CM McDuffie's Initial Response to Yesterday's Shooting

  In response to the increase of crime in the area, and in light of yesterdays shooting, we were able to get an initial response from CM McDuffie (Ward 5) via twitter.  The Council Member's tweets were certainly a good sign that this issue is on his radar.  For those of you who don't follow the twitter feed @TheTottenLife (you probably should), or don't have a twitter account, we are providing the conversation below.

  Neighborhood resident Nathan W, who has been helping to lead the charge on this issue, has informed us that the Mr. McDuffie's office is meeting with NPS, USPP, DDOT, MPD and other entities regarding the issue of safety around the Ft. Totten Metro and in the NPS park land at some point today.  Hopefully we receive some good feedback regarding the path forward to returning this neighborhood to the safe place it had become, and avoid backsliding.  We applaude Council Member McDuffie's response to the matter, and hope he will press the NPS hard for a real solution.
 
  Also, the Washington Post has received some additional details on the shooting.  Neither the motive or circumstances that led to the shooting have yet to be released by the MPD, but the name and age of the victim have been.  One R’artagnon Jose White, 34, was found shot in the head inside a house on the 5100 block of 7th Street NE (which is behind the CCDC Campus).  Certainly our thoughts go out to his family members, and hopefully the MPD will solve this case and be able to prevent this crime spike from expanding.

Fatal Shooting on 7th St NE

NBC News Reports:

"A person was fatally shot in the head around 1:40 p.m. Tuesday Thursday in the 5100 block of 7th Street NE.

Homicide detectives arrived on the scene to find the victim unconscious and not breathing. The victim's age and sex are unknown at this time.
The shooting happened about a half-mile from the Fort Totten Metro station"
 This coming in a time of increased violence in the Ft. Totten Metro Area, continues to put residents on high alert.  A meeting between community leaders and residents is surely well overdue! 

View Larger Map

History of Parks in DC

  Stumbled upon this video at the National Building Museum while on an extended recess during Jury Duty last week.  It is a very interesting piece that lays out the vision of DC Parks in 1932, as part of their "Washington: Symbol and City" exhibit which looks at the history of DC from a resident standpoint.  There is a particularly interesting part on the once proposed Fort Circle Drive that was to link all the Civil War Defense Parks, and includes a few archived shots of our very own Ft. Totten (around 10:50 in the video). 



An interesting piece of history, at least to us anyway!  I also must say, if you find yourself on Jury Duty and have an extended recess, the Building Museum is just up the street from the Moultrie Courthouse.

Faith United Church of Christ Proposed Retirement Home

  At last night's North Michigan Park Civic Association Meeting, the major topic of conversation was a proposed Retirement Home to be built on the grounds of the Faith United Church of Christ's property.
View Larger Map   The church is looking to sell that land to a developer (the Retirement Housing Foundation) in order to develop a 94 unit senior living community to be operated in conjunction with Faith UCC. While this is still very, very early on in the development plan, the two groups are providing initial details on their proposed project with the NMPCA and the neighborhoods residents.  Below you will find the Fact Sheet handed out las night on the project.  There are also two schedule meetings in the coming weeks to discuss the proposed plan, which all are encouraged to attend and participate in:

 September 15th

 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

 North Michigan Park Recreation Center

 September 22nd

 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 

 North Michigan Park Recreation Center

CUA Community and Youth Night

  Looking for a something to do tomorrow night with the kids, or not?  Well CUA might have just the thing for you.  Tomorrow night CUA will be hosting their first annual Community and Youth Night.  Youth and Community Night is open to all of the surrounding neighbood residents.  Any youth athlete wearing their jersey or league t-shirt will receive a snack, drink, and be able to participate in a half-time activity weather permitting.  Best of all it is free to residents of Brookland, Edgewood, Michigan park, North Michigan Park, and Ft. Totten (with ID)!

September DC Zoning Hearings of Interest and Pertainng to ANC 5A

  Here are a list of the upcoming DC Zoning Comission and Board of Zoning Adjustment hearings this month that may be of interest to our neighbors.  All hearings are held at:                               
                                                  One Judiciary Square
                                                  441 4th Street, NW
                                                  Washington, DC 2001

The full calender of the ZC and BZA can be found here.



Sept. 11 2012
9:30 AM

Case Number :	18392
Case Name:	Application of Betty J. Williams
Case Summary :	(Special Exceptions) Pursuant to 11 DCMR § 3104.1, for a special exception under section 205 to allow a child development center (12 Children and 2 Teachers) in the R-2 District at premises 5350 Chillum Place, N.E. (Square 3751, Lots 138).

Case Number :	18460
Case Name:	Request for Expedited Public Hearing for Appeal No. 18460 of Ginia L. Avery, et al.
Case Summary :	(Appeals) Pursuant to 11 DCMR §§ 3100 and 3101, from a decision by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, to issue a building permit (#B1202925) allowing the construction of a Walmart store in the C-3-A District at premises 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. (Square 2986, Lot 38).

North Michigan Park Civic Assn Meeting, Wed Night

  With the recent increase in awareness and support in the community for various issues (development, crime, real estate, etc..) it is recommended that as many people attend this meeting as possible to garner a better community consensus on some of these issues.  It is only a very short walk for many in the neighborhood, and usually serves as a place to not only meet neighbors but also gain insight on the community as a whole.


North Michigan Park Civic Association Meeting

Wednesday September 5, 2012
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
North Michigan Park Recreation Center
1333 Emerson Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017

Notes:
These meetings are held to promote civic pride, disseminate information, and address community concerns within our neighborhood. During this meeting NMPCA officer elections and a proposal to build low-income, senior housing by the Faith United Church of Christ will be the main focus of the discussion.