http://ccca-online.org/node/32

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.