DC's First Costco Opens Today

  Today is a landmark day in the annals of DC consumer access...for Costco has officially opened their doors.  The 154,000-square-foot Costco, located the Shops at Dakota Crossing (Market Street NE at New York and South Dakota Ave) opens at 8 a.m. this morning!  The Post reports that Vice President Joe Biden was even in attendance for the opening ceremony.  The location will serve as the anchor store in the new retail center located in Ft. Lincoln, and be a major boom for the district from the jobs perspective.  The addition of Costco comes with strict contrast to the other big box retailer making waves in DC Walmart.  Consumer retail diversity is very much welcome in the District, but the purveyors often are scrutinized.  Costco, which in recent news is hailed as the "Anti-Walmart" will add several hundred permanent jobs to the Distrct with this single store.

Lane Closures on North Capitol and Riggs Rd. for December

Government of the District of Columbia

Department of Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday November 26, 2012

Media Contact: Monica Hernandez at 202-671-2261, monica.hernandez@dc.gov

***TRAFFIC ADVISORY***

  Temporary Lane Closures on the 5100-5300 blocks North Capitol Street NE/NW and the Unit block of Riggs Road NE to Start on or About December 3, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) Starting on or about December 3, 2012, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin work on a construction project on the 5200 block of North Capitol St NE/NW and the Unit block of Riggs Rd NE. The purpose of this project is to make the bus stops more accessible for members of the disabled community.

The scope of this project includes:

• Installing wheel chair ramps at the intersection of North Capitol St and Hamilton Rd; and in front of the senior housing located at the corner of Riggs Rd and North Capitol St
• Expanding the sidewalk to the curb near the bus stops to make it easier for wheel chairs to roll onto the bus

This is anticipated to be completed by late-December 2012, weather and construction conditions permitting.

 

  Construction work is scheduled to take place between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and may also take place from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. During the construction work hours there will be temporary lane closures on the 5100-5300 blocks of North Capitol Street NE/NW and the Unit block of Riggs Road NE. DDOT will maintain at least one travel lane in each direction during work hours. All lanes will be kept open during non-work hours.

  Traffic control signs will be in place to guide travelers in the corridor around the new traffic pattern. Motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists are urged to stay alert and use caution when traveling by the work zone.

**Any questions regarding this work should be directed to the Public Outreach Coordinator**
Veronica O. Davis, P.E.

vdavis@nspiregreen.com

202-695-2160

 

 

 



Ft. Totten Square/Walmart project set to break ground next month

 At last night's Lamond Riggs Civic Association Meeting, JGB Companies presented an update on the Ft. Totten Square / Walmart Project slated for the intersection of Riggs Rd and South Dakota Ave NE.  The much talked about addition to the neighborhood is set to break ground late next month, and will create quit the impact to the surrounding neighborhoods.  At the meeting, JGB provided fact sheets regarding the project and details about the construction process. Even though JGB seems to be courting the Lamond Riggs Neighborhood, it is important for everyone in surrounding neighborhoods to provide input and be aware of new developments.
Highlights of the fact sheet were as follows:

- Construction activity is anticipated to begin December 2012/January 2013 on FortTotten Square, which will include 345 apartments, an urban format Walmart, and additional neighborhood serving retail.

- The development team for Fort Totten Square is a joint venture between affiliates of The JBG Companies andLowe Enterprises. The architect for theproject is Hickok Cole.

- According to District of Columbia law, construction hours are limited to 7am – 7pm, Monday thru Saturday.

- During the initial phases of construction, vehicles will enter the site from 3rd St, near Riggs Rd, and exit the site onto Chillum Pl, near Riggs Rd. We will make every effort to direct vehicles to travel from Riggs Rd to and from the site.

- Vehicles entering and exiting the site will be cleaned as necessary so that dirt and debris are minimized and do not impact the surrounding neighborhood.
The Full Fact sheet is below.

Ft. Totten Square Fact Sheet

  Also, Wlamart has made the below video 3D walkthrough available on their website of what  the new Walmart Supercenter will look like.

More information on the porjct can be found at these websites: http://washingtondc.walmartcommunity.com/fort-totten/
http://forttottennews.com/

Little Ricky's Open's In Brookland

 Finally...the time has come.  "Little Ricky's: An American Paladar" has announced it's official opening date as Nov 9th. The new addition to 12th St in Brookland, will feature traditional Cuban fare and a rotating selection of artwork by prominent Cuban Artists.  The initial opening will only have limited service, with reservation available only Fri-Sun for the entire month of November. 

Per Little Ricky's ownership and management:

"We will not be offering a full menu but rather for the month of November we will offer on Fri, Sat, and Sun evenings a Pre-fix 4 course meal. The menus will be posted in the next couple of days. The pre-fix dinner price will be south of $25 a person.With the bar area also available for walk in seating starting at 5pm Fri-Sun, there should be room for everyone." 

  There will also be a "Social Club" element to the paladar, in which members only access to the restaurant will be given every Thursday night (details to come on benifits and sign up).  One thing is for sure, and that is this unique new establshment will definitly help fill the void in the area for eating establishments and add a new cultural twist as well.

Little Rickey's: An American Paladar
3522 12th St. NE

Washington, DC 20017
(202) 269-1708
requests@littlerickysdc.com

http://www.LittleRickysDC.com/

Message From ANC 5A03 on Hurricane Sandy

  Angel Alston, ANC 5A03, sent out the following message to neighbors concerning the pending arrival of Hurricane Sandy.  Please be careful in the coming days, and make your preparations sooner rather then later.

"Dear Neighbors,
   With the pending hurricane we are expecting high winds and a great deal of rain. Please consider the following reminders:

-Make sure any areaway drains and overflow drains are free of debris.
-Make sure there is nothing impeding or blocking water flow from the exterior down spouts and drains.
-Make sure the sump pump outlet and sump pump are working properly.  Check often.
-Secure any loose patio furniture, umbrellas or trash cans that can be blown around.
-If the power does go out, contact the utility company immediately. With no power, the well, sump pump, or ejector pits will not operate. In this case, do not use the basement bath.
-Fill some containers or a bath tub with water for regular water use. Each toilet will have enough water in the tank for one flush.
-You can remove the tank lid and manually fill with water to the fill line for additional flushes.
-Monitor the rain water in the area way.
-Unplug any exterior yard lighting fixtures plugged into outlets.
-Keep garage doors closed during the storm.
-Have emergency kit available with flashlights and batteries.

Please take the extra time to be proactive in preparing your home for this event.
Commissioner Angel Alston"

NMP Civic Assn Meeting, Wednesday

Just a reminder to everyone that the next North Michigan Park Civic Association is being held tomorrow.

                                                               NMPCA Meeting
                                                     Wednesday October 3, 2012
                                                              7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
                                                         NMP Recreation Center 
                                                        1333 Emerson Street, NE

You can be sure the Faith United Church of Christ development , the proposed DDOT modicifation to the sidewalks around the Ft. Totten Metro NPS Land, as well as other community concerns will be addressed.  Please make every effort to attend.

Rescheduled: CM McDuffie & Congresswoman Norton Hold Ft. Totten Park Walk Through

Received the following email regarding today's Ft. Totten park wlak through with CM McDuffie and Congresswomen Norton.
"All,
  Today's Fort Totten trail walkthrough has been postponed until Thursday due to inclement weather.

                            Ft. Totten Trail Walkthrough With Councilmember McDuffie
                                                       and Congresswomen Norton
                                                  Thursday, October 4, 2012 2:30pm
                                      Walk will start at the Ft. Totten Metro entrance
Best,
Tim Clark
Constituent Services Coordinator
Kenyan McDuffie, Ward 5 Councilmember
(202) 724-8028 (Office)
(202) 724-8076 (Fax)
tclark@dccouncil.us
The John Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 410
Washington, DC 20004"

  Even though the weather has changed the date and time, please make the effort to get out and participate!