Introduction

All about the Edgewood Neighborhood of Washington, DC

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





Friday, July 31, 2015

Neighborhood Cleanup Tomorrow (with Beacon House!)

Dear Friends:

Start your August by joining tomorrow's monthly Edgewood Cleanup! Meet in front of the Rec. Center (3rd and Evarts NE) -- August 1 at 10:30 AM. Free refreshments and hot dogs for volunteers afterward, around noon. 

This month, we're proud to partner with Edgewood's own Beacon House
This community nonprofit does great work serving local at-risk youth through sports programs at the Recreation Center, homework assistance, mentoring, nutritious meals, and more. We hope you can join too!

The cleanup is sponsored by the Friends of Edgewoodwith special help from the Beacon House children's charity this month. It starts here the first Saturday of every month, and we provide bags, gloves, and snacks. All are welcome to meet friendly neighbors, clear litter from our community, and stay informed. Questions? Ask cleanup founder and local ANCsally.hobaugh@gmail.com. THANKS, and see you around!

Friends of Edgewood Recreation Center, Inc., 501(c)(3)
DC Office of the Clean City Partners & DPRCommunity Garden Park Partners

P.S. -- remember to save the date: due to yesterday's rain delay, Edgewood'sCommunity Movie Night will feature "The Princess Bride" on Thursday 8/6 at 8:30 PMby the Met Branch Trail pedestrian bridge.




Thursday, July 30, 2015

Tonight's movie night postponed

The Friends of Edgewood Outdoor Movie Night scheduled for tonight is now postponed due to rain and storms. The Outdoor Movie Night featuring the film favorite "Princess Bride" will now take place next Thursday August 6th at dusk on the Metropolitan Branch Trail (right by the pedestrian bridge and shopping center). This is a FREE event co-sponsored by MBT 5k and Partners and Friends of Edgewood. See you on Thursday! Have questions? Contact Marley Rave at marley.rave@gmail.com.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

DDOT Ward 5 Vision Zero Tonight

Just wanted to remind everyone tonight is Ward 5's turn for the Vision Zero data collecting at the RIA metro from 5-7:30 pm.  If you cannot make it you can add your feedback online:  http://visionzero.ddot.dc.gov/VisionZero/

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Rhode Island Center

Please see the press release I received from MRP today this is about the development discussed at our last SMD and ANC meetings:

MRP REALTY TO REDEVELOP RHODE ISLAND CENTER

 

Mixed-Use Mega-Project Adjacent to Rhode Island Metro will be Catalyst for NE DC Transformation

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 21, 2015) – MRP Realty, developers of commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate across the Mid-Atlantic region,  along with B&R Associates L.P., announced today the two have formed a joint venture to redevelop the shopping plaza known as Rhode Island Center into a thriving, multi-phase, mixed-use environment.

 

The first phase of the joint venture between MRP Realty and B&R Associates will include building approximately 345 residential apartment units and 47,000 square feet of retail. The project plans for a retail-activated plaza oriented to the Metropolitan Branch Trail and the new pedestrian bridge, providing access to the Rhode Island Avenue metro station. The joint venture recently retained KLNB for retail leasing, and is targeting a health club as the lead retail tenant for phase one.  The architect for the residential buildings is SK&I. 

 

“The original project was much lower in density and more geared towards auto and industrial use,"said Ryan K. Wade, founding principal of MRP Realty. "The new development will tap into the new Metro connection and the Metropolitan Branch Trail -- for both cyclists and pedestrians -- while still providing sufficient parking but at a level that reflects the range of transportation options." 

 

“Rhode Island Center is one of the rare opportunities to make a significant contribution to not only the neighborhood, but to the entire city,” added Bob Murphy, MRP Realtys managing principal. “MRP Realty and B&R Associates will be working hand-in-hand with Councilmember McDuffie and ANC 5E, as well as the D.C. Office of Planning and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development teams to transform the old shopping plaza into a vibrant development centered around Metro and the Metropolitan Branch Trail. The new Rhode Island Center will be a catalyst for the transformation of Northeast Washington and we are proud to be a part of the team.”    

 

The architecture of the redevelopment will respond to the industrial heritage of the neighborhood and the existing industrial buildings running along the Red Line through Northeast Washington, D.C. During redevelopment, the joint venture will extend the street grid through the site and introduce a new retail main street that will run from Fourth Street NE and terminate at the public plaza in front of the Rhode Island Avenue Metro entrance. A new curb-less road will form a unique public space and create an opportunity for special event programming. 

 

Additional plans for phase one include improving the Metropolitan Branch Trail by relocating it underneath the existing bridge to the Metro, creating additional green space along the trail and opening up the pedestrian bridge to the public plaza. By extending the cycling infrastructure from the Metropolitan Branch Trail to Fourth Street NE, bike lanes will have a dedicated, grade-separated trail improving cyclist safety. At its completion, the final product will include up to 200,000 square feet of retail to include a full-service grocer.

 

B&R Associates,  the original developer of the shopping center over thirty years ago, will remain an active participant on the development team.

 

“We looked at a number of different options, including an outright sale, but the opportunity to remain involved with the project through a redevelopment joint venture with MRP received strong support from the families involved with the original development,” said Brad Bernstein, managing general partner of B&R. "We are all excited to get this project moving forward, and we intend to bring increased vitality to the immediate area at Rhode Island Avenue Metro.” 

 

The joint venture has filed a planned unit development application for height with the city and is seeking stage two approval for phase one of the project which will aim to break ground in 2017.

 











Monday, July 20, 2015

Come out and learn about what ward 5 schools have to OFFER!

The time is almost here for our first annual Meet and Greet the Principals of Ward 5.  We are very excited to present this opportunity to the community.  If you are interested in learning more about the educational opportunities in the community please come to Lamond Riggs Library tomorrow night for a great event!

Don't forget to RSVP at: W5COE.ORG/JULY2015EVENT

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Vote Now: 2015 Friends of Edgewood Summer Movie Series

The 2015 Friends of Edgewood Summer Movie Series will take place at dusk at the MBT pedestrian bridge on Thursday, July 30Thursday, August 27 and Thursday, September 24.  What movies do you want to see this summer under the stars?  Now is your opportunity to vote for your favorites.  Select your top three choices via the link  below.  Voting closes on Thursday, July 23 at 11:59 PM.  We look forward to seeing you there!