On the calendar: Livability, bus service, and streetcars

A number of community meetings over the coming weeks provide some important opportunities for urbanists and transit advocates to influence transportation and development in DC, and for residents of many neighborhoods to give feedback on these issues in their communities.

Tommy Wells’ bus service listening tour: Councilmember Wells, as chairman of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, will hear residents’ concerns and suggestions regarding Metrobus (and potentially Circulator) service in town hall meetings in three of the city’s eight wards. They are as follows:

• Ward 8: Saturday, April 9, noon-2, United Planning Organization, 1649 Good Hope Rd SE.
• Ward 4: Wednesday, April 13, 6:30 to 8:00 PM, Metro Northern Bus Garage Community Room, 4729 14th St NW.
• Ward 5: Thursday, April 14, 6:30 to 8:30 PM, Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave NE.

Far Northeast Livability Study public meeting: DDOT will show possible plans and solicit community feedback for the Far Northeast area, generally the area east of the river in the Northeast quadrant. This is the last of 3 meetings for a process to generate changes to streets that will increase transportation choices, make streets safer, and improve the quality of life.

Update: Due to the impending shutdown, this meeting has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 30.

When: Tomorrow (Saturday, April 9) Saturday, April 30, 10:00 am-noon

Where: DC Department of Employment Services Headquarters, 4058 Minnesota Ave. NE (adjacent to Minnesota Avenue Metro)

DC Zoning Update’s urban design working group: The DC zoning update has held working group meetings on 19 different parts of the zoning code. The 20th and final working group, Urban Design, “will cover the ways which the zoning code regulates or guides building design.”

The group will meet over several weeks beginning Tuesday, if there is no government shutdown. If there is, it will be rescheduled. Either way, you can get on the email list for notices of the meetings.

When: Tuesday, April 12, 6:30-8:30 pm, barring a shutdown

Where: 1100 4th Street SW

Community update on DC streetcars: ANCs 5B, 6A and 6C are hosting a forum to update the public on progress being made towards opening the H Street-Benning Road streetcar line. Interim DDOT Director Terry Bellamy and Progressive Transportation Services Director Scott Kubly are scheduled to speak, and community members will be able to ask questions. Streetcars for DC urges streetcar supporters to attend to demonstrate strong backing for the project, and to spread the word to friends and neighbors.

When: Wednesday, April 20, 6:30-8:00 pm.

Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE

Also, for those planning a little further out:

Kidical Mass: The growing nationwide movement to organize fun, safe, kid-friendly bike rides on DC streets will have its first DC event. Families will gather near Eastern Market Metro Station for a bike decorating party before riding through the streets of DC’s historic Capitol Hill neighborhood and ending with brunch at the Argonaut Tavern, a favorite restaurant among local families.

When: Saturday, April 23, starting at 10:00 am.

You can get more information about these and other events on the Greater Greater Washington calendar.