Will 32nd Street Finally Get A Sidewalk?

by Marlene Berlin

The sidewalk is to be installed on the west side of the 4800 block of 32nd Street, NW.

How much longer will our neighbors on 32nd Street between Davenport and Ellicott have to live without a sidewalk? Hopefully Paul Pearlstein, who has been lobbying for this sidewalk over many years, will see this sidewalk come to be without another year passing.

Another neighbor, ANC 3F Commissioner Sally Gresham, has worked hard to get this accomplished. She recruited a resident, Andy Huff, who got four out of the six homeowners on the affected side of the block to sign a petition in support of a new sidewalk. That exceeds a DDOT requirement seeking approval from at least half of the neighbors on a block.

Commissioner Gresham has also gone full-steam ahead for street reconstruction, as the street itself is in horrible shape and needs curbs in order for the new sidewalk to be constructed.

She reports in an email that “I spoke with Maduabuchi Udeh, Supervisor & Chief Engineer in the IPMA Asset Management Division who currently has the 32nd St Work Order #390879 created 8/27/13. He is checking on the work orders funding availability and when the entire roadway and now the sidewalk improvement might be scheduled. Hopefully in this year’s IPMA budget pot under medium to large roadway construction projects.”

There’s no doubt the street could use a sidewalk. It is within two blocks from the Forest Hills playground and a walking route for Murch, Deal and Wilson students.

Iona’s Sidewalk Gap Report presented to DDOT in May 2013 recommended that any street within a quarter-mile radius of a recreation center, school or transit hub be given priority in closing gaps in the sidewalk network. At the same time, Jennifer Hefferan, DDOT’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator and team leader on sidewalk gaps, has been working on developing a priority list.

At its May meeting, ANC 3F voted 7-0-0 in support of the sidewalk on 32nd Street. See the resolution below.

ANC 3F RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A SIDEWALK REQUEST IN THE 4800 BLOCK OF 32ND STREET, NW

Whereas the 4800 block of 32nd Street lacks sidewalks on both the east and west sides of the street.  In addition to the lack of sidewalks, the block lacks curbs and gutters and is riddled with potholes, creating a hazardous situation for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Whereas the 4800 block of 32nd Street is a key path to reach the Forest Hills Playground, tennis courts, playing fields, the Capital Memorial Church, Murch, Deal and Wilson Schools, and the Metro.  Many parents with strollers, young children, teens, and the elderly live, work and play in the vicinity and a safer passage is needed.

Whereas four of the six affected property owners (over 50 percent of the residents) on the west side of the street have signed a petition requesting a sidewalk, and a copy of the petition is attached herewith.

Whereas, a DDOT roadway improvement order is currently in DDOT’s system (Asset Management Work Order # 390879 on 8/27/2013).

Whereas, the Priority Sidewalk Assurance Act of 2010 approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code 1-206.02(c)(1)) states “Sidewalk installation requirements. (a) For road segments that lack sidewalk on both sides of the street, road reconstruction or curb and gutter replacement shall include installation of a sidewalk on at least one side of the street and (b) For roadways that are missing sidewalk, but are not undergoing major construction, sidewalk installation shall be prioritized for the following areas: (1) Missing sidewalks in school areas; (2) Routes that provide access to parks and recreational facilities; (4) Location where the absence of a sidewalk creates substantial pedestrian safety risks; and (5) Roadway segments for which residents petitioned to have sidewalks; and

Whereas, the 4800 block of 32nd St, NW (between Davenport and Ellicott Streets) meets all the above criteria for the installation of a sidewalk on the WEST side of the street.

Now therefore be it resolved that ANC 3F supports the installation of a sidewalk on the west side of the 4800 block of 32nd Street (between Davenport and Ellicott Streets).

Be it further resolved that ANC 3F supports roadway improvements to this block, including but not limited to the installation of curbs, gutters, and repair of potholes.

Be it further resolved that Mary Beth Ray and Sally Gresham be authorized to speak at any hearings on the topic of a sidewalk or street repairs relating to the 4800 block of 32nd Street on behalf of ANC 3F.

ANC 3F approved this resolution at its meeting on May 20, 2014, which was properly noticed and at which a quorum was present. The resolution was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.