Balconies and Windows

March 11, 2010

Now that it's the time of year again that we spend more time enjoying our balconies, please remember these important rules and tips:

• Only furniture and planters specifically intended for outdoor use are permitted on balconies. Indoor furniture is not to be kept outside.
• Use of the balconies for storage is a violation of the District's fire code. This specifically includes bikes, skis, and boxes.
• With the exception of professionally-installed satellite dishes, nothing may be mounted or attached to the building exterior, nor on the outside of balcony railings.
• Shaking rugs or draping items over railings, or dropping or throwing anything from balconies is prohibited. Use care and common sense with anything used or kept outside to prevent it from falling or being blown off by wind.  Residents are personally responsible for any damage or injury resulting from improperly secured items on their balconies.
• If you use an extension cord for any electrical device on your balcony, such as a laptop computer, it must be UL approved and specifically rated for outdoor use.  You must keep the cord indoors when it is not in use.
• Use caution with outdoor candles.  Torches and grills are illegal per the District fire code.
• Causing noise is not permitted on balconies at any time.  If using your balcony or having a party after 10PM, there is to be no loud conversation or music outside; please keep your windows and balcony doors closed to prevent noise from disturbing others.
• Kindly close your blinds when what could be seen may not be suitable for all viewers.
• Keep your balcony screen fully closed any time the door is open to prevent insects from entering.
• When you vacuum or sweep, don't forget to clean the tracks of the balcony door and screen. Dirt and debris left to accumulate will prevent them from sliding properly and damages the rollers.
• If your blinds or screens are damaged, or if your balcony door or windows do not open and close easily, contact building maintenance.
• Sheets, blankets or towels are not to be used as any kind of window covering.
• Residents are expected to keep the insides of their windows clean at all times.
• During very hot/humid weather, it is imperative that residents keep their windows and balcony doors tightly closed with the air conditioning set to between 70 and 75 degrees during the daytime.  Blinds should also be kept closed to provide shade from the heat of the day. This is necessary due to the inefficiency of the building's outdated HVAC system and uninsulated windows.  It is also extremely important to limit opening balcony doors when at home to prevent hot, humid air from being sucked into the HVAC and overwhelming it.

Regarding smoking on balconies (and inside apartments for that matter): Balconies are part of an apartment's private space, not common area, so smoking is permitted.  Furthermore, under current District housing regulations, it would likely be impossible for the building to prohibit current residents who are smokers from continuing to smoke in their apartments.  So, if you are bothered by a neighbor who smokes, your only options are to either try asking them to be more considerate of you, or request relocation to a different unit.

Marrakesh/Pasha Liquor License Renewal

March 9, 2010

WTA has been working closely with our neighboring resident associations to come up with solutions to the frequent nighttime disruptions caused by Pasha Lounge across the street.  Even though the establishment has a Voluntary Agreement with Dupont West governing its operation with respect to the neighborhood, it has been routinely ignored, as have numerous other promises made by the owners to the community that they would be better neighbors.  As a result, an independent group of neighborhood residents has decided to oppose renewal of the liquor license.

While WTA absolutely welcomes a vibrant and diverse nightlife in the neighborhood, we are extremely disappointed that the owners of Marrakesh/Pasha have consistently failed to live up to their obligations to residents.  Furthermore, an establishment that attracts a clientele that must be patted-down and wanded to check for weapons absolutely does not belong in Dupont Circle to begin with, much less on our street.  To put it bluntly, no business or patron has the right to force residents to accept or tolerate guns, knives, violence, drug dealing or sacrifice a good night's sleep to accommodate them.  They are guests and if they will not respect the neighborhood and its residents they are not welcome.

Since cordial, neighborly discussion has not yielded changes acceptable to the community, WTA will be supporting the license protest.  We ask all concerned Westpark residents to participate in this effort.  At the very least, contact us at wtahelp [at] westparkta.com with your comments and concerns regarding Pasha/Marrakesh.  You can also help by filing an e-Complaint with the District's Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (be sure to print a copy and drop it off with Alan in Apt.711). If you are able to attend the ABRA hearing for the renewal (date and time TBA), please contact us right away.

Annual Rent Increases

March 8, 2010

The District's Rental Housing Commission, which determines the allowable rates for automatic annual rent increases, has issued notice that the maximum allowable increase for 2010 is 0.05%. This rate applies to all rents subject to automatic annual increases from May 1, 2010 through April 30, 2011.  The RHC's notice is available here (PDF).

In effect, this means rents will remain unchanged from what you are currently paying.  If you receive an increase notice for your annual increase effective on or after May 1, 2010 with a higher amount, please contact WTA immediately.

Update on Resident's Death

March 8, 2010

MPD has informed WTA that Matthew McCaffery's death did not involve anything of concern to Westpark residents.  If any additional information becomes available, we will certainly pass it along.

Building Security Change

March 2, 2010

As of March 1, 2010 the building's front desk staff are no longer employees of QDC. This change was made without any prior notice to WTA or residents.

This is the latest case of management failing to properly communicate with residents regarding a significant change in building operations. Regardless of their rationale for completely outsourcing security, it is simply unacceptable for them to do so without at least advising us in advance.

While most of our long-time front desk team have transitioned, it is likely that we will have other staff assigned who are not familiar with the building or residents. Of particular concern is the continuing difficulties residents have encountered when reporting maintenance issues or picking up packages at times when a "regular" staff member wasn't on duty.

If you have any difficulty with the new front desk arrangements, please let WTA know immediately.

Laundry Room Ventilation

March 1, 2010

Management has still not corrected the ventilation problem in the laundry room, in spite of multiple reports to them by residents going back to November.  Not only is the room unbearably hot and humid when multiple dryers are in operation, it has caused several residents to have to pay for additional dryer cycles.

If you encounter the "Laundry Sauna" please let WTA know right away.  Also, if your clothes don't dry as a result and you have to buy additional dryer time, you are entitled to a refund.  Make note of the unit ID of the dryer(s), then email Cheryl Womack (cwomac@quad1) with a cc: to WTA (wtahelp@westparkta.com) that reports the exact date/time, machine number, and how much you paid for the machines to finally dry everything.

Long-Time Resident Found Dead in Apartment

February 25, 2010

Matthew McCaffery, a Westpark resident for over 20 years, was found dead in his apartment on February 23. Our sympathies and condolences to his family.

Building management has refused to provide any additional informamtion regarding Mr. McCaffery's death. However, WTA has learned that his body was found after his doctor phoned the building and asked that someone check on him after he missed an appointment. It is believed he was dead for possibly five days when he was found.  From what we have learned thus far, foul play is not suspected.

This is the second case in a year of someone dying in their apartment without anyone noticing for several days (the previous was an elderly resident who died last April. Just like then, management has not provided any information to residents.

WTA will post any additional information we obtain.

WTA is Now on Facebook

January 25, 2010

Since Facebook has become so popular, WTA has created a page there to make it easier for us to communicate with our members and friends.  The WTA website will continue to provide important news, information and resources; however, it will be focusing primarily on the administrative needs of the organization such as member services and issue tracking...things that require security and programming resources Facebook cannot provide.

Become a Fan of WTA today!

Membership Dues

WTA is a non-profit organization that is funded solely by annual membership dues and contributions. While our expenses are low and our officers are volunteers who receive no salary, we do incur costs for things such as business registration fees, copying and printing, and hosting our website.  We also need to build a "Ready Fund" should an attorney be required again, as was the case when we successfully fought the landlord over improper rent surcharges.

Even in these difficult times, annual membership dues are still only $10 per adult resident.  Please drop off your dues with Alan in apt.711.  You can also use your bank's online bill payment service to send them.  Our information is:

Please renew or join today, and consider making an additional contribution if you can.

Welcome

The Westpark Tenant Association works with residents, building management, neighborhood stakeholders and District government to keep the Westpark a comfortable and pleasant community.  We are the official representative of the building's tenants in any matters involving the landlord and/or the District, We can also assist in many matters you may have with the landlord that are not being resolved in a timely manner or to your satisfaction.

Join WTA

Becoming a WTA member is easy:  Dues are only $10 per adult resident per year.  Just drop off your dues with your full name, apartment number, telephone number, and email address (if you have one) at apartment 711.  Personal checks are preferred.  You can also submit your dues through your bank's online bill pay (see below).

Quick Info

Building Office/Front Desk:
  (202) 452-1230

Police, Fire, EMS:
  911

General WTA Inquiries:
  (202) 223-2872
  wtainfo@westparkta.com

WTA Officers

President:
  Alan Rueckgauer
  Apt.711
  (202) 223-2872
  alanr@westparkta.com

Vice President:
  Lisa Jeter
  Apt.904
  (202) 862-9739
  lisaj@westparkta.com

Downloads

Westpark Community Rules (2005)

WTA Bylaws (2008)