[BloomingdaleActionList] Small updates on DC Water and DDOT work

At the press conference this morning, I talked to Chancee - she will be at the Bloomingdale Civic Association on Monday night and the ANC meeting on Tuesday night. She doesn't expect the work on permeable pavers behind Mt. Bethel to be started until this fall, after the completion of the Rhode Island tunnel work. And yes, that work at 2nd is part of this project.

The only real news that came out of the press conference was that the DC Water BFP rebate will run through this summer, if you didn't make the March 31 deadline. (McDuffie's bill re: sandbags and BFPs has become law, but now has to be funded/implemented - future unclear. Since there will be negligible improvement for possible flooding this summer, if you haven't gotten a BFP, you should consider taking advantage of the rebate program.)

Flagler Place residents were present and talked to the Mayor after the presser. Tom Sherwood  (NBC4) visited Flagler this afternoon and talked to some residents.

CM McDuffie  posted the following letter on his web page and sent it to TJ, who has already shared it.

Think that is it for real news.

Betsy

http://www.kenyanmcduffie.com/councilmember-mcduffie-addresses-the-dc-water-infrastructure-project-in-bloomingdale/

COUNCILMEMBER MCDUFFIE ADDRESSES THE DC WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT IN BLOOMINGDALE

Dear Bloomingdale residents,

I am writing to you to address the DC Water infrastructure project that is beginning in Bloomingdale. We all remember how difficult last summer was for many Bloomingdale families. Four major storms ripped through our city, each time unleashing serious flooding in Bloomingdale. Our neighbors suffered overland flooding in their basements, and in some cases, raw sewage backup. The toll of the damage, both physically and emotionally, was severe and widespread.

At each one of those storms my staff and I were out on the streets with you, passing out sandbags, helping neighbors, cleaning up debris, and holding our government agencies accountable for the delivery of critical services. I introduced and passed legislation designed to help homeowners who were flooded. Heeding my call, residents showed up at Council hearings and public meetings to let the needs of distressed residents be heard by those in a position to make changes. Our collective work led to the Flood Prevention Task Force and a comprehensive engineering plan to mitigate flooding. I am proud that we came together as a community and set in motion a series of events that have led us to the brink of a major infrastructure project that will address flooding in Ward 5.

A project of this magnitude will indeed impact the lives of many residents. I understand and sympathize with the concerns of those who will be affected by the tunnel construction. There is no way to address our historic flooding problems without disrupting our streets. Residents and business owners have already stepped up to the plate on behalf of their neighbors by shouldering the burden of mid-term surface water management projects that recently commenced.

Just as I worked with DC Water to find a solution for the flooding, I'll insist that they do everything within their means to mitigate the effects of construction on residents' quality of life. My staff and I are asking DC Water some of the same questions you've posed, and we will evaluate DC Water's responses to the environmental assessment feedback you've given. Please be assured that I will hold DC Water accountable for the manner in which they conduct their work.

The residents living within Ward 5's flooding zone need and deserve a remedy. This remedy is years overdue and cannot be further delayed. I ask that we all work together in a compassionate, fair, and reasonable manner moving forward. The strength of our community is dependent on us supporting each other.

Please continue to send me your comments and questions on this project.

 

Best,

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