I am working to address the parking issues on Sunday in Bloomingdale due to church goers that illegally park in the neighborhood. Can you please post something to the blog encouraging folks in the neighborhood to contact Councilman Thomas and their ANC commissioners about the problem? I think the more people drawing attention to this issue the faster it will be resolved.
Thanks for your assistance with this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Brice McCracken
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Thomas, Harry (COUNCIL)"
Date: March 3, 2011 8:51:14 AM EST
To: "james.fournier9@verizon.net"
Cc: "john.salatti@gmail.com"
Subject: Re: Parking Enforcement in the 100 Block of T St NW (Constituent Concern)
Thanks for copying me I am working with the ministers to address these concerns
----- Reply message -----
From: "James Fournier"
Date: Thu, Mar 3, 2011 7:02 am
Subject: Parking Enforcement in the 100 Block of T St NW (Constituent Concern)
To:
Cc:
John,
Thanks for passing this along.
Brice,
The issues raised in your e-mail have been around for a long time and I believe Commissioner Salatti's response highlights the current state of affairs. I would be interested in seeing the photos that you have.
- James
Mar 3, 2011 01:28:30 AM, anc5c03 @ gmail.com wrote:
===========================================
John,
Thank you for sharing. I look forward to working with everyone to develop sustainable solutions.
Hugh
On Mar 2, 2011, at 23:11, "John T. Salatti" wrote:
Dear Brice,
As fate would have it, I received another e-mail Sunday concerning church-related parking and the dangers such parking can sometime cause. I take these e-mails as evidence that the time has come to discuss these issues more widely. So before I say anything else, let me note that I have copied my fellow Bloomingdale Commissioners, James Fournier and Hugh Youngblood, and I have copied my fellow board members of the Bloomingdale Civic Association. This parking issue is one that they all have an interest in and an issue that will require all their creative, positive input to resolve. As full disclosure, I live 100 feet from a church, St. George's Episcopal at 2nd & U NW.
As for your specific questions regarding parking enforcement on Sundays, let me offer three basic points. First, without question in the District of Columbia, the unwritten rule is that parking enforcement around churches is essentially suspended. I say "unwritten" because I am sure that no one will in writing and officially say that, but nonetheless that is, so to speak, the God's honest truth. One can park with immunity in ways on a Sunday morning that virtually any other time will result in a ticket. This means that getting the violations dealt with in the manner you quite vigorously attempted is not likely to have much impact. Second, the Department of Public Works, which handles basic parking enforcement, does not generally do enforcement on weekends in residential areas like Bloomingdale. The areas you note in your e-mail are commercial districts and are handled differently. That said, Parking Enforcement does come out on occasions during the weekend and a request can be made to them to specially come to Bloomingdale on Sunday. However, as I noted, such enforcement would fly directly in the face of long-standing policy. Third, police officers do write parking tickets on weekends, but again they generally will look the other way on a Sunday morning.
So let me offer another suggestion. I have very good relationships with almost all the pastors, rectors, etc. in and around Bloomingdale as well as a very good relationship with Rhode Island-North Capitol Ecumenical Council; most, but not all, of our neighborhood churches are part of the Council. With that in mind, I would like to bring the commissioners and the Bloomingdale Civic Association officers together with the Ecumenical Council and any other church in the area (I think specifically of the Eritrean Christian Church at 2nd & S and World Missions Extension Center at 1st & Randolph NW). In that venue, we can discuss with the ministers the concerns that you and others have raised and look for positive solutions.
The churches are vital and historic parts of this community that have felt less-than-welcome at times by the actions of some neighbors. So it behooves us to approach them in the spirit of mutual respect and in the spirit of positive collaboration to avoid both bad feelings and, more importantly, preventable accident or injury. I am confident that I can arrange that meeting.
But first I will confer with the commissioners and civic association officers to consider solutions and options that we can present to the pastors before we meet with them. Solutions will be important part of the discussion; we'll also want to let them know about the soon-to-open Flatiron Building across T Street from you; the repopulating of that building will only exacerbate the parking shortage. So a little strategic, early, and thoughtful discussion on our part would be helpful.
In the mean time, I am glad that you brought up the photos that you have taken. Please save them. Perhaps we can turn photos into a PowerPoint presentation to show how the parking issues are creating some dangerous situations around the neighborhood. I'll be back to you about those.
Thank you for raising this matter, Brice. Parking continues to be a real problem for the neighborhood. Our businesses, although they don't actually generate much of a parking problem currently, are regularly accused of contributing to a parking shortage in the neighborhood that is almost completely attributable to the positive growth in the neighborhood over the past 15 years. Bloomingdale has almost no vacant homes any more, and many houses have been divided in multiple units. That's the basis of our parking issues. But as our neighborhood continues to grow and our businesses continue to thrive, the shortage of parking is going to become a greater and great concern.
So please give me and the others a little time to come together and then to meet with the pastors. Please continue to document significant parking violations. Contact me any time with information, questions, and requests for updates.
Have a great day,
John
--
John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
Vice President, Bloomingdale Civic Association
(202) 986- 2592
Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale
On Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 10:56 PM, Salatti, John T. (ANC 5C04) wrote:
-------------------------------------------
From: Brice McCracken[SMTP:BRICE.MCCRACKEN80 @ GMAIL.COM]
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 10:56:28 PM
To: Thomas, Harry (COUNCIL); Chase, Ayawna (COUNCIL); Salatti, John T. (ANC 5C04);
Subject: Parking Enforcement in the 100 Block of T St NW (Constituent Concern)
Councilman Thomas and Commissioner Salatti-
I moved into a condo at 125 T ST NW, in May of 2010. Since that time, I have noticed that every Sunday parking between the hours of 10am and 3pm becomes an issue due to persons attending the various neighborhood churches. Today, the parking violations committed by these individuals elevated to becoming a safety hazard for residents including me. At the intersection of 2nd and T St, cars were parked in clearly visible "No Parking" areas. These cars were even parked in such a manner as to partially be blocking T St NW. After also noticing cars parked in the bus stop at 2nd and Rhode Island Avenue, I proceeded to make a report via the 3-1-1 website to report the violations. When I returned home a few hours later, I noticed that all of the vehicles were still illegally parked and no one from DC parking enforcement or the police had come through to ticket these vehicles. When I called 3-1-1 this afternoon to again make another report of the illegally parked vehicles, I was informed by the 3-1-1 operator that there is no parking enforcement on Sundays. I know this to be false, because on numerous Sundays when I am out in Chinatown or Dupont, I have observed and on at least one occasion, been the recipient of a parking ticket in these areas. If these areas of DC are able to have their parking enforced on a Sunday, why am I not able to have parking enforced in my neighborhood? None the less, when I called 3-1-1 this afternoon, I was eventually connected with 9-1-1. The dispatcher told me that the police would be dispatched. After several more calls, I never saw a police officer come through and I did not observe any of the vehicles receive a ticket for their illegal parking.
After placing my third call to 3-1-1/ 9-1-1 for parking enforcement, I decided to walk through the neighborhood and take pictures of the illegally parked cars. I have approximately 20 pictures showing how many vehicles were illegally parked in this two block radius. I am willing to provide these pictures to you in hopes of illustrating for you just how bad this issue is. I hope this can be resolved this week, if not please know that I will continue to contact 3-1-1 (and if needed 9-1-1) until this situation is addressed and resolved.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Brice McCracken
100 Block of T St NW
Washington, DC 20001
9 comments:
Now, I know this might cause some sort of shit storm BUT I can say that the situation with parking is particularly troubling as it pertains to the Eritrean Church at 2nd and S. Our collective tolerance of the temporary parking accommodations is absolutely pushed TO THE LIMITS when we see folks from this particular congregation parking in crosswalks, in front of alley ingress/egress, in front of active garages, double parked, parking at and around the actual corners of blocks, parking on sidewalks, parking in privately held parking spaces in the rears of buildings, bus stops, hydrants, etc., etc., and the list goes on. I have personally witnessed folks getting out of their cars wherever and rolling OUT to attend services. Cabs all up and down S Street, 2nd street, Randolph Street and as far as Third Street and Rhode Island Avenue. It's not only a safety issue - it's outward disrespect to the neighborhood that they visit as guests. As a member of this community, I can attest to the many 'blind eye' moments that I have afforded neighborhood churches and even the lodge on 3rd St *GASP* on Saturday nights - in part because I don't see such an outward disrespect. Folks come, folks leave and go about their business. However, with this particular church the level of offense is beyond the pale and exceeds what I think is reasonable for any neighborhood to bear. And, just for your information - don't dare try to park the Saturday night before Easter Sunday - even the Lord can't help you find parking within 7 blocks of 2nd and S, NW...
Very respectfully yours,
neighborhood resident (and shit starter extraordinaire)
It's nice to see this brought to attention.
The neighborhood & taxpayers MUST come before the Maryland & Virginia church goers that attend chruches in OUR neighborhood.
Can we also look into M - F parking enforcment. The people that work / own Bloomingdale liquers park thier minvan w/ non DC plates on 1st street ALL DAY until 9pm when the store closes. The car is not registered in DC and does not have a visitor pass. They are nice people and the business is fine - but the parking space is needed for residents. Why are they given a free pass?
Thank you
Victoria
There was definitely a car parked halfway on the sidewalk near the 2nd and S street church on Sunday. I have no idea why it was parked like that (the wheel that was on the sidewalk didn't seem to need to be there for the car to fit), but it serves as testament to the fact that people literally abandon their cars on Sunday mornings.
Glad to see this issue being raised. If it were just a matter of fudging here and there I would be inclined to let it go, but the current parking situation on Sundays makes it nearly dangerous to drive and walk around the neighborhood. There are cars sticking into intersections, in front of hydrants, and edging over into alleys. One cannot see oncoming traffic when pulling out or turning and cars have difficulty seeing pedestrians.
As a neighbor of the Eritrean Church on 2nd and S (I live on the same block), I agree fully with Kerry. The illegal parking has gotten much worse in the past few years and is now actually dangerous every week, with cars parked in intersections, double parked, blocking crosswalks, parked on sidewalks, and parked in front of alleys, garages, and fire hydrants. I'm sure this is a problem near other churches too, I speak of this particular one because it is the block that I know and the issue that I experience every week. I also write this as someone who lives with three roommates and none of us have cars, so please don't think that this is an issue of not being able to park myself.
I also applaud Comm Salatti's efforts - though I must say I am not optomistic. My wife and I live on S Street (betwixt First and N Cap) - on Sunday mornings, I dare not leave to run a quick errand for fear of not having a parking spot upon return. This is fine. I live in a city and of course use a shared parking street. But let's be honest about the power of churches in Washington DC - it's a reality. Even Maryland clergy have no qualms with advocating against/for DC social issues/legislation. DC churches I suspect will turn a deaf ear to our plea as Police have no incentive to shake this bee hive. There are just too many cars and not enough spots on Sunday morning. The only true fix will be if the church moves closer to its flock (i.e VA/MD)- leaving behind an empty and dillapidated space just ripe for crime and squatting. So what's my recommendation? A compromise. Request that at the very least, fire hydrants and alley ways remain clear and that the churches support the use of a drop off/pick up procedure/spot that does not halt traffic on the entire block (something the Eritrean church could stand to utililize). Frankly, I'll continue to avoid these areas during Sunday mornings and plan my errands to maintain my spot during this time frame. A separate but related issue is the inconsideration of those of us who do live here, who park without any thought of economizing spots and respect for allowing for other cars in a spot which could clearly accomodate more cars. I think I've seen some arguement against, but I'm not sure why we don't put parking lines up and down our streets. This would at least force people to to think about the intentional blocking of an additional spot pending their relatives/friends arrival and getting tickets for being too close to the arbitrary/invisible distance from an alleyway or fire hydrant. Perhaps a friendly reminder to our neighbors would suffice - but again I remain pessimistic.
I was actually reprimanded by 311 for calling to drop the dime on St Martin's one night. They had multiple cars double parked up the unit block of T NW and were parked all over the the overpass. People were stopping to chat and pick people up and drop people off in the only open area of T Street, which meant traffic was blocked for minutes a time just for their convenience.
When I called to complain I got lectured about how it was a church and they needed to park somewhere so they could attend their church. It was clear from this conversation that at least some people in the DC government believed that churchgoers had needs that were more important than other folks.
I get it. The church was here before me, but now I live here too and i think expecting people to park in the available parking spots only, to be a reasonable expectation.
Why cant St Martin's run a shuttle from the forman mills parking lot, brookland, or the home depot? Heck, I'd volunteer to drive for 30 minutes every once in a while if they needed it.
Interesting "Tweet" from 3/18/2011 12:30PM
novadancer: Thank you mt pleasant baptist church for completely blocking the bus stop @ #bloomingdaledc 18 minutes ago · reply
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