Monthly Archives: June 2013

Residents of Near Southeast, Lincoln Park, Hill East and Capitol Hill neighborhoods should stay indoors with air conditioning on but windows closed, as prolonged exposure to unfiltered smoke could be hazardous.

Frager’s Paint Store Burns

by Larry Janezich

At about 6:40pm on Wednesday evening, a fire erupted in Frager’s Paint Store.  The fire appeared to originate near the back of the store near the passageway where Frager’s had planned a glass fronted addition opening on to 11th Street.  The second story above the rear of the store was quickly engulfed in flames and thick clouds of toxic smoke poured out of the fire and drifted across Pennsylvania Avenue to the north.  Bystanders said they had been in the store ten minutes before, and “everything was fine.”  At 6:44pm, following a radio directive, firefighters scrambled to their trucks and sounded their sirens.  A police officer standing by taking photos responded to a question, saying that it was a signal to firefighters evacuate the building because “it was going to collapse.”  Councilmember and mayoral candidate was on the scene but was not available for comment.  Fearing an explosion, police acted to push the crowds back across 10th Street to the west.

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Councilmember Tommy Wells Arrives on the Scene

Wells Confers With Official

The view of Frager’s Paint Store from 11th Street about 6:43pm Wednesday evening

More photos and details to be posted shortly.

Donatelli/Blue Skye Hill East Project Advances

by Larry Janezich

ANC6B’ Planning and Zoning Committee, Chaired by Commissioner Francis Campbell, agreed in principle Tuesday night to support the Donatelli/Blue Skye proposal to build two mixed-use residential/retail buildings on two adjoining parcels next to the Stadium-Armory Metro.  A draft letter of support to Victor Hoskins, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, (DMPED) made public at the committee meeting urged Hoskins to move forward with the project and to take action immediately to prepare the remaining parcels of Reservation 13 for development. 

The Donatelli/Blue Skye proposal – which was the only proposal received by DMPED – envisions a 113 residential units north building and 240 units in the south.  There’s a combined total of 20,000 square feet of retail on the first floors of the two buildings in which the developer plans locate a mix of local and national outlets.

Long-time Hill East resident Pat Taylor pointed out that Donatelli/Blue Skye had been deficient in satisfying DMPED’s  REIF (request for expressions of interest) requirement by failing to present two alternate plans.  Outspoken project supporter ANC6B Commissioner Brian Flahaven implied that DMPED might have made allowances given there was only one response to the REIF but said he would follow up with DMPED to see if an alternate plan – here-to-fore unmentioned – had actually been filed. 

Given that the development is being done in accordance with pre-existing zoning for the site and the fact that it lies outside of the Capitol Hill Historic District this may be the only effective opportunity for ANC6B and the community to weigh in on the project.  To that end, Hill East resident and former Capitol Hill Restoration Society Chair Beth Purcell suggested strengthening the language asserting that the building’s designs needed more work, a concern that was shared by some commissioners, including Brian Pate.  Former ANC6B commissioner Ken Jarboe agreed with Purcell, saying that the developer can do better.  He urged the ANC to push for a better design while endorsing the project.   

It would not be unusual for a project design at this stage to bear little relationship to what is actually built.  Still, given the apparent predisposition of city agencies to favor developers over community concerns, the questionable effect of community input when pressing for design changes even when Historic Preservation Board and Zoning Commission reviews are required (see the Hine redevelopment), and developers’ concern for the financial bottom line, community concern about the final product seems warranted.  For many Hill East residents, however, “something is better than nothing” appears to be the driving force supporting the development.    

At discussion’s end, the consensus of the committee was to take no position pending a reworking of the language of the draft to incorporate concerns raised at the meeting.  The full ANC6B will consider and vote on the letter to Hoskins at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 11, at 7:00pm in Hill Center. 

On May 21, WAMU News raised questions about Donatelli Development/Blue Skye Construction in a four part series on the relationship between DC developers, city officials, and campaign contributions. http://wamu.org/news/13/05/21/million_dollar_properties_1_deals

The Week Ahead ……ANC Planning and Zoning to Discuss Donatelli/Blue Skye – Transportation Committee Gets 11^th Street Bridge Project Update

by Larry Janezich

Monday, June 3,

CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm at 420 10^th Street, SE. 

Tuesday, June 4

ANC 6B Planning & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Ave SE.  On the agenda will be a discussion of the Donatelli/Blue Skye development plans for two choice Reservation 13 parcels adjacent to the Stadium/Armory Metro.

Wednesday, June 5

ANC6B Transportation Committee meets  at 6:30 pm to hear a 7:00pm presentation on the status and future of the 11^th Street Bridge project by DDOT and 11^th Street Bridge construction representatives.  The meeting will be at National Community Church, 535 8th Street SE.  The committee will conduct committee business from 6:30pm until 7:00pm.

The Thursday, June 6 ABC Committee Meet Has Been Cancelled

Thursday, June 6  

ANC 6B ABC Committee Meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center to discuss liquor license renewals for Talay Thai and Sonoma.  In addition, the committee will discuss amendments to settlement agreements, possibly including the agreement with the Barracks Row Chipotle.