Jan. 3 ANC2E Wrap Up: Circulator, Safeway and More

The Georgetown Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC2E) provided updates on a slew of topics ranging from changes to the Circulator route to proposed traffic pattern changes at Safeway, in addition to on the West Power Plant.

Circulator

DDOT's reduced the number of stops in the neighborhood. The agency has now reversed its decision after a traffic study indicated the removed stops did not have a significant impact on the Circulator's level of service, according to ANC2E Commissioner Ron Lewis.

"The change that we saw was minimal compared to the inconvenience that members of the community experienced," said DDOT spokesperson Monica Hernandez.

Three of the four removed stops will be put back into use: M Street between Wisconsin Avenue and

• Wisconsin & P St, NW (northbound)

• Wisconsin & P St, NW (southbound)

• M & 31^st, NW (eastbound)

The stop removed at Wisconsin and N Street will not be reinstated.

"We’re very grateful to DDOT for actually listening," said Lewis.

Safeway Traffic Pattern

Several months ago the ANC advocated for and had installed a left turn arrow at the south driveway exit from the parking lot. ANC commissioners, Safeway officials and Council member Jack Evans' office have all received complaints from customers who have had to wait full light cycles to make a left turn at the light because of a car in front turning right.

Safeway spokesperson Craig Muckle addressed the ANC with the grocery store's plan to create a third lane for left turns to alleviate wait times. Muckle indicated that his company hoped that DDOT would agree to the plan, "we're looking for their buy-in on it," he explained. He added that DDOT had suggested having a Barnes Dance crossing installed to help facilitate pedestrian traffic, which often impacts.

Georgetowner, Ken Archer, objected to creating a new curbcut in the name of pedestrian safety to allow for a third lane of traffic. He said if the left turn arrow resulted in issues, that should be removed, but that the intersection would only become less pedestrian-friendly if a third lane of traffic was added.

"The real reason for this is not pedestrian safety, it’s impatient drivers," said Archer.

Commissioner Bill Starrels fired back that he had received many comments about the Safeway traffic pattern and that "the left turn arrow is quite popular."

The ANC took no action, but may do so in the future depending on what DDOT and Safeway agree to.

O and P Street

Work on pavers on the south side of P street between 33rd and 34th and 34th and 35th Streets is completed. As Commissioner Ed Solomon remarked, "the cobblestones actually level."

Commissioner Jeff Jones told community members that while the project is still on time, the budget is now a "shifting budget." Jones said the center street car rails were in far poorer conditions than the project managers had planned for, so they are reevaluating their plan at this time.

GU Campus Plan

Commissioner Lewis advised neighbors that the final filing date for involved parties in the campus plan process is Jan. 13 and that the Zoning Commission will meet and vote on the plan Feb. 9.

"We’ll know soon how it's going to come out," said Lewis, adding, "If 10 years ago is any guide, there will be a next stage at the D.C. Court of Appeals."