[Mintwood-place] Kalorama Park Construction

Fri Jun 12 12:02:41 EDT 2009

Chris Otten who represents the  adjoining Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) is attempting to get a clear idea of the scope of the construction at Kalorama Park. (see letter below)   He's set up a meeting with Department of Recreation (DPR) officials for sometime next week.  Please check with him for details.  chrisotten2 at yahoo.com

Belinda Reeder from the Fund for Kalorama Park seems to have been the person DPR contacted early on for community input.  bcr at archetypestudio.net

This is what I know. 
DPR  intended to turn the tennis sized court above the basketball court into a water permeable field - expanded in size, install "burms"  along the slope coming down from the recreation center to catch water runoff  and clean out, replace or destroy the existing storm water drainage system.

The plans must call for some new stairway because they are demolishing the old ones around the courts.  Hence the jack hammers.

.Plans call for the demolition of the concrete picnic table and its replacement at a new location nearby.

Some additional work replacing the railroad ties that hold back the soil along 19th street.

They ran into many unforeseen problems - like two or three extra layers of concrete and black top in the court they are demolishing.
And a very well built and salvageable storm water system - one near the rec center they demolished and another hidden under the court they may just cover up.  

They also may have uncovered an underground spring near the rec center.

I was allowed to set aside about 50 pounds of artifact rich trailing for an archeology project for neighborhood kids.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "Pitt, Stephanie (DPR)" <stephanie.pitt at dc.gov>
To: chrisotten2 at yahoo.com; "Hartsock, Ximena (DCPS-OOC)" <Ximena.Hartsock at dc.gov>
Cc: weaveranc at aol.com; wendicle at yahoo.com; eddie_becker at yahoo.com; seizetv at yahoo.com; maryjbelcher at comcast.net; jim at grahamwone.com; tloza at dccouncil.us
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 5:57:13 AM
Subject: Re: Kalorama Park Plans

Mr. Otten,

Thanks for your email!

Would Wednesday or Thursday early evening work with your schedule to plan a walk through?

I will work on getting more detailed information about the ongoing projects to report to you and your constituents during the site visit.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. Look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Pitt
DPR Transition Team
(202) 550-3622

----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Version II.O <chrisotten2 at yahoo.com>
To: Hartsock, Ximena (DCPS); Pitt, Stephanie (DPR)
Cc: chrisotten2 at yahoo.com <chrisotten2 at yahoo.com>; weaveranc at aol.com <weaveranc at aol.com>; wendicle at yahoo.com <wendicle at yahoo.com>; eddie_becker at yahoo.com <eddie_becker at yahoo.com>; seizetv at yahoo.com <seizetv at yahoo.com>; maryjbelcher at comcast.net <maryjbelcher at comcast.net>; jim at grahamwone.com <jim at grahamwone.com>; tloza at dccouncil.us <tloza at dccouncil.us>
Sent: Thu Jun 11 23:49:16 2009
Subject: Kalorama Park Plans

Dear Director Hartsock and Mrs. Pitt:

I tried to write  a few days ago, so I am trying again... this time widening the circle a bit.

My name is Commissioner Chris Otten, representing ANC-1C02.  My Single Member District abuts Kalorama Park and my constituents use the park for many things, including R&R on the weekends and gardening.  Plus the youth are using it too.

Right now the entire North side (Mintwood Road) of the park is fenced in and inside this perimeter is heavy machinery and mounds of dirt and concrete.  There are some signs trying to explain what is happening -- seemingly some kind of plans for anti-erosion abatement in the park.

Many residents have asked me to follow-up on this issue.  There has been enough interest around this matter that I'd like to ask for some time in a site visit and project walk through.  We can invite ANC Commissioners and local Civics.

Do you have any time next week, during the day or early evening could work.  Please let me know what dates can work within your schedule.

In the meantime, can you inform me that the contractors will not plan to rip up the concrete picnic table... like they did the concrete walkways.  We need to know that this table will survive any construction for this project.

Thank you for your time and interest in this matter.  Feel free to contact me anytime by phone or email.

Regards,
Commissioner Chris Otten
ANC-1C02
202-536-4065

Chris O. 
202-536-4065

Whether you like it or not:
http://tinyurl.com/2j2uyk

Updated: http://www.activistevents.com

--- On Mon, 6/8/09, Chris Version II.O <chrisotten2 at yahoo.com> wrote:

        From: Chris Version II.O <chrisotten2 at yahoo.com>
        Subject: ADams Morgan-Kalorama work
        To: " Ximena (DCPS)Hartsock" <ximena.hartsock at dc.gov>, " Stephanie (DPR)Pitt" <stephanie.pitt at dc.gov>
        Date: Monday, June 8, 2009, 3:00 PM

        Hi Ximena and Stephanie:

        My name is Chris.  I am an ANC Commissioner in Adams Morgan-Kalorama Park.

        Welcome to the team!

        I also wanted to write and thank you for the attention you have given to Kurt Nemes and his concerns about Marie Reed's pool.  It sounds like you all have great plans for the youth working in that facility this summer of which I am very happy about.

        I am perplexed by another the project in Kalorama Park.  I attempted to read the sign that was on the construction fences, which now block almost the entire north-east side of the park, and I just couldnt understand the ultimate objective of the work.  I might be missing something because I am no construction expert.

        I was hoping I could get a briefing so that I can explain this to neighbors who are asking.  Thank you for your time on this matter.

        With regards,
        Chris O.
        ANC-1C02
        202-536-4065
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