Office Hours with Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
May 27, 2021
10:00 am-1:00 pm
Culture Coffee Too
300 Riggs Road NE
ANC 5A Public Meeting
May 26, 2021
6:45 pm
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86809581016?pwd=T1ZhWFdCT1ZwVnFCTW1WeGlBaWpSQT09
Meeting ID: 868 0958 1016
Passcode: 912367
Dial In: 301 715 8592
Agenda Items
1. DC Department of Motor Vehicles Residential Parking Permit (RPP) Fee Increase;
2. ANC 5A08 Public Safety Report;
3. ANC 5A03 10th Street Traffic Calming;
4. DCPS-NAF Academy Director at Theodore Roosevelt HS;
5. Defund the Police;
6. EYA Construction Update;
7. Bike Share Proposal in 5A03 for two locations (Decatur Street and 12th Street NE)
Rental/Utility Assistance
Stay DC is a financial assistance program for qualifying District renters and housing providers who are looking for support to cover housing and utility expenses. Funds are still available, so individuals are encouraged to complete the application process.
The program website is https://stay.dc.gov. The website details the eligibility requirements and application process and also includes links for other supports. The hotline for assistance for the application process is (833) 478-2932.
Internet Access Assistance Programs
District officials are promoting two programs that help qualifying residents get internet service.
Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program
Internet For All: DC Students Program
United Medical Center COVID-19 Mobile Program
May 25, 2021
10:00 am-3:00 pm
Michigan Park Church
1600 Taylor Street NE
Pre-registration for COVID-19 vaccine encouraged, but walk-ups also accepted
Services:
For questions/pre-registration, contact (202) 436-4317 or krwilliams@mfa.gwu.edu
ANC 4B Public Meeting
May 24, 2021
7:00 pm
Virtual Meeting Details:
For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://streetjustice-news.zoom.us/j/84214249196?pwd=c3E0bzJmMFpoQ1JwVWFtNmhsVkduUT09. Meeting ID: 842 1424 9196. Password: 964318.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 842 1424 9196. Password: 964318.
To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ndh4Pt9mPi8.
Next Regular Public Meeting: Monday, June 28, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
From ANC 4B
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Vision Zero Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The Committee will be meeting virtually. Details about participating/watching the meeting are included below:
For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://streetjustice-news.zoom.us/j/83166670715?pwd=V3RDR05ydlc0eFZZUC9EbmFBWkhPdz09. Meeting ID: 831 6667 0715. Password: 488799.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 831 6667 0715. Password: 488799.
To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/PbHxKWu8X0s.
Additional information is available on the Commission’s website at https://anc4b.com/committees/housing-justice-committee/.
On April 11, 2021, neighbors treated longtime Riggs Park resident Sarah Driscoll to a fond farewell organized by Barbara Rogers, Adrian Shaw, and Jason and Rachel Marker. Ms. Driscoll resided on Oneida Street NE for 59 years. Children on the block made farewell posters. I had a friend who is a photographer come out and take pictures of the event. It all came together very quickly.
It was such a treat to see the special relationship Ms. Driscoll has with her daughter Sheena, who grew up in the neighborhood. Ms. Driscoll is quite the storyteller, so engaging, and clearly loved. So many neighbors, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, church members, family members, and friends from Ms. Dricoll’s senior center, all came out to wish her well as she moved out of the neighborhood.
In addition, Barbara and I had been talking for a while about interviewing some of the longtime older residents in the neighborhood, because we are fortunate to have so many elders in their 90s and even a few who have reached centenarian status still with us. So we asked Ms. Driscoll if she would be willing to do a quick 15 minute interview with us. We are thankful that Ms. Driscoll agreed to share a few snippets of her life experience with us, from growing up in rural North Carolina to working a job folding Christmas cards for the Washington Cathedral. At 93 years old, Ms. Driscoll has lived a life of many firsts, including being one of the first Black residents in the neighborhood. Click the link below to hear more.
Sarah Driscoll Video Interview (Run time: approximately 20 minutes)
For interview transcript, click here.
Video by Barbara Rogers
Photography by Single Eye Photography
ANC 5A held a special meeting on May 12, 2021. Commissioners present: Damion McDuffie, Sr. (5A01); Charles Lockett (5A02); Emily Singer Lucio – Secretary (5A03); Ronnie Edwards – Chair (5A05); Sandi Washington – Treasurer (5A07); Gordon Fletcher – Vice Chair (5A08)
The ANC ended up packing a lot into this special meeting. Traffic calming on 10th Street NE on the border between ANC 5A03 and ANC 5B05 was on the agenda. Commissioner Lucio announced at the start of the meeting that that item was removed from the agenda so that she and ANC Commissioner Colleen Costello (5B05) can work on a joint resolution after meeting with DDOT and MPD. If you live in Commissioner Lucio’s single member district and did not receive notice of a separately scheduled meeting on this topic, email Commissioner Lucio at 5A03@anc.dc.gov to be added to her distribution list.
ANC Business
Work on the ANC 5A website continues. A resident asked if meeting notices and links could still be posted to the website as the work continues. I would recommend emailing Commissioner Lucio, who is the secretary of the commission, at 5A03@anc.dc.gov to be added to ANC 5A’s distribution list in order to receive meeting announcements.
Capital Guardian Youth Academy
The Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy, a residential, quasi-military academy run through the DC National Guard for youth ages 16 to 18 who have left high school before graduating, is accepting applications. For information, contact admissions staff Gerard Waluyn at gerard.waluyn@dc.gov or Hector Lamas at hector.lamas@dc.gov.
Mayor’s Budget
There was some confusion about why a representative from the mayor’s office, Chris Murray, was present to ostensibly discuss the mayor’s budget proposal. It sounded like ANC 5A Chair Edwards wanted the representative there to discuss Crummell School. (At the April meeting, the ANC voted to support a resolution from ANC 5D regarding community use of the former school). Mr. Murray stated he could not discuss specific budget items before the mayor presents her budget, but he did say that Crummell School is on the mayor’s radar. Other than that, Mr. Murray discussed the general timeline for the budget process, which has been delayed to account for receipt of funding from the federal government. The mayor will present her budget to the DC Council on May 27. The Council will hold budget hearings during the month of June and vote in July. (See budget schedule at https://www.dccouncilbudget.com/schedules). Commissioner Lockett asked about opportunities for resident or ANC input on the budget. Besides the budget hearings held by the Council, Mr. Murray stated that the mayor’s office accepts input year-round and also conducts budget engagement forum exercises to get input from residents.
Residential Parking Permit Fee Increase
The initial reason for even having this special meeting in the first place was to discuss the fee increase for residential parking permits (RPP). The ANC discussed during the April meeting that, beginning June 1, the RPP fee schedule will increase from $35 per vehicle. The new rates will be:
There is an exemption for one resident 65 years of age or older per household. Exempted residents will pay a $35 annual RPP fee for the first vehicle registered at a legal mailing address. The fee for each subsequent vehicle registered at a legal mailing address will be identical to the tiered rates noted above.
There was some confusion about who was responsible for getting a District official to the meeting to discuss the fee increase, so there was no one there from District government to talk about this issue. The commissioners ended up voting to draft a “letter of concern” about the fee increase. When asked what the concerns were, Commissioner Lucio responded that she was concerned about the fee increase generally. Commissioner Washington responded that she was concerned about the timing of the fee increase given that the District is still under a public health emergency and some residents are still out of work or just returning to work. She would recommend suspending the effective date of the fee increase until the public health emergency is over.
The commission is accepting resident input on this issue. I recommend sending an email to all of them. Their email addresses can be found here.
Chair Edwards asked for the MOCR’s assistance in getting someone from District government to the ANC’s regularly scheduled May meeting on May 26 to discuss the fee increase. Commissioner Washington also asked if someone from DDOT could discuss the digital visitor parking pass pilot program that was recently announced for two ANCs in Wards 1 and 6.
Catholic University
Catholic University officials attended the meeting to apologize for the lack of notice regarding the end-of-year fireworks celebration that caught some residents by surprise. The university did send notice out, but not as widely as they had planned.
The university’s nursing school expansion plan was approved by the Zoning Commission (zoning case number 12-01D).
The DC Board of Elections has certified a vacancy for ANC 5A04, which covers Catholic University. University officials have identified a potential candidate. The petition circulation period ends May 17, 2021. Interested candidates should consult the vacancy notice.
Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie Report
Silas Grant, Senior Advisor to Councilmember McDuffie, noted that CM McDuffie has introduced legislation to provide a publicly-funded trust fund for babies born in the District to families with an annual household income of $132,000 or less (see press release). This initiative is sometimes referred to “baby bonds.” An initial payment of $1,000 would be provided for newborns, supplemented by an annual payment of up to $2,000 depending on household income. When the child turns 18, the money can be withdrawn for specified uses, such as education, starting a business, or buying a home. Mr. Grant said CM McDuffie introduced this legislation to address the racial wealth gap.
Next Meeting
The regularly scheduled ANC 5A meeting will be on May 26, 2021.
Demolition of the former KFC/Taco Bell on the corner of 3rd Street and Riggs Road NE is underway. Chick-fil-A soon come.
ANC 5A01 Single Member District Meeting
with Commissioner Damion McDuffie (5A01)
May 19, 2021
6:30 pm-8:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81337416017?pwd=ZytRT3RDWnRycGVkcmJXbmtLMEdoZz09
Meeting ID: 813 3741 6017
Passcode: 782710
Dial by your location: 301 715 8592
AGENDA
*Please make sure you are on the call in plenty of time for your presentation.
*To stay within an hour, please try to limit your questions so everyone can be heard. Any unanswered concerns can be forwarded to 5A01@anc.dc.gov
ANC 5A Special Public Meeting
May 12, 2021
6:45 pm
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86809581016?pwd=T1ZhWFdCT1ZwVnFCTW1WeGlBaWpSQT09
Meeting ID: 868 0958 1016
Passcode: 912367
Dial In: 301 715 8592
AGENDA ITEMS
In the interest of keeping our regular May meeting from being too long, we have asked two presenters to attend this meeting and give very brief presentations, if time permits:
Office of Campaign Finance- Fair Elections Program Deloris K. Ramsey
DC National Guard Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy Rip Preston
After years of 311 service requests, email exchanges, pictures, and letters to the Council during performance oversight season, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) informed me on March 25, 2021, that they approved installation of flexiposts behind the crosswalk in the 400 block of Galloway Street NE near the Modern at Art Place. DDOT installed the flexiposts earlier this week. This is great news for those of us who have been nagging DDOT about the crosswalk near The Modern and the fact that drivers continuously parked in a way that blocked the sightline of pedestrians and drivers (see this post, for example).
The story of this particular crosswalk is a 3.5 year saga. Before the Modern was built in 2017, 4th Street NE used to be a through street between Galloway and Kennedy. There were marked crosswalks at the intersection of 4th and Galloway. This is important because there is not a sidewalk on the south side of Galloway Street across from the Modern. Some residents choose to walk up the inclined, wooded path on the south side of the street, but many also choose to use the sidewalk on the north side and cross at 4th Street to walk to Fort Totten Metro station.
During construction of the Modern, the crosswalk that was at 4th and Galloway was removed. After the Modern was built, 4th Street was permanently closed between Galloway and Ingraham, basically becoming the apartment community’s private driveway. Immediately after the building opened in fall 2017, we asked that the crosswalk in the 400 block of Galloway be reinstalled because again there is not a sidewalk on the other side of the street, and just because 4th Street was now closed, that did not mean that the crosswalk had to be removed.
At first, DDOT wanted us to submit a service request for a new crosswalk. We all know how long it takes the agency to install a new crosswalk though. We argued that it was not a new crosswalk, and we had already submitted a service request to restripe the crosswalk. The developer should have been required to reinstall the crosswalk that had previously been there. In the interim, we were also told that DDOT in fact instructed the developer not to reinstall the crosswalk for reasons, but who knows. Anyhow, thanks to Google street view and intervention by Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s office, we were able to send DDOT photographic evidence showing that we were not making it up that a crosswalk existed there for many years. So DDOT ordered the developer to install a crosswalk. But then no curb cut was installed because remember neither the developer nor DDOT intended for there to be a crosswalk. So drivers would literally park in the crosswalk all the time because I guess they thought it was an option to do so.
So we took pictures of cars parked in the crosswalk and asked that a curb cut be installed so that drivers would not park in the crosswalk. That took some time. Even then, some drivers still parked in or partially in the crosswalk (very strange behavior).
In any case, the result ended up being that there was then a crosswalk between two parked cars because there was just enough space for one car behind the crosswalk. So sometimes drivers would still park partially in the crosswalk.
The bigger issue though was that drivers could not see a pedestrian waiting to cross in the crosswalk between two parked cars and a pedestrian would have to walk out into the street to see around the car parked behind the crosswalk. None of this made any sense. We requested “no parking” signage, which DDOT put in front of the crosswalk after many months of requests, but it was placed right in front of a tree so no one could see it unless people knew to look for it.
DDOT installed high visibility pedestrian crossing signs pointing to the crosswalk so that motorists would know the crosswalk was there. For a while, DDOT told us there was only one signmaker or something so that is why it took a while to get the signs done apparently. DDOT refused to install signage indicating that no parking was allowed behind the crosswalk though because according to them the existing signage was adequate. According to them, the space behind the crosswalk was not a legal parking space because it was so close to the crosswalk and the driveway to the Modern. I suppose people were supposed to know that, but every day people would park behind the crosswalk. DDOT said it was a parking enforcement issue. And to be fair, some days DPW would ticket a car parked behind the crosswalk. I told DDOT it did not make sense to keep issuing tickets when it was clear that people thought they were allowed to legally park behind the crosswalk.
In December 2019, following multiple email exchanges among myself, the ANC, DDOT, and CM McDuffie’s office, DDOT installed a micromobility corral in front of the crosswalk to provide a buffer. Interestingly enough, that corral is actually not as big as it should be because there was a car parked behind the “no parking” sign when DDOT went to install the corral.
Still DDOT did nothing about cars parked directly behind the crosswalk. So I asked the ANC to draft a resolution requesting signage and flexiposts so that cars could not be parked behind the crosswalk. DDOT dragged its feet for many more months and told me they could not put flexiposts behind the crosswalk because it was too close to the driveway or something. So I took pictures of flexiposts installed near intersections and also sent them pictures every day of cars parked behind the crosswalk blocking the sightline of pedestrians and drivers. Finally, on March 25, 2021, DDOT informed me that installation of flexiposts was approved.
I recount all of this just because there has been a renewed focus on Vision Zero, given the completely reckless driving taking place during the pandemic. To me, it seems that DDOT would want to take care of low-hanging fruit like this situation fairly quickly while the big fights about the big projects go on. There is also this sense of urgency from the mayor’s office in getting people to return to school and office buildings, meaning soon enough there will be more pedestrians traveling along this street to get to work and school. We noted to DDOT that this crosswalk is right next to a daycare center that would be opening at some point. But it took them almost four years to adequately resolve the issue of a crosswalk that should have been reinstalled after construction of a new building. The transportation plan for this new building should have included provision for replacement of the crosswalk. Residents should not have to take pictures every day and take time out of their day to send repeated communications to DDOT, the mayor’s office, or the councilmember’s office for something that should already be in a construction plan and monitored by DDOT. There is a sort of dismissiveness from the agency that becomes really grating after a while that sometimes results in residents saying “forget it,” and that is not a good result for anyone.
I will say the one bright spot in this saga was the support of DDOT’s Ward 5 liaison Kelly Jeong-Olson, who is always awesome, and Ty’on Jones before her. They deserve kudos for actually listening to residents.
We can now finally stop talking about this crosswalk and move on to other things, like that missing sidewalk on the other side of the street.
Updated
Last night, the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) Election Committee announced results of the LRCA election for the 2021-2023 term. Barbara Rogers won a decisive victory for president. Thank you to everyone who voted for decency, kindness, and respect for neighbors. More to come.
Election Results from the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Election Committee
For President
Barbara Rogers
120 votes (winner)
Rodney Foxworth
43 votes
For First Vice President
LaRoya Huff
131 votes (winner)
Tanya Slade (write-in)
1 vote
For Second Vice President
Sierra Dickerson
133 votes (winner)
For Treasurer
Tanya Slade (write-in; winner)*
8 votes
*subject to write-in candidate’s acceptance of appointment.
Karen Dickerson (write-in)
4 votes
For Financial Secretary
Tischa Cockrell (write-in; winner)*
2 votes
*subject to write-in candidate’s acceptance of appointment.
Corresponding Secretary
Mateen Rabihah (winner)
125 votes
For Trustee
Danielle Lewis-Wright (winner)
124 votes
Heather Rodgers (winner)
119 votes
Sharolyn Mack (winner)
96 votes
David Kosub (winner)
86 votes
Paquita Wiggins (winner)
82 votes
Patrice Richardson (winner)
80 votes
James Gaston (winner)
76 votes
Reverend Paul Smith (winner)
74 votes
Edgar Allen Sheppard (winner)
73 votes
Johnnie Mays (winner)
73 votes
Theodore Ngatchou
71 votes
Audrey Walker (write-in)
3 votes
Frank Wiler (write-in)
1 vote
Rodney Foxworthy (write-in)
1 vote
Effective May 13, 2021, the 5200 block of 4th Street NE (between Ingraham and Kennedy Street NE) will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians. Vehicles parked on 4th Street NE on May 13 will be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.
ANC 5A Special Public Meeting
May 12, 2021
6:45 pm
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86809581016?pwd=T1ZhWFdCT1ZwVnFCTW1WeGlBaWpSQT09
Meeting ID: 868 0958 1016
Passcode: 912367
Dial In: 301 715 8592
AGENDA ITEMS
From DC Department of Parks and Recreation
| DPR is currently hiring for various summer positions across multiple divisions and if you think you’re a good fit, we want to hear from you! Are you interested in joining our summer workforce as a lifeguard, camp counselor, food monitor, or program facilitator? Submit your resume today to request a spot at our in-person hiring fair. Qualified applicants will receive a formal invitation from the Office of Human Resources to interview on one of the following dates: |
| Saturday, May 8 Wednesday, May 19 |
| Location and time of interview will be provided in follow-up confirmation. Offers will be made on the spot to select applicants. Now’s your chance to join the team that makes fun happen across all 8 wards. Sign up today and let’s get #BacktoSummer. |
| Attend the Summer Hiring Fair |
From the Cafritz Foundation
ONELIFE FITNESS AND PHENIX SALON SUITES JOIN ART PLACE’S GROWING LIST OF RETAILERS
National Fitness and Beauty Retailers to Open in Fort Totten in Q1 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C — MAY 4, 2021 — The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation (Cafritz Foundation) today announced Onelife Fitness and Phenix Salon Suites are joining its growing list of retailers at their mixed-use development, Art Place at Fort Totten, with 16- and 10-year leases respectively.
“As we continue with the second phase of construction at Art Place, Onelife Fitness and Phenix Salon Suites will bring valuable amenities to the growing Fort Totten community,” said Jane Cafritz of the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. “Onelife and Phenix will add to the character of Art Place and further enrich the lives of our residents and neighbors.”
Onelife Fitness will open its first location in the District, joining 16 nearby locations in Maryland and Virginia, in the retail area below The Modern apartments at Art Place. This opening will bring 40,000 square feet of cutting-edge equipment and facilities to the neighborhood. The premium fitness center will be a unique, modern design, with two spacious, open levels and floor to ceiling natural lighting, and will feature three boutique studios, an indoor saltwater pool, cutting edge cardio and strength equipment, functional turf training, and more.
“We are incredibly excited to open a new Onelife Fitness Sports Club in Fort Totten, and to provide this active and growing community with health and wellness solutions to live a healthy and happy life. As we have been reminded during this challenging time that our personal health, both mental and physical, has never been more important,” said Ori Gorfine, Chief Operating Officer. “We need to keep moving and stay active, and we need to maintain bonds and connectivity to one another.”
After finishing an invigorating workout at Onelife Fitness, Art Place visitors can experience the luxury suites at Phenix Salon, a boutique concept that offers beauty and wellness professionals the opportunity to own and operate their own business. Phenix’s 10,000-square-foot Art Place location is anticipated to open in early 2022 in the retail area below The Modern.
At full build out, Art Place will include nearly two million square feet of mixed-use space, including multi-family residential, retail, cultural, art, public, educational and entertainment spaces. The Modern, which is the first phase of the Art Place development, includes 520 apartments and almost 100,000 square feet of retail space. Retailers at the Modern, in addition to Onelife and Phenix Salon Suites, include Love and Care Development Center, Ramdass Pharmacy, ShiningStars Pediatric Dentistry and T-Mobile. Art Place’s second phase, anticipated to open in 2024, will include hundreds of new apartment homes as well as more than 300,000 square feet of retail, arts and cultural spaces occupied by D.C’s largest Aldi Grocery store, a food hall, a performance venue, interactive art exhibitions, community spaces, and Explore! Children’s Museum. Infinity Prep, a Rocketship Public School, also opened at Art Place in September 2020.
For more information on the Cafritz Foundation please visit http://www.cafritzfoundation.org.
For Retail Leasing, please contact H&R Retail or visit https://hrretail.com/properties/art-place-at-fort-totten/
About The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is the largest private, independent, local foundation dedicated exclusively to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The Foundation is the legacy of Morris Cafritz–one of Washington’s leading commercial and residential builders from the early 1920’s to the mid-60’s–and is committed to improve the quality of life for residents of the area. Since 1970, the foundation has granted awards totaling more than $447 million. In just the last ten years, $185 million has been awarded to more than 961 organizations in Community Services, Arts & Humanities, Education, Health and the Environment.
By now, Lamond-Riggs residents who paid dues by the April 2, 2021, deadline to vote in the upcoming Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association election should have received an email with voting information (check your spam folder). As I mentioned in this post, I encourage residents to vote for Barbara Rogers for president.
Also, I am not aware of any accurate list of candidates to date published by LRCA on any of its platforms. One of the candidates for trustee, Danielle Lewis-Wright, had her name egregiously misspelled in the minutes in LRCA’s May 2021 newsletter, so I wanted to make a note of that here to let residents know she is running for trustee. I encourage residents to vote for both Danielle Lewis-Wright and Heather Rodgers for trustee.
Below, please find a final message from Barbara regarding this election.
Hello Lamond-Riggs Family,
This is my message to you before the LRCA election: VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE.
It is not my personality to run a negative campaign. You should never have to say negative things about a person to make yourself look good. I am running on integrity and inclusion. My past record will always speak for me as a person, resident, and a leader. I took on this journey after requests from many neighbors wanting to see change. I have never stopped serving my community and will continue to do so regardless of the outcome of this election.
I commend all of the past and current board members that take time out of their personal lives to give back to their community. I also encourage all those reading this to get involved. Ever since I started going to LRCA meetings over the past 10 years, there had been so much advancement. There had been an increase in membership and attendance. A goal of LRCA to become a 501(c)3 was accomplished during my previous presidency. I am not taking the credit for that happening because it was the hard work of an awesome executive board. What I most admire about the executive board when I was president, is that they challenged me and things that were on the agenda.
What I hope most to come out of this election is inclusion and respect for all neighbors. Our neighborhood deserves some positive energy. We are ONE community and we need to respect and get along with all of our neighbors.
Whether you vote for me or not, thank you for participating in the process and supporting LRCA.
Well wishes,
Barbara Rogers
2021 Candidate for President of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association
(202) 904-1027
lrcabarb@yahoo.com
The new Riggs-LaSalle community playground is now open in the 500 block of Nicholson Street NE. As noted in this post, this playground has been a long time coming. It really is a testament to working together as a community–former Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) president Barbara Rogers championed a new playground during her tenure. When I became president of LRCA after her, I picked up the ball and ran with it, writing several letters to the DC Council and Mayor Bowser to secure funding and organizing parents to advocate for a playground. Mayor Bowser and former Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd came through with the funding during the latter half of my tenure as LRCA president. And finally, once the project kicked off, so many neighbors and the newly established Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Rec wrote numerous letters in support of the playground along with a number of suggestions for improvements. Kudos to the community for making this happen.
See message from the DC Department of Parks & Recreation Project Manager Peter Nohrden dated April 30, 2021, below:
Dear Riggs LaSalle Playground Community,
On behalf of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS), I am pleased to announce that the Riggs LaSalle Public Playground is now opened. The playground has passed the Playground Safety Inspection and is now ready for play. Please note that drinking fountains are still turned off due to COVID protocols, but we wanted to open the playground as soon as possible so that the community can enjoy it this weekend.
The renovations to the Riggs LaSalle Playground includes: a new 5-12 play area, a new 2-5 play area, swings, benches, a drinking fountain with a bottle filler, waste and recycling receptacles as well as new lighting and security cameras. There is also perimeter landscaping, which includes canopy trees that will one day provide great shade for the playground.
Enjoy!
Next Stop...Riggs Park 