Volunteers are being sought to help clean up graffiti along the lower part of Georgia Avenue NW.
Those interested should meet at Torrie’s Restaurant (700 V Street NW) next Saturday at 10 a.m. to pick up supplies and receive training.
Cleaners will then break into teams and remove graffiti at 18 businesses and public spaces in an area that stretches from the intersection of Georgia and Florida avenues NW to Georgia Avenue and Upshur Street NW.
Event organizer and economic development consultant Jon Stover says a power washer and 25 graffiti cleanup kits were purchased to aid with the project.
“We’re going to train community members on the appropriate process for removing graffiti,” says Stover. “There’s so many big large tags along Georgia Avenue. Having a power washer is a great tool to address that.”
Artistic graffiti and murals will not be removed during the cleanup, adds Stover.
“Right now, none of the graffiti [we’re targeting] can be construed as art,” adds Stover.
The effort, funded by a grant from the Department of Public Works, is meant in part to study the feasibility of a Main Street organization along Georgia Avenue. The idea goes that if the community can coalesce around certain issues, conditions may be right to start a Main Street organization.
If all goes well and a Georgia Avenue Main Street organization is founded, Stover says the goal is to make the cleanup a regular event.
“We’re hoping the community to take ownership of it and it will be up to the community to develop it themselves,” he says.
Image via Flickr/Perspective
DC street sweeping: Time to move the car again, at least once a week. (Luis Gomez Photos)
A sure sign that spring is right around the corner, residential street sweeping will resume on Friday, March 1.
The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) says posted signs identify the days of the week and hours of the day when parking restrictions will be enforced so the sweepers can clean the streets effectively.
Gradual Enforcement Until March 11
However, parking enforcement of residential sweeping violations won’t be enforced until Monday, March 11, to give motorists a few days to get used to the parking restrictions.
“The residential street sweeping program is among our most successful operations to keep DC streets clean,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. in a press release:
“We have expanded it over the years to accommodate more and more residents willing to move their cars to allow the sweepers access to the curb lane where debris and pollutants collect. We also want to make sure commuters and visitors are aware that the parking restriction applies to all motorists and a $30 ticket can be issued for violating the restriction.”
DPW street sweepers cover about 4,000 lane miles monthly. For more information about street sweeping, visit the agency website.
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From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
No trash collection or parking enforcement on Tursday, November 22. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Just like the rest of us, DC’s Department of Public Works (DPW) will observe Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 22. Trash and recycling will not be collected, and parking enforcement is suspended for the day. However, leaves will be collected, as scheduled, from Area B neighborhoods.
Here are the details on the city’s services:
- Trash and Recycling Collections: Collections will “slide” to the next day. Thursday’s collections will be made Friday, and Friday’s collections will be made Saturday. This applies to both once-a-week and twice-a-week collection neighborhoods. Trash and recycling containers should be put out for collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the night before collection and removed from public space by 8 pm on the collection day.
- Parking Enforcement: Parking meter regulations will not be in enforced. Residential parking and rush hour lane restrictions will not be enforced. Also, DPW will not tow abandoned vehicles. Parking enforcement will resume Friday, Nov. 23.
- Leaf Collections: Leaf collections will be made from “Area B” neighborhoods between Monday, November 19, and Saturday, December 1 (including Thanksgiving Day). DPW is following the collection schedule published in the leaf collection brochure mailed to households that receive DPW trash/recycling collections. Area B residents should rake their leaves into their treebox by Sunday, Nov. 18 to ensure their leaves are ready when the crews come to collect between November 19 and December 1.
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From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
No trash collection or parking enforcement on Monday, November 12. (Luis Gomez Photos)
The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) will observe Veterans Day on Monday, November 12. Trash and recycling collections will be suspended for the day, and will resume on Tuesday, November 13. To make up for the missed day, DPW will work on a “sliding” schedule for the week — trash and recycling collections will “slide” to the next day for the remainder of the week.
Here is how it will work:
- Monday’s trash and recycling collections will be made on Tuesday and Tuesday’s collections will be made on Wednesday and so on in once-a-week collection neighborhoods.
- In neighborhoods with twice-weekly trash collections, Monday and Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday. Collections normally made on Tuesday and Friday, will be made Wednesday and Saturday.
- Leaves will be collected as scheduled.
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The following information is from the DC Department of Public Works (DPW).
Mayor Vincent C. Gray has declared a state of emergency in the District in anticipation of the effects of Hurricane Sandy and a simultaneous Nor’easter, which are expected to rake the region beginning late this weekend and continuing through the early part of next week. He and other District officials have been meeting to coordinate preparations for the storm, and multiple agencies are working to mitigate its potential effects on the District.
Go to the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency website to get tips to help prepare your homes and families for the storm. To receive important text messages about the latest information on weather, traffic, closings and more, sign up for ALERT DC. DC government agencies will maintain a constant presence throughout the storm on Twitter and other social-media outlets and provide crucial information as conditions develop. Please follow the Mayor (@MayorVinceGray), DPW (@dcdpw), DDOT (@ddotdc) and DC Water (@dcwater) on Twitter for information on Hurricane Sandy response, using #SandyDC as a hashtag.
Near the Shaw Library: Preparations are underway in DC for Hurricane Sandy. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Officials will work through the weekend to ensure the District’s residents, businesses and infrastructure are as ready as possible for the effects of the storm, which could include heavy rain and street flooding, strong winds and power outages, and storm-surge flooding along the Potomac River and its tributaries.
Forecasters are predicting 4″ to 8″ of rain to fall between Sunday night and Wednesday, with bursts of rain falling at a rate of 2″ per hour. Sustained tropical-storm-force winds of 40 to 60 miles per hour with gusts up to hurricane strength (75 miles per hour or more) are possible, and duration of the storm’s peak impact may be several hours.
“Meteorologists are sounding increasingly dire warnings about the magnitude and historic nature of this combined storm, and the District is preparing in earnest,” Gray said. “We are working hard to ensure that we minimize any of this storm’s negative effects in the District.”
DC Government Preparations
The D.C. Department of Public Works (DPW) is coordinating the District government’s advance preparations. “Crucial District government agencies are already implementing their storm-response plans,” said City Administrator Allen Y. Lew. “We will be ready for this storm.” Lew highlighted responses already underway:
- DC Water is clearing storm drains citywide.
- DPW is distributing sandbags on Saturday, October 27) between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at RFK Stadium, Lot 7. DPW will be giving out sandbags again on Sunday for DC residents at Takoma Park Recreation Center, Van Burenand 3rd Streets NW; hours are 10 am to 6 pm with a maximum of five bags per vehicle.
- The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is assigning staff and contractors to be ready to collect storm debris starting Monday, October 29, and DPW crews will assist.
- DPW tow trucks will be deployed as necessary to remove vehicles blocking roadways.
- The DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) has generators in place at major intersections. If power is disrupted, traffic signals will continue to work, and DDOT traffic control officers will be deployed to direct traffic where necessary.
For Residents
- DPW is postponing Monday’s bulk garbage collections and notifying residents of the new day. Also, residents are asked to bag their leaves so they don’t collect in the storm drains and cause flooding.
- Residents are asked to bag their leaves so they don’t collect in the storm drains and cause flooding.
- Residents may go to the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency website to get tips to prepare their homes and families for the storm. To receive important text messages about the latest information on weather, traffic, closings and more, sign up for ALERT DC.
- DC government agencies will maintain a constant presence throughout the storm on Twitter and other social-media outlets and provide crucial information as conditions develop. Please follow the Mayor (@MayorVinceGray), DPW (@dcdpw), DDOT (@ddotdc) and DC Water (@dcwater) on Twitter for information on Hurricane Sandy response, using #SandyDC as a hashtag.
Downed Trees and Power Lines
- Residents are reminded to stay clear of broken and hanging tree branches, which can fall at any time.
- Please report any downed tree branches by calling 311.
- Residents are also reminded to stay away from downed wires, as they could be energized and electrical contact could be fatal. Report downed wires to Pepco by calling 1-877-737-2662.
Power and Water Outages
- To report a power outage, please call Pepco at 1-877-737-2662. Customers may report outages online at Pepco’s website or download Pepco’s smart phone app to report and track outages.
- To report a water outage, residents can call DC Water at 202.612.3400
Roadways
- Motorists are reminded to treat dark intersections as four-way stops and to avoid driving through standing water.
No trash collection or parking enforcement on Monday, October 8. (Luis Gomez Photos)
The DC Department of Public Works is observing Columbus Day on Monday, October 8. As a result, there will be no trash and recycling collections. Parking regulations will not be enforced either. (Officially, Columbus Day is actually October 12.)
In once-a-week collection neighborhoods, collections will “slide” to the next day. In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, Monday and Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday, and Tuesday and Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday.
Trash and recycling containers should be put out for collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the night before collection and removed from public space by 8 pm on collection day.
Sanitation services will be suspended for the holiday and will resume Tuesday, October 9.
- In once-a-week trash and recycling collection neighborhoods collections will “slide” to the next day, so Monday’s collections will be made Tuesday, Tuesday’s collections will be made Wednesday and so on.
- In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, Monday/Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday and Tuesday/Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday.
- Street sweeping will be suspended Monday, October 8, so motorists will not need to move their cars that day.
The Washington Nationals’ Post-Season Schedule currently is tentative for October 8 and parking regulations around the stadium will be enforced in the event a game is announced.
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No trash collection or parking enforcement Labor Day. (Luis Gomez Photos)
The DC Department of Public Works is observing the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 3 As a result, there will be no trash and recycling collections. Parking regulations will not be enforced either.
In once-a-week collection neighborhoods, collections will “slide” to the next day. In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, Monday and Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday, and Tuesday and Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday.
Trash and recycling containers should be put out for collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the night before collection and removed from public space by 8 pm on collection day.
Sanitation services will be suspended for the holiday and will resume Tuesday, September 4.
- In once-a-week trash and recycling collection neighborhoods collections will “slide” to the next day, so Monday’s collections will be made Tuesday, Tuesday’s collections will be made Wednesday and so on.
- In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, Monday/Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday and Tuesday/Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday.
- Street sweeping will be suspended Monday, September 3, so motorists will not need to move their cars that day.
However, the Washington Nationals will play home games at Nationals Park beginning August 31, through September 9, and parking regulations in that neighborhood will be enforced daily, including on September 3. Vehicles violating these restrictions will be ticketed and towed. Other parking regulations, including expired meters, residential parking and street sweeping, will be suspended for the holiday.
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Borderstan: News from Dupont-Logan-U Street
The DC Department of Public Works will observe Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4, and most DC city services will be suspended, including parking regulations and trash pick-up However, the Nationals will play home games at Nationals Park July 3-8, and parking regulations in that neighborhood will be enforced daily, including July 4. Vehicles violating these restrictions will be ticketed and towed. Other parking regulations, including expired meters, residential parking and street sweeping, will be suspended for the holiday.
Sanitation services will be suspended for the holiday and will resume Thursday, July 5:
- In once-a-week trash and recycling collection neighborhoods collections will “slide” to the next day, so Wednesday’s collections will be made Thursday, Thursday’s collections will be made Friday and so on.
- In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, normal collections will be made Monday and Tuesday; however, Thursday’s collections will be made Friday and Friday’s collections will be made Saturday.
- Street sweeping will be suspended Wednesday, July 4 so motorists will not need to move their cars that day.
News from Dupont-Logan-U Street
The DC Department of Public Works is observing the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 28. As a result, there will be no trash and recycling collections. Parking regulations will not be enforced either.
In once-a-week collection neighborhoods, collections will “slide” to the next day. In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, Monday and Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday, and Tuesday and Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday. Trash and recycling containers should be put out for collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the night before collection and removed from public space by 8 pm on collection day.
As for parking enforcement, there is no enforcement of parking meters, residential parking, and rush hour lane violations. DPW will also not tow abandoned vehicles. Parking enforcement will resume Tuesday, May 29.
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Parking enforcement for DC street sweeping begins Monday, March 12. (Luis Gomez Photos)
You’ve been warned: The winter hiatus on city street sweeping ended Thursday, March 1, but now parking enforcement takes effect on Monday, March 12. Move your car from street sweeping zones on the appropriate day and time or face the possibility that your car will be towed.
Moreover, there is one sentence in the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) news release you are well advised to follow:
“Motorists are urged to note the days and times on the signs because some signs were changed since last year.” This means to look carefully at the signs that are posted on the block where you park your car “that identify the days of the week and hours of the day when parking restrictions will be in effect so the sweepers can clean the streets effectively.”
Since street sweeping ended for the winter on October 31 of last year, some signs have been changed. There were also some changes last spring when sweeping resumed. For example, blocks on opposite sides of the same street flipped days. Residents who park on the street had to get used to the change in routine.
For more information about street sweeping, go to the DPW website.
Street sweeping resumes March 1, but parking enforcement does not begin until March 12. (Luis Gomez Photos)
You’ve been warned: The winter hiatus on city street sweeping ends this Thursday, March 1. Move your car from street sweeping zones on the appropriate day and time or face the possibility that your car will be towed.
But you do have a slight break: Parking enforcement — meaning towing — does not begin until Monday, March 12.
Moreover, there is one sentence in the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) news release you are well advised to follow:
“Motorists are urged to note the days and times on the signs because some signs were changed since last year.” This means to look carefully at the signs that are posted on the block where you park your car “that identify the days of the week and hours of the day when parking restrictions will be in effect so the sweepers can clean the streets effectively.”
Since street sweeping ended for the winter on October 31 of last year, some signs have been changed. There were also some changes last spring when sweeping resumed. For example, blocks on opposite sides of the same street flipped days. Residents who park on the street had to get used to the change in routine.
“This year, we are revising signs in residential neighborhoods with commercial interests to support their customers’ access to curbside parking spaces during the day. For example, DPW posted new times in the 1400 block of P Street NW where Whole Foods and several restaurants form a commercial island within a residential neighborhood,” according to DPW Director William Howland, Jr.
One more warning from Public Works: Avoid parking along sweeping routes before that day’s restriction ends. Why? “A supervisor follows behind the sweeper and may require the block to be swept again, so no one should park until the end of the posted sweeping period,” said Howland
For more information about street sweeping, go to the DPW website.
News from Dupont-Logan-U Street
The DC Department of Public Works is observing Presidents Day holiday on Monday, February 20. As a result, there will be no trash and recycling collections. Parking regulations will not be enforced either.
In once-a-week collection neighborhoods, collections will “slide” to the next day. In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, Monday and Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday, and Tuesday and Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday. Trash and recycling containers should be put out for collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the night before collection and removed from public space by 8 pm on the collection day.
As for parking enforcement, there is no enforcement of parking meters, residential parking, and rush hour lane violations. DPW also will not tow abandoned vehicles. Parking enforcement will resume Tuesday, February 21.
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News from Dupont-Logan-U Street
The DC Department of Public Works is observing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday on Monday, January 16. As a result, there will be no trash and recycling collections. Parking regulations will not be enforced either.
In once-a-week collection neighborhoods, collections will “slide” to the next day. In twice-a-week collection neighborhoods, Monday and Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday, and Tuesday and Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday. Trash and recycling containers should be put out for collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the night before collection and removed from public space by 8 pm on the collection day.
As for parking enforcement, there is no enforcement of parking meters, residential parking, and rush hour lane violations. DPW also will not tow abandoned vehicles. Parking enforcement will resume Tuesday, January 17.
DC is collecting holiday trees and wreaths curbside through January 14. (Matty Rhoades)
The DC Department of Public Works begins picking up holiday trees and wreaths curbside on Tuesday, January 3. DPW will pick up holiday greenery through Saturday, January 14.
DPW says, “Remove all decorations and place the greenery in the treebox space in front of your home between Monday, January 2, and Monday, January 9. Please do not put the trees in plastic or cloth bags.
“Trees collected between January 3 and 14 will be recycled. Any trees not collected by January 14 should be set out with your trash to be picked up as space in the trash trucks allows over the following weeks.”
NO, this photo was not taken October 29, 2011. It was taken during the February 2010 Snowpocalypse. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Matty Rhoades
Borderstan got the following press release Friday from the DC Department of Public Works, “Today’s Dry Run for DC Snow Team Prepares Staff for Saturday’s Possible Snow Event.”
Admittedly we are getting something this Saturday afternoon that is might be classified as is definitely a “wintry mix.” However, the limit of my panic is to stay home. Remember: A great place to get updates on weather-related closings is WTOP.com.
I know DPW is doing their job (kudos to them), but I refuse to play along — I will not rush to the grocery store to buy gallons of milk, 12-packs of toilet paper or 10 frozen pizzas. Now, repeat that phrase to yourself, and refuse to follow the time-honored DC tradition of freak-out during winter weather.
Here is the Friday release from DPW. (You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.) Decide for yourself what panic-striken actions are necessary.
From DPW:
Washington, DC) The DC Snow Team (Department of Public Works and Department of Transportation) conducted its “Dry Run” today, giving heavy and light plow truck drivers and other equipment operators the opportunity to practice their skills before the first snowfall, which might be tomorrow, October 29. The Dry Run showcased about 250 pieces of equipment, including front end loaders that fill the plows with salt, tow trucks used to remove vehicles parked illegally during a snow emergency, and tanker trucks used to pre-treat the major roadways. In addition to drivers, team members include IT, quality control, safety and salt dome staff.
Saturday’s forecast calls for rain mixed with snow in the afternoon, ending around 7 pm to 8 pm. Any snow mixed with rain is expected to melt on the roadways, and pavement and air temperatures are expected to remain above freezing.
“The District will deploy several plows during the day to monitor bridges and other elevated structures and apply salt if necessary,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “If the snow doesn’t materialize, we will stand down.” He added, “It is a coincidence that the Dry Run occurred the day before the first flakes are predicted for the District. Tomorrow’s forecast of rain mixed with snow kept us focused, and we will be ready if Saturday’s forecast becomes more severe and we have to deploy more plows.”
“Our Snow Team is a year-round operation. From the moment it stops snowing to the moment it starts, we are preparing our plan, our people and our plows for the snow season,” said DDOT Director Terry Bellamy. “The Dry Run brings it all together and allows us to fine tune everything before the real work begins. This is also a good time for the public to look ahead and develop a personal plan for their families and their commutes in bad weather.”
