Posts Tagged ‘ward 5

10
May
12

Why I Voted For…

By rhodeislandinsider 1 Comment
Categories: Life on RIA
Tags: , , ,

editorial by: Greg Roberts

When Ward 5 lost its Councilmember earlier this year, as owner of The Insider, I made a preemptive decision that we were not going to endorse any candidate that would run for the seat. We know that we will have to work with whoever won the special election to keepRhode Island Ave NEmoving in the right direction.

Given the huge strides that organizations like Friends of Rhode Island Ave, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and other groups have made recently to bring attention and activism to redeveloping the Avenue, I can no longer sit on the sidelines hoping that the next Councilmember will ensure this enthusiasm and progress continues to move forward.

This is why I want to tell you why I decided to vote for Kenyan McDuffie yesterday.

Enter the disclaimer: This is my personal view and does not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any organization or the contributors of this blog.

The Insider sent all of the candidates (who listed their contact information on the Board of Elections website) a quick survey to get their views ofRhode Island Ave NE and how they would help move it forward. Several of the candidates responded and we posted their responses in our Special Election section of the website. We were very happy to see so much interest in RIA from the candidates and are encouraged that if any of them won, we wouldn’t be forgotten as a community and potential economic force in the District. But Kenyan’s responses, and subsequent conversations confirmed, that he has a better command of knowledge regarding RIA and the issues it is facing. Kenyan also demonstrated a real concern of what local residents really wanted for the Avenue and how they can get engaged to make a difference.

One of the key items that we felt was key to Rhode Island Ave NE redevelopment is connectivity of the Main Streetarea of the Avenue (from 18th to 24th Streets) and the RIA-Brentwood Metro station. Kenyan highlighted this needs as one of the keys to bringing viable retail options. In addition, he was able to tie in something that is not often thought of, which some may think as a small, insignificant detail, when discussing redevelopment: extending parking meter hour limits from one hour to two. Something as simple as that could help attract restaurants, who’s patrons will need more than the one hour currently allotted. Restaurateurs consider that when looking for locations.

Kenyan understands that redevelopment cannot happen only from City government, it will take the activism of a coalition of residents, ANC, and others to make it happen. Kenyan has showed his commitment to working with community stakeholders and putting his words to action for the Avenue. Team McDuffie showed up to the last FoRIA Avenue Clean-Up and helped pick up trash (editor’s note: I also commend the other candidates who have shown up as well).

Without going on and on regarding my reasons for endorsing Kenyan, we’ll just say that I was quite impressed with Kenyan McDuffie overall, as well. He’s are really genuine guy. More on his economic development platform can be found at his website.

Although I am encouraged by all of the candidates’ running and their commitment to RIA revitalization, I was most encouraged by Kenyan McDuffie. Again, I am proud to support his candidacy for Ward 5 Councilmember.

The election is to be held on Tuesday, May 15 but you can vote now! Here is some information on where to vote or go to the DC BOEE website:

Early voting using a paper ballot:
Old Council Chambers
One Judiciary Square
441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 250 North
Saturday, May 5 and Monday, May 7 – Saturday, May 12
8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Early voting using a touch screen ballot:
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center
1100 Michigan Avenue, NE
Saturday, May 5 and Monday, May 7 – Saturday, May 12
8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

At the polls:
Only the 18 precincts in Ward 5 will be open. You can look up your assigned polling place here.
Polls open on May 15 from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

30
Mar
12

We Grow It But Let’s Not Dispense It

By rhodeislandinsider 4 Comments
Categories: Life on RIA
Tags: , , , , , ,

The outcry from Ward 5 residents must not have accomplished or gotten their point across to City leaders. According to the Washington Post, Ward 5 will be home to six cultivation centers for medical marijuana, with four of them located in Langdon. Below is an excerpt of their locations:

Williams’s cultivation center, Abatin Wellness Center, has been approved for the 2100 block of Queens Chapel Road in Langdon, according to a city list obtained by The Washington Post.

The department also selected Montana Apothecary dba Alternative Solutions in the 2100 block of 24th Place NE in Langdon; District Growers in the 2400 block of Evarts Street NE in Langdon; Holistic Remedies in 1800 block of Fenwick Street NE in Ivy City; Phyto Management in the 3700 block of Benning Road NE in Benning; and Venture Forth dba Center City in the 2200 block of Channing Street NE in Langdon.

One of the approved centers will be in Ward 7 but because of successful legislating by that Ward’s Councilmember, the center will not be able to stay in that location.

Thanks to the DCist for putting together a map of the locations in Ward 5.

Should residents be concerned about cultivation centers? Residents were told that security will be high and from the outside, no one should be able to tell if a building is a cultivation center.

Mohammad N. Akhter, director of the Health Department, said he and a task force evaluated dozens of bidders before selecting the six applicants. Akhter said they were chosen based on their ability to grow “quality” marijuana “in a safe environment” that includes heavy security.

I think the bigger concern for residents is the actual marijuana distribution centers. There are 17 applications for the five licenses to operate a dispensary and if residents in Ward 5 want to ensure that they truly are not the recipients of all of these dispensaries, I would suggest taking your lobbying and public angst to the next level. Decisions on the five licenses will be handed out this summer. The dispensaries should be allocated to where the residents who need medical marijuana are, not clustered in one area.

Councilmember Orange passed legislation recently that would limit the amount of cultivation centers could be in Ward 5 to six (which is odd since this was very close to the total number of licenses being handed out anyway). Perhaps Mr. Orange could limit the amount of dispensaries in Ward 5 to say….maybe one? Patients of medical marijunia live across the City and the dispensaries should reflect that. If we want to make this about the patients, as Montel Williams wanted, we should make the access of these centers easy.

Ward 5 may grow it but we don’t need to be the ones to dispense it.

29
Mar
12

New Partnership for a Better RIA

By rhodeislandinsider 7 Comments
Categories: Redevelopment
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

The Friends of RIA (FoRIA) has taken a bold step forward to help bring positive redevelopment along the Avenue by partnering with the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF), which is headquartered in Brookland.  On the FoRIA website, under “Start a Business” the group highlights their partnership with the WACIF and gives would-be business owners the contact information to the Investment Fund. Here is an excerpt of the FoRIA website:

FoRIA is now partnering with the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) to connect potential Rhode Island Avenue business-owners with financing and technical assistance.

WACIF provides low cost financing and technical assistance to small businesses, childcare centers, affordable housing developers, and community organizations.

Since inception, WACIF has closed 253 loans totaling $16.7 million, helping leverage $147.7 million in financing for local low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations. WACIF has assisted over 1,200 small businesses through one-on-one assistance, provided $45.6 million in access to capital in lending, and created more than 1,350 full- and part-time jobs.

If you are thinking about bringing your business to Rhode Island Avenue NE, we encourage you to reach out to us and WACIF.

 

29
Mar
12

Ward 5 Heartbeat’s Writes an Update on the Sp. Election

By rhodeislandinsider 2 Comments
Categories: Redevelopment
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Photos by Sierra Suris

In the latest issue of the Ward 5 Heartbeat (formerly the Brookland Heartbeat) published their views of the Special Election in Ward 5. According to the article, the race has come down to only 3 candidates: McDuffie, Hunter, and Wilds. The article has the listserve community in a buzz with claims that it was slanted against Hunter (although Hunter reportedly refused to answer questions) and that McDuffie and Wilds bought ads for favorable coverage. All of this is passionate views from supporters and opponents.

Here are some excerpts from the article:

Candidates are nearly identical?

In many ways, Mr. Hunter, Mr. McDuffie and Mr. Wilds are more similar than they are different. All three have lived in Ward 5 most of their lives. They all ran and lost in previous primary races against Harry Thomas Jr. In campaign speeches, they stick to familiar themes of jobs, education, economic development, workforce development, ethics, and programs for youth and seniors.

Delano Hunter has money issues?

Since 2010, Mr. Hunter has been sued four times in D.C. Superior Court. Judgments against him were entered in every case. Three of the lawsuits were filed by landlords suing Mr. Hunter for failing to pay his rent. The fourth lawsuit came from Mr. Hunter’s credit card company seeking payment for $3,211 in overdue bills.

Is there more to Mr. Hunter’s relationship to Mr. Shelton?

In January of this year, Mr. Shelton pleaded guilty to federal charges of stealing more than $28,000 from ANC 5B between August 2010 and March 2011. There is no suggestion that Mr. Hunter took part in Mr. Shelton’s theft.

Read the entire article, here.

01
Mar
12

Chairman Brown Delivers! Bikeshare coming to Rhode Island Ave NE

By Nolan 14 Comments
Categories: Redevelopment
Tags: , , , , , ,

DC Capital Bikeshareby Nolan Treadway

As I was putting together my testimony for DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown’s Hearing on Economic Development in Ward 5 a couple weeks back, I was sure to hit on Rhode Island Avenue development– of lack thereof (Friends of Rhode Island Avenue had been asking their membership to come out and testify on that topic).  But in finalizing it, I realized all the ideas I had proposed were big ideas that could only be addressed over a long period of time.  I thought: “What was something could ask for that could be delivered on in the immediate future?“… Bikeshare!

Driving (or biking) from Downtown, Rhode Island Avenue Northeast doesn’t have a bikeshare station after you cross 4th Street NE.  Right before the deadline to turn in testimony, I added a couple sentences highlighting this and asking Chairman Brown to help us get a bikeshare station.  It’s important not only so we can all have healthier and cleaner transportation options — but it also sends a signal to the neighborhood that we’re just as important as the other parts of town that are seemingly drowning in bikeshare stations.

After giving my testimony Chairman Brown noted my request and agreed.  He said he would work to get us a bikeshare station, and he has delivered!

Today, DC Council Chairman Kwame R. Brown thanked the Mayor and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) for moving forward with a new Bikeshare station near the Brentwood and Brookland neighborhoods in Ward 5. The new station will arrive in late summer or early fall and be installed later this year. This announcement comes as a follow-up to interest expressed at a community roundtable the Chairman held on February 21 at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center.

“I want to express my gratitude to the Mayor and DDOT for moving forward with Ward 5’s new Bikeshare station,” said Chairman Brown. “The expansion of the Capital Bikeshare into this area will give more of our communities the opportunity to take advantage of this health-promoting and environmentally-safe transit option.”

According to Jim Sebastian, District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Bicycle Program manager, the new station will come in the city’s next shipment and will be located near the intersection of 20th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NE.

I can’t wait for the station to be installed so I can renew my bikeshare membership that I allowed to lapse after moving to Woodridge!  Thanks Chairman Brown!

23
Feb
12

Perspectives on Kwame Brown’s Ward 5 Economic Development Summit

By rhodeislandinsider 7 Comments
Categories: Redevelopment
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

I attended Chairman Brown’s Ward 5 Economic Development summit on Tuesday night and although I didn’t testify, I was happy to hear resident after residents speak on the need to redevelop Rhode Island Ave NE. This blog has always contended that the Avenue holds some great potential for a community based Main Street between 18th and 24th Street, and at the Summit, Chairman Brown heard it loud and clear. Before I get into more on this, I would like to thank Chairman Brown for taking the time to put together this Summit to hear from the residents and for his commitment to bring positive development to our Ward, especially the Avenue.

There have been numerous meeting after meeting on how to bring redevelopment to Rhode Island Ave NE over the years but those meetings have always lead to just having more meetings. On Tuesday night, Chairman Brown made some strong commitments to take action, in fact, he directed City staff to start taking action which you will read more about from the various perspectives below. The Friends of Rhode Island Ave (FoRIA) was well represented at this Summit, as were members of PCDC. The combined efforts of both of these organizations helped spur the focus of the City on redevelopment, especially on RIA. James Holloway, Chair of FoRIA’s Board, testified before Chairman Brown on Tuesday and represented nearly 300 residents that are members of that organization. His testimony can be found here.

But enough of my perspective on Tuesday night’s Summit. The Insider has put together perspectives from several contributors and we have an exclusive perspective from Chairman Kwame Brown himself.

Chairman Kwame Brown’s Perspective

I am dedicated to helping Ward 5 residents reinvigorate signature activity centers and development sites such as Rhode Island Avenue, Bladensburg Road, New York Avenue, Brookland/Catholic University, McMillan Reservoir, and Fort Lincoln. These should become vibrant corridors and connected communities that offer new hotels, big-box and neighborhood-serving retail, improved infrastructure, innovative restaurants, more residential options, and access to street cars – all essential parts of the mixed-income and mixed-use goals set forth in the city’s urban renewal plan.

Read Chairman Brown’s full perspective here.

Contributor and President of FoRIA, Stephanie Liotta-Atkinson’s Perspective

My message to Chairman Brown and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) was that we need to implement these plans.  Years worth of meetings about what we want on Rhode Island Avenue has not yet yielded concrete benefits for our community.  We’re still overrun with auto-related businesses and vacant storefronts.  We still have far too few high quality sit-down restaurants and places to buy healthy food.  I’m not optimistic that more meetings will result in a different outcome.  In fact, the danger in holding an endless stream of meetings planning for Rhode Island Avenue is that the community becomes pacified by merely being heard.  It’s not acceptable for DC agency officials to show up at community meetings, listen to us, and then disappear into their offices until we convene another community meeting.

Read Stephanie’s full perspective here.

Contributor and FoRIA Board Member Daniella Gibbs-Leger’s Perspective

I was thrilled to see the overflow turn out and to hear resident after resident implore the council member to focus their efforts on Rhode Island Avenue. I focused my testimony on my vision for RIA – not an H Street replica, but a place where there are some restaurants open past 7

Read Daniella’s full perspective here.

Contributor and FoRIA Board Member Nolan Treadway’s Perspective

I must say, after going in somewhat skeptical, I left hopeful.  And of all the public testimony, there were three community concerns stick out: redevelopment of Rhode Island Avenue NE, the controversial McMillan redevelopment plan in Bloomingdale and the unfortunate state of the Crummell Schoo in Ivy City.

Read Nolan’s full perspective here.

Let us know your perspective in the comments.

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