FHC #120 - Soapstone Park is closed for 1.5 years; Days Inn update tonight

Soapstone Park is closed for the next 1.5 years

And the sewer reconstruction project, well over a decade in the making, is under way.

DC Water contractor IPR closed the park on Monday, March 7th to begin cutting and trimming trees, and to construct temporary paths for the heavy equipment needed for installing the new lining in the old sewer pipes.

ANC 3F and members of the community have raised concerns about the chemicals released during the lining's installation, and in February, 3F commissioners passed a resolution asking Council member Mary Cheh for a stop-work order. DC Water promised to use VOC-free liners and to hire a third party to monitor air quality during its installation.

A Purdue professor who has been studying cured-in-place pipe for a decade, told us that it can be done safely, by capturing the waste that is released during the process. He also says that in 30 years of data, he's never seen the method used safely anywhere.

Another aspect of the project got some attention at last Tuesday's meeting of ANC 3F's Parks and Watersheds Committee. DC Water and a contractor described the plans for stormwater control and stream restoration.

ANC 3F meets TONIGHT

And Soapstone is not on the agenda. But the representative from the company that manages the Van Ness Days Inn, the site of a fatal January 27th shooting, is set to provide an update. Council member Cheh, in her March 2nd constituent email, said the Office of the Attorney General is investigating the Days Inn as a nuisance property.

Save the date for our 10th anniversary party!

Can you believe it? We've been covering neighborhood news since April 2012! And we want to celebrate with you. Our anniversary bash will be on Saturday, April 24th and will include a tour of the Broad Branch Stream daylighting project, which was one of our early reporting obsessions. We'll have more information for you soon.

Other upcoming spring events

Spring in Van Ness is shaping up to be livelier, more colorful, and more fun. Events listed here and on our community calendar include weekend community plantings, a springtime version of the popular Van Ness Main Street pop-up holiday market, and the return of the "Around the World" embassy tours in May.

The Classifieds

For Sale by Original Owner in Forest Hills: 2013 Silver Honda Fit Sport Hatchback with Navigation and black interior, only 32,700 miles. Scratches on bumpers and a couple of tiny nicks on the body. Excellent, reliable car for city driving, hauling, or long trips! $14,990. Text or call 202-256-1962.

PIANO LESSONS one block from Van Ness Metro. Experienced teacher, Peabody graduate & European-trained. Wide teaching repertoire, all levels. Great with kids, also specializes in adult students. Ruth Rose Piano Studio rrkeyboard@gmail.com, (202) 256-9598, ruthrosepianist.com. Contact me to find out more or to schedule a trial session.

Do you have something you want to sell or give away, or a service you would like to advertise? Our classified ads cost only $5/month for 50 words, $10/month for more words and/or a photo. And, your ads help support our operations. Prime placement in this newsletter and ForestHillsConnection.com ensures your ad will be seen.

Want to place a Classified ad? Here's how.

And in other news...

Neighborhood in the news: An arrest in the Days Inn shooting. Honors for the "grandfather of Black basketball." Whittle School buildings heading for bankruptcy auction.

Several Ward 3 Council candidates will be asking for your vote, but first, they'd really like your signature.

It's "Melvin Hazen Park" no more.

Locate Van Ness Main Street by the new banners that were installed early this month.

Restoring Linnean Avenue's tree-lined splendor took door-to-door fundraising and a lot of digging.

Soapstone Park is closed for the next 1.5 years

And the sewer reconstruction project, well over a decade in the making, is under way.

ANC 3F meets TONIGHT

Save the date for our 10th anniversary party!

Other upcoming spring events

More news below. But first, a word from our sponsors...

The Classifieds

And in other news...

Escapes

What we were talking about in March 2015