Reminder – Call for Artists: Riggs Park Traffic Control Box Art Project – Application Deadline April 15, 2024

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street

CALL FOR ARTISTS – Riggs Park Traffic Control Box Art Project

Applications due by Monday April 15, 2024

The Parks Main Street (TPMS), with funding from EYA (developers of Riggs Park Place) and the support of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA), seeks artist proposals for designs to wrap traffic control boxes in Riggs Park featuring artwork by local artists of all ages.

The community selected artwork will be professionally printed on vinyl wrapping and installed by local printers. The expected lifespan for the vinyl wraps is about six years but may be removed early. TPMS and its vendors will be responsible for managing maintenance of wraps.

Application due by Monday April 15, 2024.

The selected artwork will be announced on or around May 10, 2024.

Final selected artwork design on or around May 25, 2024.

Click the link to apply: Riggs Park Traffic Control Box Art Project – CALL FOR ARTISTS

April 13-21: ANC 4B Spring Clean-up Events

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B, Environment

From ANC 4B

Join neighbors, community associations, main streets, schools, local businesses, and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners for community cleanups across the neighborhood over spring break week: April 13th – April 21st. Join one cleanup or all of them, and collect prizes along the way!

In addition to cleaning litter, we will share details on how to submit 311 requests for city services, support our local schools and small businesses, and build community along the way.

All are welcome! There is no need to bring anything – we will have supplies on hand. This is a great event for local students looking for community service hours.

Last year we picked up over 150 bags of litter! And this year we hope to pick up even more.

Check out the details for each cleanup:

*Saturday, April 13; 10 AM; 1st St & Riggs Rd, NE: Join Commissioner Alison Brooks (4B08), South Manor Neighborhood Association, and Food & Friends to clean the neighborhood. Donuts, coffee & good company provided.

*Sunday, April 14; 10 am; Fort Slocum (Pavilion): Join Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06) and Rock Creek Conservancy to keep Fort Slocum beautiful. “Manor Park” lanyards for participants. Coffee & snacks provided.

*Monday, April 15; 3 pm; Van Buren & Piney Branch, NW: Join Commissioner Erin Palmer (4B02) and Safeway to clear litter in the streets around the store. Safeway will provide water and snacks. Erin will bring Donut Run donuts.

*Tuesday, April 16; 11 am; Butternut & Georgia, NW: Join East Rock Creek Village to clean the area by the DC Fire Department’s Engine Co. No. 22. Enjoy lunch after the cleanup at Ledo Pizza (7435 Georgia Ave, NW), including a 20% discount for cleanup participants.

*Wednesday, April 17; 11 am; Busboys & Poets: Join Commissioner Evan Yeats (4B04) and the Main Street Takoma to help the Main Street sparkle. Grab breakfast at Busboys & Poets (235 Carroll St, NW) with neighbors before the cleanup at 10 am.

*Thursday, April 18; 4 pm; 5th St & Tuckerman St, NW: Join Commissioner Zurick T. Smith (4B03) to clean the area around Coolidge High School, Ida B. Wells Middle School, and Whittier Elementary School. Lemonade and cookies provided.

*Friday, April 19; 10 am; Quackenbos St & Georgia Ave, NW: Join Tamira Benitez and to support our Georgia Avenue businesses through beautification. We will grab lunch after the cleanup. Additional details to be announced.

*Saturday, April 20; 10 am; 9th & Quackenbos, NW: Join Commissioner Kevin Gilligan (4B05) and MPD 4th District to keep our neighborhoods clean. Enjoy food & drinks after the cleanup at Oohhs & Aahhs (5933 Georgia Ave, NW).

*BONUS CLEANUP: Sautrday, April 20; 9 am; Rittenhouse St & Sligo Mill, Rd, NE (Milligan’s Point): Join Commissioner Jinin Berry (4B10) and Lamond Community Action Group to pick up trash in Lamond. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScek21fqYfSQm7hyWrvSBoA5CocS4qp74L0zZL8FQVPIURhpQ/viewform.

*Sunday, April 21; 4 pm; Cedar St & Piney Branch Rd, NW: Join Jenna Cevasco to make Takoma Elementary shine. Takoma Elementary tote bags for the first 10 participants. Enjoy food, drinks & PRIZES after the cleanup at Takoma Station Tavern (6914 4th Street, NW).

Neighborhood Items of Interest in Mayor’s Proposed FY2025 Budget

Posted by nextstoprp in Council

Mayor Muriel Bowser submitted her proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget to the DC Council on April 3, 2024. Budget documents available at https://cfo.dc.gov/node/289642.

The mayor’s office prepared Ward budget information sheets:

Ward 4 Information Sheet

Ward 5 Information Sheet

The new budget hearing schedule is available at https://dccouncil.gov/2023-2024-performance-oversight-fy-2025-budget-schedules. Budget hearings provide a good opportunity to continue advocating for longstanding neighborhood requests. Use the hearing portal to sign up to testify or to submit written testimony.

Neighbor Gavin took a preliminary look at the budget proposal for a few items of interest to our neighborhood.

DDOT

  • Includes $13 million for Met Branch Trail First Place NE to Oglethorpe Street NW segment. This is currently being built partially as an on-street alignment in the Manor Park area because initially NPS would not approve building it off-street on NPS land. There were talks of an environmental assessment for an off-street alignment, but unclear where things stand with that.
  • A bit farther afield, but the budget also includes new funding for the Military Road Trail (Oregon Avenue to Beach Drive section). There is a long-term vision for a Fort Circle Parks Trail that would link all the Fort Circle Parks. From Fort Totten to the northwest, that would go to Fort Slocum, then Fort Stevens, then need to cross through Rock Creek Park to the west. The Military Road Trail would, in effect, build the segment crossing Rock Creek Park. The MBT Manor Park segment would build most of the distance between Fort Totten and Fort Slocum. The MBT Fort Totten to Avondale segment, mentioned below, would build much of the distance between Fort Totten and Barnard Hill. So this segment, while not in our neighborhood, is part of a network planned to come here.
  • The Eastern Ave. rehabilitation project is still listed but do not see more details about the amount or timing.
  • The $1 million that Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker got last year for South Dakota Avenue safety improvements is reallocated to the general safety line. Do not know if that is just budgetary reorganization or if it reflects the Mayor’s plan to not spend that money on South Dakota Avenue.
  • Do not see the Fort Totten to Avondale segment of the MBT, which both CM Parker and Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George requested in FY25. (Think a very small stub of this, at the Maryland line, is included in DDOT’s general plans without specific mention in the budget.) If the Manor Park segment is ready to move, maybe they are prioritizing that.

DCPS

  • LaSalle-Backus Elementary School modernization is included, amounts and timing unchanged from last year.
  • New $18 million for swing space for Whittier Elementary School modernization, which will push that modernization back a year. So far have not seen anything about how that will affect the LaSalle-Backus modernization, but it raises the question of whether that swing space could be used for LaSalle after Whittier. (Whittier is now scheduled to be in a swing space in FY 27-28, and LaSalle in FY 28-29. Presumably they could not both use it during FY28, but it might make sense to push LaSalle back a year in order to use that space.)

UDC

  • Looks like no new funding for Lamond-Riggs Campus expansion (but looks like prior funds remain available). Lamond-Riggs Campus is included in some cross-campus projects for minor improvements like HVAC.

DPR

  • FY25 spend plan includes synthetic turf replacement at Riggs-LaSalle.
  • DPR: FY25 spend plan includes playground equipment and surfacing at North Michigan Park. (There was $250K for this in the FY23 budget, not sure where that went)

Gavin also noted that the Deputy Mayor for Education just released the DC Public Education Master Facilities Plan. One interesting appendix is “Future housing pipeline yields.” It estimates the number of additional elementary school students in 5 years, per DCPS boundary school, based on 2 factors:

  1. Turnover in senior housing: i.e., the primary occupant is 65+ and will move out in the next 5 years
  2. New housing development delivering in the next 5 years

For turnover in senior housing, the top 3 schools in DC are all nearby (school boundary map):

  1. Bunker Hill (N./Michigan Park, etc.): 247 students
  2. Whittier (Lamond & Manor Park): 222 students
  3. LaSalle-Backus (Riggs Park): 170 students

So basically, this part of town has more houses than anywhere else in DC where seniors currently live, and young families are going to move into soon — hundreds of them.

For new housing development, Bunker Hill is 9th citywide, LaSalle is 16th, and Whittier is 39th. This is out of 74 elementary school boundaries. So, not as high on new housing, but Bunker Hill and LaSalle are still in the top quartile.

Zoning Order for UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan (2023-2033)

Posted by nextstoprp in UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus & Expansion (formerly Bertie Backus Campus)
Phase I Lamond-Riggs campus development plan
Phase II Lamond-Riggs campus development plan

The DC Zoning Commission recently issued a final order for UDC’s Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan (2023-2033) (ZC case no. 23-16). A public hearing was held on October 30, 2023. The Zoning Commission took final action to approve the plan on November 30, 2023. The campus is located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE in Riggs Park in ANC 5A01. UDC’s campus plan website is https://www.udc.edu/campus-master-plan.

Formerly known as the Bertie Backus campus, the Lamond-Riggs campus houses the university’s community college program and a few workforce development programs. UDC plans to gradually increase student enrollment at the campus from roughly 1,800 students currently to 3,000 students.

(The grounds also house an American Job Center for the DC Department of Employment Services. The job center will eventually relocate).

UDC plans a two-phase campus development process. Phase 1 will involve renovating the existing buildings on the campus. Phase 2 will involve constructing a new wing on the campus. Currently, there is no funding for Phase 2 activities.

The Zoning Commission order includes conditions related to campus enrollment, further processing, student conduct, a transportation demand management plan, a performance monitoring plan, and community outreach. Enrollment will be limited to 3,000 students with 118 faculty. UDC will have to return to the Zoning Commission for construction of the new wing and will have to provide 60 days’ notice to ANC 5A for review of the design.

This was a long process that I think could have been run a lot better by the university and their counsel. I do want to acknowledge ANC Commissioner Duvalier Malone (5A01), who I think did a nice job of listening to residents and making sure our voices were heard during this process. With a new university president in place, early collaboration with the DC Council and District agencies like DDOT, and better communication, I think UDC can make implementation of this campus plan a beneficial process for the university and the neighborhood.

Tonight April 8: LRCA Public Meeting (Hybrid)

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

From Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA)

The April 2024 LRCA Community meeting will be held on Monday, April 8, 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:

Webinar Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82279633260?pwd=KzZKK0dSSUFqOVZGQW14c1dGZnhxUT09
Webinar ID: 822 7963 3260
Passcode: 197609

Or, dial in by phone: 301-715-8592

Webinar ID: 837 2615 4641
Passcode: 842799

Agenda Items include:

  • Welcome/Invocation
  • Officers Report, Minutes, Treasurer Report
  • Updates from Elected Officials & PSA
  • Office of the People’s Counsel
  • Community Concerns/Closing

Read the LRCA April 2024 Newsletter.

April 10: North Michigan Park Rec Center Environmental Restoration Project Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk

North Michigan Park Recreation Center Environmental Restoration Project
Virtual Public Meeting
April 10, 2024
7:00 pm

Event Link: bit.ly/DPRIVDesigns

Event number: 2317 330 7933

Event password: DPRIV

Join the DC Departments of Energy & Environment and Parks & Recreation to give input on an environmental restoration project happening at the North Michigan Park Recreation Center. The project is in the beginning of the design phase.

Project website: https://doee.dc.gov/node/1699066
Project contact: Elaine Vidal, elaine.vidal@dc.gov

Hearing on North Michigan Park Gas Station Postponed to October 2024

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk

The chairman of the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) postponed the hearing on a proposed gas station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE to October 9, 2024 (BZA case no. 17963A). Instructions on how to participate in the virtual hearing are in the hearing notice.

This is the proposal to put a gas station in front of the DC SuperMart/Z-Burger, which is next to a Sunoco gas station and across the street from the McDonald’s. The property is located in ANC 5A08.

This is the fourth time the hearing has been postponed.

I noted as an aside in the recap for ANC 5A’s February 2024 meeting that a representative for the applicant attended the North Michigan Park Civic Association’s February 2024 meeting. At the North Michigan Park meeting, the rep stated that the applicant does not have any current plans to install an electric vehicle charging station instead of a gas station. He said he knows residents are strongly opposed to a gas station at this location, but that there was no evidence that an EV charging station would be economically viable (my paraphrasing of lots of words that were said). When asked if the applicant would withdraw the application for the gas station, the rep stated that he would not do so at that time and that the application would be “dormant” (which I guess meant that the applicant would just keep requesting that the hearing be postponed).

In any case, it sounds like the applicant still has a lot of work to do with DDOT and the Office of Planning if he is in fact serious about proceeding with this matter, so that is why the Board scheduled the next hearing date pretty far out.

Tentative April 9: Job Fair for Wingstop at Lamond-Riggs Library

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Totten Square

Wingstop will be opening at 300 Riggs Road NE (former Culture Coffee Too space) mid- to late-April 2024 (possibly around April 22).

Wingstop is looking to hire for around 28 positions at this location, manager and crew positions. The owner plans to hold a job fair with the DC Department of Employment Services, tentatively scheduled for April 9, 2024, 10:00 am-2:00 pm, at Lamond-Riggs Library (5401 South Dakota Avenue NE).

I am waiting for official confirmation/flyer with job fair details.

Mayor Bowser’s Proposed FY25 Budget

Posted by nextstoprp in Council

Budget documents for Mayor Bowser’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget are available at https://cfo.dc.gov/node/289642. The mayor is briefing the Council on her proposed budget today.

Budget oversight hearings will take place April 4 to May 2, 2024. Schedule available at https://dccouncil.gov/2023-2024-performance-oversight-fy-2025-budget-schedules. Use the hearing portal to sign up to testify or to submit written testimony.

March 27, 2024 ANC 5A Public Meeting Recap: Boys Town Closure; Affordable Housing Development Planned First Place & Riggs Road NE

Posted by nextstoprp in Neighborhood Development

[Updated 4/3/2024 to correct date of DPW Community Conversation. It will be on April 24, 2024.]

ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on March 27, 2024. Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Diego Rojas (5A04); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 and 5A07 are vacant.

DC Commission on Arts & Humanities was on the agenda, but they did not show up.

ANC Public Safety Update

(I missed the first few minutes of the meeting so I missed a portion of the public safety update).

MPD’s 4th District held an Air Tag giveaway on March 22, 2024. ANC 5A discussed with the North Michigan Park Civic Association splitting the cost of 500 Air Tags for another giveaway. The ANC voted (2-1) to support spending up to $300 to purchase Air Tags in conjunctions with the civic association. Commissioner Cozart voted against because he wanted to make sure it is an allowable expense before supporting it. Commissioners Rojas and Bocoum voted to support. (Commissioner Malone joined the meeting after the vote).

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

Mayor Bowser announced that the Wizards and Capitals will stay in DC to 2050.

The Cherry Blossom parade was on March 30.

With spring here, community clean-ups are starting. Anyone can organize a clean-up. The Mayor’s Office of the Clean City provides support for clean-ups by providing bags, pickers, gloves, and rakes. See Mayor Bowser’s Spring Clean Up.

Street sweeping is in effect. DPW issued warnings and will now start issuing fines. For alley cleanings, submit a service request to 311.

Free tax preparation service is provided at Turkey Thicket Rec Center every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am-2:00 pm through April 11, 2024.

There will be a community conversation with DPW Director Timothy Spriggs on April 24. Residents can submit questions in advance through April 2.

DDOT is collaborating with ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) and Commissioner Colleen Costello (5B05) to install alley restriction signs in alleys along Varnum, Taylor, Taussig, and Urell streets NE for the spring season.

Mr. Black said he is happy to assist the ANC and North Michigan Park with planning another Air Tag giveaway.

Mr. Black’s Ward days are Tuesday and Friday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm, when he can meet residents and commissioners around the ward for any issues.

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

Councilmember Parker introduced a bill to address truancy. (Read press release).

On March 29, 2024, CM Parker held his monthly Ward 5 public safety call with guests from the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) and MPD 5D Commander Sylvan Altieri. Access slides and view a recording of the meeting. Learn more about the OGVP at https://www.buildingblocks.dc.gov. The public safety calls are held the last Wednesday of each month. The next one will be on April 24, 2024.

The city is still in the middle of Fiscal Year 2025 budget delays. Mayor Bowser will submit her proposed budget to the Council on April 3, 2024. The Council will take a first vote on May 29, 2024, and a second vote on June 12, 2024.

On April 4, 2024, at 11:00 am there will be a street designation naming ceremony for Edna Brown Coleman by Delta Towers on the 1400 block of Morse Street NE. Coleman was one of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, which started at Howard University.

CM Parker had a meeting with DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum and discussed the $1 million for FY 2024 improvements on South Dakota Avenue NE. DDOT is still working out final details. The street lighting team will brighten lights on the 5000 and 5100 blocks of South Dakota Avenue.

CM Parker’s office launched a Ward 5 Wave podcast.

Chair Fletcher asked again for the councilmember’s help with getting MPD to the ANC meeting. Ward 5 MOCR Anthony Black stated he will help the ANC with this.

Boys Town Closure (5A02) (Kichelle Coleman, Executive Director)

Boys Town will close its physical location at 4801 Sargent Road NE. Executive Director Kichelle Coleman stated that the residential program ended in 2022 and the organization had hoped to continue having more impact in DC with community-based services working with children and families. She said the closure has to do with the regulatory environment and reimbursement rates.

The organization announced in December 2023 that they were looking to wind down around July 1, 2024.

The organization currently has a commitment to 10 public schools regarding truancy reduction so they will continue to serve those schools through that commitment.

The behavioral clinic will continue to operate as an outpatient clinic through April 2024.

Ms. Coleman said Boys Town will continue providing virtual parenting classes; the national hotline will continue to operate; and the national program will still offer training to schools across DC.

They will discuss the sale of the property at a future ANC meeting.

Gas Station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE (5A08) (BZA case no. 17963A)

The applicant seeking to have a gas station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE has requested another hearing postponement. The hearing was scheduled for April 3, 2024.

Affordable Housing Development, First Place & Riggs Road NE (5A07) (Felipe Serpa, developer)

View presentation given to DC Council Committee of the Whole

View sightlines schematic design provided by developer

A 100% income-restricted affordable housing development is planned for the southwest corner of First Place & Riggs Road NE in ANC 5A07 (across from Impact DMV Church). The ANC seat for this area is currently vacant so Chair Fletcher is handling communication with the developer, Valor Development.

There is a parking lot on the southwest corner owned by Impact DMV church and a lot next to that with the brick structure that is owned by Local Union 11. The developer plans to purchase and combine the two lots in order to build the project. They need to close a paper alley that sits between the two lots to do so. The Council has to approve alley closures. The developer is working with CM Parker’s office on this (see bill no. B25-0636). The developer came before the ANC to request support for closure of the paper alley. The developer shared the presentation given to the DC Council Committee of the Whole.

(Aside: Local Union 11 ran into financial issues several years ago).

The project is in the beginning stages, starting with the alley closure. The developer stated they will likely apply for tax credits and bonds from the city to help finance the project in mid-2024.

The plan is to have around 104 two-bedroom and three-bedroom units with the express goal of supporting housing for families. Currently, the developer does not have plans for retail in the project.

The developer stated that the project will be a matter-of-right project, meaning they will not be seeking any zoning relief. The maximum allowable height for the building is 65 feet. Part of the deal with the church is to provide church parking in the development because the church currently uses the parking lot for overflow parking. The plan is to have underground parking for the church as well as the residential units.

The presentation given to the Council (and ANC) includes preliminary comments from District agencies about the alley closure. DDOT and the Office of Planning both commented about impact/access to the Met Branch Trail. The Fort Totten to Takoma section of the MBT currently under construction runs along First Place near the Metro station and west from First along Riggs Road. The developer stated they are working with DDOT on public space design and access to the MBT. (Aside: I looked up the public hearing for the bill. Here is DDOT’s testimony with objections).

A resident noted there used to be a gas station where the parking lot sits. The developer stated they are aware and will be working with DOEE on any necessary environmental mitigation.

The next ANC meeting will be April 24, 2024.

April 3: North Michigan Park Civic Association Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk, Uncategorized

From North Michigan Park Civic Association

North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

VIRTUAL ONLY

Virtual Meeting Access

Meeting ID 882 7345 2110

Passcode 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

  • Meeting Protocol is Robert’s Rules of Order
  • Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to un mute. 
  • Respect others when speaking
  • Respect our guest.
  • Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.

 NMPCA – Community Information

  • Boys Town on Sargent Road
  • Open position on the Board of Directors for the 2nd Vice President 
  • NMPCA Scholarship – Scholarship Committee update
  • NMPCA – Membership Drive – Membership Committee update
  • Upcoming Events
    • May (date to be determined) Community Clean Up (Clean Streets)
    • Scholarship Night – Wednesday, June 5, 2024
    • Community Day – Saturday June 8, 2024 12:00 noon un 4:00 p.m. (NEED VOLUNTEERS)
    • Roll Off Day for Ward 5 – Bulk Trash, debris, and electronics to E-Cycle – July 27th at the North Michigan Park Recreation Center 
  • NMPCA – on summer break July and August 

PUBLIC SAFETY DISCUSSION

Guest Speakers for this evening:

  • Rodney Foxworth from Lamond Riggs

 Community Leader Reports

  • Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Anthony Black 
  • Ward 5 Council member’s Office –  Carlos McKnight
  • ANC Commissioners 5A02, 5A03, 5A08, 5A09
  • Faith United Church

Community Concerns:

Open to residents

Adjourn

April 1-15: Application Period Open for DDOT E-Bike Voucher Program – Preferred Applicants Only

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

DDOT is helping make e-bikes more affordable for DC residents through the District E-Bike
Incentive Program! Preferred Applicants (DC residents enrolled in SNAP/TANF/Medicaid or DC
Health Alliance) can apply between April 1 – 15 to receive up to $2,000 towards the purchase of
an e-bike, cargo e-bike, e-bike maintenance, or other qualified accessories. To learn more, visit ddot.dc.gov/ebikes.

Things to Know

  • Applicants can apply anytime between April 1 – April 15.
  • Voucher recipients will be chosen at random after the application window closes.
  • Preferred Applicants (District resident enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
    Program (SNAP)), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or the DC
    Healthcare Alliance) are the only applications being accepted during this round.
  • Applicants must apply and be an approved voucher recipient BEFORE purchasing an e-bike.
  • Approved applicants can redeem their vouchers only at authorized bike retailers.
  • Voucher amounts vary based on applicant status and the item intended for purchase.
    See website for details.

List of DC Programs We All Should Know

Posted by nextstoprp in Council

Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and her team put together a great list of DC programs that more DC residents should know about or take advantage of. Her team states that many of the ideas came directly from neighbors who shared how these programs impact their lives for the better.

View the list at www.petworthnews.org/blog/cm-lewis-george-dc-programs.

And in case you missed it, back in January, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parkers’s weekly newsletter included a link to DC Health’s LinkU, which provides a list of health, food, housing, and community assistance resources.

Retail Opportunity – Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

The 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 two virtual information sessions:

  • Thursday, April 25, 2025 at 2:00 pm
  • 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 sessions.

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.

NPS Updates: North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Metro Pedestrian Path; Fort Totten Park Soil Testing

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Circle Park, National Park Service, North Michigan PArk

A couple of updates on National Park Service (NPS) issues in the neighborhood.

North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Metro Pedestrian Path

Neighbor Gavin noted the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) will consider approval of preliminary and final site development plans for the North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Metro pedestrian path at a meeting on April 4, 2024 (titled Fort Totten Trail Realignment on the agenda).

This formal path between Gallatin and Galloway streets NE in parkland near Fort Totten Metro station has been delayed for years, first due to the discovery of an unexploded WWI ordnance during construction and then when workers encountered the high point of Metro’s tunnel. NPS had to determine a more suitable location for the path.

In January of this year, NPS stated that they were at about 70% design on the new realignment and expected the design to be completed this spring.

According to an NCPC February 2024 project report prepared by NPS, the path will be shifted about 20 feet to the east of the original location to avoid interference with Metro infrastructure. The path will be 10 feet wide. Eleven trees will have to be removed.

The report states:

A preferred alternative was selected in December 2022 from this study to realign the trail and the south entrance approximately 20 feet to the east, to redesign the entry at the south end of the trail and redesign the trail centerline profile to maximize tunnel coverage. A drainage ditch for the proposed new trail will drain to the DDOT catch basin and trench. Bollards will be employed at both sides of the tunnel to restrict the entry of heavy vehicles over the tunnel area. The trail profile will provide allowable steep grades with landings to meet accessibility criteria according to the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards with a goal of increasing the cover over the tunnel.

The realigned trail will meet WMATA’s max loading requirements. Part of the trail from Galloway Street to just before the tunnel will utilize permeable pavement. The remaining part of the trail that goes over the tunnel and down to Gallatin Street NE will utilize concrete which meets WMATA’s requirement for 30 inch frost depth above the tunnel.

The construction document phase will be completed Spring/Summer 2024. The construction solicitation phase is expected to occur in late 2024, pending the availability of funding, which has not been identified at this time.

The anticipated construction cost is approximately $650,000.

The project is listed under the “Proposed Exceptions” section on the agenda. Proposed exceptions are “types of projects where NCPC staff determines that a project is exempt from Commission review, based on certain criteria.”

NPS stated earlier this week that they are actively seeking construction funding and that discussions continue within NPS and with the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding investigations and potential site remediation in the areas where the unexploded ordnances were found.

Fort Totten Park Soil Testing

With respect to the request for more comprehensive soil testing in Fort Totten Park, NPS states that they continue to work with the Army Corps to identify funding to investigate unexploded ordnance and any site contamination issues in Fort Totten Park.