Fun for the wee ones to the wise ones

Ms V is excited, because this Saturday is our first annual Hillcrest Day.  The planning committee has been working hard to make sure there is something for all members of our community.  There will be arts and crafts and a moonbounce for the wee ones.  Races and games for the young people. Yoga, zumba and line dancing for the grown and sexy. Card games and line dancing for the wise ones.  Here's the official announcement.

Hillcrest Day, June 23, 2012 from 11 am to 5pm  

Greetings, neighbors, the Hillcrest Community Civic Association (HCCA), the Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation invite you to the HCCA’s first Hillcrest Day on Saturday, June 23, 2012, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hillcrest Recreation Center at 32nd and Denver Streets, SE.  

 June 23 will be full of fun for the entire family. There are several planned activities, including sack races, face painting, relay races, bingo, card games, and putting contests, in addition to free food and vendors. Contact Earl Williams for more information at (202) 584-2703. All are welcome. Tell your friends. This is in conjunction with the HCCA's garden tour at 10 a.m. to noon. More information is here: http://www.hillcrestdc.com/announce.htm#gtour

Request for Action: Say Yes to Transportation Improvements in Ward 7

I'm one of the 5 appointed DC representatives on the Transportation Planning Board (TPB)  Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC).  The TPB is responsible for approving the regional transportation plan and improvement program.  Please feel free to ask any additional questions.

Request:
Please send an email to TPBPublicComment@mwcog.org or submit on-line http://www.mwcog.org/transportation/public/ with the following statement.

"My name is [YOUR NAME]. I am a resident of [Neighborhood] in Ward 7, Washington, DC.  I support the Draft FY 2013-2018 Transportation Improvement Program.  The projects in the program are important to improving accessibility, mobility, and the quality of life in my neighborhood. [Any additional comments and questions you have about specific projects]"


What projects are in the Draft FY 2013-2018 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)?
I've attached the TIP to review at your leisure. It is a Federal requirement that all the projects DDOT intends to start, continue, and/or complete in the next 6 years has to be listed in the TIP.  I've gone through and pulled out the projects that specifically affect Ward 7.  I've summarized the description, so please feel free to look up these projects. (Disclaimer, there may be additional Ward 7 projects listed under the general categories)

Anacostia Waterfront Initative (TIP ID: 5957): Near and long term improvements including, Sousa Bridge and way finding, ped/bike, reconfigure Barney Circle, RFK access ramp. [FY 2013 $1million]

Reconstruction of Benning Road NE, Anacostia to 42nd Street (TIP ID: 5572): Phase 2 of Benning Road reconstruction [FY2018 $3.4 million]

Livability Program (TIP ID: 5790): Implementation of the liviability studies.  Far NE and Far SE are included [FY2013-2018 $7.85 million]

Kenilworth Ave Corridor (TIP ID 3290): ped/bik improvements, lighting, landscaping, neighborhood identification, bridge at Minnesota Ave Metro Station, reconfigure intersections [FY2015 $3million]

Anacostia Riverwalk Trail (TIP ID 3508): ped/bike bridge connection Benning Road to Kenilworth Gardens, connecting Parkside to Maryland Ave, and other connections [FY2013-2014 $19 million]

11th Street Bridge and Interchange (TIP ID 3193): this is the continuation of the 11th Street bridge project [FY2013-2015 $57.721 million]

Bridges over Watts Branch (TIP ID 2905): Replace deck, repair substructure, repair steel, etc over Watts Branch including Division Ave, Gault Place, 44th, 48th, 55th, 58th [FY2013 $8 million]

Replacement of Pedestrian Bride over Kenilworth Ave (TIP ID 5337): replace of the deck, repair substructure and repaint steel [FY2013 $4 million]

Safety Improvements of Benning Road Bridges over Kenilworth Ave (TIP ID 5334): structural design of the three bridge alternatives. Includes infrastructure improvements in the vicinity of the bridge [FY 2016 $16 million]

Great Streets - Minnesota Ave from A Street to Sheriff Road (TIP ID 2992): Conduct traffic assessments, environmental assessments, prepare designs, construct improvements such as curbs, sidewalks, gutters, street, and tree boxes. Provide bike lanes and improve pedestrian circulation [FY 2013-2014 $22 million]

Great Streets - Pennsylvania Ave SE from 27th Street to Bridge (TIP ID 2743): Conduct traffic assessments, environmental assessments, prepare designs, construct improvements such as curbs, sidewalks, gutters, street, and tree boxes. Provide bike lanes and improve pedestrian circulation [FY 2014 $10 million]

Streetcar - Benning Road Extension (TIP ID 5754): study to look at streetcar on Benning Road from Oklahoma to 42nd Street. [FY 2013 $2 million]


Why should I provide comments?
1) Your dear neighbor (aka me) took the time to type up the Ward 7 projects late at night

2) Sends a message to the members of the TPB that these projects are important to us, we are watching the money, and we expect these things to happen.  The DC members of the TPB are Interim Chairman Mendelson, CM Bowser, CM Wells, Terry Bellamy (DDOT Director) and Harriet Tregoing (Office of Planning Director)


When are my comments due?
You must submit your comments by July 14th.


Please feel free to ask me any questions.

DDOE video on Urban Streams

A friend shared this video from the District Department of the Environment that explores restoring urban streams.  One of the featured locations is in Hillcrest.