August 26: Riggs & South Dakota Triangle Park Initial Design Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Recreation

From DC Department of Parks & Recreation

Please join the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) for a community meeting to discuss the initial designs for improvements to the triangle park at the intersection of Riggs Road & South Dakota Avenue NE.

Your attendance is greatly appreciated!

Meeting details:

Date:  Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Time:  6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Lamond Riggs Neighborhood Library – 5401 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington, DC 20011

Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact Rasheed Jibreel at rasheed.jibreel@dc.gov or by telephone at (202)-341-0158.

Additional websites for the Riggs and South Dakota Triangle Park project.

For more information and to RSVP, please visit:

https://riggsandsouthdakota.splashthat.com/.

To sign up for updates about this project, please visit

http://dpr.dc.gov/stakeholder.

For more information about the project, please visit:

https://dgs.dc.gov/page/riggs-south-dakota-park1-0.

August 25: Alley Paving Nicholson-Kensington-Madison-6th Street NE

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

From ANC Commissioner Danielle Geong (4B09):

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin alley paving on Monday, August 25, 2025, weather permitting, for the alley bounded by Nicholson St NE, Kensington Pl NE, Madison St NE and 6th St NE (Square 3740). Work will take approximately one week to complete, weather permitting.

Workdays are Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Once the work begins, the areas under construction will be closed and parking will not be permitted. Pedestrians and vehicles will not have access to private property with entrances along the alley.

For questions or concerns contact DDOT at 301-634-4435 or by email at adil.rizvi@dc.gov.

See DDOT’s Notice for more information: DDOT Notice Alley Paving Nicholson-Kensington-Madison-6th NE.

August 23: Cafritz Foundation Children’s Festival Series – “Minecraft” Back to School Bash & Pizza Party

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

Cafritz Foundation Children’s Festival – Back to School Bash & Pizza Party

Time: 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

Location: The Modern, 400 Galloway Street NE

Register here.

Free and open to the community! The festival series is always a good time for the kids.

August 23rd – “Minecraft” Back to School Bash & Pizza Party

Enjoy some summer fun for the whole family! Join DC Fray & The Cafritz Foundation for an afternoon of inspiration + prizes as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series to provide supplies and get students and their families enthused about the upcoming schoolyear!

September 13th – Fall Carnival Experience

Ready to experience an amazing Carnival right in your own backyard? Come out and enjoy games, food, a live DJ, and loads of fun! There will even be a face painter on site! All as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.

Fridays through December 2025: New UDC Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market

Posted by nextstoprp in Backus Urban Food Hub

Every Friday from 4pm to 8pm, UDC CAUSES hosts a farmers market at UDC’s Lamond-Riggs campus, 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. Enter parking lot off Galloway Street NE.

UDC is still accepting vendors for the market. If you are interested in vending, complete UDC’s Farmers Market Vendor Interest Form. For more info, contact the Farmers Market Manager Andy Blunk at andrew.blunk@udc.edu or call 202-274-7124.

For the first market on August 15, UDC had three food vendors along with a small produce stand. There was a nice turnout for the first market. I arrived at the market around 5:30ish. Some of the produce like tomatoes had already sold out. Chauna Price, the soil manager at UDC’s Lamond-Riggs urban food hub who oversees the stand, said that they hope to increase the produce offerings in the coming weeks.

The food vendors were pretty good, selling a variety of food like Peruvian dumplings and fried rice by Misky Wasy, empanadas and pastries by Sweet & Salty Bakery, and Colombian fruity treats by Fruity Side. It is nice to be able to pick up some eats and then walk across the street for the weekly Fridays at Fort Totten concert series at 6 pm.

Join your neighbors and support the new neighborhood farmers market at UDC Lamond-Riggs campus every Friday 4pm-8pm through December.

August 21: Main Street Jazz with Christopher Prince at Lamond-Riggs Library

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library, Main Street

The Main Street Jazz Series continues on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM with a special performance by Christopher Prince.

Hosted by The Parks Main Street and presented by the Greater Washington Urban League.

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue, NE

Ward 4 Town Hall Recap and Resources from CM Lewis George

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety

Yesterday, the office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George shared a recap of her town hall meeting providing resources for dealing with recent federal actions in DC.

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From Office of CM Janeese Lewis George

Dear Neighbors,

On Friday evening, we held a Ward 4 town hall to discuss recent federal actions impacting District residents.  Thank you to every neighbor who attended, asked questions, and joined us in learning how we can come together to support our community during this challenging time. For neighbors who weren’t able to make it, you can view the slide presentation and watch the full recording.

Over the last week, we’ve continued to hear concerns from neighbors about federal law enforcement activity in the District. As this presence continues in our communities, we have created an online form where neighbors can report and document any concerning incidents involving federal agents. Reports can be submitted anonymously and will be reviewed by our team.

As always, we remain a resource for neighbors’ questions and concerns. 

Yours in service and solidarity,

—Team Janeese

Support Changes Planned for 3rd & Kennedy Street NE

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

The District Department of Transportation has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for proposed changes to 3rd and Kennedy Street NE (NOI-25-159-MSD). Submit comments to miheret.dirirsa@dc.gov by September 4, 2025.

Proposed changes

  • Add a 15-ft wide crosswalk on 3rd St NE at the intersection of 3rd and Kennedy St NE
  • Add no-parking zone per DDOT’s Design and Engineering Manual (DEM) to provide visibility
  • Install one speed hump and safety signages on Kennedy Street
  • Install RRFB (Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon) at the new crosswalk

This is years overdue. There are three schools in this tiny section of the neighborhood. School staff and parents often park along Kennedy as it curves around to 3rd Street creating a blind curve that is dangerous to people in cars, people on bikes, and pedestrians. A school bus was hit at the end of the school year.

Residents have been asking for years, literally, for DDOT to address this issue. We knew it was going to be a problem when DDOT requested that the Cafritz Foundation pay to open up 3rd Street and three charter schools opened up years ago. DDOT shrugged and insisted everything had to be funneled through their ever-changing 311 system. Glad this is finally being addressed, but city officials really need do a lot better about not waiting years to address foreseeable and known problems created by DDOT and development projects.

ANC 5A Medical Cannabis Shop Protest Motion for Reconsideration Denied

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk

Clinical Health & Wellness is looking to open a medical cannabis shop at 4942 South Dakota Avenue NE. The property sits in ANC 5A08 in North Michigan Park. Elaine Alston is the ANC commissioner for the area.

ANC 5A filed a protest against the medical cannabis license application. By order dated July 16, 2025, the ABCA Board dismissed the ANC’s protest for failure to specify statutory grounds for its protest.

ANC 5A then filed a motion for reconsideration of the Board’s dismissal. By order dated August 13, 2025, the ABCA Board denied the motion for reconsideration.

See ABCA Order Denying ANC 5A Motion for Reconsideration (August 13, 2025).

Unclear if the ANC will seek further legal review.

The shop seeks to open in the strip mall next to the McDonald’s where there is already a 24/7 Smoke Shop. Residents and the ANC have been more vocal about their displeasure with the property owner for leasing to undesirable tenants and failing to adequately maintain the property.

Tonight August 15: Ward 4 Town Hall on Recent Federal Actions Impacting DC

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety, Ward 4

From Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

Tonight from 6:30pm-7:30pm, Councilmember Lewis George will host a Zoom webinar town hall for Ward 4 residents to share the latest information and resources around recent federal actions impacting DC and take questions from the community. Neighbors can RSVP to receive the Zoom link by clicking here.

Today August 15: Explore! Kids Maker Space Clay Workshop

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

Today, 4pm-7pm, the Explore Museum Kids Maker Space is hosting a Clay Workshop with Ms. Clara! Work with with air-dry clay to create charming miniatures. Shape your creations on Friday, August 15, then return next week for a two-part follow-up:

Wednesday, August 20 – Paint your miniatures during new midweek open hours.

Friday, August 22 – Add magnets to turn your finished pieces into functional art!

Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE

Repost: MOCA/MOLA Immigrant Resources and Support

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety

Ed. Note: Individuals were detained in the community yesterday. I am republishing these “Know your Rights” resources compiled for immigrant communities, originally published in February.

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Original Post, February 11, 2025

[Ed. Note: At last week’s North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting, NMPCA representatives noted that ICE has been in the community.]

Message circulated by North Michigan Park Civic Association

Please share this information with your neighbor. Everyone knows someone who may be impacted with the Immigration issues. There will be a representative from MOLA [Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs] at the next NMP Civic Association Meeting to talk about resources. 

MOCA [Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs] has a repository of grantees that do work with immigrants through the community. 

Here is also a list of resources for immigrant communities: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WHdkVxfEtBt9l_BPDrNPTqRpp2ojPBuj

As well as the Know Your Rights: https://www.cliniclegal.org/resources/protecting-your-community/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-guide-your-rights-when

Upcoming Back to School Events/Giveaways

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

Ed. Note 8/15/2025: Given everything going on, I do not recommend that parents take their kids anywhere near police-sponsored activities.

Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center Annual Backpack Giveaway

On August 16, 2026, 11am-1pm, the Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Rec is holding a backpack giveaway at Riggs-LaSalle Rec, 501 Riggs Road NE. Must be a DC resident.

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MPD 4th District Backpack Giveaway

On August 21, 2025, 4pm-6pm, MPD 4th District officers will offer free backpacks and free haircuts while supplies last, 6001 Georgia Avenue NW. Child must be present to obtain a backpack.

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Metro Transit Police Department Annual Back to School Bash

On August 23, 2025, 11am-3pm, the Metro Transit Police Department is holding its annual back to school bash at Fort Totten station, large parking lot. Enjoy free food, drinks, haircuts, school supplies, live music, and giveaways.

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Lamond-Riggs Library Back to School Uniform Swap

On August 23, 2025, 2:30 pm-5:30pm, Lamond-Riggs Library is hosting a back-to-school uniform swap, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE.

Please bring any lightly used school uniforms to the library. All clothing should be clean and free of serious wear and tear.  Clothing should be sized to fit students aged 3-16.  Accepted items include khaki pants, school shirts, belts, and school shoes. All leftover clothing will be donated to the PTA of the appropriate school.  

While at the branch, get ready for the new school year by signing up your child for a Library card and registering for Beyond the Book!

Contribute to “Walk Thru Ward 5” Interactive Exhibit for Ward 5 Day

Posted by nextstoprp in Ward 5

Ward 5 Day is coming up on September 20, 2025. For the celebration, the Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker is asking neighbors to contribute to an interactive exhibit called “Walk Thru Ward 5.”

From CM Parker’s newsletter:

New this year to our Ward 5 Day festivities will be an interactive exhibit we’re calling Walk Thru Ward 5. Community members will create presentations featuring the history and culture of Ward 5 neighborhoods, telling the stories that have shaped us. Each neighborhood is unique and has its own rich and deep history. This project will have participants work closely with their neighbors to learn and share their untold stories. Our main goal is to actively engage Ward 5 residents in different neighborhoods. Whether you’ve lived in Ward 5 for 20 years or 2, the goal is collaboration. Want to be a part of shaping the exhibits? Now is the time to sign up! Click here. 

Forthcoming Urban Land Institute Report on Fort Totten Station Joint Development

Posted by nextstoprp in Fort Totten Metro Development

The Urban Land Institute ULI) recently published a post on the convening of the Fort Totten Net Zero TOD Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) held on June 3–5, 2025. The TAP was convened to support Metro’s development of the large parking lot at Fort Totten station, taking into consideration new energy requirements for new construction. Metro has previously tried to develop the large parking lot at least three times. ULI will issue a TAP report in the coming weeks.

ULI shared an initial set of recommendations:

1. Reduce the required parking.

2. Create a sense of place.

3. Collaborate with local utility PEPCO to ensure a smooth development process.

4. Integrate the new development into the existing neighborhood fabric.

I found some of the initial short and long term recommendations interesting.

Additional short-term recommendations from the panel included deepened partnerships with local community groups to begin activating the Fort Totten space and investing in placemaking around the station. Panelists also recommended identifying “quick wins” to accelerate development opportunities, such as lighting improvements, pop-up retail, and artist activations.

Long-term recommendations included making both the site and station-adjacent areas more pedestrian friendly by prioritizing the pedestrian experience, as well as by formalizing a collaboration network with the city and the utility to ensure a development-friendly experience. Panelists also emphasized the need to consider framing the joint development in terms of housing, transportation, and climate change to maximize potential funding sources (e.g., REC monetization, DC Green Bank financing, TIFIA/WIFIA infrastructure loans) and to address the most pressing needs in the region.

I have lots of thoughts on Metro’s joint development program. The upcoming ULI report will not be the first report on joint development at Fort Totten station. I am looking forward to what this one will say.