Bates Area Civic Association

       2011 was a great year of progress for the Bates Area Civic Association, Inc. in partnership with 5C01 ANC and other District Government Officials and Agencies. Here are some of the key initiatives we were able to undertake and achieve.

Increased Public Safety – through a strong partnership with Metropolitan Police Department, a great focus and amount of resources were given to our neighborhood. Violent crime went down 4% in the past 12 months. MPD lead a series of bike beats, All Hands On Deck Walks, under cover surveillance and drug raids throughout our neighborhood. BACA had a strong presence at monthly PSA 501 meetings and members of BACA and ANC meet frequently with Commander Andy Solberg to address specific concerns. A great focus was given to the Florida Avenue Park, leading to a decrease in public intoxication, drug dealing and gambling at the park.  

5C01 Commissioner, Bradley Thomas coordinated a safety walk through our neighborhood in coordination with MPD, DCRA, DDOT and Council Member Harry Thomas’ Office. This walk identified key areas for District agencies to address to improve quality of life in our neighborhood.

Vacant Properties and Housing Code Enforcement – DCRA was provided with a list of properties due for inspection due to residents’ complaints. Complaints ranged from: vacant properties, unsafe structures, unlicensed rental properties, and illegal boarding homes. Home inspections were conducted (more than once in some properties) and notice violations were issued where appropriate. Some properties were boarded up and grass cut by DCRA, placing those homes in a higher tax category as Vacant or Blighted Property. Unregistered rental properties were fined if they failed to register with DCRA and homes with code violations issued notice to conduct repairs. The Bates Area Civic Association and ANC will continue to work with residents to address complaints and work with DCRA on enforcement.  

 Community Beautification – BACA coordinated a spring clean up, compost and mulch distribution with Department of Public Works. Over a ton of high quality mulch was provided for residents for free. The mulch was utilized for neighbors to beautify their front, back yards and tree boxes. In addition, the Bates Area Civic Association provided over 30 rose bushes to BACA members to beautify tree boxes throughout the neighborhood. As you see roses blooming in neighborhood tree boxes, remember that thanks to your membership, our neighborhood is in bloom.

Community Events and Programs – BACA lead efforts in three programs that brought hundreds of residents out to celebrate: Flower Power 2011, North Capitol Main Street Art Walk and National Night Out.

Flower Power 2011 – over 30 front yards, back yards and tree boxes were nominated for being the most beautiful in our neighborhood. A Garden Walk and reception generated over $900 in revenue to support BACA’s efforts. We look forward to Flower Power 2012.  

North Capitol Main Street Art Walk – The Art Walk extended for the first time south of Florida Avenue. Over 700 people from local neighborhoods and throughout the city came to the Bloomingdale/Truxton/East Shaw to admire art walk displayed in local front yards and businesses. The activities included 3 stages with performing artists and bands and concluded with a block party at the unit block of T St NW.

National Night Out – BACA, in partnership with Hanover Civic Association and the 5^th District Citizen’s Advisory Council (CAC) hosted Ward 5’s Kick off for National Night Out. This event brought different law enforcement agencies, including: MPD, DEA, US Marshall, Fire Department to promote partnerships between residents and law enforcement. Chief of Police Cathy Lanier and Mayor Vincent Gray were present at the event and celebrated with hundreds of residents that filled the grounds of Armstrong School (CAPCS) and the New York Avenue Play Ground.  

Neighborhood Safety Walks – Local neighbors joined together, often with MPD to walk through the neighborhood on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7pm throughout the spring and summer. The walks not only brought neighbors together, provided physical activity, but also deterred crime by having a strong public presence on our streets.

Economic Development and Community Improvement Projects – Over $120 million dollars in new development was allocated to our neighborhood. BACA and 5C01 Commissioner Bradley Thomas have been heavily involved with these projects.  

Florida Avenue Park – BACA led the efforts for the park renovations and funds to be allocated for 2011. $1.2 Million were allocated to the project and renovations were started. Renovations included closing the park for several months, the construction of a new basketball court, three new play grounds, a walking trail and improved lighting and safety. The closing of the park also led to a decrease in loitering and crime associated with activities that used to take place at the park. The park is scheduled for opening in late December 2011 and a grand community opening is being planned for Spring 2012 (we need volunteers for this program). BACA also formed the Friends of The Park to have a structured group that works with DPR to coordinate maintenance and community activities at the park.

M.M. Washington (House of Lebanon) – BACA worked closely with the developers that are currently redeveloping the M. M. Washington building into a senior housing complex. The project is a $40 Million project that will help transform the unit block of O St NW (yes block where SOME is located). BACA involvement included support of the design, designation of the property as a historic building and utilization of the recreation center for community events.  

Dunbar High School – 5C01 Commissioner Bradley Thomas is working closely with the project team constructing the new Dunbar High School. This project is a $75-$80 Million project. Commissioner Thomas and BACA will be involved to ensure our community has access to some of recreational facilities.

New York Avenue Playground – BACA is supporting ANC 5C02 and Hanover Civic Associations in their efforts to work with DPR on the $1 Million renovation project of the New York Avenue Playground.  

Uncle Chips Cookies and Café Bar – BACA is working with the owner and has issued letter of support for the Café to have a sidewalk sitting area as part of its facilities. Uncle Chips will be opening early 2012 in the 1500 block of N. Capitol Street NW.

Revive Catering and Carry Out – Revive Catering and Carry Out opened at 8 Florida Avenue NW. BACA has worked closely with this quality establishment to promote its location and outstanding cuisine. Revive supported the BACA Holiday Reception and donated 2 trays of their signature Fried Chicken and Red Waffles.  

Wine Bar Soon To Come – BACA is working with a developer and business owner interested in opening a wine bar in our neighborhood. The developer will be meeting with our community at an upcoming BACA meeting in 2012.

Fighting for Our Community – BACA worked with the ANC to address some community concerns that had been long standing. Through a collaborative effort and through the leadership of local residents that led the efforts, we were successful at: 

Repaving of alley between the Unit Block of Q St NW and Florida Avenue. The residents of the unit block of Q, Florida and 1600 block of First St worked with Commissioner Thomas to have the alley, which was causing flooding is some of the basements repaved and beautified.

Speed tables at the 100 and 200 blocks of P St NW. After a battle with DDOT for over three years, speed tables were finally installed due to the leadership of Commissioner Thomas and the relentless efforts of a resident at the 100 block of P St NW.  

Residential Parking – BACA worked with a resident of the 200 block of P and the unit block of P St NW to have residential parking allocated to those blocks. This helped residents have a little bit easier access to parking in our area.

High Grass and Trash Removal – Several residents requested assistance with having DCRA cut high grass in some vacant properties as well as remove illegally dumped trash. BACA worked with DCRA to have the residents’ request addressed.  

No More Liquor Licenses – BACA, through the leadership of key members of our community led the efforts to oppose the application of Full Yum Carry Out for a Type A liquor license.  BACA provided a resolution opposing the application, met with Full Yum’s attorney and was represented at the public hearing. Full Yum gave up its efforts to obtain a liquor license facing such strong community opposition.

Unresolved Concerns – Unfortunately, not all community concerns were brought to a conclusion and will continue to be addressed in 2012. Commissioner Thomas continues to work on a request for a handicap curb cut at the intersection of First and Q St NW and to have residential parking designation for the 1600 block of Q St NW. There is  also a pending application to have speed tables installed at the unit block of P St NW and a request for a stop sign at First and Bates St NW.  

How do we do this? Through the commitment and efforts of neighbors that volunteer their time to improve our neighborhood. So if your property value goes up as the neighborhood improves and crime continues to decline, thank those neighbors that give so much of their time.

We need your support in 2012. As you can see, the amount of work is large and the volunteers are few. Our BACA Board and the ANC are non-paid volunteer positions. We understand that time is limited, so even a couple of hours a month could make a difference. We need all the help we can get to keep moving our neighborhood forward. Please ensure to become a BACA member/supporter for 2012.
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