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Recap of June 28th Community Walk Through |
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Written by Charles Allen
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Friday, 29 June 2007 |
 Roughly 30 residents joined us for our Community Walk Through last night. Commissioner Alan Kimber got the walk kicked off at Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School. Commissioner Anne Phelps, Commander Groomes, Officer Hardy and several other representatives from MPD’s First District joined us as well. We started the walk by heading up to H Street, NE to inspect several vacant properties and lots. Several of the lots were unsecure and after inspection, it was clear that people are cutting through and using the areas for illegal behavior. We’ll be contacting DCRA today to notify inspectors for follow-up and to insure the lots are secured by property owners.
Next, we turned south on 3rd Street and stopped at a house on the corner of 3rd and G Street. Commissioner Kimber and residents pointed out that the building had been vacant for a long time and little work appeared to be going on. Officer Hardy and I made sure that the doors were secure and we also checked the permits in the window. A recent electrical permit had been given and the paperwork in the window was up-to-date. But as we’ve worked on other vacant properties with the ANC 6A and 6C Joint Task Force, we’ve learned about several loopholes in the permitting process that allow properties to remain vacant and also avoid the higher tax consequences. Tommy has had our staff working on several legislative options to close some of these loopholes.
The group stopped for a conversation about the development of the streetcars for H Street and there was a round of applause when Tommy informed everyone that the funding for the cars had been included in the budget and the orders had been placed. He acknowledged that the specific connections to Union Station had not been finalized, but that the intent was to have the streetcars tie together Union Station and run down H Street, eventually down Benning Road, and later connect with light rail being installed in Anacostia.
 We walked up 2nd Street under Hopscotch Bridge and past the Abdo development at the former Children’s Museum to Parker Street, NE. When we entered the alley between Parker and K Street, NE between 2nd and 3rd Street, we came face to face with a lot of problems. I’ve followed Tommy into a lot of vacant lots, buildings and alleys on these Community Walk Throughs, but I’ve never seen a more concentrated list of problems in one small space. Besides the strong stench of raw feces and urine, there were pools of green, oily sludge from people that had dumped oil and other chemicals. Several of the properties along this alley were vacant and unsecured – with one in particular where it appeared an abandoned car was being used for prostitution. A make-shift fence made it look like the area was secured, but with a quick tug of the gate, it gave way and there was ready access to the vehicle. At the end of the alley, trash was piled high with at least three mattresses as it looked like a lot of illegal dumping was going on. In addition, a chair was positioned at a break in the fence that police were certain is being used as a lookout.
We spent about a half hour in the alley listing all the problems for follow-up and the walk concluded shortly thereafter around 8:00 pm. MPD officers are planning on heading back out to the alley and our staff will coordinate with the Mayor’s Neighborhood Services staff and relevant agencies to begin addressing these issues (and many more we listed but aren’t described above). Were you able to join us last night? What do you think? Weren’t able to join us and want to make sure we know about a problem we may have missed? Please use the comments section to leave us a message. Also, we’ll continue to schedule our Walk Throughs and will be in your neighborhood soon.
One person has commented on this article. (1) Untitled
2007-07-02 09:09:41 Greetings,
I was there for the entire walk-through on the evening of June 28, 2007. I have always advocated for more community involvement from our community leaders. I was delighted to have Tommy Wells and Commander Groomes walk through our neighborhood to get a bird's eye view of what is taking place in our community. I thank them for their time and effort. My infant son and wife also came along for the walk through. It is important for our community leaders to see who they represent. I am committed to do what is necessary to make our community better.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tony Richardson
Octavia Richardson
Little Jy'Den Richardson |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 29 June 2007 )
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