President’s Message

By Eric Langenbacher, president@burleith.org

Summer is almost over—even if the weather will remain warm for a while still. Just this last Monday many children went back to school—including DCPS students. Georgetown University began classes last week already. WIS also started, so please be aware of the traffic patterns especially on 36th and R Streets during drop-off and pick-up times. Drivers also need to be more careful with so many kids back in the neighborhood—and with so many students seemingly riding scooters everywhere.

I want to remind everyone that homeowners are responsible for maintaining not only their front yards, but also the grassy median between the sidewalk and street. If you are a renter, please contact your landlord about mowing. Perhaps remind them that this is not something that can be done once or twice a year. As I have mentioned before, many of the green trash bins are still in poor shape and are attractive to rats and other vermin. Please contact 311 to request a new lid for free. It is also useful for you to make sure that the lid is closed after trash is picked up. Otherwise, they will fill with water and breed mosquitos.  

There is one potential issue of concern to the neighborhood that I would like to highlight. Last year, Councilmembers Brooke Pinto and Christina Henderson introduced a bill to the DC Council that would change parking rules in the city. Currently, with a Zone 2 sticker, one can park for an unlimited amount of time wherever it is zoned for Zone 2 residents. (Rush-hour, street-cleaning, and other restrictions aside). Pinto’s proposal would limit one’s right to park in such a manner just to the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) boundary and one could only park for 2 hours outside of this zone. So, parking in West End, Dupont, Logan Circle, or downtown would change considerably for us.  

I suppose the upside is that folks living elsewhere in Ward 2 could not park for as long in our ANC—although I think this occurs more in Georgetown rather than in Burleith. My initial reaction is that this is a terrible idea. I would think that the various businesses in Georgetown, which have struggled so much, would also be detrimentally affected. It will be even worse for folks living in denser Dupont or Logan Circle. With their many more ANCs, people will likely have an even harder time finding a space. But, I am also really keen to hear from all of you. Please do shoot me off an email if you feel strongly one way or another. There is a public hearing scheduled for October 28 and more details on the proposal can be found here.

As for other neighborhood issues, there has been no additional information or movement on plans to renovate Ellington Field. Apparently, the authorities will soon make public their choice of an architect for the renovations to the Jelleff Recreation Center. Things could intensify in the fall and we will report back as soon as we hear anything. The project to replace water mains on R Street (and parts of 38th Street and Reservoir Road) is proceeding. They now estimate completion by October 31.  

Looking forward to the fall, we are planning our children’s Halloween party on Sunday, October 30, either at the Tot Lot or on the WIS playground. We also plan to repeat the Halloween decoration contest. Please save the date for the BCA Annual Meeting, which will be on Thursday, November 3. I am happy to report that the incumbent members are standing for re-election for another two-year term: Eric Langenbacher (President), Gail Juppenlatz (Co-recording Secretary), Linda Brooks (Corresponding Secretary), and Melanie Gisler (Non-Officer Director).  

Finally, we are always looking for volunteers, especially as we gear up for Burleith’s centennial in 2023. If you are not a member of the BCA or if your membership has lapsed, please consider joining/renewing your membership.

All the best for a Happy Autumn!