Introduction

All about the Edgewood Neighborhood of Washington, DC

Questions/Comments/Story Ideas - email me at lifeontheedgewood@gmail.com





Thursday, December 19, 2013

[EdgewoodDC] Rhode Island Avenue Pedestrian Bicycle Bridge Construction Update

Hello Edgewood Neighbors! 

You have probably noticed the construction activity adjacent to the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center and Metropolitan Branch Trail, across the street from the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station.  A pedestrian and bicycle bridge is being constructed that will link the metro station to the Metropolitan Branch Trail, over Rhode Island Avenue.  

Crews recently completed the foundations and piers that will support the ramp and stairway adjacent to the Metropolitan Branch Trail and CSX railroad tracks.  The next step in the construction process is to build the ramp and stairway.  This work will continue through January 2014. Please use caution when travelling along the Metropolitan Branch Trail in this area.  The project is scheduled to be completed in January 2015.  

Please visit the project website at:rhodeislandavepedbridge.com for regular updates as well as progress photo's and digital renderings of the final design! 

Happy Holidays!  

Tom
-- 
Thomas Pipkin
Public Relations Liaison
CKI & Associates Inc.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Rhode Island Avenue NE Streetscape Comments Due TOMORROW

Please make sure to submit your feedback and suggestions to DDOT for the use of the Streetscape grant money for chnages to the sidewalks, curbs and medians along Rhode Island Avene NE. This is especially important as there is limited funding and they are not going to be able to make improvements for all of Rhode Island Ave NE. We need to ensure our voice is heard and the section of between 4th Street NE and the metro is a priority area for improvement. They will be accepting comments thru tomorrow after that they will review and the feedback they have received to guide them on segment selection. The slide presentation from the meeting can be seen on this link: http://rianortheast.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/RIA-DDOT-Public-Meeting-1.pdf

For more information see this post from a neighbor who went to the meeting:

Hello neighbors, this is actually my first time posting on the site. I am writing to encourage you to email the Department of Transportation (DDOT) regarding the upcoming Streetscape improvements of Rhode Island Ave NE. I went to the public meeting last evening on DDOT's Streetscape program. For those who have not heard, DDOT has received approximately $3 million dollars to improved the streetscapes along Rhode Island Ave NE. I know some of you are in Bloomingdale, but your neighbors to the east could use your help and support right now! 
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is undertaking a study of Rhode Island Avenue, NE between 4th Street, NE to Eastern Avenue, NE. Corridor-wide proposals will concentrate on creating a pedestrian friendly environment with amenities such as enhanced paving, site furnishings, lighting improvements, low impact development or ‘green street’ features, medians, street trees and other “green” spaces. As part of this project, DDOT is asking the community to help them identify focus areas within this 28-block study area. Detailed plans will be developed for these focus areas. 

Here is where last evening comes into play. Due to the limited funds they are planning on choosing 2 4 block areas of RI Ave NE to be completely redone. In the meeting they intimated that the areas of the corridor who they hear from the most will most likely be the areas picked for the work to be performed. They are accepting feedback from residents until next Thursday the 19th of December. 
Here is what I am asking everyone on this site to do. Please EMAIL the project and let them know you would like them to focus on the area from 4th St NE to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro. You can also provide details of things within this area you would like to see done when you send your email. Remember this is only about the streetscape, not economic development, buildings, etc. Examples of details could be more trashcans, improved lighting, new sidewalks, more trees, improved safety of the underpass to get to the RI Ave metro, etc. The more residents we get to do this, the more likely they are to pick our area of RI Ave as one of the areas that get a facelift! 
The website for this project iswww.RIAnortheast.com. Near the bottom of the page you will see the link: Contact Us:info@rianortheast.com. This is where you can email and request they focus on OUR area of RI ave NE! 
Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy email. I know it's a lot of information, but I also believe we have an unprecedented opportunity to drastically improve the Edgewood and Eckington part of RI Ave NE! Spread the word about the website and the email addressinfo@rianortheast.com. Don't forget all feedback must be received by next Thursday the 19th of December.
Let's work together and make sure our voices are heard and they choose the area of 4th St NE east to the metro to be one of the areas which are improved! 

P.S.- Here is an example of what I am going to email. Feel free to copy and past this if you like, making the necessary changes where needed, but I would encourage you to add your own ideas of what improvements you would like to see as well. 

Gabriela (or whomever else it may concern from DDOT), 
I am writing to strongly encourage you to consider the area of 4th St NE to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro as one of the focus areas for the upcoming Streetscape Project. This is a very heavily used pedestrian area of RI Ave NE for people getting to and from residential areas west of the metro as well as those who are walking to the amenities of the newly developed Rhode Island Row. Some specific examples of issues I would love to see corrected is improved sidewalks, improved lighting and increased safety of the underpass to get to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro. If some sort of barrier could be build between the narrow sidewalk and the road in the underpass that would really help with the safety of pedestrians along the busy avenue. I know all areas of Rhode Island Ave NE need improvements, but I feel this area in particular has the most density of usage and could benefit the most from this Streetscape improvement project. Thank you for your consideration of the area of 4th St NE to the Rhode Island Ave Metro as one of the focus areas. 

Sincerely, 
(your name here)

Information Meeting for Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvemen​t Grants

Do you own a business on (or near) RIA-NE? Are you interested in opening a business on (or near) RIA-NE? Come learn how you can access up to $85,000 in grant money for building improvements to grow your business! On Thursday, December 19, from 8 - 10 a.m., representatives from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) will be at Zeke's Coffee of DC (2300 RIA-NE) to share information and answer your questions about applying for this 2nd round of Great Streets Capital Improvement grants. The 1st round has already helped 7 RIA-NE businesses, so don't miss this opportunity! The application deadline is February 17 - don't wait until the last minute! This is an informal, "drop-in" event, so stop by at any point between 8 and 10 a.m. Thursday morning. To see the boundaries for eligible business addresses, to download a copy of the funding announcement, and to learn more about the Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement grant, visit www.greatstreets.dc.gov and stop by Thursday morning! What: Information session with DMPED representatives When: Thursday, Dec. 19, from 8 - 10 a.m. Where: Zeke's Coffee of DC, 2300 RIA-NE

Friday, December 6, 2013

Reminder: Neighborhood Cleanup and Cookout TOMORROW!

Hi all! Please join us for our monthly neighborhood cleanup and cookout tomorrow at 10:30 am. 

This is a special one as it marks the 5th anniversary of having monthly neighborhood cleanups!!

Come build community, fellowship and enjoy the company of your neighbors!!

Friday, November 1, 2013

1st Annual Ward 5 School Fair

1st Annual Ward 5 School Fair

Hosted by The Ward Five Council on Education

 

Saturday, November 16th 10 am – 12 pm at Dunbar Senior High School

(101 N St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20001)

For More Information: http://w5coe.org/ward-5-fair/

RSVPhttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HVVWN7B

 

Come find out about all the great things happening at Ward 5 schools, both DCPS and Charter! This event allows parents to explore the education options available for their children and community members to find ways to connect with and support schools in their communities!

 

Chat with representatives from the following Ward 5 schools:

 

Burroughs Education Campus

DC Prep PCS - Edgewood Elementary

Browne Education Campus

DC Prep PCS - Edgewood Middle

Langley Elementary

KIPP DC - Connect Academy PCS

Langdon Education Campus

KIPP DC - Spring Academy PCS

Wheatley Education Campus

KIPP - Webb Campus

Brookland Middle

Potomac Lighthouse PCS

McKinley Middle

Tree of Life PCS

McKinley Technology High

Two Rivers - Young School

Dunbar Senior High

Washington Yu Ying PCS

Phelps Architecture, Construction, and Engineering High

William Doar, Jr. PCS for the Performing Arts

Mamie D. Lee School

Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS

Youth Services Center

Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy PCS

 

Find out about education priorities and community resources from:

 

My School DC (Common Lottery) - http://www.myschooldc.org/

Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE) - http://osse.dc.gov/

Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) - http://dc.gov/DC/DME

DC Public Schools (DCPS) - http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/

DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB) - http://www.dcpcsb.org/

DC Health Link - https://www.dchealthlink.com/

DC Sustainable Energy Utility - http://www.dcseu.com/

 

For any questions, please feel free to reach out to us via email, ward5coe@gmail.com or by phone at 202-505-4309.  To learn more about the Ward Five Council on Education, please visit our website http://w5coe.org/.


-- 

Edgewood Neighborhood Cleanup: tomorrow at 10:30 AM

Happy November, Friend of Edgewood, and we hope you had a fun Halloween.
Tomorrow (Saturday, November 2) is the monthly Edgewood neighborhood cleanup.

We meet in front of the Rec. Center at 300 Evarts St. NE at 10:30. The cleanup is sponsored by the Friends of Edgewood Recreation Center and occurs the first Saturday of each month at this time and location.

Bags and gloves are provided, and friendly neighbors just pick up trash around the neighborhood including the rec center while chatting about local news or whatever, then afterwards (noonish) we meet back at the Rec for a little cookout, with free refreshments (including hot dogs and veggie dogs) for volunteers. This is a great way to meet your neighbors and show pride in our community!

You're cordially invited to join us, even if you only have a little time and can't stick around for lunch, or just want to say hi at the beginning. If you can't come out at all, keeping your block clean (or even just the area around your house) helps us cover more areas!

If you have questions, please contact Sally Hobaugh at sally.hobaugh@gmail.com -- thanks, and we hope to see you,

Friends of Edgewood Recreation Center
c/o Walter Tersch, Treasurer

Ward 5 Going Solar! Join the movement!

Please see the notes from the recent meeting and see how you can join your neighbors in creating your own solar power!

Momentum is building for a Ward 5 solar bulk purchase.   A group of interested homeowners met for a third informational session with Anya Schoolman of DC SUN (DC Solar United Neighborhoods) to learn about solar photovoltaic (solar electric panels) for our homes, what it takes to come together as a group to purchase them for our homes, what the installation process is like, and what incentives are available.

First, some background:  DC SUN is a not-for-profit group of ward based solar co-ops.  A solar Co-op is essentially a loosely affiliated group of neighbors who decide to purchase solar electric systems for their houses together to save money.  Once the solar bulk purchase is complete, they can remain affiliated to discuss any issues they are having with their solar systems, or for any other reason.  Leaders of every neighborhood group meet a few times a year to discuss city-wide issues.  There are only two semi-permanent staff members of DC-SUN (Anya Schoolman and her assistant Emily); among other things they organize and promote solar bulk purchases in neighborhoods and wards in DC.

This year they have already done a Petworth bulk purchase and a Capitol Hill bulk purchase.  What exactly does a bulk purchase entail?

A bulk purchase requires at least 20 households from a neighborhood or ward to come together to decide to purchase solar panels for their homes from one solar installer.  DC-SUN does the majority of the legwork to make this happen.  They meet with interested neighbors as many times as is required to provide information about solar electric systems and discuss the purchase process.  People who are seriously interested in purchasing solar systems with the group are then asked to sign up for the purchase process.   Those who are interested are asked some questions about their homes (like “what is the condition of your roof”) and DC-SUN will pre-screen your property using Google Earth to verify that your house is not shaded.  If you don’t pass the pre-screening process you might not be able to participate in the group but DC-SUN will still offer advice as to what you might be able to do to make your home ready for solar.  The survey you are asked to fill out when signing up for the bulk purchase also asks about your preferences regarding the installer, for example, are you concerned mainly about price, or US made panels, or DC-based installers, etc.

Once 20 people are signed up and pass the initial screen, DC-SUN issues an RFP (request for proposals); any solar installer in the area can submit bids.  Any member of the group can then join the selection committee; this committee meets and pores over all the bids.  They take into account the preferences of all the members of the group based on responses to the sign-up surveys and select one installer. Even after an installer is selected, the bulk purchase group remains open for one month, any interested households in the neighborhood can still join in and take advantage of the negotiated discount.

That installer then goes to each home that has signed up for the process, does a final inspection of the property, and if everything is good to go, signs a contract with the homeowner for installation of a system.  The installer takes care of all paperwork and permits that the city and PEPCO require.  They install the system and you’re done.

Why do this as a group?

1) Bulk purchase discount.  This is like going to Costco or Sam’s Club to buy your solar system; you are purchasing the systems as a group so the installers are able to offer you a discount.  Why?  They are concentrating on one neighborhood at a time, so they don’t have to waste time and energy traveling all over the city.  They do not have to go house to house offering estimates only to lose out to another installer; they bid on the process knowing which houses are interested but they don’t spend hours of labor to lose out on the process to another installer; this reduces their cost.  DC-SUN estimates that we will receive at least a 20% discount but participants in recent bulk purchases in other neighborhoods in DC have received significantly higher discounts.

2) DC SUN will support you through the process.  They are well known in the community, having helped hundreds of households in DC install solar systems.  They have significant clout with the DC government and with solar installers.

 

3) Neighbors can support each other through the process as well.  This can not only be helpful when going through the installation process, but say for example 5 neighbors determine that they would like to upgrade the windows in their homes to complement their new solar system….theycan band together to look for a contractor that can install the windows and maybe secure their own bulk purchase discount.  This would be done independently of DC-SUN since DC-SUN concentrates solely on solar.

What incentives are available?

Over its 20-25 year lifetime, a system will generate thousands of dollars worth of electricity.  The value depends on the size, and since it’s not something you receive up front, it’s hard to talk about in regard to financing a system, but know that it’s thousands of dollars.

1)
1:1 net metering.  What does this mean?  Once your system is installed, it is tied into the grid.  Whenever you generate more electricity than you produce, your electricity flows through your meter, out to the grid and powers someone else’s house or business.  You get a credit for every kWH (kilowatt-hour) that your system provides to the grid.  When your system produces less electricity than you need, you consume electricity from the grid and are charged for it.  At the end of the month PEPCO figures out how much you sent to the grid and how much you took from it, and only charges you for the difference between what you took from PEPCO and what you gave them.  Sounds obvious, but in some jurisdictions this is NOT the case.  Fortunately in ours it is.
On a related note, a solar installer cannot install a system that provides more electricity than you will consume over a year.  This will likely not be an issue for most people due to the limited size of DC roofs.
2)
DC Grant. This is on hold.  Up until the end of last fiscal year DC was allowing people to continue to sign up for the waiting list for a relatively small grant for homeowners who install solar systems.  It MAY be resurrected in the spring, but don’t count on it in your calculations.
3)
Federal Tax Credit.  You receive 30% of the total cost of the system when you do next year’s taxes.  You still have to pay up front for the system but when you file your tax return, you will receive a 30% CREDIT (not a deduction) from the federal government.  It is not available for rental houses, but if you have a rental you may have other incentives at your disposal like accelerated depreciation or other things that I know nothing about.
4)
The most complicated incentive is the SREC or Solar Renewable Energy Credit.  The easiest way of thinking about this is whenever you generate solar electricity from your system, you are also generating an abstract “green value” of your electricity.  Through law and regulation, this abstract concept becomes worth something called an SREC.  You can either sign your rights away to all theSRECs your system will ever generate and get a cash payment from your installer (which ends up being a discount applied against the cost of your system).  Right now that up-front one-time cash payment is a little over $1200/kW installed. 

OR, you can keep your SRECs and sell them as they accrue through brokers like SRECtrade.com or solsystems.com.   In the long run it is generally believed that this will get you more money, but is riskier than just taking an up front payment.  Every time your system produces 1,000 kWH of electricity, you get one SREC.

The longer version of the SREC story is that PEPCO is required by DC law to put a certain amount of solar PV production on the grid.  For whatever reason they don’t actually do this, so instead they can buy SRECs tosatisify the solar requirement.  Due to laws/regulations, the value of an SREC should hold steady until 2016, after which it will likely drop in value.
5)
Bulk purchase discount as discussed above.


Example for a 3 KW system:  price before incentives: $13,500
Bulk Purchase discount (20%)  - $2700
SREC upfront payment ($1200/kW):  -3750
Initial upfront cost: $7,505
Federal tax credit (30% of system cost):  -3240

Estimated energy savings in one year $-480

Total cost (after one year): $3,330

 

Other issues:

FUNDING FOR DC-SUN.  Anya was very up front about this – for the first time, for every signed contract the chosen installer will donate $500 to DC-SUN.  This will provide a funding stream for people from DC-SUN to be able to take the time to continue to go to community meetings to promote solar bulk purchases and other solar projects in DC.

 

Community Solar.  A law was recently passed in DC that allows one solar project to provide electricity to multiple consumers in DC.  For example, if you installed a solar system on your house but have 2 units inside the house, you will soon be able to share the electricity between the units.  Or, if you have a condo with a shared roof, some or all of the condo owners could install solar on their roof and share the electricity that the system generates (basically each member would get a credit on their PEPCO bill reflecting the power that the panels have generated).  Or, if you lived in an apartment and you wanted to buy into a large system installed on top of a warehouse, the new legislation will allow you to do so.  This is not quite ready to be implemented yet and doesn’t apply to our bulk purchase since the law was just passed last month, but it will be coming soon.

 

Green roofs.  If you want to go all out and install a green roof and a solar system on your house, you may want to go it alone.  There is one installer in the area that does both.  A green roof is essentially an upgraded roof that has soil and plants on it; it provides added insulation for your house and manages rainwater in a controlled fashion, decreasing pollution.  It is possible to install a green roof and solar panels but it is more difficult and costly.

Electrical systems. Some people expressed concern about the age of their wiring and panel boxes in their house and whether they could handle installation of a solar system. This should not be an issue.  In the worst case scenario someone with a very old electrical panel may need to spend around $500 to upgrade their panel.

Leasing/Financing.  Some installers will offer leases where they own the system, they get all the SRECs, and you buy your electricity from them.  This is probably cheaper than buying from PEPCO but not as financially beneficial in the long run as buying a system outright.  Some installers will offer financing and that can be something the selection committee uses when weighing companies bid’s against each other.

Roof condition.  If you need a new roof, you have two options:  1) you can have a new roof installed prior to solar PV installation; in which case you could still participate in the bulk purchase process or 2) you can go it alone with the one contrator in the DC area (Maggioroofing) who offers a solar integrated roof.  This can be expensive, but offers the benefit of one receipt showing the installation of a solar system integrated into your new roof; supposedly it is completely legal to receive the 30% federal tax rebate on the entire cost of the roof + solar since it’s an integrated system.  If you need a new roof and are interested in the integrated solar roof, it may be worth at least getting a quote from Maggio.

 

What’s next?

We already have 20 households signed up, so in early November DC-SUN will be issuing an RFP, with a goal for a selection committee to form and meet before Thanksgiving.  The goal is then to have the company selected and pricing information be available by the end of November.  Sign up for the process would be open until the end of December and installation would continue until the installer is done with all homes that have signed up.  Those homeowners who sign up earliest will be offered installation first.

 

If you’re ready to sign up, go to:

 

bitly.com/ward5bulkpurchase

 

For more information, check out: https://sites.google.com/site/dcsolarunitedneighborhoods/

You can join their google group which has tons of postings from people in DC who may have already dealt with the issue you want to know more about

If you can’t find answers to your questions there, contactward5@dcsun.org

 

 


Saturday, October 26, 2013

New Schools COMING

Looks like we will be getting new schools to fill the old Shaed School Building.  These schools are planing to open for the 2014-15 school year.  I know this will make lot of new parents in the neighborhood very happy.  

http://mayor.dc.gov/release/shaed-elementary-school-awarded-public-charter-schools-and-two-additional-school-buildings

Friday, October 25, 2013

Monroe Street Market Art in The Mix


 

MSM

On Saturday, October 26, Monroe Street Market is hosting Art in the Mix, an arts festival featuring live music, food trucks, family activities and open studios. CulturalDC managed the selection and placement of the current group of artists who have activated the studios along the Arts Walk. Monroe Street Market is located at716 Monroe Street NE. For more information on the festival visit www.culturaldc.org/2013/10/monroe-street-market-arts-festival.

DCTV IS TURNING 25!

DCTV IS TURNING 25!

Join us on Saturday, October 26th from 3-7pm for a wonderful evening of jazz, favorite local food vendors and a special awards ceremony for Washington Stars.  Hosted by DCTV Board Chair Kojo Nnamdi - this is an evening not to miss!

 

DCTV, the Nation's community television network, provides media training to its 700+ members and youth serving organizations, operates a state-of-the-art production facility, telecasts 8,000 hours of community produced programs annually that reach more that 350,000 viewers.  Always cutting edge DCTV's programs are streamed  live onDCTV.ORG and programs can be viewed anytime, anywhere on any mobile device.  DCTV strives to set a new standard for community media centers. 

 

Join us as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary and vision out for the next 25 years.  DCTV - a new vision for illuminating community media!

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2013

3:00 - 7:00 PM

BROOKS MANSION

901 Newton Street, NE

Washington, DC  20017

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Invitation to DC Water's Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project Public Meeting and Open House

Please see message below from DC Water. 

Greetings:

By now, you have probably received information on our upcoming public meeting and open house for the Northeast Boundary Tunnel portion of our Clean Rivers Project through a series of media and outreach measures including robo-calls, mailed informational flyers, online press release, Twitter and Facebook postings. This email seeks to do the same, provide you important information on the meeting while extending a formal invitation for you to attend.

The 5-mile long, 23-ft. diameter tunnel is designed to help convey combined-sewer overflows away from local waterways and also provide flood relief to chronic flood areas in the Northeast Boundary area of the District.

As you will see on the attached flyer, the main purpose for the meeting will be to share information on the Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project in the form of a presentation and series of project display boards and receive public comments on the project that may be included in the following Environmental Assessment for the project. Please understand this is a critical public involvement process for the project, and DC Water needs to hear from you!

The date, time and location of the meeting are as follows:
WHEN: Thursday, October 17, 2013, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: McKinley Technology High School, 151 T Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002

Finally, an interactive web page has been created to view more detailed information on the Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project and also to submit comments on the project and/or meeting online. You may find the web page at:http://www.dcwater.com/NortheastBoundaryTunnelEA

Thanks much for your time, and we hope to see you all at the meeting on October 17!!

Ward 5 Solar Bulk Purchase (Co-Op) Informational Meeting

Please see the message below about getting solar installed at a discount.  I installed solar 3 years ago and generate about 85% of my own power now.  We have great roofs in Edgewood for solar!  

If you are interested at all I highly recommend it and I am always happy to answer questions as well. 

While it's taken a little longer than initially expected, a number of us in Ward 5 have signed up to move forward with a Solar electricity system bulk purchase. Another informational meeting will take place on October 24 at 7pm at the Summit at St. Martins, 116 T St NE. Anyone from Ward 5 or neighboring areas is welcome to attend; information discussed will include what it takes to install solar PVs on your home, what incentives are available, and how and why we can accomplish a bulk purchase. The short answers to these topics are: it's not that difficult, a number of incentives are available, and doing a bulk purchase with your neighbors can help you save a huge amount of money on a solar photo-voltaic electricity system for your house. We are getting close to having enough people signed up to move forward with a bulk purchase of solar electricity systems, so if you're interested in buying a system for your own home, now's the time to check things out. 

If you plan on coming please RSVP toward5@dcsun.org. You can use that address to ask any questions you might have as well.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Recap Shaed School Building Surplus Meeting

The meeting was packed into the small field house that we call the Edgewood Recreation Center- it was crowded, hot and hard to hear so I was not there for the whole meeting and did not hear everything said while I was there either.  If you had a better seat or were able to hear more please add your input in the comments for this post.

The general message from DGS is that DCPS has released the building and any charter schools that are interested in using it have until August 30th to file an application.  While I was told in the past that there were no charter schools interested it seems that now there are including some Montessori schools.  The first rights for the building go to a charter school.  I know that there are quite a few families with young children (or children on the way) in the neighborhood that would love to be able to walk their children to a Montessori school.  In fact some neighbors have moved because of the lack of quality schools in our neighborhood.  While there is a whole separate debate about charter schools and what they mean for our school system I do not feel the need to engage in that and simply want to support what is best for our community.  A great school that we can walk to would be a terrific amenity.  That said the push should be to get a great school and then to ensure that there is a neighborhood priority for enrollment.  It does us no good to get a great new charter school and then be unable to get neighborhood children enrolled in it!!

There was also a lot of loud opposition to a charter school and talk of use of the building for a recreation center.  The idea of making a community center (one that I have been advocating for over the years) out of the building that includes DPR use as well as nonprofit use and programming would be a community amenity whose value would be immense if run properly.  But if that cannot be done as there may be a new school going into the school building then the community needs to come together and demand that we still get an improved recreation center and programming.  There is no reason that we cannot have both a great school and a new recreation center.  The land use for the Edgewood neighborhood is poorly designed and maintained with proper planning we could keep our outdoor space and create a new recreation center with indoor space as well.  Within the past five years there was $14-15 million in the DC budget to do just that but that money was moved to another community.  We need to fight to get the money back in the budget and create the space that can be enjoyed by all ages.

I did hear the people in the front of the meeting say they need to hear from the community about what we want-  my thoughts on this is that they are just not listening!!  For years many different people and groups, myself included, have been advocating for improved recreational facilities and programming in the Edgewood neighborhood and it is time the city takes action! 

Please contact CM McDuffie and ensure that he is taking action and supporting our needs!  He needs to be a leader on this issue!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Big Week for Edgewood


Tonight is the meeting for the surplusing of the Edgewood Shaed Elementary School Building.  It is important that everyone attend to give their input of what happens to the building.  I have been advocating for turning it into a Recreation Center/Nonprofit building which would host classes and activities for the community.  Others in the neighborhood would like it to become a charter school and with all the new children in the neighborhood that idea has merits as well especially if a quality school would like to open. 
The meeting is at the Edgewood Recreation Center hosted by DGS.

For those of you that do not follow me on Twitter-  I wanted to add a blog post about the starting of construction of the pedestrian bridge for the Metropolitan Branch Trail to the Rhode Island Avenue metro station.  Ever since I moved to Edgewood over 5 years ago now I have been following the developments around this much needed bridge and how it will change the daily lives of so many of my neighbors for the better!  I have been pushing DDOT, the DC Council members and mayor for a start date and this week it is happening!  The bridge should be completed by December 2014/February 2015.  The project has its own website so we can follow the progress -   http://rhodeislandavepedbridge.com/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/SitePages/Home.aspx

Two of the biggest issues in Edgewood are moving forward this week which is really exciting! 

Friday, August 2, 2013

Art on 8th: Dance Place continues its series of free creative events throughout September, 2013

Dance Place in partnership with CulturalDC and Monroe Street Market expands its indoor dance performance series with interdisciplinary arts events entitled Art on 8th, which include events in the NE and NW quadrants of Washington, DC. 

Art on 8th is designed to bring people of all ages, backgrounds and interests together to enjoy and experience interactive programs of music, dance and visual arts.

All events are free, open to the public. September 2013 events in the Art on 8th NE program take place on 8th Street North East on the Arts Plaza and Dance Place’s Studio 21 on the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market and at Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE.

 

Art on 8th NE September Calendar

September 5 at 6:30pm: Freddie Dunn Quartet: Live Jazz Quartet
September 6 at 7:00pm: DC Casineros: Cuban Salsa
September 7 at 12:30pm: Arts and Crafts with Luis Peralta

September 12 at 6:30pm: Leonardo Lucini: Brazilian Jazz
September 13 at 6:30pm: Coyaba Dance Theater: African Dance
September 14 at 12:30pm: Arts and Crafts with Luis Peralta

September 19 at 6:30pm: Duende Quartet: Smooth Latin Jazz
September 20 at 6:30pm: DC Casineros: Cuban Salsa
September 21 all day: Brookland Arts and Family Day

September 26 at 6:30pm: Vibe Collective: Afro-Cuban Improv Jazz
September 27 at 5:30pm: Freddie Dunn and Carla Perlo: Live Jazz and participatory hooping
September 28 at 12:30pm: Arts and Crafts with Luis Peralta

Art on 8th NE continues until October 26, 2013, featuring music on Thursday evenings, interactive dance concerts with dance sessions on Friday evenings and arts/crafts workshops on Saturdays.

Art on 8th NW continues on October 26,2013 with activities supporting the forthcoming Dancing the Dream exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

 

About the Art on 8th Program

The Art on 8th program is made possible by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town program, as well as partnerships with CulturalDC, Monroe Street Market (Bozzuto Group/Abdo Development), the National Portrait Gallery and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Dance Place's Art on 8th is part of the organization's Program Enhancement Fund, a $500,000 multi-year initiative to offer expanded free community arts and cultural programming. The Program Enhancement Fund is an integral aspect of Dance Place'sMoving Forward campaign, which also includes renovations the Dance Place's facility and enhanced operational reserves. 

 

About Dance Place

Founded in 1980, Dance Place builds a community of artists, audiences, and students through high quality performances, commissions, training and educational program. We are committed to enriching the field of dance locally, nationally and internationally. Our thriving arts campus serves as an anchor in the development of our Brookland neighborhood in Washington, DC.

From August 2013 until March 2014 the Dance Place theater on 8th Street NE will be closed for major renovations. During that time Dance Place’s performance program will continue in other venues around DC, including Monroe Street Market Arts Plaza, the National Portrait Gallery, Atlas Performing Arts Center, the Arts Club of Washington DC and the Betts Theatre at the George Washington University. Dance Place will maintain its full program of adult and kids dance classes at the Brookland Artspace Lofts, and The Edgewood Arts Building on the corner of 8th Street NE and Monroe Street.     

 

WHAT: Art on 8th NE September Calendar of Events
WHO: Dance Place in partnership with CulturalDC and the Monroe Street Market
WHEN: Every Thurs – Sat during September 2013
WHERE:  Various locations on 8th Street NE. Check the schedule for exact location of each event.
TICKETS: All events are free and open to the general public.

For more information visitwww.danceplace.org or call (202) 269-1600

Edgewood Neighborhood Cleanup Tomorrow

Just wanted to send out a reminder that tomorrow is the Edgewood Neighborhood monthly cleanup. The group meets in front of the Edgewood Rec Center at the corner of 3rd and Evarts NE at 10:30 a.m. The cleanup is sponsored by the Friends of Edgewood Recreation Center and occurs the first Saturday of every month same time and location. The group picks up trash around the neighborhood including the rec center and has a cookout afterwards.


This is a great way to meet your neighbors and show pride in our neighborhood!

If you cannot come try and cleanup around your block today or tomorrow morning so we can cover more areas!!!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Notice of Funding Availability Issued by DSLBD for a Rhode Island Avenue NE Main Street Operator

DEPARTMENT OF SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

 

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY

 

DC Main Streets 

(Rhode Island Avenue, NE - Ward 5 Target Area)

 

The Department of Small and Local Business Development is soliciting applications from qualified 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations that are incorporated in the District of Columbia to operate a DC Main Streets program for the Rhode Island Avenue, NE commercial corridor in Ward 5.

 

The designated DC Main Streets program (organization) will receive $200,000 in grant funding and technical assistance to support commercial revitalization initiatives. The Rhode Island Avenue Main Streets organization will develop programs and services to: (1) assist business districts with the retention, expansion and attraction of neighborhood-serving retail stores; and (2) unify and strengthen the commercial corridor. The DC Main Streets grant award is a recurring grant.

 

The grant recipient will be selected through a competitive application process and announced September2013.  Interested applicants should review the Program’s Guidelines and submit a complete application form for receipt via email on or beforeWednesday, August 28, 2013, at 4:00 p.m.

 

The Request for Application (RFA), which comprises the application form and program guidelines, will be available on July 26, 2013 at www.dslbd.dc.gov .

 

Instructions and guidance regarding application preparation can be found in the RFA. DSLBD will host an Information Session on August 8, 2013 at 3:00 pmat DSLBD’s office (441 4th Street, NW, Washington DC 20001; photo required to enter building).  All applicant organizations must attend.  This session will be your finalopportunity to get answers to your questions.

 

For more information, contact Cristina Amoruso, DC Main Streets Coordinator, Office of Commercial Revitalization, Department of Small and Local Business Development at (202) 727-3900.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Shaed School

Hello Ward 5 Residents,

 As you know, the Hamilton and Shaed School properties have sat vacant for quite some time.  On July 15, the Department of General Services (DGS) issued a Request for Offers (RFO) for the sites.  The deadline for the RFO is on August 14. 

 Public input is important and is received at several points during the RFO process. On July 11, DGS held a public hearing on the surplus of the Hamilton and Shaed Schools. An additional hearing on the surplus of the Shaed School property will be held on August 21.

Finally, on August 20, DGS has scheduled a hearing to provide residents with an opportunity to hear from parties who submit bids on the Hamilton property. A similar meeting for the Shaed School should be scheduled shortly and our office will circulate a notice as soon as we receive the information.

Please see the details for the hearings below:

 

SHAED SCHOOL

 

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS REGARDING

SURPLUS RESOLUTIONS PURSUANT TO D.C. OFFICIAL CODE 10-801

 

The District will conduct a public hearing to receive public comments on the proposed surplus of the following District properties. The date, time and location shall be as follows:

 

Properties:      Square 3552, Lot 0816 – 301 Douglas Street, NE (“Shaed Elementary School Building”)

 

                                               

Date:                    August 21, 2013

Time:                   6:00 p.m.

Location:          Edgewood Recreation Center

NoMa Beer Fest Brings Together DC’s Local Breweries


 

WASHINGTON, DC, July 19, 2013 – DC’s favorite beer-makers converge for NoMa Beer Fest Saturday, August 17, a free outdoor festival finale to DC Beer Week (Aug. 11-18). Sample special summer ales available only for this festival, and discover a new favorite! Enjoy live music, DJ entertainment, games by DC Bocce League for the whole family, and tasty eats from Union Kitchen and local food trucks. All-local breweries include DC Brau, Chocolate City Brewing Company, District Chophouse, Capital City Brewing Company, Three Stars Brewing Co., The Brewer’s Art (Baltimore) and Right Proper Brewery (opening soon in Shaw). Bike parking and Met Branch Trail ride to the event by Washington Area Bicyclist Association. Follow @NoMaBID and #NoMaBeerFest for updates on beer selection, food vendors, live music, games and free giveaways. Full details atwww.NoMaBeerFest.org.

 

Details:

DateSaturday, August 17, 2 pm to 8 pm

Location: Parking Lot at 1250 First Street, NE (at N Street)

Metro: NoMa/Gallaudet U (Red Line)

Admission: Free and open to the public

 

Event admission is free, but purchase your beer tickets online now! Not sure what to drink? Purchase the tasting tickets for smaller pours of the beer you want to explore. DC Bocce will be on hand with Bear Pong (that is not a typo), a larger-than-life version of ‘beer pong,’ bocce courts, and of course a kiddie corner. IDs will be checked at the gate. This event is rain or shine. Entrance is at First and N Streets, NE. Organized by the NoMa BID. Hosted by The JBG Companies. Sponsored by Union Kitchen, Trilogy NoMa, and Archstone First + M. Thanks to our partners Washington Area Bicyclist Association, DC Bocce League, DC Brau, District Chophouse, Capitol City Brewing Company, Right Proper Brewing Company, Chocolate City Beer, Three Stars Brewing Company, and The Brewer’s Art.