Monthly Archives: March 2014

March 6, 2014 · 6:36 pm

ANC6B Committee Lists Projects Seeking Part of $1.4 Million for Barracks Row/Ballpark District

 

Barracks Row Seeks Parking Funds to Repair Pedestrian Hazards on 8th Street, SE

Barracks Row Seeks Parking Funds to Repair Pedestrian Hazards on 8th Street, SE

ANC6B Committee Lists Projects Seeking Part of $1.4 Million for Barracks Row/Ballpark District

Ballpark District Bids for Major Chunk of Performance Parking Community Project Funds

by Larry Janezich

Last night at ANC6B’s Transportation Committee, commissioners from ANC6B and representatives from Barracks Row MainStreet and Capitol Riverfront BID submitted non-automotive transportation projects they hope to have funded by the $1.4 million available under the Neighborhood Performance Parking Fund.  The committee will decide which projects should be prioritized and forwarded to the full ANC for approval at the March meeting next Tuesday; after that the projects are submitted to DDOT for review.

Michael Stevens, Executive Director of Capitol Riverfront BID, had a long list of projects – all for the Ballpark District – with an estimated cost for some of them:

  • Enhanced lighting for Tingey Street, SE (pedestrian route, Ballpark)
  • New Trash Cans – $84,000
  • New crosswalk striping for intersections
  • Enhanced lighting for New Jersey Avenue underpass – $150,000 (pedestrian route, Ballpark)
  • Signage for attractions – $190,000
  • Establishment of tree farms for growing street trees – $50,000
  • Bike Racks – $l5,700
  • Capitol Bike Share stations
  • Feasibility study for a third entrance/exit for Navy Yard Metro – $170,000

Martin Smith, Executive Director of Barracks Row MainStreet listed the following projects for Barracks Row:

  • Replace tree box surrounds on Barracks Row – $240,000 – $250,000
  • Replace or repair slate pavers on Barracks Row

Committee Chair Oldenberg listed the following projects for ANC6B:

  • On behalf of Commissioner Frishberg, treebox surrounds for Eastern Market Metro Plaza
  • On behalf of Chuck Burger of Barracks Row “Sign Tigers,” landscaping for Eastern Market Metro Plaza – $150,000
  • On behalf of commissioner Brian Pate – pedestrian improvements, Gessford Court between 11th and 12th Streets, SE
  • On behalf of resident Bob Bresnehan – repair sidewalks on Seward Square
  • Improve pedestrian crossing markings at 8th and L
  • Pedestrian improvements at 9th and Potomac and 10th and Potomac
  • Capitol Bike Share Station, SW corner, 11th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
  • Replace ADA access at 10th and D Streets, SE
  • Replace ADA access at 10th and G Streets, SE
  • New sidewalk on South side of Virginia Avenue Park

The Neighborhood Performance Parking Fund comes from a portion of the increased parking fees in the three areas of the city where the Performance Parking Program has been implemented:  Ballpark Area (including Barracks Row and Eastern Market), Columbia Heights, and H Street, NE.  Within these areas, the following entities are eligible to apply for funding for projects: ANCs, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and Main Street organizations.

DDOT gives the highest priority to projects according to location, key walking streets, pedestrian high-injury corridor, missing sidewalks, bicycle network, Capitol Bikeshare, and surface transit routes.

Since applications are due to DDOT by March 21, next Tuesday will be the last opportunity for ANC6B to weigh in on them.  Residents who feel strongly about any of these projects should contact the ANC6 B commissioners here http://www.anc6b.org/ (click on “About the ANC’)

or the ANC6D commissioners here http://www.anc6d.org/

DDOT will announce awards on May 12, 2014

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March 5, 2014 · 5:50 pm

New Letter Confronts DMPED’s Decade-Long Flouting of Transparency Laws

New Letter Confronts DMPED’s Decade-Long Flouting of Transparency Laws

by Larry Janezich

On February 11, Muriel Bowser took Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Victor Hoskins to task for the on-going lack of transparency which has characterized his office for more than a decade.  She did so during her Committee on Economic Development oversight hearing of DMPED, and in response to earlier testimony from Brian Flahaven, Chair of ANC6B, regarding the Hine project and by Oliver Hall, an attorney for litigants who are appealing the Zoning Commission approval of the West End Library and Hine development projects.

District residents filed formal FOIA requests in both the Hine and West End cases to obtain withheld records and in each case DMPED declined the request in whole or part, but in each case was reversed on appeal to the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to the Mayor.  In the Hine case, the OGC issued a stinging rebuke to DMPED’s citation of the “trade secrets exemption” as a general basis for withholding public records, saying [it] “comes perilously close to insulting the Court’s intelligence.”

Hoskins testified before Bowser that DMPED does not publicly disclose documents relating to the lease or sale of public properties to private developers because “we haven’t been required to do it.”  That appears to be flat out wrong, since the Freedom of Information Act requires DMPED to post on its website, contracts created after November 1, 2001.

In a March 3 letter to Bowser and members of the City Council, Hall wrote: “A recent search of DMPED’s website did not reveal a single final LDA available for public review.  In fact, most of the projects listed under the ‘Real Estate Projects’ section of DMPED’s website do not link to any documents whatsoever.  …the Hine and West End Public Library properties – are not even listed….”

Hoskins went on to testify on February 11 that “We’re not trying to hide anything.”  Bowser said, “But we do hide it.  It gets lost….   It shouldn’t be FOIA’d.  We can do this proactively and just put [the information] out. our default.  Will you work with me?”

Hoskins replied, “Sure.”

In his letter, dated March 3rd, Oliver Hall asked Bowser not to rely on Hoskins’ “vague pledge” of more openness.  He requested that she schedule another hearing to investigate DMPED’s ongoing lack of transparency and to take action to ensure DMPED complies with the FOIA by posting all LDAs and other public contracts on its website.

At issue, in Hall’s eyes, is the lack of ability of the committee or the city council to provide adequate oversight and ensure that taxpayers get fair market value for public property DMPED leases or sells to private developers.  Also implicit is the issue of the slipshod legislative process by which the council approves draft Land Lease Development Agreements, saying in effect, the details can be worked out by staff.   This is a tremendous delegation of discretionary authority, so much so that it can be characterized as a failure of oversight.

As of today, Capitol Hill Corner has not been made aware by any response from Muriel Bowser.  Hall’s letter was also copied to the city council.

A copy of Hall’s letter can be found in the CHC Library – click on the link at the top of the page.

For Capitol Hill Corner’s February 12 post: ANC6B and Hine Opponents Find Common Ground on Faulting DMPED Transparency, go here: http://bit.ly/1aVCuwD

For the February 27 post: New Documents Show Developer Pressed City to Close on Hine to Avoid Bowser Hearing, go here: http://bit.ly/1fLp2vl

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March 2, 2014 · 10:03 pm

The Week Ahead………

“Not Perfect” by Decoy. Oil and acrylic on wood, 48”X54” - $850.

“Not Perfect” by Decoy. Oil and acrylic on wood, 48”X54” – $850.

The Fridge:  Opened this weekend –  “LADIES FIRST” is a gallery showcase examining the strong voice of women in modern street art and graffiti.   17 featured female artists from across the globe bring their street-smart imagery to the gallery.  Decoy, whose work is featured above, is one of the leading female street artists in Washington, DC.  Born near Brussels, Belgium, she spent most of her childhood in Europe. Her work explores the relationship and interaction of figures – be they pop icons or everyday – with color and space.  Many Capitol Hill residents saw her work in the John Phil:lips Sousa mural on the east side of the bar Wisdom before it was hidden by the construction of Douglas Development’s mixed use building at the corner of 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  She has exhibited her work in a wide range of galleries.   The Fridge, 516 8th Street, Southeast, rear.

The Week Ahead………

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, March 4

ANC6B Planning & Zoning Committee Meeting meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington.

Among the items on the agenda:

Presentation (no action required) on phase one of a Cohen Companies proposal for a 673 residential unit building at 1333 M Street, SE.  The first phase will be a 10-story, 218 unit residential building.

Public space permit for paving, driveways, walks, and ADA access for multi-unit residential building at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Storefront alteration for Remington’s at 639 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Unenclosed sidewalk café for Sonoma Wine Bar at 223 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Wednesday, March 5

ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 6:30pm at Hill Center.

Items on the agenda include:

A letter to Mayor Gray reaffirming the ANC6B September 2013 comments and position on the CSX tunnel project.

Proposals for funding under DDOT’s Performance Parking Zone Community Benefits Program.  There is $1.4 million available for community projects and ANC6B will recommend projects to DDOT in March.  For a copy of the application for funding, go here:  http://bit.ly/1hUpw0W

and for details on the evaluation and selection process, go here:  http://bit.ly/1fTP9QT

ANC6B is seeking worthy projects from 6B residents for projects in areas affected by the Performance Parking Program.  Contact your ANC6B commissioner for additional information.  A list of commissioners is here:  http://www.anc6b.org/ (click on “About the ANC”)

Wednesday, March 5

Groundbreaking ceremony at 10:00am for the Lofts, a 195 unit rental building at 7th and L Streets, SE.  Mayor Gray, Tommy Wells, others will attend.

Thursday, March 6

ANC6B ABC Committee.  No meeting this month.

Thursday, March 6

Ward Six Candidates forum focusing on education, 6:30 – 8:00pm, at Stuart-Hobson Middle School, 410 E Street, NE.  The moderator will be Emma Brown, education columnist for the Washington Post.  The forum will be sponsored by CHPSPO (Capitol Hill Public School Parent Organization), Future Civic Leaders, and the DC Urban Debate League.

Friday, March 7

8:00pm Concert- Megan McCormick at The Corner Store, 9th and South Carolina Avenue, SE.  $20 Advance/$25 Walk-in

Saturday, March 8

Tyler Elementary School Fundraiser 7:00pm to 11:00pm at Eastern Market’s North Hall

Food from local restaurants paired with a range of beers and wines “geared toward all tastes.”  Tickets $50 in advance and $60 at the door.  More info and tickets at http://www.tylerelementary.net/greattaste/

 

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March 2, 2014 · 2:41 pm

Wrapping Up the Week – With Photos ….Metro Plaza, Barracks Row, and H Street

 

Eastern Market Metro Plaza and Park Task Force Met in Hill Center Wednesday Night

Eastern Market Metro Plaza and Park Task Force Met in Hill Center Wednesday Night

Wrapping Up the Week – With Photos ….Metro Plaza, Barracks Row, and H Street

by Larry Janezich

Metro Plaza

Last Wednesday, the Eastern Market Metro Plaza Task Force met at Hill Center to consider the redesign of the Plaza.  Design team leader Architect Amy Weinstein updated the Task Force on interactions with city agencies regarding the plans.  The Task Force made a series of recommendations based largely on community feedback regarding design elements the Task Force would like to see incorporated into the design.  The design team hopes to produce a draft redesign plan by June.  That plan will be submitted to the community for comment and a final plan will be completed later in the summer.  Weinstein stressed that the involvement of city agencies and securing funding will be necessary to move the plan forward.

Barracks Row

Capital Teas will open up a tea boutique in April at 731 Eighth Street, SE, in the space formerly occupied by Tabula Rasa, the event space which closed last year.  The boutique will feature a walk-up tea bar and tea tables in the interior court yard.  100 types of loose teas will be offered, with a selection of light foods and desserts.  The Barracks Row location will be Capital Teas’ seventh and will join the local chain which already has outlets in Annapolis, Bethesda, Fairfax, Dupont Circle and National Harbor. For more info, go here:  http://www.capitalteas.com/

(On March Wednesday, March 12 at 6:00pm Barracks Row Main Street’s Annual Meeting celebration will be held at Capital Teas, 731 8th Street, SE, to highlight the arrival of Spring as well as the 13 new businesses to the corridor in 2013. The party will include tasting samples from many Barracks Row restaurants.  Barracks Row Mainstreet Invites all to stop by.)

Capitol Hill Frame Shop Opened Saturday at 725 8th Street, SE

Capitol Hill Frame Shop Opened Saturday at 725 8th Street, SE

Capitol Hill Frame's Owner Narem Jan Says More Framing Stock Is on the Way

Capitol Hill Frame’s Owner Narem Jan Says More Framing Stock Is on the Way

Capitol Hill Frame Shop Now Open on Barracks Row – A new concept frame store, Capitol Hill Frame Shop, is now open at 725 8th Street, in the space formerly occupied by Capitol Hill Fitness.  The shop will feature custom framing while you wait, and while most frame stores typically feature regular discount sale periods, Capitol Hill Frame Shop will open with a 60% off sale and continue discounting as part of the business model.  The shop is the third for owner Narem Jan, who owns The Frame Shop on Wisconsin Avenue, and Art Plus Frame in Fairfax.  Hours are 10am – 7pm, Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 noon- 5pm on Sunday.

Pure Barre - A New Exercise Venue Scheduled to Open on Barrack Row

Pure Barre – A New Exercise Venue Scheduled to Open on Barrack Row

National Exercise Chain – Pure Barre – to Open on Barracks Row – Pure Barre will open an exercise venue at 407 8th Street, SE, in the space above the pet store, Metro Mutts.  The chain has outlets in all 50 states.  Pure Barre offers total body workouts utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to music.

Southeast Library Now Scheduled to Reopen March 10 – The Library has been closed for almost two months to allow the repair of a water main.  Donations of books to the Friends of Southeast Library has been suspended during this period.  Meanwhile, the Friends of the Northeast Library is happy receive donations of high quality used books for their periodic book sales to raise funds for the librarian activities and equipment.  Books can be brought to the library seven days a week.

West Side Alley, 500 Block Barracks Row, Sunday Morning

West Side Alley, 500 Block Barracks Row, Sunday Morning

City To Address Alley Issues on Barracks Row – ANC6B Commissioner Phil Peisch has notified neighbors of the 500 block of Barracks Row that DDOT plans to do an extensive reconstruction of the alley in April and/or May.  The work will take up to ten days to complete.  The alley has been problematic for the Barracks Row businesses and the 7th Street residents who back up on the alley.  A concerted effort by neighbors and businesses, coordinated by Peisch over the past four months was successful in bringing the issue to the attention of the city and winning a commitment from them to do something about it.  For more information on the conditions which lead up to the reconstruction, see CHC posting here:  http://bit.ly/NK8lps

Construction Resumes on Church of Latter Day Saints, 500 Block of 7th Street, SE

Construction Resumes on Church of Latter Day Saints, 500 Block of 7th Street, SE

Mormon Church Gets Back on Track – Construction is again underway at the site of the new Church of Latter Day Saints in the 500 block of 7th Street, SE.  Rumors were circulating last year that a dispute with the contractor had required the church to resubmit the job for bids.

H Street, NE  

Peruvian Beef Heart, Chicken, and Ceviche Coming to H Street – A new restaurant featuring Peruvian chicken and ceviche will open at 1324 H Street, NE, in April.  Restaurant Ocopa is the result of a partnership between chef Carlos Delgado and Chicken Tortilla owners Eddie and Italo Rodriguez.   The Peruvian chicken is traditional as is the ceviche, with the latter showing the influence brought by Peru’s large Japanese immigrant population.  Also on the menu:  traditional potato/meat casserole, and grilled meat skewers, including what is almost a national Peruvian dish, beef heart.

Chophouse To Open in Atlas District – The curiously named chophouse, Mythology & Lore, will open later this year at 816 H Street, NE, until recently the home of Fever Bar & Lounge.  Owners Mark Medley and Todd Luongo will renovate the space over the next several months before opening to offer chophouse fare, quality wine, and craft beers.

 

 

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March 2, 2014 · 9:28 am

Ward Six Candidates – Round Two – Hill Center

Ward Six Council Candidates Darrel Thompson, Charles Allen and Moderator Andrew Lightman

Ward Six Council Candidates Darrel Thompson, Charles Allen and Moderator Andrew Lightman

Candidates Thompson and Allen Responded to Questions from the Audience Posed by Lightman

Candidates Thompson and Allen Responded to Questions from the Audience Posed by Lightman

 

Residents and Supporters Crowded into the Hill Center's Lincoln Room

Residents and Supporters Crowded into the Hill Center’s Lincoln Room

 

Standing Room Only

Standing Room Only

 

Councilmember Tommy Wells Attended Part of the Forum

Councilmember Tommy Wells Attended Part of the Forum

Ward Six Candidates – Round Two – Hill Center

by Larry Janezich

Ward Six Council candidates Charles Allen and Darrel Thompson met at the Hill Center Friday night in a 90 minute forum attended by about 130 Capitol Hill residents.  The audience seemed weighted in favor of Allen with current Councilmember Tommy Wells, former Councilmember Sharon Ambrose, and half a dozen ANC6A and 6B commissioners in attendance.  Allen’s finance co-chairs Steve and Nicky Cymrot, founders of the Capitol Hill Foundation and the Hill Center, sat in the front row and wore Allen stickers, as did Ambrose and several ANC commissioners.

Moderator Andrew Lightman, managing editor of East of the River, Hill Rag and Mid City DC publications, posed a series of questions submitted by the audience. Some of these were so technical that they went over the heads of both candidates, and well as much of the audience, and seemed, perhaps, to be contrived as “gotcha questions,” rendering parts of the forum more like a quiz show than an attempt to elicit the candidates’ positions.   For example, a detailed question about historic preservation had both candidates providing answers which demonstrated that neither one was particularly well-versed in preservation process.  Other more relevant questions which might have been asked about whether the candidates supported expansion of the Capitol Hill Historic District or whether Capitol Hill had enough density, or what could be done to encourage a better retail mix for commercial strips, or how to bring accountability to the frequently unresponsive DDOT, were not asked and remained unaddressed.

The forum revealed few major policy differences between the candidates.  The range of questions was broad, including such categories as Eastern Market governance, charter schools, campaign contributions, outside employment for Councilmembers, affordability of housing, transportation, income disparity, the new soccer stadium, crime, and the proposed change in zoning regulations.  One area where the candidates sharply differed concerned charter schools, with Thompson hedging on whether there should be neighborhood preference for charter schools, and Allen saying he was opposed.  Another area of disagreement was whether the city council should approve contracts, with Allen saying they should not, and Thompson saying they should, but with greater oversight.

The highly specific questions favored by the moderator allowed Allen to demonstrate his experience in knowledge of how the city council operates and a greater familiarity with details of some of the issues which concern Ward Six.  Thompson fell back frequently on the device of saying he would reach out to and engage the affected parties and residents of Ward Six – whether they be parents of school children, or Eastern Market vendors – for input on determining  policy, and appeared as the more outgoing, engaging personality with a more inclusive vision of moving Ward Six forward.  After two forums, neither candidate has distinguished himself as a clear favorite, perhaps because of the lack of major policy differences between them, but partly because although neither is weak, neither is strong.  It this pattern holds, debate performance will likely not be the determining factor in the race.

The Hill Rag is sponsoring two additional forums for the candidates of the Ward 6 DC Council Race:

Westminster Presbyterian Church – Tuesday, March 4, from 7 to 9 pm.

The Shaw Library – Tuesday, March 11 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

A forum focusing on education will be held on Thursday, March 6, at Stuart-Hobson Middle School, 410 E Street, NE, from  6:30 – 8:00 pm.  The moderator will be Emma Brown, education columnist for the Washington Post.  The forum will be sponsored by CHPSPO (Capitol Hill Public School Parent Organization), Future Civic Leaders, and the DC Urban Debate League.

For the CHC posting on the previous candidate’s forum go here:  http://bit.ly/1l5kROp

 

 

 

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