The Oklahoma Ave Metro Station and the March 2022 ANC 5D Meeting

OK, quiz time: there was one station in Metro’s original ​​comprehensive plan in the late 1960s that was never built because community members spoke up and said “not in my backyard.” Where was it? Hint: it wasn’t Georgetown.

That’s right, there was actually an above ground station planned for near the intersection of Benning Road and Oklahoma Avenue, in the RFK Stadium parking lot. From a 1977 Washington Post article:

"It would have shaken the foundations of the houses," Mrs. Beam, now 68, said indignantly last week. "We would have heard the rumbling of the trains. And this —" she waved her arm toward the vast empty parking lot north of Robert F. Kennedy Stadium — "this would have been a big parking facility."

Mrs. Beam (first name not given in the article) and her neighbors, including the still active Kingman Park Civic Association, kicked into gear:

For the next few weeks they met in churches and local schools, with the neighbors and Metro officials arguing over alternatives for the proposed station. Put it underground, said the neighbors. That would cost $40 million, said Metro, and even then commuters would still use the parking lot. All right, said the neighbors — eliminate the station.

A half century later, the stadium sits empty, but the site remains a parking lot and the surrounding neighborhoods are more vibrant than ever, with no Metro station anywhere nearby. However, as you’ll see at the bottom, there’s still interest in building an infill station — a station that connects to an existing line — at Oklahoma Avenue. 

This week Vice Chair Commissioner Sauceda-Guzman led the beginning of the meeting, and the standing presentations were brief and pretty light on content this month. The vote on whether to support NoMa BID’s proposed new entrance to the NoMa Metro station was bumped from the consent calendar, a signal that there was an interest in discussion and debate before voting. Comm. Hoffman and Cobb voted to keep it on the consent calendar, and Comms. Sauceda-Guzman, Rhodes, Blacknell and Latoya Moore all voted to move it off. (Comm. Sydelle Moore arrived late due to a conflict.) Here’s the agenda for this month, and here’s the YouTube link.

MPD Public Safety Report from Lt. Zunnobia Hakir: Violent crime is slightly up over last year, including more assaults with a deadly weapon, said Lt. Hakir. Property crime is down. Lt. Hakir said that lots of officers are on standby to deal with disruption from potential truck convoys. You can explore February’s crime stats for ANC5D here.

Mayor’s Office report from Nokomis Hunter: There have been changes to the mask requirements in the District. Street sweeping is back. 🙃 

Ward 5 Councilmember’s Report from Kelly Cislo: Silas Grant is moving on to another regular meeting. The budget oversight process is underway. 

A presentation from Sports Wagering Oversight & Regulation Director Peter Alvarado: DC runs its own GambetDC Retail program. Union Oyster Bar near Union Market wants one of these self-service machines, and they asked the ANC for approval back in December. (More below.) Ward 5 has the most lottery retailers (64 out of 334), and six sports betting locations. Cash does exchange hands with sports betting, but there’s a limit. Businesses can’t cash out winnings of over $600. Each retailer has to submit a detailed plan and be approved by the Office of Lottery & Gaming. The Office typically consults with MPD and ABRA, and often reassess a license after the first 60 days. According to Director Alvarado, the purpose of the machines is to raise revenue for the city’s general fund, and it isn't set up to put money back into the communities where sports betting happens.  

Consent calendar (non-controversial items voted on collectively): 

Supporting the Metro for DC Amendment Act of 2021

Supporting with Amendments the Safe Routes to School Expansion Regulation Amendment Act of 2021

Supporting with Amendments the Walk Without Worry Amendment Act of 2021

Opposing Zoning Changes to Allow By-Right WMATA Bus Facilities

ZC 22-07: Opposing Changes to Allow By-Right Bus Facilities

APPROVED unanimously

A presentation on 1146 16th St. NE from Eric Teran: This is a development project at 16th and Meigs NE. They plan two large, 4 bedroom units. They haven’t spoken to the neighbors yet. 

Voting on 801 20th St. NE from Eric Teran: This plan was presented last month. Terran said they are now only asking for a zoning exception to extend the building another eight feet in the back. He said they are trying to accommodate requests about making it feel less like a massive rectangle. Comm. Sydelle Moore said that the nextdoor neighbor is opposed, and again said she was wary of this setback changing precedent. “I am not in favor of the extension,” said Moore. She moved to reject supporting the extension of the building. APPROVED unanimously (except for Comm Cobb abstaining for work)

Voting on public land sale letter on 1961 H St. NE: This is a proposed sale of city land to a developer. For more on this property, see last month. Comm. Sydelle Moore cited an ongoing investigation and land review as reasons to not approve the sale. Comm. Moore moved to not support land sale. APPROVED unanimously (except for Comm Cobb)

Voting on sports betting at Union Oyster Bar from Michael Bingham: See above for more on sports betting. They plan to have two machines, down from a plan for five. Comm. Sydelle Moore said there are security concerns, because of robberies around Union Market. Bingham said the bar already hires security officers and keeps a log, and they will wand people at the door to check for firearms. The ANC advises on community support, and the Office of Lottery & Gaming approves or rejects the application. APPROVED unanimously.

Voting on Supporting New NoMa Metro Entrance and Requesting Infill Station: There was a presentation on this last month. It was bumped from the consent calendar for discussion. Comm. Cobb wrote the letter in support of NoMa Bid’s plans. The commissioners said that WMATA has listed ANC5D as a potential site for future Metro stations, and this letter also requests the construction of one. Comm. Sauceda-Guzman said he did not think the additional, proposed entrance to the NoMa Metro was necessary. “In the name of racial equity, I don’t believe it does much for 5D,” he said. “We need more Metro access and this doesn’t help.” 

Comm. Hoffman added, “Infrastructure’s important. It can have an intended use and it can have a real world use.” Ultimately, it’s up to DC Council to decide whether to fund the NoMa entrance, and Comm. Cobb said that Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie supports the NoMa Metro Entrance. Comm. Moore proposes conditional support for the NoMa plans based on reciprocal support for an infill station at Oklahoma Avenue. Comm. Blacknell said, “They always treat us bad, no matter what,” I think referring to WMATA. Find more context for the station here. Final wording of the resolution here. APPROVED unanimously.