Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6C met on May 10 via WebEx. Commissioners Christy Kwan (6C01), Leslie Merkle (6C02, secretary), Jay Adelstein (6C03), Mark Eckenwiler (6C04, chair), Commissioner Joel Kelty (6C05, treasurer), Patricia Eguino (6C06) and Tony Goodman (6C07, vice chair) were present.
The DC Dept. of Transportation (DDOT) has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) regarding its plan to install bus priority lanes on Eighth Street between Florida Avenue and East Capitol Streets NE. The agency’s design includes the addition of bus bulb-outs to allow buses to board while remaining in the travel lane, the implementation of queue jumps to allow buses to move ahead of vehicles at traffic stops and the relocation and rebalancing of some bus stops in order to minimize delays.
The DDOT’s proposal, while aimed to improve bus reliability and efficiency, also includes several safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicular traffic.
The project is currently in the final design stage. Feedback was accepted through May 18. DDOT plans to begin construction in 2023.
Treasurer Kelty in particular raised concerns about the maintenance of the improvements made, particularly of the pavement markings and signage for things like bike lanes, encouraging the ANC to highlight the importance of appropriating funds to maintain these changes.
“My experience has been that a lot of the pavement markings get put down and then nothing ever happens,” Kelty said. “They’re worn out and they actually create a more dangerous condition because there’s ambiguity about whether they’re still in effect.”
Commissioners voted unanimously to support the project.
Other Matters
The commission voted to:
- support a proposed DDOT Transportation Public Space (TPS) application for landscaping, benches, fencing and sidewalk paving in public space outside the Heritage Foundation building, 214 Massachusetts Ave NE).;
- send a letter to the DDOT Director Everett Lott, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) and Ward 6 community engagement specialists regarding areas of H Street NE that are in a “serious state of disrepair,” requesting a comprehensive survey to quantify the scope of the problem and a plan to remediate issues;
- support a sidewalk survey proposed by ANC 6A to identify areas within Ward 6 where sidewalks are in need of repair;
- support a Historic Preservation Application (HPA) for alterations and a rear addition to an existing two-story row house at 407 Third St. NE;
- support a Board of Zoning Application (BZA) to modify a previously approved Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 300 M St. NE;
- support the amended PUD application of 1232 Shift Cubed Partners, LLC with map amendment to allow for the construction of a ten-story mixed-use all-affordable residential building, which includes 96 affordable units as well as a “maker” creative space on the ground floor and office space for a nonprofit or for supportive services programming.
ANC 6C will meet next on June 14, at 7 p.m., via WebEx. Learn more about the commission and register to attend the meeting by visiting www.anc6c.org.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.
