into areas that lack community gathering spaces, certainly an issue for Riggs Park. As Fort Totten Square and Art Place at Fort Totten come online, it’s worth thinking about what kind of outreach, communication, organizing, and consensus building the community can do to really showcase the community we have here surrounding Fort Totten and to make sure we get the types of amenities we really want, so as not to be blindsided again like we were with the introduction of the big box store to come.
Fort Totten Square Construction Job Fair March 23, 2013
FORT TOTTEN SQUARE CONSTRUCTION JOB FAIR
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013
9 AM – 12 PM
CORNER OF RIGGS ROAD AND 3RD STREET NE
Seeking construction workers with specific skills. The anticipated trades that will be at the Job Fair
include:
Mechanical
Electrical
Plumbing
Concrete
Rough Carpentry
Masonry
Roofing / Waterproofing
Participants are encouraged to bring a resume or other documentation of work experience.
Fort Totten Square is a mixed-use project currently under construction at 300 Riggs Road NE. When
completed, Fort Totten Square will include approximately 345 apartments and 130,000 square feet of
retail space, anchored by an urban-format Wal-Mart containing a large grocer and pharmacy.
For more information, please visit www.FortTottenNews.com.
Development news roundup: Children’s museum & anchor for Art Place at Fort Totten, a brewery in the neighborhood, and a rehabilitation facility for 6000 New Hampshire
Lots of development news to report:
- First up, community representatives held an initial meeting with consultants from the Cafritz team on the children’s museum component of Art Place at Fort Totten. You may be wondering why we’re talking about the children’s museum component since we reported recently that Cafritz was still looking for an anchor to secure financing for the project. Well, unofficially there may be an anchor in place (a possible anchor we listed in this post). We haven’t gotten official word, but it makes more sense that they would schedule a meeting at this point for museum consultants to introduce themselves and solicit community input if there is an anchor on the horizon. Look for more information in the future from the ANCs and the leadership of the Lamond Riggs Citizens Association and the North Michigan Park Civic Association.
- The Totten Life blog brings us news of a brewery headed for Riggs Park with a link to a news release from DC Beer. Hellbender Brewery is building out the space at 5788 2nd St. NE (not too far from Fort Totten Square and 3 Stars Brewing Company). Just in case you’re curious, according to this release from DC Beer, the brewery is named for the hellbender, the largest salamander in North America. The Hellbender team plans to use the salamander as a symbol of the team’s “‘environmentally safe brewery practices and waste disposal.'” The team wants to work with local businesses and residents to make the neighborhood “a better place for everyone.”
- The Office of Planning recently recommended approval of a modification to the PUD for 6000 New Hampshire Ave NE. Recall this is the site of the new Comstock detached single family homes and townhomes. The original developer sold his interest in the 2 other buildings on the property. These buildings are zoned for residential use and the original PUD called for residential apartment buildings. The current develper would like to modify the PUD to accommodate a rehabilitation center for mentally disabled adults in one of the buildings and reduce the number of apartments in the other building. The ANC and LRCA (and other community groups) officially opposed the modification, outlining areas of concern. The Office of Zoning held a hearing on the modification request on February 21, 2013. The neighborhood groups and the ANC presented testimony on their areas of concern. While it is almost certain Zoning will approve the modification, Zoning would like the developer and neighborhood groups to come to a consensus on the outstanding concerns and it appears that such a consensus can be reached.
Learn how to grow vegetables with Neighborhood Farm Initiative
The Neighborhood Farm Initiative is accepting applications for its adult gardening education workshop. The 11-week course will be held at NFI’s community garden site near Fort Totten metro station (110 Gallatin St. NW). Members receive their own community garden plot, seedlings, and materials for a fee. Scholarships and work-study are available to offset the fee.
At-Large city council candidate forum Tues., Feb. 26, at 6:30 pm
Several neighborhood civic asosciations in Ward 4 are hosting a forum for candidates vying for the at-large city council seat to be filled in a special election on April 23, 2013. The forum will take place on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at Takoma Park Baptist Church (635 Aspen St. NW–Takoma metro stop) from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Job fair at Arena Stage March 1
Inspired by its current production Good People, Arena Stage is teaming up with Ward 6 councilmember Tommy Wells to host a public job fair called “Looking for Good People.” As of Feb. 15, the site lists 11 prospective employers, with more to come: DC Water; Gordon Biersch; Walmart; Comcast; CSX Railroad; Entertainment Cruises; Safeway; U.S. Army; WMATA; Department of Employment Services; and Giant Foods.
In addition, the following organizations will be on hand to offer workforce development services: Graduate School, USA; Dress for Success; United Planning Organization; Street Sense; Strive D.C.; and Living Classrooms.
Applicants should dress professionally and bring plenty of copies of their resumes.
When: March 13, 2013, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW (near Waterfront metro station on the green line)
For questions, contact Pat Joseph, 202-724-8072, pjoseph@dccouncil.us
ANC 4B Special Public Meeting on 6000 New Hampshire PUD, Feb. 5 at 7 pm
A special meeting for ANC 4B has been called for Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, at 7 pm at Emery Recreation Center (5701 Georgia Ave. NW). The agenda includes discussion and vote on recommendation to Zoning Commission on the PUD for 6000 New Hampshire Ave. NE.
Mayor’s State of the District address Feb. 5 at 7 pm
Mayor Gray’s State of the District address will be Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, at 7 pm at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue (600 I St. NW). Attend in person (seating on first come basis), watch on DCN, or follow on twitter via @mayorvincegray.
Free tax preparation assistance from AARP Foundation at Lamond Riggs neighborhood library
The AARP Foundation is offering free tax preparation services to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, with a focus on those 60 and older. In our area, this service will be available at the Lamond-Riggs neighborhood library. Visit the foundation website here for more information about this service, to find out what documents to take, and to find other service locations in the city. Let your neighbors and family know.
Jan. 30 Fort Totten Square Groundbreaking and Food & Friends Welcome
As noted in the aside, JBG & Lowe will formally break ground on Fort Totten Square (300 Riggs Rd NE) on January 30, 2013, at 9:30 am. Invited guests include Mayor Vincent Gray, Deputy Mayor Victor Hoskins, Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Planning Director Harriet Tregonig, and WMATA General Manager Richard Sarles. Fort Totten Square is a mixed use project that will feature retail topped with residential apartments, anchored by what’s being billed as an urban format Walmart. The project is currently scheduled to be completed in late 2014.
Following the groundbreaking, Food & Friends (219 Riggs Rd NE) will be hosting a Walmart Welcome from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm.
Groundbreaking on Fort Totten Square Jan. 30
Groundbreaking on Fort Totten Square (300 Riggs Rd NE) will be Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at 9:30 am. More details to follow
Free yoga Saturdays at Lamond-Riggs public library
Starting Saturday, January 12, 2013, a free yoga class will be offered every Saturday at 12:30 pm by District Yoga at Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library. Extra mats will be available, but bring one if you have one. Thanks to our North Michigan Park neighbor for the tip.
Applications available for artist studio space at Monroe St. Market
Applications (RFP) now available for artist studio space at Brookland’s Monroe St. Market. Click here for more information.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 