Image from Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker’s office
Ward Days are back at the National Building Museum!
On July 20, 2023, Ward 4 & Ward 5 residents can enjoy free admission to the museum (401 F Street NW). Museum opens at 10:00 am. Story time at 11:00 am & 1:00 pm. Bring proof of residency with zip code.
As part of the Washington, D.C. community, the National Building Museum invites residents of each D.C. Ward to visit the Summer Block Party installation, Look Here, with free admission to all exhibitions during your specific Ward Day.
When is the Look Here Ward Day for my neighborhood?
July 20: Wards 1, 4, 5, and 6
August 3: Wards 3 and 8
August 17: Wards 2 and 7
I’m ready to visit the Museum, what do I need to know?
The Museum opens at 10 am on each Ward day.
Your Ward Day eligibility is determined by your zip code, please bring an ID or piece of mail with zipcode.
All visitors must check in at the Museum’s Visitor Center to receive their complimentary admission wristband in order to visit all of the exhibitions.
All children must be accompanied by an adult in the museum at all times. No more than 10 children per adult, please.
Public Meeting Notice: The Metropolitan Branch Trail Fort Totten to Takoma The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to a virtual project meeting on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 6:00 PM to discuss the status of the Metropolitan Branch Train Project. DDOT will present an overview of the project and discuss project features and milestones.
Sixth Annual Riggs Park Art Crawl July 14 & 15, 2023 10:00 am-3:00 pm Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Vendors ● Music ● Books ● Live Painting ● Yoga Demo ● Face Painting ● Balloons ● Caricatures
Presented by The Parks Main Street, Culture Coffee Too, Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and the DC Department of Small & Local Business Development (DSLBD)
Attorney General Brian Schwalb and At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson will lead a community discussion on the environment beginning at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE.
If you submitted a photo featured on the Heritage Wall at the Lamond-Riggs Library, artist Michelle Lisa Herman created a small print of the square with your photo as a memento. Please pick up your small print at the library during business hours from branch manager David Gaston. Library hours are 9:00 am-8:00 pm Monday – Wednesday; 12:00 pm-8:00 pm on Thursday; 10:00 am-6:00 pm Friday & Saturday; and 1:00 pm-5:00 pm on Sunday (closed on holidays).
Also, library officials are looking for the individual(s) who submitted the photo in the square pictured below. The photo is of four individuals holding a framed picture of a woman in profile. A small print is available for pickup.
If this photo of four individuals holding a picture frame is your photo, pick up a small print at Lamond-Riggs Library.
By Robert Oliver, president of the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library Friends
Lamond-Riggs Library Heritage Wall Official Celebration with (left to right): Robert Oliver (Lamond-Riggs Library Friends president), David Gaston (Lamond-Riggs Library branch manager), Waveney Bryant, Shirley Bryant, artist Michelle Lisa Herman, and Charles Bryant II. Photo courtesy Barbara Rogers.
The Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library celebrated its one-year anniversary on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. The day began with a Happy Birthday Story Time at 10:30 a.m. and again at 11:15 a.m led by children’s librarian Jesse Williamson. After story time, the children cut squares for a paper quilt in celebration of the one-year anniversary.
The adult programming began at noon. Sara Ramson led the festivities with a captivating harp performance. The audience was amazed by her mastery of the instrument despite her youth.
Sarah Ramson on harp. Photo courtesy Robert Oliver
Next, the Heritage Wall Dedication Ceremony began at 12:30 p.m. Artist Michelle Lisa Herman held an artist talk about the journey from conception to completion of her work creating the Heritage Wall. Michelle explained the features of her art via examples from earlier commissions. She created an interactive piece using live monitors that captured and displayed the viewer’s reactions to the piece, for example.
DC Public Library commissioned Ms. Herman to express “community,” which was the popular reply by patrons when asked to give a one-word response best describing their neighborhood. Her response was a digital quilt. Each square features a picture and a memento such as a cloth, fabric, or embroidery, contributed by community members. Each square stitched together forms the digital quilt.
Michelle Lisa Herman, artist of the Heritage Wall at the Lamond-Riggs Library. Photo courtesy Robert Oliver.
Michelle said this digital quilt presented some unique difficulties. A quality image requires 300 pixels or dots per inch at minimum. But this project is the size of a billboard. Billboards only require 30 pixels or dots per inch since a billboard is meant to be viewed from afar. Also, the older analog photos quickly lost resolution during enlargement. Luckily, Michelle was able to craft a solution for both problems.
Michelle concluded with a question-and-answer session. Creating an index of photos submitted for the work was a top question. However, to do so would require research since some donees asked not to have their name published.
Next, we gathered around the stairwell for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Branch manager David Gaston thanked his staff, student volunteers, and others for their support. He also recognized the Committee to Rename the Library for their work. Lastly, Mr. Gaston recited a list of accomplishments during the past year and promised more to come. I thanked Mr. Gaston for his dedication and hard work to making the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library what it is today.
Lamond-Riggs Library branch manager David Gaston. Photo courtesy Barbara Rogers.Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association president Barbara Rogers. Photo courtesy Barbara Rogers.
The ribbon cutting was done by the widows of Charles and Robert Bryant of the Bryant & Bryant Architects. This firm developed the architectural plans for both the original Lamond-Riggs Library and the current Shepherd Park/Juanita E. Thornton Library. Charles I. Bryant, II watched as his mother, Waveney Bryant, and his aunt, Shirley Bryant, cut the dedication ribbon.
Lillian Huff, after whom the library is named, and the Bryant brothers are featured in the center of the quilt.
New Heritage Wall at the Lamond-Riggs Library, a digital quilt created by artist Michelle Lisa Herman from fabric swatches and photo contributions from community members. Photo courtesy Barbara Rogers.
Everyone then convened in the conference room to chat, network, and enjoy the light refreshments provided by the Friends and the pizza provided by the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA). Lastly, everyone enjoyed the One-Year Anniversary cake.
I personally wish to thank David Gaston, the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, the Library Friends, Michelle Lisa Herman, and most importantly, the community for making this event a success!
One year anniversary cake. Photo courtesy Barbara Rogers.
Ward 4 Summer Safety Strategic Planning Meeting June 29, 2023 6:30 pm-8:30 pm Barnard Elementary School (enter on 4th & Crittenden Street NW).
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George encourages Ward 4 residents to attend a strategic planning meeting to discuss specific actions to address crime and gun violence during the summer.
Have ideas about an important person, place, or event in Ward 5 that should be the subject of a commemorative work (such as a plaza, sculpture, plaque) recognizing the significance/contribution of the individual or event to local history?
The DC Office of Planning has extended the deadline to submit nominations for the Ward 5 Commemorative Works Project to July 7, 2023.
Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8 have the lowest number of commemorative works in the city, so OP is working with partners like The Parks Main Street to assist with the process for identifying subjects and sites for commemorative works and the design process for works in those wards.
Some subject ideas mentioned in previous community meetings include the freeway fights in the 1960s, the family behind a Black-owned piano manufacturing company called Shadd Pianos, the architects and the inspiration behind the original Lamond-Riggs Library (brothers Charles & Robert Bryant and Lillian Huff), and the impact of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association.
Let your neighbors know about this project. Submit your nomination by July 7.
There will be a vacancy on ANC 4B in single member district 4B09 representing part of Riggs Park, effective June 30, 2023. Nominating petitions will be available starting July 3, 2023.
ANC 4B09 Boundaries
ANC 4B09 boundary map from DC Board of Elections
ANC 4B09 includes Fort Totten Square, LaSalle-Backus Elementary School, Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center, and Riggs Park Place. It will also include the forthcoming mixed-use retail/senior apartment building that will be on the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE. Groundbreaking on that building is likely to occur in the coming weeks.
A. Secretary Update 1. Minutes for Approval (May 2023)
B. Commission Action Items/Updates 1. Providence Urgent Care and Imagining Center Closure (5A03) 2. 4975 South Dakota Ave NE Gas Station Plans (5A08) 3. 120 Taussig Place-Olivia Akinsan ( 5A05) 4. Yu Ying presentation and action Carlie Fishlow (5A05)
C. Administrative Matters 1. Task Force Groups Update
V. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VI. Reports & Presentations
A. DC Public Charter Schools John Carlos Green
B. The Campaign to Reduce Lead Exposure & Asthma- Shanna Anderson
VII. Community Comment Period
VIII. Next Meeting: September 27, 2023. ANC 5A will be on summer recess for July and August
The developer for Art Place at Fort Totten just distributed this notice regarding the intersection at South Dakota Avenue & Ingraham Street NE.
A new traffic signal has been installed at South Dakota Avenue & Ingraham Street NE. In accordance with DDOT policy, the signal will have flashing lights 24 hours a day for 7 days starting June 22. During this period, there will not be a push activated crossing sign. Pedestrians will have to wait for car traffic to yield at the yellow light prior to crossing. While this traffic pattern is temporary, please exercise increased caution while using this intersection during this period.
Celebrate the first anniversary in the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library with a day full of fun events for all ages with light snacks and refereshments sponsored by the Friends of the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library.
Events
10:30 am – Happy Birthday Story Time #1 – Read, Sing, & Dance
11:00 am – Craft Activity – Youth Quilt Making (all day event)
11:45 am – Craft Activity – Various Arts & Crafts (all day)
Noon – Sarah Ramson on Harp
12:30 pm – The making of the Heritage Wall with artist Michelle Herman
1:15 pm – Official Dedication of the Heritage Wall with special guest speakers
2:00 pm – One Year Anniversary Celebration Reception
Whether you’re a historian or simply interested in preserving the legacy of our community, this workshop is for you. Attend and share your unique perspective to help create something special for Ward 5!
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is considering placing a roundabout at the 2nd Street/3rd Street NE intersection just north of Riggs Road NE, along with a few other modifications, to deal with the longstanding issues of U-turns and left turns out of Walmart’s parking garage on 3rd Street. (View NOI-23-110-TESD). Submit comments on the proposal to kornelius.anderson@dc.gov by July 7, 2023.
DDOT proposes the following modifications:
Conversion of the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Streets NE to a roundabout configuration;
Installation of a raised lane separator with vertical flexible posts on 3rd Street NE between 2nd Street NE and the 310 Riggs Road NE (Walmart) parking garage on 3rd Street NW; and,
Installation of crosswalks at the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Streets NE.
The Notice of Intent (NOI) states:
[F]ield observations indicate that motorists frequently turn left from the Walmart garage or make U-turns to access southbound 3rd Street NE. In support of Washington DC’s commitment to the Vision Zero goal, DDOT conducted a safety and operations study of 3rd Street NE between Riggs Road and 2nd Street NE, to develop the proposed recommendations identified above and improve safety for all users.
As a result of the study, DDOT determined that the most effective way to address the mid-block safety issues is to install a raised lane separator with vertical posts from the raised median on 3rd Street NE to the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Street NE. To facilitate U-turns, DDOT will convert the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Streets NE to a roundabout configuration. Following the conversion, approximately 19 parking spaces will be removed from 2nd and 3rd Streets NE to accommodate the roundabout. Figure 1 shows the proposed signs, pavement markings and the raised lane separator along 3rd St NE.
Background
A bit of background on this proposal. Back in early 2018 when I served as president of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, I created a spreadsheet of issues along the Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue NE corridor and arranged a walkthrough of the corridor with representatives from DDOT, MOCRs, ANC commissioners, and representatives from councilmember offices. I suggested the idea of a roundabout for the 2nd/3rd Street intersection (even though roundabouts make me nervous) and asked for a bunch of other longstanding requests, such as crosswalks at 2nd/3rd Street, removal of parking near Walmart’s driveway, blocking left turns out of Walmart’s driveway, all-way stop at 3rd & Chillum Place NE, and blocking parking near the southwest corner of 3rd and Chillum. I opened service requests for all of these issues, kept track of communications with District officials, and gave that information to ANC 4B. ANC 4B in turn created resolutions regarding these issues.
So it has taken some years to get to this point and several issues remain unaddressed. DDOT did install a no parking sign close to Walmart’s driveway last year, but of course people ignore the sign and still park right up to the driveway. I think DDOT needs to physically prevent the ability to park there because right now drivers exiting the driveway still need to pull out pretty far to see if there is oncoming traffic. We also need a way to prevent people from parking right near the intersection close to 300 Riggs Road NE where a Wing Stop will replace the coffee shop. The parking shenanigans will only get worse once that restaurant opens. And the intersection at 3rd & Chillum needs to be addressed.
As for this NOI, with respect to the proposed lengthy raised lane separator, I was told that DDOT is taking this action because it is faster to install this separator than to actually extend the median. I was told that perhaps in the future the separator could be converted into an extended median.
The only other thing I will say about this is that it really does highlight the deficiencies in the large tract review process for projects that do not go through the planned unit development process. Much of this should have been taken care of during the design and construction of Fort Totten Square when we raised these issues. I raise shortcomings with the large tract review process whenever I can with District officials, also to point out why the constant changes to the traffic safety investigation process are kind of bogus.
In any case, ANC 4B has developed a draft resolution in support of the proposed modifications in this NOI.
Be sure to submit comments on the proposed modifications for NOI-23-110-TESD to kornelius.anderson@dc.gov by July 7, 2023.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592.
Meeting ID: 832 8769 6066. Passcode: 262224
Call to Order & Roll Call
Administrative Items
Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting
Election of Treasurer
Consideration and Approval of Agenda
Approval of May 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Updates
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.
Reports
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 (3 min)
Representative, Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (3 min)
Arianna Gard, Director, Growth and Resilience Across Development Lab, University of Maryland, Result of Community and Resilient Environments Project (10-minute presentation; 5-minute discussion)
Gragg, Cardona, and Souadi, Affordable Assisted Living Facility, 7709 Georgia Ave, NW (Sq. 2961, Lot 810), Map Amendment from MU-4 to MU-10 (Case No. 23-11) (10-minute presentation; 5-minute discussion)
Planned Unit Development by NHPF and the Elm Gardens Tenants Association, 7050 Eastern Avenue NW, Elm Gardens (ZC #22-33) (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)
Consent Calendar
Resolution 4B-23-0601: Calling for Timely Maintenance and Stronger Coordination Among DC Government Agencies for Stormwater Management Facilities (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Smith)
Resolution 4B–23-0602: Supporting Safety Improvements on 3rd Street NE Between Riggs Road and 2nd Street NE (NOI 23-110-TESD) (Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Huff)
Resolution 4B-23-0603: Requesting Additional District Department of Transportation and Department of Public Works Traffic Calming Measures in the 5900 Block of 2nd Street NW, 200 Block of Peabody Street NW, and 200 Block of Oglethorpe Street NW (Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Cohen)
Resolution 4B-23-0604: Calling for Better Maintenance of National Park Service Controlled DC Parks and Accountability to DC Residents (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Gilligan)
Letter: Requesting a Community-Driven Process for Park Programming and Design at the Takoma Metro Station Project (HPA-23-288) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer)
Resolution 4B-23-0605: Opposing Weakening of Police Accountability Measures in B25-014, the Police Officer Recruitment and Retention Act of 2023 & Supporting Recommendations for Recruitment and Retention (Commissioner Johnson)
Adjournment
ANC 4B is in recess for the month of July.
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for August 8 at 6:30pm.
The next Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for August 28 at 7:00pm.
AGENDA i. Call to order @ 6:15pm ii. Welcome iii. SMD Updates iv. Councilmember Parker updates v. Presentation by Community Mediation DC vi. Community Comments vii. Adjourn
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
