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Bids Are In! Here's What We Know So Far

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Bids to purchase the dog park property were due on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 and WMATA is now reviewing them. Among the bids are two that could save the park.

First, one bid is from the District, which has promised to preserve the entire park. This bid meets WMATA’s requirement to sell the land for its fair market value—indeed, WMATA itself set $2.1 million as the fair market value—and would meet the community’s need for a full-sized dog park. We have urged WMATA to choose this bid, and if it does, we will move forward in improving our park.

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A second bid, by Outlier Capital Realty, includes a plan to build housing as well as a community dog park of about 4,000 square feet in size. The design would provide housing, retail and an important community green space: a public dog park. Outlier's design calls for a concrete podium 15 feet above the ground, with most of the park underneath that podium. We asked WMATA to select the Outlier bid if they reject the District’s bid so that we can ensure we will have a dog park on the property.

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Of course, WMATA might also accept another bid entirely.

You, like us, probably have a lot of questions about what the Outlier plan’s dog park would look like if their bid is accepted. While their plan is at its beginning stages, here are the answers we have so far:

  • Would the dog park be for residents who live in the community or just people who live in the building? The dog park would be a community dog park open to the public.

  • Would there be running water and trash cans (for dog poop)? Yes. Outlier has promised to work with us to create the amenities in the park that we want.

  • Who would maintain the park? Outlier would maintain ownership, but they'd like to have a partnership with 11th and Bark, the District, or both. With the current District dog parks, neighborhood groups are tasked with some of the maintenance of those parks, so it wouldn't be unusual for the nonprofit to take on some maintenance. 

  • How does it work to have a dog park under a building? It could be the first of its kind. But Outlier recognizes that the area will need lighting and ventilation. Also, at least a section of the park would be open to the sky.

  • What would the surface be? We don’t know yet. If they win the bid, they promised they will work with us to figure out what surface works best.

Outlier has offered to spend some time at the park, answering questions about the design. Please email us and let us know if you would be interested in that.

What can you do? Contact WMATA. Ask that it select the District's bid, and if not, to at least select the bid that saves most of this valued community space. 

Email WMATA:  realestate@wmata.com Nina Albert, director of the Office of Real Estate & Station Planning

Tweet at WMATA: @wmata

Biznow Covers 11th and Bark

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Biznow’s Jon Banister writes Dog Owners Face Off With Developers In Push To Preserve Park Space. The piece quotes NoMa BID President Robin- Eve Jasper who said: "I feel like some of the folks who are saying you can have affordable housing or dog parks and you have to choose between them, it's juts a false dichotomy.” She continued by explaining “You have to have a healthy neighborhood with many assets and components to that neighborhood. The idea you wouldn’t have space for people to come together and that you don't need those spaces is silly."

Read more…

The Washington Post's Latest Take on the Dog Park

On February 5th, the Washington Post wrote: D.C. bid $2.1 million for a plot of dirt used as a dog park. It might not be enough. They quote 11th and Bark’s Lori Robertson:

 
 

“People who value the park value it because they get to meet their neighbors there,” said Lori Robertson, who helps run 11th and Bark, a group organized by regulars to advocate for the park. “I know it’s a dog park, but it’s really about the people who bring their dogs there, and allowing them to have a space where they can build community — that’s what we really don’t want to lose.”

 
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There's a for sale sign at the dog park, but we can still save it.

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As you likely know, the Columbia Heights Dog Park sits on property owned by WMATA, which has allowed us to use the space for our dog park since 2009. In the last few years, WMATA has shown interest in selling the property. Knowing this, the community urged the District of Columbia Council to purchase the land. More than 1,500 District residents (both those with and without dogs) signed a petition, local businesses submitted letters, and our ANC representatives passed a resolution in favor of saving such green spaces in our neighborhood. The Council heard us and allocated money in the FY2019 budget to buy the land.

Now, WMATA has officially listed the property for sale and is accepting bids, which are due the end of February. That is why the for sale sign suddenly appeared in the park.

The District did make an offer to buy the land, but WMATA rejected it. The fight to save the park, however, isn't over. We now need Mayor Bowser to make a fair market value offer on the property.

On Wednesday, January 9, ANC1A adopted a resolution, introduced by Commissioner Angelica Castañon (1A06), to show support for the mayor making a fair market value offer.

Now it’s your turn. Please take a moment to ask the mayor to make this offer.

Join Us for el Dia de los Muertos Events

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We are excited to team up with the Petworth Arts Collaborative for the 2nd annual celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The day celebrates the lives of loved ones—family, friends and pets—no longer with us. It is a great way to share a common experience, not just with friends and neighbors from the dog park, but with those from across the community. Learn more about el Dia de los Muertos here.

The events include:

  • Thursday, October 18: “Get Crafty” & Happy Hour 

    We will make marigolds, butterflies, and paper garlands that we will use to decorate the dog park on the Day of the Dead. We will also have supplies for the ofrendas (shadow boxes) we will make on October 27th.

    Where: Maple Restaurant (3418 11th Street NW)

    When: 6pm-8pm+

    What: Help us create marigolds, sugar skull garlands and other decorations from tissue paper. 

    What to bring: Yourself. We will supply tissue paper, scissors, and instructions (if you need them).
    Please RSVP here for this event.

  • Saturday, October 27, 2018: Make your own Ofrenda (shadowbox) (Kids VERY welcome) 

    Make your own shadowbox celebrating the life of a loved one, family friend, or pet. Take your ofrendas home and showcase them around the neighborhood on November 2nd. 

    Where: Columbia Heights Green (3321 11th Street NW)

    When: 1pm-3pm

    What to bring: Memories, souvenirs, and photos of and about your loved one. We will provide crafting supplies, boxes (big and small), tissue paper, and other materials.

    Please RSVP here for this event.

  • Saturday, October 27, 2018: Free Screening of Coco (Kids VERY welcome)

    The Petworth Art Collaborative will screen the great Disney/Pixar movie that explores the traditions of Day of the Dead/Dia de Los Muertos. The DC Bureau of is sponsoring sweets: Churros and pan dulce

    Where: Powell Elementary School (1350 Upshur Street NW)

    When: 6pm-8pm

    You can RSVP here for this event.

  • November 2, 2018: Parades and Celebrations

    There will be a procession up Georgia Avenue and celebrations at both the dog park & Columbia Heights Green. Dress up your dog or just enjoy the fun.