The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has uploaded the most recent presentation on the rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue NE from New Hampshire Avenue NE to Whittier Street NW to the project website. DDOT held its last public meeting on June 22, 2022.
This project has been sitting for a while as DDOT updated the project scope and waited for some utility work to be done. I will be honest, even after all these years since this project was first conceived, I am still not entirely sure what exactly DDOT is doing. It seems pretty unwise to deliberately design a project in which bike riders will be cycling in and out of unprotected bike lanes onto shared lanes on a road with lots of hills. But maybe that is just me. People will decide for themselves what is safe or not.
The project will also upgrade the sidewalks in the project area, add a traffic signal, and make other improvements along the corridor. The project page will be updated with the final design once that is complete.
Roadway improvements (copied from project website):
Sidewalk and bike lane addition from Kansas Avenue NE to Sligo Mill Road
Construct new 6-foot sidewalks with 6-foot grass buffer northbound from Sligo Mill Road to North Capitol Street NW
Full-depth Pavement Reconstruction from Whittier Street NW New Hampshire Avenue NE
Street lighting upgrade for the entire length of the project and underground installation of ducts to accommodate lighting and traffic and communication cables
The Installation of new traffic Signal and intersection reconfiguration at Sligo Mill Rd. and Eastern Ave. NE
Signal modifications and ADA improvements at the intersection of Eastern Ave. NE and New Hampshire Ave. NE
Modification of existing traffic signals at Eastern Ave. NE and Kansas Ave intersection to accommodate left-turn lane in the Westbound direction
Granite curbs for the entire length of the project
Artist Michelle Lisa Herman (www.michellelisaherman.com) is asking Lamond-Riggs area residents and fellow neighbors to contribute fabric “swatches” and/or family photographs that will be scanned and used to create a digital collage for the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library “Heritage Wall.” The piece takes inspiration from the concept of a quilt which is stitched together from a variety of different fabrics. By scanning the fabrics and photos of residents in the neighborhood, the artist hopes to collaborate with area residents in creating this digital tapestry.
What Materials Can I Contribute?
Fabric “Swatches”
Heirloom fabric patterns, textiles or quilts that were made by you/family members, clothing handed down that has special significance and meaning, or other fabrics and patterns that remind you of something meaningful.
Photographs
Photos that have connections to the neighborhood, historical family photos of Lamond-Riggs residents, family gatherings in the Lamond-Riggs area, celebrations, picnics, or loved ones that have a connection to the neighborhood are welcome. To be respectful of privacy, please make sure anyone pictured in the photograph is also comfortable having their likeness be part of the final, permanent, artwork.
How Can I Participate?
1. Bring Your Materials to an In-Person Scanning Session at the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library
Contribute to the Lamond-Riggs (Lillian J. Huff) Library Heritage Wall
Enjoy a performance by family favorite musical artist Uncle Devin!
Explore the beautiful new library with guided building tours
Participate in crafts & other fun activities for all ages
Contribute Items to the Library Heritage Wall During Community Day
Meet artist Michelle L. Herman, who has been commissioned by DC Public Library to create artwork for the Heritage Wall. Ms. Herman will create a quilt-inspired digital collage using your photographs and swatches of fabric to tell the story of our communities.
Ms. Herman will be available to receive and digitize your materials at the library during the Community Day on July 23, 2022, so now is the time to start thinking about and gathering any contributions that you would like to make to the Heritage Wall. This opportunity is open to the Fort Totten, Lamond-Riggs, Michigan Park, North Michigan Park, Pleasant Hills, Queens Chapel, and South Manor communities.
A special emphasis will be placed on fabrics in this project. Heirloom fabric patterns, textiles & quilts that were made by family members, clothing handed down that has special significance and meaning, or fabrics and patterns that remind you of something meaningful. Note that for fabric contributions, you do not need to cut any fabric.
If you are comfortable submitting photographs (please note this is not required), please submit photos that have connections to the neighborhood: these could be historical family photos of Lamond-Riggs residents, family gatherings in the Lamond-Riggs area, celebrations, picnics, or loved ones that have a connection to the neighborhood are welcome. Ideally photos should not be larger than 9 x 12, but if you have larger photographs that are very meaningful to you that you would like to contribute, the artist will try to make adjustments. To be respectful of privacy, please make sure anyone pictured in the photograph is also comfortable having their likeness be part of the final, permanent artwork. Photographs of children under age 18 will need consent from their guardians.
Please view the detailed information below regarding submissions for the Heritage Wall and bring items that you wish to contribute during the Community Day.
Future dates for submission opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks.
Let your neighbors know (especially those who may not be online)!
Repost. Melo Birria should be at the farm stand tomorrow July 23 and possibly another food vendor along with the regulars (King’s Produce & Blue’s Coffee & Tea Co.).
The UDC Bertie Backus farm stand is now open every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Backus campus at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. The farm stand, operated by UDC CAUSES and National Latino Farmers & Ranchers, will run through November. Check it out today and every Saturday for fresh produce, coffee, tea, and food.
Regular vendors include a produce stand from King’s Produce.
Coffee and tea products will be available weekly from Blue’s Coffee & Tea Co., a locally owned business started by a family with ties to the neighborhood. Barbara De Laine Jumper, whose family moved to the neighborhood at South Dakota Avenue and Webster Street NE in 1957, launched the coffee and tea company with her husband Steven Jumper and children, Maya Jumper and Steven D. Jumper, in March of this year. In addition to the farm stand, their products can also be found at Shop Made in DC locations and online at https://www.bluescoffeeandteaco.com. (The tea is amazing).
Melo Birria, purveyor of delicious birria tacos, will alternate with another food vendor weekly.
Eligible visitors to the farm stand can also enroll in the Produce Plus Program, which provides funding for access to fresh produce throughout DC.
If you call yourself a reasonable, respectful person interested in improving where you live, consider running for a seat on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC). Nominating petitions to run for the ANC in the November general election are available at the DC Board of Elections. They are due at 5:00 pm on August 10, 2022. Information about how to run for the ANC is available on the Board of Election website at https://dcboe.org/Candidates/ANC-Commissioners. Greater Greater Washington is hosting a training on how to run for ANC tonight July 21 at 6:00 pm. Register at the link.
Each ANC commissioner represents approximately 2,000 residents who make up a single member district (SMD). Redistricting following the 2020 Census adjusted the boundaries of ANC single member districts. These new boundaries will become effective in January 2023. ANC redistricting opens the door for new ANC commissioners in ANC 4B and ANC 5A, the two commissions that cover Riggs Park. You can double check your SMD to make sure you are running in the correct SMD with the Office of Planning 2023 ANC/SMD locator.
In the redrawn ANC 4B09, there will not be an incumbent commissioner so if you are a reasonable person interested in representing the area covering the Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center, LaSalle-Backus Elementary School, and Fort Totten Square, go ahead and pick up a nominating petition.
In ANC 5A, current ANC Commissioners Charles Lockett (5A02) and Gordon Fletcher (5A08) will be in the same SMD beginning January 2023 (5A08). Current ANC Commissioners Derrick Holloway (5A06) and Sandi Washington (5A07) will both be in the redrawn ANC 5A06. Finally, current ANC 5A Chair Ronnie Edwards (5A05) will be in an entirely different commission (ANC 5E) beginning in January 2023. So all that means that even if the current commissioners were inclined to run for re-election, there would still be a few SMDs without an incumbent commissioner, specifically newly drawn ANC 5A02, 5A05, 5A07, and 5A09 (I think I have that right).
I always like to put in a little plug for my SMD, ANC 5A01. I do not know just yet if ANC Commissioner Damion McDuffie (5A01) plans to run for re-election. I hope he does, but if he decides not to, someone pleasant should run. It is a nice manageable area with the Lamond-Riggs Library and UDC-CC Backus campus (the latter will see some small and large changes in the next couple of years, post on that to come). I think the residents in this pocket of the neighborhood are pretty low-key, nice folks.
We really do need good folks to run for ANC seats. ANCs can weigh in on all sorts of matters that affect residents (think planning and development projects, services by District agencies, etc.) so it really can make a difference to have proactive, reasonable people in these positions. If you are a reasonable, respectful person who would not mind doing some unpaid community work and would enjoy interacting with residents, District agencies, and neighborhood businesses to make our neighborhood a bit better, go ahead and run. We all thank you in advance.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B will be hosting an information session on Monday, July 25th at 7:00 p.m. The information session will cover the Commission’s new Single Member District boundaries following redistricting; the role and work of the Commission and Commissioners, including officers and Committee Chairs; and how to run for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.
Short recap of the ANC 5A meeting that took place on June 22, 2022. Commissioners present: Damion McDuffie (5A01); Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Ronnie Edwards (5A05) – Chair; Sandi Washington (5A07) – Treasurer.
ANC Business
The ANC will hold a meeting at a future date to discuss their financial report. Some of the commissioners had questions about the contract for the ANC website.
Ward 5 Council Kenyan McDuffie Report(Laisha Dougherty, Chief of Staff)
The Council completed the budget cycle. The Council will recess July 15, 2022. CM McDuffie is working on a holistic approach to addressing violence in the city.
McDonald’s Map Amendment (Upzoning) Request
McDonald’s returned to the ANC for support of its map amendment (upzoning) request that would permit them to rebuild the McDonald’s at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE with a drive-thru as a matter of right (Zoning Commission case number 22-19). North Michigan Park president Carmen Williams sent a letter to the ANC stating that her questions were answered and that she was comfortable with moving forward. The ANC voted unanimously to support McDonald’s request, and the commissioners asked McDonald’s to draft language that they can use in a resolution in support.
Ward 5 Mayor Office Report (Nokomis Hunter, Ward 5 MOCR)
Mayor Muriel Bowser celebrated the completion of the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Brookland to Takoma. A walk with ANC Commissioner Sandi Washington (5A07) was scheduled for June 28, 2022.
Single Member District (SMD) Reports
ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio has been working with the developer of the Kennedy School townhome project at 801 Buchanan Street NE (BZA case number 20751). The hearing date on that project has been delayed until October. She stated that in response to community input, the developer did offer assurances that they will include a tot lot and a playing field in their project. Commissioner Lucio is also trying to work with Ascension, which owns Providence Hospital, to make some progress regarding future plans for the Providence campus.
Lamond-Riggs Library (Robert Oliver, President of Lamond-Riggs Library Friends)
Ribbon cutting scheduled for June 27, 2022. A larger community celebration will be held on a weekend in July (date set for July 23). Work is still being done as a result of supply chain issues.
Catholic University (Cheyenne Range, Associate Director of Government and Community Relations)
The university is welcoming a new president. Catholic will send the ANC a list of job opportunities at the university and will schedule a meeting with the ANC commissioners as part of the university’s community engagement efforts.
Miscellaneous
ANC redistricting is complete. Find new ANC and SMD boundaries that will become effective on January 1, 2023, on the Office of Planning website.
A resident complained about the new flexiposts that DDOT placed along 12th Street NE. Commissioner Lucio stated that she had reached out to DDOT about why they did not provide any notification about this plan to the ANC. DDOT told her they will get back with her.
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) will be hosting an in-person Community Meeting with University President Ronald Mason Jr. for residents near the UDC Bertie Backus Campus on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm in Room 303. This is your chance to speak with President Mason directly in an informal setting about anything related to the Backus campus.
Contribute to the Lamond-Riggs (Lillian J. Huff) Library Heritage Wall
Enjoy a performance by family favorite musical artist Uncle Devin!
Explore the beautiful new library with guided building tours
Participate in crafts & other fun activities for all ages
Contribute Items to the Library Heritage Wall During Community Day
Meet artist Michelle L. Herman, who has been commissioned by DC Public Library to create artwork for the Heritage Wall. Ms. Herman will create a quilt-inspired digital collage using your photographs and swatches of fabric to tell the story of our communities.
Ms. Herman will be available to receive and digitize your materials at the library during the Community Day on July 23, 2022, so now is the time to start thinking about and gathering any contributions that you would like to make to the Heritage Wall. This opportunity is open to the Fort Totten, Lamond-Riggs, Michigan Park, North Michigan Park, Pleasant Hills, Queens Chapel, and South Manor communities.
A special emphasis will be placed on fabrics in this project. Heirloom fabric patterns, textiles & quilts that were made by family members, clothing handed down that has special significance and meaning, or fabrics and patterns that remind you of something meaningful. Note that for fabric contributions, you do not need to cut any fabric.
If you are comfortable submitting photographs (please note this is not required), please submit photos that have connections to the neighborhood: these could be historical family photos of Lamond-Riggs residents, family gatherings in the Lamond-Riggs area, celebrations, picnics, or loved ones that have a connection to the neighborhood are welcome. Ideally photos should not be larger than 9 x 12, but if you have larger photographs that are very meaningful to you that you would like to contribute, the artist will try to make adjustments. To be respectful of privacy, please make sure anyone pictured in the photograph is also comfortable having their likeness be part of the final, permanent artwork. Photographs of children under age 18 will need consent from their guardians.
Please view the detailed information below regarding submissions for the Heritage Wall and bring items that you wish to contribute during the Community Day.
Future dates for submission opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks.
Let your neighbors know (especially those who may not be online)!
The new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library opened on June 27, 2022, but you may have noticed that there is still work being done in and around the library. DC Public Library shared the message below regarding the ongoing construction work.
Thank you for reaching out with your concerns about the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library.
COVID-19 has disrupted supply chains around the world. This project, like many others, was impacted and we experienced delays in some materials.
Despite this, we wanted to get the library open as soon as possible so that the community could begin to enjoy this vital community asset.
In doing so, our construction team identified substitute materials including temporary flooring, furniture, and other elements to put in place while we await the permanent fixtures. Customers will likely see work continuing in and around the site as we receive specified products for some months to come.
Regarding landscaping, the good news is landscaping is under warranty for the first year, so any loss of plantings will be addressed by the contractor. It is not uncommon to lose a few plants in the first year.
We recognize that ongoing construction, regardless of how small it may be, can be a disruption. We will try our best to minimize interruptions to customers enjoying the new library. We apologize for the inconvenience; however, we are confident that in the end, the community will have a beautiful, sustainable, high-quality library to enjoy for many years to come.
The UDC Bertie Backus farm stand is now open every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Backus campus at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. The farm stand, operated by UDC CAUSES and National Latino Farmers & Ranchers, will run through November. Check it out today and every Saturday for fresh produce, coffee, tea, and food.
Regular vendors include a produce stand from King’s Produce.
Coffee and tea products will be available weekly from Blue’s Coffee & Tea Co., a locally owned business started by a family with ties to the neighborhood. Barbara De Laine Jumper, whose family moved to the neighborhood at South Dakota Avenue and Webster Street NE in 1957, launched the coffee and tea company with her husband Steven Jumper and children, Maya Jumper and Steven D. Jumper, in March of this year. In addition to the farm stand, their products can also be found at Shop Made in DC locations and online at https://www.bluescoffeeandteaco.com. (The tea is amazing).
Melo Birria, purveyor of delicious birria tacos, will alternate with another food vendor weekly.
Eligible visitors to the farm stand can also enroll in the Produce Plus Program, which provides funding for access to fresh produce throughout DC.
Thank you DMV for all of your support! Over the years you gave us the opportunity to Experiment, Help Build a Community of Beer Lovers, & Celebrate with you, and we will always have love for you!
Our taproom will be closing Sunday Night and wholesale operations will continue for a little while longer. So either come see us or visit your local retailer while you can. Up to 50% off barrel aged bottles & 20% off cans to-go all weekend!
Join Rock Creek Park and Rock Creek Conservancy for Wednesday evening Summer in the Parks events in July at Fort Circle Parks in NE DC from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Music from DJ Lance Reynolds and family-friendly games and activities will bring the Rock Creek community together to celebrate our urban oasis and #RecreateResponsibly in our parks.
New Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library located at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
“Light and airy”
Those were the words most used by the multitude of residents, visitors, and elected officials to describe the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library on opening day. On June 27, 2022, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the new 23,500 square foot two-story building, which replaces the former library originally built in 1983 at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE.
Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, and At-large Councilmembers Anita Bonds and Christina Henderson joined Mayor Bowser for the occasion. In addition to Mayor Bowser and Councilmember McDuffie, President of the Lamond-Riggs Library Friends Robert Oliver, DC Public Library (DCPL) Board of Trustees Chair Antonio Williams, former DC Mayor Sharon Pratt, and others also gave remarks. Selections by thirteen year old harp player Sarah Ramson provided the perfect musical backdrop for the occasion.
The original Lamond-Riggs Library carried a deep history, and that history was heralded by all those who spoke as they recognized the naming of the new library in honor of the late longtime Ward 5 Riggs Park resident and activist Lillian Huff. According to DCPL, Ms. Huff was “the elected leader of the District’s Delegation to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services in 1978” and was appointed by President Jimmy Carter as Vice-Chairperson of the Pre-White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services. Ms. Huff was active in the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association and was a strong DC statehood advocate. She was instrumental in advocating for and securing funding from Congress for the original library that was designed by local architectural firm Bryant and Bryant. That firm was led by two African-American brothers Charles and Robert Bryant. Robert Bryant was also a longtime Riggs Park resident. Longtime friends of Lillian Huff led the effort to name the building in her honor–Rocky Twyman planted the seeds for the idea at Ms. Huff’s funeral in 2018 and Gloria Hightower organized a committee to work on the effort. The families of both Ms. Huff and Mr. Bryant were on hand to witness the opening of the new library.
The ribbon-cutting was a well-attended affair that was visibly moving for the many people in attendance who either grew up or lived in Lamond-Riggs and surrounding neighborhoods. People fondly recounted stories of the old library, often referring to the library as “my neighborhood library.” Such was the case for Mayor Bowser, who grew up in nearby North Michigan Park and lived in Riggs Park for 16 years. Mayor Bowser noted that Ms. Huff knew her as a little girl and would always say, “Here comes little Ms. Bowser,” whenever the two crossed paths during Mayor Bowser’s childhood. Mayor Bowser stated that Ms. Huff would go on to become a mentor to her.
The new library was designed by a team of architects from HGA led by Peter Cook. Consigli Construction was the build team. The building was designed with the goal of earning LEED gold certification. The grounds feature bioretention ponds and extensive native plant landscaping, and the building itself contains a sophisticated rainwater management system. The building was constructed to support solar panels if DCPL wishes to add them at a future date, and there is space and capacity for an electric car charging station in the future if desired as well. There is also bike parking and a bike repair station in front of the library.
The library’s prominent exterior feature is the perforated metal screen on the second floor of the building, “inspired by the patterns, rhythms, and textures of nearby streets, the rooftop peaks of neighboring houses, and the open spaces of the surrounding neighborhood,” as described in the library’s news release. An interior of primarily cool colors likewise invokes the design team’s themes of nature and serenity, as the tree motif in the metal screen is incorporated throughout the interior in the leaf patterns, textures, and motifs on the furniture, walls, and ceilings. Traffic on South Dakota Avenue sounded like a mere whisper compared to the previous building.
The library’s anticipated prominent interior feature–a “Heritage Wall” next to the first floor staircase–will be completed in the future. In the many community meetings leading up to the final design, library officials heard residents state that they wanted local history to be part of their neighborhood library. Officials selected artist Michelle Herman who will create a digital, quilt-inspired collage of family photographs shared by residents that will cover the wall. Library officials will let residents know at a future date when photos may be brought to the library to be scanned.
A “front porch” surrounded by extensive landscaping near the corner of South Dakota Avenue and Jefferson Street NE, looks destined to become a favorite hangout or meetup spot for visitors to the library. The first floor of the library contains a large meeting room with capacity for 100 people that can be divided into two smaller meeting rooms by library staff. The first floor meeting rooms, which contain audio/visual equipment, also have motorized shades that can be lowered by staff as well. Along with the large meeting room, a large dedicated children’s area with seating to accommodate various sizes and ages (including for parents and caretakers) make up the bulk of the first floor public area. The children’s area is staffed by a children’s librarian. A community bulletin board with small cubbies for pamphlets sits near the elevator on the first floor. The second floor contains smaller meeting rooms, spaces for teens and adults, an “anything, anytime” space, lounge area, and a balcony that faces Jefferson Street NE. Indoor seating areas are all wired for devices.
Features of the new library as described by DCPL include:
Expanded space for adults, teens, and children
A variety of collaboration spaces, including a living room-style seating area
A large meeting room with a capacity for up to 100 people, dividable into separate smaller rooms
Seven smaller meeting spaces, one for up to twelve people, two for up to six people each, and four study spaces designed for two people
A protected front porch area that is accessed from inside the library and offers an outdoor space for meetings, working, or reading a book
Efficient staff spaces
A reading porch on the second floor
Modern and reliable technology offerings
A discovery zone for children and infants
Library hours:
Sunday 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
Monday 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am-8:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am-8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am-6:00 pm
In all, a very nice job by DC Public Library officials, especially Jaspreet Pahwa, DCPL’s construction/technical lead who kept us all up-to-date with regular construction progress reports and photos, and Martha Saccocio, DCPL’s director of community engagement.
Be sure to check out the library events calendar for up-to-date programming information. Also, stay tuned for information about a community opening celebration event on July 23, 2022.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 