Neighborhood updates: Broad Branch wins, DDOT cleans up, parking limits on Albemarle

Our city government and ANC commissioners at work in Forest Hills:

Broad Branch stream restoration project

This DC Department of the Environment project is now a winner in two ways. First, this project managed by DDOE water specialist Steve Saari and contractor Underwood Associates won the Chesapeake Stormwater Network’s top prize in the stream restoration category.

Then, it competed against the first-place winners in five other categories for the $5,000 cash prize – and won! The public got to choose the winner, and Broad Branch stream received a little more than 30 percent of the votes (Forest Hills Connection is getting credit for that success).

The prize money will go toward planting more trees at the site. Congratulations go out to DDOE and Underwood Associates, and to Forest Hills, which also wins – we will get more trees.

Soapstone Gully project

This is another project by the DC Department of the Environment and Underwood Associates at the south end of Linnean Avenue where stormwater runoff has eroded a substantial gully leading to Soapstone Creek. Construction was underway in early March and is now complete. The purpose of this project is to improve the creek’s water quality by slowing the flow of pollutant-laden runoff from the street. A by-product of the project – is to prevent further erosion.

Brandywine Street cleaned up at 32nd Street

The sidewalk on Brandywine at 32nd Street is bordered by a park, and ground coverings and bushes that invade the space and make it nearly impassable. Thanks to ANC Commissioner Sally Gresham, folks from DPW were out with rakes and blowers on April 10th, cleaning up the street and sidewalk.

32nd Street sidewalk between Davenport and Ellicott gets turf

Earlier in April, DDOT had a crew rolling out sod to complete the new sidewalk on 32nd Street. Persistent neighbors and Commissioner Gresham had a hand in getting this sidewalk built and making sure the greening of the area was done in a timely fashion.

New two-hour parking signs up on Albemarle between 28th and 29th Street

Neighbors who petitioned for zoned parking along Albemarle between 28th and 29th have succeeded in their efforts. Signs restricting parking for non-residents to two hours have gone up.

The unzoned block had been an attractive (and free) option for Park Van Ness workers who need a place to park while they’re at work. Some folks have proposed canvassing the neighborhood to find them another place to leave their vehicles during the day. If you are interested in offering your driveway, please leave a comment. We have almost a year of construction remaining on this project, and workers will still need places to park.

We are always on the lookout for more reporters to keep us up to date on what’s going on the the neighborhood. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested.