DC Government

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?

Vince Gray Town Hall Meeting Oct. 26th

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user  pablo.raw

From the Ward 4 listserv:

Let’s Build One City Together

With so many important issues facing our city, it’s critical that we come together to share our ideas. Throughout October, Democratic Mayoral Candidate Vince Gray is hosting meetings in each ward of the District of Columbia to engage citizens in a discussion about the issues that matter most to them.

Please bring your ideas, your questions, and your enthusiasm for improving your community and our city. For more information, call 202-682-4729.

Ward 4
Town Hall Meeting

Hosted by

Democratic Mayoral Candidate

Vince Gray

Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser

and At-Large Councilmembers
David Catania, Phil Mendelson, Michael Brown and

Kwame Brown
and
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners

Tuesday, October 26

6:30 to 8:30 pm

Peoples Congregational Church
4704 13th Street, NW

Dear PoP – Parking Dilemma on 16th St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I am contacting you to see if you might be willing to share an issue with your readers. Recently, conflicting parking signs were placed along the 3400 and 3500 block of 16th St, NW (picture attached). One of my neighbors sent an email to Jim Graham’s office. Mr. Graham’s office forwarded the issue to DDOT. DDOT replied with a confusing and ultimately unhelpful email (full email string below). Have any of your readers encountered a similar problem in other parts of the city? Are there additional steps we can take to resolve this problem?”

Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:53:56 -0400
Subject: RE: New parking restrictions 3500 block 16th St NW

CM Graham, to clarify, the changes were made because many of the “No Parking Anytime except Sundays 8AM-2PM” signs were missing from the west side of the 3500-3600 blocks of 16th Street, N.W.

In order to maintain optimal traffic flow during the AM/PM rush hour periods, signage states that there is “No Standing or Parking 7-9:30AM;4-6:30PM, Monday-Friday” which is more restrictive than “No Parking Anytime” restrictions. The fine for not obeying rush hour restrictions is $100 while the “No Parking Anytime” fine is $30. Both signs have to be posted in order to inform the public of existing parking regulations.

In October, 1997, the west side of 16th Street, N.W. from Spring Road, N.W. to Irving Street, N.W. had a “No Parking Anytime” restriction plus the AM/PM rush hour restrictions. Churches in the area requested that the NPAT restriction be changed to “No Parking Anytime except Sunday 8AM-2PM” in order for parishioners to find available parking near their church.

The current restrictions have to be maintained on the west side of 16th Street, N.W. because there are only 2 lanes of southbound traffic, one travel lane and one curb lane that must be used as a travel lane at all times except on Sundays between 8AM and 2PM. The east side of 16th Street, N.W. has 2 travel lanes at all times plus the curb lane that is restricted from parking 7-9:30AM;4-6:30PM, Monday-Friday. Parking is allowed on the east side between the rush hour periods and after 6:30PM, Monday-Friday and at all times during the weekend.

With regards to ANC notification, the ANC must be notified if there is a change in parking regulations. These recent changes were for the replacement of missing “No Parking Anytime except Sundays 8AM-2PM” signs , which were initially installed in 1997.

Also, the 3300, 3400, 3500 and 3600 blocks of 16th Street, N.W. are in the RPP program (since 1989) for permits only. However, the residents have never requested the installation of RPP Zone 1, 9:30AM-4PM, Monday-Friday signage to be installed on the east side of these blocks where there is an AM/PM rush hour restriction.

I know that the explanation is a bit long, however, I hope that it completely clarifies the current signage situation.

Ugh my head hurts. Anyone else deal with conflicting parking signs before?

Dear PoP – Jury duty for 18 months!?!?!

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

“Dear PoP,

I’ve been summoned for grand jury duty to the US District Court for the District of Columbia (not to be confused with regular DC court jury duty). The summons specifically says that full time employment is not a hardship excuse. It just seems crazy to me that anyone would be expected to take this much time out of their life – I have really demanding full time job working on policy, and during this 18 months there will be at least one major piece of legislation that I need to be available to work on. There’s no way that I can competently do my job, which will involve 60-hour + work weeks when I’m working on this bill, 3 days a week. My employer will continue to pay me for full time work, which I am really grateful for, but I’m still really worried about the long term impact this is going to have on my career (and my sanity). I’m all for doing my civic duty, but this is nuts!”

Holy cow! I’ve never heard of 18 month jury duty before. I bet it is an interesting case… Apparently the duty is for ‘only‘ two days per week. Do you think the two days a week are rotating? Anyone else ever hear of something like this before? What would you do if you got summoned for 18 month jury duty?

Dear PoP – unclogging/repairing a sewer line experiences?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoP,

We live on the 1800 block of Irving St, NW and we have a clogged main line sewer pipe. The clog is apparently on the other side of our property line and is on city property. I was wondering if anyone has ever dealt with WASA coming out and unclogging/repairing a sewer line?”

Anyone experience this before? Do you just call DCWater (formerly WASA)? How long does it take to get fixed?

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