Rhode Island Insider

REMINDER:

The deadline to sign up to testify at the public hearing on the economic development plan for the Rhode Island Avenue NE Greats Corridor is Thursday, February 25, 2010, no later than 2 PM. Stakeholders are encouraged to call 202.727.6365 to sign up to testify. Up to three minutes of testimony will be allowed per stakeholder. Written testimony should be emailed to derrick.woody@dc.gov or sent to:

ATTN: RIA PLAN
c/o Coordinator – Great Street Initiative
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 317
Washington, DC 20004

FAX: 202.727.6703

Please bring a written copy of testimony if you plan to testify.

PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT:

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT

OFFICE OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Monday, March 1, 2010

6:00 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Woodridge Neighborhood Library

1801 Hamlin Street, NE
Washington, DC 20018

The District of Columbia’s Office of Planning and Economic Development (“the District”) will conduct a public hearing to receive public comments on “RHODE ISLAND AVENUE: Diamond of the District” (“the RIA Plan”). The document represents the conclusion of a community, economic development planning process which outlines specific redevelopment and use targets for Rhode Island Avenue NE between 3rd Street NE and Eastern Avenue NE. Over 200 community, business and institutional stakeholders provided input during the series of community meetings which led to this document.

Historically and to this date, Rhode Island Avenue NE has been one of the District’s prominent corridors, but it is now characterized by used car lots, auto repair and tire shops, vacant structures, redundant uses, cross-town trucks, commuter traffic, and suburban style development and densities around a prominent Metro station. Implementation of the plan aims to transform the land uses along the corridor into a series of well-defined, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood centers while preserving and enhancing the quality of life of the diverse, existing neighborhoods abutting it. The RIA Plan is to be implemented over a twenty year horizon, but puts forth an emphasis on achieving visible progress sooner rather than later.

The RIA Plan presents a wide range of private and public investment opportunities for existing and new retail businesses, office services, housing providers and cultural entrepreneurs while conveying preferences and concerns shared by area stakeholders and the District for the appropriate redevelopment of under-utilized, private commercial and industrial properties along this three-mile corridor.

The District plans to submit the RIA Plan to the DC Council for adoption as a “small area plan.” Upon approval as a small area plan, the RIA Plan will then provide guidance in public policy decision-making along Rhode Island Avenue. Guidance will be provided to District agencies, commissions, and the broader public about affordable and mixed income housing, local business development, quality design and development, public art, zoning and local resident participation.

A copy of the Final Draft will be posted to www.dcbiz.dc.gov under ‘Great Streets’ then ‘THINK: Rhode Island Avenue’ by 5 PM on Friday, January 29, 2010. A black and white copy of the plan can also be mailed by request to 202.727.6365.

Copies are also being emailed and/or mailed to the office of Councilmember Harry Thomas, Ward 5, and impacted Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners on the corridor. Copies will also be available for review at Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE, Washington, DC.

Given the considerable interesting in this planning effort to date, stakeholders are encouraged to call 202.727.6365 to sign up to testify no later than 2 PM on Thursday, February 25, 2010. Up to three minutes of testimony will be allowed per stakeholder. Written testimony should be emailed to derrick.woody@dc.gov or sent to:

ATTN: RIA PLAN
c/o Coordinator – Great Street Initiative
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 317
Washington, DC 20004

FAX: 202.727.6703

Please bring a written copy of testimony if you plan to testify.

With the sudden announcement that the Safeway will be closing on March 6th, CM Thomas gives us his reaction.

Dear Ward 5 Residents,

Safeway did not inform me in advance of the community regarding its decision to close its store in Edgewood; I received a phone call about the planned closure at the same time residents were informed.

Once I found out about the planned closure, I sought input from the Edgewood Civic Association at its monthly meeting. I also sought input from the Ward 5 community leaders who attended my January 30th leadership roundtable. Right now, I am organizing an outreach effort about which I will update the Ward 5 community later this week.

Furthermore, I am angered by the decision and am committed to working with residents to fight to keep Safeway in the Edgewood community–with necessary store upgrades that we deserve. To date, my staff and I have been in contact with Vanguard Realty, the leasing agent for the shopping center, to discuss incentives to get Safeway to stay. I am also reviewing legislative remedies, such as creating additional tax abatements as well as revoking Safeway’s property tax abatements for future stores it plans to open in the city if maintains its resolve to turn its back on the Edgewood community.

Please know that I remain steadfast in my support of the Edgewood community and bringing positive change, and building on the improvements we have made thus far: renovation of the Edgewood Recreation Center, creation of the Rhode Island Avenue Green Team, expansion of the Great Streets initiative to include Rhode Island Avenue, and bringing new businesses to the corridor like Forman Mills.

In Service I Remain,

Harry “Tommy” Thomas, Jr.

Ward 5 Councilmember