DC Government

Mayor Gray Launches D.C.’s Largest Hydroponic Greenhouse Farm in Ward 8

By Prince Of Petworth


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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.

Could the Caribbean Festival Return to DC This Year?

By Prince Of Petworth

carribean_festival_2007
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.

Mayor Gray Announces Winners of Historic Preservation Awards

By Prince Of Petworth

howard_theatre
620 T Street, NW

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

Here’s how the Howard Theatre looked in 1994:

howard_theatre_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…)

Columbus Plaza Reopens in Front of Union Station

By Prince Of Petworth

columbus_circle_ribbon_cutting
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 – Dealing with Overflowing Dumpsters

By Prince Of Petworth

07-09-12 Garbage Overflow Barak

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?

Forget the Flags – Chevy Chase is Getting a HAWK System for Pedestrians

By Prince Of Petworth

pedestrian_crossing_flags_chevy_chase

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.

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Example of a HAWK system courtesy of DDOT

Friday Question of the Day – Should DC Buy the L Street Warehouse for a Market Concept?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo via @GarberDC

On Thursday The House Subcommittee on Government Operations had a hearing to address the future of 49 L Street SE. The Half Street Market blog wrote:

The hearing is being called to discuss “the costs to the taxpayer of underperforming or vacant Federal assets and, in particular, the status of the vacant GSA Warehouse located on L Street in southeast Washington, D.C.” The committee has invited representatives from the GSA, GAO, and Ward 6 Council to testify on possible uses of the warehouse. Councilmember Tommy Wells (Ward 6) and Ed Kaminski (ANC 6D02) have been invited to testify.


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ANC Rep and Half Street Market Supporter @GarberDC tweeted:

“@HalfStMarket hearing went really well. Congress & GSA very aware of community interest. …What a great building”

However Washington Post reporter @TimCraigPost wondered:

“Has anyone considered some won’t want to spend $19 million to build another Union Market, which many in DC can’t afford?”

Post reporter @OConnellPostbiz also wondered:

“We already have @EasternMarketDC and @UnionMarketDC — hard to see a third this close being best economic use.”

So what do you guys think – should DC buy the vacant L St, SE warehouse for $19 million and convert it into a new Market? If not, what do you think should become of the old warehouse?

Mayor Gray Opens District Government’s First Composting Station

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

As part of this week’s activities celebrating Earth Day, today Mayor Vincent C. Gray reported on progress in implementing the Sustainable DC Plan during a press conference at the Department of Public Works (DPW) Benning Road Transfer Station. There, he discussed innovative new projects to help the District become the healthiest, greenest and most livable city in the nation, in particular highlighting four initiatives in the plan that are now being implemented:

· DPW’s first composting drop-off spot at the Benning Road facility, the first in a number of steps to support a larger composting strategy;

· New battery and anti-idling technology in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Ford Police Interceptor fleet that will reduce air pollution and save fuel and taxpayer dollars;

· The Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) new community gardens in each ward to increase access to fresh, healthy food across the District; and

· The Department of General Services’ (DGS) aggressive Game Change initiative to reduce energy consumption in District facilities by 20 percent in 20 months and save the District more than $10 million dollars annually.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

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