DC Government

Dear PoP – DDOT Directing Traffic?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

What is up with the increasing number of DDoT employees directing traffic at intersections with working traffic lights? I noticed this first around the construction at Park and 14th, and at Florida and New York (at the latter it was not needed), but it seems to be spreading. This morning, there was a guy directing traffic, for no apparent reason, at 9th and O – the light was working fine, there is no construction there, and it isn’t even a spot where traffic regularly backs up during rush hour!

Is this some kind of job creation scheme? If so, I’d like to know who to start complaining to – it seems like a huge waste of tax dollars.”

Hmm, I’ll send this to DDOTDC on twitter and see what they have to say. Could they possibly be crossing guards for children on a school route? Has anyone else noticed folks directing traffic at intersections without construction or other visible problems?

Groundbreaking of Upshur Dog Park

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Vikrum Aiyer

From a press release:

“Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Jesús Aguirre joined the Friends of 16th Street Heights, Ward 4 residents and dog enthusiasts for a groundbreaking of Upshur Dog Park, 4300 Arkansas Avenue.

“We are excited to begin work on this exciting new dog park,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “The dog park program is a great example of public-private partnerships that leads to additional resources and activities for all residents.”

DPR Director Jesús Aguirre stated, “DPR is proud to continue to build dogs parks across the District of Columbia. The groundbreaking of Upshur Dog Park is a landmark moment for pet owners in Ward 4 as they will soon be able to enjoy their first official dog park.”

The new 9,000 square foot dog park will be in ADA-compliance and boasts:

* Fencing and gates
* Landscaping
* A tool shed
* Benches and picnic tables
* A dog fountain and water bowls

When completed in October 2010, the $286,000 park will be maintained by a partnership between DPR and the Friends of 16th Street Heights, the sponsoring community organization.”


Photo by Vikrum Aiyer

Dear PoP – Ward 4 straw poll tonight

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user KJinDC

“Dear PoP,

I got a flyer that the Ward 4 straw poll is tonight – are you planning to post anything on your site? I’m not really sure what it means…is it just a test vote before the vote? Anyway, it was hard to find any info about it online, but I could find out at least where/when it is:

Wednesday, August 4th, from 6 to 8 pm at the St. George Ballroom and Conference Center at 4335 16th Street, NW.”

Anyone know some details behind these straw polls? Who sets them up? If you live in Ward 4 for tonight do you have to show proof of residence? Anyone put much weight behind these polls?

PoPville had its own Straw Poll back in April.

National Night Out Tonight!

By Prince Of Petworth


Download flier in pdf here – nno_10_flier

From MPD:

“On Tuesday, August 3, thousands of DC residents are expected to join with their neighbors, police officers and other community leaders in celebrating National Night Out. From community cookouts to open houses – block parties, candlelight vigils and athletic events – DC is gearing up for the 27th annual celebration of “America’s Night Out Against Crime.” The citywide kickoff will begin at 6 pm at the Trinidad Recreation Center. Public safety characters McGruff the Crime Dog® and the National Knight® will be available to meet attendees and have their photos taken. In addition to the numerous activities taking place at the kickoff event, communities across DC – in all seven police districts – have scheduled NNO events during the late afternoon and evening hours.”

Columbia Heights will be having a block party at 5pm at 3200 Hiatt Place, NW. You can see a list of all the block parties/events here.

Anyone Know What These Signs Are All About?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

I must’ve seen 5 or 6 of these all over town these weekend from Petworth to Bloomingdale. I also noticed the one above located at the corner of 5th and I Streets, NW in Mt. Vernon Square. Sciasia noted “thanks for the parking lot” in the PoPville flickr pool – anyone know what is supposed to be built on this parking lot? Anyone else notice these signs around town?

Funding Approved for 3145 Mt. Pleasant St, NW – Very First Horse’s Ass Award Nominee

By Prince Of Petworth

Great development from Council Member Jim Graham’s Web site:

I am pleased to announce that last week, the Mayor recommended, and Council approved, a loan of $4,137,000 from the Community Development Block Grant Program to acquire the old Deauville Apartments at 3145 Mount Pleasant Street.

Located at 3145 Mount Pleasant Street, the Deauville was a historic building that was destroyed by a five alarm fire in March 2008. As a result of the fire, the tenants were relocated . We had all been working hard for years up until that time in order to overcome the nefarious actions by the slumlord who owned the property. Those actions were obviously set back with this fire.

This loan approval is an essential step towards redeveloping and rehabilitating the property. We appreciate the hard work of the Mayor and his staff in making this possible. The Mayor has been with us on this since the first hours of that devastating fire. The strong interest and support from ANC1D has also made a huge difference. And, of course, the tenants and housing advocates have stood strong in their determination to become the owners of 3145.

This loan will be used to fund the acquisition of 67 units of affordable housing in Ward 1. Forty of these units will be occupied by the original displaced tenants.

I look forward to putting this horse’s ass award nominee behind us and I can’t wait to post photos when progress takes shape!

Remember if there is no progress at all by March 2011 that’s when we start the revolution…

Thurs. Fun – More Outdoor Movies and Politics

By Prince Of Petworth

In case you don’t want to watch Happy Gilmore at the Cap. Riverfront you have another outdoor movie watching option in Columbia Heights. From an email:

“THURSDAY: Movie Nights in the Heights presents “Hairspray”

8PM: Live Music, 8:30PM: Feature Film

Thursday, July 29: Hairspray & DJ Chris Burns
Thursday, August 12: Shrek & DJ Gavin Holland

Harriet Tubman Elementary Field
11th and Kenyon Streets NW

** NO ALCOHOL**
Remember to pick-up your trash
Flashlight recommended”

Also on Thursday evening is:

“Ward 1 Councilmember Candidate Forum

Jim Graham (incumbent)
Marc Morgan
Jeff Smith
Bryan Weaver

Thursday, July 29, 2010

6:00-8:30p.m.

(Program will start promptly at 6:30p.m.)

True Reformer Building, Lankford Auditorium, 1200 U Street NW

The forum is free and open to the public. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions.”

Gage-Eckington Park Disapproval Filed by CM Barry, CM Graham Pissed

By Prince Of Petworth

Yesterday I reader wrote in asking about the status of the Gage-Eckington park project in Ledroit Park. I’m afraid there is bad news to share. A number of readers have forwarded me an email from CM Jim Graham titled ‘CM Barry up to no good– Gage-Eckington Park Disapproval Filed’:

This is an outrage, and a totally needless delay in a very worthwhile project. We need this project to go forward, because of the recreational and park benefits it will bring to the entire community, and most definitely including all of the kids at Kelly Miller.

I will speak to him, though I suspect it will be to no avail. Perhaps also Chairman Gray (copied herein) can approach him?

I think LeDroit Park should descend on him en masse. What do you think?

Are you ready for the revolution residents of Ledroit Park?

Dear PoP – What’s the Status of the Gage-Eckington Park?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Have you heard an update on the Gage-Eckington park? It does not look like any progress has been made since the weather broke. I thought the contract mess got sorted out. Any news?”

Last we heard back in March Jim Graham annouced that money had been found for the project. The Ledroit Park Civic Association updated back in April that the project was slated to be completed by Nov. I too noticed that not much progress has been made after demolition and the fences went up. Anyone have the scoop? I’ll also email CM Graham’s office to see if they can update.

Dear PoP – What is the Park Road Facade project?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was walking down park road and noticed some guys nailing wooden stops to the brick on a storefront. Above them was a sign that said something about the Park Road Facade Improvement Project. It’s on the East side of the strip between 14th and Hiatt, near Pho 14.

Maybe someone more familiar with this type of construction knows more. Do you know anything about this project and what it entails?”

There was just a groundbreaking on this project yesterday. Sounds like it’s gonna be a serious improvement ($700,000).

Following is a press release about the groundbreaking from Mayor Fenty:

“Today, [Wed. July 21]Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, Department of Housing and Community Development Director Leila Edmonds, and Development Corporation of Columbia Heights (DCCH) CEO Robert Moore joined Ward 1 business leaders to begin façade improvements on 13 businesses on the 1400 block of Park Road, NW.

“Supporting small, local businesses has always been important to my administration,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “The renovations to the businesses on Park Road will continue to make Columbia Heights a great business corridor for District residents to find the goods and services they want.”

“We are happy to support the façade improvements on Park Road,” said DHCD Director Leila Edmonds. “The improvements to the businesses on Park Road will not only enhance the image of Columbia Heights but can also continue the economic growth in Ward 1.”

DHCD awarded DCCH a grant of $618,000 for the project, which is expected to cost approximately $700,000 in total. DCCH is overseeing the façade renovations with Keystone Plus Construction as the general contractor and Architecture by Tono as the architects. All property owners of the 13 businesses are members of the Coalition of Park Road Businesses, which was founded in 2006. The store front renovations are expected to be complete fall of 2010.”

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