Art as Placemaking... #deanwooddc

In the realm of urbanism, placemaking has gained a significant foothold. Essentially, placemaking means enlivening neighborhoods. This can involve art, streetscape enhancements, like lighting and tree plantings, and farmers' markets. At the core of placemaking is community engagement and involvement.

When the Deanwood Community Center and Library was planned placemaking was an aspect neighbors wanted (even before the term became in vogue). The DC Commission on Arts and Humanities is finally moving on the effort through the DC Creates!Public Art Program.  The program purchases, commissions, and installs artworks for public sites throughout the District. 

Join neighbors this Saturday in planning this placemaking and community building activity. Artist Amber Robles-Gordon will present a public art piece for the Deanwood Recreation Center and Library.

Deanwood Community Public Art Presentation

Saturday, February 4, 2:00p

Deanwood Recreation Center Multi-Purpose Room

For more information

Mary Beth Brown 202-724-5613 or MaryBeth.Brown@dc.gov

GUEST POST: UNCLE LEE'S SEAFOOD

You may have heard about or seen the "renovations" at Uncle Lee's.  The store was granted its class A liquor license.  This means we have three liquor stores added to the Eastern-Sheriff-Division (ESD) landscape and our 13th in the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7C community.

This is, needless to say, disappointing.  I will not sugarcoat with platitudes or blame.  We can always say they shoulda, we coulda.  It's more important now, I believe, that we have our moment. 

While you're having your moment, though, think back on our broader goals--building relationships and moving toward an improved quality of life.  We CAN put some achievement notches on our belt.

1) illegal shoe vendor was forced to register his business

2) there is no vending at all on the lot (THE BLOCK IS HOT, YALL!)
3) MPD 6D has daily patrols in ESD and parks on the 1100 Eastern Ave lot
4) community members know they are not alone; there are many who want better because we deserve better
5) there is increased attention from the Prince George's County Police Department
6) cleaned up the U4 bus stop
7) think of your three or four other successes.  (feel free to share!)

WHAT'S NEXT

1) Jocks Liquors' Zoning Hearing 

Thurs., November 3, 9:30 a.m. at County Administration Building, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Dr., Rm. 2190, Upper Marlboro

http://www.scribd.com/doc/70395377/Jock-s-Zoning-hearing-Fact-Sheet" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Jock's Zoning hearing Fact Sheet

A. Become a person of record by contacting Tom Lockard or 301-952-3530.
B. Testify (or send letter of opposition) at the Jock’s Zoning Hearing, Thursday,November 3, 9:00 a.m. at 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Rm. 2190 Upper Marlboro, MD

1. adversely affect the health,safety or welfare of residents or workers in the area
2. harmful to the use ordevelopment of adjacent properties or the general neighborhood
3. substantially impair the integrity of any validly approved Master Plan or Functional Master Plan, or,the General Plan

2) Increase 311 and 911 calls for service
As we learned at the April alcohol hearing, government doesn't "see."  Government "hears."  Government hears data, i.e., calls for service. 

Car driven by illegal sign posters

1. loitering is illegal in Maryland.  call 911 to report loiterers at Jock's, 1005 Eastern Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD
2. loitering isn't illegal in DC.  call 911 to report open container violations.  MPD has found that patdowns have resulted in drug and outstanding warrants arrests.
3. illegal sign posting is out of control along Eastern Avenue and most certainly in the ESD intersection.  call 311 (DC's service) to report the DC postings, RECORD THE SERVICE REQUEST #, follow up in 10 business days.
4. Maryland is cracking down on illegal sign posters AND the companies.  Take a cell picture, email it, and email the location to the Department of Environmental Resources (email the location even if there's no picture).
5. Be on the look out for a blue VW hatchback driven by two Latino males, 5'6-5'8, 22-27 y.o. parking at 7-11 or Uncle Lee's.  One wears all black, slight build, and usually drives.  The other has stocky build and wears a baseball cap.  I've spoken to them so they know they are being watched.  When you see them call 911 and report for defacing property.

3) What's on YOUR mind?  What should be next?

Sylvia

Sylvia C. Brown
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 7C04
O: 202-398-5100
C: 202-841-4117 

P.S. SHARE THIS NEWS WITH SOMEONE

LISTEN TO ME!!!

We've emailed, tweeted, reported to 311 and the Office of Neighborhood Engagement, cajoled, and prodded.  What's happened?  NOTHING!!  The public space violation at 4908 Jay Street NE is STILL there & has now attracted illegal dumping.  What does it take to get this cleaned up after nearly two months??? 

A stop work order issued on September 12 by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).  Instead of trusting that the DCRA inspector would inform the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the District Department of the Environment, there should be a check-off/prompt automatically within the stop work order process to initiate fines and a removal period.  It is inefficient and redundant to require residents to hope there was verbal communication within the agencies or to generate a complaint. 

City unresponsiveness breeds cynicism in and distrust of government in residents.  City unresponsiveness breeds boldness in construction companies, litterers, and others to blatantly disrespect Deanwood and the city.  I'm sick of it! 

4908 Jay St. NE

 

Deanwood Recreation & Library Center...9 months later

Last week, Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Chairman Committee on Libraries, Parks, and Recreation, toured the nine-month old Deanwood Recreation Center and Library.  Bowser, who is also Ward 4 Councilmember, was taking the opportunity to talk with community members and frontline staff to gain perspective on upcoming budget and planning hearings.

Public Oversight Roundtable: Summer Programs and Aquatics Readiness of the Department of Parks and Recreation

Monday, April 11, 11:00 a.m.

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Room 123

(Federal Triangle Metro)

The roundtable will inquire into the Department of Parks and Recreation’s preparations for the efficient administration of the agency’s summer programs, including arrangements to commence operation of all 31 outdoor aquatics amenities. As soon as District schools adjourn for summer, the utilization rates of our DPR facilities greatly increase. As safe, productive environments for District children, it is vital that we ensure DPR is ready to provide first-class recreation activities at first-class recreation facilities during this time. To that end, the roundtable will inquire into the agency’s efforts to hire sufficient staff, especially lifeguards; to prepare physical facilities like pools, spray parks, fields, and tennis courts; the mowing schedule; agency plans for engaging with stakeholders; and a description of all summer programs and camps for
youth, adults, and our seniors. The Committee will also review pending capital projects, Unity Park, summer hiring and other DPR vacancies.

THURSDAY, April 14, 10a - Budget hearing for DPR, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, COUNCIL CHAMBER (ROOM 500)

MONDAY, April 18, 10a - Budget hearing for DCPL, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, ROOM 412

Deanwood Recreation and Library Center's Opening Day June 2010 was a celebration (and joyous madhouse)!

Deanwood computer lab on grand opening day, June 2010

L-R: Bowser, DCPL Chief Ginnie Cooper, Deanwood resident Beverly Goode, and Deanwood Branch manager Winnell Montague

Bowser's tour coincided with the Deanwood Library's reading time.

CM Bowser listening intently to concerns raised by Deanwood neighbors Yvonne Johnson and David Smith.  Recreation Center Manager Orvin Wright joins the tour.

CM Bowser (c) with Deanwood Neighbors and DCPL Chief and Staff and DPR Manager

ANC7C Holiday meet 'n' greet

In a break from the norm, which is usually no meeting in December, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7C hosted a holiday meet and greet.

In recent weeks, the Commission has been faced with news of Wal-Mart's arrival at the Capitol Gateway site at East Capitol and Southern Ave.  With the Commission facing this and other high profile community and economic development plans, we felt it was critically important for residents, developers, and stakeholders to meet in a social and informal environment.

The development community certainly came out in full force with refreshment donations from Beulah Community Improvement Association and its partner UrbanMatter's Ray Nix and 4800 Burroughs Avenue.  New deli owner Eun Sun Kim profiled her eatery's new menu with a spread of three types of salad--chicken, seafood, and tuna, chicken wings, sandwiches, and potato wedges. 

Mark your 2011 calendars for the 7C meetings on the second Thursday, 7p, 5109 Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE basement! 



Commission Chair Khaliq Elhillali welcomes attendees to the holiday meet and greet.



Neighbors partake in the spread donated by Uncle Lee's Seafood deli owner Eun Sun Kim.  The deli is located at the starburst at Eastern Ave-Division Ave-Sheriff Rd.



Chair Elhillali and 7C Office Manager Ginger Jevne share a laugh.

Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander chats with neighbors and stakeholders about prospects for Wal-Mart and other community happenings.  7C Commissioner Mary Gaffney is pictured to the right.

Neighbors in 7C07 SMD engage Chair Elhillali about the Commission's operations and how to get involved.

Rev. Turner, pastor of Beulah Baptist Church and head of its community development organization, talks with development partner Ray Nix.

Liquor Store Alley: Is Your Neighborhood on the Edge?

For much of the year the process of granting liquor licenses has been debated from working class Ward 5 to hipster Ward 2 to tony Ward 2.  The overwhelming opinion is that the District's liquor license process which is administered by the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) is broken.  The common thread in these license debates, however, has been on-premises liquor consumption at bars, restaurants, and taverns.  Alcohol licensing for liquor stores is not, however, considered a part of the ABRA reform. 

In too many neighborhoods in Wards 7 and 8 there is a concentration of liquor stores--both beer and wine (Class B) and beer, wine, spirits (Class A).  Generally, there is an automatic expectation that a voluntary agreement and/or monetary donation can be made and the ANC will acquiese to the inevitable, ABRA granting the license.  This underlying tone favors the business instead of favoring the community and lets the business off the hook for actually having a business plan that doesn't leech off predominantly low-income neighborhoods.  In many cases in Wards 7 and 8 a VA will not be sufficient because the concentration of liquor stores is too high; we're saturated. 



Google Maps. Uncle Lee's left, Jock's Liquor right

 I am contending with this very issue right now with Uncle Lee's Seafood.  There is a new owner who is "just trying to survive."  The owner has a background in operating a deli with a speciality in breakfast.  She has changed the menu to include breakfast and lunch.  Unfortunately, survival is based on the lottery and liquor sales and not using her talent and skill on meeting an unmet market--an eatery with quality food and not typical carryout. 

No liquor license issuance is the only option for Uncle Lee's Seafood. Vibrancy and sanity of the neighborhood will not be enhanced with six liquor stores within a half mile radius! 



Google Maps. Liquor Store Landscape

 While I appreciate my neighbors west of the River writing about making the liquor license process less contentious, it is important to note the impact of concentrating licensees, specifically liquor stores.  Maybe there's room in ABRA reform to separate liquor stores from the licensing for restaurants, taverns, and nightclubs to take these matters into consideration.  Maybe even 7C should pursue a moratorium like Georgetown.  Otherwise, we'll continue to pick at the contention of "who is in the catbird seat--the licensee business owner or the Advisory Neighborhood Commission/community?" 

Ward 7 residents define "livability" for their streets

A cross-section of residents in north Ward 7 gathered recently to help the District Department of Transportation and its consultants put a pin in the oft-used term "livability" at the second meeting of the Far Northeast Livability Study.


In transit and smart growth circles, livability means multimodal transportation, transit-oriented development, and a Complete Streets policy.


Many attendees weren't versed in the new terms entering the community development lexicon, but they do know their neighborhood and the ward can be better with more sidewalks, improved crosswalk markings and pedestrian signaling, slowing speeding traffic on narrow neighborhood streets and thoroughfares, and improving bus service.


The Far Northeast Livability Study area encompasses all of north Ward 7, between East Capitol Street, the Anacostia River, and the District line. A unique feature of the study process is an advisory council made of community members which shapes the meeting format, engages neighbors, and gives insight on key points.

This advisory council is especially important because the area has already been the focus of numerous studies in the past. Residents want to see action, not just a study that sits on the shelf.

DDOT Director Gabe Klein Photo Courtesy SBrown

Fortunately, DDOT Chief Gabe Klein agrees. At the monthly general meeting of the DC Federation of Citizens Associations, Klein pointed out the agency has $3 million invested in the DDOT Livability Program, including "money in the obligation plan to put solutions in place." The funds to implement the Livability Program are also included in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's five-year Transportation Improvement Program. Klein pledged to attend the next huddle.

The gathering discussed tools that transportation engineers use to deal with speeding and cut-through traffic, and to integrate biking connections. The toolbox includes simple, low-cost methods like painted medians, high visibility crosswalks, and in-street pedestrian yield signs. At the other end of the spectrum, there are high impact, mid- to high-cost solutions like chicanes, roundabouts, landscaped medians, and raised crosswalks.

Residents discussed these options and weighed the pros and cons of each along problem corridors like Sheriff Road, 49th Street, East Capitol Street, the Minnesota Avenue-Benning Road intersection, and the Nannie Helen Burroughs-Minnesota intersection.

The next steps in the process include a review of the meeting comments in December and a follow-up in January. With a population of nearly 30,000 people, it is critically important for north Ward 7 residents and stakeholders to be on the ball and make sure the "study" gets implemented.

Crossposted at Greater Greater Washington.

Live, work, play, shop, worship...New age livability

District Department of Transportation will be a busy bee in Ward 7 this weekend.  The agency is sponsoring the DC Circulator study at Benning Road Library (which has been renamed the Dorothy Irene Height Memorial Library) at 1:30 p.m.  In the morning the transportation team and its consultants are hosting the second Far Northeast Livability Study. 

The Far Northeast Livability Study covers all of north Ward 7.  Saturday's meeting will cover the Solutions Tool Boxes that transportation engineers grapple with when faced with speeding, cut-through traffic, etc.  Residents will have these tools at their fingertips and be able to weigh the good and the bad with implementation along problem corridors like Sheriff Road, 49th Street, East Capitol, Nannie Helen Burroughs-Minnesota intersection, etc.  With a population of nearly 30,000 people it is critically important for north Ward 7 residents and stakeholders to be on the ball and make sure the "study" GETS IMPLEMENTED. 

Livability Flyer

Deanwood's Urban Turf Profile

Deanwood: A Little Bit of Country Just Inside the District’s Borders

"It’s easy to get disoriented in Deanwood. Exit the Metro station and walk past the gleaming new recreation center, and the neighborhood quickly takes on a foreign tone. With its hills and one-story frame houses, it’s not a stretch to imagine you’re wandering around a rural community somewhere—one that isn’t particularly open to outsiders.

Located east of the Anacostia River and just inside the District’s northeast border, Deanwood has long been viewed as a community with a small-town atmosphere." Read the rest of the article. 

Weigh in on this blog on whether Urban Turf got it right along with your vision of Deanwood's future.

Deanwood Duplexes in 5000 Block of Jay St

The transition begins...Gray Ward 7 Town Hall

A common saying in politics is, "Winning a campaign is easy.  The tough part is governing."  Noone doubts D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray, the presumptive mayor, has the ability to govern.  The doubt, or perhaps more appropriately the uncertainty, arises in how he will govern.  This uncertainty is made more stark when coupled with our city's horrendous budget constraints.

For neighborhoods like Deanwood, which went heavy for Gray, the asks are long and deep.  Dealing with basic quality-of-life needs like improved schools, public works services, and police presence are important.  Just as important, though, is implementing a meaningful community economic development plan.  For greater Deanwood neighborhoods our community economic development is wrapped in the multi-year Lincoln Heights/Richardson Dwellings New Communities Initiative (LHRDNCI).  The LHRDNCI hinges on a cross-section of government and private invesments, including human capital and infrastructure, to create mixed-income, sustainable development sites.  Private developers have already downgraded some of their plans on account of the economic downturn.  These developers must have a comfort level from government but also in my opinion they need a gut-check and must be strongly prodded by government to plan for the best and build the best in spite of the current economics.

Gray campaigned on a birth-24 education system that includes real-life employment skills.  It is my contention that that campaign promise can be implemented and accomplished in greater Deanwood.  Breaking up the silo mentality of the private sector is a step.  However, a bigger and more treacherous step is corralling residents, both long-time and new arrivals, to forget perceived slights and defuse flashpoint rhetoric and come together to push for innovative community revitalization--dusting off the so, so, so many development plans for far northeast Ward 7 and get it done.

While the presumptive mayor's heart may be in Ward 7 he has to govern from 30,000'.  The opportunity to make a campaign promise and slogan a model and reality is in greater Deanwood--if the presumptive mayor sets the tone and empowers (demands?) Ward 7 residents (in some cases guide to stage left) to organize effectively to communicate our message, our needs, and our wants ourselves. 

"How will the presumptive mayor govern?"  Significant returns on investment for the public and private sectors hang in the balance.

vgray ward7 townhall

The Ward 7 town hall is moved to Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, 3000 Pennsylvania Ave. SE.  Please allow for significant travel time (WMATA or car) due to the Pennsylvania Avenue Great Streets project construction.

A Walk With: Sylvia Brown, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Deanwood - Housing Complex - Washington City Paper

A Walk With: Sylvia Brown, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Deanwood - Housing Complex - Washington City Paper

For someone who follows Twitter fairly closely, Sylvia Brown—@ANC7c04—is an outsized presence. She nudges councilmembers and narrates press conferences, corrects journalists and vents about the latest political outrage.

Turns out Brown is a large presence in real life, too. She’s tall, basketball player tall, though the resemblance might also have been due to the track pants and sneakers. Brown ... immediately pointed out something I’d never noticed before: The Lederer Youth Garden, which has dozens of small plots for children, complete with a beehive.

“It’s a hidden gem,” she says.

Guest blog posting: Taking back our neighborhood

Editor's Note: "Officially tired of the madness," Ajia Meux, Deanwood neighbor and former Deanwood Citizens Association president, has distributed this "Open Letter to Community Members."  To reach as many neighbors and stakeholders she asked Deanwoodenizen to post the message to her blog readers. 

Dear Community Members,

I am writing you this as not only the former president of the Deanwood Citizen's Association, but also as a resident of the community and a concerned citizen.  I am deeply concerned about the state of the Deanwood Citizen's Association.  Since I know there is power in numbers, I am reaching out to the larger community.  You need to be seen and heard!

In eight months time, the current executive board of the Deanwood Citizen's Association has managed to run the organization into the ground.  They have managed to alienate new members—members who showed vigor in wanting to work on behalf of the organization and their community and members who made it their mission to bring other community members to meetings now do not even come.  Committees to
address community issues are hand-selected and the information that comes from the committees is guarded.  Member opinion is not respected, issues are often tabled and never addressed and only the President and the Vice President seem to have any say so into decisions made.

Community visibility is nil and when DCA leadership is represented reports are that their behavior is unprofessional and aggressive.  For the last three meetings, there have been no minutes and no treasurer's report for the September meeting.  This is of particular importance because the current executive board is notorious for making up information and distorting truth.  We did not receive minutes for June's meeting or July's meeting.  I did not see anyone recording the meeting tonight [editor's note: Monday, September 27, 2010].

The former president, Sylvia Brown, ANC7C04 was an amazing DCA president.  She spent much time building Deanwood's reputation in the community and informing ALL residents of the process by which change can come when we work together as ONE COMMUNITY.  I made it my mission to represent DCA to ALL residents, spending countless hours going door to door to invite not just home owners, but ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS to be engaged in the civic process.  It is important that DCA be used as a vehicle for the entire community to progress, not monopolized by a few who use it as a means of control.

I own my home in Deanwood and have been a resident of the community for four years.  I pay taxes on my property AND in the community through sales tax.  I shop at Deanwood businesses.  I am (and you are) just as much a stakeholder in this community as our next door neighbors who have been in the community for 30+ years.  This polarizing attitude of the current leadership has to stop!  Have you ever been called about an "emergency meeting" or any meeting for that matter?  Have you received a flyer?  Has anyone from DCA ever stopped and knocked on your door?  Anyone ever ask your opinion about ANYTHING happening?  I am begging you to come to a DCA meeting [fourth Monday, 6:30 p.m., 1350 49th St. NE] and challenge this current board.  I do not plan on running for office again, but PLEASE consider running.  It's time that we represent this community like others represent theirs—in a way that is clear, professional, respectful, diplomatic and that serve the interest of EVERYONE.
This is a drastic measure, yes I know.  But I am tired of meetings full of shenanigans and petty arguments when our community is in crisis and on the brink of transition. Someone has to grab the reins.  These folks are out of control.
Ajia Meux
5000 Block of Sheriff
Deanwood Resident

MuralsDC completes second Deanwood site

After fits and starts the second MuralsDC project in Deanwood is complete!  MuralsDC is an initiative from Jim Graham, Ward 1 Councilman and chairman of the Council's Committee on Public Works and Transportation.  MuralsDC is a multi-agency effort to combat illegal graffiti, called tagging, on locations prone to the activity.  Utilizing organizations and youth from the impacted neighborhoods the thought is that taggers are less likely to tag a spot where they have crafted an artistic vision.  The program also helps channel and legitimize graffiti artistry. 

The first Deanwood site done under the direction of arts organization Ward 7 Arts Collaborative is at A-1 Grocery located at Division Avenue and Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue.  Words Beats Life led the development of the newest site, A&S Grocery, at Sheriff Road and 48th St.  Juan Pineda was lead artist and proposed several Deanwood icons for the rendering, including the Carver School (now IDEA Public Charter School), Nannie Helen Burroughs, and the trolley car that ran along Deane Avenue (now Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue).

A&S Grocery (4748 Sheriff Rd. NE), site of second Deanwood MuralsDC

Words Beats & Life draft of MuralsDC Deanwood site. 



Student apprentices; student in forefront Jean Martinez is lead student artist.