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/

Reminder: Edgewood DDOT Meeting Tonight

Rhode Island Avenue NE Streetscape Input

If you were not able to attend the Open House with DDOT this week you have the opportunity to provide feedback on designs online. Do it soon because it is only for a week that they are accepting more comments. 

The slide presentation for the Open House is now online as well as the concept alternatives. You have one week to provide us with feedback, after that our team will get to work on the final concepts.

To view the slide presentation and concept alternatives click on the link below:

http://rianortheast.com/

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)

DC Tree Canopy Fact Sheet

DDOT Announces Solicitation of Bids for Construction of Rhode Island Avenue Pedestrian Bridge

Please see the press release below about the pedestrian bridge from the Met Branch Trail to the Rhode Island Ave metro station!!!  It looks like we could have it built and maybe even finished next year!!!!

Government of the District of Columbia
Department of Transportation For Immediate Release
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Media Contact: John Lisle at 202-671-2004, john.lisle@dc.gov

DDOT Announces Solicitation of Bids for Construction of Rhode Island Avenue Pedestrian Bridge

Construction of Key Connection to Metropolitan Branch Trail to Begin Next Year(Washington, D.C.)

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced a solicitation of bids for the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the CSX railroad tracks at the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station. The bridge links to the Metropolitan Branch Trail and will be a safe passageway for community members who currently use the Rhode Island Avenue underpass, which is narrow and dark, or who cross the active railroad tracks illegally. Combined with last year’s completion of the Metropolitan Branch Trail, from New York Avenue to Franklin Street, the bridge will also increase access to transit and recreation for thousands of residents.

The truss bridge is designed in the style of an old railroad bridge. The design is the result of unprecedented cooperation among numerous stakeholders including DDOT, WMATA, CSX, utility companies and the community. Following award of a construction contract, work could start sometime next year. Bids are due December 5, 2011. Bid documents are available at the OCP Bid Room on the 3rd floor of the Reeves Center at 2000 14th Street, NW.

For procurement information contact Bernetha Armwood at (202) 671-1563. For technical information contact Mr. Mohamed Dahir at (202) 671-4617.

The Metropolitan Branch Trail is a multi-use trail that runs from Union to Silver Spring, linking people to jobs, schools, stores and mass transit. Three miles of the planned trail have been completed to date.

Heather Deutsch
Bicycle Program Specialist/Trail Planner
Policy, Planning & Sustainability Administration
District Department of Transportation
We've moved to...55 M Street, SE, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20003
tel: 202.671.2638
fax: 202.671.0617
mailto:heather.deutsch@dc.gov
http://www.ddot.dc.gov/

Join Mayor Gray’s One City • One Hire - 10,000 Jobs Campaign
“Putting District Residents Back to Work – One Hire at a Time”
Learn more at http://onecityonehire.org/

Support the DC One Fund Campaign, Each One Give One.
Learn more at http://www.dconefund.org/ or http://www.onefund.dc.gov/. One City, Working Together!

CSX Holding up Pedestrian Bridge in Edgewood

CSX is holding up the building of the pedestrian bridge in Edgewood from the Met Branch Trail to the Rhode Island Avenue metro station.  Last year I wrote about the planned bridge to improve safety and access to the metro station from Edgewood.  Here is a link that shows the plans for the bridge and all the reasons that it is desperately needed!  I wrote about the number of people that would dangerously cross the railroad tracks and get stuck in the barbwire cutting themselves.  I have written multiple times about how the narrow sidewalks under the bridge and the decrepit staircase to the metro are dangerous for pedestrians. 

The major hurdles such as designing the bridge, WMATA easements and funding are already accomplished leaving CSX as the last hurdle before DDOT can move the project forward.  CSX must grant DC air rights to the space above their railroad tracks in order for the bridge to be built.  CSX was very quick to erect prison-style chainlink and barbwire fencing around the tracks after the completion of the Met Branch Trail in Edgewood.  Why now when there is a safer, more attractive alternative to crossing the tracks are they dragging their feet?

We must put pressure on them to move the project forward!!  I have been emailing Harry Thomas Jr. and his staff about this for years now and have decided to move on to Tommy Wells to try and get this accomplished.  Please email, tweet and call them both until something is done.  The more voices and reminders the better!

Here is the contact information that you will need:

Harry Thomas, Jr., Ward 5
Office: 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 107, NW Washington, DC 20004
Tel: (202) 724-8028
Fax: (202) 724-8076
Email: hthomas@dccouncil.us

Key Staff

Ayawna Chase
Chief of Staff
(202)724-8024
achase@dccouncil.us

James Pittman
Legislative Counsel
(202) 724-8114
jpittman@dccouncil.us

Victoria Leonard - Chambers
Director, Policy and Strategic Communication
(202) 727-8204
Vleonard@dccouncil.us

Neil Rodgers
Committee Clerk
(202) 724-8155
nrodgers@dccouncil.us

Marjorie Barnes
Administrative Assistant
(202) 724-8028
mbarnes@dccouncil.us

Monique Smith
Specialist/Scheduler
(202) 724-8918
msmith@dccouncil.us



Tommy Wells, Ward 6
Office: 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 408, NW Washington, DC 20004
Tel: (202) 724-8072
Fax: (202) 724-8054
Email: twells@dccouncil.us

Key Staff

Charles Allen
Chief of Staff
callen@dccouncil.us

Myisha Atchison
Administrative Assistant / Scheduler
matchison@dccouncil.us

Linda O’Brien
Deputy Chief of Staff
lobrien@dccouncil.us

Daniel Connor
Policy Specialist
dconnor@dccouncil.us

Bonnie Cain
Policy Advisor for Education
(202) 724-8072
bcain@dccouncil.us

Tawanna Shuford
Director of Constituent Services
(202) 724-8072
tshuford@dccouncil.us

Naomi Mitchell
Community Liaison
nmitchell@dccouncil.us

Pat Joseph
Constituent Services Specialist
pjoseph@dccouncil.us

Jonathon Kass
Committee Director
jkass@dccouncil.us

Brian Davidson
Intern, Policy and Legislation
bdavidson@dccouncil.us

Anne Phelps
Committee Counsel
aphelps@dccouncil.us

Vivian McCarter
Constituent Services Specialist
vmccarter@dccouncil.us

History Lesson: Rhode Island Ave/Brentwood Metro Station Used to be a Cemetery

File this under things I learned on Twitter (h/t @fuzzface01) the Rhode Island Ave/Brentwood Metro Station used to be a cemetery. Apparently it was moved to build the metro station and a DDOT impound lot. Here is the information on the historical marker which I am going to grab a picture of next time I am up there. Here is another article about it.

Streetcars and Rhode Island Ave

As the construction of the H Street Streetcar infrastructure (tracks, pole foundations, conduits) is finishing up with a projected completion date of October 2011 and the Anacostia Streetcar line is starting with public meetings I was interested to see where Rhode Island Ave stands in the plans. DDOT has launched a website for the DC Streetcars.

What I learned is that the Rhode Island Ave Streetcar segment is part of Phase II and DDOT is still working on the initial segments which are not scheduled to be operational until March 2012. Once the initial segments are done then they will be doing Phase I and then us. So, it seems that we have quite awhile before we see the streetcars in our area. They have posted the full plan and proposed map which is exciting to look at even though realistically it will be awhile especially with our current budget situation. The Rhode Island Ave line will run from Eastern Ave all the way down Rhode Island Ave to Florida Ave where it will connect with the Florida Ave line. Proposed stops on Rhode Island Ave are at Eastern Ave NE, South Dakota Ave NE, 18th Street NE, 13th Street NE, Rhode Island Ave/Brentwood Metro Station, 3rd Street NE, North Capitol, and Florida Ave. For now we can be excited that come March 2012 we can take the Met Branch Trail from Edgewood down to Union Station and ride the streetcar down H Street.

Snow, Ice and Sidewalks

Please remember that it is your responsibility to clear the sidewalks around your house! Also, think about your neighbors that might not be able to clear theirs - out of town, elderly, disabled, etc. - and help them out as well. I tend to clear at least half if not my whole side of the block while I am out there. I already did it this morning and will be back out there again if we get more tonight. It's good exercise and I know that I and my neighbors can then walk safely down our block.

The Future of the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center

The Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center at the edge of Edgewood is an homage to suburban shopping centers in the city and was built in the late 1980s. I met part of the Vanguard Realty Group at the DCBIA Met Branch Trail project volunteering and thanks to my favorite DDOT employee I was able to talk to him in length about the shopping center and the changes that are coming to it and the community. I was surprised to learn that while most of the attention has been about Safeway leaving and the center needing a new grocery store, especially from the seniors, the rest of the center is fully leased. Here is the listing for the empty Safeway space.

Here are the current tenants of the center:

Forman Mills
Key Kiosk
Judy's Beauty Supply
Rainbow
H&R Block
Cricket
Rent-A-Center
Susan Fashion
Subway
Popeyes
Ashley Stewart
Payless ShoeSource
CVS/Pharmacy
Neighborhood Legal Services Program
New Vision Photography Program, Inc.
Zipcar

The truth is that Safeway left our neighborhood with a year left on their lease. I would like people to take that in, as well as, the condition of the store and conclude that Safeway was not going to invest in the Edgewood community. When people were protesting Safeway leaving and wanting the City Council to intervene I was very confused. I shopped there occasionally because it was quick to walk to, but besides the location the only thing it had going for it was a few really great employees.

What's next for that space? The Vanguard Realty Group is actively trying to lease the space and was in talks with a discount grocery store and a discount retail store last time I checked. I have put in a call to see if there are any updates and will let you know as soon as I do. I was told that whatever moves in it will not happen until Spring 2011. They are looking for a store that will sign a 10 year lease and that is complicating matters. Most of the stores in that center have about 8-10 years left on their leases except for Forman Mills which has about 12 years.

You may be wondering why the length of the leases matters so much and that is because all of this is background to my questions about the future of the center. If you attended any of the Rhode Island Avenue Great Streets meetings you would know that the plan suggested extending roads into this shopping center and making it more urban and pedestrian friendly. Given the current lease terms it looks like the development of this shopping center will not happen for another 8-12 years. While I am sad to report this I will say I do feel more positive about the shopping center and their plan for growth. The owners of the shopping center and the leasing agent have been very active in the community. They have allowed for the creation of community murals, an entrance to the Met Branch Trail, volunteered with DCBIA community improvement day on the trail, been supportive of hosting an Edgewood Farmer's Market, and are excited about the pedestrian bridge from their center to the metro. They have also stated that they would be open to developing the center one half at a time if Forman Mills is the only one left with a lease.

Environmental Assessment of Met Branch Trail

The Environmental Assessment (EA) required to continue the sections of the Met Branch Trail from Fort Totten to Takoma (and including the Prince George's Connector) is now available for public comment. Go to the link below to review and send your comments (which must be submitted by Dec. 15, 2010).

http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/About+DDOT/News+Room/Public+Notices/Notice+of+Public+Availability+for+the+Metropolitan+Branch+Trail+Environmental+Assessment

d. Heather Deutsch | Bicycle Program Specialist/Trail Planner | Policy, Planning & Sustainability Administration | District Department of Transportation | 2000 14th St., NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20009 | tel: 202.671.2638 | fax: 202.671.0617 | heather.deutsch@dc.gov | www.ddot.dc.gov

WBJ: DDOT has issues with Abdo's Brookland/Edgewood project road-related plans

See this Washington Business Journal article on the Jim Abdo Brookland/Edgewood project.

Transportation officials don`t like route Brookland project is taking

Premium content from Washington Business Journal - by Michael Neibauer

Date: Thursday, November 4, 2010, 1:57pm EDT.

[http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/print-edition/2010/11/05/transportation-officials-dont-like.html]



Few major projects have coasted through the District`s complex development process like Abdo Development LLC`s 8.9-acre, mixed-use mammoth that will connect the Brookland and Edgewood neighborhoods.

However, the D.C. Department of Transportation, one of the last bureaucratic hurdles to be cleared, has become an unpleasant, if not unexpected, bump in the road.

DDOT detailed its opposition to a half dozen roadway-related pieces of the Northeast D.C. project in an Oct. 20 memo to the D.C. Office of the Surveyor. The challenge, which the department describes as procedural, has nonetheless slowed an otherwise fast-moving redevelopment that promises to transform the neighborhoods.

It`s been relatively smooth sailing for the $225 million development on the former south campus of The Catholic University of America, where Abdo is working with Bozzuto Development Co. and Pritzker Realty.

The project is expected to include 800-plus residential units, 45 townhouses, close to 85,000 square feet of retail, 27 artist studios and exhibit space. A tunnel will link the project with the Brookland/CUA Metro station.

The planned-unit development application has the D.C. Zoning Commission`s approval and a thumbs up community groups. It is backed by Mayor-elect Vincent Gray.

But developers still need the council`s OK to close portions of streets and adjust rights of way — the legally granted access to property owned by someone else — to make room for construction and realigned intersections. That`s where DDOT comes in.

The agency has problems with all but one of the developers` road-related plans, although DDOT doesn`t want its written opposition to be seen as actual opposition.

``In the world of street closures, the legal counsel is that we must write our reports to `object until and unless,``` wrote Karina Ricks, associate director for the DDOT`s Policy, Planning and Sustainability Administration, in an e-mail. ``Although the report, at first reading, very much sounds like an objection, it is not.``

Legislation before the council would authorize the creation of a right-turn lane at Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street, realignment of the Seventh Street and Michigan intersection into a T-intersection at the entrance to the university, development of a public square at Michigan and Monroe featuring a clock tower and fountain, and the redevelopment of Eighth Street from Monroe to the Michigan Avenue viaduct as a pedestrian-only walkway that ends in a public piazza.

But those plans, developers say, mean closing portions of Monroe, Seventh and Eighth streets and Bunker Hill Road, removing some public land from D.C.`s long-term highway plan and dedicating some public property on Monroe to the right-turn lane.

Ricks told the surveyor she opposes all but one of those plans for reasons including roadway design issues and traffic impacts. The developers responded in testimony before the council that the roadway changes are critical and ``we will not be able to satisfy`` several DDOT objections.

The parties say this back-and-forth won`t kill the deal even if it does add delays.

The DDOT is ``very supportive of the development plan,`` Ricks said, but legally the agency has to oppose it. Abdo will have to file more material to satisfy the concerns, Ricks said, such as establishing an easement to ensure the department retains the ability to maintain the Michigan Avenue bridge.

Toby Millman, Abdo`s vice president of project development, agreed that DDOT`s opposition is a matter of course. The agency, he said, doesn`t have a another word in its legal toolbox to denote ``concern.`

Metropolitan Branch Trail Safety

I have been thinking about this topic and post for awhile now and wanted to wait until I had all my thoughts together to write it. I love the Met Branch Trail - I walk, ride and run on it many times a week if not every day. I have never had a problem or unpleasant interaction while I am on it. Earlier this summer there were a rash of incidents of kids throwing rocks at people and if you have not heard this past week some kids threw urine on a biker. There have been other reports of people being pushed off their bikes and injured or hit. All of these reports upset me and enrage me that a community amenity is being abused instead of celebrated.

Then the question arises is how do we stop these kind of things from happening and make the trail a place everyone can enjoy? There are many things that are being and have been done. DDOT installed cameras earlier this year on the Eckington section of the trail and reported that seemed to stop the rash of rock throwing. They have now installed a camera in the Edgewood section of the trail and are looking into installing more. MPD has regularly been patrolling the trail and is aware of the need for continued patrols. There are the obvious things that you can do to make yourself feel safer - go in groups or with a friend, have your cell ready to dial if necessary (mine will voice dial which is great), take your dog, go at different times of day, call 911 if you see anything suspicous and look out for your neighbors. If you look at most of the reported incidences they seem to occur from late afternoon to evening, to bike riders, people that were by themselves, and near entrance points to the trail. I firmly believe that more eyes on the trail the better and I hope that everyone will continue to use it and encourage others to as well.

There are ways you can get involved with the trail. The Edgewood Walk/Run/Bike group meets every Tuesday, the new DCBIA nature trail and plants to explore, and the 5K planning group which is meeting tonight - information below.


When: Monday, October 4, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Although we have moved the start time to 6:30 p.m., please feel free to come as you are able.)
Where: NOMA BID Office, 1200 First Street, NE, Suite 310, Washington, D.C. 20002 (You will be asked to sign in at the front desk, after which you can ask the attendant to send you up to the third floor) Nearest Metro is New York Avenue Station on the Red Line.
Agenda: See below

If you have not done so already, please RSVP to cristinaesteron@yahoo.com so that we have an idea as to how many to expect.

Thank you so much!

Cristina & Sherri

*************************************************************************************************************************************
MBT 5K Race/Walk Organizing Meeting
Monday, October 4, 2010
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
NoMa BID

1. Introductions
2. Overview of Confirmed Race Details
3. Overview of Contract Obligations of DC Road Runners Club
4. Organizing Lead Volunteers
5. Sponsorship Brainstorming
6. Set Next Meeting Date and Potential Topics for Next Meeting

Help launch Capital Bikeshare -- Ride to Edgewood Station near MBT

The launch of the Capital Bikshare is only one week away and you can be a part of the group that rides the bikes from the depot to the stations around the city.

Please see the details below for the Edgewood station ride.

Hello everyone –

Help launch the new Capital Bikeshare program on Monday, 9/20. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and DDOT will be leading a group from the bike warehouse near Navy Yard to the CaBi station in Edgewood, via the MBT! See details below. Hope to see you there.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Come be the first to ride on DC and Arlington’s new Capital Bikeshare bikes! Join a group ride at the CaBi launch on Sept. 20th and help stock the stations with bikes!

Riders will bike to a CaBi station with a small group and be the first to use the station.

Riders must:
Be a Capital Bikeshare member – register at www.capitalbikeshare.com
Wear a helmet on the ride

Event Date: Monday, September 20, 2010
Event Time: 10:15 AM
Location: near Navy Yard Metro station

Ready to ride?
Contact Kelly Pack at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy by Wednesday, September 15th if you’re interested.
Email: kellyp@railstotrails.org
Phone: 202-974-5148

Capital Bikeshare

The website for the new Capital Bikeshare program has launched and if you join today you get $25 off the year membership fees. You find out all about the program and how it works on their website. You can also check out the map of the proposed locations which includes one on 4th Street NE near Rhode Island Ave in Edgewood.

I joined today - could not resist the $25 dollars off and I have been thinking about buying a bike to ride around town since I only have a road bike now. Decided this is a much better solution and I don't have to carry around a lock or worry about it being stolen I can just return it to a different station.

Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) Improvements by DCBIA

It seems that thanks to the District of Columbia Building Industry Association(DCBIA) and DDOT the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) is about to get even better! DCBIA is planning a Community Improvement Day for the Edgewood section of the MBT for October 2, 2010. I have seen the preliminary plans and it looks amazing! I was promised a more formal plan to share in the future. They are planing a nature trail, adding seating, and planting many trees and bushes. From what I have seen so far they are going with theme that would encompass mostly fruit trees, berry bushes and other types of plants that can provide sources of food. A very cool concept! You can get involved by contributing your time or donating money by going to the website.

Sidewalks!!!

I have to thank DDOT for following thru on the new sidewalks within the month as I previously posted. One side of Ascot Place NE was done today and the other side will be done tomorrow.

Sidewalks!!!

Today I spotted a DDOT vehicle and representative taking pictures and measuring the sidewalks which are in bad repair from the tree roots. I asked him if they were going to fix the sidewalks and he said yes sooner rather than later he thought maybe within a month! This is very exciting news for us as I was hoping the sidewalk repair on Rhode Island Ave would spread to the neighborhood! Ascot Place NE will soon have normal sidewalks with no asphalt "fixes"!!