"A 2-year process for DDOT"

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"A 2-year process for DDOT"

While at a community event this evening, I met and spoke with DDOT Director Leif Dormsjo about some resident concerns that I've heard recently, as well as the issue of  how DDOT conducts traffic safety analyses. 

You may not know this, but Leif Dormjso is new to the job. He's been the Director of the DC Department of Transportation for only six months and already has a full schedule of work and changes identified. "There's a lot to do fix the department and make it more effective than it has been," he said. "I think it's a 2-year process for DDOT to improve."

I brought up the concern outlined in my article that DDOT may not be using the most complete set of traffic collision data possible. Mr Dormjso told me he read the article, "I agree with you," he said. "I don't think we're getting all the information we should be. It's something that I'm working to fix." 

Read my full impromptu interview with DDOT's Director:

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All I can think about is Tonka

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I was watching DPW working in the alley this morning, clearing out the old concrete (they're all about Alleypalooza and what not).

First they used a massive jackhammer to drill holes into the concrete, then they brought in the excavator to dig up said concrete, carting it away in a large dump truck. 

All the things I loved when I was a kid. You know, big trucks making a lot of loud rumbling noise, shaking the house and breaking things apart? Yes!

The finished product.

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Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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Is DDOT using incomplete data for traffic safety analysis?

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Is DDOT using incomplete data for traffic safety analysis?

While researching the article about the stop signs needed at Quincy Street and Kansas Avenue, I realized there might be a disconnect with how DDOT determines traffic safety measures for specific areas of the District.  

From my interviews with MPD and DDOT as well as my own research, it seems that DDOT may be making traffic safety decisions based on analysis of incomplete crash data. The only way to know for sure is to have DDOT take a closer look at their reporting and analysis methodology. 

Read the full article to learn more about my research into DDOT crash reporting and possible analysis issues:

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ANC 4D draft agenda for Tues July 21

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ANC 4D draft agenda for Tues July 21

The July meeting of ANC 4D is Tuesday the 21st, 7-9pm, at Truesdell Education Center, 800 Ingraham Street NW. Draft agenda is below (I've been advised the agenda will probably change before the meeting).

See the ANC 4D DRAFT AGENDA after the break:

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Dinner at Slash Run, a review of Petworth's newest tavern

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Dinner at Slash Run, a review of Petworth's newest tavern

My family decided to check out the new tavern on Upshur St called Slash Run. Owned by Jackie Greenbaum and Gordon Banks (who also own the restaurants El Chucho and Bar Charley), along with their partners Nick Nazdin and Ellen Cox, the new Tavern opened on Thursday to rave reviews from neighbors. 

We went in early on a Sunday evening mainly to make sure our 4 year old had dinner at her regular time (don't upset the time schedule of a 4 year old, or you'll pay -- all day long). The atmosphere of the "hair glam/rock" burger joint is dark... Read the full review and see pictures after the break:

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Largest Grant Circle Social yet (because, ice cream)

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I think this was the largest crowd yet for the Grant Circle Social. Many thanks to Karima and Melinda for the really tasty ice cream.

If you're wondering why so many people are looking down in these photos, it's because there were so many kids. Kids on bikes. Kids drawing with chalk. Kids playing ball. Petworth is going to get the nickname "Stroller City" soon. If you move to Petworth and don't want kids, drink bottled water to be safe, lol.

If you'd like to host or co-host a Social like Karima and Melinda just did, please email Rob Mandle.

Please feel free to tag yourself and others in the photos on Facebook.

I think this was the largest crowd yet for the Grant Circle Social. Many thanks to Karima and Melinda for the really...

Posted by Petworth News on Wednesday, July 15, 2015
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Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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Neighbors making a difference for safety

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Neighbors making a difference for safety

When you see a problem in your community, the way it gets fixed is when you do something about it. Speaking up and getting heard is the only way to ensure the community's needs are met, especially when dealing with a city bureaucracy.

Residents who live near the Quincy Street and Kansas Avenue NW intersection have been frustrated for years with the danger that intersection represented every day for pedestrians and vehicles. They watched near misses and collisions...

Read about the solution after the break:

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Prince of Petworth moves out of Petworth... and?

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Prince of Petworth moves out of Petworth... and?

With the Prince of Petworth no longer living in Petworth, I've been repeatedly asked by people, and a couple of DC media outlets, over the past two days if I see this as an opportunity to "take over the Petworth blogging scene." First thing I'll say, as I've always said, is that Dan and I aren't rivals, and I don't believe our blogs compete. Others may disagree. 

Read my full thoughts after the break:

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DCPS sends update on Roosevelt and MacFarland

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DCPS sends update on Roosevelt and MacFarland

DCPS sent out an email update on Roosevelt High School and MacFarland Middle School, what they've accomplished so far and the names of their new Roosevelt Community Cabinet.

At the community meeting on June 18th, DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the Department of General Services (DGS) committed to looking into improvements to the MacFarland building to ensure it will provide a warm and welcoming learning environment for Roosevelt Senior High School students as they await the completion of their new state-of-the-art facility. Together, we conducted a walk-through of MacFarland with several community members to identify specific concerns, and we are happy to announce that we have been able to address those concerns with the following improvements...

Read their full message after the break:

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Grant Circle to get new paint for increased safety

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Grant Circle to get new paint for increased safety

Walking across Grant Circle can be a risky choice, one that has been frustrating residents for many years. Emails have been sent to DDOT, the DC Council and others for several years, looking for improvements to the circle that will ensure better pedestrian safety and greater traffic calming measures. Previously, the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) hadn't been as responsive as it should have been to resident emails. 

I've been in communication with DDOT's Acting Director of Communications, Keith St. Clair, about this issue and he's done a good job of following up with me and with ANC Commissioner Joe Martin about Grant Circle. As a result of resident and Councilmember Brandon Todd's attention (and perhaps a blogger article or three), DDOT is now planning on implementing the work outlined in their recent Notice of Intent (see my previous article, "Painting safety into Grant Circle")...

Read about the changes coming to Grant Circle after the break:

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Petworth Dance Project charms with third performance

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Petworth Dance Project charms with third performance

The Petworth Dance Project third performance was on Saturday, July 11th at Petworth Park (8th and Taylor St NW). This time was a bit unusual, even for Petworth, as the first performance was in the spray park. And it was a cool experience.

"It's all about community," Sara said after the show with a big smile. "It's great to be able to do this in Petworth."

Read more and see a gallery from the night after the break:

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Safety on Quincy & Kansas Ave: Who’s to blame?

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Safety on Quincy & Kansas Ave: Who’s to blame?

Accidents will happen, especially when you’re not prepared or forewarned. Otherwise they’d be called "on-purposes." But what happens when you — or in this case, DC agencies — are forewarned? Then it’s not really an accident, is it? Two collisions in one day at the intersection of Quincy St and Kanas Avenue NW sheds light on a long-standing frustration of residents and ANC 4C.

Read more and see pictures after the break:

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MPD & EMS respond to Dunkin Donuts

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MPD & EMS respond to Dunkin Donuts

I was down at Dunkin Donuts this afternoon with a friend when EMS, the Fire Department and MPD roll up and converge on the store. Five patrol cars and even a Segway officer responded to a passed out person, and after a few minutes they rolled a man out on a stretcher.

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Petworth Dance Project is Saturday in the Petworth Spray Park

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Yeah, in the spray park. How cool is that?

According to Dance Project organizer Sara Herrera-Kopetchny, the timeline for Saturday's (July 11th) activities featuring Light Switch Dance Theatre will be 7-7:30pm performance in the spray park, followed by Rainbow Joe doing a drum and dance party for kids from 7:30-8pm. Then the Light Switch Dance Theatre begins the second half of the show at 8:05pm.

I highly recommend coming to the Petworth Dance Project. It's a wonderful addition to our cultural activities in Petworth. (Here's my previous article about the Dance Project.)

"This is the first site specific performance of the season, with the first half of the show performed in the Petworth Spray Park. You do not want to miss this beautiful and thought-provoking performance," said Sara. 

Light Switch Dance Theatre (established in 2012) is a sites-specific project based contemporary dance company dedicated to multi-disciplinary performances in non-traditional spaces. Sandra Atkinson, MA (Artistic Director) creates work in a collaborative manner inspired by the human condition, social justice, matters for science & technology and art of all mediums. LSDT strives to provide performances to the general public making any place a performance space.

The Girl Child Project: Private/Water & Traffic
Sextet: 25 minutes
Private/Water focuses on the lack of water, indoor plumbing, and privacy for women and children in certain parts of India. These elements have been sited a reason for the rise in sexual assault of women and children.

Water/Shed
Produced from research on the sustainability of the Patuxent River and the community this body of water serves in Maryland

"I hope you will join us for this performance! It's outdoors! It's FREE! It's dance! What's not to love!"

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Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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