Two 9-Year-Old Girls Missing FOUND; Last Seen in NE

WTOP is reporting that Brittany and Deasia have been found by PG County police.

From NBC4:

The Metropolitan Police Department asked for the public's help in locating two missing 9-year-olds on Wednesday night.

Deasia Tashay Wooten and Brittany Bennett went missing from Rudolph Elementary School in D.C. around 3:17 p.m.

They were last seen at a McDonald's restaurant on South Dakota Avenue and Delafield Street.

Wooten is black with black hair in cornrows and brown eyes. Family said she is about 4 feet 7 inches or 4 feet 8 inches tall and was wearing a white shirt and blue jumper.

Bennett is black with a medium complexion. She is about 75 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. She is 4 feet 5 inches and was wearing a white jacket with blue pants.

Police said anyone who locates the children should immediately call 911.

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

Man Shot and Killed on South Dakota Avenue

From MPD:

At approximately 4:14 this morning, Monday, July 23, 2007, police were called to the front of 3040 South Dakota Avenue, NE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival officers located 34-year-old Jonathan Silver, of the 1500 block of Madison Street in Hyattsville, Maryland, in the front seat of a Dodge Caravan, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the body. He was taken to the Washington Hospital Center’s MedStar Unit and pronounced dead at 5 am.

The case is under investigation by members of the department’s Violent Crimes Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099.

The department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

» Also on NBC4

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

DDOT Announces Work Update on South Dakota Avenue Bridge, NE

From DDOT:

First Phase of Major Rehab Underway; Off Peak Lane Closures Upcoming

As part of previously announced work on the South Dakota Avenue Bridge in Northeast, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will close the inbound and outbound left lanes Monday, April 23 through Friday, April 27 between the hours of 9:30am and 3:30pm.

The South Dakota Avenue Bridge runs on South Dakota Avenue, NE, between Vista Street/Franklin Street on the north side and 30th Street on the south side (over the CSX railroad tracks).

The lane closures will take place in the bridge area only.

DDOT will maintain three lanes of traffic in each direction, Monday through Friday during the morning rush hour (6:30 am to 9:30 am) and the evening rush hour (3:30 pm to 6:30 pm) One lane of traffic flows in each direction all other times.

Project summary: The $7 million restoration of the South Dakota Avenue Bridge uses a combination of federal and local funds. The rehabilitation work includes reconstruction of abutments and the bridge deck, in addition to roadway and intersection improvements on both sides of the bridge.

Weather permitting the project is slated to be completed in March 2009. DDOT will continue to update the public on the progress of the project. Hours of work are Monday through Saturday from 7am to 6pm.

DDOT encourages motorists to use extreme caution when passing through the work zone.

For more information, please see District closures, street closures and traffic alerts.

SMD 5A-11 Meeting - Monday, March 12th

What: SMD 5A-11 meeting with new Commissioner Janae Grant

When: Monday, March 12th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Friendship Public Charter School - Woodridge Campus, 2959 Carlton Avenue, NE

Agenda: Includes discussion on the South Dakota Avenue Bridge repair over the CSX railroad

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.

Homicide in the 3100 Block of 10th Street NE

Just a few hours after MPD Chief Ramsey led a march for peace, 28-year-old Eddie Watkins was shot and killed in front of 3124 10th Street, NE. From MPD:

At approximately 11:30 pm, on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, Metropolitan Police were called to the front of a building located in the 3100 block of 10th Street, NE, to investigate the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 28-year-old Eddie Watkins, of the 3100 block of 10th Street, NE, suffering from apparent multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene, but found no signs consistent with life. He was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia and pronounced dead.

The case is under investigation by members of the MPDC's Violent Crimes Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099.

The department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

- - -

Another senseless teenage death in NE on Tuesday, this time due to reckless driving:

On Tuesday, October 10, 2006, at approximately 4:25 pm, at the intersection of 8th Street and South Dakota Avenue, NE, 20-year-old Jonas Lee Underwood, of the 4900 block of 7th Street, NE, was the driver of a 1997 Chevy Monte Carlo making a left turn from westbound South Dakota Avenue NE, onto southbound 8th Street. As Mr. Underwood was making his turn, his vehicle was struck by a 2004 Chevy Avalanche being driven by 35-year-old Brian Omar Johnson, of the 1200 block of Delafield Place NE.

The impact caused massive intrusion into the right passenger’s side of the Monte Carlo. Consequently, the right rear passenger of the Monte Carlo, identified as 16-year-old David Duarte, of the 5000 block of 54th Place in Hyattsville, Maryland, was transported to the Washington Hospital Center’s MedSTAR Unit, where he was pronounced dead 5:10 pm.

Jonas Underwood was treated at the Washington Hospital Center for facial lacerations. The front seat passenger was treated at Howard University Hospital for head pain and facial cuts, and then released. The third passenger of the Monte Carlo was not physically injured.

Brian Johnson and his two passengers in the Chevy Avalanche did not sustain any physical injuries.

The case is under investigation by members of the MPDC's Major Crash Investigations Unit. Investigators have established that the intersection where the crash occurred is controlled by a stop sign for both northbound and southbound traffic. Therefore, the contributing factor in the crash is the failure to yield the right of way on the part of the operator of the Chevy Monte Carlo.

While the accident may certainly have been caused by Jonas Lee Underwood's failure to yield, I've no doubt that the oncoming traffic was travelling much faster than the posted speed limit. My guess is that may have contributed to the intensity of the crash.

- - -

Finally, my apologies for not keeping up with all the happenings in the community lately. I've been under some serious time constraints that don't appear to be ending any time soon. While I'd like to go back and touch upon everything I've missed, I know that will only put me even further behind. So forward we go - with a few bumps in the road ahead....

One Perk of Sleeping Like a Brick: Miss a Shooting Just a Block Away from Home

***UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST***

From NBC4:

Metro Officer Shoots At Car
Shooting Incident Happens During Traffic Stop

POSTED: 7:40 am EDT June 6, 2006
UPDATED: 11:00 am EDT June 6, 2006

District authorities are investigating an incident that led a Metro Transit Police officer to open fire on a vehicle early Tuesday morning.

The officer said he was heading to the bus depot on Bladensburg Road in northeast Washington around 3:30 a.m. when a car allegedly tried to run his cruiser off the road at 20th Street and South Dakota Avenue.

Slideshow: Images From Scene

Investigators said the officer pulled the car over, and it was during that traffic stop that a second vehicle allegedly tried to run him over.

Police said the officer fired three shots at the second vehicle, but it's not known if anyone was struck. The Metro Transit officer was not injured.

The second car got away, but in the first car, boxes of liquor were discovered that police believe were stolen in an overnight burglary at a liquor store in the 3900 block of 12th Street in Northeast.

The driver was taken into Metro Transit police custody as a possible suspect.

Police believe both cars were involved in the burglary.

Also see WUSA9.

Somehow I missed the end of the investigation while waiting for the bus this morning...wow. It's satisfying to see stupid crooks, though. Who else would call attention to themselves (with a trunk full of stolen liquor) by trying to run a Metro Transit cruiser off the road? Good job Mr. Metro Cop!

***UPDATES***

From WMATA (empasis mine):

Metro Transit Police arrested a Northeast D.C. man in the early morning June 6th for allegedly assaulting an officer while fleeing from the scene of a burglary. Police arrested a 23-year-old suspect after the 3:30 a.m. incident at South Dakota Avenue and 20th Street in Northeast.

A two-year veteran of the Metro Transit Police force was on duty in the 2200 block of South Dakota Avenue in a marked police vehicle when a maroon Oldsmobile approached the car and made an apparent effort to run the officer off the road. The vehicle stopped at 20th Street and South Dakota Avenue and the driver bailed out of the vehicle. The 23-year-old officer was pursuing the suspect on foot when the driver of a full size, silver colored car attempted to run over the officer. Fearing for his life, the officer fired several rounds from his service weapon at the vehicle, which sped away, said MTPD Capt. Mike Daly. The driver of the Oldsmobile then attempted to carjack a red Geo that had stopped at the scene. The officer arrested the driver after a brief struggle. The driver of the Geo left the scene. The officer was not injured.

Police later learned the Oldsmobile was stolen, and D.C. police are investigating whether the Oldsmobile and other car were involved in a nearby liquor store burglary after 3 a.m. in the 3900 block of 12 Street in Northeast. Transit police expect to charge the suspect with assaulting a police officer and stealing a vehicle. D.C. police also are expected to file charges in the case.

Police are looking for the driver of the silver colored full size car, possibly with D.C. tags and would like to speak with the driver of the Geo. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Metro Transit Police at 202-962-1792.

Also see WTOP.

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.