With all this negativity about bikes and pedestrians

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

DP no it is not the fault of the residents because DC did not actually engage the public in good faith. This is the way the city operates. The same thing happened with the elementary school at Fox Hall. The activist and the city will exclude the general public from these meeting and the ANC listserv. They do not want the input of the people who live in the area.

Now the City has gall to say oh well all the activist and lobbyists made the meeting. You know all the people we know by their first name. The general public is just too stupid to know what is happening because we did not want their input. Me and the 10 people I invite to the meeting think this is what should happen.

I have lived in this city for over 30 years now. I have never had any interaction with the ANC and talk to my Council-member once. ANC is secretive and non-communicative at best. If the ANC was so connected and informed about her ANC why is it such a surprise that the major of the people in her ANC are upset?

this is laughable but explains a lot if you are against an *elementary school.*

our ANC commissioners are easily accessible. of course there can always be a bad one, but in general, they are everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could talk all day about who should have known what and when they should have known it, but that's just a waste of time. Some people knew about it, some people didn't. Let's accept that as fact and just move on.

The plan has been approved and it's in all of our best interests to focus on the implementation of it. Could someone who is in the know share here what the process is for implementation feedback and planning? If I live in the 3000 block of Connecticut, for example, how and when can I have input into what the implementation will look like in the Woodley and Cleveland Park segments? Or if I'm on a side street and I want to be part of the conversation around diverted traffic — where and when can I participate in that? If I have a disability and want to be part of discussion on signal timing and raised crosswalks -- how/when/where do I do that?

If those who are in charge of Plan C could share that information here, it would give everyone something concrete to do and a chance to have a voice in the ultimate outcome. Thank you.

DDOT is doing walk throughs this week. Look at the Forest Hills Connection for yet another micro-local source of news and information, if you are not on any of the neighborhood email groups.

Was it on the Cleveland Park email list? I didn’t see it and just did a quick search and didn’t find anything. I did find the article on Forest Hills Connection’s website, but that was just published yesterday and the first walkthrough is Monday morning. Is there a single official site where meeting dates/times are announced? Here’s the Forest Hills link in case anyone wants to read it: https://www.foresthillsconnection.com/news/ddot-holding-connecticut-ave-walkthroughs-to-discuss-parking-and-loading-needs/

here you go: https://anc3f.com/

obviously trying to cover up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I was aware about meetings on the “Conn. Ave. Reversible Lane and Safety Study.” I think there is 100% agreement that something had to be done. But, I had no clue that it morphed into getting rid of two travel lanes and parking and creating permanent bike lanes. That’s a much different animal. It was a clever slight of hand by the bike lobby and a dirty trick to pull on many parents who were struggling to educate their kids and keep their heads above water during COVID. This is obviously a divisive issue and deserves a reset informed by post Pandemic data.

No it isn't a different animal. If you had attended ANY of the 50+ meetings that took place, you would have heard the DDOT representatives talk about the different options and benefits of different considerations. It was clear from public input that pedestrian and bike safety were more important that throughput for Maryland commuters. The ANC Commissioners offered additional meetings both as an ANC as well as single member district, to dig into what the constituents wanted. Some of the neighborhood groups also met with DDOT and held additional discussions.

Bottom line, constiuents were engaged, none of it was done in secret - I dont know how one calls public zoom meetings secret, alas, and here we are.

Where were these meetings announced?

[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.

Many people knew. If you read this forum, or any of the neighborhood emaill groups, or receive CM Cheh's newsletter or the ANC email notices, you would have known about it.

Really, you had to be living under a rock to miss it, and the fact that part of it happened during COVID meant the meetings were online, which meant even more people than normal participated.

Our neighborhood doesn't have an email group (what is that?), I didn't know Cheh had a newsletter and we never got one though we've lived here for over 20 years, and the ANC stopped emailing years ago.

Sorry you aren't engage with your community, but really, how is it that thousands of your neighbors are engaged with their government, but you aren't? That really isn't anyone else's fault.

I am engaged in my community. But not in any of the ways that you seem to say were the only ways to hear about this. Our ANC person doesn't send out anything; I used to get email from the ANC and my email hasn't changed. I never got a newsletter from Cheh, and I would expect she has everyone's home addresses. How is it my fault to not know about something I never got?

And wouldn't it be better to find a way to make sure the people who live here actually have access to information and know about these things you mention instead of blaming people who never got notice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2021 https://wtop.com/dc/2021/12/dc-plans-to-eliminate-reversible-lanes-on-connecticut-avenue-add-bike-lanes/

2019 - see question number 53 https://dccouncil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019-DDOT-Performance-Oversight-Questions-Responses-to-Council-02.17.19.pdf

There is even a 2002 DDOT study about ending the reversible lanes, that cited bike lanes as among the many improvements that could come.

Really, none of this should be a surprise to anyone.

And yet it is, so someone dropped the ball on effectively communicating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I was aware about meetings on the “Conn. Ave. Reversible Lane and Safety Study.” I think there is 100% agreement that something had to be done. But, I had no clue that it morphed into getting rid of two travel lanes and parking and creating permanent bike lanes. That’s a much different animal. It was a clever slight of hand by the bike lobby and a dirty trick to pull on many parents who were struggling to educate their kids and keep their heads above water during COVID. This is obviously a divisive issue and deserves a reset informed by post Pandemic data.

No it isn't a different animal. If you had attended ANY of the 50+ meetings that took place, you would have heard the DDOT representatives talk about the different options and benefits of different considerations. It was clear from public input that pedestrian and bike safety were more important that throughput for Maryland commuters. The ANC Commissioners offered additional meetings both as an ANC as well as single member district, to dig into what the constituents wanted. Some of the neighborhood groups also met with DDOT and held additional discussions.

Bottom line, constiuents were engaged, none of it was done in secret - I dont know how one calls public zoom meetings secret, alas, and here we are.

Where were these meetings announced?

generally ANC meetings are announced on their website, on an official ANC listserv, tweeted by individual commissioners, and emailed by some commissioners to their own lists. ANC meetings happen every month on a regular day and you can see the agenda in advance. I am not sure how DDOT notices their meetings but your ANC would usually pass on news of a big DDOT meeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused. Which parents don't want a safe Connecticut Ave? The ones I know are excited about this.

The ones that live on side streets just off Connecticut that will become much less safe.

And the ones who kids commute on those side streets to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Many people knew. If you read this forum, or any of the neighborhood emaill groups, or receive CM Cheh's newsletter or the ANC email notices, you would have known about it.

Really, you had to be living under a rock to miss it, and the fact that part of it happened during COVID meant the meetings were online, which meant even more people than normal participated.

Our neighborhood doesn't have an email group (what is that?), I didn't know Cheh had a newsletter and we never got one though we've lived here for over 20 years, and the ANC stopped emailing years ago.

Sorry you aren't engage with your community, but really, how is it that thousands of your neighbors are engaged with their government, but you aren't? That really isn't anyone else's fault.

I am engaged in my community. But not in any of the ways that you seem to say were the only ways to hear about this. Our ANC person doesn't send out anything; I used to get email from the ANC and my email hasn't changed. I never got a newsletter from Cheh, and I would expect she has everyone's home addresses. How is it my fault to not know about something I never got?

And wouldn't it be better to find a way to make sure the people who live here actually have access to information and know about these things you mention instead of blaming people who never got notice?

what else should they do? please tell us.

ancs hold their meetings on the same day every month usually and provide avance copies of the agenda. it is not hidden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2021 https://wtop.com/dc/2021/12/dc-plans-to-eliminate-reversible-lanes-on-connecticut-avenue-add-bike-lanes/

2019 - see question number 53 https://dccouncil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019-DDOT-Performance-Oversight-Questions-Responses-to-Council-02.17.19.pdf

There is even a 2002 DDOT study about ending the reversible lanes, that cited bike lanes as among the many improvements that could come.

Really, none of this should be a surprise to anyone.

And yet it is, so someone dropped the ball on effectively communicating.

yes, they should have engaged you by mental telepathy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused. Which parents don't want a safe Connecticut Ave? The ones I know are excited about this.

The ones that live on side streets just off Connecticut that will become much less safe.

And the ones who kids commute on those side streets to school.

reminder that volume is reduced on many side streets. it increases north/south. not e-w.

[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.

Many people knew. If you read this forum, or any of the neighborhood emaill groups, or receive CM Cheh's newsletter or the ANC email notices, you would have known about it.

Really, you had to be living under a rock to miss it, and the fact that part of it happened during COVID meant the meetings were online, which meant even more people than normal participated.

You obviously don't have kids. If you one day have kids, you will laugh at how insane you sound.

what more do you want? seriously. how do you feel you should be catered to? should you get notices delivered to your window by carrier pigeon?

You keep suggesting there is a email or list serve for the ANC, but there isn't. And everyone quit Twitter due to Trump, so that is ineffective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Many people knew. If you read this forum, or any of the neighborhood emaill groups, or receive CM Cheh's newsletter or the ANC email notices, you would have known about it.

Really, you had to be living under a rock to miss it, and the fact that part of it happened during COVID meant the meetings were online, which meant even more people than normal participated.

You obviously don't have kids. If you one day have kids, you will laugh at how insane you sound.

what more do you want? seriously. how do you feel you should be catered to? should you get notices delivered to your window by carrier pigeon?

You keep suggesting there is a email or list serve for the ANC, but there isn't. And everyone quit Twitter due to Trump, so that is ineffective.

please name your ANC and SMD. I would be shocked if it does not have a list. And you can go to the ANC website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could talk all day about who should have known what and when they should have known it, but that's just a waste of time. Some people knew about it, some people didn't. Let's accept that as fact and just move on.

The plan has been approved and it's in all of our best interests to focus on the implementation of it. Could someone who is in the know share here what the process is for implementation feedback and planning? If I live in the 3000 block of Connecticut, for example, how and when can I have input into what the implementation will look like in the Woodley and Cleveland Park segments? Or if I'm on a side street and I want to be part of the conversation around diverted traffic — where and when can I participate in that? If I have a disability and want to be part of discussion on signal timing and raised crosswalks -- how/when/where do I do that?

If those who are in charge of Plan C could share that information here, it would give everyone something concrete to do and a chance to have a voice in the ultimate outcome. Thank you.

DDOT is doing walk throughs this week. Look at the Forest Hills Connection for yet another micro-local source of news and information, if you are not on any of the neighborhood email groups.

Was it on the Cleveland Park email list? I didn’t see it and just did a quick search and didn’t find anything. I did find the article on Forest Hills Connection’s website, but that was just published yesterday and the first walkthrough is Monday morning. Is there a single official site where meeting dates/times are announced? Here’s the Forest Hills link in case anyone wants to read it: https://www.foresthillsconnection.com/news/ddot-holding-connecticut-ave-walkthroughs-to-discuss-parking-and-loading-needs/

here you go: https://anc3f.com/

obviously trying to cover up!

And the email or list serves? I think that is a good idea, but don't see a sign up there. The news page is an error message even.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Many people knew. If you read this forum, or any of the neighborhood emaill groups, or receive CM Cheh's newsletter or the ANC email notices, you would have known about it.

Really, you had to be living under a rock to miss it, and the fact that part of it happened during COVID meant the meetings were online, which meant even more people than normal participated.

Our neighborhood doesn't have an email group (what is that?), I didn't know Cheh had a newsletter and we never got one though we've lived here for over 20 years, and the ANC stopped emailing years ago.

Sorry you aren't engage with your community, but really, how is it that thousands of your neighbors are engaged with their government, but you aren't? That really isn't anyone else's fault.

I am engaged in my community. But not in any of the ways that you seem to say were the only ways to hear about this. Our ANC person doesn't send out anything; I used to get email from the ANC and my email hasn't changed. I never got a newsletter from Cheh, and I would expect she has everyone's home addresses. How is it my fault to not know about something I never got?

And wouldn't it be better to find a way to make sure the people who live here actually have access to information and know about these things you mention instead of blaming people who never got notice?

what else should they do? please tell us.

ancs hold their meetings on the same day every month usually and provide avance copies of the agenda. it is not hidden.

Some of the the things you claim they are doing, which they aren't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We could talk all day about who should have known what and when they should have known it, but that's just a waste of time. Some people knew about it, some people didn't. Let's accept that as fact and just move on.

The plan has been approved and it's in all of our best interests to focus on the implementation of it. Could someone who is in the know share here what the process is for implementation feedback and planning? If I live in the 3000 block of Connecticut, for example, how and when can I have input into what the implementation will look like in the Woodley and Cleveland Park segments? Or if I'm on a side street and I want to be part of the conversation around diverted traffic — where and when can I participate in that? If I have a disability and want to be part of discussion on signal timing and raised crosswalks -- how/when/where do I do that?

If those who are in charge of Plan C could share that information here, it would give everyone something concrete to do and a chance to have a voice in the ultimate outcome. Thank you.

DDOT is doing walk throughs this week. Look at the Forest Hills Connection for yet another micro-local source of news and information, if you are not on any of the neighborhood email groups.

Was it on the Cleveland Park email list? I didn’t see it and just did a quick search and didn’t find anything. I did find the article on Forest Hills Connection’s website, but that was just published yesterday and the first walkthrough is Monday morning. Is there a single official site where meeting dates/times are announced? Here’s the Forest Hills link in case anyone wants to read it: https://www.foresthillsconnection.com/news/ddot-holding-connecticut-ave-walkthroughs-to-discuss-parking-and-loading-needs/

here you go: https://anc3f.com/

obviously trying to cover up!

And the email or list serves? I think that is a good idea, but don't see a sign up there. The news page is an error message even.

https://mobile.twitter.com/anc3f