Interesting News from ANC 2C Meeting

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C met tonight and despite the usual bickering over the agenda, minutes, treasurers report etc, there was some interesting developments to report.

Public Safety Report - PSA 308.  There were several robberies in the past month centered around the 400 Block of P Street and New Jersey Avenue.  There was also a shooting on the 1300 Block of 8th Street NW.  No one was hit.  It is believed that this is displaced gang related activity from the 7th/O 5th/O area.  The police are putting more plainclothes officers on the street focusing on disorderlies.  However, a resident reported open and consistent public drinking that has gone untouched at the laudromat on 7th Street.

ANC Website.  My understanding of the brief discussion is that DC's Office of the Chief Technology Officer will design a website for the ANC, however, the ANC needs to pay a hosting service for the website.  The ANC decided to discuss the issue in an executive session within the next month.  A resident suggested posting ANC minutes on another community website or disseminating the information through neighborhood listserves for the time being.

A New Park.  Sherry Frear of the Department of Parks and Recreation presented a plan for the "10th Street Park" located at 1119 10th Street NW.  The area is currently a vacant lot.  The proposed design includes an open lawn area, seating, a lawn scuplture that kids could possibly climb on, and possibly a water feature.  The design has the support of the local "Friends of 10th Street Park" organization.  DPR will be hosting a larger meeting to gather additional community input.  The budget for the project is between $500,000 and $1 million.  The proposal will go out to bid shortly. 

Reason for Optimism for the N Street Park?  Bridget Stezney of DPR answered questions regarding the status of a renovation for the dilapidated thing some call a park and for others is a crime scene on the 600 Block of N Street NW.  She noted that DPR fixed broken lighting last Friday and that they will be fixing the fence and adding gates that lock next week.  They will also begin working with the Mayor's office to come up with a long term redesign plan.  DPR anticipates coming back to the community with a plan in the spring or summer of this year.  Ms. Frear will be doing the design in house, so there is no funding needed at this point.  DPR anticipates drafting options and presenting them to the community for comment (which I think is a better way to go than taking community comment in the abstract).

Shaw Middle School.  Principal Brian Betts of Shaw Middle School at Garnett Patterson provided an update on academic progress of the consolidated schools.  In order to meet No Child Left Behind, Shaw is expected to get their scores up from 23 percent from last year to 57 percent in reading and 44 percent in math.  He expects Shaw to come close to that goal and meet the goal next year.  Principal Betts also noted that the school's pass rate on another test ("DC Bass"?) is up from 31 to 52 percent, that Shaw is up from 16 students on honor role to 38, and that they moved several students out of special ed and added no additional students.  Next year, Shaw will start a "ready for more" program for 6th and 7th graders that will provide more challenging work for students that are gifted or have a high level of skill, interest, or motivation.  In addition, Shaw will provide the school's 150th 8th graders with the option of remaining at Shaw next year for the 9th grade.  This is a result of a student-led movement to the Chancellor, who granted their request.  Shaw is expected to have a 9th grade only for next year.  A representative of the office of school modernization was schedule to appear before the ANC to discuss plans for building a new Shaw Middle School on Rhode Island Avenue was a no show.

Councilmember Jack Evans Reports.  Councilmember Evans spoke briefly about the DC budget, on which the Council will vote next Tuesday, May 12.  The District is experiencing a revenue shortfall of $700 million resulting from three factors: (1) commercial property taxes leveling off; (2) lower capital gains from the stockmarket fall; and (3) lower collections of the deed recordation tax due to less turnover of property.  Councilmember Evans does not anticipate any increases in taxes, but possibly some increases in fees.  Services will be maintained.  There will be no cuts to schools and minor cuts to the health and human services.  The CFO will delay presenting a detailed revenue estimate due in late May until June due to changing economic conditions.  This is likely to result in another shortfall that will require additional cuts.  Councilmember Evans also announced that the O Street Market project should now move forward since the Council has freed up $1 million from parking meter fees of the $2.5 million that Roadside Development needs to prepare the site. Upon request from ANC Commissioner Padro, Councilmember Evans committed to supporting an application for a grant for a green roof for the new Watha T. Daniel Library.  Finally, in response to CCCA President Moulton, Evans noted that he does not expect a congressional veto of DC's recognition of gay marriages of other states, but does expect a larger challenge when the Council votes itself to recognize gay marriage.

Buy a Brick Outside Ford's Theater?  Megan Kuhn of the Ford's Theater development office announced that they plan to sell 12,000 bricks from the sidewalk outside the theater for $250 each to raise funds for the theater.  Donors will have their names etched on the brick.  It is intended to broaden community involvement in fundraising.  The theater requested the ANC's support for asking that the District Department of Transportation permit them to remove the current bricks and replace them with the etched bricks.  In addition, the theater will take responsibility for maintaining the brick sidewalk in the future.  The ANC voted unanimously to support the request.

Approval of Design for 451-453 Ridge Street NW.  The ANC animously supported a proposal for two new adjoining rowhouses in the empty lot.  I will post a separate blog entry with the details of this project, along with the design plans.

Other ANC Actions.  The ANC approved letters of support for a $25k grant to Emmaus Services for the Aging for providing food to seniors and letter of support for a grant to fund a green roof for the new Watha T. Daniel Library.  Commissioner Padro, who is an Emmaus board member, abstained from the vote.

Congresswoman Norton in Shaw.  Congresswoman Norton will be at the Giant tomorrow, May 7, between 5 and 7pm to talk with neighbors.  She will also be at the Convention Center Community Association meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 7pm, at the Kennedy Recreation Center.

Meeting on sexual assault prevention.  Lt. Micah Pate will lead a discussion on the issue of sexual assault prevention after two incidents that occurred over the last few weeks on Thursday, May 14, 6:30pm, at the Kennedy Recreation Center.