The U.S. Army safely removed the two metal canisters yesterday evening and are currently analyzing them off site. The NPS is working to determine the next steps to evaluate this area. Additional information on the canisters is not available at this time.
Fort Totten Park is open for recreation, but visitors should stay on the Metropolitan Branch Trail and the grassy areas of the fort itself (near Fort Totten Dr. And Crittenden St. NE). Visitors should not use unofficial trails through the woods.
Original post
Yesterday evening, Metro trains bypassed Fort Totten Metro station “out of an abundance of caution” after a National Park Service (NPS) employee apparently found “metal canisters” in Fort Totten Park. NPS states that the canisters were found “in a large mound of soil along Farragut St. that appears to have been pushed into the park from the road.” The U.S. Army is testing the canisters. The park is closed “east of Fort Totten Drive, south of Gallatin Street, and north of Brookland Ave NE/Farragut St.”
As noted previously on the blog, Metro alerted NPS several years ago that contaminated soil was brought in from Spring Valley (a former WWI munitions testing site) to rehabilitate land on the west side of the park that had been used as a staging area for construction of Metro’s green line. NPS stated it conducted testing out of an abundance of caution and found nothing of concern. Several years later, NPS found a WWI ordnance on the east side of the park during construction of a pedestrian trail. NPS stated it did more thorough testing and found nothing of concern. NPS had to abandon the planned trail location after running into infrastructure for Metro’s tunnel.
During this time, residents shared concerns with both NPS and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office about the possibility of contamination from Spring Valley. NPS assured residents that the contaminated soil was removed (from the west side of the park) and stated that there was no reason to believe that contaminated soil was brought to other areas of the park.
On February 7, 2023, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton belatedly expressed concern and requested that NPS conduct more thorough testing of the park. NPS officials attended ANC 5A’s meeting on February 22, 2023. At that meeting, officials stated that they would have a statement in response to Congresswoman Norton’s letter by the next day (February 23) or no later than Friday (February 24). I have not seen any communication from NPS since the ANC 5A meeting. It is completely possible I missed a statement. I reached out to Congresswoman Norton’s office a couple of times in March to find out if NPS shared any communication or plan with her office. No one from Congresswoman Norton’s office responded to my emails.
It is entirely possible that these recently found canisters are just waste. But it is really baffling how elected officials in this city are just shrugging about all of this and making residents do their work.
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
Consideration and Approval of Agenda
Approval of March 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Treasurer’s Report & Approval of Quarterly Financial Report for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023
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)
Housing Justice Committee (2 min)
Vision Zero Committee (2 min)
Community Safety & Support Committee (2 min)
Presentations
Dr. Lewis Ferebee, Chancellor, DC Public Schools, re: Mayor’s FY24 Budget Proposal (20-minute presentation, 10-minute discussion)
Amanda Zander, Public Outreach Coordinator & Private Space Implementation Manager, DC Clean Rivers Project, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, re: Rock Creek Green Infrastructure Project B (10-minute presentation; 5-minute discussion)
Resolution 4B-23-0401: Calling for Legislative or Regulatory Action to Address Collection of Abandoned Shopping Carts (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Huff)
Resolution 4B–23-0402: Providing Support on the Request for Special Exception at 5814 9th Street, NW (BZA 20913) (Commissioner Gilligan)
Resolution 4B-23-0403: Calling on the District Government to Employ Best Practices for Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats)
Resolution 4B-23-0404: Supporting and Providing Recommendations on B25-0195, Lead-Free DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2023 (Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Palmer)
Resolution 4B-23-0405: Supporting Funding of a Public Library in the Brightwood/Manor Park Neighborhood (Commissioner Cohen, Commissioner Johnson)
Adjournment
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for May 9 at 6:30pm.
The next Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for May 22 at 7:00pm.
Metrorail weekend service for Saturday, April 22 through Sunday, April 23
Advisory Effective: 4/22/23 – 4/23/23
Saturday, April 22 – Sunday, April 23
Hours: Sat 7 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Sun 7 a.m. – midnight
Service:Blue Line Orange Line Silver Line Blue Line+ Normal service
Red Line Trains operate every 8-10 minutes between Shady Grove and Judiciary Square and between Rhode Island Ave and Glenmont
Green Line Trains operate every 8 minutes between Greenbelt and Mt. Vernon Sq, and every 16 minutes between Mt. Vernon Sq and Branch Ave
Yellow Line No service through May 6, 2023, reopening on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
Maintenance:
Red Line Shutdown between Judiciary Square and Rhode Island Ave for switch machine replacement
Green Line Single tracking between Mt. Vernon Sq and L’Enfant Plaza due to cable installation
This weekend, Metrorail will serve 97 of 97 stations with scheduled switch machine replacement on the Red Line and cable installation on the Green Line. At stations served by multiple lines in the central core of the system, trains will arrive on average every 3-4 minutes.
The Yellow Line Bridge over the Potomac River is closed for construction as part of the Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge Rehabilitation Project to replace the steel liner in the decades old tunnel and repair the bridge due to excessive wear, corrosion and water infiltration issues. Additional Blue Plus and Green line train service is available as an alternative. Yellow Line service will resume on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
Service Information:
Red Line
Trains operate every 8 minutes between Shady Grove and Judiciary Square until approximately 10 p.m., then transitions to every 10 minutes.
Trains operate every 8 minutes between Rhode Island Ave and Glenmont until approximately 10 p.m., then transitions to every 10 minutes.
Scheduled maintenance & service adjustments
Shutdown between Judiciary Square and Rhode Island Ave
If traveling downtown, you can transfer to the Green Line at Fort Totten Station.
Shuttle bus services provided between Judiciary Square and Rhode Island Ave.
Green Line
Trains operate every 8 minutes between Greenbelt and Mt. Vernon Sq with every other train continuing on to Branch Ave providing service every 16 minutes between Mt. Vernon Sq and Branch Ave.
Scheduled maintenance and service adjustments
Single tracking between Mt. Vernon Sq and L’Enfant Plaza due to cable installation.
The DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) rescheduled today’s hearing for a gas station proposal at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE to September 27, 2023 (BZA case no. 17963A). This is the proposal to put a gas station in front of the DC SuperMart/Z-Burger across from the McDonald’s, previously discussed in this post. The property is located in ANC 5A08.
The case will be re-noticed because the applicant needs to submit the proper application for special exception relief to operate a gas station in the MU-3A zone. The applicant had filed a modification of significance of a previously approved application to rebuild the existing convenience store with a gas station. That application was approved back in 2010 (BZA case no. 17963). But the applicant is now proposing to keep the existing convenience store and simply put a gas station in front of it. The applicant was advised that the proper application is a new application for a special exception rather than an amendment of the previously approved application.
The applicant also needs to provide certain information to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the DC Office of Planning (OP) so that those agencies can submit their recommendations. The agencies previously stated they needed more information from the applicant, as discussed in this post.
A representative for the applicant did appear at the North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting on April 5. Not much came out of it except it was clear then that the hearing would likely have to be postponed. I will share information about that meeting in a separate post.
We will see how everything shakes out once the applicant submits all of the required information. Hopefully that will all happen before the ANC recesses during July and August. The September ANC meeting is the same date as the new proposed hearing date.
Today, the DC Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) announced expanded hours at Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Road NE), Lamond Recreation Center (20 Tuckerman Street NE), and at North Michigan Park Recreation Center (1333 Emerson Street NE).
Old Hours*
New Hours
Daily Operating Hours Change
Monday – Friday
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
8 ➔ 12 hours per day
Saturday
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. / Closed
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
4 ➔ 8 hours per day
DPR indicated that the expanded hours address usage by teens.
The expansion of hours addresses a growing desire among teens more interested in leisure usage of DPR’s gyms, fitness centers, eGaming lounges, etc. DPR will limit programming and permits during the expanded hours to ensure availability of these highly utilized recreation assets for teens. April 10th, is a professional development day at DC Public Schools which means youth are out of school.
DPR also is also hiring for the summer, with over 600 positions available. Positions available include summer camp, roving leaders, lifeguards and pool operators, urban park rangers, summer meals program, environmental division, and warehouse and transportation.
Residents can find a job or sign up to attend our next hiring event on Saturday, April 15 at earnwithdpr.com.
The North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) sent notice yesterday of their meeting tonight where a representative will discuss the gas station proposal at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE.
Unfortunately, no face-to-face meeting at the NMP Recreation Center – Recreation Center new hours of operation close at 8:00 pm
· Call to Order
· Opening Prayer – Silent
· Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to unmute.
Respect others when speaking
Respect our guest.
Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
Presidents Update
Scholarship Applications due by May 15th
NMPCA meeting face to face May – June
Bulk trash for NMP residents – May – Seniors will need to register for home pick up
Farewell to a fabulous community leader – Grace Lewis
Community Leader Report
Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Christian Starghill / Christopher Ingram
Ward 5 Council member’s Office – Carlos McKnight
Guest Speaker Bhoopendra Prakash – ZBurger / Gas Station Proposal Q&A
Guest Speaker Keara Mehlert – Board of Zoning Q&A
Community Leader Reports
Faith United Church
ANC Commissioners that represent NMP
5A02 – Karlus Cozart
5A03 – Emily Lucio
5A08 – Gordon Andrew Fletcher
5A09 – Zachary Ammerman
Coming Events in 2023
February – Scholarship application begins (2 @ $1,000.00 scholarships) applications available at the Recreation Center email to individuals on NMPCA registered listserve
May – Community Clean Up also with Bulk Trash pick up
June – Scholarship Night
June – Community Yard Sale
June – August – Community Day Saturday, August 12, 2023
August – School Supplies and Backpack event
September – Community Clean Up with Bulk Trash pick up
A Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) hearing on a gas station proposal at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE is currently scheduled for April 12, 2023 (BZA case no. 17963A; previously discussed in this post). The applicant is seeking a special exception to operate a gas station in the MU-3A zone. Both the DC Office of Planning (OP) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) recently submitted reports stating the agencies need more information in the matter.
On March 30, 2023, OP stated they were waiting for DDOT’s assessment of whether the proposal would create objectionable traffic conditions. The report said that DDOT indicated more information was needed from the applicant.
On March 31, 2023, DDOT issued a report stating that the agency cannot recommend approval until the applicant submits a comprehensive traffic analysis. DDOT’s report also makes a few other points. DDOT requests that landscape screening be shown on the plans. DDOT states that the applicant will have to bring the curb cuts up to DDOT standards, including reapplying for all curb cuts. And DDOT notes that the agency is creating a District National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Program and encourages gas station operators to apply for this competitive grant opportunity.
The applicant gave a very brief presentation on the proposal, summarizing what is in the statement of support, at ANC 5A’s February 2023 meeting. The applicant was scheduled to return to the ANC’s March 2023 meeting to discuss traffic but did not appear.
Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Public Meeting April 3, 2023 7:00 pm
**Please note that in order to vote or run as a candidate in LRCA’s May 2023 election, you must pay dues by April 3, 2023. Visit https://lrcadc.org/membership-join.**
LRCA April 2023 Meeting Agenda
1. Welcome/Invocation 2. Officers Report, Minutes, Treasurer Report 3. Updates from Elected Officials & PSA 4. Remarks from the DC Office of the Attorney General 5. LRCA Nominating Committee—May election process and procedures; Board position nominations accepted from the floor during the meeting as well as during the May General Body meeting 6. Community Concerns/Closing
To view the meeting online click the following link:
DC Public Library (DCPL) has really been doing a great job with programming, both at our neighborhood Lamond-Riggs Library and systemwide generally.
At Lamond-Riggs Library tonight there is family story time, on Thursday there is Lego time and a planting/seed starting event for kids, knitting/crocheting on Friday, and on Saturday and Monday the “Searching for Shakespeare” series in conjuction with the Folger Shakespeare Library. Other events are listed on the library website.
DCPL has also hosted a number of really interesting book talks and exhibits at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. A new exhibit on Black feminism in DC in partnership with the National Women’s History Museum opens on March 30.
Metro has replaced the faregates at Fort Totten Metro station with a new prototype, as Metro explains in this release. A lot has already been written about these new faregates. They certainly stop some folks from jumping over the gates. Now people can simply push the swing gates open and walk through the gap. Or some just walk through or jump over the emergency gate. Anyhow, updates on Metro’s fare modernization efforts are available at https://wmata.com/faresystemmodernization.
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on March 22, 2023
Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Kweku Toure (5A06) – Vice Chair; Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Zachary Ammerman (5A09) – Treasurer. Commissioner Hardy is the new commissioner for ANC 5A07 (effective 3/24/2023). ANC 5A05 is still vacant.
Commissioner Fletcher noted at the top of the meeting that the ANC previously stated at the February meeting that McDonald’s requested to be removed from the February meeting agenda and come to the March meeting, but the team still had other work to do so they were not scheduled for the March agenda.
UDC was on the agenda to discuss the Bertie Backus campus, but they did not present.
The representative for the gas station proposal at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE was on the agenda but he did not appear and the ANC declined to take any action. There may be a special meeting to deal with this issue.
There was no presentation on the mayor’s proposed budget, which was listed as an agenda item.
Commission Business
Commissioner Zachary Ammerman stated that he is still working with Ward 5 Mutual Aid regarding their use of the ANC office space at 402 Galloway Street NE at Art Place at Fort Totten. He said that the group has identified a fiscal sponsor that will be able to secure liability insurance. He said that counsel for the Cafritz Foundation (property owner) alerted the ANC that some members of the Foundation’s board were hesitant about having the mutual aid group occupy the ANC office space because the lease/intention for the space was for it to be used solely as ANC office space. The board scheduled a vote on the matter on March 23. (Note: On March 23, the ANC notified residents that “the board voted unanimously to allow Ward 5 Mutual Aid to continue to use the ANC 5A satellite office space as a supply hub.” The ANC, mutual aid group, and the Cafritz Foundation will work on an agreement).
There was other discussion about the ANC’s expenses, inclucing the cost of Internet service for the office space and the cost of commissioner cell phones. They will discuss these issues at an ANC executive board meeting.
MPD Report (Captain John Terry, MPD 4th District)
MPD 4th District Captain John Terry gave a few public safety updates. He said in the past 30 days, there had been 3 robberies, 1 carjacking, and 13 thefts from autos within the ANC boundaries. Outside of ANC 5A, there was a shooting near Turkey Thicket Rec Center recently.
He noted that Kia and Hyundai have offered free anti-theft software updates for Kia and Hyundai owners. Also, the District is offering free steering wheel locks for certain Kia and Hyundai models.
Commissioner Ammerman asked about a discharge of a gun at/near Fort Totten Metro station that occurred recently. Captain Terry said that a special police officer (privately hired security) at one of the establishments in the area chased a “suspect” who ran into the metro station and the private officer fired his gun at the individual.
Captain Terry said the 4th District received a violent crime reduction award for a 12 percent decline in violent crimes. He also said that 4th District Commander Carlos Heraud received the Commander of the Year award.
Commissioner Lucio asked Captain Terry why MPD is no longer attending ANC meetings. He said that MPD is trying to push residents to go to MPD’s sector meetings because there is not enough MPD staff to attend the many ANC and community association meetings every month. The sector meetings are a chance to talk about public safety issues with police district leadership. The boundaries of ANC 5A lie in Sector 2 of MPD’s 4th District. Sector 2 meets the second Tuesday of every month.
Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator, Ward 5 CM Zachary Parker)
CM Parker is forming a Ward 5 bus task force. If you ride Metrobus and wish to assist the Council office in providing input on Metro’s Better Bus Network, consider applying to be on the bus task force. Apply at ward5.us/bus.
DPR is extending hours at eight rec centers, including Edgewood Rec and Turkey Thicket Rec in Ward 5.
The mayor’s proposed budget includes funding for community park space on the corner of South Dakota Avenue NE & Riggs Road NE. This is a proposal that the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association has requested for several years. Government agencies will work together on transferring the land to DPR for park space. In addition, the mayor’s proposed budget includes increased funding for a community center at the Crummell School.
Commissioner Lucio asked about CM Parker’s announcement that he planned to introduce a school safety bill and how what he is proposing would differ from what schools already have with school resource officers. (Note: CM Parker introduced the school safety coordination bill a couple of days after the ANC meeting). Mr. McKnight said he will follow up with Commissioner Lucio.
The mayor released her proposed budget on March 22. Street sweeping season has started. DPR has instituted a lottery for DPR summer camp registration.
Commissioners requested Mr. Black’s assistance in getting DDOT Director Everett Lott to the next ANC 5A meeting. Each time he has been scheduled to attend he has had to cancel or sent someone in his place.
701 Michigan Avenue NE Map Amendment – Zoning Commission case no. 23-07 (Samuel Swiller & Jared Kah, SK Investments)
A development team wants to change the zoning district of 701 Michigan Avenue NE from MU-3A to MU-2. They said they are pursuing the map amendment to reflect a change to the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) from moderate to medium density so that a planned unit development (PUD) would not be necessary for an anticipated development. They said they do not have any particular development plan in mind yet, but they will get feedback from residents about what sort of permitted uses within the MU-2 zone would be desirable. They will take advantage of the property’s proximity to the Brookland Metro station.
The property is located in ANC 5F02. (ANC 5A is directly across the street from the property and is therefore considered an affected ANC). The development team said that ANC 5F had not yet voted on the map amendment request. Commissioner Fletcher, ANC 5A Chair, said that the commissioners appreciated the presentation but that ANC 5A will likely not weigh in on the request because there is already a lot on the commission’s plate that directly impacts ANC 5A.
DC Department of Parks & Recreation (Christopher Dyer, DPR Community Engagement Manager)
DPR has introduced a lottery to sign up for DPR summer camps. The idea is similar to the My School DC lottery that may be familiar to families. The summer camp lottery opened on March 13. It will close on April 5. DPR recommends not waiting until the last minute to sign up. DPR will notify residents of lottery selection on April 18 and payment will be due April 25. Sibling preference will be honored. There will be a waitlist available.
DPR offers a reduced rate for qualifying residents. Applications for the reduced rate are due April 1 in order to be approved by the time the lottery is run.
Someone recommended that DPR look at having a low-income/at-risk preference as is done with certain schools for the school lottery. Someone also took exception to the notion of calling the summer camp signup a lottery (like a game of chance). Mr. Dyer said he would think about that.
Questions can be sent to christopher.dyer@dc.gov.
Miscellaneous
The ANC is still working on their zoom account upgrade.
You have one more week to visit a ward-based COVID center to pick up free masks and COVID tests. These helpful, well-used centers are scheduled to close for good on March 31, 2023.
On March 22, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser released her proposed FY2024 budget to the DC Council. The mayor’s budget overview presentation to the council as well as budget highlights for each ward are available at budget.dc.gov.
Ward 4 FY2024 Proposed Budget Highlights (highlights funding for modernization of LaSalle-Backus Elementary School & funding for completing the Metropolitan Branch Trail from First Place NE to Oglethorpe Street NW)
Ward 5 FY2024 Proposed Budget Highlights (highlights funding for UDC Bertie Backus campus expansion & funding for community park space on District-owned green space on corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE).
The Council Committee of the Whole hearing with Mayor Bowser is today. Over the next few weeks, Council committees will hold hearings on proposed agency budgets.
UDC Bertie Backus Campus Expansion on p. 4 – 60,000 sq. ft. expansion; notes include current projects (Bertie Backus Master Plan Development & Programming; Backus Exterior Beautification Project; Aquaponics Infrastructure Improvements)
More budget details will come. There has already been lots of commentary about the proposed budget and the lingering impacts of the pandemic on the budget in the past few days. There will be a lot more discussion over the coming weeks. This is your chance to let the Council know what you support and would like to see funded in the budget.
Let your neighbors know about the upcoming Ward 4 job fair on April 22, 2023. Register to attend on eventbrite.
Ward 4 Job Fair April 22, 2023 11:00 am-3:00 pm Coolidge High School 6315 5th Street NW
On April 22, Ward 4 Councilmember is co-hosting a Ward 4 Jobs Fair with the DC Business Gun Violence Prevention Coalition at Coolidge (6315 5th St NW) with lunch provided!
Federal agencies, DC government, and local business will be present to share job openings and interview candidates.
Building trade unions will accept resumes and applications for apprenticeship programs.
Community groups will highlight job readiness programs and sign people up for social services.
If you are an employer, please contact info@namcdc.org to participate.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 