by Larry Janezich
Posted May 5, 2024
CM Charles Allen leads a community input walk to hear from the community on modernization of the five areas comprising Watkins Field Rec Center at 6:00pm on Monday, May 6. The Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of General Services will also participate. The goal is to hear from the community what its vision is for the modernized Rec Center. Meet at the Watkins Playground on D Street. RSVP here. https://bit.ly/44JAyFb Above, Watkin’s Field.
Watkin’s Basketball Court.
The Hocky Rink.
The Playground.
The Splash Pad.
Here’s an image of Radici’s last hours on Tuesday morning. That’s Brigitte Sasso at rear, receiving condolences and a hug from a Radici patron.
Radici’s Classy Farewell. Last Tuesday morning found former Radici co-owner Brigitte Sasso in the former Radici space packing up and delivering a final special order of pastries to a long-time customer. Asked what her thoughts were, she replied: “We’re terribly sorry to go – but we can leave with our heads held high. I was able to create what I found in Italy – an alimentari – a place to go in the morning for coffee and pastry – in the afternoon for pasta and sauce – and the evening for wine and an opportunity to enjoy the community… that’s the reason I worked 7 days a week – because there aren’t eight.
In the morning, we had the yoga ladies – young interns from the Hill would come in the evening for a glass of wine. We were a focal point – a rock – we attracted celebrities and members of Congress – we had the First Lady (Michelle Obama). It’s heartbreaking….a sad goodbye. I’m dehydrated from crying so much.
It’s just so sad … the overwhelming outpouring of love, support and affection from the community… the event we held last night for the community to show their appreciations for the staff was fabulous – so many people came. (Tickets were $15 – all proceeds went to the staff.)
Everyone wants to know when we’ll be back. We’re looking – hopefully we’ll find something on Capitol Hill.”
Enrico Sasso and Brigitte Sasso host a staff appreciation event last Monday night.
The Week Ahead…
Highlight: On Thursday, (see below), ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will consider a community benefits proposal (including a $100,000 grant to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation for grants to community organizations) as a benefit to the community for privatizing public space. The Conservative Partnership Institute’s (CPI) application to privatize the alley behind the former Capitol Lounge on Pennsyvania Avenue, SE, is pending before ANC6B. Last Wednesday, the ANC6B Subcommittee on Alley Closings voted 4- 1- 0 to support the proposed community benefit and to recommend that the ANC’s Planning and Zoning Committee likewise support and forward the proposal to the full ANC, and, further, to recommend that the full ANC request the City Council to include the entire community benefit agreement in legislation related to this specific alley closing. The one vote in opposition was from a resident member who – as a neighbor – said she could not support the proposal without some restrictions on use of the court yard which the CPI intends to construct in the space created by closing the alley.
Monday, May 6
ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.
To view meeting contact 6D@anc.dc.gov
Agenda:
Discussion of the agenda for the April meeting of ANC6D.
Tuesday, May 7
ANC7D will hold a virtual monthly meeting at 6:30pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1
Agenda: TBA.
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
- Chat’s Liquors; 503 8th Street, SE; Renewal of a Class A Liquor License with a Tasting endorsement.
- 8th Street Liquor; 725 8th Street, SE; Renewal of a Class A Liquor License with a Tasting endorsement.
- Hayden’s; 700 North Carolina Avenue, SE; Renewal of a Class A Liquor License.
- World Wine and Spirits; 1453 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Renewal of a Class A Liquor License with a Tasting endorsement.
- Albert’s Liquor; 328 Kentucky Avenue, SE; Renewal of a Class A Liquor License. Consideration of an updated Settlement Agreement;
- Safeway; 415 14th Street, SE; Renewal of a Class A Liquor License. Consideration of an Amendment to an existing Settlement Agreement;
MPD First District Community Advisory Council will hold its monthly virtual meeting at 6:00pm.
For info on how to join, go here: https://1dcac.com/
Agenda:
- Monthly community crime discussion.
Wednesday, May 8
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual monthly meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
- DDOT Presentation on 13th St/Independence Ave/Kentucky Avenue, SE, Vision Zero Hardening.
- DDOT Presentation on 15th Street & Kentucky Avenue, SE, Vision Zero Hardening.
- Request to expand eBike Authorized Vendor List.
- Traffic Signal at 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Thursday, May 9
ANC6A will hold a virtual monthly meeting at 7:00pm.
For into on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Community Presentations
- Mayor’s Proposed FY2025 Budget – Lindsey Appiah, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice
Consent Agenda
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis
- Motion that ANC 6A protest the license application of Jumbo Liquors unless a Settlement Agreement is reached between the ANC and the license applicant prior to the protest deadline.
- Recommendation: ANC 6A take no action with regard to the license renewal application of New H Wine & Spirits.
- Motion that ANC 6A take no action with regard to the license renewal application of Montana Liquors.
- Motion that ANC 6A take no action with regard to the license renewal application of H Street Beverage Warehouse.
- Motion that ANC 6A take no action with regard to the license renewal application of H Street Spirits.
- Motion that ANC 6A protest the license application of Smokin’ Pig unless a Settlement Agreement is reached and that Interim Chair Velasquez represent the ANC in the matter.
Transportation and Public Space
- Motion that ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT in support of Lane Re-configuration of westbound C Street NE between 17th and 16th Streets NE, with one suggested addition for study and consideration: to reduce the travel lanes of westbound North Carolina Avenue NE from two lanes to one from 16th to 14th Streets NE to reduce driver speeding and improve pedestrian safety.
- Motion that ANC 6A send a letter of support to the BZA for a request for a Special Exception to construct a rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit at 430 10th Street NE in the RF-1 zone.
Plenary Session
- Motion that ANC 6A protest the license renewal application of Noble Liquor and Tobacco and that Interim Chair Velasquez and the Chair and Vice Chair of the ANC represent the ANC in the matter.
- Motion that ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT in support of Vision Zero Hardening at the intersection of 13th Street NE/Constitution Avenue NE/Tennessee Avenue NE with the following changes: 1) to slightly shift the pedestrian island on the north side of the intersection on 13th Street NE and Constitution Avenue NE to the east, putting a two-foot barrier between the west side bike lane and travel lane and making the pedestrian crosswalk two feet shorter east-to-west; and 2) to narrow the vehicle travel lane to improve pedestrian safety and move the 13th Street NE northbound bike lane curbside from North Carolina Avenue NE all the way through intersection with Constitution Avenue NE, while retaining vehicle parking.
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://bit.ly/3JJhaOR
Among items on the draft agenda:
- 138 E Street, SE Project: Zoning Adjustment Application – To construct a second story addition to an existing detached accessory garage to an existing, attached, three-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
- 138 E Street, SE Project: Historic Preservation Application – To construct a second story addition to an existing detached accessorygarage to an existing, attached, three-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
- 816 G Street, SE Project: Historic Preservation Application – To construct a two-story side addition to an existing semi-detached rowhouse in the RF-1 zone.
- Consideration of Community Benefits Agreement for Alley Closing in Square 762 (this is in regards to the application of the Conservative Partnership Institute to privatize the alley behind the former Capitol Lounge on the 300 block on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know:
NE Library May 11 Book Sale Cancelled
The joint NE/SE Library Book Sale scheduled for Saturday, May 11, has been cancelled owing to a conflict in scheduling use of the space. The next book sale will be on Saturday, June 8.
Hill Center Concert:
Masters of Irish & Cape Breton Fiddle Featuring Musicians Caitlin Warbelow and Troy MacGillivray – Saturday, May 11 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. $20 . Tickets here: https://bit.ly/4a616Bh
Help the Anacostia Watershed Society preserve funding for vital watershed conservation programs in DC!
Anacostia Watershed Societ Petition:
Mayor Bowser’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget proposes to sweep funds collected under the DC Bag Law out of the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund and into the general fund to help close the anticipated FY 2025 budget gap. Sign the petition urging the Mayor and DC Council to ensure Bag Law funds are invested as intended, in projects and programs to protect and restore the Anacostia River, Rock Creek, and other District waterways. https://bit.ly/4bjowEZ
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 
Thank you Larry for sharing the conversation you had with Brigitte Sasso,,,,,wonderful (if sad) to get her reaction to, basically, being forced into closing Radici…..