Thanks to reader Connor for passing along info about the upcoming closure of the 7-Eleven by Fort Totten station on May 6. This store has been around for close to 20 years. Another is not too far away at South Dakota and Kennedy.
UDC College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environment Science (CAUSES) kicked off the farmers market season at the Lamond-Riggs campus on April 3. It will take place very Friday 4pm-8pm at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. The market is part of the college’s urban food hub concept at the campus.
About 16 vendors have signed up for the season so far. Interested vendors may apply at the link: UDC 2026 Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Vendor Interest Application.
| VENDOR | PRODUCT |
| Sweet and Salty Bakery | Paraguayan prepared foods and/or drinks |
| CaliDawn Soaps Salves and Sundries | Handmade bath and body products |
| Traders Origin | Bolivian handmade jewelry, accessories, toys, chocolate bars and cacao products |
| Los Quesos | Prepared foods and/or drinks |
| Pleitez Produce Farm | Fresh produce |
| Rinconcito Maya – Guate-Mex Street Food | Guatemalan-Mexican prepared foods and/or drinks |
| MASTIHA Taverna | Greek prepared foods and/or drinks |
| Sam’s Favorite Things | Prepared foods and/or drinks |
| Leading Across Difference | Prepared foods and/or drinks, Fresh produce, Handmade wreaths, Wellness Journals |
| Fritters and Roast | Nigerian-inspired prepared foods and/or drinks |
| EightFold Farms DC | Infused Honey, Dehydrated and Powdered Mushrooms |
| Misky Wasy | Peruvian prepared foods and/or drinks, Handmade jewelry, accessories, or toys |
| The Sweetest Surrender | Prepared foods and/or drinks |
| ICHAKU | Authentic artisan bucket hats, Baseball hats, Purses, Handbags, Shoulder bags, Backpacks |
| Go Big Adventures Earth-Worker | Nutritional supplements |
See Upcoming Community-based CAUSES Opportunities (Spring 2026).
There are a few opportunities for residents to get more involved with CAUSES. A couple of highlights:
Explore! Museum began offering pilot programming at Art Place at Fort Totten in summer 2025. Now they are inviting artists, educators, parents, and neighbors to get involved to help develop a long-term vision for the permanent community institution. They are looking for:
To get involved, complete the Explore! Museum Community Interest Form.
Share with neighbors: Help Shape Explore! Museum Flyer
Check out Explore!’s April 2026 activities lineup.
Eventbrite: Explore! Fort Totten Events. RSVP encouraged.
Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE
Dance Loft Youth Classes at Explore! (Register at the link).
Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Cardboard Building Lab | April 7, 4pm-6pm
Candle Making Workshop | April 9, 6pm
Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay Open Studio | April 14, 4pm-6pm
Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paper & Texture | April 16, 4pm-6pm
Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paint Studio | April 21, 4pm-6pm
Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Tile Design | April 23, 4pm-6pm
Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay & Form | April 28, 4pm-6pm
Bingo Day | April 29, 2pm
Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Open Art Studio | April 30, 4pm-6pm
The best way to learn about Explore! events is to follow them on eventbrite and visit the Art Place Events Page.
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on March 25, 2026. Commissioners present: Keith Sellars (5A01); Timothy Thomas (5A02); Jack Hermes (5A04) – Vice Chair; Dyanna Weston (5A05); Derrick Holloway (5A06); Valeria Sosa Garnia (5A07) – Chair; Elaine Alston (5A08) – Secretary; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer.
The motion regarding electric vehicle charging stations at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE was removed from the agenda. Apparently, Commissioner Elaine Alston (5A08) had a super last-minute “emergency” SMD meeting that very few people knew about where this issue was supposed to be discussed. The plan is to discuss the issue at a properly noticed meeting in the future.
The ANC voted to create a DC 2050 Comprehensive Plan committee. Unclear who will chair the committee. Residents interested in participating on the committee should email Commissioner Sosa Garnica at 5A07@anc.dc.gov.
The ANC voted to support Urban Atlantic’s public space application associated with their redevelopment of the Boys Town campus located at 4801 Sargent Road NE in North Michigan Park. There will be 166 semi-detached homes, with 10 percent set aside for below market rate purchase.
DDOT asked Urban Atlantic to pay for several traffic pattern changes. There will be a new crosswalk where the bus stop is located, new bus signage and other changes. One big change DDOT wants to do is close off the cut-through on Crittenden between Sargent and South Dakota. Commissioner Keith Sellars (5A01) asked if flex posts would be placed around the crosswalk to prevent people from parking too close to the crosswalk. Vicki Davis of Urban Atlantic responded no, right now the plan is just to have “No parking” signs even though we know that if there is a space big enough for a car in front of and behind the crosswalk, someone will park there.
In response to a repeated request from Carmen Williams, the president of North Michigan Park Civic Association, Ms. Davis stated that the developer will leave space near Sargent Road for a second entrance/exit. She explained that DDOT did not determine that a second entrance/exit was necessary but they are leaving that space available just in case. She stated that there way to develop a second egress at the rear of the property.
For details about the proposed public space changes, view Urban Atlantic’s Boys Town campus public space application.
A ribbon cutting for the One Hawaii Avenue affordable housing project is scheduled for April 15. The rebuild will be larger than the previous building. A resident stated that surrounding neighbors are worried about parking. Commissioner Derrick Holloway (5A06) noted that the previous building did not have parking and that it is not expected that many of the returning residents or new residents will have cars. He said he wants to invite DDOT and Department of Buildings (DOB) to the next ANC meeting.
See Social Justice School Presentation to ANC 5A (March 2026).
The ANC voted to approve Social Justice School Public Charter School’s request for holiday construction work and to support the school’s facility request before the DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB). Commissioner Sellars (5A01) abstained. The DCPCSB hearing is in April and a vote will be held in May. The goal is to be completely open in time for the 2026-2027 school year at 5455 3rd Street NE. This is the last remaining warehouse owned by the Cafritz Foundation that is being renovated for the school’s new long-term home. A resident and Commissioner Sellars (5A01) asked about the need to work on the Juneteenth holiday. School founder Myron Long stated there might not need to be construction on that holiday, but they would like to have the approval in case.
The school is currently occupying temporary facilities at 333 Kennedy Street NE and at Impact DMV Church. They previously subleased from Rocketship Public Charter School.
The school is a standalone middle school. Current enrollment is 99 students. At capacity, the school will have 210 students. Mr. Long stated that the school is currently meeting all of the conditions for its conditional charter approval.
See DC Water Lead Free DC Presentation to ANC 5A (March 2026)
DC Water has a program to replace lead service lines called Lead Free DC. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Residents should have received door hangers and information in the mail about the Lead Free DC program to provide DC Water with consent to dig a test pit to determine if the home has lead service pipes. There are several blocks in ANC 5A with a less than 30 percent response rate, so DC Water is asking the ANC to help with sharing information about this program and getting people to sign up. For more information, visit DC Water’s Lead Pipe Replacement Program webpage.
Unclear why this topic was on the agenda. UDC Community Engagement Director Juanita Gray did not have a presentation about the topic, had no information to share, and incorrectly stated that a consultant had not been hired yet to assess the feasibility of moving the community college program from the Lamond-Riggs campus to the Van Ness campus. (The day after the ANC meeting, she acknowledged in an email that a consultant had been hired already and a report is expected in May, stating that she referenced “outdated” information during the meeting). UDC President Maurice Edington will attend an ANC meeting at some point to discuss the campus.
Mayor Bowser has introduced a hospitality bill.
Citywide spring clean events are scheduled for April 25. The Ward 5 location is Crummell School. Ward 5 Rolloff Day for bulk disposal is scheduled for July 25 at North Michigan Park Recreation Center.
The DC childcare subsidy program will have a waitlist after April.
Metro is seeking feedback on bus improvements and its revised FY2027 budget proposal. Survey opens March 27 and closes April 6. Visit www.wmata.com/budget.
Councilmember Parker sent his FY27 budget request letter to Mayor Bowser. The DC Office of Attorney General is seeking trustee nominations for the healthcare fund that will be established in association with the Providence Hospital sale. An info session was held on April 2 at Lamond-Riggs Library. Submit nominations by April 8: DC Healthcare Access Trust Nomination Form.
The Ward 5 awards ceremony was held on April 1 at Ivy City Smokehouse.
DDOT held an open house for the Taylor Street NE bike lane project.
Materials from the February 2026 Riggs and South Dakota Park pre-construction meeting are on the Riggs & South Dakota Park project website. Construction kicks off this spring.
Reminder about Metro’s revised FY2027 budget survey.
Commissioner Sellars (5A01) held a clean up with Commissioner Danielle Geong (4B09) on March 28. Also, Commissioner Sellars noted the challenges with getting a commitment from District officials to install a water source for the new Riggs & South Dakota Park. Commissioner Sellars also shared shared that Councilmember Parker and Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George are scheduled to attend LRCA’s meeting on April 6.
Commissioner Holloway (5A06) stated that he and Commissioner Dyanna Weston (5A05) plan to have a meet-and-greet SMD meeting on April 22.
Rhonda Hamilton of The Dap Project shared information about a new project called Dementia Stories. A session was held at Michigan Park Church on March 28. The last one will be held on April 4 at Chevy Chase Library. Sign up on eventbrite.
I asked the ANC commissioners to share public space applications on the ANC’s website. The commissioners have access to the applications but the public does not. There have been multiple significant Public Space Committee hearings that residents did not know about because the ANC did not inform residents.
The next ANC 5A meeting will be on April 22.
Extreme Cleanup at Fort Totten with REI and AllTrails
Saturday, April 11, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Reminder: Registration will close at 5:00 PM the day before the event. Please register as soon as possible!
When: Saturday, April 11, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Fort Totten Park
Updated 4/3/2026 with copy of newsletter
Monday, April 6, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Doors open at 5:45pm)
Location: Lamond-Riggs Library, Meeting Room 1
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
April 2026 Meeting Agenda
Read the LRCA March 2026 Newsletter.
UDC College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences proudly presents the return of the Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market at UDC Community College campus where fresh produce, artisan goods, live entertainment, and community connection come together.
Season Opens April 3, 2026 at UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus, 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE, in the large parking lot.
Every Friday from 4 pm-8 pm.
Let your neighbors know!
Update 4/1/2026: Following publication of this post, DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson announced that the hearing schedule will in fact be revised. A new schedule will be released later this month.
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Original Post
Starting April 6, 2026, Council committees will hold hearings on proposed agency budgets.
The FY2027 budget hearing schedule and instructions on how to participate through either oral or written testimony are available at the link: DC Council FY2027 Budget Oversight Hearing Schedule.
This is the current schedule. It may be adjusted because of delays with the mayor’s budget submission.
Sign up to testify orally or provide written testimony on the DC Council Hearing Portal website.
Once again, elected officials have been warning about a tight budget year. That said, I personally would like the city to put more investment into UDC’s Lamond-Riggs campus. The campus houses the community college program and one of the university’s food hubs. The food hub is run by UDC’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES). The campus is supposed to be undergoing renovation and expansion as outlined in the approved 2023-2033 Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan.
See UDC 2023-2033 Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan Fact Sheet.
See UDC 2023-2033 Lamond-Riggs Campus Plan.
I mentioned during ANC 5A’s February meeting that UDC President Maurice Edington stated during the university’s recent oversight hearing that they have engaged a consultant to look at the feasibility of moving the community college from the Lamond-Riggs campus to the Van Ness campus. They expect a report in May.
Apparently, during last year’s budget fiasco, between Congressional Republicans’ fooling around with DC’s local funding, and the mayor’s desire for public money for the RFK stadium, UDC lost capital funding that had been approved for Phase 1 renovations of the Lamond-Riggs campus. So President Edington said he took that loss of funding to rethink the vision for the campus entirely. He said that he wants to build a “world-class” community college and that he does not think the Lamond-Riggs campus is the place for that. He said that a large building at Van Ness is undergoing renovation and should be complete by 2028. He also stated that he has asked the consultant to look at other areas of the city as well.
I have long said that the city treats the Lamond-Riggs campus as an afterthought. I think rather than disinvesting in this important city and neighborhood asset, the city should actually invest more in the campus and give the university back the money that was already approved for Phase 1 and approve Phase 2 funding as well. UDC’s budget hearing is currently scheduled for April 23.
The budget hearings are the time to let the Council know what you support and would like to see funded. Even if it does not get funding this time, it is important to have a record of the ask, so ask!
DC’s Office of Planning (OP) has released a virtual workshop to walk through its Draft Future Land Use Map (FLUM).
Visit OP’s Draft FLUM Virtual Workshop. Comment on the draft changes by April 30, 2026.
OP estimated the number of additional new homes necessary to keep housing cost increases below the inflation rate. With the Draft FLUM, OP seeks to quantify the number of housing units that would be created by each of the changes.
CHANGE AREA 4.4
Location: New Hampshire NW and Riggs Ave NE
Changes in this area include:
· Small-scale residential neighborhoods to moderate-scale residential neighborhoods
These changes are estimated to add 1,050 housing units and 100 jobs.
CHANGE AREA 5.1:
Location: South Dakota Ave NE
Changes in this area include:
· Small-scale residential neighborhoods to moderate-scale residential neighborhoods
These changes are estimated to add 60 housing units and 50 jobs.
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I attended the spring workshop and I find OP’s draft changes for Riggs Parks (Change Areas 4.4 and 5.1) to be a bit random. If the goal is to say that we need additional housing units, I think we can look to where we know large institutional properties are going to be developed into new housing, such as the Boys Town and Providence campuses, rather than looking at random parcels of existing semi-detached homes, which is what the Draft FLUM is proposing.
OP Director Anita Cozart explained that they are targeting areas near Metrorail and high-frequency bus routes (I get that). She said the idea is to make way for gentle density like small apartments. When I pointed out that Faith United Church has been trying to build on its property for decades but no change is being proposed for that property, she said OP also wants to keep the areas with proposed changes contiguous and not do one-off changes to individual lots. I get that as well, though I suspect that is exactly what will end up happening for reasons.
I still think that if there are institutional properties that will likely be redeveloped into new housing in the future, then to me it makes sense for that to be reflected in the Draft FLUM. I guess the only reason they are not doing that is that theoretically the institutional use reflected in the FLUM would not preclude developing housing.
For example, Boys Town is shown as institutional on the existing FLUM but it is zoned R-2 which will allow development of semi-detached housing by right. Developer Urban Atlantic is planning to build 166 semi-detached homes there. And 166 homes is already more than the 60 that OP is showing for the random draft change in Change 5.1. Realistically Change 5.1 is not going to result in an additional 60 housing units and that is probably fine. We already have 166 semi-detached homes going in at Boys Town and hundreds more housing units going in at Providence eventually. Furthermore, we know that the 8,000 square foot Main Building on the Boys Town campus will likely need a zoning change or exception in the future for anything to be done with it. It is not going to be torn down. So I think there are missed opportunities here.
It is worth looking at the draft changes elsewhere in the city. I participated in one of the breakout meetings. One of the questions was where to build affordable housing (I assume they were referring to income-restricted affordable housing). Mysteriously one of the assumptions they made when asking the question was that if they continue to build affordable housing in areas well below the median family income, then somehow amenities would follow by adding more low-income households to the mix. I think if the goal is to provide access to amenities, then it makes sense to build/maintain affordable housing in amenity-rich neighborhoods like neighborhoods west of Rock Creek Park and to be very intentional about providing amenities in areas lacking them. Assuming that amenities will somehow simply follow with no thoughtful intentional action does not make a lot of sense to me.
Anyways, be sure to take the opportunity to review the draft map and submit your feedback to OP by April 30.
Metro recently released a revised FY2027 budget proposal: Metro Revised FY2027 Budget Proposal.
Changes explained by Metro (copied and pasted)
The original FY27 proposed bus service improvements (Nine routes in DC and two in Virginia) are slated to start on or near July 1, 2026.
To further support the Better Bus visionary transit network, the following service improvements are being considered for December 2026, pending Board adoption:
More Frequent Weekday Service: Orange, Silver, and Blue Line trains every 10 minutes all day before 9:30 p.m. – an improvement from the current 12-minute headway – to support off peak demand and encourage ridership growth with more frequent all-day service in December 2026.
More Frequent Late-Night Service: Red Line trains every 7 to 9 minutes – improved from every 10 minutes – during late night period from 9:30 p.m. until closing, seven days a week, to boost capacity in both directions for evening travel in December 2026.
$3 per-trip administrative fee for Abilities Ride trips starting July 1, 2026.
The Board of Directors will consider the General Manager’s recommendations and is anticipated to adopt the final FY2027 Budget on April 23, 2026.
A former LaSalle-Backus parent passed along materials regarding the modernization of LaSalle-Backus Elementary School located at 501 Riggs Road NE.
The project budget is $88.6 million. Anticipated project completion is summer 2029.
To receive project updates, sign up for the LaSalle-Backus Modernization Project distribution list.
The DCPS point of contact is Matthew Dela Cuesta. He can be reached at matthew.delacuesta@k12.dc.gov.
The project will renovate and expand the existing school. Looks like the existing school is roughly 55,000 square feet, and the modernized school will be 79,000 square feet. The existing school will be gutted to put in new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. New playgrounds and an outdoor classroom will be constructed as part of the project.
Swing space will be at the old Sharpe Health School located at 4300 13th Street NW. Buses will be available to transport students between LaSalle-Backus and Sharpe during construction. More information about this will be provided as the process moves along.
Vendor Call: UDC CAUSES Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market
Location: 5171 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington, D.C., Ward 5
UDC College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences proudly presents the return of the Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market at UDC Community College campus where fresh produce, artisan goods, live entertainment, and community connection.
Farmers Market—where fresh produce, artisan goods, live entertainment, and community connection come together every Friday from 4 pm – 8 pm.
Season Opens: April 3, 2026
Interested vendors may apply at the link: UDC 2026 Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Vendor Interest Application.
For more information, contact causesfarmersmarkets@udc.edu or (202) 274-7124.
Download: UDC 2026 Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Vendor Flyer.
Download: UDC 2026 Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Public Flyer.
From North Michigan Park Civic Association
NORTH MICHIGAN PARK CIVIC ASSOCIAITON
MONTHLY MEETING
FACE TO FACE ONLY
DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2026
TIME: 7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM
LOCATION: FAITH UNITED CHURCH
4900 10TH STREET NE (10TH & DECATUR ST )
WASHINGTON, DC 20017
IMPORTANT AGENDA ITEMS:
· Presentation and Workshop by DC Board of Elections on Rank Choice Voting.
How you voted in previous elections has drastically changed. “An informed consumer is an educated consumer.”
Also on the agenda is an update on the Boys Town Development
From ANC Commissioners Keith Sellars (5A01) and Danielle Geong (4B09)
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 8am-10am
Location: Meet at either (1) South Dakota Avenue & Galloway Street NE or (2) Kennedy Street & Eastern Avenue NE.
Trash grabbers & bags provided.
For more information, contact 5A01@anc.dc.gov or 4B09@anc.dc.gov.
Plymouth Congregational and New Hope Baptist United Churches of Christ host a food pantry 10am-12noon on the fourth Saturday of each month at 5301 North Capitol Street NE.
As a reminder, there are several other food pantries in and around the neighborhood.
DC Bilingual Public Charter School Family Food Market (1st Friday monthly, October through June)
33 Riggs Road NE
11:00 am-1:00 pm
Produce & shelf stable items
For more information, email uejimofor@dcbilingual.org
Sponsored by Capital Area Food Bank
Impact DMV Church (1st Saturday monthly)
5335 1st Place NE
11:00 am-1:00 pm
Groceries
Faith United Church of Christ (3rd Wednesday monthly)
4900 10th Street NE
9:00 am (food usually runs out by 11:30 am)
Produce market and diaper bank
For more information, contact faithuccdc@gmail.com or 202-635-7777.
LaSalle-Backus Elementary School Family Food Market (Typically 3rd Thursday monthly, October through June)
501 Riggs Road NE (enter on Madison Street side of campus)
3:30 pm-5:30 pm (people start lining up as early as 2:30)
Produce & shelf stable items
Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (3rd Saturday monthly)
501 Riggs Road NE (enter on Nicholson Street side)
11:00 am
Fresh produce, canned goods, & fresh quarter chicken
Sponsored by Andre Lee (Lee Little League)/Feed My People Ministry
From ANC 5A
Date: March 25, 2026
Time: 6:45pm
Location: Hybrid
Zoom: https://bit.ly/ANC5A2026
In-Person Location:
Washington Yu Ying PCS, Early Years Campus
4350 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20011
Agenda
From Office of DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson
Chairman Mendelson will host two Tax Town Hall meetings. The first meeting will take place virtually via Zoom on Thursday, March 26th, from 6 PM to 8 PM. Please RSVP for the Zoom link at ChairmanCS@DcCouncil.gov. The second meeting will be held in person on Saturday, March 28th, from 10 AM to 12 PM at the UDC Student Center, located at 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW, in Room A01.
The purpose of these meetings is to provide information about property tax assessments and the appeals process. Staff from the Office of Tax and Revenue will be available to answer any questions related to these topics.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 