Today, on behalf of the 17th Street Working Group, I sent the following memo to representatives from the District Department of Transportation so that the community meeting on the 17th Streetscape project on Monday can be informative and effective. The full memo follows below:
This memorandum summarizes some of the issues that residents and business owners located within the 17th Street corridor would like addressed at the upcoming ANC and DDOT community meeting, scheduled for Monday, November 23 at 6:30 pm. This should not, by any means, be considered an exhaustive list of issues to address, but DDOT representatives should be ready to answer the questions posed below at this important meeting.
Neighborhood ConcernsThe following are several noted concerns from the neighborhood at large within the Streetscape zone:
DDOT Representative Point of Contact– Who from DDOT is responsible for communicating with the community at large regarding the status of the Streetscape project and will be the ongoing Point of Contact throughout the process? Will DDOT commit to producing timely (perhaps monthly) updates to the neighborhood regarding the status and progress of the Streetscape project? Will DDOT commit to sending an informed representative to the monthly ANC meetings to address issues that arise?
Wheelchair Access – Which buildings will be provided wheelchair access through the streetscape reconstruction? Will the plane of sidewalks be altered, will ramps be utilized, or will there be a combination of both? We will want these buildings identified at the meeting. It may be advantageous for DDOE's representative on the Americans with Disabilities Act to attend.
Sapling Insurance – During the P Street Streetscape project, DDOT and Urban Forestry planted several saplings which did not survive the first winter. We understand that these saplings had not been insured and have not yet been replaced, so tree boxes along P Street stand empty or with dead trees in them. What assurances can DDOT and Urban Forestry provide to us that saplings will be replaced in the first planting season if they do not survive the first winter? What does the community need to do to ensure the plants thrive, or is that the duty of Urban Forestry or Casey Trees in the first two years? It would be very helpful of a DDOT arborist could attend the meeting to address canopy issues including adequate space on sidewalks for healthy trees.
Tree Boxes – Many tree boxes along the corridor have permanent decorative structures to set them apart from the sidewalk and protect them from pedestrians. How will those existing structures be treated? Several of the structures are permanent memorials paid for by friends and families of loved ones of the deceased, and a plan needs to be in place to address the memorial issue in particular.
Sandwich Boards & Sidewalk Signage – There are several businesses and apartment complexes along the 17th Street corridor that place sandwich boards and/or other signage on the sidewalk in public space, impeding the flow of foot traffic and endangering pedestrian safety. How does DDOT propose to work with DCRA and MPD to ensure that this does not continue to occur during and following the streetscape project?
Trash Collection – How will DDOT work to ensure that public trash bins remain available for use and ensure that DPW has adequate access during trash collection?
Resident ConcernsThe following are some of the concerns raised by residents within the Streetscape corridor:
Construction Hours – What are the construction hours allowed? If construction starts in the morning before allowable hours, whom can residents call to register complaints and/or to have tickets or citations issued? If and when construction falls behind, will DDOT allow extended construction hours? If so, how will DDOT communicate with the neighborhood to ensure adequate notice is provided?
Residential Parking – With even fewer parking spaces available along the commercial corridor during construction, an even greater number of business patrons will likely park on residential side streets. Does DDOT have any plans to mitigate this effect on neighbors or are there any programs DDOT has to address this issue?
Business ConcernsThe following are several noted concerns from business owners and managers within the Streetscape corridor:
Construction Timeline – DDOT has the responsibility to present the ANC a full construction timeline and plan before construction commences for us to review and approve, and has not done so with construction starting on November 30. Will DDOT commit to a construction schedule that includes reconstructing sidewalks on residential blocks during the spring, summer and fall months and reconstructing sidewalks on business blocks during the winter, when restaurants' outdoor eating space would be least affected by construction? What is the recourse for businesses if DDOT does not adhere to a construction plan that allows them to utilize outdoor public space for which they have permits during the spring, summer and fall, when weather conditions are most conducive and customers most desire to dine outdoors?
Parking Meters – Earlier this year, city council raised parking meter rates significantly, which some business owners along 17th Street believe has negatively affected their businesses. To help mitigate customer issues during the Streetscape project, can DDOT lower parking meter rates from $.25 per 7 ½ minutes to $.25 per 15 minutes or per half hour? Are there other ways for DDOT to reduce public parking burdens on 17th Street customers?
Valet Parking – With parking severely restricted during several phases of the reconstruction process, patrons of the business corridor will have few options to park their vehicles. Does DDOT have any valet parking grant programs available that the 17th Street business owners could access? Are there any such programs the city may make available to the 17th Street business corridor during construction, and after construction if it proves a successful solution to parking problems?
Business Signage During Construction – Construction equipment and safety barriers erected during the construction phase can greatly impede the ability for individuals to access properties and often even prohibit a property's signage from being viewed by potential visitors. Will buildings be permitted to erect temporary signage on DDOT construction barriers during the project? Will DDOT commit to ensuring safe and easy access to residences and businesses during construction in front of said businesses?
Patio Structures – Multiple businesses installed patio structures designed to separate patrons of their businesses within public space that the businesses have been granted from sidewalk areas. How will these structures be removed and how will they be reinstalled? We will need a detailing of who will be removing the structures, how they will be reinstalled, and who is responsible for the costs associated with it. Additionally, how will broken or damaged structures be treated? When they are replaced, what is the required minimum distance between any permanent tree boxes or other permanent structures and any patio structures? If a minimum distance requires a patio structure to be reduced in width to meet DDOT regulations, who is responsible for negotiating the distance and for reconfiguring the replaced structures?
