President's Message

By Eric Langenbacher, president@burleith.org

It is a great honor to be entrusted with the duties of president of the Burleith Citizens Association. I am extraordinarily lucky that out-going president Nan Bell has left everything in great shape and that she will continue to serve as vice president. Indeed, Nan will take the lead on issues relating to Georgetown University, including the on-going Georgetown Community Partnership (GCP).

I have lived in Burleith for over 17 years and I can say with all honesty that the neighborhood has never been in better shape. Several stunning renovations have transformed houses; property values appear to be stable, if not rising. The biannual clean-up and the GCP environmental and landlord working group have worked hard to ensure a clean neighborhood (although we all need to keep at it). Thanks in part to the efforts of the BCA’s Public Works and Beautification Committee, most sidewalks are in good condition, especially after the work done on parts of S, 36th, and T Streets last summer. Traffic appears to be better now that 35th Street is two-way north of Whitehaven Parkway and that the changes to Wisconsin Avenue have been reversed. Desiderata would include re-paving parts of 37th and 39th Streets and 35th Place. The BCA is also working to install temporary signs to increase pedestrian safety at various corners such as 37th and Whitehaven, 37th and T, 35th and T, and 35th and R.

Of course, there is always work to do. The BCA’s History Group, Public Works and Beautification Committee, and the Burleith Community Fund (BCF) are spearheading the restoration of the five call boxes in the neighborhood. They have already raised about 60 percent of the estimated $13,500 needed. Please remember that all donations to the BCF are tax-deductible; it’s not too early to think about your 2015 tax return! On December 19 the groundbreaking for the Ellington School modernization took place. There will be a lot of construction activity until summer 2016 when everything is scheduled to be completed. The BCA is maintaining an active presence in all aspects of this project, including the location of the parking garage entrance, which is still undecided. Also, looming on the horizon is the fate of the current Corcoran School site, although we have assurances that the playground will be safe.

The BCA would like to thank Santa and Mrs. Claus for visiting many Burleith children on December 11. Thanks also go to Lenore Rubino and Edie Cecil for judging the holiday lights contest. Many in the neighborhood are saddened over the imminent closing of ACE Hardware on Wisconsin Avenue, which has been a generous supporter of the Burleith Bell. I hope that the proprietors can find another suitable space nearby.

I would like to alert the community to the completely revamped BCA website that will go live hopefully later this month. Finally, the 4th annual gløgg party will take place on Sunday, January 25, from 4–6 pm at Linda Brooks’s and Ross Schipper’s house.

I hope to see and talk to you on the 25th. Otherwise, please feel free to email me with questions, comments, or concerns.