Monthly Archives: October 2018

The Week Ahead…City Moves on  Renovation of SE Library and Redesign of Eastern Market Metro Plaza

By Larry Janezich

The city has launched two major Eastern Market community projects: the renovation of both the Southeast Library and the Redesign of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza.

The initial community meeting to unveil plans and time line regarding the library will take place on Tuesday (see The Week Ahead below).

Last week, the first meeting of the 13 member* Eastern Market Metro Plaza Advisory Team (EMMPAT) took place on Monday in the North Hall of Eastern Market.  The Advisory Team was appointed by DC’s Department of General Services (DGS); DGS will be the project manager.

The meeting was largely organizational and informational.  The team elected as co-chairs Martin Smith, Executive Director of Barracks Row Main Street, and Madeleine Odendahl, Executive Director of Eastern Market Main Street.  David Perry, Chair of the Board of Directors of Barracks Row Main Street, even though not on the Advisory Team, announced his intention to be at every meeting – which seems to indicate his belief that future meetings of the Advisory Team should be open to the public.  Capitol Hill Corner strongly shares and supports this belief.

The mission of the Advisory Team is to stimulate, encourage and ensure community involvement in the redesign process.  To that end, DGS and the EMMPAT co-directors will determine a schedule for community meetings every two months, with the first occurring in the next few weeks.  In addition, a website to solicit community input will be on line soon.

At Monday’s meeting, DGS presented several concept options regarding how to spend the $4.5 million currently available – CM Charles Allen, got the funding included in the budget.  EMMPAT’s loose consensus was that the initial focus should be on Parcel 1 – currently the site of both a neighborhood children’s improvised playground and a drug-user-seller habitat.  As if that were not enough, additional impetus for favoring Parcel 1 is the additional private funding available from a deal cut with the community by the developers of the Hine Project.  As part of the community benefits to offset the project’s increased density and massing, the developers pledged $50,000 for Metro Plaza landscaping and $75,000 for a playground on Parcel 1.  The funds were later combined for use on the playground.

The basic concept for the redesign was created by architect Amy Weinstein of Escoff & Associates.  In 2013, Weinstein was awarded a $500,000 contract by Barracks Row Main Street, funded by a Congressional earmark.  (See here: https://bit.ly/2OcPVg7)  Weinstein subsequently produced a long term $45 million plan in December of that year.  That design included an entrance on the Plaza to an expansion of Southeast Library which would be built under 7^th Street – a plan which DC Public Libraries later nixed as being unfeasible.

The Plaza redesign plan involves multiple city and federal agencies, including DGS, the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Energy and Environment, the Office of Planning, the Office of Zoning, DC Public Libraries, and the Historic Preservation Review Board.  Federal agencies include the National Park Service, National Planning Commission, and the US Commission on Fine Arts.

Members of the Design/Build Team for Metro Plaza development:  Keystone Plus Construction, MOVA Design Partners, LandDesign, AMT Civil Engineering; Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger Structural Engineering and Setty MEP Engineering.

*The members of the EMMPAT include: Martin Smith, Co-Chair (Barracks Row Main Street), Madeleine Odendahl, Co-Chair (Eastern Market Main Street), Gerald Sroufe (ANC 6B02 Commissioner), Nicky Cymrot, (Capitol Hill Community Foundation & Hill Center), Patti Brosmer (Capitol Hill BID President), Laura Marks (CM Allen’s Office), Nichole Opkins (CM Allen’s Office), Donna Scheeder (EMCAC), Julie Aaronson, (Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce – CHAMPS), Monte Edwards (Capitol Hill Restoration Society), Brittny Pinto (Ward 6 Mayor’s representative), Mikaela Ferrill (Ward 6 Mayor’s representative), Neal Gregory (Friends of the South East Library)

The Week Ahead…

Tuesday, October 30

ANC6B’s Executive Committee will meet at 7:00pm in Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, to set the agenda for November 2018 ANC meeting. 

Community Meeting on Redesign of Southeast Library.  7:00pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Agenda:

Plans to renovate the Library, project timeline and the process for community engagement.  

Editor’s Note:  

Early Voting All Week, Friday, October 29 – Friday, November 2.  Ward 6 locations:

Sherwood Recreation Center – Gymnasium, 640 10th Street, NE. 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM

King Greenleaf Recreation Center – Gymnasium, 201 N Street, SW.  8:30 AM – 7:00 PM

The Week Ahead… also, Two Homicides – Eastern Market Metro Plaza – Silverman

By Larry Janezich

Crime  – Significant crime events on or near Capitol Hill last week included two homicides, a carjacking with a five year old child aboard, and robbery of a drug store.  On Tuesday, a man was killed by gunfire in the 1300 block of D Street, NE.  Last night (Saturday), a man was killed by gunfire across the street from the Arthur Capper Senior Public Housing at 9^th and D, Southwest.  The widely-reported carjacking with a child aboard occurred Friday as a mother was dropping off her child at Watkins School.  (See  here: https://wapo.st/2S80p3N)   The CVS at 12th and Pennsylvania was held up on Friday the 12th. What wasn’t widely reported was the unprovoked random assault about 5:00pm Saturday, October 13, in the crosswalk at the 8^th and Pennsylvania Starbucks crosswalk, when a man cold-cocked a pedestrian, knocking him down and breaking his glasses as he passed by – after which the assailant sauntered off to the Barracks Row 7-11 where he was later arrested by police.  PCP may have been a factor in the crime.  The 7-11, by the way, was the also under-reported scene of a 7:30am stabbing on October 9.

(According to MPD crime stats, as of October 19, 2018, there have been 131 homicides in the District, compared with 92 on the same date last year – a 44% increase.  https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/district-crime-data-glance   These figures are changing as this is being written.  Tonight (SundayO) at 7:15pm, a man was killed by gunfire at New York Avenue, NW and North Capitol Street, NW.)

Eastern Market Metro Plaza –  At long last, it looks like things are starting to move regarding the stalled Phase 1 (the playground) of the redevelopment of Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  An advisory committee comprised of “stakeholders” is scheduled to hold a meeting this week at a time and place uncertain.  One of the stakeholders is the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee represented by Chair Donna Scheeder, who has scheduled an update on the meeting at EMCAC’s monthly meeting Wednesday night (see below).

Silverman – In other news, some 90 people attended last Monday’s meet and greet for Elissa Silverman, current incumbent and independent candidate for one of the city council member at large seats.  Among those attending were DC Attorney General Karl Racine and Councilmember Charles Allen.  Ken Jarboe and Martha Huizenga & Matt Wade were co-hosts for the event which was sponsored by Barbara & Jim Loots, Nancy Broers & Chuck Burger, and Monte Edwards.

Mayor Bowser has endorsed candidate Dionne Reeder who is running for the independent seat (one of the two member at large seats is reserved for a member not of the party controlling the council).  Democratic incumbent Anita Bonds appears to be favored to win the other seat.

The Week Ahead….

Tuesday, October 23

ANC6D Commissioner and attorney Denise Rucker Krepp addresses sexual assault in college at 6:30pm at East City Bookshop, 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. 

Krepp presents on ways parents can use their positional power to change how colleges and universities address sexual assault complaints.  Krepp “will share lessons learned from her work as a former federal agency chief counsel responsible for one of the five federal service schools as well as a locally elected official who sued the Department of Justice in 2016 for prosecution data related to campus sexual assaults in Washington, DC.”  Event is free and open to the public but please advise that you’re attending via Facebook or at rsvp@eastcitybookshop.com

Also see:  https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/event/addressing-sexual-assault-college-denise-rucker-krepp

Wednesday, October 24

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00pm, North Hall of Eastern Market, 225 7^th Street, SE. 

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Election of Officers

Market Managers Report

Update on Eastern Market Metro Plaza advisory team

 

 

The Week Ahead… and, so, what ‘s the problem with the axe throwing bar in SW?

by Larry Janezich

The week ahead has ANC6D discussing the $12,000 fine for the axe throwing bar “Kracken Axes” at Field House DC in SW.  The outlet was fined in by city’s alcohol licensing board for violations including or connected to illegal sale of alcohol, no Certificate of occupancy, and interfering with an investigation – not that you would find those details in 6D’s agenda.  ANC6D continues to make its published agenda as non-transparent as possible, so it’s also hard to figure out what the liquor license issue with Circa at Navy Yard is all about – likewise with the several public space applications on their draft agenda.  And 6D is also considering the renewal of a license to sell medical marijuana in 6D at an unnamed and unspecified location; how do they get away with that?

ANC6A’s Transportation Committee will talk about requiring Rock N Roll race organizers to re-route the resident-vexing Marathon to lessen the  impact on 6A’s neighborhood.

Also, GoBus service from Eastern Market to NYC launches at 8:00am, Monday, from 8^th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, at an introductory $9 one-way fare.  Not sure how long that will last.

ANC6A’s Alcohol beverage Committee is considering a new restaurant license for O2 (Oxygen, one gathers) at 1350-1352 H Street, NE.

And ANC6A’s Economic and Development Committee meets on Wednesday, but hasn’t quite gotten around to posting the agenda by CHC’s press time.  We’ll post it if and when.

And, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society is sponsoring an exposition in the North Hall of Eastern Market on Sunday, the 21^st, with 30 exhibitors to answer any question you have about interior or exterior improvements to your Capitol Hill home.

By the way – the Friends of Southeast Library raised more than $1,700.00 for the Library at last Saturday’s book sale – and stay tuned for some upcoming info on the first community meeting late in the month on the renovation/rebuilding of Southeast Library.

Monday, October 15

ANC6D meets at 7:00pm at 1100 4^th Street, SW, in the 2^nd floor conference room. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

Public Safety Report- First District MPD (PSA 105 & PSA 106) Capt. Pulliam, Lt. Queen.

Presentation:  Council Bills on Food Trucks and Waterfront Park – Chris Laskowski.

Presentation:  Southwest Community Center Update – Andrea Gilliam.

Informational discussion:   Field House DC. ABC Board Consent Order 9/26/18 on “Kraken Axes’” $12,000 fine.

Circa at Navy Yard/El Bebe, 99 M Street, SE – unspecified alcohol beverage license issue.  “Conditional vote” scheduled.

10 I Street, SE, (Splash Car Wash Site) – Zoning Adjustment for Area Variance for Self-Storage.

Yards West, 1 1/2 St., 1299 New Jersey Avenue, SE – Public Space Application by Forest City for Parcel I,

DCHA Text Amendment Regarding a 5 Year Extension for the Capper Parking Lots – Squares 767, 768, 8825.

1000 First Street, SE, Paradigm Companies. – Public Space Application.

Letter to DCRA RE Grosvenor Application for Digital Signage at First Street and N Street, SE.

Letter to DOH RE Medical Marijuana Facility Renewal Application.

ANC Payment for Services to Capitol Hill Village re Drivers for Capper Seniors

ANC6A Transportation Committee and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Continuation of discussion with Rock N Roll Marathon representatives and MPD Special Operations Unit regarding the 2019 marathon course in Ward 6, especially ANC 6A. At the September TPS meeting, event organizers were advised to return with proposed route changes that would lessen the impact on Ward 6 residents, particularly those in 6A.

Discussion of K Street, NE, Corridor Study with DDOT’s Emily Dalphy.

Discussion of Capitol Hill Pedestrian Safety – report from Hill is Home, with Caitlin Roggers.

GoBus inaugurates round trip service to NYC at 8:00am at 8^th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE corner. 

Tuesday, October 16

Among items on the draft agenda:

ANC6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, 10^th and G Streets, NE.

Discussion of request by Dangerously Delicious Pies at 1339 H Street, NE, for an extension of its second floor summer garden hours.

Discussion of new restaurant alcohol beverage license application for O2, at 1350-1352 H Street, NE.

CHRS Board of Directors meets at 7:00pm, in Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6^th Street, SE, 2^nd Floor.

Wednesday, October 17

ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:00pm, at Sherwood Recreation Center, 10^th and G Street, NE. 

(Agenda not available at press time).

Capitol Hill Restoration Café: “Curb Appeal: How to Preserve a Rowhouse Façade.´ Northeast Library, 330 7^th Street, NE, lower level. 

Sunday, October 21

CHRS House Expo, 10 am to 4 pm, Eastern Market North Hall, featuring over 30 home service exhibitors: roofing, ironwork, windows, home elevator, and more.  Free.

“Joelvincii In Retrospect” Explores Identity, Class and Race at The Fridge

by Larry Janezich

Joelvincii’s works, currently on view at The Fridge through October 28, attempt to answer the question the artist asks himself, “What is my identity and where did I come from?”  He told a crowd at an artist’s talk at the National Gallery of Art on October 1, that his work is a “summary of my understanding of history.”  And he sees that history as a process of evolution – a series of adaptations of people to their environment.

The 27 paintings in the exhibit at the Fridge explore the identity from the viewpoint of an African American man who was raised in Southeast DC who attended high school in an affluent Northwest neighborhood.

The artist’s goal, he says, is to generate a conversation between viewers – he sees art as a means to generate a discussion about race that might not be possible in other settings:  “I want people to be better informed and to better understand the experience of what it means to be an African American living in America today.”

Asked about his half-grey hair, Joelvincii says “It’s not a birthmark, unfortunately.  It’s a symbol of neutrality between black and white – it’s a daily reminder that getting caught up in race is self-destructive and to escape that you have to have grace.”

The exhibit is on view through October 28.  Saturday, October 13, The Gallery will be open special hours – 10:00am – 6:00pm.

 

In recent days, coverage of community issues has taken a back seat to legacy media coverage of the Kavanaugh nomination.  Local issues seem pale in comparison to the story unfolding on the national level – trivial in comparison.  Many of us have recoiled and withdrawn from news reports and social media.  Yet, we must inevitably return to the community and to the issues we deal with on a daily basis.  Rather than paragraphs of text, CHC offers a series of photos concerning events of the past two days which it believes the community should know about.

Larry Janezich

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Week Ahead… Councilmember Candidates Debate at Hill Center on Wednesday and Friday

Monday, October 8

Columbus Day.  Holiday observed by DC Department of Public Works.  No trash pickup.

Tuesday, October 9

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm, in Hill Center.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations:

DPW invited to discuss annual leaf collection and other issues.

Possible update on retail in the Frager’s Development.

Orchid, 520 8th Street, S.E.; Senart’s, LLC; Alcohol beverage license. Substantial change application to change from a Class C restaurant license to a Tavern license.

710 E Street, SE, (deferred from September); Historic Preservation Application, concept/three-story rear addition.

1225-1227 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Historic Preservation Application, concept/one-story roof-top addition.

210 9th Street, SE; Historic Preservation Application, concept/rear addition.

210 9th Street, SE; Zoning Adjustment Application, Special exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing principal dwelling unit.

 526-528 8th Street, SE, Zoning Adjustment Application; Special exception and variance relief to redevelop an existing surface parking lot with a three-story commercial building.

329 16th Street, SE; Zoning Adjustment Application; Special exception to construct a third-story and rear addition to a principal dwelling unit and convert the dwelling into a flat.

302 South Carolina Avenue, SE; Historic Preservation Application; concept/rooftop addition, rear porches.

DDOT Public Space Application: Applicant by Academy Bus LLC, for 5 curbside spaces at 400 8th Street (actual location is on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, in front of Community Connections), for use all hours on weekdays/weekends.

Wednesday, October 10

ANC6C meets at 7:00pm, Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation: Sarah Fashbaugh, ABRA, license renewal information.

Streets Market, 51 M Street, NE, new alcohol beverage license application, Class B and CR, full grocery store and restaurant.

Buffalo and Bergen, 240 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, new alcohol beverage license application, Class C tavern.

Fancy Radish, 600 H Street, NE; Public Space Application for an unenclosed sidewalk café.

Buffalo and Bergen, 240 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Public Space Application for an unenclosed sidewalk café.

912 5th Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application; Amended application for a special exception from lot Occupancy requirements to build a two-story structure with garage.

Appeal of Station Townhouses LLC, 701 2nd Street NE, BZA 19861—Discussion of ANC6C participation in appeal from Zoning Administrator’s Certificate of Occupancy revocation.

Presentation:  NoMa Parks Foundation update

Presentation: Rock n Roll Marathon, Saturday, March 9, 2019

ANC6C vice chair election

DC Council At-Large Candidates Debate, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.   Chamberlain Elementary at 1345 Potomac Ave. SE. Anita Bonds, Raiph J. Chittams Sr, Denise Hicks, Rustin M. Lewis, Dionne Reeder, David Schwartzman and Elissa Silverman.  Andrew Lightman will moderate.  The debates are sponsored by the Hill Rag, Ward 6 Democrats, Hill Center, and DC GOP.  Hosts include CHRS, CHAMPS, PAVE, and the CH Public School Parent Organization.

Thursday, October 11

ANC6A meets at 7:00pm, Miner Elementary, 601 Fifteenth Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Presentation: Nathan Morris, Coordinator, Facility Planning and Design, DCPS – Maury Elementary School Modernization Timeline, Contractor Parking.

Chris Laskowski, Legislative Policy Advisor, Office of Ward 6 Councilmember Allen – Daytime School Parking Zone Act.

Discussion: Block Party Application and Requirements.

Halftime Sports Bar, 1427 H Street, NE;  Alcohol Beverage Application for changes to its license (adding cover charge endorsement, 39-seat summer garden, and overall expansion of seating capacity).

Letter to the DC Council in support of Councilmember Charles Allen’s legislation (B22-0351), as amended, that would create a School Parking Zone Program.

824 13th Street, NE; Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception to construct a new flat at said address.

16 10^th Street, NE; Zoning Adjustment Application and Historic Preservation Application for construction of a rooftop penthouse on a row house at said address.

1661 Gales Street, NE; Zoning Adjustment Application to subdivide three existing lots into two lots.

Friday, October 12

Ward Six Councilmember Candidate Debate at 7:00pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Candidates. Charles Allen, Democrat; and Michael Bekesha, Republican.  Andrew Lightman will moderate.  The debates are sponsored by the Hill Rag, Ward 6 Democrats, Hill Center, and DC GOP.  Hosts include CHRS, CHAMPS, PAVE, and the CH Public School Parent Organization.

GoBus Launches NYC Service from Eastern Market Stop on Monday, October 15

by Larry Janezich

Starting Monday, October 15, GoBus launches bus service to/from Manhattan at the  the Eastern Market pickup/drop off spot.

On Monday, the fare for the inaugural round trip service will be $30.

For more info on fares and GoBus’ mid-week fall sale, see here:  https://bit.ly/2zSNiMF

 

NYC GoBus Service Could Begin This Month from Stop Near Eastern Market

By Larry Janezich

Wednesday night, Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg’s ANC6B Transportation Committee voted to support a public space application for use of space on Pennsylvania Avenue near 8^th Street for a pickup/drop-off location for their service to New York City.   The issue will go to the full ANC next Tuesday, where it is expected to receive the support of the Commission before forwarding to the DC Department of Transportation Public Space Committee.

Company representatives say the service could start in “a couple of weeks “if DDOT grants us a temporary permit”.

The 55 passenger buses will make two runs a day on most days and 3 runs a day Friday and Sunday.  Fares and departure times will vary depending on the day of the week, with fares increasing during the holiday seasons.  Complete information will be available as soon as the company receives the permit, on their website:   https://www.gobuses.com/nyc-to-dc-va/

The stop will be the final pickup point before getting on 295 for the four hour trip to the 30th Street and 9th Avenue stop in Manhattan, on a route that starts in Capitol Heights with stops in Alexandria and L’Enfant Plaza.  Company reps say buses will stop for about ten minutes at the site.