DC Councilmember Chairman Vince Gray was unable to attend our MVSNA membership meeting last Tuesday because he was under the weather. He did send both his Council Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager to answer resident questions. We have coordinated with the Convention Center Community Association (CCCA) to hold a joint forum with the mayoral candidate on Tuesday, June 29 so that you will have a chance to ask him your questions directly. The joint meeting will be held at 7pm at the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church's Fellowship Hall, 900 Massachusetts Avenue NW. Residents at the MVSNA meeting were particularly interested in Chairman Gray's positions on crime issues and legislation, which I would expect to be central to the discussion. The CCCA also has several other items on its agenda that may also be of interest to MVSNA members. Our thanks to CCCA President Martin Moulton for coordinating the joint meeting.
JOIN US FOR OUR JUNE 15
MEMBERSHIP MEETING WITH
MAYORAL CANDIDATE VINCE GRAY
Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 7:30 pm
Yale Laundry Lofts, 437 New York Avenue NW
1st Floor Community Room (to the right of entrance)
Reports & Announcements (7:30-7:50)
Ø Planning a Series of Outdoor Summer Movies
at the 5th and Eye Street NW Lot
Ø
McKenna’s Wagonis Planning to Relocate from 4th and L Streets NW – Status?
Ø Learn About an Age-In-Place Home Repair Program
with Leah R. Penner, Assistant Director, Christian Communities Group Homes
Public Safety Report (7:50-8:10)
Discuss your safety concerns and learn about crime trends with Lt. Eddie Fowler,
MPD First District (PSA 101) and Lt. Jeffrey Carroll, MPD Third District (PSA 308)
Vacant Sursum Corda Library Site
Discussion with a Representative of the
DC Department of Real Estate Services (8:10-8:30)
What would you like to see there? What options are being considered?
Q & A With D.C. Council Mayoral Candidate Vince Gray (8:30-9:30)
Ask the current D.C. Council Chairperson and Candidate for Mayor your questions and share your ideas and concerns for the future of our city
Treasurer’s Report (9:30)
Adjournment (9:30)
Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans brought up communication issues w/ddot, esp. 4th st. (i'm sure he has heard holy hell from neighbors) Then he headed out, understandably wiped from marathon budget meetings. wasa school commenced...
Blue plains is the largest sewage treatment plant in the world They said this like 4x;) Wasa is replacing aging lines, average age is 76 yrs. 3% is pre 1850. Water system has 26,000 valves and is controlled by super fancy computer control center. GM is a very genial man so exuberant about wasa geekery. Even wore a pristine white personalized wasa work shirt, no suit for him!
Not replacing partial lead lines (private) only full lead lines. This was stopped in 2008 because it wasn't effective.
Building tunnels to alleviate combined sewer overflow - 2/3 of which currrently goes into anacostia, rest goes into Rock creek & Potomac. Now u know what the little stone huts are for...3billion gallons of sewage & trash/yr. 25yr plan= inevitable rate increase, supposedly we have low rates compared to natl average. Tunnels also to help with flooding in NE. combined sewer area is the center blob of dc.
Gm believes water is safe...but not sure about the pharmaceuticals. Filters don't remove Viagra & estrogens. Not all filters remove lead. Check q&a on dcwasa.com site & this from WASA:
Here is the fact sheet. The Washington Aqueduct, which treats the drinking water for the District, also has a working group studying issues related to pharmaceuticals.
http://www.dcwasa.com/waterquality/Pharmaceuticals%20in%20Drinking%20Water.pdf
New communication system being put into place hopefully this year called Envista - central public schedule database of ddot & ALL utility projects. (about time!)
99% +of hydrants are operational, @2% might be blocked by construction. Fire dept has been coordinated with. Fancy GIS based.
Wasa contact info@dcwasa.com
354-3600, 612-3400 emergency, public affairs 787-2200
4th st, patch is awful! A giant chunky asphalt mound. Are they going to tear up the street or the sidewalk to replace the line?
4th st: I spoke with Deirdre the construction manager who exuded capabity juju. I showed her the below pic of the crappy wasa "patch" aka impassable mound, which she will address. We lamented how DDOT chose to repave 4th st-as in the road- yesterday. DDOT has known for over a week via our bitching that wasa is going to work the road & the sidewalk, yet they STILL paved the road AFTER!!! More wasted work! really!!
Wasa is going to primarily dig the road to replace the line. They will also "mole" the sidewalk where possible. So we will end up with spots in the sidewalk & smaller ones in our front yards. Not the long asphalt hump taking up half of the sidewalk a la gas co. The work is planned to start on Monday, 6/7/10 and complete by July 30,
2010. Will work directly with wasa so they can coordinate with the residents, developers and ensure the brick gets put back properly. Anyone on 4th st please email me niello8(at)yahoo.com or ANC 6C P&Z Chair Rob Amos robamos(at)yahoo.com and we can get you in touch with the project manager.
Asked if the new envision system would help us avoid clusterflucks like this in the future, I got an emphatic YES. so...here are the pics of the crappy 4th st patch (which will be dealt with) and the fresh DDOT paving of 4th st. enjoy it for precisely 11 days!
Updates available online here:
http://www.CCCA-online.org/nextmeeting
7pm, Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Kennedy Recreation Center, 1410 7th Street NW
- There will be a few minutes a the top of the meeting for public announcements. (*See current announcements at bottom of page).
- Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans. Mr Evans will discuss local development, his May 26 Town Hall hearing on DC Water and Sewer Authority town hall meeting with WASA Gen. Mgr. George Hawkins (6:30pm Dupont Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Ave NW, Dupont Metro/G2 Metro bus); and will address other concerns.
- 605 P St NW problems continue. Local residents have started a petition to address the nuisances and crimes related to the construction of 605 P St. They intend to bring their concerns to Mr Evans attention Tuesday. Find the petition here.
- Peaceoholics Executive Director Maia Shanklin Roberts. Ms Roberts will discuss her organization its operations, program. budget, the community it serves and address residents’ concerns. (202) 610-4989.
- Sidewalks & Tree boxes. Commissioner Chapple and Laura Gramling will discuss concerns about sidewalks and trees in the area.
- Dreams for Kids Executive Director Andrew Horn. Mr Horn will discuss opportunities his organization provides young people and families. (703) 475-9322
- Approval February, March, and April 2010
CCCA meeting minutes Treasurer’s report. May 20, 2010 balance: $5,940.63. - Old and new business
5th&I Street Parking lot programming / CCCA contributions; Heart of DC Picnic, 2010 candidates forums. - Adjournment
Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans in Shaw tonight and next Tuesday
Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans will be a featured guest speaker — along with Elliott Ferguson, President, Destination DC — at the Washington Convention Center (WCC) Advisory Committee. The meeting will be held at 5pm in the Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis Board Room on the Executive Offices floor at Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW.
Mr Evans will also be the discussion leader at the Tuesday, May 25 CCCA public meeting where he will discuss local development, his Wednesday, May 26 Town Hall hearing on DC Water and Sewer Authority town hall meeting with WASA Gen. Mgr. George Hawkins (6:30pm Dupont Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Ave NW, Dupont Metro/G2 Metro bus); and will address other concerns.
The big guest this month was Steuart Development, who discussed their upcoming plans to build an apartment building on the site north of Safeway, across L. Here are the notes.
Yesterday, the CityCenter DC Residential Advisory Committee (RAC) met to discuss developments in the project designed for the Old Convention Center site.
Progress had stopped for several months, but the project, which includes substantial office, residential, hotel, retail, and restaurants, now appears to be moving forward. The project has all needed approvals from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). They have hired a general contractor (Clark/Smith).
Two key pieces moving forward are firming up a commitment from a major office tenant, which drives the economics of the entire project, and obtaining financing. There is a letter of intent for the office tenant (reportedly law firm Skadden & Arps, althought this was not confirmed at the meeting). The developers are also in discussions with an investor with interest in financing the entire first phase of the project. They hope to have an agreement in place this summer.
One June 21, the developers will hold a meeting with the subcontractor community at the Embassy Suites. They hope to begin hiring subcontractors in July or early August and have all subcontractors hired by the end of October 2010.
There are no letters of intent regarding the retail space at this time. Active recruitment of tenants would not occur until after the major office tenant is finalized and financing is in place. They will also seek a hotel operator that does not have a presence in this area.
Phase 1, which would include 2 condos, office space, extension of 10th and Eye Streets through the site, a park at the northwest corner, and the substructure under this area would begin in January 2011 in the best case scenario. This portion of the project would be completed in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2013.
Phase 2, which includes the 1,200 room hotel, additional retail, and Gould parcel on the north side of the lot, would begin 15-18 months after initiation of Phase 1 (early to mid 2012).
The RAC discussed the park for the NW corner of the site, preferring it to be lively and attractive to community, particularly children and not a "monument"-type park. In addition, the public art along New York Avenue between 12th and 13th Street NW would be extended eastward to Mount Vernon Square. The developers have hired a consultant to assist with this process and the RAC will be involved as well.
Finally, the RAC formed two committees. ANC 2C Chair Doris Brooks will lead an Employment and Training Committtee responsible for outreach to the community on job opportunities related to the project. Windy Abdul Rahim of Councilmember Jack Evans office and Leroy Thorpe of the East Central Civic Association will serve on this committee. Alex Chi of the Chinatown Revitalization Council will chair a Local Small Business Committee and work with Meredith Moldenhauer of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and a representative of Councilmember Kwame Brown's office.
Greetings Everyone!
The May MVSNA Newsletter is up and going to print! so you know what that means...We shall need several volunteers to help deliver door to door. Please email me at niello8(at)yahoo.com if you can help out for a few blocks!...you can also view the newsletter here: http://www.box.net/shared/uugx1uvh5g
Keep in mind there are all kinds of handy links on it you can click!
The next MVSNA meeting shall be held on Tuesday May 18th, 7:30pm, at the Yale Loft Condo common room at 437 NY Ave NW. On the Agenda is Steuart Development Company (400/500 block NY Ave NW), Public Safety & the Goals/Bylaws vote.
Finally please come on out on the 20th for the PSA 308 Public Safety Walk!
Si Kailian
C. Sec., MVSNA
202.256.9193
Good afternoon!
Please join us at Northwest One Neighborhood Library for our May 2010 programs and events.
The month's events include:
Saturday 5/1 @ 1pm - 3pm : Girls Rock!DC instrument share
Thursdsay 5/6 @ 6:30pm : Free Workshop on homebrewing with the DC Homebrewers Club
Saturday 5/8 @ 12PM - 3PM : Free bike repair courtsey of The Bike House
Plus book clubs, game nights, meditation workshops, and a library bike ride! Our weekly storytimes with Ms. Harris are on Wednesdays from 10am-11:30am - all are welcome to attend.
For more information on the library bike ride (Northwest One is a stop on the route) please check out http://www.dclibrary.org/node/
Remember to check www.dclibrary.org/northwest for up to date information on library news and events.
See you at the library!
Bobbie @ NW1
Happy Spring y'all!
The April MVSNA Newsletter is up and this one will be an online edition only! so spread the word to your neighbors...you can view the newsletter here: http://www.box.net/shared/3k2ln0lsey
Keep in mind there are all kinds of handy links on it you can click!
The next MVSNA meeting shall be held on Tuesday April 20th, 7:30pm, at the Yale Loft Condo common room at 437 NY Ave NW. Our guests include Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells and Mike Rupert from DCRA. Check the newsletter for the full agenda, there are announcements, resolution discussion & bylaw amendments on there too.
Finally please come on out tomorrow morning for the Spring Cleanup! Shaw Main Streets and Old City Green are generously providing flowers for us to plant in our treeboxes! 8am, 4th & M, come dig in the dirt!
Si Kailian
C. Sec., MVSNA
Below are the goals developed by the Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association's Board of Directors. We would like your input. What would you like us to focus on this year? Comment with your thoughts or share them at our next membership meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 7:30pm at the Yale Laundry Lofts.
- 2010-2011 -
GOALS & PRIORITIES
(prepared by Board of Directors at April 8, 2010 meeting)
A Growing and Organized MVSNA
1. Membership Meetings.
Hold membership meetings at the Yale Laundry Lofts. µ Use alternative locations only for special events, such as forum with Mayor (MCC Church), Hero of Mt. Vernon Square Awards (Bus Boys & Poets), or informal social meetings including a picnic day in Mount Vernon Square. µ Develop agendas with issue-focused themes, such as a presentation on Mount Vernon area history, city agency roundtable, economic development forum, and candidates’ forum.
2. Board Meetings.
Hold quarterly Board meetings to track movement toward Association goals and adjust accordingly (July 15, 2010, October 19, 2010, and January 6, 2011).
3. Increase Membership
. Conduct mailing to registered voter addresses in MVSNA with picnic invite and membership application. µ Make appeal for renewing membership at every meeting. µ Distribute membership applications at a table by the Safeway. µ Establish credit card capacity to take membership payments online. µ Further organize membership records and annual dues solicitations. (TOP PRIORITY)
4. Fundraising
. Obtain 501(c) charitable status to encourage donations. µ Raise $1,000 in Association’s 2010-2011 fiscal year. µ Reusable shopping bag with MVSNA and Safeway logo filled with new and renewing member coupons and gifts from neighborhood businesses. µ Develop list of MVSNA membership benifits and organization accomplishments.
Relationships and Communication
Inform Mount Vernon Square residents through a monthly newsletter
. Develop e-mail list of all MVSNA members, government contacts, and other neighborhood leaders to regularly send agenda/newsletter in pdf form. µ Post all newsletters on website, blog, and yahoo list. µ Continue door-to-door delivery.
Maintain close relationships with government officials and neighborhood groups
. µ? Send newsletters, meeting agendas, and minutes to DC government officials and others outside the neighborhood. µ Regularly send a representative to Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C and 6C meetings. µ Work cooperatively with other neighborhood groups, including the Downtown Neighborhood Association, Convention Center Community Association, Blagden Alley, and Chinatown Revitalization Council, as well as apartment/condo associations. µ? Maintain active involvement in Federation of Citizens Associations.
Electronic media
. Update MVSNA website with officer contacts/bios, recent neighborhood photos, and membership form/credit card system. µ Add crime tracker map tool.
Infrastructure, Development & Historic Preservation
Address vacant property
. Urge DC government to sell city-owned vacant properties, including 460 Ridge Street, 454 N Street. µ Address Bible Way lot. µ Work with Third Street Church of God and city to develop plan for vacant New Jersey Avenue properties. µ Develop neighborhood consensus of future of the Sursum Corda library building.
Participate in development plans
. Closely review development proposals to ensure consistency with the historic character of the Mount Vernon area and a positive impact on the neighborhood.
Improve transportation safety
. Seek pavers or embedded LED lighting for 5th and New York Avenue NW.
Keep the Neighborhood Clean & Beautiful
. Continue to hold spring (April) and fall (October) clean up events, including planting of bulbs in fall. µ Conduct tree inventory of neighborhood and organize tree planting with Casey Trees. µ Reclaim 5th and New York Avenue green space from Metropolitan Police Department. µ Organize workgroup to address 5th and I Street NW lot and surrounding area. µ Work with the Downtown Neighborhood Association to establish memorial park for Miles Groves.
Improve Neighborhood Safety
. Keep in close contact with PSA 101 and 308 leadership. µ Advocate for increased police resources, including foot and bike patrols. µ Continue work on relocation of McKenna’s Wagon.
Build Community Through Neighborhood Events
. Organize fall picnic (September 2010). µ Host awards night at Bus Boys & Poets (January 2011).
