May 28: ANC 4B Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B, Uncategorized

From ANC 4B

ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Meeting Details:

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82100595853?pwd=ODVJQUFTVVZCQjFrMklMRUVReHZsQT09.

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592.

Meeting ID: 821 0059 5853. Passcode: 975068.

1. Call to Order & Roll Call

2.  Administrative Items:

A. Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting

B.  Consideration and Approval of May 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda

C. Approval of April 2024 Regular Public Meeting Minutes

D.  Treasurer’s Report

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. Representative, Metropolitan Police Department (3 minutes)

B.  Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services(3 minutes)

C. Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George(3 minutes)

D.  Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education (3 minutes)

E. Housing Justice Committee(2 minutes)

F. Vision Zero Committee(2 minutes)

G. Youth Advisory Committee(2 minutes)

H. Community Safety & Support Committee (2 minutes)

6.  Presentation: Delano Hunter, Director, District Department of General Services, Mayor Bowser’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal (20-minute presentation; 15-minute discussion)

7.  Presentation: Samer Alhawamdeh, Project Manager, District Department of Transportation and Shaun Davis, PE, Construction Manager, Mid-Atlantic Construction Services, Metropolitan Branch Trail Fort Totten to Takoma Construction Project (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)

8.  Presentation: Spiro Gianniotis, Lee Peterson, and Shiri Subbar, Project Consultants, Alphatec, Removal and Replacement of Communications Towers at Metropolitan Police Department 4th District Station (6001 Georgia Avenue, NW) (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)

9.  Consent Calendar:

  • Letter: Detailing Procedural History of Proposed Development at 6928 Maple Street, NW, and Highlighting Continued Concerns re Petra Development (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Yeats, and Commissioner Smith)
  • Resolution 4B-24-0501: Noting History of Requests and Calling for Installation of Meaningful Traffic Safety Infrastructure at the Intersection of South Dakota Avenue, NE, and Riggs Road, NE, and the Intersection of Missouri Avenue, NW, and New Hampshire Avenue, NW (Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Palmer, and Commissioner Smith)

10. Adjournment

The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for June 11 at 6:30 p.m.

The next ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for June 24 at 7:00 p.m.

The next ANC 4B Housing Justice Committee Meeting is scheduled for June 5 at 7:30 p.m. (Pease check the Commission’s website as this meeting date is likely to change.)

The next ANC 4B Youth Advisory Committee Meeting is June 22 at 7:00 p.m.

The next ANC 4B Vision Zero Committee Meeting has not yet been scheduled.

agenda-28may2024-website-draftDownload

Met Branch Trail Extension is Open North to Riggs Road

Posted by nextstoprp in Met Branch Trail, Transportation

By Gavin Baker (Contributor)

The Metropolitan Branch Trail is a multiuse path for people to walk, bike, jog, and scoot. The trail is being built in stages between Washington Union Station and Silver Spring, roughly parallel to the Metropolitan Branch railroad tracks and the Metrorail Red Line. The trail’s Brookland to Fort Totten section opened in 2022.

The next section under construction is the Fort Totten to Takoma segment. Construction started last year and is expected to continue through 2025.

The asphalt is now open north from the Fort Totten trailhead along 1st Place NE and west along Riggs Road to 1st Street NE. There will probably be some finishing touches, such as striping, when all is said and done, but it’s open for use now.

Looking north along 1st Place NE

Looking south along 1st Place NE

Looking west along Riggs Road NE

Looking east along Riggs Road NE

Fort Totten and Lamond-Riggs: A Historical Tapestry Project – Call for Contributions Survey

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library, Lamond-Riggs

During the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J Huff Community Library “Heritage Wall” dedication event and artist talk last year, many attendees expressed an interest in an “index” to complement the artwork. Artist Michelle Lisa Herman and Stephanie Mills Trice have been awarded a Humanities DC grant to develop a printed publication to serve as both an “index” of the Heritage Wall and to highlight the history of the Lamond-Riggs and Fort Totten area. Copies of the final publication will be distributed to neighborhood organizations and the library.

Michelle and Stephanie are now asking for previous participants and contributors to tell the story of their contributed materials and their connections to the Lamond-Riggs and Fort Totten neighborhoods so they may include them in this publication. 

They would love for you to fill out this form to supply information about your contributions, or if you prefer, provide contact information so they can conduct a short oral history interview. 

Please fill out the form by July 31 here https://forms.gle/WR314Cn938STy5E48

Riggs Cross Senior Residences Below Market Retail Opportunity – Submit Offers by May 23, 2024

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

From Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing

Retail space is delivering 1st Quarter of 2025 in Riggs Park near the Fort Totten metro station. Seeking local and unique tenants for exclusive under-market lease. Tenant improvements available. Flexible retail split option may be considered (similar concept to Black & Forth).

Offers received by May 23, 2024, will be given priorty.

Read the Brochure.

Send questions and proposals to Joanna Ha Yea Shin at jshin@apah.org.

Roundabout installation at 2nd/3rd Street NE in progress

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation
Roundabout installation at 2nd/3rd Street NE.

A few days ago, DDOT contractors started work to install a roundabout at the 2nd/3rd Street NE intersection.

We described what the final product will look like in this post. People in cars exiting Walmart’s garage will have to turn right. No more abrupt U-turns in the middle of the road. Two new crosswalks are being installed.

NOI design for 2nd/3rd Street NE.

I have seen people driving the wrong way as installation progresses, so exercise caution over the next few days while workers are in the road.

Wrong way driver in roundabout.

Hopefully once all the signs and arrows are installed, people will understand it’s pretty easy to navigate. Drive on the right around the circle and yield to traffic in the circle.

DDOT still needs to address the intersection at South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE that was poorly reconfigured in 2011 to eliminate the slip lanes. The intersection is too wide. All of the turning radii are completely off. People think they can make U-turns when they cannot. People always block the intersection during the morning commute. And people are still parking right up to the crosswalk and intersection on the corner where Wing Stop will be opening. A few days ago a driver of a large truck got stuck for over 10 minutes trying to make the turn with parked cars in the way.

Absurdity at South Dakota Avenue/3rd Street/Riggs Road NE, May 13, 2024.

It would be nice to have the parking addressed, at a minimum. Something tells me it will continue to take years for simple stuff to be addressed though.

In any case, pack some patience as people get used to the new traffic pattern at 2nd & 3rd streets.

May 22: ANC 5A Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

From ANC 5A

ANC 5A May 2024 Meeting
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
TIME: 6:45 pm

Meeting will be held virtually

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86210460261?pwd=NnF5RElVd0orWWppd3FPRGlPMjRPZz09

Meeting ID: 862 1046 0261
Passcode: 869469

Agenda

I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm

II. Quorum

III. Agenda Review/Acceptance

IV. Commission Business
A. Minutes (April 2024)
B. Treasurer: 2nd Quarter Financial Report
C. Website Payment for Zoom Recordings
D. Public Safety Committee Update

V. Commission Action Items/Updates

VI. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office

VII. Reports & Presentations
A. Christopher Berg DDOT Bike Lanes on Riggs and Taylor Street NE
B. Sayra Molina, Transportation Specialist, South Dakota Ave NE Safety Project
C. Casey Dyson, Government Relations and Public Funding Director Food & Friends

VIII. Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 22, 2024

IX. Adjourn

May 18-19: No Red Line Service at Brookland & Fort Totten Stations

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

From Metro

Advisory Effective: 5/18/24 – 5/19/24

Hours: Sat 7 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Sun 7 a.m. – Midnight 

Service-At-A-Glance 

Red LineFree shuttle buses replace trains between Takoma and Rhode Island Avenue. Normal Service frequencies with trains operating between Shady Grove and Rhode Island Avenue and between Glenmont and Takoma. No Red Line service at Brookland and Fort Totten stations.
Green LineTrains single track between Naylor Road and Branch Avenue. Trains run every 8 minutes between Greenbelt and Southern Avenue and every 16 minutes between Southern Avenue and Branch Avenue. 
Blue LineNormal Service
Silver LineNormal Service
Orange LineNormal Service
Yellow LineNormal Service

May 18: ANC 4B Earth Day Fair

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B, Environment

Gather with neighbors for Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Second Annual Earth Day Fair at Takoma Elementary School (7010 Piney Branch Road, NW) on Saturday, May 18, 11 am-2 pm. Join government agencies, non-profits, neighborhood groups, student organizations, and more with the goal of sharing resources and opportunities for engagement around environmentalism!

Visit the event website at rebrand.ly/earthdayfair.

Riggs Crossing May 2024 Construction Update

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

From Davis Construction (copied and pasted below)

Early May 2024 Update

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Recently Completed Construction

Framing / Facade

  • Wood Framing and Sheathing Top Out + Completion
  • All Tyvek and Windows Installed (Less Balcony Doors and Leave-Outs)
  • Temporary Trash Chute Installed on north side of the building facing Riggs Park Place NE
  • Facade Mock-Up Completion
  • Bulk Fluid and Sheet Applied Air Barrier at garage entry and Stair S2
  • East and South Side Foundation Waterproofing and Backfill
  • Roof Davit Installation and Testing
  • Roof Vapor Barrier Membrane installation (substantially weathertight)

Interior Work (Rough-Ins and Finishes)

  • Permanent Steel Stairs and Concrete Infill
  • Elevator roof deck, hoist beams, and divider beams
  • All interior metal stud framing and pre-rock for ceilings below podium.
  • Mock-Up Unit Rough-Ins and level 1 unit ceiling framing
  • Garage ramp waterproofing and topping slab
  • Drain, Waste, and Vent Riser Completion and Inspections through level 4
  • Gypcrete Pre-Pours Levels 3 and 4

Ongoing and Upcoming Work

Work is taking place in many facets of the building at once and is broken down as follows:

Exterior Work and Power

DAVIS continues our ongoing perimeter layback, pile burnoff, and backfill. We have to cut down all of the steel piles that supported our excavation so it doesn’t interfere with future sitework and since the top 4’ of these piles interfere with waterproofing, we need to expose this area to complete our waterproofing accordingly. We’re 85% complete through the building, awaiting the backfill on the NW corner and the north side of the site.

Brick will be starting at the SE corner and the east side of the building near the townhomes. Expect to see mortar mixers, forklifts, scaffolding, and a lot of workers on the side of the building facing the townhomes! Before brick starts, we need to finish all of our air barrier and waterproofing systems to ensure they’re complete and that the building remains watertight.

Bulk roofing is commencing on Thursday 05/09/2024. We will have a mobile crane to boom material up to the roof that will be staged within the project extents on the Riggs Road side of the building (West Side). We will start craning roof materials as well as mechanical equipment up to the roof shortly.

Framing + Facade

  • Below Podium (Level 1 and Garage)
    • We’re installing our stick-pinned insulation and drywall pre-rock. We have to install drywall slab-to-slab for fire ratings, but we need to frame ceilings before hanging bulk drywall. In order to do so, we install drywall from the structure above down to the ceiling elevation.
    • Blocking QC —> DC inspects all of our blocking to ensure it meets accessibility standards/requirements such that every unit, not just ADA units, can meet accessibility requirements in the future (e.g. every unit is convertible).
    • Masonry infill work and preparation for elevators.
    • Final air barrier and waterproofing tie-ins
  • Above Podium (Level 2 and Up in Wood Framing)
    • Installation on balcony knife plates. The balconies have cables that attached to the building for structural support. The “knife plates” are the blades on the east side of the building that stick out and are black. These will be visible in our finished facade.
    • Structural and blocking punchlists. MEP installation damages our structure and the framers have to follow after the trades to ensure our structure remains in tact.
  • Now that the building should be substantially weathertight, our focus is on completing balcony doors and knife plates.

Interior Work (Rough-Ins and Finishes)

  • Garage level MEP rough-ins have started and are ongoing. This will be a process as parts are dependent upon the building becoming dried in and there are many building systems that need to be installed in a specific sequence for coordination.
  • Level 1 OH plumbing and HVAC is complete until ceilings are fully framed. Next up is pulling refrigerant lines and completing water lines.
  • Main plumbing drain, waste, and vent rough-ins, including final roof drain tie-ins, are forthcoming in conjunction with roofing.
  • Plumbing waterline rough-ins on level 2, moving up to level 3.
  • HVAC ductwork installation on levels 2 and 3; Finishing up 100% and then moving to level 4
  • Electrical box out and pulling wire level 2 and 3.
  • MEP Post Dry-In activities have started (insulation and pulling wire)
  • Interior pre-rock and setting tubs

Community + Safety

As we approach the summer months and hotter days, DAVIS is ensuring that we have our heat stress plan in place for worker safety. This includes having a large misting fan on site, electrolyte powder. electrolyte popsicles, and cooldown stations for our workers. We have also set up picnic tables in our retail space for a lunch break area to keep workers out of the sun and for them to have a comfortable space to take breaks when needed.

As for our ABC CORE Training Program, we held a job fair with (6) of our trade partners on 05/02/2024 and we’ve heard feedback that at least 5-6 of our candidates have been hired after the fair. Telligent, Platform, CA Klein, Justin Company, Benchmark Building Enclosure, and Muller all attended. Atlas Foundations and Miller & Long DC have also contacted candidates as has A. Wash & Associates and Miscellaneous Metals, Inc. We’re pushing to get our trainees hired as we near our class completion on 05/16/2024.

Riggs Park Traffic Control Box Art Project Design – Vote by May 24, 2024

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street

From The Parks Main Street

The Riggs Park Traffic Control Box Art Project is now open for Community Voting!

16 local artists have submitted designs. The top 6 vote getters, by star rating, will be selected based on all participant votes.

Voting Instructions

1. Access the Voting Page.  After reading all of the instructions, click on the “Community Voting” link at the end of the instructions to access the voting page. All votes are anonymous.

2. View 16 Eligible Designs.

3. Information About Each Design. Click the lowercase “i” in the lower right-hand corner to see additional information about the design.

  • Artist Name
  • Title of the Design, if included by artist
  • Description of Design

4. Star Voting. Rate each design by clicking the stars from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) stars based on how you feel the design fits one or more of the community selected Themes.

  • DC Proud
  • Community
  • Nature/The Environment

5. Vote for All Designs. Vote for all 16 designs as each artist put their heart into each creation. This helps ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation of all design submissions.

6. Submit Your Vote. After you have rated all designs, click “Save & Finish”.  

7. Cast your vote by Friday May 24, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

Community Voting Link: Riggs Park Traffic Control Box Art – Community Voting

Voting can also be accessed at www.theparksmainstreet.org.

Remember, your votes help recognize and celebrate the best designs submitted by local artists to beautify our Riggs Park community.

If you have any questions, submit by email to info@theparksmainstreet.org.

May 17: LRCA Scholarship Application Deadline

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

Please let your neighbors know about LRCA’s scholarship opportunity.

Apply for the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Scholarship

Applications for the 2024 Scholarship Award Period are Due by Friday, May 17, 2024.

  • Are you a graduating High School Senior?
  • Will you be attending college this coming Fall, 2024?
  • Are you a resident of the Lamond-Riggs community?
  • Do you attend a DC public school (traditional or charter)? 

If you meet the requirements listed above, then consider applying for this great scholarship opportunity!

Go to lrcadc.org/scholarships for application details.

Map of LRCA boundaries

Art Place at Fort Totten Updates

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

A few updates about Art Place at Fort Totten.

Phase 1 – The Modern (Building A along South Dakota Avenue between Galloway and Ingraham streets NE)

  • Urban Garden Brewing has signed a lease for space along South Dakota Avenue.
  • An Italian restaurant is looking at space next to the brewery.
  • One Life Fitness is expanding with construction anticipated to finish up by end of this year.
  • A dentist office is looking at space.
  • One other sit-down restaurant has looked at space, but it is not at letter of intent stage just yet.

Phase 2 – The FEZ (Block B under construction along South Dakota Avenue between Ingraham and Kennedy streets NE)

  • Aldi plans to open on the corner of South Dakota Avenue & Kennedy Street NE around October 1, 2024. The store plans to hold three job fairs over the summer.
  • Kids Museum is looking at opening along South Dakota between Ingraham and Kennedy in 3rd or 4th quarter 2025. They are finishing up a feasibility study.
  • There is interest from a couple of retailers, but the development team is not ready to share details yet.
  • The development team is still looking at financing for the residential portion of this phase (294 rental units).
  • The team is sequencing construction and occupancy for the second phase.

Social Justice School Relocation

Social Justice School, a public charter middle school, is currently subleasing space from Rocketship Public Charter School at 5450 3rd Street NE. Recall that Rocketship signed a 35-year lease with the Cafritz Foundation for the 3rd Street property. After renovating and combining a couple of the older warehouses on the site, Rocketship opened its Infinity Prep preK/elementary school campus in August 2020. Rocketship decided to sublease to Social Justice School for a few years while Rocketship gradually expanded its grade offerings. Now it is time for Social Justice to vacate the space for Rocketship’s use.

Social Justice School wants to stay in the neighborhood and worked with the Cafritz team to find space nearby. They recently filed an application to amend their charter to relocate to 333 Kennedy Street NE, which is across the street from their current location.

The DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB) hearing on Social Justice School’s proposed relocation will be on May 20, 2024, at 6:15 pm. Instructions on how to submit testimony are in the hearing notice. The school’s application notes that they want to relocate in time for the 2024-2025 school year. The application states that the school will use prefabricated modular classrooms, which will be delivered and installed in the new location.

The application notes that the school contacted ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08), who is the chair of ANC 5A, as well as Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker. The school sits in ANC 5A09. ANC Commissioner Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) is the commissioner for that area.

The DCPCSB plans to vote on the planned relocation on June 24, 2024. If the request is approved at the time, I imagine we will start to see movement around the site pretty quickly so that the school can open in time for fall.

I am sure I am forgetting some updates, but more to come.

May 14: Info Session on Retail Opportunity – Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH), developer of Riggs Crossing Senior Residences, is seeking interested local and unique retail tenants for under-market lease opportunity. The project is currently under construction at 307 Riggs Road NE on the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE in Riggs Park. Project delivery expected first quarter 2025.

There will be a virtual information session on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 10:00 am.

Submit initial inquiries by May 23, 2024.

Click here for the Retail Brochure.
Click here for the Microsoft Teams invite to join during the scheduled informational session.

Send questions/inquiries to Joanna Ha Yean Shin at jshin@apah.org.

APAH is very interested in assistance from residents who have connections to unique, local retailers. Help APAH make this a great project.

April 24, 2024 ANC 5A Meeting Recap

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on April 24, 2024. Commissioners present: Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair & Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Tyeron Boston; Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 & 5A07 are vacant.

This meeting was focused on public safety so there is not much to recap.

No public safety updates from Commissioner Cozart, who heads up the ANC’s public safety committee.

Former ANC Commissioner Sandi Washington noted there was a shooting on North Capitol Street NE. A five-year-old was shot. Former Commissioner Washington asked the ANC for attention on that area of the ANC given that both ANC 5A06 and 5A07 have been vacant for several months now.

Ward 5 Mayor’s Office Report (Anthony Black, Ward 5 MOCR)

Ward 5 MOCR Anthony Black addressed individual questions raised by residents, including mowing/tree care/dumping mitigation needed along public land near Puerto Rico Avenue & Taylor streets NE. As a reminder, Mr. Black is able to meet with residents and commissioners on Tuesdays and Fridays in person to address any issues. Contact Mr. Black at anthony.black@dc.gov.

MPD 4D Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) (Neena Murphy Martin)

Each police district has a citizens advisory council (CAC). Neena Murphy Martin chairs MPD 4th District’s CAC. Commissioner Lucio and Ms. Murphy Martin discussed ways to get more outreach in the Ward 5 part of MPD’s 4th District. For example, they might have punch with a cop. For more info on the CAC, visit https://4dcac.org or contact Ms. Murphy Martin at 4dcacdc@gmail.com.

Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator to Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker)

Councilmember Zachary Parker held his monthly Ward 5 public safety call on April 24. Neighbors were encouraged to testify during budget oversight hearings.  

The next ANC 5A meeting will be on May 22, 2024.

May 17: LRCA Scholarship Application Deadline

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

Apply for the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Scholarship

Applications for the 2024 Scholarship Award Period are Due by Friday, May 17, 2024.

  • Are you a graduating High School Senior?
  • Will you be attending college this coming Fall, 2024?
  • Are you a resident of the Lamond-Riggs community?
  • Do you attend a DC public school (traditional or charter)? 

If you meet the requirements listed above, then consider applying for this great scholarship opportunity!

Go to lrcadc.org/scholarships for application details.

Map of LRCA boundaries

May 6: LRCA Public Meeting (Hybrid)

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Uncategorized

From Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association

The May 2024 LRCA Community meeting will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST. Doors open at 5:45 PM.

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/88351773574?pwd=NkNwOHpvVzhxNERjclJSamFucklkUT09

Webinar ID: 883 5177 3574
Passcode: 324968
Or dial in by phone: 301-715-8592

Agenda Items include:

  • Welcome/Invocation
  • Officers Report, Minutes, Treasurer Report
  • Updates from Elected Officials & PSA
  • Sean Cahill, Cafritz Enterprises (Art Place at Fort Totten)
  • 2024 Fiscal Budget
  • 2024 LRCA Scholarship Competition
  • Community Concerns/Closing