(Washington, DC) – The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) will host two public meetings to review and discuss the final design plans for the streetscape enhancements for the Chevy Chase and Petworth neighborhoods.

The streetscape enhancements, part of the RiverSmart Washington project, are being designed as stormwater management and green infrastructure projects.  The District will install permeable pavement in alleys and parking lanes and street-side bioretention rain gardens to capture and infiltrate stormwater from the street. In the Petworth Neighborhood the improvements are being planned for the areas adjacent to the MacFarland School and in the Chevy Chase Neighborhood the improvements are being planned for the areas adjacent to the Lafayette School.  The construction for these projects is slated to start summer 2013.

The public meeting for the Petworth neighborhood MacFarland School Area will take place at Petworth Neighborhood Library – Meeting Room, 4200 Kansas Ave, NW on Monday, March 18, 2013 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.

The Chevy Chase Neighborhood – Lafayette School Area public meeting will be held at the Chevy Chase Library – Meeting Room, 5625 Connecticut Avenue, NW, on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.

The design plans for these projects are available online at RiverSmart Washington or http://dashboard.ddot.dc.gov/ddotdashboard/#ProjectDocuments/ItemID=4ProjectID=97PhaseID=2 .

Community members are encouraged to attend and offer feedback to help finalize the design plans.

For additional information about these meetings or projects, please contact:

Meredith Upchurch, DDOT, (202) 671-4663, meredith.upchurch@dc.gov or

Steve Saari, DDOE, 202-535-2961, steve.saari@dc.gov

About RiverSmart Washington

RiverSmart Washington is an environmental initiative designed to combine attractive, cost-effective landscaping with innovative streetscaping methods to help reduce stormwater pollution in Rock Creek.  The program is a pilot project to combine stormwater management with infrastructure improvements which will be replicated in future street reconstruction projects. The RiverSmart Washington program operates under a public-private sector partnership led by the District Department of the Environment (DDOE), the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Rock Creek Conservancy, DC Water, LimnoTech, and Casey Trees.  In 2012, RiverSmart Washington was recognized with a Vision Award from the Committee of 100 on the Federal City as an exemplary neighborhood project developed to benefit the District which can be replicated in other areas of the city.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its projects, programs, activities, and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related statutes.

In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code sec. 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, or place of residence or business.  Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in a violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

If you need special accommodations or language assistance services (translation or interpretation), please contact Jordyne Blaise at (202) 671-5117 or Jordyne.Blaise@dc.gov 72-hours in advance of the meeting date. These services will be provided free of charge.