Since January, 2003
 

September 22, 2004

January 8, 2012
Half at Potomac, Looking East (see more)

It's not exactly the biggest news I've written about, but tonight ANC 6B voted unanimously to write a letter in support of CSX's request to the Department of Parks and Recreation to do some minor digging in Virginia Avenue Park as part of its NEPA requirements for the Virginia Avenue Tunnel expansion project. They'll be taking core samples, 1.5 inches in diameter, five feet in depth, about every 200 feet, looking for any archaelogically significant findings. (And, no, these samples won't be taken in the community garden.) If anything is found in the samples, CSX would then need to get new permits to do more extensive digging. There are also two other locations relatively close to the park where they'll take core samples, over by 11th Street.
Steven Flippin of CSX also told the commissioners that the first public meeting required by the NEPA process is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 20, at a time and place to be determined. This will be a "scoping" meeting, laying out the overall parameters of the project and the NEPA process. It will be followed, after a 30-day comment period, by an "alternatives" meeting. After another comment period, the final "overall" meeting about the tunnel project will be held, most likely in February of 2011.
I should also mention that commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg thanked CSX for paying for the new fence at Virginia Avenue Park that has now created the separate-enclosed-space-that-in-no-way-should-be-construed-as-being-an-official-dog-park.
 

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Comments

Mark says: (9/23/10 8:19 AM)
Go away CSX.

Mark says: (9/23/10 8:20 AM)
Go away CSX.

Rob Lee says: (9/25/10 5:52 PM)
Does anyone know exactly what law was passed to give CSX this "right of way" on Virginia Ave. and what it exactly says in what they have for the dimensions of their "right of way?"

Seems we are simply "trusting" CSX to say that they actually have a "right of way" on VA Avenue. Where is the proof? What is the law that was passed? What exactly does it say and give them access to?

How would we find this out since I have asked CSX this question and they seem to not want to share their legal "right of way" information. They just are telling us that it exists.

Where is the legal documentation detailing their "right" to our neighborhood?

Rob Lee

JD says: (9/25/10 6:10 PM)
Rob, I'm pretty sure the city government would be quick to step in if CSX didn't have the legal right to dig up a city street for two-plus years. I think it goes back to the federal railroad act passed somewhere in the 1900-1905 timeframe. (And now I hear MJM's footsteps, RACING to answer this question as quickly as he can. ;-) ) It's not just a local law, it's the law that govern rail lines across the country.

If you're really serious that you want 100% confirmation that CSX has the legal right to do what they say, then you need to start hiring lawyers to get all of this researched, so that you know precisely what CSX is legally allowed to do.






Rob Lee says: (9/26/10 2:25 AM)
I know that eventually it might need to come to that (re: hiring lawyers)

What gives them exactly "100" feet width to cut? Why not "200"? Why not "50"? Where does this number come from?

Im sure they have a right to dig. No doubt there.

You were there during our "tour". When I asked exactly how they keep throwing this "100 feet" right-of-way wide figure out. Stephen Fillipin clearly dodged the question when pressed. Not once, but in 2 separate instances. He just said that they had the legal right but withheld how they knew this number.

Why so secretive? Why not clearly show the documents for all to see? This just does not generate a feeling of trust with CSX if they cannot even detail something so simple.



JD says: (9/26/10 12:58 PM)
I'd spend some time reading these documents for research, using tidbits in them to find out more:

Acts of Congress of 1901 and 1903 Providing for Elimination of Grade-Crossings of Railroads in the District of Columbia, and Authorizing Construction of Union Station and Terminals, from the Journal of Proceedings:
link


Federal and local legislation relating to canals and steam railroads
(searching for Virginia Avenue)
link

I'd also remember that there was the Navy Yard Tunnel before the Virginia Avenue tunnel, and that when the Virginia Avenue Tunnel was built in 1904-1905 as part of the plan that then created Union Station, it was hooked up to the existing Navy Yard Tunnel, which I believe was built in the 1870s.

(and I found these through about an hour of Googling)


Mike McEleney says: (9/26/10 8:13 PM)
JD,

The same law that authorizes the VA Avenue Tunnel forbids the operator (now CSX) from using temporary tracks along the right of way without authority from the District or Congress. CSX's own plan for the tunnel involves placing temporary tracks along the alignment while the tunnel is expanding, a clear violation of the law.

JD says: (9/26/10 8:32 PM)
Mike--I haven't read all 108 years of intervening legislation and case law pertaining to federal railway statutes to know one way or the other whether the 1901 and 1903 acts have ever been superseded. It sounds like you have?


Mike McEleney says: (9/26/10 11:00 PM)
JD,

My own research and those of a railroad counsel I know show that the law is still in effect. All that is needed is a plaintiff.

Rob Lee says: (9/29/10 5:17 PM)
Mark: If CSX tunnel project is of interest to you and you are a resident of Capitol Quarter. There is a Capitol Quarter HOA committee working together for the interests of the community. Contact the board to find out more information and to help. The email is: cqboard "at" gmail "dot" com. There is a meeting tonight: Wed, Sept 29 at 7.

Anyone else affected by CSX: If you are working in another community group and want to share notes about your CSX tunnel concerns, also please contact the cqboard "at" gmail "dot" com to connect with the committee.

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UNIT B/O N ST SE   THEFT /  06/04/13
1500 B/O SOUTH CAPITOL ST   THEFT /  06/04/13
70 B/O I ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  06/03/13
2ND ST SE AND K ST SE   ROBBERY / GUN  06/02/13
700 B/O M ST SE   THEFT /  05/31/13
70 B/O I ST SE   THEFT /  05/31/13
1100 B/O 1ST ST SE   THEFT /  05/31/13
54 B/O M ST SE   ROBBERY /  05/30/13
1100 B/O NEW JERSEY AVE SE   THEFT /  05/30/13
4TH ST SE AND M ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  05/28/13
1300 B/O M ST SE   THEFT /  05/28/13
900 B/O 5TH ST SE   THEFT /  05/27/13
300 B/O WATER ST SE   THEFT /  05/25/13
1100 B/O 4TH ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  05/24/13
UNIT B/O L ST SE   THEFT F/AUTO /  05/21/13

Active Public Space Permits Archive  
1011 1ST ST SE    COLIN CLARK 
Pending
excavation; new  
 03/03/14
to
05/01/14
    COLIN CLARK 
Approved (Pending Payment)
paving; landscaping; new  
 04/23/14
to
06/27/14
815 4TH ST SE    Comcast Cable 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
07/05/13
1101 4TH ST SE    Comcast Cable 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
07/05/13
1200 - 1299 BLOCK HALF ST SE    Washington Nationals 
Issued
streetfixture; new  
 08/24/12
to
08/15/13
200 - 299 BLOCK TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
paving; excavation; new  
 01/01/13
to
12/31/13
200 - 299 BLOCK VIRGINIA AVE SE    Phil Sheridan 
Issued
excavation; new  
 05/20/13
to
07/18/13
909 HALF ST SE    Ruben Companies Ruben Companies 
Pending Document
excavation  
 03/01/13
to
09/01/13
23 I ST SE    23 I LLC c/o Ruben Companies 
Pending
paving; new  
 11/30/12
to
11/29/13
200 I ST SE    Todd Stone 
Pending
streetfixture; new  
 11/21/12
to
11/22/13
17 M ST SE    1015 HALF STREET SE LLC 
Pending
excavation; new  
 07/23/12
to
07/22/13
100 M ST SE    Gordon Biersch Restaurant And Brewery 
Pending
new  
 01/07/13
to
06/30/13
    WASHINGTON GAS 
Issued
excavation; new  
 05/06/13
to
07/04/13
    WASHINGTON GAS 
Assigned
excavation  
 04/23/13
to
04/22/14
401 M ST SE    cris FLACK 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/22/13
to
06/20/13
900 M ST SE    Corman Construction 
Issued
excavation; new  
 09/11/12
to
09/10/13
922 M ST SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/30/13
to
06/28/13
1201 M ST SE    Michael Manoski 
Pending Document
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
05/05/14
1333 M ST SE    WASHINGTON GAS 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/01/13
to
04/30/14
1500 M ST SE    DC Water 
Pending
excavation; new  
 02/15/13
to
07/30/13
1111 NEW JERSEY AVE SE    NJA Associates LLC 
Assigned
paving; streetfixture; landscaping; excavation; new  
 06/03/13
to
06/02/14
125 O ST SE    TRAYLOR/SLANSKA/JAY DEE JOINT VENTURE(DAMIAN RUPPERT) 
Issued
paving; streetfixture; new  
 12/24/12
to
12/23/13
300 TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
paving; excavation; new  
 12/14/12
to
12/13/13
301 TINGEY ST SE    Potbelly Sandwich Works LLC 
Issued
new  
 03/21/12
to
11/27/14
401 TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
new  
 02/18/13
to
08/31/13
601 VIRGINIA AVE SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/30/13
to
06/28/13
301 WATER ST SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Assigned
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 04/19/13
to
11/30/13

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926 3RD ST SE   
06/06/13 
WILLIAM SHIVELY / DAVID FONTANA MCKEEVER SERVICES CORP.
B1307524 / CONSTRUCTION
NON STRUCTURAL FRAMING MODIFICATIONS AND FOOR VENT MODIFICATION.
1015 3RD PL SE   
05/30/13 
CHEN / ASTRUM SOLAR
B1307196 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALLATION OF A GRID-TIED 12-PANEL SOLAR SYSTEM ON ROOF OF HOUSE.
   
05/30/13 
KEITH C CHEN / JOHN A. TETI
E1305656 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1112 3RD ST SE   
05/30/13 
RONALD HULEN
F1300388 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALL A WROUGHT IRON FENCE IDENTICAL TO THE NEIGHBORS FENCE WITH A GATE. THIS WORK HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD OF THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
770 M ST SE   
06/11/13 
MADISON 770 M STREET LLC / JOHN W. HYRE
E1305930 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/12/13 
MADISON 770 M STREET LLC / RALPH THREATT
E1305985 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1201 M ST SE   
05/30/13 
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO / CARLOS MONTES
P1305330 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/08/13 
JEFFREY KNIGHT / JEFFREY KNIGHT; JEFFREY KNIGHT; JOHN WEEKS
E52893303 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/12/13 
CARLTON RAY / MICHAEL MANOSKI
AH1300643 / CONSTRUCTION
PERFORM TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES
880 NEW JERSEY AVE SE   
06/07/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / WILLIAM C SMITH + CO
AH1300641 / CONSTRUCTION
WORK FROM 7PM TO 7AM TO INSTALL NEW SEWER UTILITY THIS PERMIT IS ONLY GOOD FOR THE DATES OF 6 / 11 / 2013 & 6 / 12 / 2012
   
06/13/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / JOHN H THOMSON
E1305998 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1100 NEW JERSEY AVE SE   
06/07/13 
SQUARE 742 LIC / JIM CALABRESE
AN1300156 / CONSTRUCTION
THIRD AND FINAL EXTENSION TO AN1100087 TO EXPIRE 9 / 03 / 2013.
300 TINGEY ST SE   
06/05/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC / FRANK V CANTWELL
E1305771 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/31/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC /
P1305350 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/06/13 
JOE SPINNELL / GEORGE HOCKADAY-BEY; JOE SPINNELL; GEORGE HOCKADAY-BEY
E29318180 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/10/13 
FOREST CITY / MG PERMITS GARY BRENT
B1307169 / CONSTRUCTION
NEW TENANT ALTERATION FOR GNC TO INCLUDE M.E.P.
   
06/10/13 
FOREST CITY WASHINGTON / FOREST CITY WASHINGTON; MG PERMITS GARY BRENT
SG1300305 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALL 3 WALL SIGNS
301 WATER ST SE   
06/05/13 
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA / AMANDA GANGINIS / WILL TEASS
B1306803 / CONSTRUCTION
INTERIOR ALTERATIONS OF EXISTING CORE AND SHELL SPACE INCLUDING NEW INTERIOR DOORS INTERIOR PARTITIONS EXTERIOR LOUVERS AND TOILET ROOMS. MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING WORK IS LIMITED TO COMMON AREAS AND TEMPORARY HEATING AND LIGHTING FOR TENANT SPACES. WORK IN TENANT SPACES SHALL BE PERFORMED UNDER A SEPARATE PERMIT. THIRD PARTY PLAN REVIEW: TPR13-0002-13-21
   
06/07/13 
FOREST CITY / FVI 2020
TL1300076 / CONSTRUCTION
RESTAURANT WITH 156 SEATS AND 196 OCCUPANTS ON THE FIRST FLOOR INTERIOR WORK ONLY
   
06/10/13 
FC LUMBER SHED LLC / DOMINIC E TOTARO
P1305531 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
06/13/13 
FC LUMBER SHED LLC / RICHARD V CAREY
P1305646 / SUPPLEMENTAL
AH = After Hours; B = Alteration & Repair; D = Demolition; E = Electrical; FB = Boiler; M = Mechanical; P = Plumbing and Gas; PC = Post Card; R = Raze; SG = Sign; TL = Tenant Layout; TN = Tent; RW = Retaining Wall;

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As part of the Knight-Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism, JDLand was given the 2008 Citizen Media Award. Read all about it.

Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District
Covering Near Southeast & Buzzard Point.

Studies/Initiatives/Government Documents:
11th Street Bridges EIS
South Capitol St. Bridge EIS
South Capitol Gateway Corridor/Anacostia Access Study
Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
NCPC's New Vision for South Capitol Street (2005 Update)
Anacostia Waterfront Initiative (2005)
Near Southeast Draft Urban Design Framework (2003)
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Neighborhood Strategic Action Plan (2002)
DC Streetcars (may run down M Street SE someday)

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Pre-Redevelopment Media Overviews:
A Transformed Neighborhood Awaits Stadium (WP, 8/15/05)
      includes huge map of development plans
The Morphing of a Forgotten Neighborhood (WP, 9/2/2004)
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Betting Big on Near Southeast (WP, 7/15/04)
Hope for the Waterfront (WBJ, 01)
Seeking a Better View On the Waterfront (WP, 3/8/98)
 

DC Government
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Planning/Economic Development
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David Garber (6D07)
Kirsten Oldenburg (6B04)
Police: MPD-1D | PSA 105

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