May flowers and the 96 bus
A few items for your interest
Next meeting of your local Advisory Neighborhood Committee is coming up on Monday, 22 May, 7pm. See the agenda and sign up to participate here.
Better Bus? Or not.
WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) is proposing a redesign of its bus network for Washington DC and surrounding areas called a “Visionary Network.” There are many good ideas to improve bus service, including more frequent buses and some 24-hour routes. But the plan would be a big blow to our neighborhood by eliminating the 96 bus route.
The 96 runs right through Woodley Park and Cleveland park and connects neighborhoods from Tenleytown to Adams Morgan, the U Street corridor, to Union Station and then across the city to the Maryland border across the Anacostia. The 96 provides transit for many schools in Ward 3 including Jackson-Reed, Deal, Maret, Hearst, Eaton, National Presbyterian, Washington International, National Cathedral, Oyster-Adams Bilingual and Sidwell Friends.
Losing the 96 will mean Woodley Park residents lose transit access to many critical destinations: for example, with no nearby grocery store, residents can use the 96 to access to Safeway in Adams Morgan or Giant and Wegmans on Wisconsin Avenue.
WMATA is taking comments on their proposal until June 5. You can compare trips in the current plan to the new plan here. Here's the current 96 route. If you want to keep the 96, please let them know here.
I drafted a resolution for ANC3C to consider on the issue (with a lot of input from others). I’d love your input if you want to have a look.
Cleveland Park Plaza
I just counted up my inbox:
64 messages support pedestrianizing the Cleveland Park service lane
25 messages support fully or partially re-opening the service lane to cars
The strongest bloc supporting cars in the service lane are businesses who want the parking restored. There’s a bloc of businesses - restaurants and bars - which want to keep it for pedestrians and outdoor dining. A clear majority of residents support pedestrianizing the plaza.
The ANC will consider a resolution calling for pedestrianizing the service lane. I’m inclined to support it. What do you think?
Other items of interest
Our neighbor Madeleine Gauthier has agreed to join the ANC3C Environmental Justice Committee. Thank you for your service, Madeleine!
Tregaron Conservancy and the Cleveland & Woodley Park Village will co-host a string quartet concert May 21 at 3pm near the pond.
Come down to the Park & Shop parking lot for the Uptown Shuffle co-hosted by the Cleveland Park Main Street and the Cleveland Park Community Association. Games, food, music, dancing. June 4 10-4pm.
The Woodley Park Community Association neighborhood picnic is June 10 (4-7pm) in the park by Woodley Playground. It’s always a fun event. All are welcome!
A small plug for the newsletter of co-Commissioner Sauleh Siddiqui. It’s a good source of info and insight - he’s better at this than I am.
Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to friends and neighbors, especially if they live in our neighborhood, SMD07.
ENDS//