Last Wednesday’s community meeting on the redesign of the Rumsey Center drew 150 community members to weigh in on the revised design which was first presented in March of 2025.
CM Charles Allen told the attendees: “When I walked through the plan, what I saw was a marked improvement over last spring … I think you have to have to acknowledge a significant improvement.” Allen added he doesn’t think it meets every community need and “tonight what we want to hear is constructive feedback and what else do you think we could change.”
Rumsey Closing Date Uncertain & Recap of Last Week’s Community Meeting
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 19, 2026
Last Wednesday night, some 150 community members showed up to a meeting at which DGS and DPR shared the latest concept design proposals for the new Rumsey Aquatic Center. In response to one of the last questions in the Q&A about when Rumsey would close for the reconstruction, Chris Dyer, DPR External Affairs Specialist, said, “We don’t know yet. A final design will be presented to the community at the next community meeting at a date to be determined. We anticipate construction will take 18 months to two years.”
The agencies and designers reviewed the layout of the existing structure and then presented the latest designs which incorporated community feedback from the previous community meeting on March 12, 2025. In addition to new and upgraded aquatic features, the project has been redesigned to provide a second floor with community-based program spaces.
The agencies had received considerable pushback on the March 2025 design which did not include a second floor for community spaces and not enough water for the vocal local swimming community – the project was sent back to the designers to address those issues.
It seemed that the consensus of the community was that the new designed was better, but still needed tweaking. Attendees lined up at the microphone to ask questions or raise concerns or make suggestions.
Here’s a list of comments and questions raised by community members: (Most of the responses were assurances that “we’ll take a look at it,” but when there was a more expansive reply the gist of it follows in parentheses.)
More funding to insure maintenance of the facility and to keep the equipment running.
More windows on the right hand front façade,
Include a sauna – supported by a 173 signature petition.
Increase the size of the fitness center on the second floor.
Concern about the exception from requirement for net zero energy design. (Impossible because of the energy requirements for heating the pools.)
Increase depth of aerobic pool and the size of the locker room.
Why is there a 15 foot set back on south side? (Zoning regs).
Amenities of the tech lounge? (489 s.f.– at least 2 fixed computers – free wifi).
Installing more solar panels on roof? (Amount of energy we get in this area with solar panels does not meet net zero standard currently.)
Assure consideration is given to requirements for hydro pole class.
Assure adequate ventilation because of the chlorine.
For eye level windows overlooking the pool on the outside, consider one way or transition glass instead of planned translucent glass.
Pushback on architect’s minimalist design intended to keep building from competing with iconic Eastern Market. Facility is inward facing – people want the façade to be activated.
This is an aquatic facility first. More water. A once in a life time opportunity.
Concern that community rooms are likely to be unused. An expanded fitness center would be a magnet from 6am until closing. (Demand for event space in other community centers is strong.)
Concern about programming adjustments between 5pm and 7pm that address needs of after work lap swimmers. More water.
Assure that for majority of time swimmers have true 8 lap lanes. Taking over lap lanes for programming creates back logs. Aerobics during the day and learn-to-swim in the evenings put pressure on the large pool. More water.
Explain difference between collaborative rooms vs. community rooms vs. incubator space. Suggest outward facing incubator spaces with entrances facing exterior. (Can’t do the latter because it’s a recreation facility with staff so those rooms can only be accessed during staff hours. Need to have flexibility re use of upstairs space to accommodate alternate purposes such as the community looking for more work space or having a large or medium community room. The difference between a collaborative room and a community room is about furnishings.)
Encourage coordination with DC DOT to expand use of North Plaza as Bike Share location. (Already being done.)
Consider disability parking. More water. Accommodate community rooms/multi-purpose rooms to support use as a dance floor. Support more variety in what fitness can look like.
Maintain height of pool rooms to lessen impact of the “wall of chlorine” on swimmers with respiratory problems.
Consider use of roof for yoga classes.
More water. Support tinted exterior windows to let people see in.
Morning lap swimmers experience conflicts in the summer when kid camps take up all the lap lanes. Program aerobic pools for learn-to-swim which would take the pressure off.
More water. Does the two pool concept work? Can you consider one huge pool? Need more showers and locker rooms and handicap access to showers. (Two pools can’t be at the same temperature – lap swimmers like it cooler.)
Consider glass strips for windows which are shaded at eye level but transparent below. Can windows on the south side of the building be higher to bring in more light?
When will the current building close and how long before it will open? (We don’t know yet. A final design will be presented to the community at the next meeting at a date to be determined. We anticipate construction will take 18 months to two years.)
Consider a larger fitness center. Will building be all electric? (Yes.)
Update on Harris Teeter. Marc Levinson, board member on the Jenkins Row Unit Owners Association and also president of the building’s REA Board reported that “EDENS (lessor) anticipates Harris Teeter will be moving equipment out of the Jenkins Row store until early summer.” He says this reinforces the point that agreement on lease termination is good news, but the store will not be occupied by a new tenant any time soon, adding that “EDENS does not want to disclose the precise date of lease termination.”
Popeyes on Barracks Row is open, and open late.
Pasha Castle Closes. The Mediterranean dessert shop serving Turkish and Lebanese sweets and savories opened in June of 2025 at 615 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Update on Proper Exotic, the proposed cannabis dispensary at 313 8th St NE. At Thursday night’s ANC6A meeting, Commissioner Stephen Kolb told the Commission that ABCA had denied the appeal of ANC6A’s protest of the dispensary license for Proper Exotic and the permitting process will apparently go forward.
Kolb said he had communicated with Denise Wiktor, General Counsel for the DC Office of ANC about what options remained for the ANC. Wiktor suggested interested parties could testify before the Councils’ Oversight Committee in March, and that a favorable hearing could result in meaningful legislation. Kolb said that retail shop hunnybunny boutique (manufacturer and retailer specializing in all-natural bath and beauty products) located next to the weed shop is now up for sale “which ought to increase the argument that issues of property values and impact on the neighborhood have come to a head.”
Brent School Razed. Here’s Brent School in the process of being razed. The school is located at 3rd and North Carolina SE. The raze-and-construction timeline anticipates that the new building will be ready to open in the fall of 2027. Photo credit: Bob Gellman
Here’s Triple Candies’ January exhibit in the space in front of the former Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Triple Candies is a research-oriented curatorial agency run by art historian co-founders Shelly Bancroft and Peter Nesbett. Their purpose is to create alternative exhibition methods making that the object of critical focus rather than what is displayed (which for the most part does not include original artworks).
Their purpose is to create alternative exhibition methods making that the object of critical focus rather than what is displayed (which for the most part does not include original artworks).
The Week Ahead…
Monday, January 19
Federal Holiday.
Trash and Recycling pickup slides one day.
Second round of leaf collection begins in Section B.
Brick Sidewalk Alternatives – Eloka Achebe from DDOT will provide a status update on the brick imprint sidewalk pilot.
New Business
Torti Gallas H Street Study. DC’s Office of Planning (OP) along with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development has picked architecture firm Torti Gallas to conduct a land use and market study for the corridor.
Notice of Intent: 8th Street NE Bus Stop Changes. The plan would: Remove the northbound bus stop at 8th and D Streets NE resulting in one additional metered parking space; Remove the southbound bus stop at 8th and C Streets NE resulting in approximately three new residential permit parking spaces; Relocate the northbound bus stop at 8th and C Streets NE from the near/south side of the intersection to the far/north side of the intersection; This change will result in no net change in the number of parking spaces; However, the new parking spaces created will be residential permit parking only, whereas the removed parking was zoned as 2-hour parking spots from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm.
Wednesday, January 21
ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm
Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You to Know About
Go here to see a list of upcoming events for this week and to sign up to join FreeDC: https://freedcproject.org/
Power Surge Meeting at NE Library
Saturday, January 24 from 11:00am to 12:30pm.
A meeting to discuss the power surges/electrical problems on Capitol Hill is scheduled for next Saturday, January 24 from 11am to 12:30pm at the Northeast Library (330 7th Street, NE, Meeting Room 1).
The following officials will attend:
City Councilman: Charles Allen
ANC6A04 Commissioner: Amber Gove
PEPCO Senior Manager in Engineering and Design: Steven Parks
Public Service Commission Representatives: Maurice Smith, Steven Martin, and Margaret Moscowitz
Attorney from Office of People’s Counsel: Name TBD
Documentary on Ukraine’s Resistance to Russia Invasion
Thursday, January 22 – Westminster Church 400 I Street SW– 7:00pm – Free
The Pearl Escape Project annual procession from Westminster Church to 7th Street in the Wharf commemorates the 77 enslaved people who tried to escape slavery in the District on April 15th, 1848. This year the Pearl Escape Project has organized a four part program on Stories of Erasure and Resistance, culminating in the annual procession.
The first event is a FREE film screening of Erase the Nation, an acclaimed documentary of Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion. A conversation with the film’s director will follow the screening. To reserve a seat, go here. https://bit.ly/4sMExMt
Juried by Claude Elliott, the Hill Center Galleries 2026 Regional Juried Exhibition features the work of artists from all over DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The selected artists compete for cash prizes and honorable mention awards. First place $1000, Second Place $750, and Third place $500.
The second pass for leaf collection in Section B in Wards 1-8 will begin the week of January 19. Section B, please have your leaves at the tree box or curbside by Sunday, January 18.Go here to find your collection section. https://dpw.dc.gov/leaf
Last week, ANCs 6A, 6B, 6C, and 7D met and elected officers for the upcoming year. Here are the results:
ANC6A: Chair, Amber Gove 6A04 (top center) ; Vice Chair, Stephen Kolb 6A07 (middle right); Secretary/Parliamentarian, Jeff Giertz 6A06 (not pictured); Treasurer, Roberta Shapiro 6A03 (middle left). Also pictured are the two candidates for ANC6A0l, the seat vacated by the resignation of Paul Spires: Scott Berger (top right) and Lorena Gill (botton center). Two other seats are vacant or about to become vacant: ANC6A02, now vacant after the resignation of Mike Velasquez, and ANC6A 05, which will become vacant upon the planned resignation of Dave Wethington, who is relocating. Kimberly Butler (not pictured) has announced her candidacy for the open seat in 6A02.
ANC6B: Chair, Sam Pastore 6B05 (lower left); Vice Chair, Edward Ryder 6B08 (lower center); Treasurer, Anna Krebs 6B06 (not pictured); Secretary, David Sobelsohn 6B03 (not pictured), and Parliamentarian, Tyler Wolanin 6B01 (not pictured).
ANC6C: ANC 6C officers are Chair, Karen Wirt 6C02 (upper right); Vice Chair, Mark Eckenwiler 6C04 (upper left); Treasurer, Jay Adelstein 6C03 (lower center); and Secretary, Andrew Hayes 6C06 (not pictured).
Site of the former Harris Teeter at 1350 Potomac Avenue, SE
Harris Teeter Will Terminate Lease on Potomac Ave Space
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 15, 2026
The main obstacle to leasing the former Harris Teeter at 1350 Potomac Avenue SE is that the company has continued to hold their lease on the unoccupied space. That’s about to change according to an announcement in an email from Danna Robinson, Director, Corporate Affairs and Customer Relations for Harris Teeter. Robinson announced today that the company has “a fully executed termination agreement for this location. Negotiations required to reach this agreement took time, but they were necessary to ensure an appropriate resolution.”
Asked to comment on the announcement, ANC6B09 Commissioner Karen Hughes – in whose single member district the site lies – said, “I hope another grocery goes into the space as a matter of food equity. The Potomac Avenue transit plaza is an important hub for Ward 7, which has very few grocery stores. I’m also looking forward to more competition in the neighborhood, as prices at the Safeway are quite high. Streets Market is already opening at 15th and Penn, and having another food vendor in the Harris Teeter space would be huge progress for food access on the east side of the city.”
Also weighing in on the announcement was Marc Levinson who is a board member on the Jenkins Row Unit Owners Association and also president of the building’s REA Board which governs shared property rights.
The commercial properties on the ground level of the building are owned by EDENS Properties who was Harris Teeters’ landlord. Levinson said, “Harris Teeter moved out of the store four years ago this month but continued to maintain the lease on the property and did not allow EDENS to show the property until last year.
I know the building has shown the space to a number of potential tenants, but no takers yet. Any new tenant will need to re-fit the interior space to suit their needs. So I’m sure we’re still looking at 1-plus years till something moves in, but that’s much better than having to run out the lease. I still don’t know a date at which the lease is going to be terminated. This…letter did not specify that…people should not be expecting a new grocer to come into that space next week. It’s going to take a lot more time than that for any new tenant to move into the space.”
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) have scheduled a community meeting to discuss the latest concept design for the Rumsey Aquatic Center.
Meeting Details:
Location: North Hall at Eastern Market | 255 7th Street SE
Time: 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM
Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact Christopher Dyer at (202) 702-9453 or Christopher.dyer@dc.gov
The outline on the map delineates the Barracks Row “overlay” created by the Zoning Board where fast food restaurants are technically banned.
Here’s Why There’s a Fast Food “Ban” on Barracks Row
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 12, 2026
DC Board of Zoning regulations ban or restrict fast food outlets on certain commercial corridors like Barracks Row, Georgetown and Ninth Street, NW near the Convention Center. The purpose is to prevent over-concentration and to limit adverse livability issues such as trash, rodents, and traffic. The regulations also provide that restaurants can apply for an exception to the ban.
The application for an exception is first considered by the appropriate ANC during which neighbors have an opportunity for input. The ANC then makes a recommendation to the Board of Zoning: the recommendation is advisory only – ANC stands for Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
The regulations state a number of criteria for the ANC to consider regarding whether the applicant is a fast food outlet and needs an exemption, including payment before eating, disposable tableware, production line food preparation, and pre-prepared food.
During consideration of the application, the ANC will often require the restaurant to agree to a “Settlement Agreement” on the outlet’s operational procedures regarding trash, rodent, and odor management as well of hours of operation, as the price of their support. The ANC can protest the exemption if a Settlement Agreement is not reached, which can result in an administrative delay, sometimes for months. In the final analysis, however, a restaurant is whatever the Board of Zoning or Board of Zoning Adjustment decides it is.
ANC6B has recently begun planning to hold a Barracks Row stakeholders’ roundtable to discuss ways to promote economic diversity. That issue has been discussed periodically on Barracks Row since at least 2012. Taco Bell recently received an exception and opened the first week of 2026 – Popeyes has received an exception to open next door – and WingStop across the street has an application pending before ANC6B. All three are on the 400 block of 8th Street, SE, Barracks Row which already hosts the fast food spot Boli Pizza and the less restricted “fast-casual” outlets like &Pizza, Ledo Pizza, Dunkin’, Chiko, Chipotle, Maman Joon’s Kitchen, and Union Kitchen.
In addition to some corridors and Zoning Board overlay areas, fast food outlets are banned in MU-4, MU-17, MU-24, MU-25, MU-26, MU-27 Zones.Here’s DC’s Zoning Map: https://maps.dcoz.dc.gov/HistoricZoning/
R.I.P. Mehmet Yalcin, owner of Woven History & Silk Road, has passed away. He was in Turkey visiting family and had a heart attack. His death was announced to the community by Judy Thomas, Executive Director, Eastern Market Main Street.
He opened Silk Road – a family-owned textile business near Eastern Market – in 1995 after a career at the World Bank. Yalcin held a Ph.D. from Harvard University and was a scholar of Inner Asian and Altaic Studies. Here’s an article from 2021 in the Hill Rag: https://bit.ly/4psmDvD
At last Tuesday’s 1st District MPD Citizens Advisory Council (CAC), District Commander Colin Hall announced that for the next ten weeks, he would be attending the FBI National Academy. The Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities. Hall has served at 1st District Commander since July 23.
The CAC is an advisory panel in each police district that provides the district commander with information and recommendations from the community on the public’s safety problems and police service needs. 1st Districts CAC holds a virtual meet on the first Tuesday of the month. See here: https://1dcac.com/
During Commander Hall’s absence, the 1st District will be overseen by Commander Christopher Dorsey of the MPD’s Office of the Field Commander.
Update on CIVIC on 8th: Last Tuesday night ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee discussed CIVIC’s on 8th’s application for a tavern license with an entertainment endorsement. Co-owner Rhonda Foxx said the business model includes live entertainment on the patio along E Street. The committee voted to recommend the full ANC approve a temporary alcohol license at its upcoming meeting January 13meeting, allowing CIVIC to open ASAP and simultaneously protest the license to allow the ANC time to get an agreement to limit the hours of the outside entertainment. Foxx says the coffee bar will oper in a few weeks – and that could quickly be followed by the cocktail bar.
Update on WingStop on Barracks Row: Last Thursday, the ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee heard from high-powered Hill and Knowlton attorney Liela Batties who was there to push WingStop’s application for an exception to the ban on fast food outlets on Barracks Row and present a new request for an exemption from dumpster requirements. In the process, the community learned that Douglas Development, the owner of the building which formerly housed an illegal weed dispensary (now the proposed location for WingStop at 406 8th Street), also owns Dunkin, next door. Douglas Development seems to be bending over backward to be accommodating and has agreed to work with ANC6B Commissioner Brian Gorman to coordinate a meeting with neighbors to adress concerns.
Update on SE Library Renovation: The renovation of SE Library continues to move forward on schedule to meet a completion date of this coming June. The DC Library will need a couple of months, they say, to get the new library up and running after that.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, January 12
ANC6B Parks & Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an In Person Only Meeting at 7:00pm.
Join Information: This meeting will be held at 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
Among items on the draft agenda:
Discussion of Rumsey Aquatic Center Rebuild. There will be a public meeting re the Rumsey rebuild on Wednesday, January 14 at 6:30 in the North Hall of the Eastern Market. Concerns:
The treatment of the alley between the pool and the EM, while attractive, may not reflect actual working use of the alley by the EM.
Are the proposed spaces large enough and flexible enough to meet the community’s aspirations? (e.g. is space sufficient for the competitive swim meets that some desire? Is the proposed therapy pool adequate? Is the storage area(s) adequate? )
What is the proposed treatment of the C street side of the building? It is not clearly reflected in the drawings.
One unusual concern related to actual labeling of the meeting spaces: if they are to represent flexible design and use, does it make sense to use designations such as “Seniors” or “Makers” rooms.
St. Elizabeth Campus Development and historical preservation.
This week the DC Preservation League and the National Trust for Historic Preservation wrote the U.S. Federal Services Administration to protest plans for demolishing properties on St. Elizabeth’s West Campus – a Historic Landmark District.
Possible action for our Committee: to prepare a letter of support from ANC6B for the regarding the request for responsible agencies to meet on site to discuss the issue– with copies provided to the DC Council, pertinent ANCs, and others actors cited by the DC Preservation League– emphasizing the need for redevelopment compatible with historic preservation.
Meeting schedule for 2026 and discussion of additional agenda building issues.
Tuesday, January 13
ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Presentation of the 2025 ANC 6B Outstanding Public Service Award
Discussion: Interim Police Chief
[LATE BREAKING] Discuss: Letter to WMATA Regarding Signage at L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee
CIVIC on Eighth – 501 8th Street SE. New Application for a Retail’s Class “C” Tavern; Protest Petition Deadline: 01/26/2026
Protests/Other Updates
Ambar – 523 8th Street SE, Ongoing negotiation regarding settlement agreement and protest hearing. Parties have requested continuance while discussions proceed
Continue Discussion for “Vision for Barracks Row”/Roundtable Planning
Finalization of Roster for Barracks Row Roundtable
Planning and Zoning Committee
BZA Application for Fast Food special exemption at 406 8th Street, SE
Technical Assistance Fund (OANC) – Owl Purchase
ANC7D will hold a virtual public meeting at 7:00pm
Adopt January 2026 meeting agenda and December 2025 meeting minutes
Updates from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
Special Guest – Thom de Boo, “Trains Are Awesome” Transportation Vlogger
Elected District Government Official Updates
Letisha Vinson, Office of Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder
Amber Wright, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services (MOCRS
Eboni-Rose Thompson, State Board of Education (SBOE), Ward 7 Representative
Kisha Anderson, District Department of Transportation (DDOT),
Ward 7 Community Engagement Specialist
Community Presentations/Discussions
Chris Dyer, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Community Engagement Manager: Updates on Summer Camp Registration, River Terrace Survey, Rosedale Pool Request
RFK Roundup
Opportunity for Commission to raise awareness around RFK Development Issues
Election of ANC Officers (Christy Kwan, official counter)
Designation of officers authorized to provide secondary signature on checks
Appointment and elections of committee members and chairs
Treasurer’s report for December
Community announcements
Commissioner announcements
DC agency informational announcements
Office of Planning’s H Street NE land use project
Other community announcements/public comment
Consent agenda
Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee
218 F Street NE. BZA Application for special exceptions from lot occupancy requirements and rear addition restrictions to construct a two-story rear addition + cellar principal dwelling unit
507-509 L Street NE. BZA Application for area variances from front setback requirements and rules of measurement for front setback requirements to construct four attached three-story + cellar flats
Transportation and Public Space Committee
DDOT Strategic Bikeways Plan, ANC 6C request for support
Plenary Session
Alcohol and Cannabis Licensing Committee
OANC advice on committee chairmanship – Ad hoc rotating chair from among committee members
New Business
J.O. Wilson construction – Update, Jeremiah Foxwell
201 K Street NE, sidewalk access closed – Andrew Hayes
Community Meeting on Rumsey Redesign.
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) have scheduled a community meeting to discuss the latest concept design for the Rumsey Aquatic Center.
Meeting Details:
Location: North Hall at Eastern Market | 255 7th Street SE
Time: 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM
Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact Christopher Dyer at (202) 702-9453 or Christopher.dyer@dc.gov
Motion to elect officers: Chair – Amber Gove (6A04); -Vice Chair – Stephen Kolb (6A07); Secretary/Parliamentarian – Jeff Giertz (6A06); Treasurer – Roberta Shapiro (6A02)
Motion to elect members and leaders of the permanent Committees for 2026.
Economic Development and Zoning Committee – TBA & Mike Cushman (6A04) – Co-Chairs; Ayisha Lockett (6A06), Becca Buthe (6A03), Russ Green (6A02); Rachael Loper (6A02).
Transportation and Public Safety Committee – Patrick Bloomstine (6A01), Chair; Shaun Lynch (6A01); Caitlin Rogger (6A07); Jeff Fletcher (6A07); Mark Sussman (6A04).
Alcohol Beverage & Cannabis Committee – Jeff Giertz – Chair; Members – TBA
Community Outreach Committee: Chair and Members – TBA
Motion to adopt a schedule of monthly meetings.
Community Presentation – To be announced
Consent Agenda
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis
Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the application for renewal of a Class C tavern license with Entertainment and endorsements at The Haymaker 1015 H Street NE
Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the application for a retail Class B Beer and Wine by US Spirits, LLC at 50 Massachusetts Ave NE Suite M118 unless a settlement agreement is reached. ANC 6A authorizes the ANC Chair or the Chair of the ABC Committee, or their designee, to negotiate the settlement agreement
Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the application for the application for a new license for a Class C Restaurant by Crumb at 822 H Street NE unless a settlement agreement is reached. ANC6A authorizes the ANC Chair or the Chair of the ABC Committee, or their designee, to negotiate the settlement agreement
Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the application for a substantial change request to a Class C Tavern to change hours of operation and alcoholic beverage sales and service for the Summer Garden by 816 Dirty Water at 816 H Street NE
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Sign Up for FreeDC. To learn about upcoming FreeDC events, actions, and ways to get involved, go here: https://freedcproject.org/events
Note: The January meeting of the Congress Working Group was previously scheduled for January 8th, but was rescheduled to allow community members to attend the evening’s vigils in response to the shooting in Minneapolis. Those who registered for the January 8th meeting are still registered for tonight’s meeting.
Free DC’s Congress Working Group develops priorities and projects for Free DC’s advocacy to Congress.
This meeting will be hybrid, meaning there will be both in-person and remote attendance options. Please register below and let us know how you’re planning to attend!
If you are attending in person, please note that Old City Market & Oven is located about a 10-minute walk from the NoMa Metro Station (M St NE exit) on the Red Line.
The meeting room is in the basement, accessible only by stairs; attendees requiring wheelchair accessibility/elevator access should register to attend this meeting remotely. For additional accessibility information, please contact congress@freedcproject.org.
The new HQ of GraceWay Baptist Church at 228 7th Street, SE
Politically Active Church Buys $5.5 million Building at Eastern Market
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 11, 2026
(A previous version of this post stated that the purchase price was $8 million. Although the listed price was $8 million, the actual sales price was $5.5 million.)
GraceWay Baptist Church has purchased the 25,000 square foot former Health Home Care and Hospice Association building at 228 7th Street, SE, across from Eastern Market. The church was established by Pastor Brad Wells in DC in 2016.
GraceWay has been meeting at Hill Center for some 10 years while searching for its own building. Last year, the church’s website says it raised $2 million toward a down payment on a church near Dupont Circle at 1611 16th Street, NW, which was ultimately was sold to Union City Church.
GraceWay then turned its attention to the 7th Street building. The church’s fundraising website refers to having obtained a loan for the purchase of 228 7th Street in November 2025 and closing on the sale in December 2025. The reported purchase price was $5.5 million.
The church is candid about its connection to political power. From the church’s mission statement: “GraceWay has a vision of reaching Washington, D.C., for Christ. Not only do we want to reach out to the leaders in government, but we also want to connect with staffers, lobbyists, and interns on all levels of government.”
While personally avoiding political endorsements, Wells has praised U.S. House Speaker Johnson on X and has platformed X posts of members of Congress who have praised administration cabinet appointments.
The church emphasizes voting as a religious duty, and has gathered for a Saturday night prayer service in front of the Supreme Court for a decade.
According to a Bloomberg News article of May 9, 2025, Pastor Wells appears outside the US House of Representatives “nearly every day” the House is in session, sponsored by an unnamed member of Congress. His purpose, the article says, is to be available for prayer and spiritual guidance.
After graduating high school, Wells joined his parents in Papua New Guinea, where they served as missionaries. He subsequently graduated from the Treasure Valley Baptist Bible Institute in Meridian, Idaho, with a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology before returning to Papua New Guinea. After 16 years of service abroad, Wells felt called to DC to minister to officials and residents. GraceWay held its first service in its new headquarters on Sunday, January 4, on the building’s lower (basement) level. The first floor of 228 Seventh Street, SE is home to the MedStar Urgent Care Center which is reported to be in the middle of a 20 year lease. GraceWay’s plan – according to the church’s fundraising website – is to create a 250 seat auditorium on the building’s second floor and to reconfigure the third floor into classrooms and offices.
New Surveillance Camera on Eastern Market Metro Plaza
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 8, 2026
A new surveillance camera has been installed on Eastern Market Metro Plaza by the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District (BID). The device was funded by a grant from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. The 360 degree camera is registered with MPD’s Camera Connect program which can provide real-time coverage to MPD’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC).
According to a statement by the Capitol Hill BID, “the camera covers high-traffic areas of the park and supports the city’s ongoing public safety efforts along busy commercial corridors, particularly during peak evening and overnight hours, by helping detect loitering and other potentially suspicious activity.”
The city established the Safe Commercial Corridors Grant Program in 2024 to provide funds to allow BIDs to upgrade security monitoring. Other BIDs across the city have received grants to improve security, including Adams Morgan, Anacostia, Capitol Riverfront, Golden Triangle, and DuPont Circle, Georgetown, Mount Vernon Triangle, and NoMA. Other than the Golden Triangle BID, the number of other BID’s which have used funds for surveillance cameras is uncertain.
The ACLU has expressed concerns about the Real-Time Crime Center’s ability to monitor activity across the city without public oversight.
Community Meeting on New Rumsey Design Set for Wed Jan 14 – 6:30pm
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) have scheduled a community meeting to discuss the latest concept design for the Rumsey Aquatic Center.
Meeting Details:
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Location: North Hall at Eastern Market | 255 7th St SE
Time: 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM
Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact Christopher Dyer at (202) 702-9453 or Christopher.dyer@dc.gov.
Additional websites for the Rumsey Aquatic Center Community Meeting project:
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 