Davenport St. Anti-Speeding Effort Gains Allies

by Tansy Blumer

From a 2011 Google Streetview image, one of the block’s blind curves, with makeshift crash barriers.

Residents of the 2800 block of Davenport Street NW have been trying for years to get some relief from traffic safety issues on the block. Families with small children who moved to this block added momentum that galvanized them to work with the ANC, the Metropolitan Police Department and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT).

They are making headway. During the March 18th meeting of ANC 3F, the residents of this block of Davenport Street received a unanimous vote of 5-0 on a resolution that called on the city to install a speed camera and a walking path, and make other improvements to achieve their safety goals.

Subsequently, Adam Tope, chair of ANC 3F sent the resolution to MPD Chief Cathy Lanier, DDOT Director Terry Bellamy, and other interested parties. DC Council member Mary Cheh’s office has confirmed that her office is helping to move parts of the resolution along.

Neighbors are eager to see how the improvements might slow speeding cut-through traffic and correct an increasingly dangerous situation for walkers, runners and bikers.

Here’s ANC 3F’s resolution:

Resolution Regarding 2800 Block of Davenport Street NW

WHEREAS, residents of the 2800 Block of Davenport Street NW have approached Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3F (“ANC 3F”) with concerns regarding the safety of pedestrians and drivers on Davenport St. NW.

WHEREAS, the neighbors have concerns regarding traffic safety for children, the elderly, walkers, and cyclists (both residents and those visiting Rock Creek for sport and enjoyment); and for drivers, including residents and their guests pulling out of their blind driveways, and entering and exiting their parked cars.

WHEREAS, the residents wish to have a traffic camera installed to catch speeders.

WHEREAS, the residents support the installation of an asphalt path and curb on our block. as proposed by DDOT. The details of the path and curb were provided by the residents as follows:

• The path would extend the length of the block on the north side (i.e., the side opposite the existing guardrail).
• The path would have a 3-inch asphalt curb, appropriate striping, and would be 4 feet wide.
• The path would not require large cuts of any kind into adjacent property. At most it would require a “knee-high” retaining wall consistent with DDOT’s plans. The plans indicate that any retaining wall would be in an area that is within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts. Consistent with requirements imposed by the Commission on residents’ retaining walls in that area, the residents wish that any retaining wall be faced with stone or faux stone compatible with the surroundings.
• Parking would continue to be preserved on the south side of the street.
• The road would be widened down by the Park to permit this path with accommodation made a house without off-street parking on the north side.

WHEREAS, the residents wish for a replacement guardrail as proposed by DDOT from the park to the driveway at 2820 Davenport), but not beyond. The residents wish for the guardrail be made of wood. If wood is not possible, they wish for it to be rust colored. The residents do not wish for a silver colored rail.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ANC requests and supports the request of the residents that MPD install a speed camera on the 2800 block of Davenport St. NW;

RESOLVED, further that the ANC requests and supports installation of an asphalt path and curb as described in the whereas clauses above; and

RESOLVED, further that the ANC requests and supports installation of a wood guardrail as described in the whereas clauses above.
[signature page follows]

ANC 3F approved this resolution at its meeting on March 18, 2014, which was properly noticed and at which a quorum was present. The resolution was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.

Adam Tope, Chair

Several neighbors from other sections of Davenport Street expressed support for this resolution and an interest in building consensus for solutions to the traffic problems on the rest of that street and throughout Forest Hills.

As these recommendations wind their way through appropriate channels, MPD has deployed an officer to enforce the speed limit on Davenport and Brandywine, and also to ticket motorists who do not obey the stop sign at Davenport and Linnean.