Highlights of BAC accomplishments in October:
The BAC welcomed a new member, as Casey Studhalter was appointed to represent Ward 7. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson swore in Casey at an Oct. 12 ceremony, pictured above. By day, Casey is a project manager for the U.S. Green Building Council.
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| With Councilmember Mary Cheh by her side, Mayor Muriel Bowser signs the comparative negligence bill |
On Oct. 13, the BAC attended the launch of the
Capital Trails Coalition. That evening, the BAC joined Mayor Bowser and Councilmember Cheh at the signing ceremony for the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016, commonly known as the comparative negligence bill.
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| Studying plans to redesign Dave Thomas Circle in NoMa |
All three BAC committees met the week of Oct. 17. The Facilities Committee held a "rolling" meeting to survey infrastructure in NE at Dave Thomas Circle and Trinidad, pictured above.
The BAC attended an Oct. 19 public meeting on the
Union Station Expansion Project to view the design proposals and prepare to submit formal comment in November.
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| Ward 2 representative David Alexander |
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| David Alexander, in blue Bike to Work Day shirt, studies the drawings along with former BAC member Randall Myers, right |
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| Ward 3 representative Ellen Jones |
Pictured above, the BAC commented on the
Downtown West Transportation Planning Study proposals to redesign H and I Streets near Lafayette Park and Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to Washington Circle. BAC members David Alexander and Ellen Jones participated in the daylong feedback session. Online feedback can be submitted at
downtownwestdc.com/engage-online.
The BAC noted the mid-October completion of the
Crosstown Multimodal Transportation Study, which recommends new facilities to improve bicycle and bus travel between Columbia Heights and Brookland.
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| BAC member David Alexander is seated at right end of the witness table. To his left are representatives of the Pedestrian Advisory Council and All Walks D.C. Listening at right are Del. Holmes-Norton, DDOT Director Leif Dormsjo and National Park Service Regional Director Bob Vogel. |
On Oct. 27, the BAC attended a
Capital Trails Coalition meeting, then testified at a federal roundtable on D.C. bicycle and pedestrian safety. Del. Eleanor Holmes-Norton convened the roundtable to hear input from public officials and community organizations. David Alexander testified for the BAC alongside representatives of the Pedestrian Advisory Council, All Walks DC and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. In personal followup to the BAC, Del. Holmes-Norton said the BAC's comments were "particularly helpful to me as we implement the surface transportation reauthorization bill and see federal funds flow to the District."
Together with other members of the Capital Trails Coalition, the BAC attended the Oct. 31
opening ceremony for the Kenilworth section of the Anacostia River Trail. DDOT Director Leif Dormsjo joined other public officials from D.C., Maryland and the federal government to cut the ribbon and celebrate the connection that now links 70 miles of multiuse trails in D.C. and Maryland.
This month: November activities
The BAC
meets tonight, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th floor.
Though members have an obvious scheduling conflict, the BAC is mindful tonight is also the
Far Southeast III Livability Study meeting. A second public meeting is on the horizon for Nov. 19.
The BAC salutes Councilmember Todd for leading a Nov. 6
community ride to look at Ward 4 infrastructure projects.
The BAC is attending and/or monitoring these meetings:
- Nov. 17 meeting concerning the proposed crosstown streetcar route from Union Station to Georgetown
- Redesign of Ward Circle at American University (Nov. 17, 7-8:30 p.m. in Ward Circle Building, Room 2)
- Nov. 19 Far SE III Livability Study meeting, previously cited
