A condominium association and a community leader in Adams Morgan are speaking up against a proposal to create bus-only lanes on 16th Street NW.
Beekman Place condo owners at 16th and Belmont streets NW and ANC 1C commissioner JonMarc Buffa, whose district includes the area, have urged the District Department of Transportation not to remove lanes for normal car traffic. DDOT is studying whether dedicated bus lanes and other changes could help combat the overcrowding and erratic service that often plague the S1, S2 and S4 lines.
Axing lanes for normal car traffic would inconvenience many locals who normally drive to work, Buffa and the condo owners wrote in recent letters to DDOT. Borderstan obtained the letters this week.
“Many of my constituents are forced to travel by car because their jobs are located in areas that are not metro-accessible and so their ability to use 16th St. will be adversely affected,” Buffa wrote. “The consensus of my constituents is to ask DDOT to reject the installation of dedicated bus lanes. This was the most common concern that my constituents raised with me.”
Although the condo owners are against bus lanes, they aren’t anti-public transit, they note in their letter.
The condo owners wrote that they support more bus service and keeping stops at V and 16th streets NW. A plan to eliminate the stops at the intersection is among the bus service changes DDOT is considering.
Many Beekman Place residents “have chosen to live in the District but often have long commutes to jobs where public transportation is simply not an option,” the condo owners wrote. “Though some may argue that installing dedicated bus lanes would bring about a change in behavior and result in more residents using public transportation, this simply isn’t the case as these commuters have no choice but to drive to work based on the location of their jobs.”
DDOT is expected to complete its study of transit fixes and alternatives by January 2016.
Foundry United Methodist Church is seeking volunteers to help teach the English language during its upcoming English as a Second Language (ESL) courses in September.
Volunteers will teach adult students with low-to-advanced level English language skills during free two-hour courses on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Those interested in volunteering don’t need to have previous ESL teaching experience or belong to the church.
To get involved, fill out the church’s volunteer interest form.
Photo via Facebook.com/FoundryUnitedMethodistChurch
Community members will be able to weigh in on proposed changes to buses on 16th Street NW at a Citizen Advisory Group meeting tonight.
The meeting, which will be at Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St. NW) will run from 6:30-8 p.m. and is open to the public.
The meeting seeks to add community input to the 16th Street NW transit priority planning study, which began in March and looks at the transit conditions along 16th Street between H Street and Arkansas Avenue .
At the first Citizen Advisory Group meeting in May, community members identified the major problems along the street, one of the busiest corridors for bus traffic in the city. Bus bunching, overcrowded buses, buses passing by stops and traffic congestion were all listed as priority problems along the road.
At tonight’s meeting, citizens will have another chance to identify problems with existing services along the street, as well as give input on possible solutions that the planning study authors have floated. These solutions include bus-specific green lights so buses can get ahead of other traffic, tweaking the timing of buses to prevent overcrowding and adding more buses to the line.
The Department of Transportation plans to have a third Citizen Advisory Group meeting in early fall and is slated to complete their study of transit fixes and alternatives by January 2016.
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
Blessing of the Animals. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Although many of the churches around the area had their Blessing of the Animals last weekend, you can still have your beloved pet blessed.
Foundry United Methodist Church ( 1500 16th Street NW ) will have a Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 14, at 3 pm. The traditional ceremony is conducted annually in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the saint who loved all the birds and animals.
And just like St. Francis, Foundry welcomes all domesticated animals, leashed or crated.
If you plan on attending, here are some tips, courtesy of Connecticut Avenue Pet Sitting:
- Ask the priest or pastor to sprinkle water on your animal’s back. Some animals react to a traditional holy water “sprinkle” the same way they would to a squirt from a spray bottle. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for a waterless blessing for cats.
- Be prepared for some cross-species conflict! Not all animals attending a blessing are dogs and cats. Some participants bring their rabbits, hamsters, birds, etc. Keep a very close eye on dogs with high prey drives, and never let any dog or cat off-leash.
- Prayer and holy water are no protection against microbes. Dogs should be up-to-date on essential vaccinations.
- Don’t stress about your denomination! Blessings of the Animals are among the most inclusive, relaxed services ever held at churches, and most welcome visitors regardless of their religious affiliation.
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News from Dupont-Logan-U Street
From Michelle Lancaster. Follow her and tell her your news on Twitter @MichLancaster or email her at [email protected].
As you baste or brine your turkey, take a moment or two to think of those less-fortunate than you. Charities always need donations, whether in-kind or cash, and the holiday season is particularly important for fundraising. Here are some options:
- Today (November 23) is the last day to drop off food donations to Logan 14 Aveda Lifestyle Salon~Spa at 1314-B 14th Street NW during business hours. Along with Foundry United Methodist Church, the salon partnered with Bread for the City this season. You can also make donations on Thanksgiving Day at Foundry United Methodist Church.
- Gifts for the Homeless is accepting clothes through December 2. Or make a donation. Example: $100 buys 1 dozen fleece blankets. You can leave your donations at the Portals III Complex at 12th and D Streets SW. The clothing drive (sorting and delivering) will take place at the same location Friday, December 2 through Sunday, December 4. If you are interested in volunteering at this event, please visit the volunteer page.
- The Central Union Mission at 14th and R Streets NW will be moving to it’s new location at 65 Massachusetts Avenue NW in 2012. However, they depend on donations during the holidays for a large portion of their annual needs.
In addition, The The Washington Post can give you some good guidance on local charities that need your help. If you are in the area and looking to pass some time, I am sure they could use your donations, your time or your financial assistance.
Related Posts
- Central Union Mission Prepares for Last Thanksgiving on 14th Street
- Local Church, Spa Partner to Collect Food for “Bread for the City”
- Got $25? Buy 60 Men a Pair of Socks (Who Really Need Them)
Foundry United Methodist Church at 16th and P Streets NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Thanksgiving is three weeks away and a local church and salon have timed up to help out Bread for the City, DC’s largest food pantry. Foundry United Methodist Church and Logan 14 Aveda Lifestyle Salon~Spa have a three-week campaign to expand Foundry’s annual food drive to benefit Bread for the City. The church and the salon will solicit canned goods, non-perishable food items and monetary donations for the food drive, “Neighbors Coming Together to Fight Hunger in the Nation’s Capital.” Contributions can be made through Thanksgiving Day.
Bring food donations to Logan 14 Aveda Lifestyle Salon~Spa at 1314-B 14th Street NW during business hours through Wednesday, November 23. You may also donate during the Thanksgiving Day Worship Service at 10 am on Thursday, November 24 in Foundry’s chapel at 1500 16th Street NW. Get more information about the food drive on Facebook.
“Foundry is once again committed to the food drive at our annual Thanksgiving Day service,” says Foundry’s Director of Challenging Study Ministries, the Reverend Theresa S. Thames. “But this year we’re incredibly grateful and excited to have a local business joining forces with us to expand the food drive and allow people to donate food seven days a week throughout the month of November, not just at the Thanksgiving Day service.”
Wendi Dofflemyer, manager at Logan 14 Salon says, “As a community-based, full-service salon and spa, we value our customers, and we care about making our community a better place.”
Foundry United Methodist Church was voted “Best Place of Worship” by readers of the Washington Blade in their recent “Best of Gay D.C. 2011” reader poll.
