Pepco: Chain-Link Fence to Remain

In two recent letters to Sharon Cochran, 1300 block of Emerald Street NE, Michael Sullivan, Pepco's vice president for customer care, stated that Pepco is unable to remove its chain-link fence. Ms. Cochran had requested that Pepco removed the fence and otherwise improve the property.

In a letter dated Sept. 17, Mr. Sullivan wrote that the fence could not be removed. "While we understand your concerns to have the chain-link fence removed, due to safety and environmental issues, we are unable to honor this request."

After Ms. Cochran wrote back to inquire what safety and environmental issues Mr. Sullivan was referring to, Mr. Sullivan sent a second letter on Dec. 9, saying: "As you are aware, the substation has been deactivated but still remains an important Pepco asset, as well as the electrical equipment located at the property. Because of heightened security measures, it is important that Pepco keep all of our facilities secured for safety purposes. As a result, we are unable to disclose any additional information regarding this matter. As previously stated, we will make every effort to perform bi-weekly inspections to maintain the upkeep of the property. However, to ensure the safety and security of the property, the chain-link fence will remain in place."

Neighbors first started sharing their concerns about the facility in the Aug. 17 issue of the Corner Forum.

In that issue, Asilia Hill, owner of 404 13th St. NE, asked: "I was wondering if you would do a story on 401-403 13th Street, NE. The boarded-up building is the property of Pepco. They have not cut the grass in front of the property, and the space on the inside on the chain link fence has become a graveyard for beer bottles and soda cans. Has anyone been in touch with Pepco? Do they have any plans for the building? What about the upkeep (grounds)? Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated."

Ms. Cochran's first letter to Pepco was reprinted in the Aug. 24 issue. In her letter, Ms. Cochran asked that Pepco clean up its property at 13th & D Streets NE, take down the industrial-type fence, renovate the building and landscape the property. "This site has a historic use of a trolley car station and there is no reason for it to look so shabby," she wrote.

Shortly after receiving Ms. Cochran's letter, Pepco sent Aaron Tyler, gardener class A, and two colleagues to clean up the property. Mr. Tyler told the Corner Forum the property had been neglected due to an oversight, and he said workers would be coming by every two weeks to clean up the property.

In his Sept. 17 letter, Mr. Sullivan also promised that "every effort will be made to perform bi-weekly inspections to ensure the upkeep of the property." For future concerns regarding the maintenance of the property, he referred Ms. Cochran to a Mr. Myers at 388-2271.§