Saturday, November 30, 2013

neither the US Commission on Fine Arts nor the National Capital Planning Commission is involved with the McMillan development whatsoever

A question was raised if Bloomingdale's McMillan Sand Filtration site development project involves the two federal agencies US Commission on Fine Arts (CFA) or the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC).

My understanding is that they are NOT involved whatsoever.




 No CFA involvement.


No NCPC involvement.

  

One of the renderings from Vision McMillan Partnters of the redevelopment McMillan Sand Filtration site.  It should be noted that there is  no CFA or NCPC input into the project.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Bloomingdale resident Edward "Smitty" Smith running for the elected position of Attorney General for the District of Columbia

There are two names for the elected position of Attorney General for the District of Columbia. 

One of the two people running is Bloomingdale resident Edward "Smitty" Smith



District of Columbia Board of Elections
Candidates - April 1, 2014 Primary Election

Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Candidate's Name Contact Person Candidate's Address Phone Number
Pick-up 
            
Date Date Filed Email Address
      
Edward "Smitty" Smith 61 S Street, NW20001 202-321-8411 11/27/13 edwardhsmith@gmail.com
                                  
Paul Zukerberg Paul Zukerberg 1790 Lanier Place, NW 20009 202-232-6400 11/8/13 paul.zukerberg@gmail


want to meet the owners of Seven Faces Barroom, ask them stuff about the place, see the plans and provide some input?

Recall that the three people behind Seven Faces Barroom, 253 Florida Avenue NW (next door to the still-to-open Meats and Foods), came before both the Bloomingdale Civic Association and ANC 5E.  One of the three Seven Faces people is Ashley May.

See this message from Ashley May:


We will be buying rounds for neighbors at Showtime Lounge on Tuesday Dec 3 from 6-8pm, and Shaw's Tavern on Sat Dec 14 from 3-5pm. We want to give everyone a chance to come ask us stuff about the place, see the plans, and give us input.




Brookland Resident Daniel Wolkoff: redevelop the Washington Hospital Center

From: Daniel Wolkoff
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 3:56 AM
Subject: Re-Develop Washington Hospital Center

Development where it is essential for solving the storm-water runoff from Washington Hospital Center parking lots, mitigated, expansion of Veterans Hospital and expansion of Children's National Medical Center, green solutions and building these supposed critically needed "Medical Office Buildings". Plan and prepare the cross town street car (transit corridor) we really need to be coordinated. With McMillan developed as Park, and Healing Garden, City Market etc.
                                                           
VMP with this poorly conceived urban planning does not create mass transit right of way at McMillan Site for our future transit progress. 
 
The demand for real competent urban planning is not shown by VMP.

It's the re-development/expansion of WHC and the mass transit corridor that is sensible priority, to reduce the flooding with Green Solutions as George Hawkins at DC WASA keeps talking about and the future transit corridor from Adams Morgan to Mt. Rainier.

So who are the organizations in "The Coalition for Smarter Growth"? How many people are members? Vocal but a vacuum?

The static, sterile lawn in VMP renderings, surrounded by a strip of sapling trees, is the remaining land after 50 buildings would swallow up this fascinating historic site. This just shows the marginal level of design talent at VMP. And the monotonous slavish devotion to mediocrity of uninspired and corrupt city officials. Elected and appointed, are self empowered and they dictated this development , and said, swallow this whole you powerless residents, without any open exploration of the numerous valid options for re-development. Parks are development! Bistro, skating rink, carousel, urban farms, beach, gardens,concerts, movie festivals, and any creative use we can imagine, that is park compatible.

National Trust for Historic Preservation recommended to HPRB McMillan development by law must follow Secretary of Interior Preservation Guidelines. Any buildings follow the same roof line of existing structures, spaced apart, and could share the same architecture, like brick and Spanish tile roofs. Classy and coherent.  Just imagine the fabulous 1920 Wardman buildings at the National Zoo. Why does class, coherence, space, and great views have so much difficulty getting into some people's heads?

Take a break from the computer screen and imagine walking up gracious entrance stairs onto a real park of mature trees, and shrub lined gardens, fountains, sculpture, with views of the monuments, sunsets, July 4th fireworks, breezes, and fresh air. Think Meridian Hill Park , this is what McMillan will be, just as planned and designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.

VMP is not capable of re-designing an Olmsted site, not surprising. Even commercial services cleverly built into adaptive re-use of existing under-surface masonry galleries. This park was planned by true "Visionaries" and wasted by the elected and appointed, corrupt officials of this miserable embarrassment of a govt. since the day they payed $9 million, and wasted it every day since. This level of waste of public resources is really atrocious, and should be punished, not glossed over. We can and will have an active, 365 day a year Eco-Campus with endless community and family oriented potential.

Don't be scared friends and neighbors.  This is a National treasure and everyone can participate.

Glen Echo in West Bethesda (not a big useless lawn), restored immaculately, and developed for the entire community's welfare, especially children. Their classes and activity schedule is
88 pages.

This is our opportunity, be smart enough to be part of this, demand excellence for civic, social, community benefit. Vote out the people who fenced us out for 26 years. Correct the historic, institutional racism and imbalance in DC parkland, not with a lawn in front of a grocery store.  Stop the "surplussing" of our land at McMillan, support the creative adaptive-reuse.

Participate!
Daniel Goldon Wolkoff
1231 Randolph Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
202-232-8391

Washington Firehouse Restaurant ABRA hearing -- Wednesday, 12-04-2013

...and now a word from the Washington Firehouse Restaurant regarding its upcoming ABRA hearing (this was posted at the Eckington list by John WDC):


For those of us waiting for the Washington Firehouse to open please take a moment and head to their Facebook page. There are protests about their liquor license & they need our support. They've included a way to show your support.

From their FB page:

There have been several protests filed against the opening of the Washington Firehouse Restaurant. The owners through our attorney have in conjunction with the landlord and management attempted to accommodate the protesters requests in good faith. Unfortunately, the issues of those representing the protestors could not be resolved through meditation.

Anyone who wishes to write a letter in support of the liquor license for the Washington Firehouse Restaurant may do so by sending it to our attorney Makan Shirafkan via email, fax, or via postal mail at the address below.

Law Office of Shirafkan
8200 Greensboro Drive
Suite 900
Mclean, VA 22102

ph: 703-828-4529
fax: 202-380-9111

makan@shirafkanlaw.com

Supporters are also encouraged to show up at the final hearing on December 4th, 2013. The hearing date, time and address are also below.

Washington Firehouse Restaurant ABRA 092685
Wednesday December 4th, 2013 1:30 PM
Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration - ABRA
2000 14th Street, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20009

Please note, all letters in support of the Washington Firehouse Restaurant must have the author`s full name and home address on the letter in order to be considered. 



Father Mike Kelley invites everyone to Thanksgiving Mass this morning at 9:00 am at St. Martin's Catholic Church -- followed by a free Thanksgiving dinner -- volunteers welcome

St. Martin's Church, Bloomingdale's Catholic Church since 1901, invites everyone to Thanksgiving mass at 9:00AM followed by a FREE Thanksgiving Day dinner between 11:00AM to 1:00 PM.  All are welcome to the dinner and there will be a warm weather clothing give-away for those in need.  

We are also looking for volunteers to help with the serving the dinner, giving away the clothing and taking meals to those people in the community who are unable to leave their houses.  If you are interested volunteering please talk with me, Fr. Mike Kelley, after the Thanksgiving morning mass.  We are also (always) in need of more donations of clothing (especially warm sweaters and heavy coats) or food (canned or non-perishable) which can be left at the back of the church Thanksgiving morning.

St. Martin's Catholic Church serves the Bloomindale community and is on the corner of North Capitol and T Street.  If you can't make the Thanksgiving festivities please join us for Advent starting this Sunday December 1st.

Also, please check out our brand new website (www.stmartinsdc.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stmartinsdc) for more information on these events as well as other events like our Zumba Classes on Tuesday's and Thursday's ($5 starting December 3rd) and our wonderful annual Christmas Concert on December 8th.

We hope everyone in Bloomingdale has a blessed holiday season.

Peace,
Fr. Mike Kelley


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

DC Water traffic advisory: "McMillan construction comes to 1st Street NW"

From: Emanuel D. Briggs <Emanuel.Briggs@dcwater.com>
To: Emanuel D. Briggs <Emanuel.Briggs@dcwater.com
Cc: Emanuel D. Briggs <Emanuel.Briggs@dcwater.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 3:18 PM
Subject: RE TRAFFIC ADVISORY: MCMILLAN CONSTRUCTION COMES TO FIRST STREET


DC Water Contact:
Emanuel D. Briggs
Manager, Community Outreach
(202) 787-2003

November 27, 2013

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
MCMILLAN CONSTRUCTION COMES TO FIRST STREET
                                            
(Washington, DC) – DC Water is set to begin construction on First Street, NW as part of the McMillan Stormwater Storage Project.

Beginning Monday, December 2, 2013 through mid January 2014, weather permitting, crews will begin preparations to construct a diversion chamber at the southwest corner of Channing Street, NW that will connect to the future First Street Tunnel.
                                                                                                   
This project supports the Northeast Boundary Neighborhood Protection Project and the diversion chamber will assist in delaying approximately 500,000 gallons of stormwater from reaching the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park neighborhoods during heavy rainfall events.

Important Information:

  • Monday, December 2, 2013 through Monday, December 9, 2013 – First Street, NW between Channing Street and Michigan Avenue will be closed to southbound traffic.  One lane will remain open for northbound traffic only.
  • Monday, December 9, 2013 through mid January 2014 – There will be partial and full road closures on First Street, NW between Channing Street and McMillan Drive. 
  • Construction operations for all partial road closures will be from 7:00am to 7:00pm, Monday through Friday; construction operations for all full road closures will be 24 hours, Monday through Saturday.
  • Temporary traffic signs will be set up throughout the area to alert motorists to the upcoming traffic changes.
  • Some traffic delays within the vicinity of the work zones are anticipated.
  • Sidewalk detours will also be implemented.
  • There will be an increase in truck traffic.
  • Noise levels will be closely monitored during construction.
  • To avoid traffic delays, North Capitol Street may be used as an alternative route for travel on First Street, between Channing Street and Michigan Avenue.
  •                                      
Project Details
DC Water will construct two underground structures to divert stormwater into a temporary holding tank within the McMillan Sand Filtration Plant and existing trunk sewer.  The two diversion structures at North Capitol Street and First Street will work together with the retention basins along Irving Street to delay approximately 4.5 million gallons of stormwater from reaching the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park neighborhoods during heavy rainfall events. 
           
This is a two-phase project.  The first phase, completed in 2013, included removal of sand from two tanks.  The second phase of the project is currently underway, and includes work on North Capitol Street, First Street and Irving Street.
  
###
  
About DC Water
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water), is an industry leading multi-jurisdictional regional utility that provides drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment to 600,000 residential, commercial and governmental customers in the District of Columbia, 17.8 million annual visitors and also collects and treats wastewater for 1.6 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia.

DC Water’s service area covers approximately 725 square miles and the company operates the world’s largest advanced wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 370 million gallons per day and a peak capacity of 1.076 billion gallons per day. 

Kuumba Kollectibles: flowers today! open until 7:00 pm - perfect gift for family or hostess

From: Kuumba Kollectibles
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 4:49 PM
Subject: Flowers Today! Open 'til 7- Perfect gift for family or hostess

Copyright © 2013 Kuumba Kollectibles, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you either signed our Guest Book, or are a friend of Kuumba Kollectibles.

Our mailing address is:
Kuumba Kollectibles
312 Florida Ave NW
WashingtonDC 20001

condensed version of the Vision McMillan Partners/DMPED PUD application posted to the MAG website

See this message from Bloomingdale resident Mat Bader:

Please let the community know that I have posted a condensed version of the VMP/DMPED PUD Application to the MAG website that I am drafting. You can find it here:



This includes all 54 files that can be found online. I simply put them into 5 consolidated PDFs for easier viewing.




DPW: supercan, trash container, recycling container replacement info

From: "Twine, Kevin (DPW)" <kevin.twine@dc.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 11:54 AM
Subject: This should help...
 


Supercan, Trash Container and Recycling Container Replacement
Each household will receive a new trash and recycling container.  After new containers are delivered, residents will be given the option of placing a sticker on any container that they would like it to be taken away.  Older containers will be recycled and I’m assuming new ones will get new homes.  We will assume that residents wish to retain any trash or recycling container that does not have a sticker on it.

A more specific delivery schedule will be announced at a later date.

January – March
All households with once a week trash collection will receive a new supercan (same size)

March – April
All households with supercans (once per week trash collection) will receive a larger recycling container (old = 32-gallon, new = 64-gallon)

May – June
All households with twice per week trash collection will receive new trash containers (same size = 32-gallon)

June – July
All households with twice a week trash collection will receive a larger recycling container (old = 32-gallon, new = 48-gallon)
  
Kevin B. Twine
Staff Assistant
Office Of The Director
Department of Public Works
2000 14th Street, NW
6th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-671-2593
DPW Main: 202-673-6833
Fax: 202-671-0642

Washington Gas installing a new gas main on the west side of 1st St NW between U & V St NW

See this 11-27-2013 Washington Gas message:




Thank you for agreeing to allow Washington Gas to post periodic updates on our system replacement and relocation project in the Bloomingdale area on the community blog. I have attached the latest update for posting. This update is primarily focused on the work we will be doing on First Street between U and V Streets NW.

We will also be delivering copies of this update to each home on that block sometime today.

Again, thank you for your assistance.

Huey J. Battle
Regional Manager- Community Involvement
Washington Gas
101 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20080
(P) 202.624.6792
(F) 202.624.6010 
(C) 703.408.0340
NGEN_Signature
                                          

DC Water: Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park community update (dated 11-26-2013)

From: Emanuel D. Briggs <Emanuel.Briggs@dcwater.com>
To: Emanuel D. Briggs <Emanuel.Briggs@dcwater.com>
Cc: Emanuel D. Briggs <Emanuel.Briggs@dcwater.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 10:03 PM
Subject: RE: Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park Community Update
                                  

  
Greetings Bloomingdale/LeDroit Park Residents:

As we embark upon another Holiday Season, DC Water would like to provide you a “snap-shot” update on our projects in your area-

1)    Small Diameter Water Main Replacement Project (2nd Street, NW, from Thomas Street to Florida Avenue, and 100 Blocks of Seaton Place NW and S Street NW)
·         2nd Street, from Thomas Street to Rhode Island Avenue
o   Installation of new water mains is now complete
o   Disinfection of new mains is now complete
o   Transfer of individual property service connections to the new mains is tentatively slated for completion in the upcoming two weeks (remaining work will be done concurrently with Seaton Place)

·         100 Block of Seaton Place
o   Installation of new water mains is now complete
o   Disinfection of new mains is tentatively slated for completion in the upcoming two weeks (remaining work will be done concurrently with Phase 1 of 2nd Street, highlighted above)
o   Transfer of individual property service connections to the new mains is also tentatively slated for completion in the upcoming two weeks (remaining work will be done concurrently with Phase 1 of 2nd Street, highlighted above)

·         2nd Street, from Rhode Island Avenue to Florida Avenue
o   Work along this portion of 2nd Street is pending, but will be starting in the coming weeks

·         100 Block of S Street
o   Work at this location is also pending, but will be starting in the coming weeks

·         Overall project is still on schedule for completion in January 2014, depending on favorable weather conditions

·         Milestones – This project has been coordinated closely with the First Street Tunnel construction. As such, the initial focus was placed on 2nd Street, NW, between Thomas Street and Rhode Island Avenue so that this portion of work would be completed prior to the start of the Tunnel. Our Contractor has, however, worked expeditiously to not only complete much of the work at this location, but has also completed water main installation on Seaton Place as well

For more information on this project, please contact Ms. Jill McClanahan, Construction Outreach Coordinator, at (202) 787-2202, or at jill.mcclanahan@dcwater.com.

================================================================

2)    First Street Tunnel
The First Street Tunnel Project is moving from final design into the construction phase. DC Water hired the design-build firm of Skanska-Jay Dee (SKJD) to perform the construction work. The tunnel project will begin in February 2014 and extend through March 2016.  Currently, DC Water is working with SKJD on preparing a series of public meetings tentatively scheduled for January 2014. The purpose of the meetings will be to introduce the contractor, describe the scope and schedule of the work in greater detail, and identify key community contacts during the project.  More details on these meetings and formal meeting notices will be forthcoming, so please stay tuned…

In the interim, DC Water is conducting pre-construction surveys for abutting properties with the aim of recording the pre-construction condition of homes within the zone of influence of the construction project. During the pre-construction surveys, DC Water staff take photographs and video of properties abutting the tunnel alignment.  This service is still available to property owners, so please contact Mr. Tom Lindberg with our Outreach team to schedule a survey or for more information. He may be reached at (202) 787-4738, or at thomas.lindberg@dcwater.com.

Concurrent with DC Water pre-construction surveys, Washington Gas and Pepco are in the neighborhood relocating utilities in advance of tunnel construction. A number of the service lines and direct connections are older and must be replaced, so check with Washington Gas or Pepco regarding the scope and schedule of the work near you. 

For Washington Gas – Huey J. Battle, Regional Manager/Community Involvement                     For Pepco – Chris Taylor, Public Affairs Manager, DC Region
                                          (202) 624-6792 or hbattle@washgas.com                                                                           (202) 872-3357 or crtaylor@pepco.com

================================================================
3)    Bryant Street Pumping Station Discharge Piping Replacement Project

·         Phase 1 of the project has been successfully completed, as pipe replacement and restoration of disturbed roads, sidewalks, curb and gutter and grassy areas has now been completed along portions of 2nd Street, Bryant Street and Adams Street

·         Milestones – Despite an initial completion date of August 2014 for Phase 1 of the project, our Contractor has worked expeditiously to complete this portion of the work approximately 11 months ahead of schedule! Phase 2, originally scheduled to start in August 2014 immediately following Phase 1, is currently underway. We anticipate an early completion for Phase 2 of the project as well, depending on favorable weather conditions and continued successful coordination with DC Water and other projects in the area.

·         For more information on this project, please contact Ms. Jill McClanahan, Construction Outreach Coordinator, at (202) 787-2202, or at jill.mcclanahan@dcwater.com.


For those of you who may have questions regarding construction activity during this week’s festivities – Per the mandated “Suspension Of Work In The District,” issued by DDOT for the Thanksgiving Holiday, non-emergency construction activities are not permitted on Wednesday, November 27 nor on Thursday, November 28. Work may resume as previously scheduled on Friday, November 29. I can tell you that, for our Small Diameter Water Main Replacement Project, work will resume next Monday, December 2.

===============================================================

With warm wishes for a Happy ThanksgivingJ

Emanuel D. Briggs | Manager, Community Outreach, External Affairs | District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority | emanuel.briggs@dcwater.com
5000 Overlook Avenue, SW | Washington, DC 20032 | (202) 787-2003 | (202) 341-7952 (cell) | (202) 787-4122 (fax)
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