Connecticut Avenue NW between Ordway and Macomb Streets

Back in April we noted that Chevy Chase had upgraded their “Crosswalk Flags” to a “HAWK signal (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK)”. Cleveland Park got one too – from a DDOT:

District law requires motorists to legally stop and give the right of way to pedestrians within crosswalks. However, DDOT research has shown that on busy, high traffic roadways, only about one in four drivers are willing to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. If appropriate warrants are met, a HAWK signal can be installed on those roadways that do not meet engineering standards for installing a conventional traffic signal.

Banneker Pool; 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW

Sorta great news for swim fans. Most outdoor pools will open this memorial day weekend. Banneker hours will be:

Mon – Fri 1:00pm – 8:00pm; Lap Swim Mon – Fri 8:00am – 10:00am; Sat – Sun 12:00pm – 6:00pm. Closed Thursdays.

Opening for weekend operations only starting May 25, 2013. Open Monday May 27, 2013 for Memorial Day. Full operational hours starting Monday June 24, 2013

You can find a list of all DPR pools here.

But the Sherman Avenue street project turned out awesome. I remember folks had concerns that it would be going from two lanes to one but in my recent experiences it flows nicely. Do you guys like the way it turned out? Does it function well?

From a press release:

Mayor Vincent C. Gray joined officials from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and DC Water today to mark a major step in an ongoing flood-mitigation project in the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park neighborhoods, and to urge residents to take preventative steps to protect their property in advance of summer storms that may cause flooding.

“Today is another step forward for the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park neighborhoods, which historically have suffered through significant flooding during large storms,” Mayor Gray said. “We have already implemented several immediate efforts to mitigate the flooding, and are implementing longer-term solutions to ensure that these neighborhoods do not continue experiencing repeated street flooding and property damage due to heavy rainstorms.”

Next week DDOT will begin a construction project to install a five-foot-wide storm sewer line in the median of the 100 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW. This project, which will last three months, will help remove stormwater from the roadway and store it before slowly releasing it into the sewer system.

“When it rains, community members in Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park have historically had to worry about flooding,” said DDOT Director Terry Bellamy. “Today we’re taking a major step forward in addressing this problem.”

Throughout the last century, the historic Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park neighborhoods have experienced occasional street flooding and sewer backups during intense rain storms. Last year, however, four major thunderstorms caused repeated flooding and prompted officials to take a closer look at what District agencies and property owners could do to protect property. Mayor Gray appointed a task force last August to study the problem and recommend solutions.

“Last summer we had more intense rainstorms with flooding than in the previous 10 years combined,” noted DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins. “We began investigating right away and joined the city task force to investigate creative solutions. This year we want to be sure everyone is aware of both what we are doing and what property owners can do to minimize flooding during heavy rains.”

City Administrator and DC Water Board Chair Allen Y. Lew added, “The ultimate engineering fix is coming in 2022 with the massive Clean Rivers Project, but in the meantime we identified a number of actions that can help these neighborhoods.”

The Mayor’s Task Force on the Prevention of Flooding in Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park issued a final report earlier this year. It found that these neighborhoods, which were developed at the turn of the 20th century when sewage conveyance was a relatively new concept and the population was less dense, were suffering from a sewer system that was simply too small to accommodate today’s needs. The report included 25 recommendations to mitigate flooding, including short-, medium- and long-term solutions in the following categories: engineering, regulatory, code revision and operation and maintenance components.

Short-Term Solutions

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user UrsulaAntares

From the Mayor’s office:

Mayor Vincent C. Gray accepted the recommendations of his Power Line Undergrounding Task Force, which he established in August 2012 to address the significant power outages that District residents and businesses suffered as a result of the severe derecho thunderstorm system that left extensive wind damage across the region in June.

The co-chairs of the 15-member task force — City Administrator Allen Y. Lew and Joseph M. Rigby, Chairman, President and CEO of Pepco Holdings, Inc. — presented an interim report to Mayor Gray that calls for a multi-year program estimated at nearly $1 billion in a first phase to selectively underground up to 60 high-voltage lines that are most affected by storms and overhead-related outages. The move is expected to improve service for Pepco customers on those feeders by 95 percent.

The task force includes government officials, regulators, local utility-industry executives, public advocates, and residents of neighborhoods most frequently affected by power outages.

“This proposal is a win for the District. I asked these task force members to find a solution to this problem worthy of the nation’s capital, and it appears they have been successful at that,” Mayor Gray said. “I thank them for their months of work and dedication to finding a way to deal with the devastation caused by severe storms.”

The task force is recommending a unique financing arrangement through a combination of about 50-50 of District and Pepco financing. The funds will be obtained through a combination of traditional Pepco funding of debt and equity for $500 million, $375 million in District-securitized bonds, and between $62 million and $125 million in District Department of Transportation (DDOT) street-paving funds that will be leveraged to support undergrounding.

“This financing arrangement is the first of its kind,” Lew said. “It speaks to the partnership between the District and Pepco to improve the quality of service for District residents and businesses.”

“We are meeting and even exceeding service reliability standards in the District, but this work will help our system better withstand severe weather events,” Pepco CEO Rigby said.

For residential customers, the rate impact will start at about $1.50 per month and will increase to a maximum of $3.25 after seven years, or about a 3.23 percent increase in rates. Low-income customers will be exempt from the rate impact. For commercial customers, the rate impact will vary by the class of service and will generally average between 5 and 9.25 percent.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Earlier in the week a reader wrote in about the prohibition of water bottles at DC public pools.

DPR and DOH have issued a statement:

The DC Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) released the following statement today:

Current District of Columbia Department of Health regulations cite that “…no food, drink, glass or animals [are allowed] in the pool area,” (25-C DCMR § 6403). DOH is the agency responsible for licensing and inspecting all pools within the inventory of the DPR. The current regulations are designed to keep pools safe and free from any harmful substances that may contaminate pool water, as well as to eliminate clutter and other potential hazards from the pool deck. DOH and DPR are currently reviewing these regulations in light of the recent questions regarding the use of water bottles by pool patrons. Both DOH and DPR understand the importance of pool patrons maintaining maximum hydration and encourage patrons to continue to enjoy the District’s pools. DPR and DOH will temporarily allow the use of non-glass, non-breakable, water bottles in the pool area at District aquatic facilities, pending a review of the regulations by both agencies.

From emails:

Height Master Plan Phase 1 Public Meetings

The first round of public meetings will help inform development of a Height Master Plan for Washington, DC. The study is jointly conducted by the National Capital Planning Commission and the District of Columbia Office of Planning. The project will explore the impact of strategic changes to the federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910.

Monday, May 13
Petworth Library
6:30 – 8:30 PM
4200 Kansas Ave, NW
Metro: Georgia Ave-Petworth

965 Florida Ave, NW

Corey Lee, project manager for the DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Office, will explain the community review process for disposition of the public parcel at 965 Florida Avenue NW.

He will speak at the Georgia Avenue Community Development Task Force meeting on Monday, May 13, at 7 PM, at 2632 Georgia Avenue NW (corner of Georgia Avenue and Fairmont Street).

Two development teams – JBG/Gragg and Ellis Development – have placed sealed bids for the 1.45 acre parcel.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Dear PoPville,

As of last week, it appears that DC Parks and Rec has banned patrons from bringing water bottles to all DC Pools. From what I understand, a DC health official shut down/fined Wilson Aquatics Center for allowing swimmers to have water bottles on the pool deck. They are arguing that allowing water bottles on the pool deck violates District of Columbia Register Vol. 55 No. 52 Part 1 Section 6403.4(f) (December 26, 2008).

The regulation basically prohibits “the consumption of food or beverages in areas other than the specifically designated eating areas that are separated from the swimming pool.” I’ve attached the regulation. [DC swimming pool regs - DCR vol 55 no 52 part 1 Dec. 2008] Relevant language on page 7, highlighted. I don’t think this regulations is currently being applied as intended.

As you can imagine, this ban on liquids is problematic for people training for swimming events, especially as many DPR facilities don’t have functioning drinking fountains. It will also become increasingly problematic, and a health hazard for everyone, as we move into the summer with increasing temperatures and the opening of the outdoor pools.

Marion Barry is the Council Chair over the committee that covers Parks and Rec. Here are the other Council members on the committee.

I think contacting Barry or other members of the Council could be helpful.

UPDATE: NBC4′s Tom Sherwood tweets:

“DC Recreation & public health dept say they will NOT ban water bottles at Wilson, other city pools.”

View Larger Map

From a press release:

As part of Mayor Gray’s Sustainable DC Initiative, the District government is partnering with BrightFarms, which will build a 100,000-square-foot greenhouse farm. In partnership with the D.C. Department of General Services (DGS), the hydroponic farm will promote local and sustainable food production in Ward 8. The farm will operate year ’round and will grow up to 1 million pounds of local produce per year – including tomatoes, lettuces, and herbs – further establishing the District as a leader in sustainability and fresh-food initiatives.

Caribbean Festival 2007

The Post’s Tim Craig tweeted this interesting tidbit yesterday:

“DC Council approves transfer of $107,000 to try to bring the D.C. Caribbean Festival back to D.C. instead of being held in Baltimore.”

If it does return to DC do you think it should remain on Georgia Ave or move downtown like Fiesta DC recently did?

Back in May 2012 we learned the Annual Caribbean Carnival/Festival would be located in Baltimore. The festival has not been without controversy.

You can read previous coverage about the festival here.

620 T Street, NW

Full disclosure – I was on the panel that recommended the winners.

Here’s how the Howard Theatre looked in 1994:

Photo by PoPville flickr user sssdc1

From a press release:

On Monday, May 6th, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and the D.C. Office of Planning’s (OP) Historic Preservation Office presented the winners of the 10th Annual Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation at the National Academy of Sciences. OP partnered with the D.C. Preservation League on this event.

“We are honoring the return to glory of some of our most cherished neighborhood landmarks and institutions,” said Mayor Gray. “Historic Preservation is a driving force in the development and growth of the District of Columbia as more and more people are drawn to the vibrant historic neighborhoods of our beautiful city.”

Since 2003, the District government has honored over 125 outstanding projects, programs and individuals for exemplary work and commitment to historic preservation in Washington, D.C. This year’s awards recognized 50 individuals, businesses, District agencies and local organizations.

Awardees include the restoration of the historic Howard Theater; the return to production of Rock Creek’s Peirce Mill; the reconstruction of long-neglected Georgetown cobblestone streets; and the transformation of a nationally-recognized science organization’s headquarters facing the National Mall. The award-winning projects represent an investment of $152.5 million in historic districts and landmarks in the District.

Highlighting the event was Mayor Gray’s presentation of the Individual Lifetime Achievement Award to Ann Hughes Hargrove, longtime resident of the Washington Heights Historic District. Hargrove, active in the establishment of two historic districts, is a preservationist and veteran community zoning advocate who was also a driving force in efforts to curb billboards in the District’s commercial historic districts.

“We are excited to honor a number of stellar projects, individuals and education efforts that demonstrate how historic preservation can revive landmark structures and highlight community heritage that enhance the unique character of Washington,” said Harriet Tregoning, Director of the Office of Planning.

Complete List of 2013 Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation Winners after the jump. (more…)

Photo via @mayorvincegray

From a press release:

Today, Mayor Vincent C. Gray marked the completion of the Columbus Plaza Rehabilitation Project, which improves access and safety for pedestrians and vehicular traffic traversing the plaza en route to Union Station.

“Before this project, vehicles dropping off passengers to Union Station had to navigate through the plaza’s puzzling configuration and pedestrians had to be wary of confused drivers trying to find their way in and out of the plaza,” Mayor Gray said. “Now, the rehabilitated plaza serves as a safer, more convenient welcome to the District for the hundreds of thousands who visit our most iconic transit hub.”

The federally funded project was implemented through a partnership that includes the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Amtrak, the Architect of the Capitol, the National Park Service, the Federal Transit Administration, the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The 18-month construction phase commenced in September 2011 and the total project cost was approximately $10.8 million.

The following improvements and features are now in place throughout the project area:

· A redesigned traffic circle that allows vehicles to loop around the plaza to enter and exit Union Station,

· New, larger sidewalks to enhance pedestrian safety,

· An enhanced traffic-signal system that will lead to the more efficient flow of pedestrians and vehicles throughout the plaza, and

· A less-obtrusive bollard security system around the perimeter of the station.

Dear PoPville,

I’m desperate! An apartment building that adjoins our property keeps a garbage bin right next to our property. Every few days it overflows, and trash is thrown next to the dumpster by residents even when it is not full- I’ve even seen them throw it down (and miss) from the fourth story window!

This has been going on for many months and I’ve contacted the management company multiple times, suggesting that they take measures to control the rats (I’ve seen them climbing out of the dumpster!) and the amount of garbage and overflow: more frequent pick ups, add an extra dumpster, etc.

The dumpster is located on private property near Logan Circle. I have documented the overflows with pictures- probably more than 20 over the past year (some of which I have sent to the management company). I’m at my whits end! Who in the city government (or elsewhere) can help?

@MMusikerRD tells us the note written on a parking ticket says:

“I put $5 in the meter. Fix this shit!”.

Remember the pedestrian flags for crossing Connecticut Ave in Chevy Chase? How’s this for an upgrade? From a press release:

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and representatives from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will demonstrate how a newly installed pedestrian HAWK signal (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK) works and discuss where other HAWK signals will be installed to make the District a safer and more walkable city.

WHERE: Connecticut Avenue and Northampton Street NW

BACKGROUND: The HAWK signal is designed to help pedestrians safely cross busy streets. While it appears differently to motorists, for pedestrians, this signal operates similar to other push-button-activated traffic signals in the District. It stops traffic with a red signal, allowing pedestrians to cross with a walk display. At certain locations, the signal can detect the presence of pedestrians waiting to cross and automatically activate.

Example of a HAWK system courtesy of DDOT