Here’s an update on the neighborhood and activities of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
A new grocery in Woodley Park?
Neighbors have long wanted more grocery options in Woodley Park. There’s even a movement to ask Trader Joe’s to come to the neighborhood. So there’s some exciting - if tentative - news. The owners of the old Ace Hardware space (2616 Connecticut) report that a “high end grocery” is interested in the lease.
But there’s some complication. It’s not a very big space for a grocery and there would be a need for better garbage disposal. According to the property owner, getting access to a dumpster is non-negotiable for the potential tenant. So they are seeking permission to use space on 24th Street to locate a dumpster. There had been one there some years ago, but it was removed.
Some neighbors have raised concerns about rats and smell and aesthetics of returning a dumpster to 24th Street. The owners have committed to screen the trash containers from public view, to secure trash pickup 6 days a week, and to provide rodent control services.
The ANC has been meeting on the topic and is preparing a letter to the Public Space Committee supporting the proposal with some conditions. If you have thoughts, let me know - or communicate them to the full ANC, or the Department of Transportation Public Space Committee.
New lights!
You may have noticed the street lights are brighter and have a different color. That’s because crews have been systematically replacing old lights with new LED lights. It’s part of a city-wide DC Smart Street Lighting Project to modernize 72,051 streetlights in the District of Columbia. The new lights have remote monitoring and control capabilities, can better direct light onto the road, sidewalks, and trails, and cut energy use more than 50%.
You probably remember the ANC hosted a presentation on the program last April. But to refresh your memory, DDOT has organized a public meeting at the Cleveland Park Library on October 26 at 6pm.
If you find the street lights too bright or directed incorrectly, you can file a 311 request and DDOT can make adjustments. A DDOT worker told me they are able to shield the light if it’s shining directly into your window. Worth a try if it’s bothering you. More info here.
A safer Woodley Park
After several recent tragic events, the Department of Transportation has come up with some design concepts for pedestrian safety on Taft Bridge. These are meant as a suicide prevention measure. Comparable fences were erected on Ellington Bridge in the 1980s and they have been effective.
The ANC has been pushing DDOT to move this project forward quickly. We realize not everyone will love or agree on the aesthetics of the new fence. That’s a lot of the reason why fences have never been built on the Taft Bridge. But, it’s literally a matter of life and death, and an expression of care for our neighbors.
Yard waste
Between all the fallen leaves, and prepping gardens for winter, Fall is the season for yard waste. This year, there’s a new process for yard waste collection by the DC Department of Public Works (DPW). Residents must contact 311 to make an appointment for yard waste collection; you can do that on the website, or through a mobile app. Yard waste should be packed in paper bags - DPW will collect up to 20 paper bags of yard waste from residences that receive DPW’s trash and recycling collection services. I understand that normal trash collection won’t pickup yard waste any more.
For leaf-sweeping, you can rake your leaves to the curb or tree box and DPW will come hoover them up as they usually do. They will be coming round starting end of October. You can check here for schedule and more info.
Lead pipes
Lead is a dangerous toxin for people of all ages, but is especially harmful for young children. DC Water is making a push to replace lead pipes, including on private property. Using various funds, they are now offering to pay some or all the cost of replacing lead service lines in private residences. Learn more about the program and if you might be eligible here.
Update on ANC activity
The next meeting of ANC3C will be 23 October at 7pm. Let me know if you have issues or concerns to raise. Check the website to see the agenda and register for the meeting (via zoom).
At our last meeting in September we:
Passed a resolution expressing concern about DC’s 911 system.
Approved a letter supporting new Connecticut Avenue Design Guidelines from the DC Office of Planning.
Approved a letter with suggestions for managing metered parking in Cleveland Park.
And some other stuff. Read all about it here.
The ANC Transportation Committee is wrestling with Reno Road/34th Street with Commissioners Sauleh Siddiqui and Rick Nash leading. The road is a through-way but also accesses numerous schools and quiet, residential neighborhoods. Sidewalks are often narrow and too close to speeding traffic. We have discussed the need to pursue a holistic vision for Reno/34th. You can see ideas on a shared document and we welcome your comments and ideas. Or email us.
As always, I’d love feedback. Even negative feedback is helpful to improve what we’re doing.
Other items of interest
Got an old computer or iPad you want to get rid of? You can recycle unwanted electronics through the DC Department of Energy and Environment. They hold regular drop-off events around the city. The next one nearby is in Glover Park: Saturday, October 28, 2023 (10 am-2 pm) on Calvert St between 40th Pl NW & 39th Pl NW. See here for what they do and don’t take.
Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to friends and neighbors, especially if they live in the neighborhood.