1. Rock Creek East II Livability Study
June 13, 2016

2. Workshop Info Monday, June 13th, 2016
Truesdell Education Campus- Auditorium
6pm-8pm
Approximately 15 people in attendance
From Ward 1, Ward 3, and Ward 4
Community members, residents, local officials, ANC Commissioners, Councilmember office staff

3. Information Presented
Presented informational boards about :
Goals, Objectives, and Process
Study Area and Land Use
Previous Plans and Studies
Understanding Green Infrastructure
Opportunity Areas and potential improvements
To view these materials click here

4. Opportunity Areas
Major Opportunity Corridors: This map shows all of the Opportunity Corridors together on one map.
Arkansas Avenue NW: Opportunities identified are intersection redesigns, traffic calming, and reduction in parking spaces to improve visibility.
Blagden Avenue, Colorado Avenue, and Upshur Street NW: Opportunities were identified for traffic calming to be implemented, as well as extending bicycle facilities west of Georgia Avenue NW.
Kansas Avenue: Opportunities include green infrastructure and traffic calming improvements, intersection redesigns for pedestrian and visibility improvements, and establishing connections to the existing bicycle network
Kennedy Street: Opportunities include intersection redesigns and recognizing recommendations made in the Kennedy Street Streetscape Improvements Project.

5. Opportunity Areas
Iowa Avenue and 14th Street NW: Opportunities include strategies such as high-visibility crosswalks, redesigned intersections, and traffic calming with green infrastructure that could be utilized to address these issues.
New Hampshire Avenue NW and The Circles: Opportunities presented were modifications to existing traffic patterns, redesigned intersections to make crossings shorter and safer, and the addition of bicycle facilities.
Neighborhood Streets in the Study Area: Opportunities recommended for these streets are traffic calming, creating bicycle connections, incorporating green infrastructure, and improving access to Hamilton Recreation Center.
Green Infrastructure Issues and Opportunities: Opportunities include tree infill, curb extensions, bioretention areas, and other green space enhancements.

6. Workshop Activities
Comment Form… : Attendees were provided a comment form to answer the questions: What opportunities do you like? What opportunities do you think are missing? What issues have you observed that don’t seem to be addressed?
Dollar Democracy: A container was placed next to each station board of study recommendations. This activity involved participants using monetized “tokens” to help the team gain insight on the public’s desire to focus on study areas. Each participant was given $100 in tokens that they could distribute into bins below each opportunity area board.

7. Key Takeaways
Support for opportunity areas but further improvements requested
Support for focus on Arkansas Avenue NW, and wanted to see more green infrastructure, better accessibility, and traffic calming. A 4-way stop at Emerson Street NW was suggested by a few participants
Support for the lane reductions to Grant and Sherman Circles NW, and the potential for traffic calming to help pedestrian safety and park access
Upshur Street NW opportunities were generally supported by participants, but some people would like the team to consider the addition of a greater segment of the street into the improvements list
Congestion concerns at 14th, Varnum, and Arkansas were identified by participants

8. Key Takeaways
Bicycle facilities: Participants expressed that they want more bicycle infrastructure across the study area. Some participants supported safety enhancements to existing bicycle facilities
Increased access to Rock Creek Park: Participants liked the increased access for pedestrians and bikers on Blagden Avenue NW but some wanted other entry points to Rock Creek Park to be better established
Green infrastructure: The participants supported green infrastructure recommendations where they are proposed, the removal of impervious surfaces, enhancing existing public spaces (especially Sherman and Grant Circles NW), and expanding the tree canopy in the study area.
Sidewalk gaps: Participants wanted more attention on filling sidewalk gaps aside from what was already proposed

9. Comment Form Most liked opportunity areas:
Grant and Sherman Circle NW lane reduction
New Hampshire Avenue NW bicycle facility
Intersection redesign of Piney Branch and Arkansas Avenues NW
Stormwater and Green Infrastructure at Arkansas Avenue NW
Green Infrastructure across the study area
Kennedy Street NW focus area
Other ‘likes’ expressed for: Data-driven approach to the study; Attention to counting pedestrians; Attempts to reduce speeds, narrow crossings, address sidewalk gaps; Improving access to Rock Creek Park; Attention to problematic intersections

10. Comment Form Opportunity Areas viewed as missing:
Upshur Street NW east of Georgia Avenue
Addition of 4-way stop at Arkansas/Emerson
Other ideas that participants thought were missing or not addressed: Bicycle boulevards, prioritization of pedestrians at all intersections; Walkability and access to existing neighborhood amenities; Further attention to traffic calming and adherence to the posted speed.

11. Dollar Democracy
Blagden Avenue/ Colorado Avenue/ Upshur Street NW: People put $90 in tokens for these opportunity areas
New Hampshire Avenue NW: $80 in tokens were added to these opportunity areas
Green Infrastructure: $40 in tokens were added to these opportunity areas
Neighborhood Streets: $30 were put into this opportunity area
Arkansas Avenue NW: $25 in tokens were put into this opportunity area
Iowa Avenue NW: $10 in tokens were put into this opportunity area

12. Other Written Comments…
Traffic Controls Requested:
Stop signs: Arkansas Avenue and Emerson Street
Congestion at Arkansas Avenue, Varnum, and 14th Streets
Conversion of some blocks to one-way
Arkansas Avenue, Piney Branch Road, and Taylor Street to have clearer turn restrictions and safer pedestrian crossings
Road Diets:
Lane reductions were generally supported because people view it as a neighborhood street and wanted more pedestrian and bicycle safety
Concerns of increased congestion and impacts to church and resident parking were also noted

13. Other Written Comments…
Pedestrian Safety:
Fill sidewalk gaps and prioritize pedestrians
Bike Facilities
More bike facilities west of Georgia Avenue
More safety for existing bike network
Green Infrastructure:
Support for GI throughout the study area
Tree infill in Crestwood
Public Space Enhancements:
Better access to Grant and Sherman Circles, and more facilities
Better access to Rock Creek Park at other locations
Maintenance:
General road maintenance for pot holes

14. Stay Connected
Stay informed on study progress and upcoming events at:
comments to Ted Van Houten, DDOT Project Manager, at or the project team at
Workshop #3 is on Thursday, September 8th at Petworth Neighborhood Library– Large Meeting Room (4200 Kansas Avenue NW) 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm with a brief presentation at 6:30pm.