As this first term as President draws to a close, I find myself reflecting about this past year. There were many issues that had to be faced (and sometimes fought) to ensure the stability of our neighborhood. These included the daily issues of traffic, trash, noise, vandalism, etc. as well as some major issues: the possibility of the Ellington field becoming a parking lot; the arrival of the Corcoran and the design of the Tot Lot; the Sunday Flea Market controversy; the problems with Metrobuses and bus schedules; the condition of and increasing scarcity of trees; enrollment and traffic issues at WIS; and last but hardly least, the Georgetown University Ten Year Plan-including the sale of the hospital to MedStar.
Some issues are now resolved and gone away, some are continuing and others will haunt us for years to come. Even with all that has gone on, I recognize first and foremost that ours is a lovely community and a very special place to live. We enjoy all the benefits of a large city and the convenience, ambiance and sense of community of a small town.
For the remainder of this message, there is so much I want to say and so many people to acknowledge and recognize that I hardly know where to begin. The best way, I think, is to let all the residents know of the joint and individual contributions made by the Board of the Burleith Citizens Association. Although I can't mention everyone by name, please know that each member of the Board brought something special to the table. Special contributions included professional knowledge or expertise, special concern for the community, an ability to see issues from sides other than their own block, a thorough knowledge of the city and its politics, a gift for providing the "other" viewpoint, personal contacts in city government, and more. Every resident of this community owes each of them a debt of gratitude.
The members of the Board are the "doers" in this community. All the issues mentioned in the first paragraph were addressed and/or taken on by members of the Board. Bonnie Hardy's contacts and her tenacity kept DPW and DCRA and other District agencies active in Burleith (we even had the sewer basins cleaned), and she represented Burleith at the Community Working Group meetings on the GU Ten Year Plan. Charles Mallett, who once again broke the recent numbers and dollars records for BCA membership, gallantly took over the Treasurers duties when Diane Deland had to resign. Guy Gwynne, with his historical knowledge of both our community and the city as a whole, was an excellent counselor and sounding board for me; he was also instrumental in getting some additional trees in the neighborhood-with more to come. Guy, as President of the Federation of Citizens Associations, is always working in the best interests of Burleith. Marilyn Reis quickly volunteered to take on the duties of recording secretary when Candith Pallandre transferred to Korea. Ed Solomon continues to follow up with Metro and the bus schedules and problems. And, of course, Peter Pulsifer. Sometimes I think he is the glue that holds us all together. The Newsletter is excellent, current and up to date. It is thoughtful, factual, and interesting. Peter is on the WIS Liaison group and has taken the lead in working with Corcoran on the Tot Lot. He has dissected the GU Ten Year Plan and its Traffic Study and has been a strong player in all negotiations with the University. Elsewhere in this issue he has an important update on the Ten Year Plan and its possible impact on this community.
My personal thanks, also, to each member of the Board who supported and encouraged me as we worked our way through this most interesting year.
Now, you are asking yourself, "what can I do to recognize the Board? How can I ever repay them for the active role they play and will continue to play in this neighborhood"? Well there are ways! First, plan to attend the ANC Town Meeting on the GU ten year plan to be held Tuesday, June 6, 7 p.m. at Georgetown Visitation School. A strong community presence is imperative to get our concerns recognized and addressed by the University, MedStar and the Board of Zoning Adjustment. We did apply for Party Status, which allows Burleith to be represented and heard at the BZA hearings. You may be called upon to write letters to the BZA identifying our concerns and supporting the position we take. Even better, your attendance at the BZA hearing, tentatively set for July 18, is important.
Another way??? The community picnic is Saturday, June 10. It's a wonderful community event, and we hope to see you all there! It's a wonderful start to the summer.
All the best for a pleasant summer.
Sort through your closets...Look in your cupboards... Clean out your basement...Clear out your garage! You have two months to collect your items for the
ANNUAL BURLEITH FLEA MARKET!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2000
Make some money, meet your neighbors and join in the fun! Everyone is welcome to set up a table!
We will need volunteers!!!
Call Marjorie Wolfe at 965-1699.
by Bonnie Hardy
The DPW Solid Waste Division, the office of Tom Day, our Chief Enforcer for Ward 2, has free trash cans for anyone who is in need. These are regular trash cans with lids (not supercans) that need a home!
Tom has made it very clear that if your trash is not in a proper container with a lid then you run the danger of being fined. I will be collecting addresses in the next week so please call me at 338-6470. I will pass these addresses on to Tom who will make a delivery to Burleith to the houses on the list.
This is a golden opportunity so do take advantage of it!
Recently, the District of Columbia's Trees and Landscape Division planted several trees throughout Burleith. To preserve the value of this important contribution to our neighborhood, the Trees and Landscape Division has made this request.
PLEASE water each tree nearest your residence at least once a week. A large bucket of water or a slow trickle with a hose for a few hours will do the trick nicely. This will help the trees get by their first hot summer on the curb-and sure couldn't hurt the old-timers, either.
Judging for the Garden Club container-garden contest that was announced in last month's Newsletter will take place this Thursday and Friday, June 8-9, and the winner(s) will be announced at the picnic on June 10. Judges are looking for cheery window boxes or pots that really brighten up the front of a house. We encourage you to put your "best container forward" and show us what you can do!
There are no Burleith meetings over the summer. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 13; but check your September Newsletter.
Information can be obtained from Board members and from www.burleith.org.
See you at the picnic, June 10!
Joseph Nevitt was a Minuteman in the American Revolution. Now, 165 years after his death, he will be honored by the unfurling of "Old Glory" and the playing of "Taps" over his rediscovered grave.
The historic ceremony, to which the public is invited, takes place on Saturday, July 8th, at 2 p.m., in Holy Rood cemetery, 2126 Wisconsin Avenue.
The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution will unveil the bronze plaque which they have placed over the grave:
REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER JOSEPH NEVITT PRIVATE OF MARYLAND BORN 1752 IN ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MARYLAND DIED OCTOBER 25, 1834 IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Holy Rood is the oldest Georgetown cemetery still in operation, and Joseph Nevitt's is the only original grave of an identified Revolutionary soldier in Georgetown.
Nevitt, a citizen of District of Columbia from its founding in 1791, was a parishioner of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown, resided in Tenleytown, and found his rest under a peaceful hill on the border between Glover Park and Burleith.
All our neighbors can take pride in their local hero.
For further information, contact Carlton Fletcher at 965-4134, or Carltonf@earthlink.net
by Marjorie Wolfe
On behalf of the community of Burleith, I would like to say THANK YOU to the Newsletter Delivery Team, Michael Henry, John Hanle and Amsley and Kelsey Pietranton. They are always ready regardless of the weather to delivery our Newsletter and I am pleased to say that I have had very few calls this year with complaints. A job well done!
Editor's addition: ...plus a special thanks to Marjorie for her consistent hard work-and for coping with a sudden schedule change this month!
The Corcoran School of Art's summer projects for the Fillmore School building have received conceptual approval from the Old Georgetown Board, but will almost certainly be changed before the next round of approvals is sought in July. If all goes smoothly at that next meeting, permits will then be granted for the work.
The planned summer work includes both the renovation of the Tot Lot and expansion of the parking lot along 34th St. The Tot Lot plans as submitted are pretty much as described in the May Newsletter. The principal differences are two cost-cutting measures: The proposed rubberized surface has been replaced by mulch, and the new iron fence does not separate the play area from the walkway; instead the fence runs along 35th Street (like the present chain-link fence) and a gate has been added at the stairs to the parking lot. The planned playground has three swings, a sandbox, a playhouse, and a good-sized climbing structure, plus the existing benches and picnic tables. Extensive and attractive landscaping is planned for both the Tot Lot and the parking lot.
A problem arose at the ANC meeting concerning the parking lot. Plans are for the parking lot to be expanded to 91 spaces by paving the existing green lot, and a 12 foot or more buffer zone of dense shrubs and trees will be installed along the east and south property line. The problem is that the plans do not include a fence surrounding the lot. This breaks a promise that Corcoran Director David Levy had made to the 34th Street neighbors in 1998, when he was negotiating to buy the property. His offer at that time (incorporated into the BZA order allowing the school to operate) was to build a seven foot tall iron fence along the east and south sides of the parking lot.
The ANC, in unanimously passing its "enthusiastic endorsement" of the Tot Lot, noted the omission of the fence from the parking lot, and the Corcoran has promised to remedy the deficiency. That fence will not be cheap, however, and including it may require cost-cutting in the rest of the project (either Tot Lot or landscaping).
The BCA hopes to keep in contact with the Corcoran throughout this process. For more information (or to see the current plans), call Peter Pulsifer at 337-3065.
Gwen Verhoff, a resident of Burleith for over 20 years, just this last month became the proud owner of her home which she has rented over the years. She has raised her family here and has always considered Burleith her home; now it is official! Congratulations to Gwen!!
The DC Public Schools, despite the announced departure of Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, will press ahead with two of her initiatives.
First, every DC school will have some maintenance work done over the summer. Some may see only minor work like painting, but most will have a major repair. ANC Chairs have received a list of major improvements at all schools. Work is valued at $137 million, and will be done through the Army Corps of Engineers. Work at Burleith-area schools is as follows.
Second, a "cluster" planning process, is now underway to develop a master plan for future facilities improvements. Current work is mostly tied to recovery from years of neglect; the intent of the new process is to take the initiative and design schools for the future. For planning purposes, all DC public schools have been grouped into 8 "clusters". Cluster committees are now meeting to plan public meetings where the master plan will be developed, ideally with strong community participation. Those public meetings are supposed to occur in June.
For more information on capital improvements here or elsewhere, contact Peter Pulsifer at 337-3065.
At the end of each semester, Georgetown University offers a bulk trash pickup service to its students (something which also benefits their neighbors). The service is not for ordinary trash or garbage; this should be bagged and placed in garbage cans or supercans for regular DC pickup. Acceptable items for bulk trash pickup include beds, mattresses, couches, chairs, and boxes. Staff will not collect loose trash, lawn debris, or construction material.
Non-students can also call to report accumulations of bulk trash. from Georgetown students. Call 687-1646.
Remember, DPW trash inspectors are on patrol in Burleith and citations are being given - fines are paid by the occupants. Fines start at $35 and go to $1,000 for the fourth ticket.
The Tuesday farmer's market at 37th Street and Whitehaven Parkway will resume on June 6, as New Morning Farm begins its 29th year of selling in Burleith and elsewhere in Washington. Walk on by to get fruits and vegetables fresh off the farm.
| June 6 (Tues) | ANC2E meeting on GU Campus Plan |
| June 10 (Sat) | BURLEITH PICNIC |
| June 13 (Tues) | BZA 1st hearing on GU campus plan |
| July 18 (Tues) | BZA 2nd hearing on GU campus plan |
| June 26 (Mon) | WIS summer camp starts (to Aug 18) |
According to PSA 205 leader Lt. Patrick Burke, the "hotline" program described in earlier Newsletters has been discontinued-hopefully for only a short time.
The hotline, while reportedly a success, was only intended to be a pilot program, and long-term funding has not yet been found. (Georgetown University financed the pilot program.) It provided residents in both PSA 205 and PSA 206 with a cell phone number to call on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights to reach a police officer on patrol. Lt. Burke reported at the May 30 ANC meeting that there had been enough calls to make it worthwhile, but not so many that it interfered with police work.
Lt. Burke has obtained donated cell phones from Burleithians, and is now looking into getting donated airtime. Other possible sources of funding are being investigated (including an ANC grant). But in the meantime, get police service by calling the dispatcher at either 311 or 727-1010.
The Georgetown University Campus Plan will get its days in court very soon, with three important hearings in June and July. First is the ANC special campus plan meeting this Tuesday, June 6 (starting at 7 p.m. and held at Georgetown Visitation school). At this meeting there will be a presentation of the plan by the University, an opportunity for community members to ask questions or comment, and a decision by the ANC to support or oppose the various parts of the plan. Next, there will be two public hearings by the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA), which has ultimate responsibility for approving the campus plan. The first BZA meeting, on June 13, will be mostly for presentations by the University and city agencies (Office of Planning, Public Works, and ANC). The second BZA meeting, now set for July 18, is intended for community reaction to what was presented at the first meeting. Anybody can testify! Up-to-date information about the BZA hearings can be obtained from the Office of Zoning at 727-6311.
At the suggestion of the Office of Planning, there was a brief effort to have "mediation" between the University and its critics in the community. Most of the time available for mediation was spent in a tussle over participation, and in the end no agreements were reached. However, the four "facilitated" sessions did give participants a better chance to communicate.
The BCA was well represented, with Pat Scolaro, Bonnie Hardy, Peter Pulsifer and Guy Gwynne individually or jointly attending all meetings. We have applied to be a "party" in the BZA proceedings. If granted, the BCA would be entitled to cross-examine witnesses at hearings, and to receive official notices relating to the case. The official Burleith positions were decided at a special Board meeting before the May 10 general meeting (they were later presented to the general meeting). These are
Enrollment: BCA is firmly against any undergraduate enrollment increase, without housing for all undergraduates on campus. (The plan now calls for an increase in the enrollment cap of about 500 students, adding 50 additional students each year for 10 years; current enrollment is 111 below the cap).
Land use: BCA opposes the scheme by which the campus plan designates use of a building through one of four categories. The BCA advocates more specific descriptions of use, at a minimum through two additional categories (such as one for residential).
38th St: BCA opposes the alignment of 38th St with Entrance1. (See traffic story in this Newsletter).
Although the above were considered top priority for Burleith, there are certainly many other issues.
For example, a huge graduate student enrollment increase of 1284 (49% growth) is contemplated for "flexibility", even though planned graduate program increases add to only about 120 students. Other than enrollment issues, traffic and parking are major concerns. With the arrival of MedStar, many academic campus personnel will lose their parking spot, meaning a slight increase in parking pressure on city streets and a great increase in the number of buses.
For further information on the issues to be debated for the campus plan, see the article in the May Newsletter; very little has changed since.
The law says that a University "shall be located so that it is not likely to become objectionable to neighboring property because of noise, traffic, number of students, or other objectionable conditions." Any plan that tolerates or increases such objectionable conditions should not be approved. In evaluating the present situation and the future plan, it is important that the community be heard from. Please make an effort to attend the upcoming meetings, starting with the June 6 ANC meeting.
The TGIF series of lunch talks continues at Grace Church, 1041 Wisconsin Ave, across from the huge pit at the Incinerator/Ritz-Carleton construction site (which is worth a visit in itself). Talks are 12:30-1:30. On the agenda are the following.
June 9: Hon. Rufus King, D.C. Superior Court judge
June 16: Mark Schneider, Director of the Peace Corps
June 23: Sean Collins, senior producer for National Public Radio.
June 30: Rabbi Fred Dobb, committed environmentalist.
An effort to address traffic flow problems on Reservoir Rd. has been launched with the joint sponsorship of ANC 2E, MedStar, and Georgetown University. The impetus for the initiative comes from John Green, a Senior Vice President of MedStar Health who attended the campus plan mediation sessions.
Community members have complained that the rosy traffic assessment filed with the University campus plan did not agree with their experience. (That assessment rates Reservoir Rd mostly as Level of Service B, where the levels, like college grades, run from A through F). Hillandale residents have been particularly vocal in complaining that gridlock often prevents them from exiting 39th St onto Reservoir Rd. Campus plan changes (like the 38th St-Entrance 1 alignment) and the MedStar acquisition may also change things for better or worse.
The new initiative is designed to find solutions as soon as possible, independently of the campus plan process. (Clearly, any progress can only strengthen the campus plan, because the University has a legal obligation to place no undue hardship on the community because of traffic). The University and MedStar are emphatic that they don't want this to delay campus plan hearings.
As a first step, a meeting was held on May 31 with three DPW traffic officials and representatives from the University and MedStar, the University traffic consultants, the DC Office of Planning, and the affected communities. Actions by both DPW and the University were considered and are listed below.
The problem of the 38th St alignment-that it would promote cut-throughs-might be ingeniously solved by the suggestion that Entrance 1 when reconstructed have a traffic island in the middle that blocks straight-through traffic. Exiting traffic could only turn right, and entering traffic could only come from Reservoir Rd eastbound. The biggest difficulty with the scheme is how to accommodate the many cars that now enter by turning left from westbound Reservoir Rd.
Possible DPW Solutions include:
Possible University/Medical Center solutions include:
The University is already taking further steps to reduce business traffic, such as looking into off-site parking in Rosslyn with shuttle service and increasing incentives to carpool or use mass transit. They are highly motivated.
Because of the parking allocated to MedStar with the acquisition, academic campus employees are looking at a shortfall of 1,157 spaces by year 2010. The MedStar allocation is phased in, so next year's deficit will be "only" 473 spaces. The University's immediate reaction is to double the size of its already-large bus fleet.
DPW has promised to review the suggestions and present recommendations by the second week of June. At that point the process will continue. For more information, contact Peter Pulsifer at 337-3065.
by Charles Mallett, Membership chair
Many thanks to all of our wonderful BCA members. Membership is up this year substantially, both in terms of money (about $4000) and numbers (136 households, about 25% of all those eligible). If you believe you have been incorrectly listed or omitted from this list, please call 337-6506. If you would like to join for next year, call the new Membership Chair, Tom Bryant, at 965-8822. Memberships will be available for the coming year (2000-2001) at the June 10 picnic.
Adams, Sara & Tempchin, Terry Barrer, John & Andreyeva Bennett, Marilyn & Starlin, Dwane Block, Steven Bremm, Jim Brown, Chris & Rollefson, Mary Burroughs, Joan Caplan, Edward &Sorrell Carroll, Mary Christesson, Michael L. Clark, Christina Anne Clerc, Christian & Meg Cohen, Hank & Suzanne Coonan, Thomas R. Cooper, Lane & Patty Coughlin, Nan Cunningham, Marguerite Daniel, Jeffrey & Stephens, Hampton Davis, Rich & Stacy Deland, Diane Deland, Maurice Del Santo, Ron & Tillman, Rachel Dempsey, Jim & Holly Didley, Tom & Pam Dixon, John & Razzi, Ioana Dombo, Fred & Michelle Dove, William Dwyer, Paul Eichelberger, Bernadette Ellsworth, Ruth Eskeland, Hanna Farquhar, Michael Farrell, Diana & Pearson, Scott Fesler, Steve & Korwin, Michael Flaharty, Mary Fleming, Fred & Meenahan, Maggie Fox, Sheldon & Barbara Foulis, Dan & Tude Funkhausen, Justin & Moynihan, Carolyn Gardner, Virgie R. Gavrisheff, Ellen Glastris, Paul & Kukula Glekas, Elena B. Golian, Joseph & Barbara Gookin, Suzy Green, John Greenan, Linda Grizzard, Leslie Gwynne, Guy Hanlon, Lawrence Hardy, John & Bonnie Hedlund, James & Phyllis Helper, Kathie & Field, Rich Henry, Francis, Gail & Sam Herman, Megan Hines, William J. Hopper, Janice Hunter, Marjorie Iovino, Angela Jarman, Dr. W. Dabney Jerry, Jim & Jen Jonckhcer, Lawrence B. Katkin, Ken, Dynan & Linda King, Jeffrey Kogod, Bonnie Kreiger, Henry N. Kroll, Charlotte Krooth, John & Nancy Landay, Jonathan & Vlatka Levy, Ed & Mary Lewine, Frances L. Little, Mary Jane Long, Barbara Lucas, Sue O. MacKenzie, Mary Ann Mallett, Charles K. Manikas, Karolos & Tsantes, Demetra Martinez, Dr. Tess McAuliffe, Myra J. McKinney, Faye M. & Beth McKinnon, Beth Metcalf Corrina Meyer, Henry & Mary Miller, Michele Mizereh, Monica Montague, Roger Murphy, Jeanette Nix, Jim & Ann O'Donnell, Julia Owen, Dan Pallandre, Canddith Parson, Trisha Perkins, Rita L. Phillips, Ray & Sally Pierangelo, Claire Pulsifer, Peter & Margaret Radley, Rev. C. Perrin & Laurel Ragusssis, Michael Ray, Dennis & Barratt, Michael Raymond, Allen & Liz Razi, Iona Reed, Richard & Loughlin, Mary Reis, Victor & Marilyn Revis, Sara M. Rice, William Roberts, Josh & Katey Schaffner, Lawrence & Irene Schmidt, Richard Schwan, Aric & Kathy Scolaro, Joe & Pat Sheldon, Claude Silber, Rick & Wilgoren, Debbie Sinclair, Wayne & DiNapoli, John Smith, Jean A. Solomon, Ed & Gerri Steams, Barbara Steininger, Francine & Calvil, Manuel Stephanson, Sherry Swiecki, Krystyna Marek Taylor, Pat & Nancy Thompson, Ronald & Elizabeth Thurman, John Lewis Twomey, John & Camille Vaughan, May Verhoff, Gwendolyn Viksnins, George & Mara Wagner, Frank & Teresa Warren, Virginia Wedderburn, Daniel Wells, Jack & Kathie Wexler, Mark & Alahana Wolfe, Marjorie Wynne, JamesSpecial thanks to these non-member donors:
Bigelow, Alfred Washington International School