ANC-5A Monthly Meeting - THURSDAY, October 25th

What: Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A Monthly Meeting

When: THURSDAY, October 25th, 2007 at 7pm (note change from Wednesday to Thursday this month)

Where: Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, 3100 Ft. Lincoln Drive, NE

Agenda: Update discussion on Ft. Lincoln retail development and community concerns

Developer Pulls Out of Washington Gateway in Ft. Lincoln/New Town

Unfortunately I don't have the time right now to comment on this other than to say I'm happy the discussion with any potential developers will include the desire for less big-box design and an emphasis on protecting the wetlands, but all-in-all the news is a big blow to the surrounding community....from the Friday, 9.21.07, Washington Business Journal:

Real Estate
Peterson quits Washington Gateway project in D.C.

Washington Business Journal - September 21, 2007
by Prabha Natarajan, Staff Reporter

The Peterson Cos. has pulled out of the project to develop Washington Gateway, a massive retail center on New York Avenue NE that was slated to include D.C.'s first Costco.

"There's a time and place for everything, and it was not the right time for us at Washington Gateway," said Paul Weinschenk, vice president of retail at Peterson.

The $67 million Washington Gateway, which was scheduled to start construction next April, would have housed 412,000 square feet of retail including big-box stores, such as Staples and Target, at the corner of New York and South Dakota avenues NE.

The plan was approved by the National Capital Revitalization Corp., whose responsibilities are now under the deputy mayor for planning and economic development, and received a preliminary nod from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC).

However, this spring, the deputy mayor's office suggested changes to address any impact on the property's wetlands and alter the design from that of a big-box complex to a more contemporary look.

According to Weinschenk, the changes would mean more delays and more work on a project thought to be in its home stretch.

"From our perspective, we felt that until some of these issues could be worked out it didn't make sense for us to continue with this process and we needed to suspend our efforts," Weinschenk said.

Fort Lincoln Realty Inc., a D.C. developer, had brought in Peterson in 2003 as the developer of the retail/restaurant portion.

Peterson came back with a proposal to put in a 151,700-square-foot Costco, a 67,500-square-foot Shoppers Food Warehouse and a 123,735-square-foot space for both Staples and Target stores.

People in the neighborhood loved the plan. The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A endorsed it, and it was seen as a destination for the 128,000 cars that drive in and out of the city daily on New York Avenue.

After last fall's preliminary NCPC approval, Peterson and Fort Lincoln Realty were going to present an updated plan and either an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement concerning the wetlands to the commission this October.

The deputy mayor's office and the Office of Planning, however, had ideas that would have changed the existing plan and accommodated the wetlands in the development.

"We had a different development scheme to protect the wetlands," said Harriet Tregoning, D.C.'s planning director.

"If the city was interested in a Costco on the site and a Target, ... then you can't assume you will keep all the natural features on the site as they exist," Weinschenk said. "The city has to decide whether it wants those [retail] uses and allow land to be developed to support these uses, or you allow the land and its natural features to drive the uses."

Tregoning said the city still wants retail on that site, which ties in with its objective to get more stores in the District.

"We think the original design, which is 20 years old, can be improved upon," she said.

At this point, it is unclear what will happen to the retailers that signed on or expressed interest in being a part of the project.

Peterson said the leases were in various stages of negotiation, and it is up to the retailers to pursue the space. Industry insiders say Fort Lincoln Realty is looking for a retail developer to pick up where Peterson left off.

A change in developers is not something new to this site.

Before Peterson, there was Federal Realty Investment Trust of Rockville and Trammell Crow Development. A $10 million tax-increment financing deal was approved in 2004. The 42-acre project was expected to create 124 construction jobs and $6.2 million in new taxes for the city.

All is not lost yet, said Robert King, ANC 5A commissioner.

Fort Lincoln Realty is expected to give a project update at the ANC board meeting Oct. 10, including information on will happen to the retail site, and King said the news will be good.

"As far as we know, the project is moving straight ahead with a new developer. The train is still on track," he said. "I have been working for 20 years on this project and would jump off a bridge if it doesn't happen."

» A bit of history on Ft. Lincoln/New Town, "Fort Lincoln: Finding a Leafy Enclave" - WaPo, 7.18.92
» Our litigious buddy, Roy Pearson, and a 2002 lawsuit against Fort Lincoln New Town Corp., "Residents sue, charge Ft. Lincoln New Town developer with fraud" - The Common Denominator 8.12.02
» New residential development in Ft. Lincoln, "Hope Stirs In Fort Lincoln: Growth, New Neighbor Inspire Pocket of D.C. to Believe in Change" - WaPo, 4.30.07

Chungs Close Custom Cleaners in NE

Despite successfully defending themselves against judge Roy Pearson and his $67 million pants (generously reduced by Pearson to $54 million), the Chung family has closed two of its three Custom Cleaners, including the 3174 Bladensburg Road, NE location. If you live or work near the Convention Center, consider taking your delicates to their Happy Cleaners shop at 7th and M, NW while they fight Pearson's appeal.

» "Chung Family Closes Custom Cleaners" - DCist
» "Financial, Emotional Toll Too Much on Dry Cleaners" - WTOP
» "Family Sells Cleaners Caught In $54 Million Lawsuit" - NBC4
» "Business Sold After Million-Dollar Pant Suit Case" - WUSA9

Support the Chungs Fundraising Event - Tuesday, July 24th

Click here for more information.

PG County Police Chase Ends in Gateway/Fort Lincoln Crash

From WaPo:

Two people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash yesterday after a man driving the wrong way on two roads led authorities on a high-speed chase from Prince George's County into the District.

The incident began about 4:30 p.m. near the 3200 block of Dodge Park Road in Landover when Prince George's County sheriff's deputies attempted to serve Leopold Nkang, 23, with an arrest warrant for stalking, said Lt. Joseph Aiello, sheriff's department spokesman. Deputies spotted Nkang driving an Audi sedan against traffic in an eastbound lane of Route 202. When deputies signaled for Nkang to pull over, he continued driving, turning westbound onto an eastbound lane of Route 50, Aiello said.

D.C. police officers picked up the pursuit after several Prince George's sheriff's cruisers following Nkang broke off the chase at South Dakota Avenue and Douglas Street near the District-Prince George's border.

The chase ended several minutes later when Nkang crashed into three cars at Douglas Street NE and 31st Street in the District, police said.

One person was injured in the crash and taken to a hospital.

Nkang, of no fixed address, was taken to a hospital and treated for minor injuries. He could face charges including fleeing and eluding, Aiello said.

» Also on ABC7

"Building Our Community Together" Ward 5 Economic Workshop #2 - Saturday, June 9th

What: Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. will host a Ward 5 Economic Workshop - "Building Our Community Together"

When: Saturday, June 9th, 2007, 9-11am - Registration begins at 8:30am

Where: Trinidad Recreation Center, 1310 Childress Street, NE

Agenda Includes:
9-10am: Predatory Lending
10-11am: Economic Development Overview with updates on Arbor Place, New Town, Washington Gateway Retail Center, and the Home Again Initiative in Ivy City

For additional information call 202.724.8028.

- - -

Fifth District Open House
Saturday June 9, 2007
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
MPD Fifth District Station
1805 Bladensburg Road, NE

The Metropolitan Police Department, Fifth District will sponsor an Open House. Our theme is "Working Together for a Safer Community." We urge you to come and see the Fifth District in action and join us for a day of fun.

The event will include tours of the Fifth District, informational displays, a moon bounce, senior games, music, food and much more. For more information, please contact Fayette Vaughn-Lee at fayette.vaughn-lee@dc.gov or 202.698.0188.

Help Custom Cleaners Fight Judge Pearson and His $65 Million Pants

There are so many posts on the web about this that are easy to find, so no need for me to mention them all here.

What I'd like to see is a surge of business for the Chung Family at New Town Custom Cleaners, 3174 Bladensburg Road, NE. Surely you have a pair of pants or some shirts that need to be pressed?

If you're wash-and-wear like me, you can also support Jin Nam and Soo Chung by donating to the Custom Cleaners Defense Fund.

» A good Google start if you need to catch up on the story

South Dakota Avenue Development in Express's FreeRide

I should really outsource my link hunting to Mike Grass at Express. Today he posted a comprehensive update of the new development that affects those of us along the South Dakota Avenue corridor from top to bottom, including:

• The ongoing construction of condos around the Fort Totten Metro
• Mixed-use at Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue
• Vincent Orange's promised land of big-box retail, "Washington Gateway," in the Fort Lincoln-New Town area (not to be confused with his dream of a "New Town" at the Capital City/Florida Market) near the intersection of New York and South Dakota Avenues.


All of these drive home the importance of tonight's meeting and our ongoing input into the South Dakota Avenue Transportation & Streetscape Study. We need to counterbalance pedestrian-unfriendly developments like the Washington Gateway (why would we welcome folks to our CITY with a suburban sprawl-style strip mall with 2,000 parking spaces, and how many more will Ward 5 tolerate?!) with our input/demands to improve safety and accessibility on our primarily residential corridor.

» Sharlene Reed, Ward 5 Transportation Planner (sharlene.reed@dc.gov; 202.671.2407)
» Deborah Crain, Ward 5 Neighborhood Planning Coordinator, (deborah.crain@dc.gov; 202.442.7615)

South Dakota Avenue Transportation & Streetscape Study - Wednesday, January 31st

What: Nearly a year after the first public meeting, residents are invited to attend a community forum to discuss transportation and streetscape issues along South Dakota Avenue.

When: Wednesday, January 31st, 2007, 6-8 pm

Where: Taft Special Education Center Auditorium, 1800 Perry Street, NE

Agenda: The meeting format will be an open house review of maps indicating preliminary recommendations for the first 30 minutes (6-6:30 pm), followed by a presentation at 6:30pm of the study process and findings. There will be a question and answer period after the presentation and time to review maps and complete comment forms prior to the 8pm closing.

Etc.: If you have any questions about this meeting, please contact Emanuel Briggs at 202.478.1470 or at emanual.briggs@dc.gov. Visit the project website for additional information, including an online survey, study documents, and comments (pdf) from last year's meeting.

7th Annual Ward 5 Economic Development Summit - Saturday, October 28th

What: 7th Annual Ward 5 Economic Development Summit

When: Saturday, October 28th, 2006, 8:30am-2pm

Where: Trinity University, 125 Michigan Avenue, NE

Invited Developers, Presentation, and Updates: Armed Forces Retirement Home; Fairfield Residential, LLC; DC Office of Planning; Florida Market - "New Town"; Fort Linclon - Costco/Shoppers Food Warehouse/Target; Irving Street Conference Center - Mariani Architects Engineers; McMillan Reservoir - National Capital Revitalization Corporation/NCRC; New York Avenue Arboretum - Abdo Development; Rhode Island Metro - Mid-City urban, LLC; Riggs Plaza Apartments - The Cafritz Foundation; Travel Lodge - Hotel Development Complex; Yes! Organic Market

For additional information please call the Ward 5 Council Office at 202.724.8028.

Teens Attack and Shoot Metrobus on Rhode Island Avenue

Yet more proof that the curfew is nothing more than a band-aid on a festering wound that, I believe, improved social programs and community investment can help heal. The story is on NBC4 and WTOP. The "facts" vary, and why the bus continued en route to Ft. Lincoln remains a mystery, but what seems to jive in all versions is this:

Around 4:45pm Wednesday, September 20, 2006, near Rhode Island and Montana Avenues, NE, a group of juveniles threw either rocks or a brick through a window in the bus. One of the juveniles proceeded to push a gun through the broken window and fire off two rounds. Between 15 and 35 people were on board, and no one was injured. It is believed that the intended target was a group of teens that likely boarded the bus at the Rhode Island Avenue Metro. Before transit police were able to get involved, all of the passengers (i.e. witnesses and potential suspects) were dropped off at their respective stops. I will be terribly impressed if the authorities are able to get any leads now that everyone involved is scattered.

The curfew couldn't stop this; gun control couldn't stop this. Being proactive in our children's lives can. It really does take a village, and anyone who finds that trite or cliché is no better than the problem at hand.

NE DC Historical Society Monthly Meeting Sunday, May 7th

What: NE DC Historical Society monthly meeting focusing on Fort Lincoln

When: Sunday, May 7th, 2006, 2:00-4:00pm

Where: Fifth District Metropolitan Police Station, 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE

Agenda: Presentations will include "Fort Lincoln's Post-Civil War History" by Roy J. Pearson, Jr., Esq. and "Silent Sentinals: The Forts of NE Washington, DC" by C.R. Gibbs. author, lecturer, historian

Etc.: Don't miss next month's meeting on Sunday, June 4th, 2006, same time and location. Presentations will include the historic preservation of Ward 5 by Kathy Henderson, DC Council Candidate for Ward 5 and ANC-5B Commissioner and "A History of the Northeast Gateway" by Patsy M. Fletcher, Community Liaison for the Historic Preservation Office of the DC Office of Planning. Our meetings take place the first Sunday of every month. Starting in July we will change our meetings to the second Sunday of every month. For further information contact: queenstowndc@yahoo.com.

Two Transportation Meetings Saturday (and Some Interesting Links)

There's no minute like the last minute. See this post at Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space for information on two public meetings taking place tomorrow (Saturday, February 25th, 2006). Since I live just steps away from the intersection of my street and South Dakota Avenue, I'm very interested in the first meeting. From a quick check on the internet, it looks like you should be able to e-mail your input (whether or not you are able to attend) to the Ward 5 Transportation Planner, Sharlene Reed. Though I hate to think I need to say it, I've seen what neighbors can do on the listservs in the heat of the moment: Please remember to be courteous.

- - -

While poking around the web for this information, I stumbled across a few interesting links:

• The picture above is a still taken this evening from the traffic camera located at Rhode Island Ave. & South Dakota Ave., NE. You can view the live feed from all the Distict's traffic cams here. (Warning: I imagine the upload time is brutal with a dial-up connection.)
  
• A link to DDOT's "Brookland Transportation and Streetscape Study," as well as the website dedicated to the study, hosted by one of the project's consultants, Michael Baker Corporation.
  
• A link to DDOT's "South Dakota Avenue and Streetscape Study" and the Wilbur Smith Associates website dedicated to the study. (this info added to the post after the meeting)
  
• A list of recent/current DC transportation studies.