Greenleaf Update

ANC 6D REPORT

by Andrew Lightman

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D (ANC 6D) met on Jan. 9 via Zoom. Commissioners Bob Link (6DO1), Ronald Collins (6D02, treasurer), Gail Fast (6D03 Ashton Rohmer (6D05), Bruce Levine (6D06), Fredrica (Rikki) Kramer (6D07) and Rhonda Hamilton (6D08) were in attendance. Single Member District 6D04 remains vacant. Petitions to run for the va- cant 6D04 seat are available at Ofce of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions at www.anc.dc.gov.

The commissioners unanimously elected Ron Collins as Treasurer, Bruce Levine for Secretary, Bob Link for Vice Chair and Fredrica Kramer as Chair. All positions were uncontested. Former Commissioner Andrew Litsky o ciated.

Greenleaf Gardens

DC Housing Authority (DCHA) Executive Director Brenda Donald briefed the commission on the latest plans for the redevelopment of the Greenleaf public housing complex. Block D, encompassing the Greenleaf Senior, is the rst section slated for redevelopment, she said.

DCHA has selected a development team composed of Pennrose Properties, EYA and Paramount Development. That team is in the midst of a 120day financing period. They must obtain funding by March 23, 2023, after which, they will submit an application for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to the DC Zoning Commission and secure permits, Donald stated.

DCHA has held two Greenleaf Steering Committee meetings to date. The Steering Commission is comprised of sta , the developers and current residents. Another meeting is planned for the second quarter of 2023.

Addressing the elephant in the room, Greenleaf’s mountain of de-

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: DCHE 2023-2

NMTC PROGRAM UNDERWRITING AND TRANSACTION SUPPORT SERVICES

DC Housing Enterprises (“DCHE”) is a wholly owned subsidiary and an instrumentality of the District of Columbia Housing Authority (“DCHA”) is requesting underwriting, transaction and technical support services to assist in evaluating NMTC funding applications.

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, on DCHA’s website at; www.dchousing.org under “Business” and “Solicitations”.

SEALED PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON, OR BEFORE Friday, February 17, 2023, at 11:00 A.M.

Send email correspondences to Lolita Washington, Contract Specialist lwashing@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 2023-3

Capper Carrollsburg Parking Lots

DC Housing Enterprises (“DCHE”) is a wholly owned subsidiary and an instrumentality of the District of Columbia Housing Authority (“DCHA”) seeks qualified firms to serve as an operator of three (3) surface parking lots located in the Southeast area of Washington, D.C.

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, on DCHA’s website at; www.dchousing.org under “Business” and “Solicitations”.

SEALED PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON, OR BEFORE Friday, February 17, 2023, at 12:00 PM.

Email LaShawn Mizzell-McLeod, Contract Specialist at LMMCLEOD@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.

ferred maintenance, DCHA Deputy Director of Maintenance Jed Ader stated that the agency closed 1,308 work orders since June 2022. The agency had made real progress on fixing problems in residences, he stated. Adler gave an optimistic prognosis for the completion of any remaining repairs.

“We will make sure everyone unit is up to code. We are going unit to unit to make sure everyone lives in safe conditions.” Donald stated. “Money is not our problem, it is capacity.”

Commissioners took issue with their assessment. The maintenance for the properties has gone downhill, Commissioner Hamilton stated. The agency’s emergency phone number does not function, she claimed. Ader promised significant changes in the maintenance regime. “We are trying to create a more efficient response,” Donald concurred in support.

How many remaining work orders are still pending, queried Commissioner Collins? In Greenleaf Senior there are 14 open work orders, Ader responded. Greenleaf Gardens has a total of 673 work orders, he said. Ader could not confirm the number of vacant units.

“I feel like its Ground Hog Day,” observed Commissioner Fast wryly. “I hear the same thing over and over.” Fast criticized the amount of time taking to complete repairs. “You need to find a better place for residents to live while repairs are completed,” she added. There is a new quality control program commencing this month, Ader stated. Quality control assessments were not in place prior to this. There are 6,000 open work orders across all DCHA properties, he said. Repairs are proceeding slowly due to the agency’s limited inventory of spare materials and antiquate computer systems. The biggest challenges are the repair issues behind the walls, Ader said.

Commissioner Kramer asked about the relationship between DCHA’s new working group, which includes residents but no community or ANC commissioners, and the longstanding Greenleaf Stakeholder Advisory Group. Impacted Greenleaf residents requested a smaller resident-driven advisory group, Donald stated. The Southwest community will be informed of the project’s progress through DCHA communications. Kramer pointed out such a strategy does not include an exchange of views.

A full presentation of DCHA’s plans for Greenleaf can be found at www.dcha. us/img/guest_uploads/temp_BsW0B8nfHO16458147007ljuCjoih46RpyfBtvPo.pdf.

Amidon-Bowen Update

As reported in last’s month report, the DC Public School System (DCPS) is creating a 33,000 sq. ft. Childhood Development Center (CDC) on the campus of Amidon-Bowen Elementary School. The new facility will be built on the grounds of the current playground, which will be relocated.

The CDC will be housed on the ground floor and two new pre-K classrooms will occupy the upper floor of two-story annex. Construction, originally slated to begin on Dec. 19, has been delayed to address the safety concerns of neighbors and parents. The CDC is slated to be completed in July of 2023.

807 Maine Avenue SW

Commissioner Link updated his colleagues on Millcreek’s application for a PUD at 807 Maine Ave. SW. In its December review of the matter, the DCZC had asked for one action item: whether the applicant had accepted in part or in full the six specific items required to obtain ANC support outlined in the commission’s testimony and correspondence.

The ANC requirements included

• Inclusionary Zoning of 21 percent

• $100,000 be awarded to Amidon-Bowen Elementary and Richard Wright Public Charter School rather than Habitat for Humanity;

• the project’s Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) be limited to 80 percent;

• all community cash contributions be made on the recording of the PUD;

• no administrative fees be charged for the proposed public arts project;

• a commitment to adhering to the tenets of the Southwest Small Area Plan;

• t he proffer of construction traffic management and dog waste plans.

On Dec. 23, Millcreek filed a final application that included none of the commission’s requirements. The commission has until Jan. 19 to respond. The commission voted unanimously to affirm its demands and make one more attempt to reach out to Millcreek.

Other Matters

The commissioners appointed Travis Johnson, Michael Keen and Christine Spencer to its Alcohol and Beverage Subcommittee.

The commission voted to:

• authorize the commission to participate in the ANC Security Fund and required payment of $50;

• send a letter to DDOT Public Space asking to reopen the case for 1301 South Capitol Street of the pickup-drop-off zone;

• to r equest to a review of the new Fourth Street SW protected bike lanes with Councilmember Charles Allen (D) and the DC Department of Transportation.

ANC 6D meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. Their next meeting is Feb. 13, 2023. For more information and links to join ANC meetings, visit www. anc6d.org. u

The New ANC 7D Elects Officers

Anc 7d Report

by Sarah Payne

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7D met Tuesday Jan. 10 via Microsoft Teams. Commissioners Siraaj Hasan (7D01), Wendell Felder (7D03), Milton Hardy (7D04), Ebony Payne (7D05), Marc Friend (7D06), Brett Astmann (7D07), Brian Alcorn (7D08) and Ashley Schapitl (7D09) were in attendance. Both Single Member Districts (SMDs) (7D02) and (7D10) are currently vacant.

In their first meeting of the year, Commissioner Wendell Felder (7D03) was elected to serve as Chair of the commission. Commissioner Siraaj Hasan (7D01) spoke about Felder’s prior work in public service and how he will serve as an asset to the commission in this new capacity.

“I think that we’re lucky to have someone like Commissioner Felder who’s young and energetic and very passionate about serving his community,” Hasan said of his work with Felder.

Commissioner Brian Alcorn (7D08) echoed Hasan’s comments in support of Felder’s leadership. “I am inspired by his commitment to the community and I’m inspired by his commitment to wearing many hats to serve the community,” Alcorn said.

Alcorn was elected to serve as Vice Chair of the commission. Felder expressed con dence in Alcorn’s ability to take on this position.

“I’m extremely con dent in his leadership ability, and I think that he is a true asset to this commission,” Felder said. “I have no doubt that he’s going to put in hard work for all the residents within this commission.”

Commissioner Brett Astmann (7D07) was nominated and elected to serve as the commission’s treasurer. Alcorn emphasized Astmann’s commitment to the community and t for this role.

“Brett is a well regarded community member, a caring parent with children in schools and a com- munity volunteer who stepped forward to serve the community,” Alcorn said.

Finally, Commissioner Ashley Schapitl (7D09) was nominated and elected to serve as the commission’s secretary.

Commissioner Ebony Payne (7D05) said she has gotten to know Schapitl over the past several days and is excited about what she will bring to the commission in this capacity.

“I’m very excited to have her on this commission, and I have full con dence that she will perform the job with a lot of professionalism and experience,” Payne said.

Meeting Schedule

ANC 7D will meet on the second Tuesday of each month throughout the remainder of the calendar year from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. These meetings will take place on Feb. 13, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13, Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 11. There will be no meeting in July and August.

The Commission Voted Unanimously To:

• Adopt the ANC 7D bylaws and establish a bylaws committee, given that redistricting combined multiple ANCs together.

Commissioner Felder, who proposed the committee, emphasized the importance of collaboration of both members of the commission and the community on these bylaws. “We can get residents from the community to weigh in to help advise us to contribute to some of the changes that we’re going to make,” Felder said. “Then that way, not only are we collecting feedback from the community, but [from] the Commission as well.”

• Participate in the ANC security fund and allocate $50 to the fund.

Other Matters:

• Commissioner Hasan was officially sworn in to his position as commissioner for SMD 7D01 by at-large Council Member Kenyan McDuffie.

• Ashley Wells, a consultant from the DC Smart Street Lighting Project, attended the meeting to share updates on the modernization of the more than 72,000 streetlights in DC. This project will convert the lights to LED technology and also provide remote capabilities including the ability to dim the lights and see when lights go out. The project is expected to begin within the next few weeks and continue through spring of 2024.

• Director of constituent services for Ward 7 Council member Vincent Gray, D.L. Humphrey, spoke at the meeting with updates from the Councilmember’s office and the DC Council budget. He encouraged residents to utilize the 311 service to report issues within their community so the District could address issues and areas of concern.

• Ward 7 liaison from DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office, Lawrence Devin, spoke about the Mayor’s ‘DC Comeback Plan’ and one of its goals which is to eliminate illegal dumping in Ward 7. Devin expressed excitement about his upcoming work with 7D commissioners and residents during his two-year term.

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Protected Bike Lanes Coming to M Street SE

ANC 8F REPORT

by Andrew Lightman

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8F (ANC 6D) met on Jan. 24. Commissioners Nic Wilson (8FO1), Rick Murphree (8F02), Brian Strege (8F03), Edward Daniels (8F04), Clayton Rosenberg (8F05), were in attendance.

Gottlieb Simon conducted the first ANC 8F election. The commission unanimously voted for a slate: Strege, secretary; Murphree, treasurer; Rosenberg, vice chair; Daniels, chair.

M Street Protected Bike Lane

Sean Burnett, manager of the DC Dept. of Transportation’s (DDOT) Bicycle Team, briefed the commission on the agency’s plan to install a twodirection protected bike land on eastbound M Street SE between First and 11th Streets SE.

DDOT has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the project, having completed 65 percent of its design. Installation is slated for summer 2023, Burnett stated. The agency is accepting public comments until Feb. 28.

DDOT’s has two objectives in installing the protected bike lanes (PBLs). The first is to physically separate modes of transportation. This, Burnett stated, is a fundamental safety tenet. PBLs effectively segregate cars from bikes, but also from pedestrians. This reduces possible “zones of conflict” between them, decreasing the incidents of cyclist and pedestrian fatalities.

DDOT’s second objective is to slow traffic speeds on city roads. PBLs reduce the number of automobile lanes. The narrowing of the street limits the speed of cars traveling its length, said Burnett.

To further reduce conflict, DDOT plans to install one floating and three share bus stops. PBLs will be clearly marked to encourage cyclists to slow down while transiting the area surrounding the stops. Furthermore, the agency plans to limit non signalized intersections on M Street to “right in and right out.” More signals will be in- troduced to control north bound left turns from eastbound M Street car lanes.

We are con dent that this is a major improvement in safety for the corridor,” Burnett stated.

Burnett’s presentation was received skeptically. DDOT was planning installation at the height of baseball season, they pointed out. What provisions were being made for baseball traffic, they asked?

Chair Daniels castigated the agency for failing to update its Tra c Operation and Parking Plan for the two stadiums before the advent of the 2023 season.

Commissioners questioned Burnett about how deliveries might be accommodated when the PBLs blocked curbside access. They pointed to the di culties created by the neighboring First Street SE PBL, which narrowed the road to a single lane in either direction while blocking curbside access. Most of the curbside abuts The Navy Yard wall and the US Dept. of Transportation (USDOT), which do not allow street side deliveries, Burnett countered. Commissioners cited their experience watching delivery vehicles servicing Starbucks and events at the USDOT.

Stopped delivery vehicles will simply block the automobile travel lanes, Chair Daniels stated. The Metropolitan Police (MPD) will ticket the o enders, Burnett countered. Daniels disagreed. MPD has told the commission that it will not enforce tra c laws, he stated. “What happens when the enforcement piece isn’t there and it doesn’t work as you envisioned,” Daniels asked?

“DDOT may be making it better for bikers and pedestrians, but the changes may make cars more reckless,” stated Commissioner Wilson. What is the agency’s plan if the new design does not work, he asked?

Commission Rosenberg questioned whether the road changes would reduce accessibility for the disabled. “Making roads smaller doesn’t help us at all,” he stated. Burnett acknowledged reducing the travel lanes for cars may cause congestion elsewhere in the neighborhood as drivers seek routes around the bottleneck.

Commissioner Murphree suggested the DDOT bike team conduct a block-by-block survey of M Street SE to ensure all conditions were taken into account.

DDOT is accepting comments from residents until Feb. 28. The commission took no vote on the matter.

Other Matters

MPD Kevin Captain Harding briefed the commission on public safety. The Half Street homicide near the metro has been closed and a 31-year-old suspect charged. The victim was targeted. Overall crime is down in the PSA, Harding stated. The commission voted unanimously to:

• approve commission’s 2023 budget;

• approve participation in the ANC Security Fund and $50 payment;

• approve the commission’s bank account;

• approve the schedule for public and administrative meetings.