There were ten different presenters at tonight's ANC2C meeting. It seems impossible that they all got last minute confirmation about being on the agenda. I have yet to see the agenda published for the community's benefit for those who did and could not attend the meeting — even here on the ANC2C04 yahoo group. The ANC that is supposed to serve the residents and business owners in the Shaw community apparently did not see fit to inform the community in advance about tonight's speakers who included, Ketan Gada from the Deputy Mayor's Office on Economic Development giving updates on RadioONE, Parcel 42, Convention Center Hotel and every other development in Shaw (except Safe Shores...), Donny Gonzales from the office of Public Education facilities management with info on Shaw Jr High, and other items.

The important and most contentious item on the agenda was the Friends Of Bundy Park "update" on their extensive support for a dog park in ANC2C02. ANC2C04 Commissioner Sule and ANC2C03 Commissioner Brooks dominated and controlled the discussion. ANC2C02 Commissioner Chapple spoke up on behalf of residents in his SMD and the supporters of the dog park and proposed that OPM and Safe Shores should consider some compromise on their plans for use of the vacant lot at Bundy for parking. This item was taken to a vote.

Sule and Brooks voted against a dog park at Bundy. Chapple and Padro voted in favor. There was a second vote related to dog parks which I still don't completely understand, but maybe one of our ANC's might clarify that vote.

One resident — who lives adjacent two Bundy and owns two properties on the west side of Bundy Athletic fields — brought in official DC Municipal Regulations on parking for schools and other buildings which suggest that a Building like Bundy, should have only 1 parking space for every 600 square feet of floor space. To justify 75 parking spaces at the vacant lot at Bundy, the Bundy School would need to be 45,000 square feet. The resident, who is an architect, noted that the Bundy School could not possibly contain anything close that much floor space.

Even The Editor of the Seventh Streeter (who does not live on one of the blocks adjacent to the Bundy School and who voiced her opinion against a dog park at the Bundy vacant lot) confirmed that ANC2C Chair/Commissioner Brooks was unfair in the way she mishandled the public discussion about Bundy during the meeting.

The Mayor's office announce at the CCCA meeting Tuesday that in the next few weeks OPM and Safe Shores will announce and hold a public meeting on the land transfer and usage of the vacant lot at Bundy and Safe Shore's use of the Bundy School.

Here's a bit of a roundup:

-Two restaurants are coming to CityVista: Kushi Restaurant and Taylor's Deli. Kushi will be a 4,000 square foot Japanese Izakaya-style restaurant. It is expected to open in the fall at 465 K Street NW. Kushi will serve sushi, regional Japanese food and Kushiyaki — skewers of meat, seafood, poultry and vegetables grilled over open flames. Taylor’s Deli will open what will be its second location at 5th and L, NW. Taylor’s is a Philly style sandwich shop that also has a store at 1116 H Street NE.

-The Mayor's Conservation Corps, at MVSNA's request, will do a clean up of the 1000 and 1100 Blocks of 4th Street NW. They'll be removing trash and weeds some time next week.

-Last week, the Downtown BID removed its storage bin previously located at 4th and L. Our thanks to the BID in helping us improve the environment of this area to make it less attractive for prostitution and drug sales.

-Long-awaited construction is underway on multiple lots on the 1200 Block of 4th Street NW. As you may remember, these lots were under various public and private ownership and it took advocacy by MVSNA and legislation from the DC Council to get it underway. It will be mixed-income housing.

-In other neighborhood development news, The Lindsay Reishmann Group closed on the vacant lot at 451-453 Ridge Street last Friday. They are submitting plans for permitting this week and hope to start construction in the Fall.

-The Unique Learning Center is still moving forward with their plans for renovation of "the Hoagie House" at 4th and N. Last week, they met with Forrester Construction to review final plans. If the projects stays on schedule with obtaining permits etc, work may begin as early as September.

-MPD had an "all hands on deck" this past weekend, which included vehicle check points in our neighborhood.

-The Convention Center Hotel will move forward after a vote by the D.C. Council to put another $25 million into the deal plus another $47 million for the Convention Center Authority's cash reserves.

-I've invited the Department of Parks and Recreation to share with us their plans for the park on the 600 Block of N Street NW at the next meeting.

-MVSNA is working on a new report and recommendations to share with the District Department of Transportation for improving pedestrian and traffic safety in our neighborhood. It will document the status of our past requests and suggest additional ideas to make the neighborhood safer.

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Environment Committee

July 1, 2009, 7:00 pm
NPR – Board Room West
635 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

1208 Third Street NW (HPRB #09-314) Approval sought to construct a two-story addition to one of the Church buildings. Applicant: Third Street Church of God (Rev. Dr. Cheryl Sanders); HP Agency Contact: Brendan Meyer.

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/MRMoulton/MayorFentyMPD?authkey=Gv1sRgCICG6-vpl7_X_QE#5351971092979159586

"This is disgusting" — Mayor Fenty at Kennedy Recreation Center, Friday, June 26, 2009

Then he gives a school lesson to an ADULT in Shaw: http://picasaweb.google.com/MRMoulton/MayorFentyMPD?authkey=Gv1sRgCICG6-vpl7_X_QE#5351974512197569666

Ever play that puzzle in Sunday's Washington Post Magazine where you have to find the difference between the actual photograph and the altered photograph?  Well, here is the Shaw edition.  Skill level: Easy.

The top original photograph is the Bundy School, located at 429 O Street NW (dark roof, bottom/center).  Below it is what the block will look like after the government completes renovation of The Bundy school, which has been vacant since 2005ish  (it served as a elementary school from 1867-1982, briefly served as a men's homeless shelter, and housed the Mental Retardation & Developmental: Disabilities Administration until recently).  Safe Shores, a nonprofit organization that teams up with various social service agencies and MPD to counsel abused children, was set to move into the building by 2008.  After substantial delay, they are close to completion - at least on the inside - so I am told.

After the renovation is complete, the area is likely to look like the second photograph, unless something changes.  Can you find the differences?

You don't have to tune in next week to find the answer.  The vacant lot in the rear of the Bundy School is currently owned by the federal government and is (or was) under the management of D.C.'s Department of Parks and Recreation, at least theoretically.  Historic maps show the space designated as a "playground." 

Rather than use this as an opportunity put a vacant eyesore to an attractive, sustainable, and vibrant use, the District plans to obtain ownership of the lot from the feds, then use it  indefinitely as yet another surface parking lot.  It will be vacant at night and on weekends and provide no benefit to the community.

 

As background, the MVSNA, back in early 2007, supported the relocation of Safe Shores into the Bundy School.  According to a Safe Shores official at that time, the organization will see approximately six to eight child clients per day who will arrive accompanied by a police officer or social service worker.  The organization will have approximately fifty to sixty full-time employees.  Given the close proximity of the location to two metro stations and several bus lines, there should be no need for Safe Shores employees to park on site.  There is also an abundance of street parking available around the site, since it is located on a block that includes a park, a sports field, and an elementary school, and the adjacent housing (2^nd Northwest Cooperative) has its own private parking lots.

 

Some members of the community have voiced strong concerns about this land transfer, particularly that a large surface parking lot at this location will continue the lifelessness of the area, provide no community benefit, and abet serious ongoing gang activity.  In fact, in planning a parking lot for the site, the District government ignores its own 2006 Comprehensive Plan, which sets as a goal reducing surface parking lots in Shaw and specifically provides that a recreational use should be considered for the vacant lot adjacent to the Bundy School.  Many have voiced support for the transfer of this lot to the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation for use as a park, possibly a "dog and people" park.  MVSNA supported their request to DPR at its last membership meeting, however, we are told by the Office of Property Management that use of the massive lot solely for parking is a done deal.  Allocating a smaller area of the lot to provide discreet parking for Safe Shore's clients seems like a more reasonable idea.

For instance, how about something like this -- parking for 10-12 visitors on the Bundy School lot, children's playground, tennis court, and dog park.

 

2 locals seek investigation of Jackson
Officials asked to examine minister’s residency claims

From today's Washington Blade website:

http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=25893

Interesting developments on the relocated Waffle House, a potential dog park, and more in this month's meeting notes.

I am wondering what residents think about this... from the ANC's Commissioner whose Single Member District includes a significant portion of Mount Vernon Triangle. 

I have to say, I find it a bit odd.  Commissioner Silver appeared at the groundbreaking for the 5th and Eye project, which he now plans to picket, and in the eye of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, had nothing but good things to say about the project from the podium.  There's plenty to rally about down there -- the drug dealing, the prostitution, the out of control public drinking and single sales (now subject to the ban), but I wouldn't put economic development on the list of our problems.  Respectfully, if the Commissioner was looking for an opportunity to rally down there, he could have joined us when we protested the illegal porn and more operation, Fun Fair, which, when it closed, allowed projects like 5th and Eye to happen.  I understand and agree with the concern about providing jobs to qualified DC residents -- however, 395 air rights is still a bit of a dream and 5th and Eye has not yet broken ground. 

It would seem to me that if this picketing is successful, it will indeed protect the employment of DC residents - particularly the prostitutes and drug dealers that have been regularly employed in that area for the past 30 years.

"ANC Commissioner Keith Silver, announces plans to Picket Construction Sites within 6C-01, to protest the failed DC First Source Agreement"

 

June 11, 2009 - Washington, DC ----Today ANC Commissioner Keith Silver announced plans to picket construction sites and projects "within" and/or construction projects "impacting" Single Member District 6C-01, where he presently is serving in his second term, following a previous successful term in SMD 5B-05  Namely,

-  New Communities Project, on "K" St. N.W.

-  395 Air-Rights,(Return to L'Enfant), 3rd and Mass. Ave. N.W. and

-  6th and Eye St. N.W. Projects.  [Editor's Note: Believe he means 5th and Eye]

Silver has decided the non-violent direct action strategy to "picket these construction sites" is the only option left to address the disappointment with the "Fuzzy Math" of the DC First Source Employment Agreement  DC Law 14-24, D.C. Law 5-93, and Mayor's Order 83-265

On one hand, Residents and ANC Commissioners recognize "on paper" the DC First Source Agreement... which holds Developers and Contractors responsible to meet their obligation that 51% of new hires are... DC Residents, ...however, in reality, this simply just is not the case. .Silver states, "gigantic loopholes" in the First Source Agreement allows Developers, and Contractors to "tap dance" around the law by... simply by rotating their workers from site to site. Secondly, equally disturbing is the fact ....  millions of dollars, and City Finances going towards these projects, virturally in every single member district, yet ...we only have one (1) person designated to monitor, these construction projects. This is absolutely unacceptable.     Silver continued "...This isn't exactly Rocket Science, we have here...I am urging DC Residents to go to your neighborhood construction site... take a visual inspection of the workers car tags, and suggests you have conversations or interviews with construction workers on site, ... I am thouroghly convinced ...it will become increasingly clear,... the DC First Source Agreement... is broken and in dire need of repair    Commissioner Silver is further convinced, the DC First Source Agreement, needs to be scrapped and replaced with newer revised plan with even a higher percentage of employment of DC Residents, than the present 51%. . The economy has crashed, Unemployment is rising...DC Residents Need Job First! ... " We need some emergency legislation...to immediately address the under-employment of DC Residents" at these construction sites!

Silver states the buzz word of the day "Shovel Ready" is a misnomer. The DC Residents are stakeholders in these impacted communities and community leaders should step forward and declare "No Contstruction Site .... can be deemed or declared "Shovel Ready"... Until the "D.C. Residents of the respective impacted community", can physically see "with their own eyes"... and have "a current and accurate daily count the DC Residents at the respective construction site! In other words, hold elected officals, ANC Commissioners included, "accountable" to what we pledged at election time, ."..to deliver on the issue of jobs... at the local and grassroot level".

"...Hurricane Katrina was an "unforeseen" disaster, ...folk were displaced, ...lack of jobs for the affected residents, ..little or no opportunity to re-build their communities... by the people,... for the people ...who were displaced. Mechanisms for relocation ...had serious problems...and further disappointing was,:the issue of ... returning to the communities" ... where residents once lived, was next to nil.  In many cases there were ...second and third generation families.uprooted and never allowed to return. .

However, in our case, locally, we are dealing with a "man-made disaster" we can see with our own eyes ..."meaning lack of jobs for DC Residents ...at these construction sites...inadequate case management to return the relocated residents... in some cases second and third generation residents, more or less lost... in the "name of transitioning communities" Something is terribly wrong, when a problem of this "magnitude", is not being adequately addresssed.

In closing, Silver states, ANC Commissions and Commissioners, by and large is the "only sure way" the "immediate citizenry of the Single Member District and community has a voice in city affairs" Silver cites he agrees with the disappointment DC residents and citizens feel ...that many elected officials... are simply not very responsive or luke warm on community issues, in non-election years.

In closing, Silver encouraged..."all citizens and community groups" hopefully will work with your ANC Commissioners, however, the one sure way that always works,...is to do it yourself...make yourself a committee of one" contact your respective Councilmember, respective Council Committee Chairs and the Office of the Mayor, to get your "own answer: as to "...."where are the jobs for DC Residents...First??? ...we promised..  in your community and your respective Single Member District".

 "If you are satisfied with the response...fine". However, if you are not " ...picketting your neighborhood construction site" may be your answer.

Silver concluded... I am certainly available for any "assistance" to a community group intrested or who has reached the conclusion,..that picketing a construction site, is the answer. However, as a matter of protocol ...I will not go into another Single Member District, ...unless the community group ...has first secured, the support of your ANC Commissioner, and he or she,... is of the mindset picketting these construction sites is the answer.  I am a firm and very staunch believer that "community empowerment can best be achieved by supporting ANC Commissions across this city".

In conclusion, "...the issue of this broken First Source Agreement and DC Residents not working in appropriate percentages in "THIS SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT 6C01, is totally, and entirely unacceptable".

This Single Member District and other areas within the 6C Commission, should be regarded... "hallowed ground, within the geographical borders of this Single Member District 6c01,...150 years ago, runaway slaves... leaving the plantations of the south, ...with help of Abolishionists,.. white men and women of good will, found a resting place here, in their transitioning community, in that day in time.  They all, meaning... everbody... collectively, ..lived, worked, worshipped and tarried here. Further evidence is recognized through Second Baptist Church on 3rd and Mass. Ave, declared official site of the "Underground Railroad" and Ashbury United Methodist Church at 11th and K St, N.W. still stands today as the longest standing Church, in one place (1848) of Africam American worship.

Yet.. I am sad to report...a "Runaway Slave ,,,,had a "better chance of living in this area" and walking several blocks to .." Build the US Captiol",... than a DC Resident ...has a chance to build and work ...at at these construction sites and ...then get ...affordable housing, once it is built!".

Silver sites Single Member District 6c01, according to the acclaimed "CityList" houses two of the top 20 condos to live in this city..." City Vista ranks #6 and Madgrigal Lofts ranks #14 respectively", yet in the shadows of these luxury condos.. we have people lanquishing in poverty and dispair. This pain and despair is very real.  Compounded with the fact ...every long cold winter...is always followed by a long hot summer, which is several days away. Everyone understands the seriousness of the economy, however, much could be solved by closing the loopholes in the DC First Source Agreement...and HIRE... DC RESIDENTS FIRST, even in higher percentages, where possible.

It would be a total win-win equation.. our city in most cases could create, provide, and ensure more jobs, ...expand the District's tax base, ...generate commerce and most importantly ...improve the quality of life for the residents. ....How can you put a price tag to the restoration of self-esteem and human dignity that a meaningful job would provide, and allow "DC Residents" to feed their families??

For more information, or assistance to your community group,  (only if you have the support of your respective ANC Commissioner) contact Keith Silver, "silverk1@ymail.com", or 202-239-5034.