Update on the Irving/Kenyon Crosstown Protect Bike Lane Project

Posted May 4, 2020 by Kent
Categories: Bikes, DDOT, Streets and Trees, Transportation
Tags: , ,

Milling and paving work on Kenyon Street, looking west from Irving Street intersection.

For people who may not be out and about due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Stay-at-Home Order currently in place, you may not be aware of the progress that DDOT is making on the Crosstown Protected Bike Lane project that will connect Brookland and Park View along Irving Street to the north of the Washington Hospital Center.

Those who live near Wangari Gardens or have traveled past the hospitals recently will have noticed that Irving and Kenyon streets east of Park Place have seen a lot of activity with crews milling and paving the streets. This work was in preparation for the crosstown protected bike lanes and appears to be nearly completed.

Due to this progress, DDOT reports that the project to construct the protected bike lanes is on schedule to begin this week. The section where implementation will occur is from Michigan Avenue on the east to Warder Street on the west.

Click here to see the plans from DDOT for the Irving and Kenyon street protected bike lane.

I am also including images below on the Kenyon Street sections as they are the areas neighbors in Park View will be most interested in.

(Paving work on Irving Street)

Comments: 2 Comments

DC Census Participation Lagging, Participation Critical for COVID-19 Recoveray Assistance

Posted April 27, 2020 by Kent
Categories: Demographics, Uncategorized
Tags:

National Census Day was on April 1st, yet many residents in DC still have not taken the Census. In fact, the percentage of households that have taken the Census as of April 24, 2020, is 49.9%, which is behind the national count of 52.8%.

Map of DC showing Census response rates by Census Tract.

In Ward 1, while the response in some census tracts is above the citywide average (especially true for neighborhoods west of 16th Street), several census tract counts are significantly behind. It is important for every single resident to be counted for many reason – significant reasons being that the Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year for roads, schools, hospitals, fire departments, and school lunch programs – including federal spending related to the COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts.

Ward 1 Census response as of April 24, 2020

Below is the data for Ward 1 census tracts. I have bolded the response rates below the citywide average. I have also indicated tracts by ANC and neighborhood to help identify where these tracts are located. The following map will also help.

Map showing the location of census tracts in Ward 1.

The current citywide response rate is 49.9%

  • Tract 27.02 – 54.7% (ANC1D) – Mt. Pleasant
  • Tract 27.03 – 57.1% (ANC1D) – Mt. Pleasant
  • Tract 27.04 – 44.4% (ANC1D) – Mt. Pleasant
  • Tract 28.01 – 52.3% (ANC1A) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 28.02 – 46.6% (ANC1A) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 29 – 50.3% (ANC1A) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 30 – 50.3% (ANC1A) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 31 – 54.8% (ANC1A) – Park View/Pleasant Plains
  • Tract 32 – 49.6% (ANC1A) – Park View
  • Tract 34 – 44.5% (ANC1B) – Howard University/LeDroit Park
  • Tract 35 – 39.6% (ANC1B) – Pleasant Plains
  • Tract 36 – 53.0% (ANC1B) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 37.01 – 51.6% (ANC1B) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 37.02 – 41.1% (ANC1B) – Columbia Heights
  • Tract 38.01 – 61.6% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan
  • Tract 38.02 – 54.0% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan
  • Tract 39.01 – 58.1% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan/Lanier Heights
  • Tract 39.02 – 60.4% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan/Lanier Heights
  • Tract 40.01 – 58.1% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan/Kalorama
  • Tract 40.02 – 55.7% (ANC1C) – Adams Morgan/Washington Heights
  • Tract 44.01 – 60.5% (ANC1B) — Shaw

How You can Participate

To take the census online, all you have to do is go to https://2020census.gov/en.html and answer a few questions related to the people living at your address on April 1, 2020. The list of 17 phone numbers to respond by phone (for multiple languages and TDD) can be found at https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html

Here are some important things to know before you get started.

  • EVERYONE can respond now via online or phone. You don’t need your invitation letter or unique ID code. Just put in you address at 2020census.gov
  • Hit “next” twice to skip the origin/ethnicity question if you don’t want to answer it
  • Self-response is more critical than ever during this time of social distancing
  • It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail—all without having to meet someone in person or leave your house
  • Even if a person misplaces their invitation with the unique ID, they can still self-respond by providing their address online or over the phone
  • Accurate population data will help in recovery efforts post-COVID-19
  • Filling out the 2020 Census will not impact whether you receive a stimulus check. Your answers cannot be used to impact your eligibility for any government benefits, including any potential stimulus package.

How do I follow the response rate for my neighborhood?

It is easy to get updates on how the Census is going. Here’s how:

Thank you to everyone for your participating in the Census. The few minutes you dedicate to the Census today will result in support and funding critical to our community both in the immediate future and for the next ten years!

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3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off is this Saturday

Posted February 11, 2020 by Kent
Categories: Community Involvement, Small Businesses
Tags: , ,

Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street’s 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off is this Saturday, February 16th, from 2-4 pm. Come out to this FREE family-friendly event featuring 9 restaurants from the Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street neighborhoods and vote for your favorite! There are veggie and vegan options as well. Here are the details:

DATE: Sunday, February 16, 2020
TIME: 2-4pm (while supplies last)
LOCATION: The Midlands Beer Garden, 3333 Georgia Ave NW, Park View

This event is sponsored by The Midlands Beer Garden, DC’s Department of Small and Local Business Development’s DC Main Street grant, Park View neighbor Peter Fortner of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, and Guinness (which will be offering for-purchase tasting flights and a raffle prize tour of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore).

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Changes Coming to the 3500 b/o New Hampshire Avenue this Spring/Summer

Posted January 31, 2020 by Kent
Categories: Streets and Trees, traffic
Tags: ,

DDOT is planing to implement some changes to the section of New Hampshire Avenue between Rock Creek Church/Otis Place on the north and Park Road on the south. As the majority of the work will be bollards and stripping, these changes won’t be implemented until the weather gets warmer … meaning that implementation is targeted for Spring/Summer of 2020.

The plans below reflect what DDOT intends to implement and shows locations of bollards, stripping, and new signage that will installed in the area.

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Next Park View Cleanup Scheduled for This Saturday, February 1, 2020

Posted January 30, 2020 by Kent
Categories: Community Involvement
Tags:

Join Park View’s award-winning cleanups
Next cleanup scheduled for Saturday
February 1 at 10 a.m.
Meet at Warder & Otis

Comments: 1 Comment

Updated Park Morton Plan Could Begin by End of 2020

Posted January 28, 2020 by Kent
Categories: Development, Housing
Tags: , , ,

(Rendering of the final phase of Park Morton’s development on Morton Street)

Based on information shared at the January 23, 2020, Park Morton Steering Committee Meeting, the plan to redevelop Park Morton is being adjusted to allow redevelopment to move forward while the DC Court of Appeals considers the challenges to the approved Zoning Order for the development’s first phase at the Bruce Monroe site.

The most significant change from the original development plan is that original Phase 2 of the development plan is now targeted as Phase 1 of the plan (see the area outlined in orange below). This area is the location of the planned larger apartment building on Park Road which would replace the currently empty Park Morton Park Road buildings. The construction timeline for this area is currently scheduled for the end of 2020 or the very beginning of 2021 with completion by the end of 2022.

In order to keep the Park Morton redevelopment moving forward, the area of Park Morton along Park Road (outlined in orange), will now be the first phase of development

In order for construction to begin, housing needs to be coordinated for some current Park Morton residents who live in other buildings impacted by the construction and a new city street needs to be approved and constructed. The street is necessary both to support the development and to ensure the safety of the residents remaining on site.

The original Phase 1 of Park Morton – at the Bruce Monroe site – has been held up in court following the challenge filed against the approved zoning order by four parties from the 700 blocks of Irving Street and Columbia Rd, NW. In reviewing the docket for the case in December 2019, all materials appear to have been filed and the only outstanding item is a ruling from the judge. It is expected that a ruling could happen in the coming weeks, though appeals cases have no timetable.

Presuming the Court upholds the original Zoning Order, the Bruce Monroe site phase can move forward. It would no longer be considered a separate phase of development, but rather could move forward concurrently with the new Park Road Phase 1 which would speed up the timeline. If, instead, the Court identifies any issues those would have to be addressed prior to construction.

The proposed changes to the phasing of the Park Morton development does not alter the overall plan and will not have an impact on the number of housing units produced. The development still plans to replace the 174 units at Park Morton with 545 mixed-income units. Park Morton residents have a guaranteed right to continue living at Park Morton in a new replacement apartment. There are also plans being reviewed to make homeownership an opportunity for Park Morton residents to pursue – though the exact number has not yet been determined.

(This article also cross-posted on New Columbia Heights)

Comments: 3 Comments

Park View Farmers Market Opens at Hook Hall this Sunday

Posted January 8, 2020 by Kent
Categories: Commerce and Businesses, Community Markets
Tags: , ,

DC’s newest farmer’s market will open in Hook Hall (corner of Georgia and Morton Street) on January 12, 2020. The Park View Farmers Market will be an indoor market which will be open year-round, every Sunday from 9am – 2pm.

According to the announcement on the Hook Hall Website, the mission of the Park View Farmers Market is to connect local farmers, growers and producers to local consumers in the Park View and surrounding neighborhoods.

The market features:

  • An indoor, year-round market, rain or shine;
  • Will be every Sunday from 9am-2pm;
  • The largest meat and seafood counter in Northwest DC; and,
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, seafood, meat, honey, bread, pastries, donuts and prepared foods that are both plant-based and meat-based.

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DDOT Hosting Ward 1 Transportation Meeting on Saturday!

Posted November 13, 2019 by Kent
Categories: DDOT, Transportation
Tags: ,

DDOT is hosting a public event to let residents engage directly with the agency to learn more about its projects in Ward 1. Relevant information is listed below

Who: Ward 1 residents and The District Department of Transportation (DDOT)
What: DDOT’s Ward 1 Open House
When: Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 12:00PM-2:00PM
Where: Columbia Heights Community Center (1480 Girard Street NW)
Why: To educate, engage and inform residents of what’s happening in the community

Residents may be particularly interested in the 14th Street Bus information that was discussed at ANC Transportation Committee meetings.

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Bruce Monroe Park Survey Finally Online – Open until November 29th!

Posted November 11, 2019 by Kent
Categories: Parks and Green spaces
Tags: ,

Neighbors discussing the future of the park at the September meeting.Two months following the public engagement meeting seeking comments on what a new, permanent park at Georgia Avenue and Columbia Road could look like, the Departments of Parks and Recreation (DPR) & General Services (DGS) have released an online survey to continue gathering community feedback and input. Participation is desired and encouraged. The results from the survey and community input will help guide the discussions moving forward on both design and amenities for the new park.

The Project Survey is at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BruceMonroeSurvey

Please share the survey link with your neighbors and anyone who may have an interest in the Bruce Monroe Park Project. The survey will remain open until 11:59 PM on November 29th.

DPR has stated that they will share the results of the survey with the community at their next community meeting, which is currently planned for mid-December. They are also working to provide and collect paper surveys throughout the community (though I currently do not have details on that effort).

For more information, please visit the project website to view the presentation from our previous meeting: https://dgs.dc.gov/page/bruce-monroe-park

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Ward 1 Community Comprehensive Plan Meeting at 6 pm this Wednesday, November 6th!

Posted November 4, 2019 by Kent
Categories: Land Use, Office of Planning, Planning
Tags: , ,

The Office of Planning has been working on amendments to the District’s Comprehensive Plan for the past 3 years, and now we are in the home stretch.

They have schedule a public meeting for Wednesday, November 6th, from 6-8 pm at the Columbia Heights Education Campus. This is an opportunity to review the proposed amendments, ask questions, and find out how you can engage to provide feedback before the amended plan goes to the DC Council for review and passage.

Relevant documents and redlined proposals are available on the Office of Planning Website here.

The District’s Comprehensive Plan is a 20-year planning document that guides future development in every neighborhood across DC. It is broken down into Elements (Chapters) that focus on such topics as:

The Office of Planning (OP) launched the second Amendment Cycle to the 2006 Comprehensive Plan in spring 2016 and the process will result in a final amendment package for submission to the DC Council for review and approval, followed by review and approval by NCPC and Congress.

Locating Documents and Reviewing the Materials

On October 15th, the Office of Planning released the redlined update of every element of the Comprehensive Plan for public review and comment prior to submitting updates to the DC Council. The redlines, draft maps, and other materials related to the amendment process are available at https://plandc.dc.gov/

During the review period, anyone can send comments and recommendations related to the amendments to OP for 60 days (December 15th). Residents are also encouraged to send their comments to their Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, who have until the end of January, 2020, to send in recommendations, support, or opposition to the amended texts.

What is ANC1A Doing?

ANC1A is currently reviewing the relevant chapters of the Comprehensive Plan and beginning to draft its recommendations. Draft documents will begin to be posted on the ANC1A Website soon at: http://anc1a.org/compplan/ as they are completed. ANC1A plans to finalize its recommendations and vote on them at their January 8, 2020, meeting.

Anyone wishing to participate in ANC1A’s review of the Comp Plan and recommendation process is welcome to participate. Please contact Commissioner Michael Wray at 1A09(at)anc(dot)dc(dot)gov to be added to the Committee communication list.

WARD 1 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MEETING DETAILS

Interested in learning more about the District’s Comprehensive Plan and how to get involved in the amendment process? You’re in luck. Below are details about the Ward 1 meeting on November 6th!

  • What: Ward 1 Comprehensive Plan Engagement Meeting
  • Where: Columbia Heights Education Campus (Cafeteria)
  • When: Wednesday, November 6th
  • Time: 6-8 pm

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