Photo by PoPville flickr user Joe in DC
From a DPR press release:
“Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced today that Monday, December 24, 2012 will be observed as a holiday, therefore all DC Government offices will be closed. The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will close all facilities, including recreation centers, aquatic facilities, and offices in observance of this holiday.”
When will the feds hear?
Dear PoPville,
I thought this might be worth sharing, especially since it’s more than a one-time thing. On my way to work this morning, I took a car2go to the dry cleaner across from Giant on Park Rd NW. Before I could pull into the lot, a Parking Enforcement vehicle blocked the driveway. She waved me around so I could squeeze behind her vehicle and into the lot. She got out of her car, chatted briefly with a police officer, then went into the grocery store. As I was leaving, an employee of Q&Q Cleaners and I were standing outside and staring in disbelief at this vehicle whose driver so rudely blocked her driveway. The police officer yelled from across the street that she would be right back.
I know that I’m not allowed to do that, even if I’m going to be “right back”, so why should it be acceptable for a parking enforcement? I’ve seen enforcement do this before, in front of the same grocery store, except in that instance, the driver parked his car in the traffic lane, then entered the grocery store.
There are lots of legal parking spaces in DC. If your job is to enforce parking, you should limit yourself to those legal spaces when popping into the grocery store.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
From a press release:
Mayor Vincent C. Gray today welcomed the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau showing that the District’s population continued its rapid growth between July 2011 and July 2012, adding 13,303 residents and keeping us among the list of fastest-growing states in the Union.
This means D.C.’s total population now stands at 632,323 – a figure not seen since the early 1980s. The District grew by 2.1 percent over the year, or by an average of 1,109 new residents a month. This exceeds even the average increase of 1,085 new residents per month the District experienced in the 15 months between April 1, 2010 (when the 2010 Census count closed) and July 1, 2011 – the last period for which the Census Bureau offered official population estimates.
“Anyone who lives in the District or spends time here already knows what these Census Bureau figures confirm: that the District is on the move,” said Mayor Gray. “People are voting with their feet, and they want to live in D.C. This is due to the tremendous strides we’ve made in recent years in developing our city, improving our educational system, investing in infrastructure and raising the quality of city services.”
For the second year in a row, the District remained among the nation’s fastest-growing states by percent, outpacing even rapidly growing Sun Belt states such as Texas.
“We are absolutely thrilled,” said Harriet Tregoning, director of the District’s Office of Planning, which oversees the District’s State Data Center and Census activities. “We continue to focus on encouraging the best in land-use development and sustainability, and creating or maintaining convenient amenity-rich neighborhoods with great choices in housing and transportation. As I said two years ago, the District is a great place to live and I expect the population to continue to grow.”
Increase in Births, New Residents
According to the Census Bureau, this tremendous growth can be attributed to increasing births and an influx of new residents from other states and abroad. With over 9,000 births each year since 2008, the District is experiencing a baby boom – bucking a trend that has seen birth rates decline in much of the rest of the nation. The District experienced 9,156 births and 4,873 deaths from July 1, 2011 to July 1, 2012. In addition to this gain of 4,283 residents from natural increase (births minus deaths), 8,953 people migrated into the District from other states and abroad, along with 67 people who were not placed in either of the two previous categories (residuals) – combining to provide a total net increase of 13,303 residents. The District continues to make gains in domestic migration with 6,050 more people (of the 8,953) moving into the city from other states than moved out.
Continues after the jump. (more…)
Please continue to keep your eyes peeled for Mr. Matthews.
From MPD:
The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a critical missing person identified as 88 year-old John Matthews. He was reported missing on Monday, December 10, 2012, at approximately 10:15 pm in the 1400 block of Oglethorpe Street, Northwest.
Mr. Matthews is described as a black male 5’9 inches in height, 155 pounds, with brown eyes, medium complexion, and gray hair. He was last seen wearing brown pants, a blue sweater, and maroon vest. Mr. Matthews suffers from dementia and may be in need of his medication.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Matthews is asked to call the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099, the Youth Investigations Division at 202-576-6768, or 911.
Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper at the renovated Georgetown Library
From a press release:
Mayor Vincent C. Gray today congratulated D.C. Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper for being named a winner of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2013 Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture. She was honored for leading a campaign that has reinvented libraries in the District and raised public awareness of design excellence.
“The District has benefitted tremendously from Ginnie’s leadership in emphasizing the importance of libraries as spaces for learning, as focal points for neighborhood gatherings and as sources of community pride,” said Mayor Gray. “Not only has she transformed our public library system, but she has brought some of the world’s most innovative, beautiful and sustainable architecture to neighborhoods all over D.C. Her work has beautified our city and inspired more residents to visit and use their libraries.”
“I am honored to receive this award from the AIA,” said Cooper. “The Library has been working hard to transform buildings and services. This award helps validate that the District is offering residents the world-class Library they deserve.”
Ginnie is one of two Jefferson Award honorees this year. Architect Michael Pyatok is also being honored for his career’s work in improving the quality of design in affordable and low-income housing. AIA noted that Cooper’s work has resulted in well-known architects designing iconic libraries that stand out as community beacons. The announcement also noted that residents have noticed, embraced and used libraries at levels not seen in the District in decades.
Cooper came to District in 2006 with the task of transforming the city’s public library system. Since that time, 14 libraries have been renovated or rebuilt. Also since Cooper’s arrival, the number of books borrowed has more than tripled.
The D.C. Public Library (DCPL) system has received 36 awards for new or renovated buildings.
DCPL facilities that have received awards since 2008 include: (after the jump) (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99
From the Mayor’s Office:
I agree with Chief Lanier that as our city grows we must make further investments in public safety. I’ve recently proposed adding 100 officers to the ranks of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to give the Chief the ability to deploy additional officers into our communities on foot, bike, and Segway – especially in neighborhoods that are growing rapidly. I strongly believe that adding these additional officers is critical to keeping our residents and visitors safe, and I’m deeply disappointed that the Council is considering opposing this plan. I urge the Council to reject this ill-advised and short-sighted maneuver, and join with me in working to make our city the safest it can be.
Mayor Vincent C. Gray
Attached is a letter from MPD Chief Lanier advocating for increased resources.
December 17, 2012
The Honorable Phil Mendelson, Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004Dear Chairman Mendelson:
As we are about to embark on another year, I am reminded that we must be prepared to face the critical challenges that will soon be upon us. Like many other urban areas, Washington, D.C., is experiencing a staggering amount of economic development and population growth.
This welcome growth means more areas of shopping, restaurants, offices, and residences, all of which will require expanded police attention. We must undertake prudent planning as this development is occurring to ensure We are in the best possible position to handle those future challenges and continue to provide the high quality police service the community has come to expect from us.
During the past year, we have conducted a comprehensive analysis of ongoing development throughout the city. The historical lessons We have learned from areas such as Chinatown and Columbia Heights suggest that several other areas of development will experience an upward trajectory in Workload – both calls for service and crime. Capitol Riverfront and NoMA have both experienced incredible growth, yet continued plans suggest they are merely in the early to mid-stages of development. Several other areas – including the H Street corridor, U Street and 14th Street NW, CityCenterDC, DuPont Circle, Adams Morgan, and the St. Elizabeth’s campus, to name a few – are undergoing substantial amounts of new or continued development. All of these areas will have a significant impact on police services. Our analysis has made it clear that due to the dense development, the areas will demand a different type of police deployment- more foot, bike, and Segway patrols, which are not able to cover as large of an area.
To highlight the real impact of the city’s rapid economic development, I share with you one example of what We have learned. We have determined that when a new bar opens, city blocks with 10 or more ABRA establishments require four times the additional manpower than blocks with one to nine bars. There are 17 city blocks that currently have 10 or more ABRA locations. More notably, there are 10 additional city blocks that are within one or two new bars of reaching the 10-bar tipping point. The fact is Washington is no longer merely a day-working, commuter city. It is a 24/7 city filled with a thriving and growing nightlife.
Continues after the jump. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
From Capital Bikeshare:
The District Department of Transportation today announced proposed locations for 54 new Capital Bikeshare stations to be installed this winter in the District of Columbia. The list includes proposed new stations in all 8 wards of the city.
“These new locations will mean a 40% increase in the number of CaBi stations in DC,” said DDOT Director Terry Bellamy. “Combined with new stations in Arlington, Alexandria and soon in Montgomery County, we’re building a robust and truly regional system.”
There are currently 138 stations in DC, 45 in Arlington, and 8 Alexandria.
DDOT selected the 54 locations from a longer list of 78 suggested locations submitted by the public over the past 2 years. DDOT evaluated the locations using several criteria, including population density, employment density, bike-to-work rate, proximity to metro, and proximity to other Bikeshare stations. Residents also ‘voted’ for their preferences using an interactive crowdsourcing map.
The proposed stations are in a mix and new and existing bikeshare neighborhoods. “We need to balance the desire to expand into new areas with the need for more docks and bikes in existing areas, particularly downtown, where demand is heaviest.” said Chris Holben, DDOT Project Manager for Capital Bikeshare. “Basically, for every ‘expansion’ station we also need more spaces downtown to keep up with demand.”
DDOT plans to start installing new stations and bikes in January and finish in March. Locations not selected in this round of 54 will be considered for the next round. The complete list is below. You can also view the proposed locations alongside existing stations on a map at http://goo.gl/maps/UJPZs.
To comment on the list of proposed locations, please email [email protected] by January 15, 2013.
Full list after the jump. (more…)
Click to enlarge
From an email:
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has sent out an alert on a vulnerable senior who has been missing since last night (12.10) from the 1400 block of Oglethorpe Street, NW. John Matthews is described as an 88-year-old male, 5’9” in height, 155 pounds, with brown eyes, gray hair, and medium complexion. He was last seen wearing brown pants, a blue sweater, and a maroon vest. Mr. Mathews suffers from dementia and may be in need of his medication.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts may contact the COMMAND CENTER at 202 727-9099 or TEXT TIPS 50411.
From a press release:
Mayor Vincent C. Gray and D.C. Taxicab Commission (DCTC) Chairman Ron M. Linton introduced a vehicle exhibit at the Verizon Center to display four proposed color schemes for the District’s taxicab fleet. The exhibit is the next step in moving towards a standardized uniform color scheme for the D.C. taxicab industry – a critical aspect in the implementation of upgrades to the industry mandated by the Taxicab Modernization Act.
Additional proposed color schemes will be posted on the DCTC website to generate further public feedback. The responses will be incorporated in the decision-making process along with comments from an upcoming public hearing as well as meetings with D.C. taxicab owners and operators. Final recommendations are expected by the spring of 2013.
Continues after the jump. (more…)
From a press release:
Mayor Vincent C. Gray today announced the formation of the Walter Reed Community Advisory Group and launched four Great Streets grant programs to assist revitalization of commercial corridors – two in the area of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center and two in other parts of the District.
Building on the foundation created through years of planning by the citizen members of the Walter Reed Local Redevelopment Authority Committee, the Community Advisory Group will work with the District as it transitions into implementation of the Walter Reed Reuse Plan. After more than 100 years at its location, the Army moved Walter Reed’s operations to Bethesda last year.
“Launching the Walter Reed Community Advisory Group is an important milestone in the development of the site,” said Mayor Gray. “The group’s focus on Walter Reed and the new grant offerings are critical to my administration’s work to maintain the commercial vibrancy of the business and residential corridors near the Walter Reed campus as well as other parts of the District. The awards we are offering will provide small business owners with an opportunity to sustain their businesses and prepare for what is to come in the way of additional, competitive retail options for all residents to enjoy.”
Continues after the jump. (more…)