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 February 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)
Housing Justice Committee (2 min)Vision Zero Committee (2 min)
Presentation: Ingrid Bucksell, Communications Specialist, Office of Unified Communications, Discussion re: Commission Issues and Community Concerns (10-minute presentation; 5-minute discussion)
Consent Calendar
Resolution 4B-23-0301: Calling on District Department of Transportation to Assess Need for Bus Shelter Installations and Establish Dedicated Program for Installation and Maintenance of Bus Shelters Across DC (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats & Commissioner Brooks)
Resolution 4B–23-0302: Calling on District Department of Public Works to Install or Reinstall Public Trash Cans in Locations Within Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B (Commissioner Palmer)
Resolution 4B–23-0303: Calling on the Executive to Address Gap in Emergency Rental Assistance Program Funding (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Yeats)
Resolution–4B-23-0306: Calling for Better Performance and Oversight of the Department of Transportation of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer)
Letter: Offering General Support for Proposed Map Amendment from RA-2 to RA-3 Zone for 6634 & 6640 Georgia Avenue, NW (Case No. 22-37) and Providing ANC 4B Housing Goals for Future Development (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Yeats)
Presentation: Phillip A. Gardiner, Director of Development, Megan Mitchell, Eric Colbert, and Jessica Bloomfield, Douglas Development, Discussion re: 6901 Willow Street, NW (20-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)
Resolution–4B-23-0304: Supporting Proposed Design for New Construction at 6901 Willow Street, NW (HPA 23-178) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Palmer)
Resolution–4B-23-0305: Providing Feedback on the Request for Special Exception at 6905 Willow Street, NW (BZA CASE NUMBER TBD) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Palmer)
Adjournment
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for April 11 at 6:30pm.
The next Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for April 24 at 7:00pm.
ANC single member district 5A02 boundary map from DC Board of Elections
ANC Commissioner Karlus Cozart (5A02) is holding a virtual single member district (SMD) meeting tomorrow March 24 at 6:00 pm. This information is also published on the ANC 5A website at anc5a.org.
Commissioner Cozart mostly represents parts of North Michigan Park and Queens Chapel, but he also represents a tiny sliver of Riggs Park in the northern part of the SMD along Eastern Avenue & Galloway Street NE.
His SMD website is https://www.anc5a02.com. On that site, you can view meeting dates and announcements, sign up for his ANC office hours, and also request to join his ANC 5A02 listserv. Note that a community cleanup that was previously scheduled for March 25 has been rescheduled to April 8.
[Ed. Note: ANC 5A just sent out a meeting notice with an agenda for the public meeting taking place tomorrow March 22 at 6:45 pm. The “Z Burger Convenience Store” matter refers to a request to put in gas pumps in front of the convenience store at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE (BZA case no. 17963A). My understanding is that the “701 Michigan Ave Development” is a map amendment request (ZC case no. 23-07). My understanding is that the item listed as “UDC Project” refers to the UDC Bertie Backus Campus Plan Project.]
Photo of Lamond-Riggs Library from DC Public Library.
Lamond-Riggs Library Unveiling of Lillian J. Huff Plaque March 18, 2023 1:30 pm-2:00 pm 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Come celebrate the legacy of Lillian J. Huff, a prominent community leader who the library honors, at the unveiling of the Lillian J. Huff plaque.
A former President of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association and a former Democratic National Committee member, Huff was instrumental in securing the funding from Congress to build the original Lamond-Riggs Library. Huff was also the elected leader of the District’s Delegation to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services in 1978. President Jimmy Carter appointed her Vice-Chairperson of the Pre-White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.
The plaque will be unveiled during a ceremony that will also feature remarks by city leaders, Library leaders, and community stakeholders.
Don’t miss this important event honoring Lillian Huff’s legacy.
Photo of DC SuperMart/Z Burger at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE.
An application for a modification to a previously approved proposal for a gas station in front of the DC SuperMart/Z Burger located at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE is pending before the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA case no. 17963A). This is the convenience store located across the street from the McDonald’s and directly next to an existing Sunoco gas station. It is located in ANC single member district 5A08.
A public hearing is scheduled for April 12, 2023. Instructions on how to participate through either oral or written testimony are in the hearing notice.
The applicant submitted the modification application in October 2022, but the issue only came up at ANC 5A’s meeting on January 25, 2023, after a resident asked about activity at the location. A representative for the applicant appeared at the ANC’s February 2023 meeting with a brief presentation. The representative agreed to present to the North Michigan Park Civic Association at some point and will also provide a traffic report as well, from what I understand.
2010 Approval
I was not around in the neighborhood when this project was first proposed but looking at the original case file, it looks like well over 10 years ago, the applicant previously proposed to raze the existing convenience store and build a new one with a gas station. The convenience store could be rebuilt as a matter of right, but a special exception was needed for the gas station. The BZA held a hearing and had public meetings in 2009 to consider the request for a special exception.
Specifically, the BZA had to consider three factors in determining whether special exception relief was warranted:
The station shall not be located within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residential zone or unless separated from the residential zone by a street or alley;
The operation of the use shall not create dangerous or other objectionable traffic conditions; and
Required parking spaces may be arranged so that all spaces are not accessible at all times. All parking spaces provided under this subsection shall be designed and operated so that sufficient access and maneuvering space is available to permit the parking and removal of any vehicles without moving any other vehicle onto public space.
Under another provision in the regulations, the Board also had to consider whether the gas station:
Will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps;
Will not tend to affect adversely, the use of neighboring property in accordance with the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps; and
Will meet such special conditions as may be specified in [the Zoning regulations].
The BZA approved the special exception for the gas station in 2010 (case no. 17963), but it was never built. The convenience store remained in place, going through a series of name changes over the ensuing years.
Modification
Now it looks like the applicant is ready to put in three double-sided gas dispensers (six total nozzles) in front of the existing convenience store, so the applicant is back before the Board seeking a modification.
The applicant hereby proposes to amend the previously approved BZA #17963 by retaining the existing convenience store and site modifications to the proposed gasoline canopy, fuel dispenser layout, and entrances. No changes to the existing drainage system and boundaries are proposed. The intended use per approved BZA 17963 remains. However, this layout reduces the originally approved impervious footprint thereby, fostering an environmentally better and less intense development.
The owner contends that the BZA already approved the gas station back in 2010, so it should approve the modification here because the “spirit” of the application remains the same.
Addressing the factors described above, the applicant writes:
The proposed gasoline service station with three pumps and a canopy over the pumps is previously approved per BZA#17963. The site is zoned MU-3A. The adjacent residential zone R-2 along the north side is separated by streets along Delafield Street NE, and Emerson Street NE. The residential zone R-2 along the east side is separated by a driveway or alley. The gasoline service station “SUNOCO” zoned MU-3A exists along the SE side of the property. The site abuts zone MU-3A across the street South Dakota Ave, NE.
The self-service gasoline station would be situated to permit a free flow of traffic onto the site for access to the existing convenience store in the same manner per the currently approved application, BZA #17963. A traffic study was conducted as a part of the previously approved BZA#17963. There is no aspect of the physical characteristics of the property which would inhibit the flow of traffic or cause any adverse impact on the traffic of South Dakota Ave.
The existing convenience building will remain. The parking spaces shown on the site plan are designed to be accessible at all times without moving any other vehicles to the public space.
The applicant also writes in the application:
Pursuant to Subtitle X-901.2 of the Zoning Regulations, the Board is authorized to grant special exception relief where, the special exception will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps; will not tend to affect adversely, the use of a neighboring property.
The existing convenience store will remain thereby maintains the existing harmony with the adjacent zone. The proposed fuel station with three dispensers/pumps and a canopy over the pumps is previously approved per BZA#17963. The proposed scope will maintain the required setbacks. Hence, granting the special exception will retain all aspects such as use and harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps, and will not tend to adversely affect the use of neighboring properties.
The North Michigan Park Civic Association is working to address the issue. If you are interested in working with the civic association, you can reach out to them.
Old case record
Might be worth looking at the order for BZA case 17963 to see how the Board addressed comments by ANC 5A (which opposed the gas station), DDOT, and DC’s Office of Planning back in 2010. It is a pretty short order. Also, transcripts for the public hearings and meeting are available in the case file.
It is pretty interesting to read the testimony of the previous gas station team from the 2009 hearing. They talked about how amazing they thought this whole thing would be. A pair of brothers partnered with the owner of the store to propose the project to raze the store and build a new one with a gas station. One of the pair made a point to note that he was a native Washingtonian and how much he and his brother wanted to contribute to the community. Acknowledging that this proposed gas station would be right next to an existing gas station, he said there was no comparison between the two because the new convenience store (that never happened) would have a green roof and sell fresh food, not just candy and soda. He said this would provide a business need for which people would not have to leave their neighborhood to get. He promised not to apply for a liquor license. And he mentioned a few times how attractive the gas station canopy would be and that it would have recessed lighting so as not to interfere with neighboring homes.
It is also pretty interesting to read DDOT’s testimony. DDOT did not submit a report before the hearing. DDOT’s representative at the hearing stated that he was “vaguely familiar” with the case. Apparently, he had worked with the team at that time on plans for a different site and pretty much extrapolated DDOT’s work on that site to the site on South Dakota Avenue. After prompting from the Board, the applicant did submit what he said was a traffic report for the South Dakota Avenue location and DDOT apparently submitted a memo stating it had no objections to the applicant’s report. It appears OP primarily relied on DDOT to state whether there were any objectionable traffic concerns with the proposal in deciding to support the original application. OP and DDOT proposed conditions in the order.
As noted in OP’s 2009 report, the Board could “impose requirements pertaining to design, appearance, screening, or lighting, or other requirements it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby property.” Conditions requested by OP in 2009:
hours of operation shall be limited to 6:00 A.M. to 10 P.M.;
flood lights shall be angled downward and shuttered in order to avoid light spillage onto nearby residential properties;
canopy lighting shall be recessed; and
there shall be no exterior amplified sound system.
According to the order, DDOT requested conditions related to “the hours for fuel delivery, the size of the delivery trucks, and a specific plan for ingress and egress to and from the site, including a condition which restricted the South Dakota Avenue curb cut to a right turn into the site.”
The Board’s approval in 2010 contained the following conditions:
The hours of operation shall be limited to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Flood lights at the property shall be angled downward and shuttered in order to avoid light spillage onto nearby residential properties.
Canopy lighting at the property shall be recessed.
There shall be no exterior amplified sound system at the property.
Hours for fuel delivery shall be limited to 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Fuel deliveries shall be made with trucks that are no larger than 30 feet in length.
The South Dakota Avenue curb cut will be 20 feet wide and will be restricted to a right tum onto the property. All vehicles exiting the property will use the curb cut along Emerson Street. The Emerson Street curb cut will serve as a two directional vehicle access point.
It will be interesting to see what DDOT and OP write in their reports regarding this request for modification. (Aside: I am particularly interested to see what OP says given their track record in planning in this part of the neighborhood).
My understanding is that the BZA will consider anew whether to approve a special exception. I think it is safe to say there is near universal opposition to having another gas station right next to the Sunoco. All the promises of a modern convenience store were for naught.
Hopefully the ANC will produce a report that clearly outlines why special exception relief is not warranted.
Meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, March 15 at 6:00 p.m. and is open to D.C. residents and the media
Norton will hold a virtual town hall meeting open to all District of Columbia residents with representatives from the National Park Service (NPS), National Zoo (Zoo), and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The event will be open to the public and to members of the media and will provide a forum for questions, comments and concerns about federal parks in D.C., the Zoo’s timed entry pass policy, and Zoo Loop Trail.
To attend, D.C. residents and members of the media should register here.
Come join us once a week for an afternoon of knitting, crocheting and conversation
Experienced knitters and beginners are all welcome! We meet on the second floor in the Anything at Anytime Space at 3:00 pm on Fridays. This is an opportunity to share your knitting skills or learn new ones as we make projects for those in need. This is a fun afternoon of sharing and caring!
The coordinators of this group are Tsholo & Diane.
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on February 22, 2023.
All commissioners were 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. ANC single member districts 5A05 and 5A07 are still vacant.
At the request of McDonald’s representatives, consideration of McDonald’s public space committee application was removed from the agenda. The representatives wanted time to present at the North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting and to work up preliminary traffic data. They will appear at the ANC’s March meeting.
ANC Business
The ANC approved a motion to upgrade its Zoom account in order to increase storage space for meeting recordings. Commissioner Lucio learned in January that the ANC had run out of storage space. It sounded like the ANC said they would pay about $100 more annually to upgrade. Commissioner Toure abstained.
Commissioner Ammerman, treasurer, noted that the ANC is not able to write checks because of issues with PNC bank. He said that this is an issue with ANCs citywide that bank with PNC, as the bank has classified ANCs as nonprofits. The DC auditor is working on a resolution.
The ANC did not have time to discuss formation of ANC committees.
Mundo Verde Public Charter School Agreement (5A03)
Mundo Verde has come before the ANC several times regarding its expansion plan. Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) worked with the neighboring commissioner from ANC 5B to create a resident task force to address parking, dropoff/pickoff, and other issues. There is now a draft agreement, which Commissioner Lucio shared at her single member district meeting in February.
The ANC voted to approve the agreement. Commissioner Cozart abstained.
Proposed Gas Station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE (5A08) (BZA case no. 17963A)
The owner of DC Mart located at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE has applied for a modification of significance to a previously approved proposal to put in gas pumps in front of the convenience store/Z Burger. The plan is for three dispensers with nozzles on each side for a total of six pumps. A gas station was approved for that location by the Board of Zoning Adjustment back in 2010 (BZA case no. 17963), but back then the proposal was to raze the existing convenience store and replace it with a new one along with a gas station (Lowest Price brand). Now the owner plans to keep the existing store in place and just put in the gas pumps (Shell brand). He is making some changes to the approved plans so now he is seeking a modification. Special exception relief is needed to put in the gas station. A hearing is scheduled for April 12, 2023.
A representative for the applicant presented at the ANC meeting. He acknoweldged that there is a gas station right next door but tried to explain why another gas station would make sense. (Aside: I do not remember entirely what he said; I just have in my notes that what he said did not make sense). It was a short presentation that pretty much repeated what is in the filings.
The applicant hereby proposes to amend the previously approved BZA #17963 by retaining the existing convenience store and site modifications to the proposed gasoline canopy, fuel dispenser layout, and entrances. No changes to the existing drainage system and boundaries are proposed. The intended use per approved BZA 17963 remains. However, this layout reduces the originally approved impervious footprint thereby, fostering an environmentally better and less intense development.
Residents had a number of questions that were not answered. A resident asked about putting in electric car charging stations instead of gas pumps. There was generally a lot of opposition to the plan. The representative agreed to present to the North Michigan Park Civic Association and will return to the ANC with traffic data.
Ward 5 Mutual Aid Use of ANC Office Space (5A09)
The Ward 5 Mutual Aid group has been operating out of ANC 5A’s office at the Modern at Art Place for a while now after Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) permitted them to use the space. The office was previously in his single member district. Following redistricting it is now in ANC 5A09, which is represented by Commissioner Zach Ammerman. The group’s use of the ANC office space has become an issue because there is no written agreement between the ANC and the group and the ANC’s lease for the space does not permit the space to be used for anything but an ANC office. The office space was an approved community benefit for the Art Place development. The ANC still has its original office at UDC’s Bertie Backus campus, but expect to lose use of that space while the campus undergoes renovation.
At the ANC’s January 2023 meeting, the ANC voted to form an office space task force to assist the mutual aid group. Commissioner Ammerman reached out to representatives for the Cafritz Foundation (owner of Art Place). The representatives told him that they would potentially be okay with having some sort of side agreement with the mutual aid group to use the ANC office space as long as the group obtained liability insurance for using the space. Because the group is not a structured nonprofit organization or a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the group is exploring how it can get a fiscal sponsor that would be able to get that liability insurance on behalf of the group. The group has a tentative deadline of having that done by the ANC’s March meeting.
Creation of Park Space on corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE (5A09)
The ANC approved a resolution drafted by Commissioner Ammerman in support of creation of park space on District-owned green space on the southwest corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE in front of Food & Friends. This park space is contemplated in the neighborhood’s Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue NE Area Development Plan that was approved by the DC Council in 2009 and fully incorporated into the DC Comprehensive Plan in 2021. This is something that the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association has been working on for a while. The ANC originally passed a resolution on this issue back in 2017. The new resolution reaffirms support for that resolution.
Gallatin-Galloway Pedestrian Trail (5A09) (National Park Service representatives Brian Joyner, Kym Elder, Nick Bartolomeo)
Photo of temporary surface on path between Gallatin Street and Galloway Street NE. Photo credit: Robert Oliver.
National Park Service (NPS) representative said design work for an alternative location for an official trail between Gallatin and Galloway Street west of South Dakota Avenue NE will kick off “any day now.” Design work will proceed through the summer months. NPS still needs to identify a funding source for construction of the trail once the design work is done.
Commissioner Ammerman asked if NPS had any response to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s letter requesting that NPS conduct more soil testing in Fort Circle Park. Mr. Joyner stated that NPS planned to respond either the next day or no later than Friday morning.
Commissioner Lucio asked about ADA compliance for the temporary surface that NPS placed on top of the abandoned trail location. She said that there is not a curb cut on the Gallatin Street side of the trail. NPS said the trail is not an official trail and that the temporary surface was just put down so that there would not be large mud pits. He said there is no way to make the temporary surface ADA compliant at all, it is just a temporary surface, and it was not graded to be a real surface. After Commissioner Lucio said that even the temporary surface has to be ADA compliant, Mr. Bartolomeo offered to visit the site with her.
A couple of people noted that the surface does not hold up in large rainfall. Mr. Bartolomeo explained that Metro has stormwater management infrastructure for the green line tunnel in that area that absorbs large amounts of water so in heavy rainfalls that area is going to be very wet. The surface is just a temporary surface; it was not graded and designed to be a permanent trail.
Washington Yu Ying & Washington Latin Joint Campus Project (5A05) (Carlie Fisherow, Yu Ying; Peter Anderson, Washington Latin)
Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School and Washington Latin Public Charter School are teaming up for a joint campus project at the former Kirov Academy of Ballet school building located at 4301 Harewood Road NE. This project sits in ANC 5A05, which is currently without a commissioner. School officials are working with the Pleasant Hill Civic Association. This was just the first vist by school officials to ANC 5A. They plan to continue engaging ANC 5A.
The Kirov building went up for sale and was awarded to Washington Latin, which then decided to work with Yu Ying. Yu Ying, currently located at 220 Taylor Street NE, is a dual language Chinese/English immersion school with an IB program. It serves 600 students in grades K-5. It is a feeder school to DC International School. Yu Ying will serve PK3-K classes at the new campus and serve grades 1-5 at the Taylor Street campus.
Washington Latin is in a temporary location at 711 Edgewood Street NE and also has a location in Brightwood in Ward 4. The school will relocate the Edgewood campus to the new campus, while also continuing to serve grades 5-12 at the Brightwood campus. Both schools offer equitable access preference.
The plan is for the joint campus to have one new building for Yu Ying and one new building for Washington Latin. The existing Kirov building will house shared amenities, such as a gym, library, and cafeteria. Yu Ying will move in first. Yu Ying expects to break ground in July 2023 and open in August 2024. Washington Latin expects to break ground in the summer of 2024 and move in by summer 2025.
Representatives said that they plan to have community space at the new campus.
View details and sign up for project updates at https://4301harewood.org. There is a virtual town hall the third Wednesday of each month.
Ward 5 Mayor Office Report (MOCRS Christopher Ingram and Anthony Black)
Anthony Black is a new Ward 5 MOCR (mayor’s office liaison). He joins MOCR Christopher Ingram who has been serving in the role for several months now. The two had not yet decided which one would be the primary contact for ANC 5A. Contact information for both below.
Anthony Black Ward 5 Liaison Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services Executive Office of the Mayor 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 332 Washington, DC 20004 202.215.5049 Mobile anthony.black@dc.gov
Christopher Ingram Ward 5 Liaison Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services Executive Office of the Mayor 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 332 Washington, DC 20004 202.394.4399 Mobile Christopher.Ingram@dc.gov
Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator to Councilmember Zachary Parker)
The DC Council was winding down DC agency performance oversight hearings. DC agency budget hearings are coming up. Sign up for the Ward 5 newsletter at ward5.us/newsletter.
DC Office of Campaign Finance
The DC Office of Campaign Finance only had time to give a very brief overview of DC’s public campaign finance program. They will return to give a full presentation.
This week, the National Symphony Orchestra is holding a number of free events in nearby neighborhoods in Ward 5 through its NSO In Your Neighborhood program. See full list of events at https://kennedycenter.medium.com/nso-in-your-neighborhood-edge-of-the-city-1b994ae0c6c7. Some of the events require registration so be check to check the site for details.
Brentwood | Brookland | Eckington | Fort Lincoln | Woodridge | Trinidad | University Heights
What is In Your Neighborhood 2023?
This March, the National Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with different communities in Ward 5 to amplify joy, unity, and shared humanity through music and the arts. Partnering with local schools, museums, and organizations, we will honor the history of these neighborhoods, while also building new connections and relationships.
Events are open to the public with first-come, first-served seating, unless otherwise noted.
Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Public Meeting March 6, 2023 7:00 pm
March 2023 Meeting Agenda
1. Welcome/Invocation 2. Officers Report, Minutes, Treasurer Report 3. Updates from Elected Officials & PSA 4. LRCA Budget Review 5. LRCA Bylaws updates and review with The DC Bar Pro Bono Center 6. Green Space Development Project, LRCA Development Taskforce 7. Upcoming Changes to the District’s Medicaid Program & Restart of Medicaid Renewals – Danielle Lewis-Wright, LRCA Trustee/Chair, Health & Wellness Committee 8. Community Concerns/Closing
To view the meeting online, click the following link.
A neighbor called me this morning to let me know that the signage for the T-Mobile located at 5210 South Dakota Avenue NE was being taken down and that fixtures were being moved out. The store opened in 2019. I have received confirmation that T-Mobile has closed that location. (Cannot say I am surprised by this news).
While awaiting confirmation, I came across a January 2023 press statement from T-Mobile about its retail strategy and the place of brick and mortar stores in that strategy. The company is closing many stores.
Metro is soliciting public input on its proposed FY24 budget. View details at wmata.com/budget. Provide input by completing a survey or by participating in an upcoming public hearing.
Take the survey
Take the survey, provide written comments, or upload documents here. The survey closes at 5:00 pm on March 15, 2023.
All public hearings will be streamed online on this page, YouTube.com/MetroForward or by calling 855-925-2801, meeting code 7756.
Ways to participate in public hearing:
By video: Email speak@wmata.com by 5 p.m. the day before the public hearing.
By phone: Dial 855-925-2801, enter meeting code 7756
In-person: Register on-site, email speak@wmata.com or call 202-962-2511 by 5 p.m. the day before the public hearing.
All in-person public hearings will start at 6:00 p.m. Metro will host an Open House prior to in-person public hearings starting at 5:00 p.m. All locations are accessible via Metrorail or Metrobus.
Monday, March 6, 2023
Metro Headquarters 300 7th Street SW Washington, DC 20024 Green Line Blue Line Orange Line Silver LineL’Enfant Plaza Metrobus routes: 32, 36, 52, 74, P6
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
New Carrollton Metro Offices 4100 Garden City Dr Hyattsville, MD 20785 Orange Line Blue LineNew Carrollton Metrobus routes: B24, B27, F4, F6, G12, G14, F14, T14, T18
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Meridian High School 121 Mustang Alley Falls Church, VA 22043 Orange LineWest Falls Church Metrobus route: 28A
Friday, March 10, 2023
12 p.m. Virtual only
According to Metro, the proposed budget aims to:
Enhance safety through support of our police force, including new crisis intervention specialists
Ensure more frequent & reliable service, including increased train service and a complete redesign of the bus network
Create a more simplified & equitable fare system, including a low-income fare program
Improve customer service and communications with a new integrated communications center
Advance sustainability, including investments in our zero-emission bus program
Continue capital improvements for a better Metro, including major construction and maintenance projects
It is worth taking a look at the proposals regarding fares and rail service and bus service. Note the yellow line proposal. Also note that the Metro for DC Amendment Act of 2021 listed under the bus service proposal is currently the subject of a funding tussle between the DC Council and the District’s Chief Financial Officer (see DCist article on subject).
This proposal will make our weekday Metrorail pricing easier to understand and improve the customer experience. Adjustments include:
Eliminate peak and off-peak pricing on weekdays before 9:30 p.m.
The base fare would lower from $2.25 to $2 to align with bus, weekend, & late-night service
Late-night and weekend fares would stay the same at $2
Maximum fares would increase from $6.00 to $6.50
The seven-day short-trip pass would be adjusted to cover trips up to $4. The price would stay the same.
Monthly unlimited pass options would reflect the $6.50 maximum fare adjustment.
Low-Income Fare Program
Our new Low-Income Fare Program would offer a 50% discount on Metrorail & Metrobus trips to eligible customers. This program would be accessible to customers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Rail Service Proposals
Our FY24 budget rail service proposal provides more trains to reduce travel times, expand destination access and grow ridership. Take a look at the details below.
Frequency Increases for Green and Yellow lines
Opening until 9:30 p.m. – From every 10-12 min to every 6 min
After 9:30 p.m. From every 15 min to every 10 min
Yellow Line begins new service pattern. Terminal change from Greenbelt to Mt Vernon Sq; operating between Huntington and Mt Vernon Sq only
Frequency Increases for Orange line
Opening until 9:30 p.m. – From every 12 min to every 10 min
Weekday rush hour only (6:30-9:30 a.m., 3-7 p.m.). From every 10 min to every 7 ½ min
Red, Blue and Silver lines frequencies remain the same
With this level of service, trains would arrive every 3-6 minutes in the downtown stations and every 8-12 minutes at stations served by a single line. After 9:30 p.m., trains would operate every 5-10 minutes downtown and every 10-15 minutes elsewhere.
Bus Service Proposals
We’re also working hard to expand access, advance equity and optimize bus routes for our Metrobus customers through these proposals.
DC
B2 Bladensburg Road-Anacostia Increase Route B2 service to every 12 minutes between 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., 7 days a week, adding to Metro’s Frequent Service Network.
Metro for D.C. Amendment Act of 2021
The Council of the District of Columbia passed the “Metro for DC Amendment Act of 2021” which includes:
Free Metrobus trips for customers within the District of Columbia
All-night Metrobus service every 20 minutes on the following routes: 32, 33, 52, 70, 90, A6, A8, B2, H4, S2, V2, W4, X2 – View Map
Maryland
A12 Martin Luther King Jr. Highway | View Map Add more service by splitting the A12 route into two routes, expanding to new connections to (BL) Downtown Largo and (OR) New Carrollton stations. Both routes would operate every 20 minutes from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., 7 days a week, and every 30 minutes otherwise.
Virginia
16G & 16H Columbia Pike | View Map The proposed new 16M would combine the former 16G and 16H with a new connection to Crystal City station and would operate every 12 minutes from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week, and every 15-30 minutes otherwise. The western loop at Arlington Mill will be covered by Arlington Transit (ART).
11Y Mt. Vernon Express | View Map Reinstate the 11Y express route from Mt. Vernon to Potomac Park, replacing the 11C and DC3 shuttle. Would operate every 30 minutes, northbound in the AM peak and southbound in the PM peak. Express fare would be charged
(Ed. Note: Please note McDonald’s public space permit application is on the agenda as well as an update about the gasoline station proposed to be placed in front of the DC Mart/Z Burger.)
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.
President’s Update
McDonald’s
Z Burger/4Mart – Gas Station
Guest Speaker
Zachary Park, Ward 5 Councilmember
Community Leader Reports
Carlos McKnight – Ward 5 Councilmembers Office
Q&A
Guest Speaker
Leila Batties – McDonald’s Update
Guest Speaker
Joel Lawson, Associate Director * DC Office of PlanningCommunity Leader Reports
Mayor’s Office – Christian Starghill / Christopher Ingram
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 (date unconfirmed)
August – School Supplies and Backpack event
September – Community Clean Up with Bulk Trash pick up
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George has submitted her budget request letter to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. The mayor is expected to share her proposed budget with the DC Council on March 22.
CM Lewis George notes that her budget requests are informed by the neighborhood listening sessions she held over the past couple of months. Her requests are centered around three core themes:
Investing in city services and infrastructure,
Building safer and stronger communities, and
Becoming a more equitable District.
The letter addresses a number of issues such as housing, facilities, support for seniors, behavorial health, and more. Read the full letter.
Items of note to Lamond-Riggs below, copied from the letter.
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Restore programming at Fort Stevens, Lamond, and Petworth Recreation Centers. Over the past year DPR operating hours and programs were cut at several Ward 4 recreation centers, limiting social and recreational opportunities for our seniors and positive, healthy recreation outlets for our youth. Due to staffing challenges, experienced rec center staff were moved from sites where they have strong community ties. DPR must fund additional positions in FY24, offer competitive hiring incentives, and more actively promote the agency’s job openings so it can fully restore hours and programming.
$1 Million to fund the creation of a Riggs Park violence intervention team. I urge you to expand the footprint of the Cure the Streets program at the Office of the Attorney General by establishing a team to serve the Ward 4/Ward 5 Riggs Park neighborhood. Crew violence and turf battles are the primary drivers of violence in our community, including recent shootings and stabbings in Riggs Park. We must augment the capacity of violence interruption outreach to bring long-lasting resolutions to the feuds that plague Riggs-Lamond-Brightwood-Petworth.
Fund a WMATA bus route between Lamond-Riggs and Coolidge High School. Students in the Lamond and Riggs Park communities need safe – and soon to be free – routes to and from school. A new school-hours bus route dedicated to Coolidge High School’s eastern boundaries would help reduce truancy and keep kids from harm’s way of dangerous traffic.
I also urge you to maintain level funding, at a minimum, for the following priorities:
The Brightwood Park-Petworth Cure the Streets program, and all OAG Cure programs.
All grants for Ward 4’s Main Streets: The Parks, Upper Georgia Avenue, Uptown, Takoma, and Petworth.
$935,000 for the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children.
All local and TANF funds for child care subsidies, dedicated and rollover funding for the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, and funds committed to strengthening early childhood development through Healthy Steps and Healthy Futures.
Priority infrastructure projects for Ward 4 roadways and at School and Recreational Facilities. The list below reflects new and outstanding maintenance, physical infrastructure, or small capital projects priorities. Many of these issues remain open work orders from my 2022 DPR summer readiness and DCPS back-to-school tours. Please contact my committee office for follow up and expected completion dates on these maintenance items:
Coolidge High School track bathroom plumbing needs to be replaced
Whittier Elementary School HVAC system replacements in old wing
Lamond Recreation Center swing set requires a new installation
Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center neighbors request a track be added around their fields; spray park renovations
Move up funding for rehabilitating Eastern Avenue, NE between New Hampshire and Whittier
Include funding for a new park and connected cycle tracks around the future Metropolitan Branch Trail Trailhead at Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue, NE
Improve multimodal safety along South Dakota Avenue NE in Riggs Park/Fort Totten
Next Stop...Riggs Park 