Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6D met on Sept. 9 via Zoom. Commissioners Bob Link (6DO1, vice chair), Ronald Collins (6D02, treasurer), Gail Fast (6D03), Andrea Pawley (6D04), Chearie Phelps-El (6D05), Bruce Levine (6D06, secretary), Fredrica (Rikki) Kramer (6D07, chair) and Rhonda Hamilton (6D08) were in attendance.
DC Housing Authority (DCHA) Deputy Executive Director Nicole Wickliffe, DCHA Director of Capital Programs Sheila Miller and Consultant David Cortiella briefed the commission on the agency’s plans both to maintain, renovate and ultimately redevelop Greenleaf Gardens Public Housing Complex. They responded to a written questionnaire sent by the commission.
Presently, 131 Greenleaf apartments at the “senior” building are occupied and 89 are vacant, they stated. Of these, 78 are headed by seniors and another 29 by disabled individuals, they stated.
When families are transferred out of Greenleaf Senior or leave using housing choice vouchers, units remain vacant until they are rehabilitated, said Wickliffe
DHCA has renovated 20 units with another 20 to be delivered by year’s end, they said. Standard renovations include replacing flooring and lighting with additional repairs dependent on the state of the unit.
The US Department of Housing and Development (HUD) removed the senior designation from Greenleaf Senior after DCHA failed its audit, the DCHA leaders stated. However, a senior housing preference is still permitted under Section 8. DCHA has filed for this designation.
“There will be a building that has 55 plus as a preference,” Cortiella, speaking of the redevelopment.
Renovations at Greenleaf Midrise continue, DCHA leaders stated. 53 units have been completed. Another 23 are due to be finished by year end. The building is getting a new air conditioning and heating system, they said.
Greenleaf Annex and Extensions are not undergoing renovation, because they are slated for Build First, DCHA leaders stated. The 2022 MDA did not envision Build First, pointed out Cortiella. Now, DCHA, committed to that principle, is developing a sequencing and revitalization plan, which will be ready by the end of the year. The agency will then proceed to file a zoning application for a Planned Unit Development, he said
“Greenleaf is the top priority for us right now,” said Cortiella.
Miller was unsure about whether the Master Development Agreement (MDA) can be shared with the commission. It is still under negotiation, stated Cortiella, suggesting the commission file a FOIA. The Penrose Group and EYA remain DCHA’s development partners for Greenleaf, Miller said.
“It’s not healthy in there, period,” stated Commissioner Phelps-El in response to DCHA testimony, complaining about hallways and carpets. Only one resident has moved into a renovated apartment, she said, complaining that renovated apartments have gone to new residents.
Hamilton commended DCHA’s new Director Pettigrew for his management of the troubled agency. He has made lots of improvements, she said, while calling for increased community engagement.
Pettigrew is committed to being a good partner with both residents and community members, stated Miller, promising full participation, full visioning and full community input.
I Street Protected Bike Lanes
DDOT Bike Program Specialist Will Handsfield and Community Engagement Manager Tyler Williams briefed the commission on the status of the I Street Protected Bike Lane (I Street PBL). The three utility projects that have blocked the completion of the project have finished. DDOT now plans on completing the I Street PBL between Fourth St SW to First St. SE. Construction will take six weeks, he said.
“DDOT is very close to having everything in the MoveDC Plan implemented in Southeast and Southwest,” stated Handsfield.
As part of the I Street PBL, the agency plans to close a curb cut adjacent Randall Recreation Center, Handsfield said. In general, the agency will retain parking on the northsides of I Street SW as well as on both sides of I St. SE, he said. Construction will take four weeks, once I Street SW between Fourth Street and Delaware is repaved by PEPCO.
What can be done to make the intersection at I and Seventh Street SW safe? asked Vice Chair Link, pointing out how dangerous it is currently. He suggested making changes to the signal timing. That is part of larger multi-modal redesign now in the works for the entire length of Seventh Street, Handsfield replied. This intersection requires a tri-signal, stated Commissioner Fast.
“Right now, I am so unbelievably happy that we have not had an accident at this intersection,” Fast said. Pointing out that the I Street PBL conflicts with a future construction entrance, “What we failed to do on I Street is coordinate with coming development,” she said.
Fast pointed out two blind spots on 600 block of I Street. Commissioner Pawley describe two more tween Fourth and Sixth Streets SW. Treasurer Collins described a similar situation near the intersection of Fourth and G Streets SW.
“Who can come out and observe this with me?” asked Pawley. “I need some immediate action.” Handsfield referred her request to his colleague Williams.
Commissioners Hamilton, Fast and Collins also complained about the lack of access to Westminster Church’s handicapped entrance, which is blocked by the I Street PBL. Seniors and disabled persons cannot access the church, Hamilton stated. Handsfield suggested they funnel their concerns through Williams.
Other Matters
DDOT has completed a design for the rehabilitation for the I-395 Plan HOV lanes on the Rochambeau Memorial Bridge which carries 75,000 vehicles daily, representatives stated. Construction will begin late fall 2024 and be completed in late spring 2026. The agency plans to repair the concrete structure under bridge and put in a new deck. Two open lanes will be maintained throughout the project with speed reduced to 35 miles an hour. There will be no daytime lane closures. Night construction is planned.
Developers of 1250 Maryland Avenue SE requested the commission’s support for a public space application which is the first step in their planned office to residential conversion project. The entire building will be gutted and three levels added to provide 450 large apartments, they said. The design includes ground floor retail. Art Tech House will remain. The developers have agreed to providing one, two and one three-bedroom units or contributing $2 million to assist residents buy homes within the commission. The commission voted to support the application with Commissioner Phelps-El abstaining and Treasurer Collins in opposition.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Captain Paul Hrebenak briefed the commission on public safety. Violent crime is down 50 percent compared to last year, he stated. There was only one robbery in the last thirty days. MPD is running undercover operations designed to stop retail theft, he said.
The commission voted to:
• write to the mayor expressing concerns about the recent Broccoli City Festival at Audi Field;
• support Fogo de Chao’s application for a liquor license;
• support the Susan G. Komen walk 9/18, the Children’s National 5k and the Army 10-Miler;
• fund the commission until the passage of the FY 25 budget.
ANC 6D meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. The next meeting is Oct. 15. For more information, visit www.anc6d.org.
