Bates Area Civic Association

June 3, 2019

Called to order at 7:00p

MPD Updates (Capt.  Kim)

• Crime update:
  • In response to the robberies on R ST and S St, MPD has placed more patrol in these areas.  Robberies have been down over the past month.
  • There were 2 serious assaults.  Not random, they knew each other.
  • Seaton Place NW robbery — Assaultant brandished a handgun and took the victim’s property.  The four suspects wore masks.
  • June 1 –  100 block of Randolph on R ST
    • Victim was a man from Maryland who was trying to cell his iPhone through an app.  
    • He agreed to meet the buyer at this location, and let the stranger in his car.  The stranger than took his money and car (after brandishing a weapon).
    • Victim was able to flag down an officer around the block and they found his car abandoned not far away.
    • POLICE SAFETY TIP:  You can come to the police station to do property exchanges.   Never let strangers in your vehicle.
  • 27 car thefts in the area // punching  window, grab bag and leave
    • 79% of these were out of town tags

• O and M St — distribution lock ups
• Sounds of guns shot on N St — saw car fleeing // stop driver and removed handgun
• 300 bikes without claims at MPD

North Capitol and Florida Avenue lot (Joe Mamo Lot) (Legal Representatives from Holland and Knight, Jessica Bloomfeld and Sonia)

• In 2013 designs were approved by city,  but Historic Preservation RB wanted to see modifications to the exterior
• In Feb and April,  designs presented and then passed by Bloomingdale Civic Association
• The building has an 85-95 unit count.  It will be residential with onsite parking (41 parking spots). Some parking will be used for retail.
• Capitol Petroleum is the owner and developer of the project.
• The POD is available online.
• They have a treescape plan.
• They will be compliant with the 10% low income housing.
• When permits go through, BACA will invite the developer to a meeting.

Cross Walk Request at 1ST and Bates ST (Nassem Kourosh)

• Crosswalks that are unsignalized are more likely to have accidents
• Asking for a signal sign in the middle of the street
• Or requesting a stop sign if the ANC reps think that is doable
• ANCs working on next steps
  • What is required
  • Should we look at just this stop or the broader area
• Traffic calming evaluation for 1st and possibly adding in other crosswalks such as Florida Ave crossing at Q ST

Mount Sinai Baptist Church BZA application for 1608 3rd St NW (Martin Sullivan and Anna E. Fraser)

• Mt. Sinai seeking a letter of support for their after school program
  • 30 elementary student
  • Staff hours: 9a-7p
  • Student hours  3:30-6:30 except on Wed. 8p and Friday night bible study
• The current building is in residential zoning and needs a certificate of occupancy
• Modifications to 3 bedroom house for the program
  • Made the basement with wide open space
  • All levels cleared out and walls opened
  • Each level is being used as a center for a different activity (computer room, ect.)
• Motion, 2nd. All in support.

Updates from ANC Commissioners

Karla Lewis

• Agency walkthrough of the neighborhood in Bloomingdale
  • 1st and R st to Eckington
  • Dept of behavioral health, DCRA
  • Regular walkthroughs to see whether there are areas where grass needs to be cut, vacant buildings, pavement needs fixed, ect.

• Historical Preservation Review Board announced Wardman Flats historic area
  • Location: the block where Anxo is located to the west
  • This was a major issue two years ago
  • Designation now official
• DC Boundary tunnel has mobilized the R ST construction site between 6th and Rhode Island.
  • Shutdown of area starts tomorrow
  • Location:  Close to the Shaw library.
• Looking into resident only parking for several blocks
  • Such as the unit block of q st
• DC department of survey
  • Take about 15-20 mins
  • You can win $100
  • Let them know what services are missing, what services are good, and what improvements can be made
• Recruiting block captains to disseminate information — please email Karla
• Pub and People expansion to basement
  • Planning on accommodating an extra 28-25 people in the space

• Traffic Calming Initiative at Bryant to 1st
  • Measure to add curb extensions
  • Comm. Lewis voted against the curb extensions
  • She would prefer to use alternate measures such as highlighting street with paint, speed cameras which would not affect parking

Bradley Thomas

• This coming Saturday — Armstrong School – community planning June 9th 9am-11a
• 11a-3p Art Festival food, music, and family activities
• Eckington and Public Safety — aggressive measures, problematic: push into other communities, would like a response from other communities to the crime
• Public Health Inspection — mold and radon, Lead pipe replacement program to assist community from DC Water
• Build halfway house in 5E neighborhood, assessment in placement
• Voting — Letter of support of NY Ave Playground, local neighborhood artist to create a mural

BACA Donation from 1600 N. Capitol development

• Negotiated a few years ago as part of a community benefits package
• North Capitol development benefit payment $6600
• Stipulations: gates and fencing
• Looking for ideas about spending this money

Updates from the Councilmember’s office (Kelly Cislo)

• Community Health Need Survey — results would inform future services
• 2020 budget — violence prevention 3 million in the NEAR act
• Langston School roof replacement — Dept. Of General Services — lengthy process to off load to private entity, DC Preservation League
• Blue Collar Cats — call to see if you need an outdoor cat to catch rats