Res 04-33

ANC 3F RESOLUTION URGING DDOT TO UNDERTAKE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS ON VAN NESS STREET IN THE VICINITY OF THE EXIT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PARKING GARAGE

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3F

North Cleveland Park, Forest Hills, and Tenleytown

4401-A Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Box 244

Washington, D.C. 20008-2322

WHEREAS, The University of the District of Columbia has a parking garage exit ramp on the north side of Van Ness Street, NW between Reno Road and Connecticut Avenue.

WHEREAS, due to exit ramp’s design and the configuration of Van Ness Street at the point of egress, there is continuing problem with accidents, involving exiting automobiles and vehicles driving west on that block of Van Ness.

WHEREAS, this situation was of sufficient seriousness for the DDOT to include a recommendation in its August 2003 final report of the very comprehensive study of Connecticut Avenue and vicinity traffic problems, prepared by DMJM+HARRIS, Inc. The study found that the garage’s design coupled with adjacent road conditions resulted in an unsafe traffic situation.

WHEREAS, DDOT representatives met with UDC officials in April 2003 and committed the department to making certain changes to Van Ness Street in the area of the garage’s exit. These changes were to be effected within three weeks of this meeting. These commitments were then reiterated in July 2003 by other DDOT personnel.

WHEREAS, when in October 2004 these improvements were still not completed, the UDC staff requested the good offices of ANC 3F.

WHEREAS, the Commissioner for the UDC campus area then made his own inquiries about the status of these changes to DDOT without success.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the ANC in the strongest possible terms urges DDOT to expeditiously:

1. Replace the existing mirror in the median of Van Ness Street with a larger mirror showing oncoming traffic moving west on Van Ness in sharper detail.

2. Eliminate the two closest metered parking spaces east of the UDC exit driveway on the north side of Van Ness Street.

3. Install a "Hidden Driveway" sign on west and eastbound Van Ness Street 150 feet before the exit driveway with blinking lights to increase the awareness of drivers of the possibility of entering cars.

Approved by a vote of 6-0-0 at a duly noticed public meeting of ANC 3F on November 15, 2004, with a quorum present.

/s/ Karen Lee Perry /s/ Cathy Wiss

_____________________________ _____________________________

Karen Lee Perry, Chair Cathy Wiss, Secretary