Through a process they call CIMP (Community Integrated Master Plan), the Marines are, for the first in their long history in Washington, working in a concerted process with neighbors, business, local government, social and civil organizations and anyone else who is interested in order to plan for the future.  Security requirements for federal installations are updated regularly and since the events of 911 security measures have increased considerably thus leaving the Barracks in need of serious improvements.

To come into compliance with federally mandated requirements and plan for the needs of a growing force, the Marine Barracks, Washington will have to make some dramatic changes. As part of their long range planning, Marines would like to coordinate their needs with those of the surrounding community and they have developed the CIMP as a method to reach that goal.  Through this process the Marines expect to share their anticipated needs for space and security and to identify how they might best work in partnership with the community to provide for the needs of the residents and establish opportunities for a military-community venture. In the end the Marines expect they will have a plan for the future that meets their needs as well as the needs of the community.  They are considering opportunities for facility sharing and other ways they might participate and share their resources as good neighbors. No development plans have been set as they would like to hear from residents and intend to work with all facets of the community to enlist their participation in what they would like to be a cooperative process where they will identify their needs and hear from the community about its needs and desires.

Toward that end the Marines will be hosting a public meeting on Wednesday January 27th from 5:00 pm to 8:00pm at Eastern market, North Hall.  All are encouraged to come out and input your ideas and share in the discussions of land use and planning for the future in and around the Barracks.

Earlier this week, Councilmember Wells sent the following letter to WMATA General Manager John Catoe opposing the proposed weekend closures of several Ward 6 Metro station entrances as part of the transit agencies cost saving initiatives.

He sent a similar letter last February when WMATA consider similar closures. They didn’t close the entrances last year, but the possibility has returned as an option as WMATA looks to meet large budget gaps.

Tommy’s full letter is below:

January 19, 2010

John B. Catoe, Jr., General Manager
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 5th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Dear Mr. Catoe,

In February 2009, WMATA proposed several cost-saving measures, which included closing some Metro entrances on weekends. I wrote you then asking you to reconsider that option, particularly with regard to the Navy Yard and New York Avenue stations, as both entrances are important links for the surrounding residential neighborhoods. Thankfully, the entrances remained open.

Last month, you announced another round of possible rail service reductions, including again proposing closing one entrance for the Navy Yard, New York Avenue, and Stadium Amory stations. As before, I urge you to reconsider this proposal.

For the Navy Yard Metro station, the eastern entrance is the main transit connector for the residents of this Southeast neighborhood, and with more residential units coming online each day, utilization will continue to increase. The western entrance is also a critical link for neighbors, as well as the focal point for planned transit-oriented development.

With Stadium Armory, both entrances are direct links for the residents of Hill East to the rest of Ward 6 and the District; the proposed closure of either entrance will directly and negatively impact the residents who use Metro to connect to the bus as well.

In the case of the New York Ave / Florida Ave Metro station, the southern entrance is the main transit connector for the residents living north of H Street NE and in the growing NoMa neighborhood. The northern entrance for this Metro station requires pedestrians to walk many more blocks and to access the Metro from the very busy and pedestrian unfriendly Florida Avenue. Furthermore, the southern entrance will be the primary access point for riders coming into the neighborhood to shop at the new Harris Teeter full service grocery store, opening third quarter 2010. Harris Teeter chose this location specifically because of its proximity to Metro and the burgeoning residential neighborhoods that surround it. Situated right on top of the red line, Harris Teeter will serve residents throughout Wards 6, as well as those in neighboring Wards 2 and 5.

As the numbers of District residents continues to grow as its numbers of car owners declines, now is not the time to hinder transit-oriented development and neighborhood revitalization by cutting off public transit options. I ask that you please consider the residential needs for mass transit and the weekend utilization of these entrances, and take these closures out of the list of proposed cost saving initiatives.

I recognize that WMATA must make difficult decisions to keep our transit services operating well, but I do not believe that these particular cuts are in the best interest of our neighborhoods, or WMATA and its customers.

Sincerely,

Tommy Wells
Councilmember, Ward 6

On Thursday, February 4th, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, Councilmember Tommy Wells and ANC Commissioner Mary Beatty will co-host a follow-up meeting to the December community meeting related to the recent increase in armed car-jackings.

At the December meeting, MPD Chief Lanier committed additional police forces to the area and we heard from many neighbors witnessing an increase in the visibility of officers and communication from MPD. However, there has been another recent car-jacking in the same area and many neighbors remain understandably anxious and concerned.

The meeting will be held in the same location as the first meeting -- Options Public Charter School, at the corner of 14th and E Street, NE in the auditorium.

The follow-up meeting will provide the community an opportunity to hear an update on progress and discuss what more may be needed. MPD officials and representatives from the Mayor’s office will be in attendance to help share new information and join in the conversation.

What’s below: Battery, Cork, Brita Water Filter Recycling on the Hill; Carjacking Follow-Up Meeting; DC Link Roundup; Heard In The “Hood”; 2010 State of the Hood: Looking Back and Ahead; Demolition to make way for the Forensics Lab on 4th; 4th Street SW Update!

Battery, Cork, Brita Water Filter Recycling on the Hill – DCRecycler blog reports that Leah at Hill's Kitchen says that people are now hearing about (and using) filter recycling at the store.

Carjacking Follow-Up Meeting – Frozen Tropics shares information about the follow-up meeting being co-hosted by Tommy and ANC Commissioner Mary Beatty to continue the discussion on recent carjackings. Details are also posted on Tommy's website.

DC Link Roundup: Heard In the “Hood” – See what’s going on downtown on the Penn Quarter Living.

2010 State of the Hood: Looking Back and Ahead - Check out the yearly overview of what's happened in near southeast over the last 12 months, and what the next 12 months are looking like on JDLand.

Demolition to make way for the Forensics Lab on 4th – SWDC blog shows that demolition began early last week on the site of future Forensics Lab

4th Street SW Update! - Check out photos of asphalt being laid today on the soon-to-be-reopened 4th Street running through Waterfront Station, on Southwest: The Little Quadrant That Could.