...and the living is easy.
Hyper-local news for your post-holiday Tuesday.
Dear friends and neighbors,
Feels like Summer! Pools are open and the living is good. Hope you’re enjoying the warm weather and staying cool. Here’s a few updates on the neighborhood and activities of our Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
A better bus!
WMATA has decided to save our 96 bus. You may remember that I was very worried that the 96 would be eliminated in the new bus plan.
The latest proposal will keep the 96 bus, renamed the C55. You can see the new proposal here. The C55 will be shorter and terminate in LeDroit Park. This will help address one of the problems with the 96; traveling way across the city and over the Anacostia meant the bus route was vulnerable to all sorts of delays and traffic interruptions. Apparently, bus drivers hated the route.
Obviously this isn’t the only change in the WMATA proposal, and for most people probably not the most important issue. But for our little microcosm of a neighborhood, it’s great news. WMATA has a very good website on the proposed Better Bus Network with trip planners and comparisons. Have a look and make comments (and thank them for the C55) if you have a minute. Changes are proposed to be implemented in 2025.
Update on a safer Connecticut Avenue, including bike lanes
Last month, we wondered what the Mayor was doing about Connecticut Avenue safety and why she was delaying progress. Now, we know. She was sitting on the process and has ordered the safety plan be revised to remove safe bike lanes.
This comes more than two years after the Mayor approved safety improvements on Connecticut Avenue, which included safe bike lanes. It was a shock to hear she changed her mind. Actually, we didn’t hear it from the mayor, she had the interim Director of the Department of Transportation mention it, almost in passing, at a budget hearing. There wasn’t any explanation for the change in plan, nor for the long delay.
In response to the Mayor’s flip-flop, about 5000 people have signed a petition not to cancel the bike lanes (sign on, if you haven’t already). And Ward 3 Councilmember Frumin has worked with the Committee on Transportation to push the safety plan forward, as originally agreed by the Mayor, including the bike lanes. From the transportation budget recommendations:
“Given the extensive community support for Concept C, the District’s ostensible commitment to shifting motor vehicle users to other modes, and the enormous safety benefits of bike lanes, the Committee is convinced that any redesign of Connecticut Avenue NW must include a PBL. Therefore, the Committee incorporates language in this subtitle to prevent DDOT from expending funds in FY25 in furtherance of the Connecticut Avenue Reversible Lane Operations and Safety project (Project No. 100634 (LMS19C)), or any other capital project for the same or similar purpose, unless the installation of protected bike lanes is included in the project’s design, planning, and construction.”
The three ANCs along Connecticut Avenue support the original plan; ANC3C re-iterated our support recently. I’m watching this closely, and very frustrated that the Mayor changed her mind and is creating delay and conflict. We had a plan that had a lot of support. Meanwhile, Connecticut Avenue remains a very dangerous street. According to one analyst, there have been at least 360 reported crashes on Connecticut Avenue since the Mayor announced her support for the safety plan. DDOT is hosting a meeting on Connecticut Avenue for June 3, if you want to tune in and hear what they’re currently thinking.
Reckoning with our history
If you haven’t checked it out, I strongly recommend going down to the Cleveland Park Library to explore the Undesign the Redline exhibit. It’s an eye-opening presentation on the history of racial exclusion in our community. Many students, neighbors and local organizations were involved in putting it together. You can guide yourself any time the library is open, or you can join a public tours of the exhibit on Wednesdays at 10:30am, Saturdays at 2:00pm, and Sundays at 1:30pm. There’s a related series of events, movies, book talks, and walking tours you can also check out. I’ve been to several and they are super interesting and also very moving. Runs until July 11.
What’s happening down in Woodley Park?
The Woodley Park commercial strip has seen better days. There are a lot of empty storefronts and closed up businesses. I was especially sad to lose longtime neighborhood favorites, Tono Sushi and MacIntyre’s. What’s going on? I’ve heard some one them (the latter two) faced lease expirations and large rent increases. The old Ace Hardware location was slated to have a new grocery, but neighborhood opposition and the DC public space committee squelched it.
One commercial property owner in Woodley Park told me “Woodley is tough right now” and a lot of businesses are just holding on, hoping the new Wardman/Carmel development will help by bringing approximately 2000 new residents to the neighborhood. I hope so.
That’s one reason why I think it’s important to get that project completed as soon as possible. The Wardman site has been a dead zone in our neighborhood for too long. The residential development could have been a lot better, delivered more affordable housing and more community amenities. But, regardless, it will be good to bring new residents and energy into our community. ANC3C is opposing efforts to delay or litigate the project.
Parties and events
Thursday, May 30th: Cleveland Park Night Market, outdoor market will feature artisan local vendors from 5pm-9pm.
Cleveland Park Day is June 2, from noon to 5pm. It’s going to be a blast with outdoor vendors, live music, a pet fashion show, happy hour and business specials, and a Kids Zone. There will be a dunk tank where residents can dunk their favorite ANC commissioner. Bring your grievances. Sounds fun, right? See here.
POSTPONED!!! Come to the Woodley Park Picnic! Saturday June 8, 4 to 7 pm. Hot dogs and watermelon and neighborly fun. In “Mosquito Park” next to the Woodley Playground on Cortland Place. Organized by the Woodley Park Community Association (WPCA). Click here to RSVP. POSTPONED!!!
WPCA is also organizing a “shred and hazardous waste day” for Sat June 22. (I believe from 9-Noon) at the parking lot in Maret School.
Update on ANC activity
The next meeting of ANC3C will be 17 June 7pm. Agenda and registration will be posted here. Let me know if you have issues or concerns to raise.
You can see what we did in May here, including:
Supported a grant to the Woodland-Normanstone Neighborhood Association to help clear invasive overgrowth and maintain Normanstone Valley
Supported neighbors seeking approval to do renovations and projects, including 2850 27th Street.
In April, sent a letter calling for revisions to the Mayor’s budget to restore funding to schools, restore funding for DC’s Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, and other suggestions.
As always, I’d love feedback. Even negative feedback is helpful to improve what we’re doing.
Other items of interest
Our local food pantry the NW Community Food in Van Ness is seeking volunteers to work 2-hour shifts. Also can use drivers to pick up donations and make home deliveries. The pantry serves 250-300 families every weekend.
Spanish-, Arabic- and Mandarin-speakers are also needed.
Reminder: Red line stations closing this summer: Beginning in early June, Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma stations on the Red Line will be closed for repairs. The closure will continue through early September. More closures and plans here.
Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to friends and neighbors, especially if they live in the neighborhood.