To these neighbors, the Albemarle Street closure is a “total delight”

by Marlene Berlin

After a DC Water project closed Albemarle Street between Connecticut Avenue and 30th Street in September, neighbors on Brandywine and Davenport Streets reported a significant increase in vehicle traffic.

On Albemarle, to the east of the closure, they threw a block party.

Absent the cars speeding up and down the street, residents of the street describe “unexpected joys” and more opportunities to connect with their neighbors. They include Stephanie Sprow, who lives on Albemarle with her husband and two children, ages 5 and 3.

“I’ll admit there was a bit of anxiety around the street closure,” Sprow told Forest Hills Connection. “Many of us weren’t sure how it would impact our routines, and worried it might be an inconvenience. But the closure has brought so many unexpected positives, especially in creating a stronger, friendlier community.”

Andy Orlin is another neighbor in the “total delight” camp. He has lived on the street since 1984.

“The longer that the street stays closed, the happier I – and many, if not all, of the street residents – will be,” Orlin said. “The closure has resulted in Albemarle Street becoming a lively neighborhood with people meeting and talking to their neighbors, ‘kidlets’ playing with each other, and riding their bikes up and down the street. A pure delight to watch and be a part of.”

The street closure was originally scheduled to last until November or December. Then, DC Water discovered a 72-inch storm drain directly under the work site. All work ground to a halt while the agency and its contractor worked on ways to safely continue the excavation and replacement of a century-old manhole that was the focus of this final phase of the Soapstone sewer rehabilitation project.

The latest plan includes replacing the storm drain with a new steel pipe and lining it for greater structural integrity. In an emailed December 16th update, DC Water said:

“The steel pipe materials will arrive at the end of this month. Installation of the pipe will begin the week of January 6, 2025, weather permitting. The anticipated work hours during the steel pipe installation will be Monday – Saturday from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm. The steel pipe installation is anticipated to be complete by the end of January 2025, weather permitting. Once the pipe is installed the excavation activities will restart.”

At that point, the original two- to three-month timeline for the project will kick in again. And in the meantime, the Albemarle Street neighbors will enjoy their new freedoms.

“While I realize that Albemarle’s closure has created traffic challenges for the rest of the neighborhood,” said Joan Merle Schaefer, “those of us on Albemarle have experienced a wonderful new way of living.”

Schaefer has three sons, two of them at Murch. “Those of us with young kids have been able to give them the independence we enjoyed growing up, many for the first time. In our house, we’re hearing “Can I go out and ride my bike?’ instead of ‘Can I watch TV?'”

On October 6th, everyone celebrated with a block party.

“We’re having fun and we’re spending more time with our neighbors than we ever dreamed of before this closure,” Schaefer said. “It’s been an incredible change for us.”

“Without the constant traffic, it’s like the neighborhood has come alive,” Sprow said.
“This road closure has truly revitalized the culture here, and I hope we can identify ways to keep this beautiful community spirit alive long past the construction!”