Ward 5 Redistricting Task Force Releases 3 Preliminary Discussion Maps for New ANC/SMD Boundaries – Comments Due March 21

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A, Ward 5

On March 15, 2022, the Ward 5 ANC redistricting task force released three discussion maps for new ANC/SMD boundaries within the ward. It is worth taking a look at the maps on the task force redistricting site to see the options for how new boundaries may be drawn.

(As a reminder, the Ward 4 redistricting task force released four discussion maps on February 27, 2022. Those maps make a few adjustmets to the boundaries of ANCs 4B07, 4B08, and 4B09 covering Lamond-Riggs. I am not going to discuss those changes in detail on the blog right now. The Ward 4 task force is working on finalizing a map and report for recommendation to the Council. More information is available on the Ward 4 ANC redistricting site at https://janeeseward4.com/redistricting).

Ward 5’s population grew by a little over 15,000 residents from 2010 to 2020. There is no required number of ANCs within a ward, but under DC law, each single member district (SMD) within an ANC must have roughly 2,000 residents and be as equal as possible. According to the task force, each SMD should have approximately 1,900 to 2,100 residents. In addition, SMD boundaries should conform to census blocks as much as possible.

Many of the SMDs within Ward 5 exceed the maximum limit of 2,100 residents, including SMDs within ANC 5A.

(3/17/2022: Corrected the population for 5A01 from 2,349 to 2,389)

ANC 5A SMD2020 Census Population
5A012,389
5A021,950
5A032,159
5A041,919
5A051,710
5A062,867
5A072,338
5A082,849

Each discussion map proposes a new ANC within the ward to balance the ward’s steep population growth.

Submit Comments to the Task Force by March 21, 2022

Submit public comment/feedback on the discussion maps to the task force at https://forms.gle/2AD824S4RNhLeBCu5 by March 21.

Task Force Public Meeting on March 22, 2022

The task force will hold a public meeting on the three discussion maps on March 22, 2022 at 6:00 pm.

ANC Redistricting Process

  • Report from redistricting committee is due to the DC Council by April 1, 2022.
  • The DC Council will hold a hearing on the ANC maps and will vote to approve the maps in the form of legislation.

Additional Links/Resources from the Redistricting Task Force

ANC 5A Single Member Districts 5A01 & 5A08 Proposals

Map of current ANC 5A Boundaries

The Ward 5 side of Riggs Park sits in ANC 5A. More specifically, the Ward 5 side is currently split between ANC 5A01 (east of South Dakota Avenue NE) and ANC 5A08 (west of South Dakota Avenue NE), both of which exceed the maximum population limit. ANC 5A01 has 2,389 residents and ANC 5A08 has 2,849 residents.

There are not really any good options for balancing ANC 5A01, which is my SMD. This SMD currently consists solely of Riggs Park residents. It is currently bounded by the Ward 4/Ward 5 boundary line at Kennedy Street NE to the north, the DC/Maryland border to the east, Fort Circle Park at Galloway Street NE to the south, and South Dakota Avenue NE to the west. The SMD currently includes the Bertie Backus campus of UDC as well as the DOES Backus American Job Center. That entire campus (bounded by South Dakota Avenue NE, Hamilton Street NE, 7th Street NE, and Galloway Street NE) shares an alley with residents on 7th Street. There are also a couple of apartment buildings along Sargent Road NE and Eastern Avenue NE within the SMD. This is a nice compact, cohesive manageable area, and it would make the most sense to me to keep it all together as a single SMD. I would like to think that this is one case where there should be an exception to the 2,100 max resident limit given the natural park boundary as well as the hard ward and state line boundaries.

Currently, ANC 5A08 is roughly bounded by Riggs Road NE to the north, South Dakota Avenue/8th Street NE to the east, Buchanan Street NE to the south, and the Metrorail tracks to the west.

Below I have placed images of the three discussion maps for the entire ward as well as maps of the ANC 5A boundaries in each discussion map. Because I am not looking at the maps in the ESRI mapping tool, I am guesstimating at where I think some of the lines are.

Someone should go into ESRI, see what makes the most sense, draw a map, and report back to all of us!

Ed. Note 3/18/2022: I looked at a better map where I could see the census blocks to look a little more closely at what is happening on Hamilton Street NE in ANC 5A01. For purposes of the discussion maps below, what I am calling the ANC 5A01 carveout has different impacts to residents on the south side of Hamilton and residents on the north side of Hamilton, I think (if we are not splitting census blocks). It is a task to nail down exactly which Hamilton Street residents would shift in each map. I have tried to clarify a bit more, but I am not sure if I got it entirely correct.

Discussion Map 1

ANC 5A Boundaries in Discussion Map 1

For Map 1, it looks like the task force is proposing to carve out a small number of residents (including myself on the south side of Hamilton Street, but not residents on the north side of Hamilton from what I can tell) from the rest of what is currently ANC 5A01. So that SMD would essentially stay the same, except the area bounded by what looks to be 7th Street NE, Hamilton Street NE, 12th Street NE, and Galloway Street NE would be shifted to what is basically currently ANC 5A 5A02, which encompasses North Michigan Park. This new area I am describing is labeled 5A03 in Map 1.

ANC 5A02 currently sits south of Galloway, east of South Dakota Avenue NE and goes all the way south to Webster Street NE. It includes North Michigan Park Recreation Center and St. Anselm’s Abbey School. It includes Fort Circle Park between South Dakota Avenue and the DC/Maryland line.

It looks like the one additional change Map 1 makes to the current ANC 5A02 boundaries is that it shifts the area where the gas station/minimart are on the east side of South Dakota Avenue and a few of the surrounding blocks east from 5A02 to the same SMD as the McDonald’s on the west side of South Dakota Avenue.

I suppose simply shifting a couple hundred residents on Hamilton and on Galloway from current ANC 5A01, which exceeds the max limit, to current ANC 5A02, which has a little bit of room to grow, to form a new SMD is not a terrible idea. But the thought of attending an SMD meeting with people talking about things happening all the way on Webster Street or even at North Michigan Park Rec is not fun to think about. And then having to follow a different ANC commissioner just to hear about things related to the Backus campus just down the street along Galloway/Hamilton is kind of a lot. It does not make a lot of sense to me to put people in the 500 block and the 1200 block of Hamilton together in one SMD and put the people in the middle of Hamilton in the 700 to 1100 blocks in a different SMD.

Map 1 would keep all of the area under development near the Fort Totten Metro station and the area north to Riggs Road NE together in one SMD with a western boundary at North Capitol Street NE and a southern boundary mostly along what looks like Emerson Street NE/8th Street NE (labeled 5A02 on the map). It would include a bit of the area along 6th Street NE south of Emerson that includes the Capital Area Food Bank and I think the Emerson Park townhome community, but not the Totten Mews townhome community. Don’t quote me on that though; I am not entirely sure how this map treats those townhome communities.

Map 1 would shift Catholic University from ANC 5A to a different ANC.

I have not looked closely at the other ANC 5A changes further south or further west in this map.

The one nice thing about Map 1 is that the ANCs are roughly equal in size. ANC 5A would still have 8 SMDs, which is a nice manageable number.

Discussion Map 2

ANC 5A Boundaries in Discussion Map 2

Looks like for Map 2, the task force is proposing to carve out a tiny part of existing 5A01 along Ingraham Street NE east of South Dakota Avenue to 7th Street NE to Hamilton Street NE to 11th Street to Galloway Street NE to Sargent Road NE.

That tiny carveout of residents (myself included) would be part of an SMD with the residents west of South Dakota Avenue, south of Galloway down to Buchanan. This new SMD I am describing is labeled 5A08 in Map 2. It includes a couple of the HOA communities in North Michigan Park. It would include Fort Circle Park between the Metro tracks and Sargent Road. It looks like it would not include the area around the McDonald’s or the minimart. As I write this, I am thinking this map is a little better in terms of not having an SMD with as much of a geographic spread as Map 1. It would keep residents surrounding the Backus campus together in one SMD – residents in the 500 block of Hamilton Street, residents on 7th Street and 8th Street, residents on the south side of the 900 & 1000 blocks of Hamilton, residents in the 900-1200 blocks of Galloway Street.

Map 2 would keep all of the area under development near Fort Totten Metro station west of South Dakota Avenue together with the area north to Riggs Road in one SMD (labeled 5A09 on Map 2). It would create a western boundary at North Capitol Street NE instead of the Metro tracks. It would have a southern boundary of Farrugut Street NE west of the tracks and Galloway Street NE east of the tracks. So this map groups together more of the area west of the Metro tracks with the apartment buildings east of the Metro tracks.

Catholic University would remain in ANC 5A as a single SMD with the addition of one census block (looks like the area of homes bounded by Varnum Street NE, Webster Street NE, First Street NE, and Hawaii Avenue NE, across from the field but I am not entirely sure). Edited to add: Adding this census block might help increase the chances of regularly having a commissioner for this SMD. With Catholic as a standalone SMD, university officials sometimes finds a motivated student to serve as an ANC commissioner, but that is not always the case and the seat sometimes remains vacant.

I have not looked closely at the other ANC 5A changes further south or further west in this map.

This map proposes 9 SMDs for ANC 5A.

Discussion Map 3

ANC 5A Boundaries in Discussion Map 3

In Map 3, the task force proposes to carve out an area from the current ANC 5A01 along Hamilton Street to what looks like 11th Street to Galloway Street to Sargent Road. That tiny group of residents (myself included) would be part of an SMD that crosses Fort Circle Park south to about Crittenden Street NE as well as Decatur Street NE. This new SMD I am describing is labeled 5A08 on Map 3. This map would keep some of the residents around the Backus campus in one SMD, but not the residents in the 500 block or the rest of the north side of Hamilton. It would include the part of Fort Circle Park between South Dakota Avenue and Sargent Road. There is some interesting line drawing around Emerson Street NE. It looks like the area around McDonald’s and the gas station/minimart would be included in this SMD. It would have an eastern border south of Fort Circle Park at what looks like 12th Street NE in North Michigan Park.

Map 3 would keep all of the area under development around Fort Totten Metro station west of South Dakota Avenue together with the area north to Riggs Road in one SMD (labeled 5A09 in Map 3). It would have a western boundary at the Metro tracks plus a tiny area just west of the Metro tracks along 1st Place NE where the Metro Transit Police building, Metro long-term parking lot, a union building, and DMV Impact Church are located.

Catholic would remain in ANC 5A as essentially a standalone SMD. I have not looked closely at other ANC 5A changes further south or further west in this map.

This map also proposes 9 SMDs for ANC 5A.

Help Needed

Balancing the ANCs and SMDs is a difficult task because no one ANC or SMD can be viewed in isolation of the rest. Kudos and many thanks to the task force members who contributed their time to this undertaking.

I think some of the choices around ANC 5A01 in the discussion maps might have something to do with the way the census blocks are drawn in this area and trying to keep whole census blocks together. I am just guessing here; I have not reached out to the task force to ask. The task force ANC 5A subgroup did not have any draft maps prepared for the task force meeting on March 8, so there was not any real discussion during that meeting about decision points or what they might have been thinking about as they started drawing lines (save for a statement that they had received comments from ANC 5A Commissioner Emily Lucio (5A03) about the SMD covering Catholic University (5A04)).

I am not really sure where it makes the most sense to shift roughly 200 to 300 residents from ANC 5A01. I wonder if there is a way to have an SMD bounded by Galloway to the south, the Metro tracks to the west, either Hamilton or Ingraham to the north, and either 7th, 8th, or 11th to the east. Then another SMD with what remains of the area north of Galloway. Or keep the existing 5A01 boundaries, but shift the apartment buildings and the few houses off Sargent to a different SMD. Again, someone should go into the ESRI mapping tool and decide what makes sense for ANC 5A, especially ANC 5A01, and report back! I say this only a little jokingly because I really do want to offer useful comments to the task force, but I do not know if I am going to figure it out by March 21.

If you care about any of this, take a look at the maps, submit comments by March 21, and register for the public meeting on March 22.

March 22: Ward 5 Council Candidate Forum on Transportation (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and Greater Greater Washington are hosting a Ward 5 Council candidate forum on transportation on March 22, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wFR7eEmSRFmdpPJCF1em1A. You can submit questions for the candidates when you register.

Information from WABA below.

Ward 5 Candidate Forum on Transportation Issues

Ward 5 DC Council Transportation Forum on Transportation Issues in Washington, DC

All Candidates running in the 2022 primary were invited.

Issues included but not limited to:
Vision Zero
Bus Rapid Transit
Buses (service and fares)
Protected Bike Lanes
Trails
Parking
Policing and Traffic Enforcement

Hosted by Greater Greater Washington and WABA

Co sponsors: Black Millennials 4 Flint, Moms Clean Air Force DC Chapter, The Coalition for Smarter Growth, DC Environmental Network, Citizens’ Climate Lobby – DC, Sunrise Movement DC

Confirmed Attendees:
Zachary Parker
Gordon-Andrew Fletcher
Vincent Orange
Faith Gibson Hubbard

Mar 22, 2022 07:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

DPR Presentation, Summer Camp, & Riggs-LaSalle Rec Field Community Hours

Posted by nextstoprp in Recreation
Slide on camp registration from DPR presentation to Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, March 7, 2022.

Representatives from the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has been making the rounds of neighborhood meetings lately to let residents know of DPR offerings and camp registration dates. View the presentation made to the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) here.

Registration for DPR summer camps begins April 4, 2022, at https://dprsummercamp.com. Christopher Dyer, DPR’s community engagment manager, recommended that residents set up their accounts at dpr.dc.gov/DPRaccount ahead of time to make registration go more smoothly. In addition, he said that DPR is aware of issues with page load time and that they are working with their IT team to improve system capacity during peak registration times.

Slide on reduced camp rates from DPR presentation to the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association

DPR offers reduced camp rates to qualifying families. Residents must be approved for the discounted rate before registering for summer camp. Find information and the reduced rate application at https://dprsummercamp.com.

During the meeting, Shirleta Settles, manager of the Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center, shared that there are dedicated hours for community use of the field at the rec center, which is located at 501 Riggs Road NE. During these hours, the field is open to the community for walking and other low impact activities. Residents sometimes complain that leagues or sports teams able to pay permit fees take up all the field time and that the field is locked to the community at other times. These community hours are an attempt by DPR to ensure the field is available for community use. There are both morning and evening community field hours, so do take advantage of this time to enjoy the field. No large organized group or team activities are allowed during community hours. Permits are required for any organized activity with 10 or more participants.

Community Field Time at Riggs-LaSalle Rec

During Community Time: Walking and very low impact activities for community (NO large, Organization groups/teams). If there are any issues (dogs on the field, field locked, etc.) from 7:30 am to 10:00 am, please call the DPR Ranger at 202-441-2605. Times may be subject to change; community will be notified when that happens.

DAYSTIMESFIELD
Sundays7:30 am-1:00 pmWhole Field
Mondays7:30 am-10:00 am
4:00 pm-5:00 pm
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm		Whole Field
Tuesdays7:30 am-10:00 am
5:00 pm-6:00 pm		Half Field
Wednesdays7:30 am-10:00 am
5:00 pm-7:00 pm		Whole Field
Thursdays7:30 am-10:00 am
5:00 pm-7:00 pm		Whole Field
½ Field
Fridays7:30 am-10:00 amWhole Field
Saturdays7:30 am-9:00 amWhole Field

KAGRO-DC Scholarship Applications Due March 20

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

The Korean-American Grocers Association of Greater Washington DC (KAGRO-DC) is accepting scholarship applications from DC area graduating high school students who plan to enter college in the fall. Over the years, John Yoo, owner of Riggs Wine & Liquor and member of KAGRO-DC, has supported many Ward 4 students, including those living in Lamond-Riggs, with scholarship money through the organization.

The KAGRO-DC scholarship application is available here. The application deadline is March 20, 2022.

Thanks to resident Tischa Cockrell for sharing this information.

March 16: ANC 4B Vision Zero Committee Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

From ANC 4B

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Vision Zero Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Committee will be meeting virtually. 

Details about participating in the meeting are included below:
ANC 4B – Vision Zero Committee (March) 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85088753001?pwd=Y2wvaU5ocjQ2MGJiRlRhV1JTSmVwdz09

Meeting ID: 850 8875 3001 Passcode: 764372

For participation via phone call 301-715-8592 and enter the meeting ID and passcode.

Additional information is available on the Commission’s website: https://anc4b.com/committees/vision-zero-committee/.

Tonight March 9: LRCA Health Committee Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

From Danielle Lewis-Wright, Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Trustee & Health Committee Chair

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) 1st Health Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 3/9 (today) at 7:00pm. The purpose of the Health Committee is to promote whole body health through education, activity, and engagement. We are looking for community members to join this committee who can bring their ideas and skills to promote health in our neighborhoods. All are welcome.  Information to join meeting is listed below:

LRCA Health Committee Meeting

Time: Mar 9, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time 
Every month on the Second Wed, until Jun 8, 2022, 4 occurrence(s)
Mar 9, 2022 07:00 PM
Apr 13, 2022 07:00 PM
May 11, 2022 07:00 PM
Jun 8, 2022 07:00 PM

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJAlceytqjMrHdRGdX8BMR8iDpRoSBoaDd3a/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCspj0vH9CdsR6HRowIGo_oZ-_wiFxcgqdvuxvdWwJ-UFv_EvJwPYFdH9n0

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94865548170?pwd=VmpvV3RzeEZaUXRzdTdlZDZMQXREQT09

Meeting ID: 948 6554 8170
Passcode: 641673

Dial-in number
(301)715 8592
Meeting ID: 948 6554 8170
Passcode: 641673

February 2022 Pedestrian Fatality on South Dakota Avenue

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Catching up on some posts. Sadly, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a driver on South Dakota Avenue NE a few weeks ago. The police notice states that the pedestrian was walking in a marked crosswalk, crossing from south to north, when struck by a driver traveling northbound in the 5300 block of South Dakota Avenue. I asked MPD 4D Lt. Patrick Schaut about this at the single member district meeting of ANC Commissioner Damion McDuffie (5A01) on February 15, 2022. Lt. Schaut said this occurred at the intersection of South Dakota Avenue and Ingraham Street and that the hawk signal at that intersection had not been activated. Unclear to me how a driver traveling northbound South Dakota Avenue could hit someone walking south to north allegedly against the do not walk signal (according to one version of the police report), but MPD is still investigating. No other information was provided at the ANC 5A meeting on February 23, 2022. Condolences to the family of this individual.

March 7: LRCA Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Public Meeting
March 7, 2022
7:00 pm

Agenda

1. Welcome/Invocation

2. Officers Report, Minutes, Treasurer Report

3. Updates from Elected Officials & PSA

4. Guest Speakers and Q&A:
A. David Gaston, Lamond-Riggs Library
B. News from LaSalle-Backus Elementary
C. Chris Dyer from DPR

5. Community Concerns/Closing

To view the meeting online
https://zoom.us/j/98037635291?pwd=NXVtQmNZcjF2VForVFQ5azkvZGNnZz09

Meeting ID: 980 3763 5291
Passcode:982430

To listen to the meeting by phone
Call: 301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 980 3763 5291
Passcode:982430

View the LRCA March 2022 newsletter here.

Norton Statement on Meeting with National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers and WMATA on Ordnance Found on Fort Totten Trail

Posted by nextstoprp in National Park Service

Yesterday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office issued a press release regarding the meeting her office held with the National Park Service (NPS), US Army Corps of Engineers and WMATA. I covered NPS’s statement in this post.

From Congresswoman Norton’s Office

Mar 3, 2022 

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a statement on her meeting earlier this week with the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to discuss the unexploded ordnance found on Fort Totten Trail in the District of Columbia. Norton requested the meeting.

“I have been working to clean up the Spring Valley Formerly Used Defense Site since ordnance were first discovered there, in 1993, and the discovery of an unexploded ordnance on Fort Totten Trail was extremely concerning,” Norton said. “However, we had a productive meeting, and I was reassured that there has been a thorough search of the area without turning up additional issues. I am committed to ensuring that residents across the District of Columbia are safe from ordnance, chemical weapons, and soil and groundwater contamination.”

Chick-fil-A is Hiring – Info Sessions Today & March 8

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

Chick-fil-A is hiring for the new Riggs Park location opening at 220 Riggs Road NE.

Via the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association

Chick-fil-A is now hiring, come join our Grand Opening team! 

Starting pay for all positions is $17/hr.  Positions available include the Drive Thru, Front Counter, Kitchen and Delivery. Potential benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, paid time off, scholarships and employee meals. For additional details about these positions go to www.cfafttotten.com. 

All applicants must be at least 16 years old and 18 years old for the kitchen. For those interested in learning more about opportunities with Chick-fil-A, online information sessions will take place on March 4th at 2:00pm and March 8th at 5:00pm. To sign up for an information session please send an email to 04529@cfafttotten.com, with your name along with date preference and the event details will be provided. We look forward to hearing from you.

February 23, 2022 ANC 5A Meeting Recap: Budget Hearings; National Park Service; DDOT Traffic Safety Investigation Process; Michigan Park Townhomes/Josephites Seminary Historic Preservation

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on February 23, 2022. All commissioners were present: Damion McDuffie (5A01); Charles Lockett (5A02); Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Ronnie Edwards (5A05) – Chair; Derrick Holloway (5A06); Sandi Washington (5A07) – Treasurer; Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Vice Chair.

This was another long meeting, ending well after 9:00 pm, so I am sure I am forgetting something.

ANC Business

The ABRA application for Trinity Grill was removed from the agenda.

Before moving to approve the ANC’s January 2022 meeting minutes, Chair Ronnie Edwards (5A04) moved to revise them to say that the ANC has never published an annual report due to circumstances beyond their control (including due to COVID), rather than saying the ANC has not produced one because it was not required. As we know, the annual report is required. Still unclear whether the ANC will publish one.

There is a North Capitol Street corridor study underway. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has asked ANCs to designate representatives for an advisory group. The ANC decided to designate Commissioner Sandi Washington (5A07).

Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie Report (Silas Grant, Senior Advisor)

The Council is wrapping up District agency performance oversight hearings. Budget hearings are coming up. See the schedule at https://dccouncil.us/2021-2022-performance-oversight-fy-2023-budget-schedules. Residents are encouraged to sign up to testify or to submit written testimony in support of budget requests.

Councilmember McDuffie is aware that the Ward 5 ANC redistricting task force website needs to be updated and that the task force needs to make progress towards drawing maps. The task force divided itself into subgroups to draw proposed maps for different ANC/SMDs within the ward. The task force previously received a question about whether the District’s open meeting laws apply to each subcommittee’s meetings. Mr. Grant said they received advice that the subgroup meetings are not subject to the open meeting requirements, so they do not have to be open to the public.

Someone raised a question about the recent resignation of Del McFadden, who headed up the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE). That office was created as a key component of the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Act (NEAR Act), legislation drafted by Councilmember McDuffie. Mr. Grant said that Councilmember McDuffie has been clear that new leadership of ONSE will need to have an appreciation of the NEAR Act in its entirety.

National Park Service (Kym Elder and Nick Bartolomeo)

Brian Joyner is the new superintendent for Rock Creek Park for the National Park Service (NPS). He can be reached at bjoyner@nps.gov.

Kym Elder, Program Manager for the Civil War Defenses of Washington for NPS, said that NPS has been in contact with Councilmember McDuffie’s office and ANC 5A regarding the ordnance found in Fort Totten Park during construction of the pedestrian trail between Gallatin Street and Galloway Street NE. NPS sent them three reports on February 15, 2022. (Note: After the ANC meeting, Ms. Elder forwarded those reports to me. A document dated January 2018 outlines the community engagement that was done regarding testing of soil on the western side of the park where WMATA brought in fill dirt from Spring Valley to rehabilitate the parkland used by WMATA for staging during construction of the green line a few decades ago. A document dated April 2019 contains the preliminary testing results for that staging area. A document dated August 2021 is the soil study of the area on the eastern side of the park where the unexploded WWI ordnance was found during construction of the pedestrian trail).

Nick Bartolomeo, Chief of Resource Management for Rock Creek Park, said that the ordnance found during trail construction was empty. He said that testing found no evidence of any other unexploded ordnances nearby and found no contamination of the soil beyond that expected of parks in urban areas. (You can read the reports yourself). He said NPS will do more test kits and monitor the area. They had a meeting scheduled with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, US Army Corps on Engineers, and WMATA on February 28, 2022. (Note: See my report of that meeting here).

Mr. Bartolomeo said they are fairly certain that there will not need to be a huge realignment of the pedestrian trail and that it will probably just need to shift slightly further east. But he also reiterated that the study is still ongoing and they are waiting for final results.

I asked (again) whether they are sure that they will not encounter similar issues (either with ordnances or interference with the green line tunnel) when a sidewalk is built on the south side of Galloway between South Dakota Avenue and 4th Street NE. Mr. Bartolomeo said they are pretty confident they will not have a problem and that again they have hired a contractor to continue to monitor the area. The good news is that he said that that sidewalk design project is starting up again (at least we now have acknowledgement that it has pretty much been sitting in a black hole for a while).

MPD Police Report (Derek Staten, citywide outreach coordinator)

Derek Staten represented the police department because all officers were assisting with coordination regarding the expected truck convoy in the area. No other updates provided.

DDOT Traffic Safety Investigation Process (Dalando Baker, DDOT Ward 5 Liaison)

DDOT was not on the agenda, but DDOT’s Ward 5 liaison Dalando Baker joined the meeting to present on the agency’s traffic safety investigation (TSI) process (previously known as traffic safety assessment). He shared a one page document summarizing the process. This took up a lot of time. A few highlights:

  • Mr. Baker said when residents request a TSI, they should state what the safety concern is, not just what they want. For example, if residents know they want speed humps on their street, on the TSI form they should say the concern is speeding on local roads and not just put on the form that they want speed humps. Also, submitting photos of the issue with the service request is always helpful.
  • DDOT policy is to evaluate traffic safety issues within 130 days. If DDOT determines that work is not warranted, DDOT will share findings about why work is not warranted. If work is warranted, DDOT will issue a notice of intent (NOI) to perform the work. Under DDOT’s policy, the work should be done in the next calendar quarter following completion of the investigation.
  • Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) raised the longstanding issue of a blind resident having difficulty crossing South Dakota Avenue at 8th Street NE. In response, Mr. Baker said DDOT continues to work on the issue and that there probably is not a need to meet with the resident at that location. Mr. Baker said that DDOT had considered installing a hawk signal (similar to what is at South Dakota Avenue and Ingraham Street NE), but he said that residents near that area objected, so DDOT is looking at other ways to address the issue. (Note: At Commissioner McDuffie’s SMD meeting on February 15, 2022, Mr. Baker said the same thing about objection to a hawk signal from residents in that area. Sounded like there is some disagreement about what residents are actually objecting to).
  • Commissioner Sandi Washington (5A07) said she wants to take up with the Council’s transportation committee that it is taking DDOT too long to investigate issues. Sometimes investigations take more than 130 days. It can take a lot more time once the investigation is complete to actually do any work that is warranted. Mr. Baker said that DDOT simply does not have the capacity to work faster.
  • Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) noted that sometimes DDOT will investigate an issue at a time of day when there is not a problem. For example, someone might say there’s a problem with speeding at morning rush hour and DDOT will come out after morning rush to investigate. DDOT will not observe the problem when it is occurring and then say there is not a problem and close the request. Mr. Baker noted that that is a legitimate concern and that he would take it back to the agency.
  • Commissioner Lucio also asked for clarification about how requests for multiple blocks should be handled. For example, for requests for speed humps in a five-block area, she has alternately been told that she needs to submit requests for each block individually and that she needs to submit one single request for the entire area. Mr. Baker said she should request each one individually. In some cases, DDOT will combine requests to do a corridor study.
  • Commissioner Diego Rojas (5A04) asked how decisions are made about expediting requests. Mr. Baker said there is not really an official policy about expediting requests. Certainly incidences involving fatalities or serious injuries will get attention immediately. And Mr. Baker said his job is to assist ANC commissioners and residents with their requests, to make sure they get addressed. (Note: This answer is consistent with the answer he gave when I asked the same question at Commissioner McDuffie’s SMD meeting on February 15).
  • In response to a question about whether residents or commissioners need to resubmit unresolved requests that were submitted prior to DDOT’s new TSI process, Mr. Baker said that if the request is very old (say more than 6 months or a year old and it is not showing up on the TSI dashboard), then they should go ahead and submit a new one. But he said they should reach out to him for assistance because it might not be the case that DDOT will have to restart the 130 day clock.

In all, there were a lot of complaints from the commissioners and the commissioners really felt a way that DDOT Director Everett Lott never came out to an ANC meeting after telling them for months that he would. He eventually sent his deputy who was new to the job. I noted in the chat that the ANC could always send a letter to Director Lott with their outstanding, years-long requests (and also they could have submitted a letter for the recent performance oversight hearing). Commissioner Fletcher moved and the commission approved sending a letter with requests organized by SMD to Director Lott and to Councilmember Mary Cheh, who chairs the Council’s transportation committee. Chair Edwards said he wanted to get the letter out by March 3.

Ward 5 Mayor’s Office Report (Nokomis Hunter, Ward 5 MOCR)

DC’s indoor mask requirement ends March 1, 2022. Businesses can still require masks to be worn indoors, and masks will still be required at certain facilities, such as District government buildings, schools/daycares/libraries, congregate settings, public transit and rideshare, and healthcare settings.

The mayor’s office announced an MPD partnership with local and federal agencies and partners to provide year-round assistance to areas in DC experiencing the most violent crimes.

EYA Michigan Park Townhome Project – Historic Designation Application for the Josephites Seminary & Grounds

Jason Sereno, Vice President for Development at EYA, presented on the application for historic designation of the St. Joseph’s Seminary and grounds, in association with an approved planned unit development (PUD) for the Townhomes at Michigan Park (Zoning Commission case number 16-17). This is the townhome project currently under construction across from Providence Hospital. The first move-ins are expected at the end of this month. A condition of the PUD is for EYA to assist the Josephites with the historic preservation review process. Most of the seminary building was constructed in 1929. It is one of the many Catholic institutions that shaped the development of this part of Northeast DC. Mr. Sereno said that the building has historic signficance not just for its Georgian style, but also because it is an important work of the noted Maginnis firm. An historic preservation hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2022. The ANC voted to support the historic designation application, with Commissioner Charles Lockett (5A02) opposing.

With historic preservation, certain modifications to the seminary building and grounds can be made only with the approval of DC’s Historic Preservation Office. It leaves the grounds open for public access in perpetuity and ensures the building cannot be torn down for redevelopment in the future. There were some questions from a resident and Commissioner Lockett about the limits of historic designation. For example, if the Josephites decide they do not want the building anymore, can it be sold and converted into multifamily housing so long as the facade is preserved. Mr. Sereno said that while historic designation does not necessarily set the use for the building, the approved PUD sets the residential density for the entire site (the total area covering the townhomes, seminary building, and seminary grounds as I understand it), so trying to put more housing on the site would likely be an uphill climb. (Aside: The seminary building is already used for housing).

In response to a question, Mr. Sereno noted there are 10 below market rate homes (called inclusionary zoning or IZ units) in the development. EYA is going through the process now to market those homes, which will likely sell in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range. The IZ process (price of the homes, qualifications for buyers, etc.) is controlled by the District.

Finally, the playground (visible from the 12th Street side of the property) is almost ready. EYA needs to install an accessible swing and fencing around the playground. They expect that to be done in April.

Bill to Rename Lamond-Riggs Library in Honor of Lillian Huff

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library, Uncategorized

As expected, Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie has introduced a bill to “symbolically” rename the Lamond-Riggs Library the “Lillian J. Huff Lamond-Riggs Public Library.” Silas Grant, Senior Advisor to Councilmember McDuffie, noted during the February 2022 meeting of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) that Councilmember McDuffie planned to introduce the bill in March.

Lillian Huff was a longtime Riggs Park resident and activist. She played a critical role in getting the neighborhood library built in 1983. Councilmembers Mary Cheh, Trayon White, Janeese Lewis George, and Brianne Nadeau joined Councilmember McDuffie in introducing the bill.

On January 26, 2022, ANC 5A voted to send a letter to DC Public Library in support of renaming the library after Ms. Huff. On February 28, 2022, ANC 4B voted in support of renaming the library after Ms. Huff.

UDC DC Master Naturalist Program Applications Accepted Until March 11

Posted by nextstoprp in Environment

UDC is looking to promote its DC Master Naturalist Program (DCMNP). Applications are open until March 11, 2022. Information/application at https://www.udc.edu/causes/dcmnp/become-a-trainee.

BECOME A TRAINEE

Are you interested in expanding your career opportunities within the District in the environmental green spaces and natural resources industry? If so, our specialized certified training program is the right place for you and your professional career! Here at DCMNP, we aim to grow our trainees and help them climb higher heights with their development!

North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Pedestrian Trail Update

Posted by nextstoprp in National Park Service

Today, the National Park Service shared the following information with ANC 5A and myself.

On yesterday, the National Park Service (NPS), the US Army Corp of Engineers and others convened briefly via teleconferencing to provide DC Delegate Norton and her staff with an update on the referenced subject.  

NPS updated Del. Norton and her staff — as we did with your group on last Wednesday (2/23/22) evening.

Please note, the following highlights shared with all:

The National Park Service (NPS) is continuing design work on the pedestrian trail between Gallatin Street and Galloway Street NE. 

Last summer, after trail construction resumed, we immediately uncovered a portion of the Metrorail Green Line tunnel. The tunnel runs underground within the trail construction area. 

The National Park Service then contracted with a design firm to look at various options for the trail, including realignment and testing for unexploded ordnance in those areas that would be affected by a relocation of the trail.

This phase of the work is underway now. We expect this work will take about three months. Once a new realignment is chosen, work can resume on trail construction. 

We anticipate this will happen this summer, but we will provide a more definitive timeline once we have the trail design finalized. 

I am still working on the ANC 5A February 23rd meeting recap, which touches on this topic. That will be up in the next couple of days.

Updated with the reports shared in the ANC meeting recap: A document dated January 2018 outlines the community engagement that was done regarding testing of soil on the western side of the park where WMATA brought in fill dirt from Spring Valley to rehabilitate the parkland used by WMATA for staging during construction of the green line a few decades ago. A document dated April 2019 contains the preliminary testing results for that staging area. A document dated August 2021 is the soil study of the area on the eastern side of the park where the unexploded WWI ordnance was found during construction of the pedestrian trail

Ward 4 Redistricting Task Force releases four preliminary discussion maps for new ANC/SMD boundaries

Posted by nextstoprp in Ward 4

On February 27, 2022, the Ward 4 ANC redistricting task force released four discussion maps for new ANC/SMD boundaries within the ward. It is worth taking a look at the maps on the redistricting site to see the options for how new boundaries may be drawn. A subgroup of the redistricting task force focused on the boundaries for ANC 4B presented at last night’s ANC 4B meeting. There was not any time to get to questions about the maps during the meeting, but it is clear that many of the single member districts (SMD) within ANC 4B exceed the legal limit. So most SMD boundaries will likely have to change, including the ones covering Lamond-Riggs (ANC 4B07, 4B08, and 4B09).

The task force’s presentation on the proposed maps is available on the redistricting site. The presentation includes helpful questions to think about as one looks at the proposed maps. One of the big questions for the task force is whether a new commission within Ward 4 (ANC 4E) should be created to help balance the numbers. A couple of the discussion maps propose a new ANC 4E, while a couple of the maps simply balance the numbers among the existing commissions. My understanding is that Map 3 is the closest to what the redistricting subgroup for ANC 4B devised with respect to proposed ANC 4B boundaries.

The task force will hold a public meeting on March 8, 2022, to get input on the discussion maps. Below is communication from Councilmember Janeese Lewis George’s office, dated February 28, with more information about the discussion maps and the task force process for drawing new ANC/SMD boundaries.

—

From Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

Yesterday the Ward 4 Redistricting Task Force released four preliminary “discussion maps” with updated Ward 4 SMD/ANC boundaries for the decade ahead. The maps were created based on initial Task Force deliberations and community input and intended to spur additional community feedback.

Please share any feedback with the Ward 4 Redistricting Task Force by emailing Ward4Redistricting@dccouncil.us, leaving a voicemail with your input at 202-642-5714, or testifying at the public meeting on March 8 so it can be considered by the full Task Force. The Task Force is requesting feedback on both preferences between the proposed maps as a whole and on specific elements within each map.

More information can be found on the Ward 4 Redistricting website or copied below from the Councilmember’s newsletter: 

  • The maps that were released this Sunday are only preliminary drafts. They’re meant to spur more community input and provide context to some of the ideas that the task force is considering as a recommendation to the Council. There will still be several opportunities for the public to weigh in, and for the Task Force to make further changes.
  • The maps that were released on Sunday are not the final options that the Task Force is considering. It is possible and likely that the Task Force will ultimately propose a map with elements from each map and additional changes based on community feedback. 
  • Save the date for the Ward 4 Task Force’s next community meeting on Tuesday, March 8 from 7pm-9pm. It will be a chance to share your feedback and ideas with the Task Force as they work to finalize their recommendations to the Council. RSVP by March 7 at this link to make your voice heard.
  • You can weigh in with the Redistricting Task Force at any point by emailing Ward4Redistricting@dccouncil.us or leaving a voicemail with your input at 202-642-5714. The Task Force will revise its proposal based on community input and issue a recommendation to the Council at the end of March. To ensure transparency, please do not privately contact individual Task Force members with redistricting requests or feedback – Task Force members should all hear the same ideas equally and openly from the public.
  • The DC Council’s Subcommittee on Redistricting will then provide more opportunities for public input. Then they’ll consider making changes to the Task Force recommendations from each ward before the proposed map is brought to the entire Council for final consideration and two votes.
  • Thousands of Ward 4 residents will be included in a new SMD. Here’s why: DC law calls for Single-Member Districts (SMDs) to encompass between 1,900-2,100 residents. Ward 4’s population growth over the past decade puts most (75%+) current SMDs above that range, meaning that many new SMD boundaries (as well as 4-5 new SMDs) will need to be drawn in Ward 4. The task force invites your feedback on where and how to make required changes to boundary lines. 
  • All Ward 4 Redistricting Task Force meetings are open to the public. You can sign up to attend any future meeting and find recordings and presentation slides from past meetings on the Ward 4 Redistricting web page. Also, all meetings offer ASL and Spanish interpretation.
  • The ANC/SMD redistricting process does not affect school boundaries. It is however an important aspect of your political representation at the local level. 

Lamond Riggs Library Construction Update – Utility work along sidewalk on South Dakota Avenue

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

From DC Public Library

The much awaited Sanitary-Sewer tie-in work required to occur outside the construction fence is scheduled for Thursday March 3, 2022. The tie-in point is under the sidewalk on South Dakota Ave. 

Below is a site diagram showing the location of the work -marked in red. The dashed line shows the rerouted path for foot traffic across South Dakota for the stretch between Kennedy and Jefferson St. As always the Construction team will have all required measures in place to enable a safe work zone.

Drawing of utility tie-in location on South Dakota Avenue NE

Any general questions from the community can be directed to Library’s Community engagement liaison Martha Saccocio at her email: Martha.Saccocio@dc.gov.

Any time-sensitive Construction Safety issues can be reported to Consigli Construction Superintendent- Michael Davis at 202.570.3375.

March 2: ANC 4B Housing Justice Committee Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

From ANC 4B

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Housing Justice Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, beginning at 8:00 p.m. The Committee will be meeting virtually. Details about participating in the meeting are included below:

ANC 4B – Housing Justice Committee (March)

Hosted by ANC 4B

https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/j.php?MTID=m98b0184b8ceeb9e78565f61ec2851637

Wednesday, Mar 2, 2022 8:00 pm | 1 hour 30 minutes | (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Meeting number: 2310 962 8531

Password: pkMFiRuV247

Join by video system

Dial 23109628531@dcnet.webex.com

You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Join by phone

+1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.)

1-650-479-3208 Call-in toll number (US/Canada)

Access code: 231 096 28531

Additional information is available on the Commission’s website at https://anc4b.com/committees/housing-justice-committee/.