Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Octoberfest
Also from Jim
Neighbors,
Saturday, October 22, 2005 is being looked at as the date of Octoberfest 2005. As you may recall, the Octoberfest tradition was established last year and, speaking for those of us who were in attendance at the day's events, I feel it safe and accurate to say that a good time was had by all.
Inasmuch as the proposed date of this activity is rapidly approaching, please let me know if you are interested in being a member of the planning committee for the event as soon as possible. There is much work to be done between now and 10/22/2005, if we are to match last year's success.
Best,
Jim Berry
BACA
Neighbors,
Saturday, October 22, 2005 is being looked at as the date of Octoberfest 2005. As you may recall, the Octoberfest tradition was established last year and, speaking for those of us who were in attendance at the day's events, I feel it safe and accurate to say that a good time was had by all.
Inasmuch as the proposed date of this activity is rapidly approaching, please let me know if you are interested in being a member of the planning committee for the event as soon as possible. There is much work to be done between now and 10/22/2005, if we are to match last year's success.
Best,
Jim Berry
BACA
Illegal dumping
From Jim
Neighbors,
I have just been asked to provide a listing of sites where major illegal dumping is taking place in my Single Member District because the city is considering a plan to put up cameras in certain sites around town in order to catch the violators. I have been told that I need to provide this information to the "powers that be" by tomorow afternoon. I would like your input into the compilation of this list, so please forward your recommendations to me as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance for your assistance with this matter!
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
Neighbors,
I have just been asked to provide a listing of sites where major illegal dumping is taking place in my Single Member District because the city is considering a plan to put up cameras in certain sites around town in order to catch the violators. I have been told that I need to provide this information to the "powers that be" by tomorow afternoon. I would like your input into the compilation of this list, so please forward your recommendations to me as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance for your assistance with this matter!
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Blagden Alley Picnic
|----------------------------------------|
| THE |
| Regular Yearly Picnic |
| of the |
| Blagden Alley |
| and |
| Naylor Court |
| Peoples |
| |
| Saturday, August 27, 2005 |
| Historical, Brick-Paved |
| Naylor Court |
| 6:00pm-9:00pm |
| (See map in newsletter) |
| |
| THIS SATURDAY! |
|----------------------------------------|
Food.
Fun.
Frivolity, or an approximation.
Door Prizes (lots!).
Good weather.
Real people (us!).
The newsletter is at
http://www.pro-messenger.com/Blagden/Monthly%20Pages/2005%20Monthly%20Pages/BAN_
2005_08_P1.html
| THE |
| Regular Yearly Picnic |
| of the |
| Blagden Alley |
| and |
| Naylor Court |
| Peoples |
| |
| Saturday, August 27, 2005 |
| Historical, Brick-Paved |
| Naylor Court |
| 6:00pm-9:00pm |
| (See map in newsletter) |
| |
| THIS SATURDAY! |
|----------------------------------------|
Food.
Fun.
Frivolity, or an approximation.
Door Prizes (lots!).
Good weather.
Real people (us!).
The newsletter is at
http://www.pro-messenger.com/Blagden/Monthly%20Pages/2005%20Monthly%20Pages/BAN_
2005_08_P1.html
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
A Friendly Reminder of the 8/18/2005 Monthly Meeting of PSA 501 - - Its in our neighborhood
From Jim Berry
Neighbors,
I write to remind you that the PSA 501 community meeting is taking place in our neighborhood this month. Specifically, it will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2005 at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 3rd and Q Streets, NW,between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
A number of months ago, it was decided that the PSA 501 monthly meeting would be rotated throughout the various neighborhoods within its boundaries in order to give residents maximum opportunity to participate, particularly when held in his/her respective neighborhood.
Our neighborhood made a commendable turnout on Monday night at the special meeting to address community concerns about the ill-advised proposal to take away our green space and recreation options at New York Avenue Playground.
It has been a while since I've seen that many folks come out to let their concerns be known. However, if (as a community) we are unable or unwilling to show the strength of our resolve to tackle our myriad problems in a serious and a sustained way, then all we will have done the other day was participate in a mere exercise of catharsis that will be soon forgotten by public officials.
It is my contention that issue that brought folks out to the special meeting was as much one of public safety as it was of badly needed recreation and leisure resources for residents of all ages. So, if you are concerned about the open air drug dealing in the community, the constant sound of gun fire at night, the community violence, the loitering, an increased police presence in the neighborhood, the lack of safe recreation spaces for our children, and other such issues, then I hope your busy schedule of pre-existing commitments will enable you to join us on Thursday. The
meeting will definitely benefit from your participation and input!
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
PS: As a example of the increased attention that our area can receive
from
high level government officials, I include a picture of City
Administrator
Robert Bobb and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Edward D.
ReReiskin -- both of whom participated in our candle light vigil at the
park
on First and Florida Avenue, NW on National Night Out Against Crime
(8/2/2005).
Neighbors,
I write to remind you that the PSA 501 community meeting is taking place in our neighborhood this month. Specifically, it will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2005 at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 3rd and Q Streets, NW,between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
A number of months ago, it was decided that the PSA 501 monthly meeting would be rotated throughout the various neighborhoods within its boundaries in order to give residents maximum opportunity to participate, particularly when held in his/her respective neighborhood.
Our neighborhood made a commendable turnout on Monday night at the special meeting to address community concerns about the ill-advised proposal to take away our green space and recreation options at New York Avenue Playground.
It has been a while since I've seen that many folks come out to let their concerns be known. However, if (as a community) we are unable or unwilling to show the strength of our resolve to tackle our myriad problems in a serious and a sustained way, then all we will have done the other day was participate in a mere exercise of catharsis that will be soon forgotten by public officials.
It is my contention that issue that brought folks out to the special meeting was as much one of public safety as it was of badly needed recreation and leisure resources for residents of all ages. So, if you are concerned about the open air drug dealing in the community, the constant sound of gun fire at night, the community violence, the loitering, an increased police presence in the neighborhood, the lack of safe recreation spaces for our children, and other such issues, then I hope your busy schedule of pre-existing commitments will enable you to join us on Thursday. The
meeting will definitely benefit from your participation and input!
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
PS: As a example of the increased attention that our area can receive
from
high level government officials, I include a picture of City
Administrator
Robert Bobb and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Edward D.
ReReiskin -- both of whom participated in our candle light vigil at the
park
on First and Florida Avenue, NW on National Night Out Against Crime
(8/2/2005).
Monday, August 15, 2005
Important Community Meeting re. the Impact Upon the Sursum Corda "New Communities Project" and Our Neighborhood
From Jim Berry
Neighbors,
Single Member District 5C02 Representative Cleopatra Jones is hosting a meeting on Monday, August 15, 2005 to talk about a proposal by the DC Office of Planning to build housing on the land (green space) that is now occupied by the New York Avenue Playground. Cleopatra tells me that Ward Five Council Member Vincent Orange, Revitalization Planner Michael Downey, and Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation Kimberly Flowers, are all invited guests to this meeting.
If my understanding of what is being proposed is correct, then an approximately 100 unit building will be constructed on what is now the site of New York Avenue playground. The sole purpose of proposing that these units be constructed, I am told, is to accommodate those who will be displaced by the tearing down of the current housing in Sursum Corda.
In my mind, such a proposal raises a number of serious concerns. First, the affected Advisory Neighborhood Commission (i.e., 5C) never received any formal notice of the consideration of this proposal, nor have we been invited to comment on a major housing project that the city is considering implementing in an area that is solidly within the boundaries of ANC 5C. As a rule, proposals of this scope and magnitude are vetted formally at an ANC meeting and the Commission is given a certain period of time within which to offer comments. In the instant situation, none of this customary procedures were followed and, for me, this is a very very troublesome fact.
The fact that this is yet another assault on the sorely limited amount of functional recreation and green space in the neighborhood, is also a major problem for me. Over the years, our recreation and leisure time resources have been systematically stripped away from us, leaving residents of all ages (but, most notably, our children) with few, if any, alternatives for their use. As a consequence of the lack of organized activities, they organize themselves and play on our streets or, worse, boredom often makes them ripe subjects for the recruitment of drug dealers.
The area in question is located in Commissioner Jones' single member district. When she contacted me a day or so ago about her intention to hold Monday's meeting, I learned that she received a briefing on the proposal by DC Office of Planning officials the day before. Again, there has been no formal notice to our Commission about this proposed project and it is my understanding that the DCOP has been contemplating this matter for a time.
Whatever the case, I am going to attend this meeting to find out exactly what the facts of this proposal are. I urge you to join me also.
The specific details are as follows:
When: Monday, August 15, 2005
Where: Associates for Renewal in Education (ARE)
45 P Street, NW
Time: 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Hope to see you there!
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
Neighbors,
Single Member District 5C02 Representative Cleopatra Jones is hosting a meeting on Monday, August 15, 2005 to talk about a proposal by the DC Office of Planning to build housing on the land (green space) that is now occupied by the New York Avenue Playground. Cleopatra tells me that Ward Five Council Member Vincent Orange, Revitalization Planner Michael Downey, and Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation Kimberly Flowers, are all invited guests to this meeting.
If my understanding of what is being proposed is correct, then an approximately 100 unit building will be constructed on what is now the site of New York Avenue playground. The sole purpose of proposing that these units be constructed, I am told, is to accommodate those who will be displaced by the tearing down of the current housing in Sursum Corda.
In my mind, such a proposal raises a number of serious concerns. First, the affected Advisory Neighborhood Commission (i.e., 5C) never received any formal notice of the consideration of this proposal, nor have we been invited to comment on a major housing project that the city is considering implementing in an area that is solidly within the boundaries of ANC 5C. As a rule, proposals of this scope and magnitude are vetted formally at an ANC meeting and the Commission is given a certain period of time within which to offer comments. In the instant situation, none of this customary procedures were followed and, for me, this is a very very troublesome fact.
The fact that this is yet another assault on the sorely limited amount of functional recreation and green space in the neighborhood, is also a major problem for me. Over the years, our recreation and leisure time resources have been systematically stripped away from us, leaving residents of all ages (but, most notably, our children) with few, if any, alternatives for their use. As a consequence of the lack of organized activities, they organize themselves and play on our streets or, worse, boredom often makes them ripe subjects for the recruitment of drug dealers.
The area in question is located in Commissioner Jones' single member district. When she contacted me a day or so ago about her intention to hold Monday's meeting, I learned that she received a briefing on the proposal by DC Office of Planning officials the day before. Again, there has been no formal notice to our Commission about this proposed project and it is my understanding that the DCOP has been contemplating this matter for a time.
Whatever the case, I am going to attend this meeting to find out exactly what the facts of this proposal are. I urge you to join me also.
The specific details are as follows:
When: Monday, August 15, 2005
Where: Associates for Renewal in Education (ARE)
45 P Street, NW
Time: 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Hope to see you there!
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
Monday, August 08, 2005
Special BACA meeting
via Jim
Neighbors,
This is a gentle reminder of tonight's meeting. The issues related to
the two presentations will be the subjects of consideration and a vote of
ANC 5C in the near future. If possible, please come out and find out what is
being proposed, first-hand.
Hope to see you there!
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
########################
SPECIAL MEETING
Involving Land Use, Planning and Economic Development Issues
Agenda for the Evening Includes:
(1) A Presentation by Developer Joe Mamo re. A Proposal to Construct
Nine
Floors of Condominiums, with Commercial Property on the First Floor, on
the
Vacant Lot Located at the Northwest Corner of North Capitol Street and
Florida Avenue, N.W.
(2) A Presentation by Attorney Norman Glasgow re. A Proposal before
the
Zoning Commission to Remove a Parking Covenant from No. 60 Florida
Avenue,
N.E.
At the conclusion of these presentations, Land Use, Planning and
Economic
Development Committee business will be taken up. Among the topics to
be
considered, time permitting, are:
Land Use, Planning and Economic Development Committee Structure,
Distribution of Tasks, Areas of Interest --
* Small Area Planning Visioning Session
* New York Avenue Corridor Study
* Discussion of reStoreDC/Main Streets and BACA's role in it:
* Briefing on Economic Restructuring Seminar
* What is the "Main Street Four Point Approach" to Neighborhood Business District Revitalization?
* Design
* Organization
* Promotion
* Economic Restructuring
* Enhanced Business Information Center (e-BIC) Classes
* Car Detailing Shop proposed for the 1500th Block of New Jersey Avenue, NW
* Review of Proposed RFPs (Requests for Proposals) made on
area properties
* Armstrong School New Charter School Progress Update
* Developer Brian Brown and the Anna J. Cooper House
* The Ramifications of Numerous Photo Enforcement Traffic
Cameras in the Area
Monday, August 8, 2005
Mount Sinai Baptist Church
3rd and Q Streets, N.W.
Rooms 1 and 2
7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Neighbors,
This is a gentle reminder of tonight's meeting. The issues related to
the two presentations will be the subjects of consideration and a vote of
ANC 5C in the near future. If possible, please come out and find out what is
being proposed, first-hand.
Hope to see you there!
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
########################
SPECIAL MEETING
Involving Land Use, Planning and Economic Development Issues
Agenda for the Evening Includes:
(1) A Presentation by Developer Joe Mamo re. A Proposal to Construct
Nine
Floors of Condominiums, with Commercial Property on the First Floor, on
the
Vacant Lot Located at the Northwest Corner of North Capitol Street and
Florida Avenue, N.W.
(2) A Presentation by Attorney Norman Glasgow re. A Proposal before
the
Zoning Commission to Remove a Parking Covenant from No. 60 Florida
Avenue,
N.E.
At the conclusion of these presentations, Land Use, Planning and
Economic
Development Committee business will be taken up. Among the topics to
be
considered, time permitting, are:
Land Use, Planning and Economic Development Committee Structure,
Distribution of Tasks, Areas of Interest --
* Small Area Planning Visioning Session
* New York Avenue Corridor Study
* Discussion of reStoreDC/Main Streets and BACA's role in it:
* Briefing on Economic Restructuring Seminar
* What is the "Main Street Four Point Approach" to Neighborhood Business District Revitalization?
* Design
* Organization
* Promotion
* Economic Restructuring
* Enhanced Business Information Center (e-BIC) Classes
* Car Detailing Shop proposed for the 1500th Block of New Jersey Avenue, NW
* Review of Proposed RFPs (Requests for Proposals) made on
area properties
* Armstrong School New Charter School Progress Update
* Developer Brian Brown and the Anna J. Cooper House
* The Ramifications of Numerous Photo Enforcement Traffic
Cameras in the Area
Monday, August 8, 2005
Mount Sinai Baptist Church
3rd and Q Streets, N.W.
Rooms 1 and 2
7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Monday, August 01, 2005
BACA meeting
There will be a meeting tonight, below is the agenda
August 1, 2005
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Meeting Called to Order 7:00 p.m.
Opening Comments J. Berry
Public Safety Committee Report: Alice Harper, Chairperson
(a) Fifth District Police
4. Land Use, Planning, and Economic Development Art Slater, Chairperson
Committee Report
(a) Remarks: Alex Nyham, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, “A Briefing on the Redevelopment of Sursum Corda, Sibley Plaza, Tyler House, and Temple Courts”
“Flower Power 2005” Mary Ann Wilmer, Chairperson Membership Committee
Environmental Services Committee Report Scott Shappell, Chairperson
BACA Housekeeping J. Berry
Announcements:
(a) Next BACA Meeting – Monday, September 12, 2005
9. Adjournment 9:00 p.m.
JDB
August 1, 2005
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Meeting Called to Order 7:00 p.m.
Opening Comments J. Berry
Public Safety Committee Report: Alice Harper, Chairperson
(a) Fifth District Police
4. Land Use, Planning, and Economic Development Art Slater, Chairperson
Committee Report
(a) Remarks: Alex Nyham, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, “A Briefing on the Redevelopment of Sursum Corda, Sibley Plaza, Tyler House, and Temple Courts”
“Flower Power 2005” Mary Ann Wilmer, Chairperson Membership Committee
Environmental Services Committee Report Scott Shappell, Chairperson
BACA Housekeeping J. Berry
Announcements:
(a) Next BACA Meeting – Monday, September 12, 2005
9. Adjournment 9:00 p.m.
JDB
