DC Government

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library closing on Sundays

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

From a press release:

“Beginning October 2, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, located at 901 G St. NW will no longer be open on Sundays.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library new hours will be: Monday-Tuesday noon-9 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

It is the Library’s priority to have the library open as many hours as possible. When faced with having to reduce library hours as a result of the FY2012 budget, closing the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Sundays, as difficult as it is, was the least painful option.

The Library’s local FY2012 budget was reduced from $35.2 million in FY 2011 to $34.4 million. Increases to provide staff and operate the new libraries opening in the next fiscal year were offset by cuts to the book budget and other areas; ultimately creating a loss of $700,000.

Library users can place books on hold, download electronic books, research electronic databases, and use live online homework help through the Library’s website at dclibrary.org during and after library hours.”

Dear PoPville – DC GOV owned properties?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

What should DC do with houses that it “owns” due to vacancy or tax issues?

I have an interesting example of one way the DC gov has tried to solve this issue. I think that if the DC gov works on this they have the opportunity to be a flexible and agile, expediter of state owned properties while creating revenue and eliminating blight.

I have attached a picture of 514 3rd St NE from January 2009 when the DC gov was going to auction it off along with other properties. I was interested in bidding on the place and then the day of the auction the property was not put up for sale.

Per property records the home has been owned by the DC government since June 2006.

I contacted the DC GOV back in 2009 and here is what I learned….

“The District reserves the right to remove any of the auction properties from the auction prior to the event, and 514 3rd ST, NE has been removed from the auction. The property will be included in an upcoming turnkey development solicitation, whereby DHCD will coordinate with the Office of Contracting and Procurement to contract directly with a construction company or a fee developer to rehabilitate the structure. The rehabilitated structure will then be offered for sale, below market rate, to affordable households. The anticipated issuance of the OCP solicitation should be by the second week of February.

Thank you,
Martine

Martine Combal
Manager
Property Acquisition
and Disposition Division (PADD)
Department of Housing
and Community Development”

Fast forward several years and the house is back on the market in a ‘rehabbed” state, paid for by the DC gov.

http://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/514-3rd-St-NE-20002/home/21648655

The “affordable house rule” no longer applies. The only major stipulation is that you must use it as your primary residence for 5 years.

While I like that DC has put the house back into working order I would suggest that DC can improve on this process in several ways.

First, the government held onto the property for almost 5 years. That is far too long.

Second, the renovation is on the low end based on the REDFIN pics and only 1.5 baths for a 3 bedroom house which means the GOV will lose potential income ($300,000,000 budget shortfall I am looking at you).

Nicely rehabbed houses in this area go for at least $100,000 more than they are asking for this place.

http://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/612-4th-St-NE-20002/home/9892752

http://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/526-4th-St-NE-20002/home/9893218

So what do your readers think should have been done with this and other DC GOV owned properties?

Overall, I think the DC gov tried to do something interesting with this house and I am happy to see the house finally moving back onto the open market and making the neighborhood nicer.”

$1 Taxi Fuel Charge Extended to November 17, 2011

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

“Dear PoP,

I’ve recently had some mixed messages on whether or not cabs can still charge the $1 gas surcharge. A couple of nights ago I was in a cab that didn’t charge it. When I asked him about it, he said that it ended on July 25 and that drivers should have stopped charging it then.

However a cab this morning charged me for it and said that the surcharge hasn’t ended.

Not sure if you or your readers have any insight, but I’d love to stop paying that extra dollar! Or at least know if I should be paying it.”

While the original $1 surcharge did expire on July 25th – it was extended again:

“The DC taxicab fuel surcharge became effective as of July 27, 2011 and is valid for up to 120 days and is scheduled to expire on November 17, 2011.”

Dear PoPville – Protesting the De-funding of Georgia Ave Great Streets

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo of ‘Park Rd. & Georgia Ave., NW’ by PoPville flickr user rockcreek

“Dear PoPville,

Your readers may be interested in an effort to reverse Mayor Gray’s decision to remove the remaining $1.44M from the Georgia Avenue Great Streets Project. This is an area, which includes the storefronts around Howard University that has receive countless unfulfilled promises for development and assistance over the years.

The Great Streets Project has a history of recouping costs through increased tax revenues in just a short number of years. To me, it just seems like another example of poor judgment from the Mayor’s office. There is an opportunity to change course, though. As the Washington Business Journal reports, “D.C. Council members Jim Graham, D-Ward 1, and Muriel Bowser, D-Ward 4, …issued a joint disapproval, delaying the funding move until after the council’s summer recess”.

What is Georgia Avenue Great Streets? Great Streets funds were set aside to improve the streetscape of Georgia Avenue including lighting, trees, bicycle lanes, traffic control, and sidewalks. The Lower Georgia Avenue segment, from Otis Place to Florida Avenue was never implemented and funding for this area has been moved to projects in other parts of the city. Mayor Gray has just proposed moving the remaining $1.44 million to a project in NE.

What does the resolution I’m signing say? The resolution issues a strong and formal protest of the Mayor’s actions and requests a meeting with the Mayor’s office and the DC Department of Transportation to discuss projects that will benefit the residents and small businesses of Lower Georgia Avenue.

You can sign the petition online here.”

Dear PoPville – Requesting a Tree Box?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

We live in a row house on 4th St NW in LeDroit Park. One of the things we love about LeDroit is the amount of trees and greenery, including numerous tree boxes on the sidewalks. However, our section of 4th St is actually fairly bare with few trees or other greenery. Is it possible to request that the city installs tree boxes on our block? What would we need to do? We would be willing to maintain them ourselves – and even possibly pay for the installation – but obviously we can’t just start ripping up the sidewalk and putting in plants ourselves! Would appreciate any advice others might have.”

Dear PoPville – Dumpster Fine

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoPville,

Today I received an email from my landlord with a forwarded message from an apartment complex that shares the alley. Last week I threw away an oddly shaped box in the apartment’s dumpster after trying to fit it in my trashcan. Apparently, the building manager took my name and address off of the box and filed a complaint with the city. The building manager sent an email to my landlord that basically said I should expect a $500 fine. Have any other readers had experiences like this? Is disputing the fine an option? Any advice? I understand paying a fine for using a dumpster that isn’t mine, but $500 seems pretty steep for one box! Thank you.”

Dear PoPville – Electronics recycling?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

“Dear PoPville,

Do you or any of your readers know where old electronics can be dropped off in DC for recycling.”

Anyone know if the Ft. Totten transfer station takes electronics? Are there any charities around town that take old electronics?

The 5pm Post – Get Your Swimming in, DPR announces Dates for end of Season

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From a press release:

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) prepares to bring the District’s outdoor swim season to a close. Today, DPR released the pool closing schedule for its 22 outdoor pools and children’s pools as well as the indoor pool maintenance schedule. A number of pools will be open through September 5, 2011. A complete schedule is provided below. The East Potomac Pool, which is heated, will remain open through October 2, 2011. DPR’s Outdoor Children’s Pools close Sunday, August 21, 2011 with the exception of Barry Farms which will close on Friday August 19, 2011. All DPR Spray Parks will close on Labor Day, September 5, 2011.

DPR’s indoor pools and aquatic centers operate year-round, but will undergo scheduled maintenance to deep clean the pool and facility. The detailed maintenance schedule is provided below. For a complete list of pool locations and hours visit the DPR website at DPR.DC.GOV or contact the DPR Aquatics Office at (202) 671-1289.

Full schedule of closures after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoPville – Who is in Charge of Fixing This?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Can you help me? I phoned 311 about this fire hydrant on my street and was transfered to water and sewerage (or something like that) and reported that someone had run over this fire hydrant and no water was coming out of it-fine, they’d someone out. But as of 530pm today they hadn’t dealt with this issue.

Any recommendations, or perhaps asking your readers to call and ask the city to take action? Also… Shouldn’t there water gushing out of this hydrant?

The hydrant us on Wyoming avenue, NW, between 18th and 19th Street. In Adams Morgan.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.”

Well this is disturbing. If 311 didn’t work – who do you think the reader should call? His Council member? DC Water? The Fire Department.

While I’ve never seen a sight like the one above before, unfortunately, the one below is not terribly uncommon:

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