UDC’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, & Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) is seeking volunteers for its neighborhood food hubs and Beltsville farm. UDC CAUSES maintains a food hub at the Lamond-Riggs campus at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE (off Galloway Street). For more information, email the volunteer coordinator at Michele.Bassler@udc.edu.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI 25-03-TSA) to install a new crosswalk at 8th and Jefferson Street NE. Send comments in support to alexander.webb@dc.gov by April 24, 2025.
DC’s Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) is holding its next estate planning session at the Lamond-Riggs Library on March 26, 2025. Registration required. Information copied from DISB below.
—
Securing Your Legacy: A Community Gathering on Planning, Probate, and Property
Next Date:
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
5:00pm to 8:00pm
Location:
5401 South Dakota Ave NE
Building:
Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library
Details:
Please arrive by 4:30; presentations will begin at 5:00.
This event will include an overview of estate planning concepts and documents such as a will and probate, trust, healthcare directives, power of attorney and more.
Learn about the steps you can take to plan for your future and protect your property, possessions and loved ones.
At this event, DC residents will have the opportunity to learn more about their property’s ownership. DC residents will also have the opportunity to complete on-site intake for estate planning, probate, and/or foreclosure legal services, and may be paired with a lawyer from a participating organization at no cost; strict income restrictions apply for those interested in legal representation.
Advance registration is required and will be capped at 100 guests.
RSVP: http://securingyourlegacy.eventbrite.com .
If you have any questions regarding this event, please email sudi.tasissa@dc.gov.
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on February 26, 2025. Commissioners present: Timothy Thomas (5A02) – Vice Chair; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Chair & Secretary; Derrick Holloway (5A06); Elaine Alston (5A08); Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A01, 5A05, and 5A07 are vacant. The Board of Elections certified the election of Jack Hermes to fill the vacant ANC 5A04 seat on February 28.
Commission Business
There are still vacant seats for ANC 5A01, 5A05, and 5A07.
ANC 5A has a balance of $103,095.69 in the bank. No official treasurer’s report given.
Ward 5 Mayor’s Office Report
Ward 5 MOCR Manager Anthony Black could not attend, so he gave information for Commissioner Lucio to share. The mayor’s office held a budget forum at Rosedale Recreation Center on February 27 at 5:30 pm. Spring registration for DPR programs opens soon, so plan ahead by setting up an account. Aquatics registration opens on March 11. All other programs open March 12. Find info at dprprograms.com.
The Ward 5 MOCRs hold Ward days on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am-3 pm when they can come out to hear concerns from commissioners and residents.
Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School (Jose Sousa, Chair, Board of Directors) (5A05)
Washington Yu Ying Presentation to ANC 5A (February 2025)
Washington Yu Ying’s new building opened at 4350 1st Street NE on January 2, 2025, at the old Kirov Academy. This campus serves prek3, prek4, and kindergarten. The existing Taylor Street NE campus serves grades 1-5.
The school is working with DDOT to address dropoff/pickup and traffic issues around the new campus. The school has a walking school bus for parents with children at both campuses. The school is using spaces at Archbishop Carroll for overflow teacher parking. School officials will continue to meet with the community to refine plans.
There is no ANC commissioner for this area. Questions/concerns may be sent to leadership@yuying.org.
Washington Latin Public Charter School) (Peter Anderson, Head of Schools/CEO) (5A05)
Construction is underway for Washington Latin’s new building at the old Kirov Academy. They expect to move into the new building summer 2025. Kashiffa Roberts will be the principal.
The high school will occupy the renovated building. The middle schools will occupy the new wing. They anticipate that the older students will use public transportation to get to school.
The buildings will have a fence with a gate that is closed during school days. The gate will be open during dropoff/pickup.
Representatives stated they have been letting teachers know that there is very little parking for teachers at the campus, and they have encouraged teachers to find alternative ways to get to the campus.
They said the school sees itself as a community resource.
They would like an exception to do construction on holidays to make up construction time because of the winter weather this season. An SMD meeting was scheduled for March 6 to discuss the exception.
There is no ANC commissioner for this area. Questions may be directed to communication@latinpcs.org or 202-209-2195.
Wesley Housing 1 Hawaii Avenue NE Project (Joe Nelson; Grant Koehl) (5A06)
Wesley Housing broke ground on the 1 Hawaii Avenue NE project in July 2024. They are targeting LEED platinum certification. They expect move-ins by February 2026.
They are requesting an exception to do construction on DC Emancipation Day and on Memorial Day to get construction back on schedule and to avoid working on weekends. Sandi Washington, president of the Fort Totten Civic Association and former ANC commissioner, asked to work with ANC Commissioner Derrick Holloway (5A06) on the request and to schedule a virtual single member district (SMD) meeting. Ms. Washington said she would not support working on Emancipation Day, so she suggested they look at a different holiday. (Note: This project was in ANC 5A07 before Census redistricting. Ms. Washington was the commissioner at that time. Now the project is in ANC 5A06).
Commissioner Alston (5A08) asked about internship opportunities for high school students. In response, the team said that their contractor Davis Construction already had plans to have the local high school focused on trades visit the site.
McDonald’s Rebuilding Update (Eileen Seeburger, Construction Area Manager; Christian Mercado Ribertt) (5A08)
(Note: I shared an update from the meeting in this post: McDonald’s to Close for Rebuilding March 1, 2025)
The McDonald’s team received their final building permit to begin the process for rebuilding the restaurant located at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE with a drive-thru. The Gavignano family bought the restaurant in May 2024. The restaurant closed on March 1, 2025. The goal is to reopen in August 2025.
Eileen Seeburger is the area construction manager. She can be reached at eileen.seeburger@us.mcd.com or 215-206-5386 for construction-related emergencies.
The crosswalk on Delafield will close (unclear when). Notice of 72 hours is required before closing a sidewalk. They are still looking at using Faith United Church for parking for construction workers.
The restaurant will have 22 seats with two kiosks for ordering. Commissioner Alston stated she was disappointed in how few seats there will be, stating that this is a community gathering place. Ms. Seeburger stated that design, seating, and other decisions are dictated by McDonald’s headquarters in Illinois. Ms. Seeburger stated that McDonald’s did do a seating audit, but she did not say what the audit found.
In response to my question about how the team plans to communicate construction updates, the team did not have an answer. The owner said everything has to go through headquarters and that it is hard to get a hold of headquarters to approve content for release. All of these non-answers made Commissioner Tim Thomas (5A02) a bit exercised, and he suggested that the ANC work to get a stop work order. Ms. Seeburger stated that no work had started to be stopped.
(Aside: This is why the majority of residents opposed this drive-thru plan, because it was clear that this was all driven by people in Illinois who had no concern for the experience of pedestrians around the location. The ANC, NMPCA, OP, and ZC all shrugged and accepted McDonald’s fictitious account of why a drive-thru was necessary. At every meeting this new team has attended, they have not been able to answer very simple questions. It’s all very strange).
Lots of questions were not answered. As a result, Chair Lucio asked McDonald’s to come back for a special meeting tentatively scheduled for March 13 to provide a more comprehensive presentation with a communications plan. (Note: On March 6, the ANC distributed an email stating that a special meeting will not take place and that any questions should be directed to Commissioner Alston at 5A08@anc.dc.gov).
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
The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) has installed new food waste “Smart Bins” across the city for individuals to deposit food waste/food scraps for composting. The bins are accessible 24/7 and can be unlocked using an app or an access code.
Find information on accepted material, how to unlock the bins, and locations on the Zero Waste DC Food Waste Dropoff website.
Ward 4
Ward 5
Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC councilmembers have compiled resources for former federal government employees navigating the changes taking place in the federal government.
The DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) has launched a website to help support former federal government employees with navigating Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE), finding career support, and learning more about career opportunities in DC Government.
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, with help from Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, has compiled a list of resources.
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 March 2025 LRCA Community meeting will be held Monday, March 3, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST.
This in-person meeting will be held at the Lamond-Riggs Library, Meeting Room 1, located at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20011.
The meeting will also be live-streamed via the Zoom webinar platform:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84890322868?pwd=rKCdeA2m21GuxnhaaHEMWpQqcLN68z.1
Dial in by Phone: 301-715-8592
Webinar ID: 848 9032 2868
Agenda:
Support LRCA – pay your annual membership, join a committee, share your ideas.
Join the Lamond-Riggs community e-mail list.
Read LRCA’s March 2025 newsletter.
This year is an election year for LRCA, with elections scheduled for May 5, 2025. A nominating committee—chaired by an executive board member along with prior-year committee members—has been established to oversee the process.
If you’re interested in running for office or voting in the election, you must pay your membership dues by April 7, 2025. Dues can be paid easily online at https://lrcadc.org/membership-join/ or by submitting the membership form on page 4 of the newsletter. Descriptions of board positions can be found on pages 2 and 4 and in the Bylaws section of LRCA’s website—https://lrcadc.org/about-the-lrca/the-bylaws.
Students can earn community service hours by assisting with the distribution of the LRCA monthly newsletter. If you are interested, please reach out to LRCA President Barbara Rogers at Barbara@lrcadc.org or call 202-904-1027.
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.
[Ed. Note: DPW is now requiring registration for special waste collection events. Be sure to register to secure your desired time slot if you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity to get rid of household waste.]
Copied and pasted from the Ward 5 MOCR Team
Join us for the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) Special Waste Collection Events, where you can safely dispose of or recycle your household hazardous waste, electronics, and secure documents. To accommodate everyone safely and in a timely manner, DPW now requires registration to participate in the Special Waste Collection Events. Sign up below for a 15-minute arrival slot. You may arrive anytime during this period, and a DPW staff member will assist you. Your arrival period is not a reservation. If there is a line when you arrive, please join the line, and DPW will work to process everyone quickly. Only one ticket is required per vehicle. Entry is not allowed before 10:00 a.m. or after 2:00 p.m. Open to DC residents only. Please bring proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill, lease agreement) and the Eventbrite registration. Have your ID and registration ready upon arrival. A DC resident must be present in every vehicle that arrives. Absolutely no commercial waste will be allowed.
Acceptable materials:
For a complete list of acceptable materials, please visit: https://dpw.dc.gov/service/household-hazardous-waste-hhw-e-cycling-document-shredding.
Safety Tips
Leave No Trace
Our team will be on-site to help you unload and answer any questions you may have. Let’s work together to keep our community clean and green. See you there!
Date and time
Thursday, March 6 · 10am – 2pm EST
Location
RFK Stadium – Parking Lot 3
2400 E. Capitol Street NE Washington, DC 20002
Please register at the link below!
Thank you,
Christian Starghill| Ward 5 MOCRS
Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS)
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 332
Washington, DC 20004
C: (202) 394-4399
O: (202) 727-2822
For those Ward 4 neighbors who were not able to attend an in-person listening session, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George is holding a virtual listening session tonight February 26 at 6:30 pm.
Bring ideas, budget requests, and thoughts about Ward 4 and your neighborhood.
Register for zoom link at janeeseward4.com/listen.
[Ed. Note: MPD’s Fourth District (which covers the neighborhood) schedules weekly walks with the 4D Commander. Notice of the location is usually provided at the last minute. Officer Robert Hamrick with the 4D outreach team can be reached at Robert.Hamrick@dc.gov.]
From MPD:
Today’s walk will take place in the 6200 block of Eastern Avenue NE at 4pm on the gas station parking lot. Please share with your neighbors and family. Contact the outreach team if you have any questions.
ANC 5A Meeting
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 6:45 pm
VIRTUAL ONLY
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86281825248?pwd=TMpbuYxbXwjq8EagXa1LGHlAaQKAme.1
Meeting ID: 862 8182 5248
Passcode: 590393
Dial In: 301 715 8592
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business
A. Minutes (January 2025)
B. Treasurer Report
V. Commission Action Items/Updates
I. No Action Items
VI. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations
A. Yu Ying Update (5A05)
B. Washington Latin Update (5A05)
C. 1 Hawaii Ave Update (5A06)
D. McDonald’s Update ( 5A08)
VIII. Community Comment Period
IX. Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
X. Adjourn
Please take some time to complete Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker’s Ward 5 FY 2026 Budget Priorities Survey by February 24, 2025.
CM Parker’s office is also accepting letters from residents and organizations. Send those materials to Conor Shaw (cshaw@dccouncil.gov) by February 24, 2025. If you prefer to relay your concerns via phone, contact CM Parker’s office at 202-724-8028.
Join Councilmember Parker on Tuesday evening, February 25, 2025, for a community budget forum. This is an opportunity to share your budget priorities with the office ahead of budget season. The forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Friendship Public Charter School’s Armstrong Campus (111 O St NW). RSVP through the Ward 5 Budget Forum Link.
This is the time to ask for what you want.
Monday, February 24, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting Details:
For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link:
https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/81406325863
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial +13017158592, 81406325863#
Meeting ID: 814 0632 5863
Public Meeting Agenda
Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak.
The Commission will provide details regarding how to present community concerns at the start of the virtual meeting. This is the time for questions or statements from members of the public about issues on the agenda or other areas of concern. Please limit your statement or question to one minute. You may also contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings.
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday March 11 at 6:30 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for Monday March 24 at 7:00 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Community Safety and Support Committee meeting is scheduled Thursday February 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Please check the Commission’s website for additional information: anc4b.com
Contact your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner:
Mayor Muriel Bowser will be holding budget forums for development of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Also, take a few minutes to share your budget priorities online: FY26 Budget Priorities Survey. This is an opportunity to ask for what you want.
Senior Budget Engagement TeleTownhall
Budget Engagement Forum at Rosedale Recreation Center
Budget Engagement Forum at Kennedy Recreation Center
Ward 4 CM Janeese Lewis George Listening Session for Lamond-Riggs
February 22, 2025
2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Lamond-Riggs Library
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Register at janeeseward4.com/listen or call (202) 724-8052.
Help inform CM Lewis George’s legislation, budget priorities, constituent services, and community initiatives. These listening tour sessions have been useful in the past, so please attend a session if you can. There is space on the registration form to enter questions/comments in advance of the session.
A virtual session will also be held on February 26, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm for those who cannot or do not wish to attend an in-person session
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.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 