Taco Bell on Barracks Row – How Much Is Too Much?

Taco Bell’s proposed location at 411 8th Street, SE, Barracks Row.

Taco Bell on Barracks Row – How Much Is Too Much?

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 10, 2024

Tomorrow night – Tuesday – ANC6B will consider Taco Bell’s application for an exemption to the fast food ban on Barracks Row.   They’ve hired attorneys from the high-powered law firm of Hill and Knowlton to file the application and support it before the ANC.

The proposed location on the west side of Barracks Row at 411 8^th Street lies between Chipotle and the prospective to-be-reopened Popeye’s. 

Here’s what else is on the west side of what has been characterized as a troubled block which has trash, drug activity, double parking and loitering issues:

• Starbuck’s at 403 8^th Street
• & Pizza at 405 (District Flow Yoga above)
• Paris Nail & Spa at 407 (Pure Barre above)
• Popeye’s at 409 (Mr. Nice Guy weed gifting above)
• Proposed Taco Bell at 411
• Chipotle at 413
• Ledo Pizza at 415
• Pizza Boli at 417
• Empty former Tandoor Grill at 419 and 421
• Chiko at 423
• Ensurion Computer Repair at 425
• UpNSmoke at 427 (current weed gifting but pending license medical weed dispensary)
• 7-11 at 429

Nearby-residents have gathered some 80 signatures on a petition opposing another fast-food restaurant on the block.  Their opposition is based on what they perceive as making a bad situation worse.  The well-organized 7^th Street neighbors whose homes back up to the restaurants on the 400 block of 8^th (with no alley separating them) routinely engage prospective restaurants coming to 8^th Street to exaact agreements with them regarding rodents, noise, and oder control.  At the ANC Planning and Zoning committee meeting last week, a representitaive of those neighbors credited Taco Bell’s attorneys with accommodating their most serious concerns in on-going negotiations for a settlement agreement. 

But that does little to address the concerns of the community about what the block has become and does nothing to mitigate what the block is and is likely to continue to be.  One idea floated by a community member CHC spoke with would be to include in settlement agreements an annual substantial contribution to the Capitol Hill BID as the price for this and future ban exemption endorsements as well as for the periodic renewal exemptions held by current fast food restaurants. 

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee chair Frank D’Adrea’s position seems to be that the BZA is not likely to find opposition based on too many fast-food restaurants on one block – despite the strong community feeling that the fast-food chains brings a host of negatives to a block that many residents avoid – a persuasive argument.  And that may be the reality.  It may also be that the ANC is not anxious to oppose the application or take a position on which they are likely to lose before the BZA which often seems biased to development which brings the city additional tax revenue. 

CHC reached out to CM Charles Allen for his take but did not hear back before press time. 

ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting on Tuesday night, June 11.  The meeting location will be 507 8th Street SE; First Floor (Taoti Creative Event Space/Next to Ted’s Bulletin).  There will also be a virtual options – go here for info on how to join:  https://anc6b.org/