Met Branch Trail Update: Future Environmental Impact Analysis for South Manor Off-Street Alignment

Posted by nextstoprp in Met Branch Trail

Late post

On November 15, 2023, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) held a public meeting on the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) Blair Road to Piney Branch Road NW segment. View the meeting recording, slide presentation, and 65% design plan. These materials are available at https://metbranchtrail.com/blair-rd-to-piney-branch.

As DDOT typically does with these meetings, they started with an overview of recently completed segments of the MBT & those under construction. The Fort Totten to Takoma extension is under construction now. One can see the construction taking place along 1st Place NE by Fort Totten Metro and along Riggs Road NE. The current plan is for an off-street, multi-use path along Riggs from 1st Place to 1st Street NE. From there the trail will move to an on-street alignment along 1st Street NE through the South Manor neighborhood to McDonald Place NE and then to an off-street, multi-use path along Blair Road. DDOT chose this route because the National Park Service (NPS) was originally reluctant to have the trail aligned closer to the red line tracks through NPS parkland north of Riggs.

1st Place NE Met Branch Trail off-street shared use path construction, November 23, 2023.
Riggs Road NE Met Branch Trail off-street shared use path construction, 1st Place to 1st Street NE, November 23, 2023.

South Manor Off-street Alignment

DDOT mentioned at a few public meetings that they have continued to engage with NPS about revisiting an option for an off-street alignment north of Riggs Road. At the meeting a couple of weeks ago, DDOT shared that they have received permission to conduct environmental impact analysis for an off-street alignment through NPS parkland closer to the red line tracks between Riggs Road and Oglethorpe Street NE. DDOT plans to begin working on that analysis in 2024.

Blair Road to Piney Branch Segment

As for the subject of the meeting–the Blair Road to Piney Branch segment–I have not been following this segment design that closely. A few things stood out to me at the meeting. One-way southbound travel on 4th Street NW would be extended from Butternut to Aspen. DDOT mentioned needing to acquire Metro property for the part of the segment near Piney Branch & Eastern. There was some grumbling about how winding this segment is as well as discussion about impact to trees.

The slides have details about key intersections. Send questions to metbranchtrail@dc.gov.

December 4: LRCA Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

From Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA)

The December 2023 LRCA Community meeting will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 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/88983349696?pwd=SlhWUXUxRjdGc1U0K0IvWDR6eUpNUT09

Webinar ID: 889 8334 9696
Passcode: 215823

Or, dial in by phone: 301-715-8592

Webinar ID: 889 8334 9696
Passcode: 215823

Agenda Items include:

  • Welcome/Invocation
  • Officers Report, Minutes, Treasurer Report
  • Updates from Elected Officials & PSA
  • Community Holiday Fellowship/Networking (for in-person attendees)
  • Community Concerns/Closing

The LRCA December 2023 newsletter is available on the website for download at: https://lrcadc.org/minutes-newsletters

Solicitation for Faith United Church of Christ Community Agreement Committee Members

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

From ANC 5A

If you are a resident of ANC 5A who lives within the boundaries of North Michigan Park or Michigan Park and are interested in being part of a group of community members who will work together to create a community agreement while Faith United Church operates a hypothermia shelter for women, please contact Commissioner Gordon Fletcher Email:  5a08@anc.dc.gov

December 2: Hellbender Record Fair

Posted by nextstoprp in Main Street

Hellbender Brewery Record Fair
December 2, 2023
1:00 pm-7:00 pm
5788 2nd Street NE

Hellbender Brewery is hosting a record fair on Saturday, December 2 from 1pm to 7pm. In addition to numerous vinyl vendors, there will be two food trucks and a live DJ. This is a free, all ages event and fun for the whole family. More information about the event can be found here.

November 29: ANC 5A Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

From ANC 5A

ANC 5A Meeting
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 6:45 pm

VIRTUAL ONLY

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81870709297?pwd=WDRMMGpvaVVGSGc5amNSU003UDE0QT09

Meeting ID: 818 7070 9297

Passcode: 847136

Dial In: 301 715 8592

Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.

AGENDA

I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm

II. Quorum  

III. Agenda Review/Acceptance  

IV. Commission Business
A. Secretary Update: Minutes for Approval (October 2023; Special Meeting November 2023)
B. Treasurer Report
C. Annual Report Actions

V. Commission Action Items/Updates

A. Public Safety Committee
B. Faith United Church of Christ Hypothermia Community Agreement

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

VII. Reports & Presentations
A. Catholic University of America (5A04)

VIII. Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 24, 2023

IX. Adjourn

November 29: Ward 5 Monthly Public Safety Call – Register in Advance

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites residents to join his next Monthly Public Safety Call on Wednesday, November 29 at 3:00 p.m. 

Guests will be Matthew Graves, United States Attorney for DC; Dr. Barbara J. Bazron, Director of the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health; and MPD Fifth District Commander Sylvan Altieri. Please join to share your observations, concerns, and questions. 

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.

Reach out to CM Parker’s office to share questions or specific concerns you would like to be addressed at the public safety meetings by emailing ward5contact@dccouncil.gov or calling 202-724-8028. 

November 27: ANC 4B Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

From ANC 4B

ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting Agenda
Monday, November 27, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Meeting Details:

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83287696066?pwd=RWpZaEkvK01hQXY1N3NHeVJpWkVBdz09.

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

Meeting ID: 832 8769 6066. Passcode: 262224.

  1. Call to Order & Roll Call
  2. Administrative Items:
    • Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting
    • Consideration and Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of October 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
    • Approval of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B Annual Report 2023 and Recognition of Student Art Submission Winners
  3. Commissioner Updates
  4. Community Concerns
  5. Presentation: Richard R. Bebout, Ph.D., Chief of Crisis Services; District Department of Behavioral Health; Alternative 911 Responses and Community Response Team (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)
  6. Presentation: Nora Ivory, Project WISH Coordinator; Community Health Administration, Cancer and Chronic Disease Prevention Bureau, DC Health; Project WISH (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)
  7. Reports:
    • Representative, Metropolitan Police Department (3 min)
    • Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (3 min)
    • Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (3 min)
    • Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative (3 min)
    • Housing Justice Committee (2 min)
    • Vision Zero Committee (2 min)
    • Youth Advisory Committee (2 min)
  8. Consent Calendar:
    • Resolution 4B-23-1101: Highlighting Administrative Challenges in Issuing ANC Grants and Requesting Procedural Improvements to Facilitate Commission Grantmaking (Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Yeats)
    • Resolution 4B-23-1102: Calling for Parity in Response to Rodent Infestations Across Private Residences, Schools and Parks (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Smith)
    • Resolution 4B-23-1103: Supporting ANC 4D re: Kennedy Street Library (Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Palmer)
    • Resolution 4B-23-1104: Reiterating Calls for Conveniently Located Swing Space for Whittier Elementary School (Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer)
  9. Resolution 4B-23-1105: Supporting and Providing Feedback on B25-0564, the Environmental Justice Amendment Act of 2023 (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, and Commissioner Smith)
  10. Adjournment

ANC 4B is in recess December 2023.

The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for January 9 at 6:30pm.

The next Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for January 22 at 7:00pm.

agenda-27nov2023-1Download

Traffic Pattern Change at Intersection of New Hampshire Ave NE, South Dakota Ave NE, & McDonald Place NE

Posted by nextstoprp in Met Branch Trail, Uncategorized

From DDOT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2023

Media Contacts:
German Vigil –  (202) 306-1668, german.vigil@dc.gov

Traffic Pattern Change at the Intersection of New Hampshire Ave NE, South Dakota Ave NE, and McDonald Place NE, November 15, 2023, to January 17, 2024

(WASHINGTON, DC) —The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is advising all stakeholders to continue to expect intermittent lane closures and traffic pattern changes at the Intersection of New Hampshire Ave NE – South Dakota Ave NE and McDonald Place NE. Please see the following information for updated lane closures and traffic pattern changes:

Utility Upgrade Construction

As part of the Metropolitan Branch Trail Fort Totten to Takoma Project, the utility upgrades at this intersection will begin on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. These utility upgrades are intended to improve drainage and pedestrian safety at the intersection. Two-way vehicle traffic flow will be maintained during peak and off-peak hours on South Dakota Ave NE, and two travel lanes in each direction on New Hampshire Ave NE during peak hours only. Impacted locations will be contacted to accommodate access to these facilities.

These lane closures and traffic pattern changes are necessary to complete utility upgrades work in the most efficient manner as a part of the Metropolitan Branch Trail Fort Totten to Takoma Project.

Sidewalk and Trail Construction

As part of the planned Metropolitan Branch Trail work in the abovementioned area, intermittent temporary sidewalk closures will be taking place to relocate curb/gutter sections, upgrade utilities, and place additional traffic control poles at the intersection corners. To improve pedestrian safety and provide enough space, pedestrian detours will be in place, where possible, to move pedestrians to the opposite side of the roadway at the closest accessible crosswalk. Each impacted location will be contacted directly to coordinate a location specific pedestrian egress plan through that specific section of sidewalk.

Traffic controls, including signage, will be in place to guide motorists and pedestrians safely through the work zone. All users of the roadway are advised to stay alert and be observant of signage and work zones while traveling in this area.

Once complete, the Metropolitan Branch Trail Fort Totten to Takoma Project will include improvements such as a new multi-use trail section, sidewalks, streetlights, green area revitalization, and other streetscape elements.

For more information about this project and to stay up to date on traffic related impacts and construction progress, please visit https://mbt-forttotten-takoma.ddot.dc.gov.

November 18: Ward 4 Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

Posted by nextstoprp in Ward 4

Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George is teaming up with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) again to give out turkeys for Thanksgiving.

From the office of CM Lewis George:

The annual Ward 4 Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway for Ward 4 families in need will take place on Saturday, November 18 starting at 11am at Riggs LaSalle Rec Center (501 Riggs Rd NE). The event will be first come, first serve while supplies last, and residents will be asked to bring proof of Ward 4 residency (DC ID, lease, utility bill, etc). To ensure we help as many Ward 4 families as possible, each family will be limited to one turkey. I am grateful to be partnering with the Lamond Riggs Citizens Association again this year to co-host this event. Please help us get the word out by sharing the flyer in English or Spanish — or by sharing the flyer on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Another option for residents is the Destiny Church for All Nations Turkey Giveaway on Sunday, November 19 at 9:30am at 5209 Georgia Avenue NW (between Brightwood Park and Sixteenth Street Heights). If you want to spread the word about other Thanksgiving giveaway events in our community, please send them to us at teamjaneese@dccouncil.gov.

Run for ANC 5A07 Seat

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

The DC Board of Elections has issued another notice of vacancy for ANC 5A07. Nominating petitions are available starting today and are due no later than 4:45 pm on December 4, 2023.

ANC 5A07 covers the area west of the red line tracks at Fort Totten Metro station. It includes the area along 1st Place NE (including Metro’s large parking lot that is slated for future development), the Metropolitan Branch Trail at Fort Totten, a big chunk of National Park Service parkland, and the residential area west of Fort Totten Park in the Fort Totten neighborhood.

Map of ANC 5A07 boundaries from DC Board of Elections

Armed Forces Retirement Home Development Deal Terminated

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

Late post

The big development slated for the Armed Forces Retirement Home is no longer. Recall that the development team was scheduled to appear at the ANC 5A meeting in September but did not appear. According to media reports, AFRH officials stated they terminated the development agreement due to changing economic conditions. The property sits in ANC 5A05.

Media coverage: DC Urbanturf; Washington Business Journal; Bisnow

McDonald’s Rebuilding Timeline

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk

Late post

At the North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting in October, Raoul Alvarez gave a quick update about the timeline for rebuilding the McDonald’s located at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE. The public space permit application for McDonald’s was approved on the Public Space Committee’s consent agenda on August 24, 2023 (#411090).

Mr. Alvarez, the owner, said the plan is to close the restaurant in 3rd quarter 2024 (either September or October). Construction will take about five months. The restaurant will reopen in 2025.

Mr. Alvarez said this is the anticipated timeline. He said that if closure of the restaurant is delayed for some reason, that delay will push construction and reopening deeper into 2025 because of winter weather.

The restaurant sits in ANC 5A08.