CAPITOL HILL CORNER

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 7, 2026

Llamas’ Corner, the Baltimore-based café is open in DC at 705 8th Street, SE.  Here’s a photo inside.  Monday–Friday: 7:30am – 6:00pm.  Saturday–Sunday: 9:00am – 4:00pm.

Vandalism of Loveful Hands Sculpture at Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  Last week, Loveful Hands by Jay Coleman suffered damage from of what appears to be epoxy paint randomly drippled onto the sculpture.  Here’s an image of the top.

It appears that attempts to remove dribbles on the north side of the sculpture while the paint was still wet left smudges on the bronze.

Last Wednesday, the Potomac and Pennsylvania Intersection actually became a traffic circle.  The construction is mostly done with the sidewalks around the outside of the circle. 

ANC6B Commissioner Karen Hughes told ANC6B’s Transportation Committee that the launching of the on-line project to name the circle is almost ready to go.

Wingstop Update.  Here’s a photo of the interior of the proposed Wingstop Carryout on Barracts Row, much as the previous tenant left it.  ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee chaired by Commissioner Vince Marino met last Wednesday to finalize a conditional agreement between some neighbors and Wingstop/Emerald Wings, that would clear the way for the full ANC vote on supporting the carryout’s application for a fast food exception so they could open on Barracks Row.  Agreement was reached at the committee level for operating hours for the carryout:  Sunday – Thursday, close at midnight.  Friday & Saturday, walk-in service will close at 1:00am – on-line service available until 2:00am.  Marino noted that there is still a contingent of neighbors who oppose any use of this property to sell food.  The full ANC will consider the committee’s recommendation to support the agreement and an exception at its meeting Tuesday night, June 9.  The Board of Zoning Adjustment will hold a public hearing on June 17 at 9:30am.  Visit https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/Home/Calendar for details.

Saturday, Rural Dog Rescue hosted an adoption event at Howl to the Chief at 719 8^th Street Barracks Row.  The organization features dogs which are currently up for adoption and hosts the event at Howl the Chief once or twice a month.  They host adoption events at Howl to the Chief, Steadfast Supply, City-State Brewing Company, and elsewhere around Washington, D.C.  Go here for a calendar of events:  https://ruraldogrescue.com/event-calendar/

The Week Ahead…

Tuesday, June 9

ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.

The meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

• For info on how to access the on line meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Consent Agenda – TBD

Community & Commission Announcements & Speak Out

• Office of the Mayor
• Councilmember Charles Allen’s Office
• Metropolitan Police Department
• Update on Items from Executive Committee Meeting

Presentations

ANC 6B Input on Other Concerns

Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee (6/2/2026)

• ABC Renewals
• New Applications
• Update on CIVIC on 8^th Street

Transportation Committee

• John Philip Sousa Bridge bus lane update.
• Letter to DDOT on 11^th Street Bike Lane
• Renaming alley o4 1400 block of G Street SE, Matthews Court

Planning and Zoning Committee

• Letter to BZA re Wingstop/Emerald Wings application for Fast Food Exemption

Public Safety Committee update

Southeast Library Taskforce update

Public Parks and Recreation Spaces Taskforce

• Letter to Parks Board to have Rumsey Meeting prior to August
• Update on On-line monitoring of Parks in Ward 6

ANC 7D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1

Among items on the draft agenda:

Kingman Island and Heritage Island Development Project Pre-Design Update – Presented by: DDOEE, Rhodeside Harwell, KGL Comms

Benning Road Transfer Station Modernization Project Update – Presented by Benning Road Community Advisory Team

Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder

Elected District Government Official Updates

Community Matters

• RFK Notes
• Opportunity for Commission and community members to raise awareness around RFK development and planing issues

Commissioner SMD Reports

Commission Business Items

ANC 7D Committees

Economic Development, Housing Justice, Zoning and Alcoholic Beverage Cannabis Administration Committee

Transportation/Public Space Committee

Wednesday, June 10

ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

FOIA Update – Andrew Hayes

Consent Agenda

Transportation and Public Space Committee

• 522 K Street NE, application for a new sidewalk café.

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee

• 316 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Bistro Cacao Historic Preservation Application. Application for concept approval to construct a large pergola in public space abutting the front façade

Plenary Discussion

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Commitee

• 313 2nd Street NE, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, a special exception and an area variance to create a record lot, raze existing structure, and construct a two-story parish hall.
• Draft Historic Preservation Office Design Guidelines, alley building and garages

New Business (Tabled in May)

• Revised resolution on “gentle zoning,” Andrew Hayes

Thursday, June 11

ANC6A will hold virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda

Consent Agenda

Economic Development and Zoning (EDZ)

• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter of support to BZA to support the applicant at 1332 Corbin Pl. NE to construct a third story and a three-story with basement rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit.  Special exceptions sought are relief of rear yard requirements of and the lot occupancy requirements.

Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis (ABC

• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to ABCA in support of a stipulated license for The Hall on H Street, 1250 H Street, NE, subject to a settlement agreement being reached.

Standing Committee Reports:

New Business

Single Member District reports

Community Comments (2 minutes each)

Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You to Know About:

Friday, June 12

Friday Night Live on Eastern Market Metro Plaza

5:00pm – 6:30pm. 

African American Music Appreciation Month – Too Much Talent Band  https://www.toomuchtalentband.com/

The concert series comes to Eastern Market Metro Plaza through the efforts of Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks and Recreation.  CM Charles Allen secured funding in the current FY DC Budget to program the performance space at the Plaza.

Saturday, June 13

Book Sale – NE Library

10:00am – 3:00pm.

Friends of NE and SE Library will hold a book sale NE Library.

Sunday, June 14

Celebrate Pride with Us at Gays & Graves.at Historic Congressional Cemetery

11 am – 4 pm.

Gays & Graves:  returns for a 2nd time to Historic Congressional Cemetery for a Pride celebration rooted in history, remembrance, and community.

For more, go here:  https://congressionalcemetery.org/event/gays-graves-a-big-gay-festival-2/

Proper Exotic’s outlet at 313 8th Street, NE.

Proper Exotic Weed Closes Shop

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 7, 2026

According to Commissioner Jay Adelstein, ANC6C03, Proper Exotic, trading as True Nature Dispensary at 313 8^th Street, NE, is going out of business.  Adelstein said the property owner’s real estate broker had informed him of the property’s status as of yesterday morning. 

The dispensary opened earlier this year after months of opposition from ANC6A and ANC6B as well as nearby neighbors.  ABCA dismissed every entity protesting Proper Exotic application for a retail cannabis license, including the ANCs and a letter of opposition from council member Charles Allen.

The owners of Hunny Bunny boutique Elizabeth Cronan and Jon Bormet felt forced to closer their brick and mortar business 311 8th Street, NE, because Proper Exotic opened next door.  The company manufactures and retailer s all-natural bath and beauty products.  The company has since moved to an on-line operation. 

There is widespread resident opposition to the negative effects on communities brought by ABCA licensing weed shops in areas householders deem inappropriate.   Other recent examples on Capitol Hill include Aloha at 528 Eighth Street SE (currently under investigation by ABCA as reported by CHC) and Garden Hill at 1322 G Street SE (which has not opened yet). 

Regarding the closure, Adelstein commented:  “Just as we all thought – terrible location.”

705 8^th Street, SE – Barracks Row

Here’s a close-up of the signage.

And here’s a look inside.

New Coffee/Boba Café Set to Open on Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 3, 2026

Llamas’ Corner, the Baltimore-based café is set to open in DC at 705 8^th Street, SE, in the space formerly occupied by Souk.  Their Instagram page says they will open Saturday, June 6.  https://www.instagram.com/p/DY5g2vSEZZj/

This feels a bit like the return of the café society which has been in decline in recent years on Capitol Hill; this is the latest “third space” to open on Barracks Row, joining As You Are and CIVIC on 8th as hubs where the community gathers for conversation, community building, and exchanging ideas.

From their website: 

“We’re passionate about llamas and their ability to bring joy and inspiration to everyone they encounter, which is why we’ve incorporated them into our shop’s decor and menu.

At Llamas’ Corner, we’re also dedicated to sustainability and healthy options. That’s why we only source organic, fair-trade, and chemical-free premium coffee beans, ensuring that each cup of coffee is not only delicious but also ethically sourced. We also offer a variety of healthy breakfast and lunch options that are made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible.”

Their menu will feature coffee, Boba tea, paninis, and pastries. 

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Last Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 31, 2026

Sunday afternoon, signs on the doors of Trader Joe’s announced the store is having electrical issues and is closed until further notice. 

Albert’s Liquor at 328 Kentucky Avenue, SE, was on the market in late 2025, but is currently off market with apparently no interest from potential buyers, despite price drops. 

A couple of years ago, community volunteers cleaned up the triangle park adjacent to Albert’s Liquor kitty corner from Safeway, but it has since become a messy eyesore.  According to ANC6B Parks and Public Space Taskforce, CM Charles Allen has provided funding to refurbish the park and the Taskforce will discuss how to support the effort at its Monday night meeting – see below. 

This spring, DC Department of health is launching a three pronged approach using baiting, tracking powder, and fertility suppressant to target the rodent population.  According to DC Health, in FY 2025 the Rodent and Vector Control team conducted approximately 35,000 rodent abatements.  The data shows that approximately 37% of rodent activity is concentrated in 6 zip codes.

The renovation of SE Library is beginning to have a finished appearance.  Here’s a photo of the south side of the SE Library looking NW.

Here’s Joel and Pearl Bailes and the Capitol Hillbillies – a group they founded in 1983 – at Eastern Market on Sunday afternoon.  The Capitol Hillbillies (and others) make up theCapitol Hill Cajun Orchestra which hosts the next Cajun Dance on Capitol Hill, Tuesday night, June 2, 7:30 to 9:30pm, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 A Street, SE.  All ages welcome.  Free admission.

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Last Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 31, 2026

The Week Ahead…

The Week Ahead…

Monday, June 1

ANC6C Alcohol Beverage & Cannabis Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting a 7:00pm. 

• https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Agenda:  TBA

ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Task Force will hold an in-person meeting at 7:00pm.

• The meeting will be held on the second floor, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Entrance next to Trader Joe’s.

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Rumsey Pool – letter urging that the next DPR community meeting, planned for “spring,” be held prior to August.
• Triangle Park Near Safeway, a new opportunity – Discussion of how to support the effort to refurbish the triangle park near Safeway offered by means of funding procured for that purpose by CM Charles Allen.
• Proposed Committee Activity: Discussion of how to implement a  proposed plan for monitoring of parks.
• Street Facing Park Benches.  Discussion of why benches just re-installed at Stuart Square all face the street rather than the park.
• Discussion of need for signage at Garfield Park and Rumsey Pool.

Tuesday, June 2

ANC6B Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• ABC renewals, if any.
• New applications, if any.
• Protests and other updates.

MPD First District Citizens Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://1dcac.com/

Agenda:  Overview and details regarding crime in the First District the past month with opportunities for questions and feedback.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

ANC6B Transportation and Public Space Committee

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Agenda:

• John Philips Sousa Bridge Bus Lanes
• DDOT response to Shirley Chisholm Letter

ANC6C Planning and Zoning Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Agenda:  TBA

Thursday, June 4

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/  

Agenda:

• Wingstop/Emerald Wings application for a fast food exemption for a new carryout on Barracks Row.
• Capitol Hill Hotel – BZA application – To construct a rear and side addition. 

ANC6C Transportation and Public Space is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Agenda:  TBA

                                                                ***

Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You To Know About:

Tuesday, June 2

Cajun Dance on Capitol Hill.

7:30 to 9:30pm, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 A Street, SE. Lively Cajun French music from southwestern Louisiana.  Dance to two steps and waltzes played by the Capitol Hill Cajun Orchestra. All ages welcome; free admission

Friday, June 5

Friday Night Live at Eastern Market Metro Station Plaza

African American Music Appreciation Month

5 PM – 6:30pm – Love Station Band – R&B of the 60s, 70s & 80s

Sunday, June 7

Hill Center Event

American Roots Concert Series: Will Kimbrough In-person

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Will Kimbrough is a renowned Nashville-based singer-songwriter, an uber versatile multi-instrumentalist, a musician’s musician and was named the Americana Music Association’s Instrumentalist of the Year in 2004.

RSVP here:  https://bit.ly/438NaFL

Sunday, June 7

Congressional Cemetery Event

Pride LGBTQ+ Tour

1:00 PM – 2:00pm

History comes alive at Congressional Cemetery. HCC is one of the only known cemeteries in the world with a dedicated LGBTQ+ section. To explore LGBTQ+ history and gay legacy in the nation’s capital, we hope that you will join us for our LGBTQ+ tour. Find out who is buried here, including many LGBTQ+ activists, and learn about DC’s role in shaping the contours of the gay rights movement.

Tickets are only $10 and all proceeds go to benefitting our non-profit mission of historical preservation and education. This is a non-refundable donation.

Tickets:  Individual RSVP – $11.20 – Go here:  https://bit.ly/43aIgrM

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 25, 2026

DOUX Dessert shop is open – 615 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – the site of the short-lived Pasha Castle.

Baklava, booza, Turkish delight, crepes, coffee & tea – For the dessert menu, go here:  https://bit.ly/4fHfSox

Mott’s Market at 232 12th Street, SE.

Here’s a look inside as the Market moves toward opening.

Spray Parks – DPR Spray Parks like this one in Eastern Market Metro Park are open on the WEEKENDS ONLY (Saturday and Sunday) BEFORE Sunday, June 21, 2026.  For more on pools and spray parkes, go here:  https://dpr.dc.gov/page/outdoor-pools

Here’s a look at the former Harris Teeter Potomac Avenue store, now empty for four years and five months.  Last January the company announced that they would terminate the lease on the space.  Once a tenant is found, retrofitting the space will take time, so nothing appears to be on the immediate horizon. At least, the lights are on.

Construction of the DDOT Potomac/Pennsylvania Avenue Traffic Circle started last year and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026 – maybe.  Prompted by its Transportation Committee and Commissioner Karen Hughes, ANC6B is moving proactively to recommend a prominent Washingtonian for whom to name the Circle.  The plan is to select a name based on an on-line ranked choice voting process.  Currently the proposed options are singer and pianist Roberta Flack (1937 – 2025), artist Elizabeth Catlett (1915 – 2012), and Bobby Mitchell, (1935 – 2020) the first African American football player for the Washington NFL franchise.  More later on this. 

The Week Ahead…

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

ANC6A Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Old Business

• Update on application of DC Dank, 712 15th St NE, for a new cannabis retailer license.

New Business

• Discussion of an application for a New Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant with a Seating Capacity of 84 and Total Occupancy Load of 93 for The Hall on H Street, 1250 H Street, NE.

ANC6B’s Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Agenda:  Consideration and adoption of agendas for the upcoming committee meetings as well and the agenda for the next monthly meeting of the Commission. 

Wednesday, May 27

The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market.

• Info on how to join the virtual meeting will be announced.

Agenda:  TBA

Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You To Know About: 

Saturday, May 30th,

The Dragon Clan!

Featuring professional martial artists, The Dragon Clan is an interactive, expeditious, and state-of-the-art ninja performance. It includes stunts, weapon handling, and magic tricks from three of the four ninjas: Thunder the Lightning Ninja, Blaze the Fire Ninja, Shiver the Ice Ninja, or our newest member, Sage the Earth Ninja.

12:00pm – 1:15 PM Eastern Market Metro Park (near the Children’s Playground)

Saturday, May 30

Capitol Hill Art League Brings Photography to Frame of Mine

The show opens on Saturday, May 30 with a reception from 3:30-4:30 pm.

Nine members of the Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL) bring their photographic skills to the Hill offering a range of subjects, both local and international, on display at the Frame of Mine Gallery at 545 8th Street, SE.  Through June 27, 2026.

Saturday, May 30

Congressional Cemetery Capitol Connections Tour

11:00am – 12:30pm

Established in 1800, Washington, DC was the fledgling capital of a fledgling nation. Built to house the seats of federal government, the nation’s capital soon became a city in its own right, a place where people lived, worked, and, of course, died. A mix of congressmen, merchants, military officers, diplomats, architects, and enslaved individuals comprised the fabric of the new capital, an experimental mix of people in an experimental new nation. We invite you to experience the lives of the people in the early days of the Federal City in a special tour of the cemetery grounds.  For more and for tickets, go here:  https://bit.ly/4x35mOS

Sunday, May 21

Congressional Cemetery – Notes from the Crypt Concert

2:00pm – 3:00pm

Join us for an enchanting afternoon of classical music in the Historic Congressional Cemetery  Chapel.  Admission is free and seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 1:30 pm.

To make a reservation, go here:  https://bit.ly/42UgfEH

As a public service, CHC is posting a link to the Hill Rag Election Guide for the June 16 DC Democratic Primary.

The Hill Rag Election Guide

Keith Parsons, Depatment of Buildings

Frank Bessenyei, Office of Tax and Revenue

Dennis Corkery, Offic of theAttorney General – photo credit, Dennis Corkery from LinkedIn.

How DC Responds to Vacant/Blighted/Nuisance Properties

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 19, 2026

Last Thursday, ANC6A, Chaired by Commissioner Amber Gove, heard from a panel of DC officials on how the city addresses the issue of vacant, blighted, and nuisance properties.  The presentation was coordinated by 6A Commissioner Roberta Shapiro, who brought the Department of Building’s (DOB) Keith Parsons, the Office of Tax and Revenue’s (OTR) Frank Bessenyei, and the Office of Attorney General’s (OAG) Dennis Corkery, to the Commission. 

DOB

Keith Parsons took the lead in the presentation noting that addressing the issue of vacant and blighted properties starts with DOB.  The role of DOB is two-fold. 

• Identifying properties as either vacant or blighted.
• If the property has violations they have an abatement team and contract abatement to correct some issues, e.g., grass, trash, boarding up, and mitigation of structural issues.

Enforcement starts with a complaint filed with DOB on the website, here: https://dob.dc.gov/ (under Inspections and Enforcement) which provides a menu to request a vacant or blighted property inspection. 

Filing the form triggers a property inspection.  Prompts help DOB identify what they will potentially do.  Inspectors try to determine if anybody is actually living in the property day to day or using the property day to day in business.  If any part of the property is occupied, the entire property qualifies as occupied – one unit in a 700 unit apartment house qualifies the entire structure.  Using the garage in an otherwise empty commercial building qualifies.  An investor who buys five empty store fronts and puts them all in one tax lot and occupies one store front qualifies all five as being occupied. 

As a side note, Parsons clarified that DOB does not handle squatters but MPD can and DOB will alert MPD to squatters when that is part of the complaint. 

Filing a complaint will generate a confirmation email and by replying a complainant can find out what happened. 

There are a number of exemptions a property owner can claim to postpone the declaration of property as vacant.  These include, among others, ongoing construction, listing a property for sale, property is under probate or litigation, hardship, and application for permits. 

Here’s a link to DOB’s Vacant Property Tax Dashboard which displays a map showing the location of every one of DC’s 4472 vacant properties https://bit.ly/4dRQOK5

OTR

Frank Bessenyer said that OTR communicates with DOB on updating and changing classification of properties.   

OTR’s Assessment Services Division is responsible for billing and collecting real property taxes and a corrected tax bill is issued promptly once DOB notifies of a change in status – usually within 48 hours.  The tax rate for a vacant property is 5% – for a blighted property it’s 10%.  Vacant lots are not taxed at the higher rates.

Any property for which taxes are in arrears is potentially subject to a tax sale – technically it’s the lien that is sold and that starts a foreclosure process unless the owner decides to redeem the lien during the 2 – 3 years the foreclosure process takes.  If the tax lien does not sell, the District continues to offer it in future sales.  If it still does not sell, the lien may go to a discount tax sale where bidding on properties starts at $300.

OAG

Dennis Corkery works in the Workers’ Rights and Anti-Fraud Section of OAG.  His office deals with nuisance properties involving drugs, firearms, and prostitution.  OAG can bring lawsuits against the owner of the property if there’s a nuisance going on.  OAG has to go after the owner – so if there’s an absent land lord or owner there’s not much they can do.

Corkery cited a recent OAG success in ANC6A at the property at 1000 C Street, NE. The property was vacant for over a decade and the owner submitted endless exemption requests which Corkery said were either fake or designed to take advantage of the process.  OAG filed suit and was ultimately awarded default judgement.  (The owner – George Papageorge – must pay $1.8 million in back taxes.)  US Marshals will sell the property and the money used to pay for the judgment. 

1000 C Street, NE.  Photo credit:  Google Maps.  2025

Wednesday Noon: New Eastern Market Rodent Control Plan – Virtual Community Meeting

REMINDER: Capitol Hill business owners and community stakeholders are invited to join DC Health for an important virtual community meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20, from 12:00-1:00 PM, regarding a new targeted rodent control “blitz” initiative coming to Eastern Market.

This pilot effort brings together residents, businesses, and ANC commissioners to address rodent activity through a coordinated, data-driven approach. During this session, DC Health will share what to expect during the three-week blitz cycles, the methods being used, and how success will be measured.

Most importantly, this meeting will focus on partnership. Attendees will receive practical tips and guidance on how to reduce rodent activity, including proper waste management, property maintenance, and how to report issues through DC 311. Whether you live, work, or operate a business in Eastern Market, your participation is key to keeping our community clean, safe, and rodent-free.

For more and to register to receive a link for the virtual meeting, go here:  https://bit.ly/4wX0qer