Free backpacks & school supplies. Hosted by Metro Transit Police Community Services Bureau. Children of all ages are welcome from elementary to high school. There will be family-friendly activities, including a moon bounce, miniature train rides, a live DJ and band, and free food.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has added a question & answer document to the website for the Fort Totten to Takoma extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT). In addition, DDOT emailed me separately about the questions I submitted. My questions and DDOT’s responses below.
1. Where will construction staging for Phase 1 be located?
DDOT Response:
The construction crew will initially be staging materials, within the DDOT ROW, on the East side of South Dakota Ave NE at the intersection of Madison St NE/First St NE/South Dakota Ave NE. Additional potential staging areas will be looked at on an as needed basis.
2. Can DDOT send construction notices about closures impacting pedestrians/bus riders/drivers by email without requiring people to open an ArcGIS account?
DDOT Response:
You are able to sign up for email updates through the website at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/p4heFT9diL. There will be a newsletter sent out about the project on a regular basis.
3. As part of Phase 1, can DDOT install the missing curb cut on 1st Place NE that will make it easier for those of us east of Fort Totten Metro station south of Riggs Road NE to get onto the MBT at Fort Totten station? I appreciate that DDOT will look into this. I raised issues about connections from the east when the Brookland-Fort Totten extension was being constructed & I raised the issue again after that section was completed.
DDOT Response:
The team is continuing to investigate the issue regarding installing the missing curb cut on 1st Place NE, which is the property of WMATA. In order to add the curb cut, the incorporation of additional bicycle facilities may be required and/or a crosswalk that will direct bicyclists to and from the MBT. 1st Place NE doesn’t currently have bicycle facilities and features high volumes of buses coming to and from the Metro Station. Further evaluation and coordination with WMATA is necessary to evaluate the design of 1st Pl NE and the potential impacts of the addition of a bike ramp. DDOT is currently discussing this with WMATA and in the context of future development at the Fort Totten Metro Station. The current plans for the MBT directs bikers to the existing curb cut further north on 1st Place which will be tied in with the next section of the MBT with proper crossings and signages visible to motorists and buses.
The North Michigan Park Civic Association along with the Michigan Park 4 Life Reunion and the Department of Parks and Recreation will host the annual North Michigan Park Community Day and Reunion Event
Date – Saturday, August 12, 2023 Time – 12:00 noon until 7:00 pm Location – North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 1333 Emerson Street NE
This is a family event, bring your chair, blanket and zest for fun. There will be food, music, and games for the entire family.
This is a timeline for some of the gaming events:
Gaming Events
Bingo 12:30 – 1:30 Simon Says – 12:30 -1:30 Musical Chairs – 1:30 – 2:00 Children’s Story Time – 2:00 – 3:00 Touch Fire Truck – 1:00 – 4:00 Game Truck – 2:00 – 5:00 Bubble Bounce – 2:00 – 4:00 Moon Bounce 1:00 – 6:00 360 Camera – 1:00 – 6:00
Other Outside Games Dodge Ball Sack Race Hop Scotch Tug of War Hula Hoop Big Checkers
Please mark your calendar for August 26 at Turkey Thicket for Ward 5 Day, and spread the word! It’ll be a day full of food, music, games, activities, a backpack giveaway, and traditions old and new including the first-ever Ward 5 Awards celebrating remarkable members of our community. There will also be pop-up events across the Ward during the week of August 20 – 25.
Backpack Giveaway August 4, 2023 4:00 pm-7:00 pm Riggs Liquor (5581 South Dakota Avenue NE, across from Walmart on Riggs Road)
Sponsored by Symone Brooks, John Yoo/Riggs Liquor, Chick-fil-A, and The Parks Main Street.
Backpacks will be filled with school supplies and hygiene items. Over 300 backpacks available. Food and backpacks available on a first come, first serve basis. Children must be present to receive a backpack.
Cast your vote to help select a person, place, idea, or event to be honored in DC. DC’s Office of Planning is providing design assistance to residents seeking to bring commemorative works to their communities in Wards 4, 5, and 7. Visit https://publicinput.com/cwtap#4 to read about the nominations and cast your vote by August 25, 2023.
MPD’s Fourth District (4D) has a new leader, Commander Nikki Lavenhouse. All of Riggs Park sits in MPD’s 4D.
Commander Lavenhouse’s message on 4D’s homepage states:
I am excited about building new partnerships and I am honored to have been selected to serve the residents and stakeholders of Wards 1, 4, and 5. I am committed to further strengthening our community partnerships as we work to reduce crime and ensure that everyone feels safe.
In the coming days I will be out in the community meeting with residents and stakeholders. I look forward to engaging with you all to assess and meet the needs of our community.
The commander can be reached at nikki.lavenhouse@dc.gov.
The seat for ANC 5A09 is now vacant. Interested candidates may pick up petitions starting today July 31 through August 21, 2023.
ANC 5A09 covers Art Place at Fort Totten, Aventine Fort Totten, Food & Friends, part of Fort Circle Park, and a few blocks in North Michigan Park. Information about how to run for the vacant seat is available in the vacancy notice and on the DC Board of Elections website.
The hearing for UDC’s proposed Lamond-Riggs campus plan is scheduled for October 16, 2023. See Zoning Commission hearing notice, case no. 23-16. This gives ANC 5A and residents plenty of time to organize thoughts on how to respond to the proposed plan. Instructions on how to give live testimony or submit written testimony are in the hearing notice.
Mayor Muriel Bowser joined residents to break ground on construction of Riggs Crossing, a senior resident building that will be located on the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE. The lead developer is the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) in partnership with EYA.
This building accompanies the recently constructed townhome community by EYA called Riggs Park Place. Mayor Bowser celebrated the ribbon cutting of Riggs Park Place last summer. Together, these projects complete the development that started with the construction of Fort Totten Square back in 2015.
Aakash Thakkar, chief acquisitions officer at EYA, opened the event and as always recognized the community’s role in this project. Vandalia Joyner-Taylor, a resident of Riggs Park since 1959, introduced Mayor Bowser. Mayor Bowser laid the foundation for these projects, starting as an ANC commissioner before becoming Ward 4 councilmember and then mayor. Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George followed the mayor, recognizing the importance of this affordable housing project in Ward 4. Christopher Donald, executive director & CEO of the DC Housing Finance Agency, and Drew Hubbard, deputy director of the DC Department of Housing & Community Development, both mentioned how this project will help meet the District’s goal of producing 12,000 affordable housing units by 2025. Carmen Romero, CEO of APAH, closed the program.
Overview
Riggs Crossing will consist of 93 income-restricted units for seniors 62 years old and older.
52 units at or below 30% median family income (MFI)
41 units between 30-50% MFI
10 permanent supportive housing units
APAH has a lot of experience building affordable housing primarily in Virginia with a couple of projects in Maryland. Riggs Crossing is APAH’s first project in DC. Jaydot will provide case management services for the 10 permanent supportive housing units.
Approximately 5,000 square feet of ground floor retail will be available for below market rate lease for a local/unique retailer.
Construction
Davis Construction is the construction team on this project. Monthly construction updates are available on the project website. On the website, you can also subscribe to receive updates about the project. The site work seen over the past few weeks was pre-construction site work. The team received permits yesterday to begin excavation. Expect about 5 weeks of pounding during excavation. The team has set up a vibration monitor and met with nearby property owners. For construction concerns, email Joanna Shin at jshin@apah.org.
Jobs & Apprenticeship Opportunity
On the website is a list of available construction jobs. In addition, as part of the team’s First Source commitment, they are offering paid apprenticeship opportunities for up to 20 DC residents. From the project website:
As part of our First Source Approved Alternative Plan as well as our Section 3 best faith efforts, DAVIS and APAH have committed to providing training for up to 20 District Residents. We plan to partner with the local Associated Builder’s and Contractor’s (ABC) chapter and enroll interested potential workers in the ABC CORE program for a 10 week training program. We will help graduates find job offers with our trade partners within the industry. Costs for candidates to enroll will be covered by DAVIS and APAH.
If interested in the apprenticeship opportunity, complete the contact form on the “Career” page on the project website or simply stop by the construction trailer (located in the green space in front of Food & Friends) to provide your contact information and let the team know of your interest in enrolling. Please let your neighbors know about this opportunity to take advantage sooner rather than later.
Retail
There will be about 9,500 square feet of ground floor retail space, of which 5,000 square feet will be offered below market rate lease for a local/unique retailer. Right now, the team states that there is not infrastructure capacity for a full-service restaurant, but they might be willing to revisit that decision. Interested parties may contact Joanna Shin at jshin@apah.org.
Pictures of groundbreaking below.
Vandalia Joyner Taylor, Riggs Park resident since 1959, introducing Mayor Muriel Bowser at groundbreaking. Photo credit Gwen Cofield.Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George delivering remarks.Photo credit Gwen CofieldMayor Muriel Bowser delivering remarks. Photo credit Gwen CofieldMayor Bowser breaking ground with Riggs Park residents (left to right) Rev. Johnnie Mays, Edgar Sheppard, Barbara Rogers, Gwen Cofield, Shirleta Settles, Mary Wade, Mayor Bowser, Charon Hines, myself, and ANC 4B Chair Alison Brooks.Photo by http://www.jonflemingphotography.comWard 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George with residents. Barbara Rogers, Johnnie Mays, Edwin Washington (The Parks Main Street), CM Lewis George, Gwen Cofield, myself. Photo credit Office of CM Janeese Lewis George
Metro has installed another set of faregates at Fort Totten station, settling on a final design after tworounds of prototype testing that started around November 2022. People are still finding ways around the taller, stronger gates. This final installation follows several weeks of stepped up security presence at the station to deter people from entering the gates without paying. During morning and evening rush hour, a row of officers has been lined up just inside the faregates.
A reader sent in a picture of Metro transit police standing near new faregates at Fort Totten Metro station.
In other Metro news, last week local news reported that a special police officer shot a teen at Fort Totten station after responding to a fight between a group of people. The teen allegedly fired a gun at another individual. News reports state that the teen has been charged with assault with intent to kill and carrying a pistol without a license. A few months ago in March, a special police officer apparently chased a “suspect” fleeing towards Fort Totten station and discharged his weapon, according to MPD. No more details have been provided about that particular incident.
On July 18, 2023, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) held a pre-construction meeting on the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) from Fort Totten to Takoma. The dedicated project website is https://mbt-forttotten-takoma.ddot.dc.gov. There you can find construction updates and project resources such as design plans and meeting presentations. Construction will take place in phases. Completion is expected in 2025. Send questions/concerns to project email at metbranchtrail@dc.gov.
General work hours will be 7:00 am-7:00 pm Monday through Friday. Exact work hours will vary. All available lanes will be open during morning and evening rush hour. Saturday and night work will be reserved for special circumstances and requires advanced notice and DDOT approval. No work will be done on Sundays. DDOT will work with Metro on advance public notice for any necessary temporary bus stop closures.
DDOT answered a number of questions. A few of my questions were (1) where construction staging for Phase 1 will take place; (2) whether DDOT can add the missing curb ramp on 1st Place NE during Phase 1 for people approaching the MBT at Fort Totten from the east and south of Riggs Road; and (3) whether DDOT can easily email weekly or regular construction updates especially those regarding closures impacting pedestrians/bus riders/drivers without making people sign up for a special account. DDOT said they are aware of the missing curb cut issue and will look into it. They will answer the other questions once they have firm responses.
There were also questions about safe accommodations, suggested routes for regular MBT riders north of Fort Totten during construction, whether a bridge across Riggs Road is an option (that could be longer term goal), removal of trees during future phases (DDOT said no tree removal is planned for construction of the Fort Totten-Takoma section), activation of a traffic signal at New Hampshire before completion of the project, something about a blind corner at Maple, alignments in the Piney Branch to Blair Road segment (a future phase), and other stuff I cannot remember right now. Again, DDOT will try to address these questions on the project website when they have firm answers.
Information about Fort Totten-Takoma construction phases, other MBT sections, and a traffic advisory for the Fort Tottten station area below.
Phase 1: Summer 2023 to Winter 2023 Construction Begins Fort Totten Metro Station Parking Area to South Dakota Avenue NE
Phase 2: Winter 2023 to 2024 Construction on South Dakota Avenue NE to McDonald Place NE to Blair Road NW Construction on East side of roadway
Phase 3: Winter 2024 to Spring 2025 Construction on Blair Road – Oglethorpe Street NW to Aspen Street NW Construction on East side of roadway
Phase 4: Spring 2025 to Summer 2025 Construction on Blair Road NW – Oglethorpe Street NW to Aspen Street NW Construction on West side of roadway and Sandy Spring Road NW
Phase 5: Summer 2025 Construction on Blair Road NW – Oglethorpe Street NW to Aspen Street NW and Sandy Spring Road NW Construction on roadway medians
Other MBT sections
8th Street Protected bike lane
Protected bike lane & one-way conversion Summer 2023
Brookland to Fort Totten extension
Completed in 2022
Blair Rd to Piney Branch Rd – Takoma Area
Design began in 2021
Approaching 65% design, public update in Fall 2023
Eastern Avenue
Completed in 2021
(Aside: For awareness, I was informed that the cycletrack planned for Riggs Road between 1st Place and South Dakota Avenue NE (NOI-23-75-PSD) has been put on hold (maybe indefinitely) due to staffing capacity. DDOT stated they will not proceed before returning to ANC 5A and 4B and other stakeholders. That could happen as soon as fall 2023 but also could be later, depending on when DDOT has capacity to resume the project and address the comments in the NOI).
Traffic Advisory
DDOT has also posted a traffic advisory impacting the Fort Totten Metro station area.
On June 21, 2023, UDC submitted a campus plan application to the DC Zoning Commission for the Lamond-Riggs campus (ZC case no. 23-16). The Lamond-Riggs campus (formerly known as the Bertie Backus campus) houses the university’s community college programs. DC zoning regulations require universities to update campus plans every 10 years. This proposed 2023-2033 campus plan is the first for the Lamond-Riggs campus. UDC plans to attend ANC 5A’s September 2023 meeting to seek a resolution in support of the plan ahead of an anticipated October 2023 zoning hearing.
According to UDC, the goals of the regulations are to ensure that university campuses “(1) are well-planned and designed; (2) have long-term facilities plans; (3) minimize any negative impacts the university may have on the surrounding residential neighborhood; and (4) are consistent and transparent with their planning processes.”
The proposed plan features 5 primary changes to the campus:
Modernize and upgrade the existing academic building and facilities
Strengthen enrollment opportunities and welcome a modest increase in students, faculty, and staff
Promote the University’s distinct identity and wayfinding for public use of the campus
Implement on-site urban design improvements along the campus frontages on South Dakota Avenue NE, Hamilton Street NE, and Galloway Street NE
Construct a new wing to increase programs and provide an open space courtyard for improved green landscaping and sustainable features
The proposed plan has 5 sections:
Campus Development Element
Transportation Element
Sustainability Element
Community Relations Element
Campus Character Element
The plan proposes a two-phase approach to the development of the campus. Phase 1 includes renovation of the existing campus buildings. Phase II includes construction of a new wing and other improvemetns on the campus.
Free local and limited-stop shuttles available during Metrorail operating hours.
Local Service
Green Line Shuttle: Local service every 10 minutes between Greenbelt, College Park, Hyattsville Crossing, West Hyattsville, and Fort Totten.
Limited Service
Greenbelt-Georgia Ave Limited: Limited-stop service every 8 minutes between Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Fort Totten, and Georgia Ave-Petworth.
Hyattsville Crossing-Georgia Ave Limited: Limited-stop service every 8 minutes between Hyattsville Crossing, West Hyattsville, Fort Totten, and Georgia Ave-Petworth.
Due to the volume of customers, wait times can be up to 20 minutes during rush hours.
Service July 24 – September 4, 2023
Station Closures: Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Hyattsville Crossing, West Hyattsville
Free local and limited-stop shuttles available during Metrorail operating hours.
Local Service
Green Line Shuttle: Local service every 10 minutes between Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Hyattsville Crossing, and West Hyattsville.
Limited-stop Service
Greenbelt-Fort Totten Limited: Limited-stop service every 10 minutes between Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, and Fort Totten.
Hyattsville Crossing-Fort Totten Limited: Limited-stop service every 10 minutes between Hyattsville Crossing, West Hyattsville, and Fort Totten.
Due to the volume of customers, wait times can be up to 20 minutes during rush hours.
Rail Service
Green Line trains every 8 minutes between Fort Totten and Branch Ave.
Rail Options
The Maryland Area Regional Commuter Train (MARC) MARC has stations at Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, and New Carrollton, where customers can easily connect with Metro at Union Station. Additional MARC service will be available at Greenbelt and College Park-U of Md stations during this time.
Bus Options
Greenbelt
Metrobus C2 Service to Takoma Langley Transit Center & Wheaton
Shuttles will operate using a combination of standard Metrobus and coach buses.
Accessible shuttles will be available at all closed stations.
MetroAccess paratransit is available for customers who cannot use the accessible shuttles. For MetroAccess eligibility, an expedited process is available at the Transit Accessibility Center.
Join DC Fray and the Cafritz Foundation for the Children’s Festival Event Series at the Modern at Art Place for some free, community-centered fun every fourth Saturday, 1pm-3pm, from June to September!
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.
August 26th – Back to School Bash
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.
September 23rd – Harry Potter: Movie at The Modern
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.
Patricia K. Timbers, a neighbor on Chillum Place NE in Riggs Park, wrote to the Washington Post to ask the origin of the Chillum name. The Post explained that the name comes from Chilham Castle in England. An individual named William Digges recorded the property that sits along the DC/Maryland border and named the parcel Chillum Castle Manor.
In 1763, William Digges patented 4,443 acres of property that today straddles the border of the District and Prince George’s County. That means that he had the property surveyed and registered with the proper authorities. Digges’s acquisition was a consolidation of nine parcels, including 506 acres of something known as Yarrow Head, 620 acres of Smyrna and 1,120 acres of Widows Purchase.
Digges decided to call the newly patented parcel Chillum Castle Manor. This was a reference to the family’s ancestral home back in the county of Kent in southeast England. That ancestral home is in the village of Chilham and is itself called Chilham Castle. You can guess how it’s pronounced: CHILL-uhm.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 