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Thursday, May 10 General Meeting Information
U Street Neighborhood Association will have its general meeting on May 10, 2012 at the Third District Pollce Station community room at 7 pm. DDOT will give updates on the U Street streetscape. The office of Planning will be providing an overview of the PUD process. JBG will be providing updates and describe the variances they are requesting for the project at Florida/8th Street. Hiba Abdallah will be presenting on a facility planned to be built at 9th/S St NW for individuals aging out of the foster care system. Also Zahir Rahimi (owner of Mila 2015 14th St) will describe his desire to change this clothing store to a restaurant. We will also be discussing the U Street Neighborhood Harrison Recreation Center film series starting in May.
Click here to see the agenda.
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On September 9th, 2010 the U Street Neighborhood Association had their regular meeting at the Source Theatre. Topics that were discussed included remarks from the Principal from Garrison Elementary School, a new chairperson for the Friends Of Harrison Recreation Center, and discussion of the upcoming election for officers for 2011.
Please read more for the complete meeting minutes.
September 2010 • U Street Neighborhood Association
General Membership Meeting Minutes
Thursday, 09 SEP 2010 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Source - 1835 14th Street, NW
www.ustreet-dc.org
Welcome and Introductions
President’s Remarks, Christine Szathmary,
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- Christine called the meeting to order.
- Christine discussed the 2011 elections for U Street Neighborhood Association Officers that will take place: nominations at october meeting; speeches at november meeting; and voting at december meeting. There is a nominating committee that will be working this.
- Christine discussed that the intent of this meeting was to get the Principals from three local public schools to address the association: Garrison Elementary (Rembert Sweward); Shaw Middle School (which hadn't gotten back to her); and Cardozo High School (whose principal was unable to attend, but offered to show anyone interested the school - email Christine for contact).
- Christine discussed the Arts District Branding Project (www.midcityarts.blogspot.com) which has had two meetings for "branding dialogue." Next meeting town hall dialogue session is Monday 7:00 Theatre J (Jewish Community Center). Christine would like to create an ad hoc committee to create a recommendation for U Street Neighborhood Association input on the branding project and bring recommendations to the next meeting so that the association can provide input to this effort. Jon Cardon has agreed to host and chair this ad hoc committee. After the next Arts District Branding meeting there will be three meetings where three different brand concepts will be presented to get community feedback (Oct 12th; 18th; and 25th). Motion was made to create an adhoc committee; motion passed. Jon will be sending an announcement for the committee.
- Christine announced that Manisha Modi has volunteered to be chair of Friends of Harrison Recreation Center. Motion made to appoint her as chair, motion passed. If interested in supporting or being part of Friends of Harrison Recreation Center, please contact Manisha at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Christine introduced the principal from Garrison Elementary. Principal Rembert Seward addressed the community. He said that they have 203 students currently enrolled. He discussed two alternative programs that they have. He announced that September 23rd is back to school night, and September 24th is literacy day. Principal Seward said that he has been at 8 schools in the District and claims that this is best one. He said that they have children from 11 different countries in the school. He requested financial assistance for help in improving the outside of school. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like further information.
Committee Reports and Discussion
Public Safety, Brian Card, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Brian reported that at the MPD PSA 305 September 7th Lt. Jova reported that Robberies down; there is an alarming increase in burglaries (15 last period) for both businesses and residences (Martha’s table & Wonderbread both hit). Burglary has spiked across the district (2D; 4D). Using force/violence – smashing doors down; no arrests or leads. Two sexual assaults (one @ Howard known suspect; one in rooming house where suspect was known) occured over the last month. Theft from auto has increased.
- Brian reported that Sgt Carlos Mejia ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) from the MPD Gay and Lesbian Liaison unit addressed the meeting.The unit is staffed by openly gay and lesbian members of the department and their allies. The GLLU is dedicated to serving the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) communities in the Washington Metropolitan Area and the Metropolitan Police Department. The unit also serves as a resource for other law enforcement agencies nationwide. They have an office at 1369-A Connecticut Ave. Sgt Mejia stated that year to date bias crimes down – 23 so far city wide. 2005 had 44; 2006 had 54; 2007 had 39; 2008 had 38; and 2009 had 41. Sgt Mejia stated that there had been no recent bias crime in PSA 305 recently. Sgt Mejia stated that as well as tracking bias related crime they also track bias related incidents (those that don't rise to crime).
- Lt. Jeff Carol the Lt. from PSA 308 addressed the meeting also about series of breakins in area where PSA 305 and PSA 308 meet near 7th & S St which includes thefts from auto and breakins in houses. He encouraged folks to track serial numbers of items to allow recovery if you are robbed. He stated that 40 arrest had been made in last 60 days in that area.
- It was reported that 14th/V had two shootings in past 3 months.
- Another officer reported that they would be starting the bait bike program this week. He encouraged folks to register their bikes at Bikeregistry.com
- One of the attendees at the meeting reported that there had been an assault on Wallach Place Tuesday night. Another resident stated that there had been a lot of issues with illicit activities at the Garrison school afterhours (drugs, trash, etc). Francisco Fimbres (DC outreach specialist) has helped coordinate many improvements including lighting and stepped up patrols; improved trash cans; and increased signage.
Other Business
- The Yu Ying Washington Public Charter School Executive Director Mary Shaffner addressed the association and talked about the school (www.washingtonyuying.org). They are a chinese immersion school with about 240 children. They are seeking to get space at 13th & V (Harrison school), currently occupied by Studio School which no longer has a charter and is leaving so the city has put asked for RFO The students from this school will be bilerate and bilingual in chinese. Classes are taught in chinese for one full day and then english the other day. 8th & Varnum is current location, lease is coming up. They have 41 full time staff (75% who live in Dc). They are looking to renovate the Harrison school, and said that they would work to help mitigate traffic impacts of school.An individual (Steve) circulated distributed text for a draft resolution to support their application to Yu Ying. Bids for the RFO are due october 8th and are only open to charter schools. This is their third year in operation. They presented at the last ANC1B meeting. A motion was adopt the draft resolution that was circulated. Motion passed.
- Banneker City Little League - Baseball at Harrison and Banneker - Jean Homza from 930 club and Midcity Business Association spoke about a new organized little league for this area. It starts this saturday with five or six year old T-ball; and AA ball for 7 & 8 years old. Website iswww.Bannekercityll.org for more information. Jean encouraged parents to support them by getting their kids to participate. This is coed practice on tuesday at harrison or banneker (upper field). Volunteers are also welcome.
Treasurer’s Report, Sharon Dreyfuss,
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- Sharon couldn't come but provided statements for July and August which Christine discussed. Balance starting July 1st was $17,288.60; $17,287.99 as of August 1st, and currently $16,857.99. Balance for the Harrison Recreation as of August 1st was $1,723.84; balance currently $1,666.64.
- Sheryl said that there was no news on JBG's U Street Hotel project at 13th & U.
- Sheryl said that the project at old Whitman Walker (1800 14th St) will start demolition in two weeks, with the official groundbreaking 2nd week of october. Formal construction to start in november. Completion will be a year and a half later. It will either be condos or apartments, depending on market condition.
- Sheryl also provided some permit and concept applications that will be brought to the Historic Preservation Review Board meeting September 23, 2010, to consider permit and concept applications for work affecting historic properties:
- 1819 10th Street, NW, HPA #10-376, concept/ alteration, new door opening and stair on primary façade (Eldra D. Walker)
- 1819 14th Street, NW, HPA #10-381, concept/roof addition on non-contributing building (Steve Callcott)
- 1421 Florida Avenue, NW, HPA #10-438, concept/ new construction of a 6 story multi-unit building (Eldra D. Walker)
- 1511 Swann Street, NW, HPA #10-448, concept/alteration, roof top deck (Eldra D. Walker)
- 1902 - 1908 Vermont Avenue, NW, HPA #10-437, concept/ new construction of four three story plus basement multi-unit buildings (Eldra D. Walker)
- 927 Westminster Avenue, NW, HPA #10-423, concept/ alteration, new basement areaway and entrance (Eldra D. Walker)
- Sheryl also announced that the he historic preservation and development committee will be meeting with Steve Colcott end of September.
- Ramon pointed out that the corner at 15th & S Street was proposing a third story additions, was rejected because it was a corner buidling. Statement was made that no corner buildlings can get third story additions in historic districts.
Green, Scott Pomeroy, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Scott not at meeting. He will be announcing some projects we have been working on next month.
Transportation and Parking, Cheryl Cort,
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- Cheryl announced that the 14th Street Streetscape: DDOT is planning a community meeting for the above-mentioned project on Wed. 29, 2009 at 6:30 pm at the Reeves Center 2nd floor community room.
- She also discussed the New Hampshire Ave contra flow lanes & bike signals at 16th St - tghe contra flow lanes are great but the bike signals are imperfect. North side bike signal is too difficult to trip. South side one seems to work ok.
- Capital Bike share starts Sept. 20th. 1100 bikes at 114 stations in the District & Arlington. Station is already installed in fron of Reeves Center on 14th St. side. You can rent for the day ($5).
- Revised bike lanes on 15th Street will combine north/south bike lanes in the sheltered lanes in the West side.
Friends of Harrison Recreation Center, vacant, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Now have a chair Manisha. Last movie Soul Power & Duke Ellington's Washington this Tuesday. Gates open at 7; movie starts at sundown. Planning for next year movie series has started. Website will allow voting for a theme for next year; and then the actual movies. Movie series has been a great success.
- Attendance has been good except for the rain date - 500 folks at first one; 100 for the rain-make up; and last month had 300 in attendance.
Other announcements
- Steve Johnson Assistant VP for Protocol and Events at Howard University discussed the upcoming Homecoming on Oct. 30th. His contact information is 202-806-7194; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , additionally Deputy Chief Joy campus police was also at the meeting. They will be playing Norfolk State. The parade route is same as previous years, starting at 10 am on 6th street, ending on 4th street (go to www.bisonhomecoming.com for more info on parade). They will have bands from multiple cities. Game follows the parade. They will be working with city services and homeland security for traffic flow; safety; cleanup; and other services to minimize impact to local residents. Bus parking will be done in lots on sherman avenue. 202-806-1000 is command center number to handle any concerns. Resident suggested that in previous years there have been problems with lack of bathrooms leading to folks having to relieve themsleves on the street. Mr Johnson encouraged folks to come and enjoy the homecoming.
- Washington Improv Theatre Artistic director (MarkChalfant) shared that they have been running their classes at the Harrison school. It appears that they will have no location soon. His contact is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please let him know if there are any other locations that they might consider.
Meeting adjourned at 8:42 pm
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