DC Government

Trash, Recycling, Bulk Services to be Suspended Thursday, October 21, 2010

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ewilfong

Many people wrote in about this very sad incident last week. From the reports I’ve seen it’s not clear if they have a suspect. All I can say is that it is one more case of senseless violence in our city.

But I did want to share the news that services have been suspended for tomorrow.

From a DDOT press release:

The DC Department of Public Works will suspend trash, recycling and bulk collection on Thursday, October 21, to allow sanitation staff to attend funeral services for Larry Hutchins, a 24-year DPW employee who was shot and killed while preparing for duty on Wednesday, October 13, 2010.

All Thursday trash and recycling collections, including once-a-week collections, will slide to Friday and Friday’s collection will be picked up on Saturday. Any bulk collections scheduled for Thursday will be rescheduled and those residents will be notified accordingly.

“DPW is mourning the loss of a cherished employee,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “Our solid waste employees will join the rest of the DPW family to pay their respects to Mr. Hutchins and his family on Thursday. I want to thank everyone—Mayor Adrian Fenty, the Council of the District of Columbia, the residents we serve, the media and our fellow colleagues—for their support during this time and patience during the brief interruption of these services.”

DDOT Presents Updated DC Streetcar Plan

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

DDOT released a fairly large report on Tuesday about DC’s Streetcar Plan. There is not a whole lot of mention beyond H St, NE, Benning Road and the Anacostia Lines. So my question to you guys is – do you think a streetcar will ever be built on Georgia Ave and 14th St, NW like we’ve heard mentioned in the past? If so what in what time frame? Do you think operations starting in 2012 sounds realistic for H St, NE? If not what year do you really think it’ll start? Do you think this system will face debt problems like WMATA is currently facing? What do you think would be a good price for a one way fare? Do you think the construction of the streetcar project is a good use of city/federal funds?

Ed. Note: Sorry for the million questions – they were all just banging around in my head. Obviously feel free to pick and choose which questions are of interest to you.

Personally I’m excited to see how the H St, NE line turns out. I think if it is successful it could go a long way towards encouraging expansion in other parts of the city as well.

After the jump you can see the summary of DDOT’s plan as well as a link to the full report. (more…)

Heads Up – MPD Announces New Red Light Camera Locations

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ianseanlivingston

It should probably be assumed that they are on every corner but this release came out late last week:

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced today the deployment of three new photo enforced Red Light Cameras locations beginning Monday, October 11, 2010.

Red Light cameras deployed throughout the city act as a force multiplier to allow MPD to monitor and enforce traffic safety compliance.

In selecting locations for the Red Light Cameras, MPD considers calls for police service, crash data, speed feasibility studies, as well as recommendations or requests from the Department of Transportation, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and civic or citizen associations.

The thirty day educational phase will commence on October 11, 2010 where as violators will receive warning citations. On November 12, 2010, MPD will begin issuing live citations to violating motorists.

The new red light camera locations are as follows:

1. Connecticut Avenue southbound at Porter Street NW

2. 14th Street northbound at K Street NW

3. 3rd Street southbound at New York Ave NW

For more information about automated speed enforcement in the District of Columbia, log onto http://mpdc.dc.gov/automatedenforcement

Dear PoP – Unclogging a Sewer Line Follow Up, Props to DC Water

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I wanted to provide an update on my clogged main line sewer pipe.

The highlight of the story is that DC Water said three weeks ago that they would be back in about a month to replace my sewer line. Well here we are about a month later and the crew was at my house early this morning. Everyone was very nice and they are replacing the entire line up to my house. I’ve included some pictures of the work to show what a big job this is for them. I am so relieved to have this issue dealt with and I’m so thankful to have a DC utility acting promptly and fulfilling their promise.”

Important to give props when props are due!

Construction to Start at YMCA Project 14th and W St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who forwarded the news from CM Jim Graham:

“More good news. Bob Cohen of Perseus Realty testified just minutes ago at a Council Hearing (in response to my questions) that the Anthony Bowen YMCA project at 14th and W “anticipates being able to start construction before the end of the year.” Thus the long awaited new YMCA, and enhanced retail and residential for the U Street area will be realized.

There will be much more on this in the near future. But this breakthrough is very good news.”

14th St. Revitalization Strategy Kick-Off Public Meeting October 20

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“The purpose of the plan is to prioritize corridor concerns with particular focus on the retail nodes between Spring Road, NW and Longfellow St., NW In order to have a successful first meeting we need strong participation from area residents and business owners.”

And remember:

“IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING, TAKE PHOTOS OF WHAT YOU LIKE & WHAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT.

EMAIL PHOTOS TO THE PROJECT MANAGER ([email protected]) TO BE DISPLAYED AT THE MEETING”

Friday Question of the Day – What Questions Should Be Asked of MPD Chief Cathy Lanier and Others

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

After Wednesday’s daytime shooting we noted that there is going to be a crime meeting Sat. morning Oct. 9 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at St. Gabriel’s Church, School Hall, 510 Webster Street, NW with Cathy Lanier, Chief of Police; Kimberly Missouri, Commander, Fourth District and many others including Council Member Muriel Bowser who organized the event. Unfortunately I have a wedding to go to and I will be out of town. But I know I have some questions and I’m wondering if it might be helpful to prepare some questions before the event. So for the Friday Question of the Day let’s take this opportunity to come up with some good questions for the Chief and others.

Ed. Note: I have the utmost respect for many officers in MPD and understand that the problem can not be fixed by MPD alone but I’m curious how they see their role.

Personally, I’d like to know what the Chief’s vision of community policing is and whether or not she thinks it is working? If she thinks is it is working, then what specifically can/should be done with gang retaliatory attacks that we see every year all over the city?

How come in my over 13 years in DC I’ve only seen cops on foot a handful of times? Simply, why don’t we see regular patrols on foot?

A quick aside, when I was walking home Thurs. afternoon I saw fresh gang graffiti on a pole near a recent shooting. I saw an MPD patrol car drive by and I stopped it. While the officer was extremely kind and attentive, I asked if they realized that there was gang graffiti here? They did not. Like I said, they were very attentive in writing down the info but my point is, if you are only riding around in a patrol car you are going to miss a lot of details.

I would also be curious if bluntly asked – does she see the problem of youth gangs/crews getting better, staying the same or getting worse? If not getting better – what can MPD do in the long term that is a preventative measure rather than simply reactive measures?

What questions will you ask?

Sherman Ave Streetscape Contract Awarded

By Prince Of Petworth

From Council Member Jim Graham:

“I am pleased to announce that DDOT has informed me that the contract for the reconstruction of Sherman Avenue has been awarded. As you may know, I had worked with the Mayor to insure funding for this important project in this fiscal year.

There was a pre-construction meeting with the contractor this week. The contractor is scheduled to start construction on October 18th.

There have been ongoing community meetings culminating in a final design of the streetscape. Thanks for that essential contribution!

This will provide further substantial revitalization for Ward 1, here in our east side neighborhoods.”

You can find lots more info on the Streetscape project here.

Dear PoP – How Does a House get Razed in a Historic District?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I saw in an Everyblock update that a permit has been issued for the razing of 820 C St. SE. Attached is a screenshot from Google Maps Streetview. It does look like the house is boarded up and in really bad shape, but it also looks like it shares not only a wall but architectural features with the adjoining house. It seems like it would have had to be in REALLY dire shape for demolition to have been ok’d in the Capitol Hill Historic District.”

I put an inquiry in to DCRA but they must be focused on food trucks because I haven’t heard from back them. So maybe some readers happen to know? Does it just require an ‘ok’ from the Capitol Hill Historic District? From the photo there don’t seem to be too many extraordinary features. Would taking down this home damage the adjoining wall?

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