AKA wish #3 ;) thanks!!

yesterday morning i was on the 1200 block of 4th street NW and this sight greeted and delighted me!

Y.E.onDOMReady(show_notes_initially);

F.decorate(_ge('photo_notes'), F._photo_notes).notes_go_go_go(4484206656, 'http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4484206656_3f35348a50_t.jpg', '3.1444');

1200 block of 4th st NW new Sidewalk construction

 

var page_note_ratio = 1;

 

var page_note_ratio = 1;

 

Is it also true that the police need to ticket a car before it can be towed? So I would have had to call the police back 3-4 times (2 clearly wasn't enough) to have this done? This is ridiculous.

If our neighborhood ever had a chance to obtain changes from DDOT to the timing of lights along the 300-400 Blocks of New York Avenue NW so that we can make it across the street without playing frogger, you can bet the probability went significantly down after this morning debacle at NY Avenue and Bladensburg Road.

Here is some of the WTOP report:

While we are waiting for the notes from last night, I'll just throw this out for discussion... While reviewing potential changes to K Street with Councilmember Jack Evans, there were some spirited disagreements.  Evans stated he hadnt taken a position on which option he would support but he was adamant that the current configuration didnt work.  He stated that the goal to him was to move all modes of transportation successfully but imho he seemed to favor cars.  for example when the concept of adding bike lanes to K street was brought up, Evans countered with the argument that it takes space away from cars.  He brought up his own driving habits.  Another neighbor inquired about the broader direction of the city towards concepts like making the city more walkable & bikeable...And there got into kind of a disagreement which others jumped into.  My take on it is that Evans seems to have a bit of a suburban mentality.  He lives way over in the suburbanish part of DC and drives downtown to work every day- that is his personal experience.  He doesnt seem to have much interest in the live/work downtown set but a good chunk of his ward + the city fall into this category (myself included).  We tend to bike/walk/PT.  Anyway in answer to the question of where the city is headed...this excellent profile of DDOT Director Gabe Klein provides some insight - I like this direction very much.  One more comment - I think traffic in downtown DC should flow certainly, but there is no reason it has to move at suburban speeds.  Dont forget to send DDOT your comments, (or email KStreet.Comments@dc.gov) you have til Oct 30th.  Full study available here...

The following is from "DCMud" blog:

"[T]he District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host a public meeting for comments on the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the K Street Transit Study.  DDOT is currently considering two build options to address infrastruction, safety, congestion and access problems in the busy K Street corridor.  [Tonight's] public hearing, according to the DDOT website, will afford all interested persons the opportunity to provide comments regarding the project...Each build option, according to EA, would improve the travel time from end to end of K Street.  Perhaps of great interest to the public is the effect each plan will have on parking  and bicyclists.  Alternative 2 (Two-Lane Transitway) would include 200 on-street parking spaces during off-peak hours as well as on-street loading in off-peak hours, and provide a shared lane for bikes with autos and a shared lane with parking in off-peak hours.  Alternative 3 (Two-Lane Transitway with passing) has no on-street parking at any time, with loading available in selected locations.  Alternative 3 is a bikers dream with a 5 foot paved and signed bicyle dedicated lane.  Alternative 1 would be to leave the present street unchanged. THE EVENT BEGINS AT 6 PM and is scheduled to end at 8:30 PM at THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY AT 801 K St., NW, and will feature a presentation at 7 PM and an open public testimony session beginning at 7:30 PM.  The public comment period ends October 30, 2009."

I'm wondering if the proposed K Street "Street Car" line that I've been hearing about will be discussed during tonight's discussions.

Dang I just paid to have my brakes adjusted :)

Following message is from Rachel M @ Fifth Street Hardware:

Hey all! I am just picture happy this month.  hope you all dont mind ;) Last night MVT Bill led us on the annual Triangle community bike ride with some very nice n very fit MPD officers...Turnout was much better this time, it was great fun.

we met up at 555 Mass...

We proceeded to mosey around the Triangle, MPD officers answering questions...It was kind of neat riding in a big group surrounded by beefy cops, all the cars had to wait on us:)

We paused at the vacant lot on the 1100 block of 4th.  A fellow bicyclist seemed to be trying to use the portopotty there,  but he then hid behind it as we approached.  A crowd was splayed out on the grassy patch along museum sq apts.  We discussed enforcement tools (and lack of Guiliani) that the police are able to use to combat loitering, prostitution & encampments.  the latter has become more of an issue for a few reasons.  One of the ladies informed the MPD officers that a Transgendered health program had lost city funding and so she was now sleeping on the street.  MPD also indicated that many people have been let out of jail recently.  we dont really have loitering laws & MPD has few means to fight prostitution, hence the longevity of the problem.

Also 4th street is about to get totally redone and they are making it 2 way.  (utility work in advance of this explaings the pile of lumber on the lot & the portopotty) after that they are redoing K Street from 7th all the way over to....oops cant remember but a ways.  This will undoubtedly have an impact on the prostituion & McKennas wagon feeding..

One tool in effect now, MPD keeps rotating them:

Stopped into Golden Rule on NJ Ave to say hello & have a cool drink of water.  These handsome gentlemen were nice enough to let me take a quick shot.

Over to triangle park ...the vivid red flowers in the planting bed looked awesome.  We made a loop thru the park, there were some guys hanging out, enjoying the heat.  the furniture is back...

Back over by the little park next to 455 Mass & House of Ruth. thats a straw hes chewing on...

Another encampment in this park complete with bedding. its NPS land which has strict no camping rules.  this park has become very congested lately with people drinking, sleeping, prostitution...

Given the continuing gang violence in the area, we are due some good news.

Bye-bye billboards.  DCRA continues to make progress on MVSNA's request to remove illegal billboards in our area.  Last month, the billboards at 9th and L came down.  Yesterday, I noticed that the billboard on a former used car lot on the 300 Block of New York Avenue NW (above), which had spurred the MVSNA action, was gone.  In addition, several signs and banners that had hung on the chain link fence surrounding the property (both proclaiming monthly parking and used car sales) disappeared as well.  DCRA has also approached many of the Mount Vernon area condos to remove their large "for sale" banners/billboards, such as Yale Laundry Lofts and CityVista.  Our primary concern, however, are billboards erected on vacant and nuisance properties that provide a source of income for derelict owners and a disincentive to sell or develop the property.  Residents are continuing their efforts to have the set of four huge billboards removed from just such a lot at New Jersey Avenue and P Street NW. Thanks to DCRA and Director Argo for making good on their commitment to MVSNA.

No Standing and No Parking!  Usually, eliminating parking is not a matter for celebration, but this is an exception.  We received confirmation yesterday that DDOT will designate the 1000-1100 Block of 4th Street NW (between K and New York Avenue NW) as No Standing/No Parking 24-hours per day.  The purpose of this restriction, which was requested by MVSNA with the support of ANC 6C and residents of the immediate area, is to provide police with an extra tool in fighting rampant prostitution and drug sales on the block, some of which is conducted through cars.  The restrictions are viewed as a temporary measure that we can hopefully remove or reduce within one or two years.  With the Downtown BID's removal of their storage unit from a vacant lot on the block (which was providing a hidding place for illicit activity), MPD's bringing over a light truck, and DDOT's latest action, that area is on the road to being a safer place to live.

Convention Center Hotel. Mayor Fenty will sign legislation for 1,160-Room Convention HQ Hotel at 5:30 p.m. today at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 9th & L Streets NW (now without the backdrop of illegal billboards). The rain location is the Convention Center lobby.