DC Government

What’s Up With DC’s Bike Rental Expansion Plans?

By Prince Of Petworth

Folks had seemed pretty happy with Smart Bike DC when I asked back in November. But there has been some chatter on the Columbia Heights Listserv questioning the expansion:

“Does anyone know the status of the SmartBike program’s expansion? Back in March, they were saying that the program would grow from 10 stations to 50 by this summer, including a station that would be placed in Columbia Heights: http://wtop.com/?nid=30&sid=1628439

However, it doesn’t look like any new stations at all have been installed: https://www.smartbikedc.com/smartbike_locations.asp

Did I miss something? Was there a change in plans? What’s going on?”

Council Member Jim Graham responds:

“Thanks for including me on this. I understand DDOT had hoped to simply expand the existing bike sharing program. Unfortunately, the existing provider has not been that cooperative, so DDOT has been exploring the possibility of using a different bike sharing company. This is causing delays.

I am asking Jim Sebastian of DDOT to provide us with the latest estimate.

We are all very eager to see this successful program expanded.”

Wow, I wonder how difficult it will be to find a new provider?

Park Place Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (Above Petworth Metro) Plus Some Details on Retail Revealed!

By Prince Of Petworth

Mrs. Peron Williams right (whose husband was an ANC rep who strongly supported this development) and Muriel Bowser cutting the ribbon along with CM Graham, Mayor Fenty and Chris Donatelli

On Wednesday the new building, Park Place, above the Petworth metro was officially unveiled. It brought out quite the representation from the DC government. In addition to Mayor Fenty, Council members Bowser, Graham and Kwame Brown were in attendance.

Some highlights from the remarks. Mayor Fenty said the day signaled that “economic development on Georgia Avenue had finally arrived”. He continued, “the days when stagnation reigned on Georgia Avenue are over”. And he gave a lot of praise and recognition to the Donatelli (the developers) family for their vision. “Donatelli is not afraid to invest in neighborhoods that other people have written off”.

Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser said, “My breath was literally taken away when I stepped onto this roof”. She continued, “This is just the start for things to come on Georgia Ave”. She also noted that this project captured the best of green development as it clusters people above the metro with easy access to commute to work. Bowser also lauded the community for their involvement in supporting this project.  Before the community got involved this space was slated to become a municipal property.

Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham said, “Who would’ve thought that we would have this kind of building at Georgia and New Hampshire? The neighborhood knew that this building could be here, that’s who knew”. Graham also noted that the project had “the benefits of transit oriented development in the best sense”.

Sadly, I passed out a bit from the blaring sun when Council member Kwame Brown said a few words. But he basically echoed the previous comments. I revived a bit when Chris Donatelli took the mic and started mentioning the coming retail. (Some info I found out after the official remarks.) There will be a cafe/coffee spot, 2 sit down restaurants (one from Gillian Clark formerly of Colorado Kitchen and the other possibly a Thai/Sushi spot). He said the retail may resemble some of the spots on U Street (in the Ellington building) as some of those folks are considering opening up second or third spots in Petworth. There are also discussions to bring a wine store in most likelihood the folks behind D’vines. There will be 8 retail spots in total.

Given the current state of the economy, I think we are very lucky that this project was completed. The place looks pretty amazing. It really sinks in when you hear Mayor Fenty say, “I remember the day when new development hadn’t been built on Georgia Ave. in like 80 years”.

As promised after the jump you can find some photos from inside along with a pricing sheet. (more…)

Federal Court Rules DC Checkpoints Unconstitutional

By Prince Of Petworth

The Washington Post reports:

“In a strongly worded opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit condemned the roadblocks, which police used last summer in the city’s Trinidad neighborhood in Northeast Washington. The checkpoints, which have not been used in about a year, were a response to a spate of shootings, including a triple homicide.”

Council Member Mendelson sent out a press release:

“I am pleased with the U.S. Court of Appeals decision reversing a lower court’s approval of the controversial roadblocks. It is unfortunate that the District’s Attorney General was so wrong to insist that the roadblocks were constitutional. However, today’s decision is no surprise given that the DC Court of Appeals came to the same conclusion regarding roadblocks – ironically, also in Trinidad – in 1991.

All of us want to reduce crime – there is too much of it despite the recent drop in numbers. But the District government should pursue strategies that are proven to work. Roadblocks sound good – they’re a “get tough” approach – but they are controversial and often illegal. There are much more effective strategies, as Police Chief Cathy Lanier has shown, that have the community’s support and reduce crime.

Today’s decision is a triumph over rhetoric.”

I’m curious to know how you guys feel about this issue.

Park Place Apartment to Have Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony With Mayor and Council Members on Wed.

By Prince Of Petworth

The Park Place apartments located at the intersection of New Hampshire and Georgia, above the Petworth Metro, will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wed. with Mayor Fenty, CM Bowser and CM Graham at 3:30 pm. There will be a reception following from 4:30-6:30. You can enter through the main entrance on Quincy. Some units will be available to tour. I’ll take photos and post the monthly rent when I get the info sheet. I’ll also be updating with more retail options as they become available.

Fence is down on the units in the back as well:

Friday Question of the Day – Time to Reform the ANC Structure?

By Prince Of Petworth

We’ve spoken about the DC Government’s ANC structure in the past but I received an email from Rob Goodspeed of the Goodspeed Update that is worth reading. He suggests four avenues of reform:

“1. Modify the structure of Single Member Districts,
2. City government should enforce greater transparency and consistency in operations,
3. Reduce the number of ANCs or enlarge SMD sizes, and
4. Term Limits for ANC Commissioners.”

Read his full post here.

I feel pretty lucky in that my ANC is pretty active and has (mostly) good, responsible, engaged representatives. For the FQoTD – do you think the ANC structure should be reformed? Also, what are your experiences with your ANC representatives? Do they help solve problems you have in your neighborhood? Do you support the way they spend ANC money? And I’m just curious with this one – do you know who your ANC Representative is?

House on 16th and T Streets, NW Saved from Demolition

By Prince Of Petworth

A couple weeks ago we discussed this home at 16th and T which faced demolition due to apparent owner neglect. Hat tip to IMGoph for highlighting the news on twitter. The Examiner reports:

“The D.C. government has agreed to pay to stabilize a historic, million-dollar Dupont Circle row house that the private owners let deteriorate until it partially collapsed a year ago. The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs will spend $225,000 to ensure the house at 1841 16th St. NW doesn’t fall to the ground, agency Director Linda Argo said Tuesday.

…the owners, must reimburse taxpayers for the stabilization work or hire their own contractor to take over the job, DCRA officials said.”

Great news, yeah? Think the taxpayers will actually be reimbursed?

Friday Question of the Day – What’s Up With the DC Summer Jobs Program?

By Prince Of Petworth

It’s funny in a very sad way that this was always going to be the FQoTD this week. As we all know by now there was a terrible day time shooting outside Five Guys in Columbia Heights yesterday. Well it turns out it was “a fight among youths attending an orientation for the District’s summer jobs program” according to WJLA 7 News who reports:

“Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham says about 2,500 youths had gathered at the D.C. Convention center for an orientation Thursday. The meeting got out of hand, and police confiscated a revolver and brass knuckles from youths there, Graham said.”

Now even before yesterday’s shooting I was intrigued by some emails from the Petworth listserv by parents frustrated with their children’s registration process. One writes:

“As for this city and the mismanagement of funds and programs, I think it is absolutely reprehensible that this behavior is continually tolerated. When will enough people get angry and decide that enough is enough. Our public school system is terrible (with the exception of a select few schools), which has pushed parents to charter schools. The violence, though it is getting better, is still too much. A program which is supposed to help teach our kids the value of hard work is being turned into a three ring circus, where our kids are just stuck in a large room (whether it be a rec or classroom) all to say that we had a Summer Youth Employment Program. I am in my late 30’s and when I worked the Summer Youth Employment Program, I had an enriching experience each year that I worked. Have we not learned from last year’s farce where persons who were too old to even qualify for the program were being paid, some workers were overpaid, some were underpaid. When will it end?”

Another parent writes:

“This city is just so fundamentally and wholistically mismanaged. I mean at every single level it’s rife with mismanagement, absent management or no management. It’d be comical if it just wasn’t so damn maddening and sad at the same time. I mean it’s dangerous. Mismanagement at DYRS gets people killed, same thing at MPD and EMS. Mismanagement at the public schools helps ensure another generation will be consigned to poverty and all its trappings — drugs, violence, etc.”

Many of us remember last summer’s scandal. Now with yesterday’s violence coupled with the apparent dysfunction of the program from the remarks of the parents above – it begs the question – is this well intentioned program broken? If so is it broken beyond repair? Most would agree that employing DC’s youth is a valiant goal. So how can this program be fixed?

DC Office of Planning Seeks Your Help To Create a Vision and Revitalization Plan for Mt Pleasant St

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Yonas Hassen

First we learn the Raven was getting renovated and now this! In various posts here I’ve read a number of comments from readers expressing their frustration over the slow development on Mt. Pleasant Street so hopefully this will provide a useful outlet. If you can’t make the workshop Wed. night please leave your ideas in the comments section and I’ll be sure to forward to the folks from the Office of Planning. If you can attend the event I’m told – “this is NOT a meeting, but an open house where folks can drop in and give their opinions and ideas on how to improve Mount Pleasant Street.”

So how would you improve Mt Pleasant Street?

From a press release:

On Wednesday, June 17, 2009, the DC Office of Planning will hold a public workshop in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Ward 1. The purpose of the workshop is to obtain community input on revitalization and development priorities for the Mount Pleasant Street commercial corridor in order to shape a revitalization plan.

The workshop will be an open house and participants may drop in any time from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm to give their input on various topics to include:

* Mount Pleasant Street Physical Enhancements
* Development Opportunity Sites
* New Economic Development (new businesses, retail)
* Assistance for Existing Small Businesses
* Promotion of Unique Neighborhood Character

The study area for the planning initiative includes Mount Pleasant Street from Park Road to the north down to Hobart Street to the south, as well as Lamont Street, Park Road and Irving Street from 16th Street to Mount Pleasant Street.

Mount Pleasant Street Revitalization Open House-Style Workshop
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Bell Multi-Cultural School
3101 16th Street, NW (Cafeteria)
Se traducira en espanol

Bell Multi-Cultural School is located two blocks west of the Columbia Heights Metrorail Station (Green Line) and is on the S1, S2, S4, H8 and 42 bus lines.

Controversy Over Potential Demolition of Home Located at 16th and T Streets, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

A friend of mine live nearby and has been forwarding me emails on the efforts neighbors are making to stop the demolition of this property. On Monday night at 7:00 pm (16th and T) there will be a group protesting the demolition of this “historic 1890’s home on the corner of 16th and T”.

Council Member Jack Evans has gotten involved sending an email to the DCRA Director and Deputy Director:

“Linda and Nick,

As I have indicated in previous emails to the both of you, many nearby residents and community leaders, including Rick Busch President of the Dupont Conservancy and Robin Diener President of DCCA, DO NOT WANT TO SEE 1841 16th Street NW demolished because of its historic value to this historic neighborhood. Please continue to work with the owners and please do every thing in your power to secure the building rather than demolish it. I understand that DCRA has ruled that this property is a public safety hazard, if there is a way in which we can stabilize and save the building please know that I strongly am in support that option. If there is anything that I can do to assist DCRA is stabilizing as thus saving this property please contact me directly.

Thank you.

Jack”

I certainly support saving a historic home so hopefully the owner will be forced to make the appropriate repairs. Do you think historic homes should be saved rather than torn down even if it becomes a more expensive option? Should the owner be responsible for making the repairs?

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