Aldi is still hiring for the store opening at 5300 South Dakota Avenue NE. See Aldi South Dakota Avenue NE job openings.
They are still anticipating opening by the end of this year, but we will have to wait and see.
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on October 23, 2024. Commissioners present: Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair, Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 and 5A07 are vacant.
This was a long meeting. Commissioner Fletcher joined about a third of the way into the meeting.
Commission Business
Once again, the ANC tabled approval of a Fiscal Year 2025 budget so that they can discuss it at an executive meeting.
Ward 5 Mayor’s Office Report (Ward 5 MOCR Christian Starghill)
Leaf collection started October 28. Every Friday, DPW will update the map for where collection will begin the follow week.
Ward 5 Council Report (Oliver Stoute, Constituent Services Coordinator for Ward 5 CM Zachary Parker)
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced a suit against Fort Myer Construction for alleged illegal contamination of the District’s waterways.
Councilmember Parker held his monthly public safety meeting on October 16. This one was focused on youth safety. Reach out to Mr. Stoute with any public safety concerns.
Seniors can apply for a snow shoveling exemption.
A resident asked about the sale of the Providence campus. The office of AG Schwalb is still investigating. Commissioner Lucio (5A03) said that there will be an urgent care center on the campus. She said that she is working with CM Parker’s office to ensure that any agreement with the city includes money “earmarked” for ANC 5A and specifically ANC 5A03 for the health needs of low-income residents.
Jubileaf Medical Marijuana Dispensary (5A08)
A team (Susan and William Webster) wants to open a medical marijuana dispensary called Jubileaf at 4942 South Dakota Avenue NE in North Michigan Park. This is in the strip mall next to the McDonald’s. The company submitted a social equity application and received a conditional license from ABCA in April 2024. They are given a year to find a location. They signed a lease with the property owner on South Dakota Avenue in either July or August. Mrs. Webster, the founder, said she is a cancer survivor and found relief from the harshness of cancer treatment through medical marijuana.
They have to have a security plan. They also said they have asked the landlord to renovate the exterior of the site.
Because of the packed agenda, there was not a lot of time to discuss in depth. As expected, initial response from residents was not favorable. Commissioner Fletcher (5A08) said that he will have a joint single member district (SMD) meeting with Commissioner Bocoum (5A09) in November before the next ANC meeting. He said he plans to invite the property owner.
Mundo Verde PCS Large Tract Review (5A03)
Mundo Verde presentation to ANC 5A
See Mundo Verde’s presentation for timeline, traffic analysis summary, playground discussion summary, and renderings.
The ANC voted to support the large tract review application of Mundo Verde for the expansion of the Calle Ocho campus located at 4401 8th Street NE). The new academic building will be located at 817 Varnum Street NE. See ANC 5A Mundo Verde Large Tract Review Resolution (October 2024).
Establishment of joint ANC 5A/ANC 5B committee on Taylor Street Bike Lane Project
The ANC approved the establishment of a joint ANC 5A/ANC 5B committee to review the proposed Taylor Street NE bike lane project. Commissioner Lucio and Chair Fletcher said the goal of the committee is not to vote on whether to support the project but to provide feedback on the project.
The discussion was a bit hard to follow. Sounded like they said ANC 5B had its own committee reviewing the project. Commissioner Lucio reached out to ANC 5B to ask why ANC 5B did not reach out to ANC 5A given that the project crosses ANC boundaries. (Aside: A few ANC 5B residents joined the call. These residents had a lot to say in the chat about their displeasure with ANC 5B).
Unclear if the committee will be just commissioners or include residents as well. Unclear if ANC 5A will send out a communication soliciting interest. If you care about this project, feel free to email Chair Fletcher (5A08@anc.dc.gov) and Commissioner Lucio (5A03@anc.dc.gov) to find out what is going on.
Bikeshare Station for Fort Totten Drive & Crittenden Street NE (Greg Matletsky, DDOT Bicycle Program Specialist) (5A06/5A07)
DDOT is planning to install a bikeshare station on Crittenden Street and Fort Totten Drive NE. This is on the border of ANC 5A06 & 5A07. Both ANC seats are vacant.
DDOT said that the station will be placed where flexposts currently sit, so there will not be any impacts to parking. Mr. Matletsky said the station will utilize new technology. It will be smaller and quieter. Each dock will have its own small solar panel and use a lower power draw. A resident asked if DDOT was aware that a station will be going near the 1 Hawaii Avenue NE project and Mr. Matletsky said that he worked on bikeshare for that project. DDOT is building out a network where there are gaps so that people have places to dock and pick up bikes.
I asked about the long-planned bikeshare station on South Dakota & Galloway Street NE. Mr. Matletksy said that station would have needed some private property, and they could not reach agreement with the property owner. He said they looked at other areas along Galloway but there would not be enough solar to power a station. So, they are now planning to put the station at South Dakota & Ingraham once construction along that street finishes up. The station will likely be the newer dock described above.
(Aside: It’s too bad it sounds like a station is not being planned by UDC’s campus where the university expects to enroll up to 3,000 students over the next several years).
Yu Ying Public Charter School Expansion (5A05)
Yu Ying requested ANC support to do primarily interior construction on Veterans Day for its new building at 4350 1st Street NE in order to get back on schedule. A few residents who live near there encouraged the ANC not to support the holiday construction request in order to have a day without construction noise. The residents also discussed impacts to parking and traffic flow. Yu Ying representatives stated they take these issues seriously. Sounded like they said they are exploring a satellite dropoff space along Harewood Road.
This was so late in the meeting that the commission no longer had a quorum, so they could not vote on the issue of holiday construction.
Commissioner Updates
Sounded like the ANC intended to discuss grants but ran out of time. Grant application guidelines are on the ANC’s website.
I’m sure I’m missing something because it was such a long meeting.
From North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA)
The Wednesday, November 6, 2024, NMPCA Meeting will be in person at Faith United Church. The time is 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Guest speakers: Representatives from the Executive Office of the Mayor and Sharon Kershbaum, Director of DDOT (Department of Transportation). The guests will discuss proposed safety changes for South Dakota Avenue.
From ANC 5A
ANC 5A Meeting
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 6:45 pm
VIRTUAL ONLY
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85215375700?pwd=EUzlGhPaVDsbF6d9D9MjafJobapEkj.1
Meeting ID: 852 1537 5700
Passcode: 599451
Dial In: 301 715 8592
Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.
Commissioners will be let into the meeting room first. Once they are all present, the residents will be let in.
ANC 5A NOVEMBER SPECIAL MEETING 2024 AGENDA
Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
Quorum
AGENDA ITEM: November meeting date change
Adjourn
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE THIS MEETING BEING MORE THAN 15 MINUTES
From Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association
The November 2024 LRCA Community meeting will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST.
This online meeting is scheduled to take place via the Zoom meeting platform. In-person attendance will not be permissible due to the library being staged as a polling location for the general election.
The meeting will be live-streamed via the Zoom webinar platform:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89059728049
Or dial in by phone: 301-715-8592
Webinar ID: 890 5972 8049
Agenda Items include:
Support LRCA – pay your annual membership, join a committee, share your ideas.
Read the LRCA November 2024 Newsletter.
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.
Hellbender Brewery is hosting a record fair on Saturday, November 2 from 1pm to 7pm.
In addition to numerous vinyl vendors, there will be multiple food trucks, a DJ, and a live band! This is a free, all ages event and fun for the whole family.
Hellbender is located at 5788 2nd Street NE.
Halloween Party
October 31, 2024
Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center
501 Riggs Road NE
Join the rec for food, music, and arts & crafts on Halloween night.
On November 20, 2024, the Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker will be giving away free turkeys to Ward 5 residents for the holiday season at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center.
You must reserve your free turkey at ward5.us/turkey2024. Bring identification with proof of Ward 5 residency when you pick up your turkey.
There will also be first-come, first-serve turkey giveaway pop-ups in Brentwood, Carver Langston, and North Michigan Park. More details on the pop-ups will be provided later.
Don’t need a turkey but want to help spread holiday cheer? Sign up as a volunteer to help with turkey distribution on November 20!
Huge thanks to Alan Thompson, owner of the Chick-fil-A located at 220 Riggs Road NE, for once again cleaning up the north side of Riggs Road NE by the National Park Service parkland and CSX bridge. In October of last year, neighbor Keith reached out to Mr. Thompson to ask if his team could help clean up that stretch of the sidewalk along Riggs. His team did such a great job. This year, they did it again.
ANC 4B Public Meeting
Monday, October 28, 2024, 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/84626108389.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592.
Meeting ID: 846 2610 8389.
1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Administrative Items:
A. Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting
B. Consideration and Approval of October 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
C. Approval of September 2024 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
D. Treasurer’s Report, Approval of Quarterly Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter of FY 2024
E. Approval of Community Grants & Expenditures:
3. Commissioner Updates
4. Community Concerns
*Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak during community concerns. The Commission will provide additional details regarding how to present community concerns via the virtual meeting at the start of the 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.*
5. Reports:
A. Yamileth Escobar, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services(3 minutes)
B. Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George(3 minutes)
C. Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education (3 minutes)
D. Housing Justice Committee(2 minutes)
E. Vision Zero Committee(2 minutes)
F. Youth Advisory Committee(2 minutes)
G. Community Safety & Support Committee (2 minutes)
6. Presentation: Matthew Ramos, Communications & Public Affairs Specialist, Office of the Inspector General regarding Work and Mission of the Office (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)
7. Consent Calendar:
8. Resolution 4B-24-1006: Calling for a Full-Time Nurse in Every Public School and Efforts to Enhance Staffing (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Smith)
9. Adjournment
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for November 12 at 6:30 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for November 25 at 7:00 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Housing Justice Committee Meeting is scheduled for November 6 at 7:30 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Youth Advisory Committee Meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 16.
The next ANC 4B Vision Zero Committee Meeting is scheduled for November 20 at 7:00 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Community Safety and Support Committee meeting is scheduled for November 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Neighborhood Halloween Trunk (Blanket) or Treat
October 26, 2024
4:00 pm-5:30 pm
Kids & their grown-ups can wear costumes, bring a blanket and treats to share. Meet at the Fort Circle Park pavilion near Galloway Street & 11th Street NE.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) approved the final design for the North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Metro station pedestrian path realignment on its consent agenda on October 17, 2024. This is the short path that will link Gallatin and Galloway streets NE between South Dakota Avenue and 4th Street NE. The National Park Service (NPS) had begun construction on the trail years ago when construction workers first found an unexploded ordnance and then later encountered the top of Metro’s green line tunnel. So, NPS had to design a new alignment for the trail about 20 feet to the east and get all of the necessary approvals for the new alignment. The CFA review was the last approval needed after the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) determined that NCPC review was not necessary.
I have not gotten my hands on the 100% design just yet, but this post discussing the NCPC report contains a link to the 70% design.
Even better news is that I have been told that NPS has identified construction funding for the project. For a while, NPS had been saying that the agency still needed to identify construction funding. Now it looks like construction will be funded in Fiscal Year 2025 barring any last-minute roadblocks. Once the project is out for bid, NPS will have a better sense of how long construction will take.
Neighbors know this project has been sitting around for roughly 15 years (decades if we’re including the time that North Michigan Park residents had been advocating for the path). It is amazing how long it takes to build a pretty short one-block trail. It will be nice to finally get this path constructed and the abandoned construction site restored. And hopefully Metro and NPS have learned some valuable lessons about working together better along the way.
2024 Children’s Fall Festival Event Series
Hosted by DC Fray & the Cafritz Foundation
3rd Saturday, September-December
1:00 pm
The Modern at Art Place
400 Galloway Street NE
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafritz-foundation-childrens-festival-event-series-tickets-993683322567
Join DC Fray + the Cafritz Foundation for the Children’s Festival Event Series for some free, community-centered fun every third Saturday through December! See details below.
October 19th – Field Day Fun
Share your nostalgic carnival favorites with the whole family this summer! Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to win fun prizes; play games like ring toss, cornhole, Plinko and pin the tail on the donkey; or get your face painted – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
November 16th – Carnival Experience
Ready to kick off this next school year? Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to collect free school supplies and warm up your brains with our immersive instructional experiences including fun math games + a visit from a reptile expert – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
December – Home for the Holidays
Calling all young witches and wizards! Show off your house pride by dressing up in your best robes and enjoy themed snacks, trivia, face painting, themed prizes + more. Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation for free, all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
ANC 5A Meeting
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 6:45 pm
VIRTUAL ONLY
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89120474237?pwd=9BS4JIqVIGVHdphZaEN6BU5ebLFxiv.1
Meeting ID: 891 2047 4237
Passcode: 112078
Dial In: 301 715 8592
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business
A. Secretary
i. Minutes (September 2024)
B. Treasurer
i. 4th Quarter Financial Report
V. Commission Action Items/Updates
A. Proposal to allocate funds towards the Faith United Church of Christ Thanksgiving Food Giveaway (Lucio)
B. Mundo Verde Large Tract Review- Letter of Support (5A03)
C. Motion to Establish a Joint 5A/5B Special Committee on the Taylor Street PBL Project (5A03)
VI. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations
A. Jubileaf LLC (5A08)
B. Bicycle Program Specialist, District Department of Transportation- Greg Matlesky
C. Washington Yu Ying-Jose Sousa (5A05)
VIII. Community Comments
IX. Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 (note: 5th week of November due to the holiday)
X. Adjourn
The DC Council recently approved the closure of a paper alley that will permit a development team to consolidate two lots to build a 100% income-restricted, affordable housing development on the corner of 1st Place and Riggs Road NE. The plan is for approximately 104 apartments, underground parking, and no retail.
The property sits across the street from Impact DMV Church, which owns one of the lots. It is currently being used as an overflow parking lot with an unfinished structure next door. The church has an agreement to sell the lot and will get underground parking in the new development.
A representative of Valor Development appeared before ANC 5A back in March after giving a presentation to the Council.
View presentation given to DC Council Committee of the Whole.
View sightlines schematic design provided by developer.
DDOT previously requested conditions related to using the paper alley network west and south of the property for access to the property. The Council negotiated language “that would make the closing contingent upon ‘the property owner receiving the requisite public space approvals for parking and loading access prior to the recordation of the plat by the Surveyor.'” (See committee report).
DDOT also requested conditions related to maintaining consistency with and minimizing conflicts along the Met Branch Trail, which traverses 1st Place in front of the property, as well as a tree preservation plan. The Council determined that these issues should be addressed through the public space permitting process.
Last I was told, the development team is still working to secure financing for the project.
The property sits in ANC 5A07. There has not been an ANC commissioner for that area for a while now, and no one has signed up to run for the seat for the next term.
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites residents to join his next Monthly Public Safety Call on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
This month’s meeting will focus on school safety as the new school year kicks off. Guests will include members of the Safe Passage team and youth mentors.
Register to receive the meeting link at ward5.us/monthlycall. The meeting will be livestreamed on CM Parker’s YouTube channel. It will be recorded, and slides will be shared afterwards.
From ANC 5A03
SMD 5A03 Meeting Agenda
Thursday 10/10/2024 at 07:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83367668073?pwd=6XoXjeUwL1aQmqR3B8NULEZ3Gk5AO8.1
Meeting ID: 833 6766 8073
Passcode: 923136
SMD 5A03 Meeting Agenda
* Subject to change
Your Commissioner and neighbor,
Emily Singer Lucio
Commissioner ANC 5A03
5a03@anc.dc.gov
202-421-8674
Do you live in my SMD, then please join my Listserve and tell your neighbors too: https://groups.io/g/SMD5A03
From Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association
The October 2024 LRCA Community meeting will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST. Doors open at 5:45 PM. This meeting commences LRCA’s 2024-2025 Program Year.
This IN-PERSON meeting is scheduled to take place at the Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, Meeting Room 1, located at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20011.
Additionally, the meeting will be live-streamed via the Zoom webinar platform:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89698116551
Or dial in by phone: 301-715-8592
Webinar ID: 896 9811 6551
Agenda Items include:
Support LRCA – pay your annual membership, join a committee, share your ideas.
Read the LRCA October 2024 Newsletter.
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 Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, with the assistance of The Parks Main Street, is conducting a placemaking survey for the Riggs Park neighborhood. Complete the short survey by Friday, October 11, 2024.
Survey Link: Riggs Park Neighborhood Placemaking Survey.
Riggs Park boundaries are New Hampshire Avenue NE to the north, Metro red line tracks to the west, Galloway Street NE to the south, and Eastern Avenue, DC/Maryland line to the east.
For the fourth year in a row, Edwin Washington and the team at The Parks Main Street put together another great Art All Night in Riggs Park. On September 28, 2024, residents and visitors were able to get their steps in, traversing the entire South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road corridor to get a taste of food, art, and commerce.
The Modern at Art Place joined the fun this year. Soka Tribe kicked things off at South Dakota and Galloway with a high energy Soca performance. District Kings ended the evening with go-go. In between, residents could enjoy art from artists like Tarika Campbell or shop with vendors like Black Squirrel Company.
The Lamond-Riggs Library provided a ton of family-friendly activities, including face painting, chess, video games, and group painting. The good folks at DC Retro Jumpers will convince anyone that they can Double Dutch. Vendors, artists, and a DJ rounded out the mix.
Food trucks set up at Troka Insurance along with DJ Super Sid. Fire dancer and local resident Jordan Seitz brought the fire as usual.
Hellbender was hopping all night long. Hellbender mainstay Beef Space BBQ provided the eats. I caught the tail end of Shirleta Settles and Friends, which is always a treat.
Vendors, a live painting artist, and a DJ set up shop on the plaza area outside the Wingstop. There, I met local resident Renee Blair, owner of Happy Violet DC, a waterless nail shop that will be opening at Riggs Crossing in 2025.
Finally, I made my way to Riggs Wine & Liquor, where kids were painting a community mural using banners recycled from previous Art All Night events.
The rain held off, creating the perfect night to walk and enjoy the Riggs Park Main Street corridor.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
