Posts by Nick Sementelli — Board of Directors
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The Historic Preservation board reversed its decision and designated Colony Hill as a historic district
For six days, it looked like the District’s Historic Preservation Review Board may have finally voted against a historic district application for the first time in its known history. But after a reconvened meeting, four board members changed their votes and designated Colony Hill as the latest historic district in DC. Keep reading…
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A wishlist for where the DC Public Library should build its Ward 5 expansion
A new report from the DC Public Library is proposing a new library in the Edgewood/Eckington/Stronghold area. Here’s an early look at some potential locations for such a library, and how that might impact surrounding areas. Keep reading…
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A suburban development tests the limits of DC historic district designation
Ward 3 neighborhood Colony Hill’s nondescript historic district application will test the Historic Preservation Review Board’s minimum standards and raise further questions about preservation’s relationship to the history of racial segregation. Keep reading…
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The Kingman Park Historic District is a little bigger now
DC’s Historic Preservation Review Board has approved an expansion of the Kingman Park Historic District, granting a victory to the applicants who were disappointed with the Board’s decision to reduce their desired boundaries in the initial designation process two years ago. Keep reading…
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Two traffic safety projects in Bloomingdale and Eckington move forward
Updates on traffic-calming curb extensions on 1st Street NW and a new design for a proposed one-way conversion on T Street NE were recently released by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). Keep reading…
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Bloomingdale’s traffic calming plan gets some new updates
Some additional traffic calming measures are in the works on First Street NW, including adding striping to the bump-outs and new higher-visibility LED stop signs. However, flex posts from all but one side street have been removed. Keep reading…
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A fatal hit-and-run takes North Capitol death count to eight in two years
On Sunday, May 31st, a driver speeding down North Capitol Street struck another vehicle, then fled the scene on foot. Despite heroic rescue efforts from neighbors who helped suppress the resultant fire and pull the two victims from their car, neither ultimately survived. These deaths continue a tragic trend; since September 2018 there have now been eight fatalities on the corridor. Keep reading…
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A new rendering of the Dave Thomas Circle redesign suggests an important bike lane extension
After a series of updates, it appears that DDOT’s most recent plan for the Florida and New York Avenue NE intersection is more aligned with advocates’ vision of a safe space for pedestrians and cyclists. Keep reading…
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An ANC objects to slowing down cars on Florida Avenue because of 9/11
In response to a neighboring Advisory Neighborhood Commission’s request for a street safety study on Florida Avenue NW, ANC 5E, voted to send a letter to DDOT opposing any result of that study that might cut lanes in order to keep enough space on the road for drivers attempting to flee the city during an emergency like 9/11. Keep reading…
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What’s a historic district, anyway?
Historic designation can be complicated, but since DC has more than 50 historic districts, it’s important to understand. Here’s a breakdown of what it actually does. Keep reading…