[WardFive] FW: Request Actions to Address: Stadium Club, Echo Stage, Marijuana Cultivation Centers

Councilmember McDuffie,

 

It is extremely disheartening that new residents are experiencing extreme emotional stress due to issues associated with Stadium Club and other nuisance establishments on Queens Chapel Road NE.  The community has reached out, on numerous occassions, to the Council for assistance to no avail.  I emailed your office on September 23 as well as spoke with Mr. Uzoukwu on October 15 about the lack of response regarding the followup to the round table with your office, ABRA, MPD and the Mayor's Office. 

 

This is not the community's first attempt to get the Council and MPD involved as all attempts have fallen on deaf ears.  There are multiple Councilmembers who are Ward 5 residents and yet, none have publicly acknowledged the concerns from this community.

 

Any assistance from ANY Councilmember would be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards,

 

Karla Butler

Commissioner, 5C02

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jennifer Gerholdt <jennifer.gerholdt@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2014 at 9:04 AM
Subject: Request Actions to Address: Stadium Club, Echo Stage, Marijuana Cultivation Centers
To: kmcduffie@dccouncil.us
Cc: paul.quander@dc.gov, rgulstone@dccouncil.us, jmobley@dccouncil.us, ldougherty@dccouncil.us, pmendelson@dccouncil.us, dcatania@dccouncil.us, vorange@dccouncil.us, dgrosso@dccouncil.us, abonds@dccouncil.us, Jim Graham <jgraham@dccouncil.us>, jevans@dccouncil.us, mcheh@dccouncil.us, mbowser@dccouncil.us, twells@dccouncil.us, yalexander@dccouncil.us, mbarry@dccouncil.us, diedre.porter@dc.gov, diane.groomes@dc.gov, 5Dwatch.commander@dc.gov, Karla Butler <karlandn1@gmail.com>, "5C02 ANC, (ANC 5C02 )" <5C02@anc.dc.gov>, eom@dc.gov, mayor@dc.gov, abra@dc.gov

Dear Kenyan McDuffie:

I am writing to implore you for your help with regards to the Stadium Club, Echo Stage, and pending marijuana cultivation centers in Woodridge/Langdon.

My husband Rhys Gerholdt and I reside at 2504 Lafayette Ave NE in Langdon. Our home is in very close proximity to the industrial facilities along and near Queens Chapel Road NE, including the Stadium Club, Echo Stage, Waste Management landfill, school bus depot, homeless shelter and soon to be established marijuana dispensaries. We have endured the negative impacts that the clubs and other industrial operations are having on our quality of life, safety, and overall health of the neighborhood. I am pleading with you to be an advocate and voice for our community to help make it a better place to live.

 

Rhys and I just moved to Langdon in July 2014, and as a new and first time homeowner, we have been experiencing severe emotional stress and frustration by the continued disturbances as a result of the industrial businesses operating on and near Queens Chapel NE. This includes blatant disrespect for the neighborhood by Stadium Club and Echo Stage patrons by the copious amounts of trash they toss on public and private property, and excessive vehicle and foot traffic, resulting in unnecessary levels of noise, pollution and disturbance. In addition, patrons scream obscenities at each other at 3:00 AM, break into cars, and urinate on private property. Also, on September 20, 2014 there was a drive by shooting on 22^nd St NE that left us feeling unsafe and scared. We have called the police multiple times about our repeated requests for additional patrols during the hours of 10:00PM and 3:00AM, when the neighborhood is most active with Stadium Club and Echo Stage patrons. Alarmingly, from my own observations this is not happening on a consistent basis.

 

As a director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation of more than 3 million members, I understand the important role businesses play in improving societies and economies. However, establishments like Stadium Club and Echo Stage are not operating in ways that are responsible or respectful of the local community. As a result, their social licenses to operate should be revoked permanently. 

We have a real opportunity to make Langdon a vibrant and thriving community and bring in much needed and valuable commerce, such as farmers markets, grocery stores, coffee shops and restaurants. These are the kinds of reputable establishments that should be operating on and near Queens Chapel NE. Just because this area is the largest and last stronghold of industrial land in the District does not mean that we should have to bear the burden of numerous shady establishments that no other Ward wants. 

With regards to the last point, I am also referring to the soon to be established marijuana cultivation centers -- I am severely distressed and appalled that 5 are planned not just in Ward 5, but in Langdon right in the immediate vicinity of my home. Each Ward should have had their 5, and Ward 5 should have them more widely dispersed throughout the Ward. Similar to some of the other Wards, ours should have been declared a "Business Improvement District." Please leverage your authority to rectify the oversaturation of cultivation centers before it's too late and we have to deal with another situation that will degrade the community even further.

 

I look forward to hearing from you on impactful actions you are going to take with regards to the Stadium Club, Echo Stage and marijuana cultivation centers, and how, as a deeply concerned citizen, I can be of assistance to you.

Regards,

Jennifer Gerholdt

 

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