Jimmy's Ward Report - Saturday, May 10, 2008
Rhode Island Development Status UpdateFirst: Bob Holland, the ‘boutique hotel’ developer, has decided not to move ahead with his development proposal and has opted not to renew his offers on the properties on the 3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue.
Second: Michael Bass and Eric Bass, the owners of the former Bass Liquor property came to the April 15th Council meeting and offered to sell the property to the City for $1.1 million.
The Council has to decide what to do next. The City has to find out what Landmark (the City’s developing partner) is willing to do (Landmark had previously offered the Bass owners $895,000 that had been rejected.) and decide whether the City, itself, should buy the property and take it off the market.
Public Hearing On Budget Scheduled for Tuesday May 20th
The Council will be adopting a budget for next year on Tuesday June 17th. There is a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday May 20th. Adopting a budget with all the implications on the City’s priorities and setting the tax rate is probably one of the most important decisions the Council takes.
Here are a few of the important items and questions:
1) Should the Council keep the tax rate the same? The current rate is .79. Because of the increased assessments of the houses in our city, this will bring in about $300,000 in additional tax revenue. Most of that revenue is necessary because of inflation and employee cost of living wage increases and possible cutbacks from the state and county because of the current economic recession. Each penny reduction would entail a $34,000 decrease in revenue.
2) Should we expand the hours the police station is open? The current budget proposes to expand the hours the police station is open from 9 to 5 (Mon-Fri) to 9 AM to 11 PM (Mon-Fri). In order to do this we will have to hire another 1 ½ employees that will cost the city (with benefits) between $80,00 and $100,000.
3) Should the city purchase a new trash truck? We had so many problems last year with delays in trash pick-up because one of the trucks was out of service, that the City believes it will be necessary to purchase a new truck. This would cost the city $33,000 a year in installment payments.
4) An additional public works employee to keep our downtown clean on weekends and do other litter pick-up? This has been a top priority with residents and would cost the city an additional $40,000.
5) Should we keep additional property in reserve in order to purchase properties on Rhode Island Avenue? Development costs money and if we want to renovate the old library building (3409 Rhode Island Ave.) and play a major role in how the 3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue develops, we will need money to pay for the debt incurred if the city decides to float a bond for these purchases.
6) How about more money for tree removal, landscaping and summer youth programs?
Needless to say, the City of Mount Rainier cannot do everything and also lower the tax rate so we have to decide what should be the priorities. We would like your input. Please come to the May 20th Council meeting and let us know!!
Neighborhood Watch Is Growing In Mt. Rainier
Over the past year, three new Neighborhood Watch groups have been organized in the Mt. Rainier- Brentwood community. One group is based in the 3700 block of Perry St., the second group is based around the 3200 block of Otis St, and the third group is based in the area of Richardson Park (31st, 32nd, Webster, Windom Sts.).
This is a very exciting development in our City. Neighborhood Watch groups are not just about reducing crime in our neighborhoods but also about people getting to know each other and looking out for each other. It will make our City a much more enjoyable place to live.
If you would like to start a neighborhood watch group on your block (maybe by hosting a meeting on your porch), send me an e-mail. Chief Scott and I will be glad to help out. Chief Scott will make sure an officer attends one of the meetings and I will be glad to help publicize the meeting to other people in the neighborhood.
Mt. Rainier Day Festival and Open Studio Tour
Remember that next Saturday (May 17th) is Mt. Rainier Day. Festivities start at 11 AM. The festivities will feature a parade; food, craft and informational vendors; musical bands and other entertainers; and host of activities for children of all ages. Over 80 vendors will be set up on the 3400 block of Rhode Island Avenue.
I always enjoy the Open Studio Tour where we get to see where our artists work and have their work on display. Over 50 artists will be participating. Here is some information on the Open Studio Tour:
The Gateway Arts District Open Studio Tour is a self-guided tour of professional and home based studios showcasing a variety of mediums---painting, sculpture, glass, photography, mixed media, clay/ceramics, printmaking and craftwork. Most studios are centrally located in the city of Mount Rainier with the Hyattsville Community Artists Alliance exhibiting at the Lustine Showroom as part of Arts District Hyattsville.
Out City is hope to many of the DC areas most celebrated artists and studios, which include DC GlassWorks, Red Dirt Studio, The Washington Glass School and Studio, FLUX, and the Quixote Center Gallery. We are a veritable hot spot of highly acclaimed artists that produce works that are exhibited and collected nationally and internationally. Artists include Margaret Boozer, Tim Tate, Ellyn Weiss, Laurel Lukaszewski, David D'Orio, Crisley McCarson, Kyan Bishop, Yvon Fleurival and many more.
A highlight of the tour includes the installation and printmaking show, Michael B. Platt: Lost and Found at the H & F Fine Arts Gallery which was recently featured in Friday (5/9) issue of the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/08/AR2008050800918.html )
You can also drop in on classes and demonstrations at Joe's Movement Emporium, Alafia Professional Dance Space, and Artmosphere Digital Arts Café.
You’ll be able to get a map of all the artist studios at, City Hall, the Gateway CDC booth
at Mt. Rainier Day, or at Artmosphere Cafe.
Block Party on 32 and Taylor Sts: Sun. May 11 (5 -10 PM
Potluck plus free hotdogs and lemonade with open grills provided for BYO stuff to grill.
The portable fire pit blazing in the middle of the street from dusk till 10p
There will be an open mic/jam live music set up with amps & a PA system Everyone brings whatever folding tables & chairs to set up in the street, plus instruments for the open mic/jam.
They will feature a skateboard exhibition invitational competition with hefty prizes of $5 for first place, $3 for second and $2 for third, which last year brought out Mt. Rainier's leading skateboarders.
New Retail Development on Rt 1 in Hyattsville
Andy Shalal, the owner of the very successful Busboys and Poets (www.busboysandpoets.com) Restaurant in downtown DC, told the Gateway CDC Board that he was planning on opening up a new Busboys and Poets on Rt 1 in Hyattsville (corner of Jefferson and Baltimore Ave.) The restaurant would be over 8,000 square feet and would have a restaurant, bookstore, bar, and artist work space. He hopes to open in the fall of 2009. He also said there were plans for a Tara Tai restaurant and a Starbucks in the same area.
He said that one factor that influenced him to locate his restaurant in the Rt 1 corridor is that a study showed that there was over $170 million of disposable income from our area that leaves the community to go to DC and elsewhere to eat and be entertained. He felt there is a tremendous need for good restaurants and entertainment in our community. I wholeheartedly agree!
Tool Shed
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Since not many people come to borrow tools during the Sat. morning 10 to 1 slot, Tony Lee will be operating the Tool Shed on an appointment basis. Tony plans to make a
database of the tools with photos available online for community members to peruse. When you would like to borrow a tool, you will need to contact Tony and set up a mutually convenient time for you to meet at the Tool Shed to pick up and drop off the tool. You can get in touch with Tony the following two ways:email: anthonylee@att.net
cell: 240-273-2777
Crime Reports
Chief Schott publishes daily information on all reported criminal activities in our City. They are very informative. You can find his reports on his blog: (http://mrpdchief.blogspot.com ) and on the Mt. Rainier list-serve. If you’re not on the list-serve and want to join, send me an e-mail or Joe Robbins (robbins629@aim.com) who is one of the moderators of the list-serve.