With all this negativity about bikes and pedestrians

[Anonymous]

Is there a place to go that would allow people to express themselves as being for this Conn Ave (or other pedestrian and bike lane and bus lane) projects? Almost every week I see a tweet or post somewhere about a driver hitting someone (sometimes killing them) or flipping over a car somehow on streets that are marked as 20 or 25mph limits. There seems to be an awful lot of energy and coordination by groups who just want to keep things the same. Is there a counter group who is positioned best to coordinate and consolidate residents opinions and stories for actual positive change?

Ultimately everyone who is commuting just wants to get from point a to point b in as fast and cheap and convenient manner as they can. I feel like they should also be entitled to safety for that trip and provides with appropriate infrastructure. And given the facts of climate change, that infrastructure should be veering away from subsidizing single car drivers and instead encouraging public transportation or non-car private transportation. Bills like the metro subsidy help with this. Bike lanes help with this. Bus lanes like on 14th Street help with this. Restricting most right hand turns on red help with this. Installing raised items like crosswalks around schools help with this

I hope the city officials don't get the wrong idea from what seems like a few very irritated and coordinated groups that all of those ideas are bad.

[Anonymous]

Not necessary, because (as the opponents of the bike lanes are constantly whining on here) the project is already approved and going forward.

[Anonymous]

Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

People didnt even know this was happening. I didnt know until I saw the DCUM thread. People have busy lives.

[Anonymous]

Subscribe to your ANC listserv and speak up at public meetings. It matters and helps a lot! You can also email your council member and the mayor.

There is a small core of people in DC who get absolutely outraged at any change - our neighborhood had signs protesting a PUBLIC PRESCHOOL when I moved in. They thought there would be too many cars dropping off and too many loud children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

People didnt even know this was happening. I didnt know until I saw the DCUM thread. People have busy lives.

Yes, clearly, there was a conspiracy to silence you. That’s why they had all those public meetings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

People didnt even know this was happening. I didnt know until I saw the DCUM thread. People have busy lives.

Yes, clearly, there was a conspiracy to silence you. That’s why they had all those public meetings.

All of these threads are just a preview of the fights to come. Most people have no idea this project even exists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Subscribe to your ANC listserv and speak up at public meetings. It matters and helps a lot! You can also email your council member and the mayor.

There is a small core of people in DC who get absolutely outraged at any change - our neighborhood had signs protesting a PUBLIC PRESCHOOL when I moved in. They thought there would be too many cars dropping off and too many loud children.

What ANC Listserve?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

People didnt even know this was happening. I didnt know until I saw the DCUM thread. People have busy lives.

Yes, clearly, there was a conspiracy to silence you. That’s why they had all those public meetings.

ANCs have historically been the back waters of politics. People only paid attention when they needed a curb cut or building permit. There was no reason to pay attention otherwise. During the pandemic the ANCs were co-opted by progressive activists who somehow think they have a mandate for major social change. It’s bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

People didnt even know this was happening. I didnt know until I saw the DCUM thread. People have busy lives.

Yes, clearly, there was a conspiracy to silence you. That’s why they had all those public meetings.

All of these threads are just a preview of the fights to come. Most people have no idea this project even exists.

Here is the post from longtime ANC 3C Commissioner Nancy Macwood on this topic on the CP Listserve:


Nancy MacWood
Sep 8 #191910


It is really alarming that residents are feeling blindsided or uninformed about DDOT's decisions regarding the Conn. Ave. Reversible Lane and Safety Study. Here is a link https://ddot.dc.gov/page/connecticut-avenue-nw-reversible-lane-safety-and-operations-study to the June 28, 2022 DDOT presentation that includes a concept map for Conn. Ave. between Porter and Macomb Streets (Map #4).

It shows that there are 52 metered parking spaces in that area now. The proposal is to eliminate all parking on the west side and retain 25 spaces on the east side. The on street loading area is currently 162 ft. The proposal would eliminate all loading on the west side and retain 47 ft. on the east side. The map referenced above shows where these areas are currently and where they would be per the proposal.

DDOT held two redundant public meetings in 2021 ( March 30 and April 1) and two redundant public meetings in 2022 (June 28 and June 29). In addition, DDOT presented to a public ANC 3C meeting July 20, 2020, February 23, 2021, and June 22, 2022. DDOT also presented at a CPCA meeting July 29, 2020 and CPCA co-sponsored the Feb. 23, 2021 DDOT presentation to 3C. DDOT presented to the WPCA on July 23, 2020 and Feb. 25, 2021.

The comment period to DDOT on preferred study options was April 1 - May 8, 2021. I posted a summary of how the study options would affect Conn. Ave. in Cleveland Park to the listserv on April 13, 2021 and asked for comments prior to ANC 3C considering a resolution at the April 19, 2021 public meeting. I have ten emails from that period in my inbox sent to all 3C commissioners that supported Concept C. I also have emails primarily sent to me that voiced concerns and issues with the study and did not support any particular study option.

A prominent concern was the effect of diverting a projected total daily diversion of 7,000 vehicles to other roadways. In addition to asking the sponsors of the 3C resolution to amend it to urge DDOT to immediately end the reversible lane configuration and to lower the speed limit to 25mph, I asked that the John Eaton School community be given an additional week to comment because DDOT had not briefed them on the potential impacts of bike lanes and diverted traffic on school safety. The Eaton amendment was readily accepted by one co-sponsor but not by the main drafter. At the ANC meeting I repeated the request and Comm. Siddiqui continued to object to the necessity or propriety of extending the comment period by one week, which would allow DDOT to schedule a briefing, until Principal Anderson spoke in favor of the amendment.

An additional amendment to urge DDOT to continue to study diversion patterns and volumes while considering biking infrastructure changes was accepted at the ANC meeting. DDOT plans to perform traffic calming reviews and conduct parking/loading "optimization" studies through 2022. The traffic calming exercise will include examination of cut through traffic, speeding, and traffic violation patterns. I have requested that DDOT include 34th St. from Porter St. to Woodley Rd. with an emphasis on school safety, and I recommend that residents contact [e-mail] [Edward.Stollof @ dcw dot gov] ho is the project manager with any suggested blocks or streets that should be considered for traffic calming.

Nancy MacWood
ANC 3C09

It is your fault if you are relying on DCUM for info on what is going on in our neighborhood - it is not a great source for info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

People didnt even know this was happening. I didnt know until I saw the DCUM thread. People have busy lives.

Yes, clearly, there was a conspiracy to silence you. That’s why they had all those public meetings.

ANCs have historically been the back waters of politics. People only paid attention when they needed a curb cut or building permit. There was no reason to pay attention otherwise. During the pandemic the ANCs were co-opted by progressive activists who somehow think they have a mandate for major social change. It’s bizarre.

Our ANC representative is hostile to his own constituents. He seems to see his job as pushing every goofy leftwing idea he's ever read about, regardless of how much his constituents object.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

People didnt even know this was happening. I didnt know until I saw the DCUM thread. People have busy lives.

Yes, clearly, there was a conspiracy to silence you. That’s why they had all those public meetings.

C'mon. The PP didn't say or insinuate there was a conspiracy. They just pointed out that people have busy lives and it's not out of the norm that a substantial number of people would be unaware of what was under discussion until recently. Many of the meetings happened during a time when people's lives were upended by Covid and they didn't have the bandwidth to monitor all of the local happenings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

People didnt even know this was happening. I didnt know until I saw the DCUM thread. People have busy lives.

Yes, clearly, there was a conspiracy to silence you. That’s why they had all those public meetings.

C'mon. The PP didn't say or insinuate there was a conspiracy. They just pointed out that people have busy lives and it's not out of the norm that a substantial number of people would be unaware of what was under discussion until recently. Many of the meetings happened during a time when people's lives were upended by Covid and they didn't have the bandwidth to monitor all of the local happenings.

Exactly. People were trying to stay alive themselves and keep their loved ones alive. Sneaking through such major changes like that during a time with there was limited ability for the public to be engaged was intentional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

People didnt even know this was happening. I didnt know until I saw the DCUM thread. People have busy lives.

Yes, clearly, there was a conspiracy to silence you. That’s why they had all those public meetings.

C'mon. The PP didn't say or insinuate there was a conspiracy. They just pointed out that people have busy lives and it's not out of the norm that a substantial number of people would be unaware of what was under discussion until recently. Many of the meetings happened during a time when people's lives were upended by Covid and they didn't have the bandwidth to monitor all of the local happenings.

Exactly. People were trying to stay alive themselves and keep their loved ones alive. Sneaking through such major changes like that during a time with there was limited ability for the public to be engaged was intentional.

Weird take - the meetings were mostly in 2021 (and are still on-going) when things were partially back to normal and most of has had long since found our footing. Personally I found it much easier to attend meetings when they switched to virtual because I didn't have to venture out the CP library for 3 hours and could turn on the meeting and put my feet up at home so I really don't get this argument that the meeting info was unavailable or that it was more difficult to attend. There were a lot of meetings and they were pretty well attended as far as ANC meetings go (I didn't attend the CPCA or CPHS meetings) so it is just an odd complaint that there was no notice when there was a lot of notice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. The city went through a three year engagement process with dozens of public meetings. The ANCs up and down Connecticut Avenue support the project as well as the Mayor, the Councimember and DDOT.

It is only now, AFTER the public engagement and votes and AFTER the money has been designated, that people are trying to use their entitled clout to reverse the decision because they happen not to like it.

They could have attended the same public meetings everyone else did. They could have spoken up on the neighborhood email groups etc. But the ANC commissioners and DDOT have all noted the overhwhelming support from the community on this issue.

In other words, the complainers are the deep, but very vocal minority on the issue.

If you want to get involved and live in Ward 3, then reach out to the Ward 3 bikers group. If you are a DC or regional resident, then reach out to WABA.

People didnt even know this was happening. I didnt know until I saw the DCUM thread. People have busy lives.

Yes, clearly, there was a conspiracy to silence you. That’s why they had all those public meetings.

C'mon. The PP didn't say or insinuate there was a conspiracy. They just pointed out that people have busy lives and it's not out of the norm that a substantial number of people would be unaware of what was under discussion until recently. Many of the meetings happened during a time when people's lives were upended by Covid and they didn't have the bandwidth to monitor all of the local happenings.

Exactly. People were trying to stay alive themselves and keep their loved ones alive. Sneaking through such major changes like that during a time with there was limited ability for the public to be engaged was intentional.

This is definitely what the city did with the bike lanes downtown, sneak them in while everyone was stuck at home.