Monthly Archives: May 2019

Barracks Row/East Capitol Businesses Hit by Burglaries & Vandalism Early Last Saturday Morning

by Larry Janezich

Tortuga Caribbean Bar and Grill and Fed-Ex were broken into and burgled in the early hours of last Saturday morning.  And the glass door to U-Break It We Fix It was broken but apparently nothing was taken.  The restaurant and U-Break It are on Barracks Row and Fed-Ex is on D Street, near the intersection with 8^th Street.  In the same time frame, two businesses on East Capitol Street were burgled.  Police think they all may involve the same person and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect.

Yesterday, MPD released photos from surveillance cameras of suspects.  According to an MPD press release:

“On Saturday, May 25, 2019, between approximately 1:00 am and 3:14 am, in the 500 block of 8th Street, Southeast, the suspect forcibly entered an establishment at the listed location.  Once inside, the suspect took property then fled the scene….

On Saturday, May 25, 2019, at approximately 3:28 am, in the 700 block of D Street, Southeast, the suspect forcibly entered an establishment at the listed location.  Once inside, the suspect took property then fled the scene….

On Saturday, May 25, 2019, at approximately 4:08 am, in the 300 block of East Capitol Street, Northeast, two suspects forcibly entered an establishment at the listed location. The suspects took property then fled the scene….

Between Friday, May 24, 2019, at approximately 7:00 pm and Saturday, May 25, 2019, at approximately 10:30 am, in the 700 block of East Capitol Street, Northeast, the suspect forcibly entered an establishment at the listed location.  Once inside, the suspect took U.S. currency then fled the scene….”

The incident follows the window smashing of four Barracks Row businesses in the early morning hours of April 29, by an individual who was apprehended by police.  In one press report witnesses said that police believe mental illness was an issue in that case.

Here’s a link to the MPD press release on Saturday morning’s happenings:  http://bit.ly/2W42miu

Anyone who can identify these individuals or who has knowledge of these incidents should take no action, but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. Crime Solvers of Washington, DC currently offers a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for a crime committed in the District of Columbia.

Zoning Issue Likely to Sink Plan for 20 Unit Condo Project Near Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

The correction of an zoning error by the DC Office of Zoning will likely sink District Quarter’s plan to raze Tried Stone Baptist Church near Barracks Row to build a 20 unit condo building.

Apparently, the property at 417 9^th Street, SE, has been historically zoned as residential property but recently, a Zoning Office on-line map incorrectly showed the property as being zoned commercial.

The commercial designation may have mislead the development company District Quarters who announced plans to build a condo building on the site at a May 1 community meeting in the church.  At that meeting, the developer said that their contract to purchase the property was contingent on the proposed building being approved by the city.

It is unclear who called the discrepancy to the attention of the Office of Zoning, but it caused that office to restore the original residential designation to the lots.  Being zoned residential means that only townhouses can be built on the site if the church is razed.  The placard giving notice of the intent to raze the building has been removed.

On May 16, Sara Bardin, Director of the DC Office of Zoning, issued a statement regarding how the change in zoning came about:  “In brief, we do not know how the zoning changed from [residential] to [commercial] on the 2003 Zoning Map.  All we know is that there is no map amendment that shows a decision was made to change the zoning.  The only clue we found that could explain why it was showing as [commercial] is that there was an exhibit in case 00-41 (page 3) that shows the three lots zoned [commercial].  This MAY be what was used to erroneously change the online map, but we do not know for sure.  Therefore, we have changed the map to reflect the correct zoning of [residential].”

On May 22 the developers announced their intent “to hold off on any further meetings as we work through a few questions that have come up.”  The message continued, “We will also not be presenting at the ANC or [Historic Preservation Review Board] at this time.”

Capitol Hill Corner reached out to District Quarters partner Evan Muchai on Tuesday to ask about the status of the project.  Muchai said, “It is our understanding that the property is zoned [commercial].  He said that he wanted to inform everyone at the same time regarding decisions as they work through the process, but “as of now, we have no comment.”

According to Gary Peterson, chair of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s Zoning Committee, the property is assessed taxes as residential.  He said that the online map is not official; that only the Office of Zoning has the official map, and ultimately, “what governs is the Comprehensive Plan.”  He says he is “pretty sure” the Comprehensive Plan designates the property as residential.  Asked how a church could be built on land zoned as residential, he said that DC makes exceptions to zoning regulations, allowing for the construction of churches and schools on property zoned for residential use.

Peterson said that although he did not have accurate measurements for the site, he thought that at most, four two unit townhouses could be built.  Alternately, he said, the developers could convert the church to residential units, perhaps gaining one more unit than they could if they built townhouses.

Given the developer’s insistence that they needed 20 condo units to make the project economically viable, the conversion option seems unlikely.  And while it is possible to change zoning from residential to commercial, Peterson said it not often done.  It’s a lengthy process and neighborhood opposition would be a factor in any such undertaking.

Since the building was built in 1951, it does not fall into the protected category of a “contributing structure” in the Historic District.  Likewise, the building does not appear to be eligible for landmark status since it appears to lack significant architectural merit.

For a report on the May 1 community meeting and a rendering of the proposed building, see here: http://bit.ly/2vxVqz6

The Week Ahead… & the Barracks Row Working Group Faces A Challenge

by Larry Janezich

Monday, June 27

Memorial Day holiday. 

No trash/recycling pickup.

Tuesday, May 28

ANC6B’s Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center, to set the agenda for the June 11^th meeting of the full ANC.

PSA 106 meets at 7:00pm at the Capper Community Center at 5^th and K Streets, SE. 

MPD hosts community meetings for each PSA on the fourth Tuesday of every other month to build partnership with the community and to address the public’s safety questions and concerns.

Saturday, June 1

Monthly Capitol Hill street litter cleanup.  Details will follow.  Wine & Butter Café, 1023 East Capitol, has joined as a sponsor of the cleanup.

Join the volunteer list by emailing at cleancaphill@gmail.com

Capitol Hill Residents Mourn Loss of Assault Victim Coach Bud Johnson

by Larry Janezich

The Capitol Hill Little League announced the death of one of its beloved coaches yesterday with an email to the Capitol Hill Little League families:

“It is with great sadness that I share the news that long-time CHLL coach, dad, friend, and fan Bud Johnson passed away last night, as a result of injuries sustained during an assault near his home Wednesday evening.  Bud had been a coach to many of our kids, and many of us enjoyed watching the games with him on the sidelines through the years, watching with pride as his son Bo has developed into a fine young man and fine baseball player.”

According to police reports and friends of the family, Johnson was assaulted outside neighborhood restaurant/bar – The Scarlett Oak – in Navy Yard by a group of individuals at 11:30pm last Wednesday night.  According to family friends, the assault, involving three individuals, came after a dispute arose between the victim and the individuals inside the restaurant.

Johnson sustained head injuries as the result of the assault and was transported to a hospital where he was found to have suffered brain damage from lack of oxygen.  He subsequently died about 9:00pm on Sunday.

A source close to the family says the assailants have been identified.  First District Commander Morgan Kane told Capitol Hill Corner that no one has been arrested or charged but detectives continue their investigation of the death.

According to friend Adam Meier, Johnson was known as a “thoughtful and caring coach by kids and parents, and was both admired and loved.  He was a solid and steady presence who really knew baseball.  He will be missed as a coach and a friend on the Hill.”

On Monday, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer paid tribute to Johnson – a 30 year Senate employee – on the Senate floor.  See here:  https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4798656/senator-schumer-bud-johnson&fbclid=IwAR2TDM9MxwpLP0d0FJ3z4NVfuR-xB0GXVzo1hsrDUqss4Cz7ixecsot9-6c

The Week Ahead – & News You May Have Missed

by Larry Janezich

Long time Eastern Market Vendor Dies – Eastern Market Manager Barry Margeson announced at Wednesday’s Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meeting, the death of David Fowler of Sunnyside Farms. Fowler was a fifth generation farmers’ line farmer who grew up selling produce at Eastern Market. He was 73 and suffered from heart failure. Margeson credits Fowler as being instrumental in getting the Amish and Mennonite farmers to sell their products at Eastern Market. Margerson said Fowler knew just about everyone and just about everything about Eastern Market – “he was a connector who puts people together.”

New Restaurant Coming to Pennsylvania Avenue – Celebrity Restaurateur Spike Mendelsohn (We the Pizza, Good Stuff Eatery, and Santa Rosa Taqueria) has leased a fourth space on the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The former Lustre Cleaners is scheduled to become the latest addition to the Mendelsohn galaxy. There’s no current info on the theme, and timing is uncertain, as the owners wait for permits to go through the city.

DC Pays Out $3 million for Sexual Harassment/Assault Settlements over 5 years – At ANC6B’s meeting last Tuesday, Commissioner Denise Krepp highlighted the fact that DC has paid out $3 million in sexual harassment settlements between 2015 and present in a proposed letter to CM Mendelsohn in support of removing a limitation on application of the FOIA in the FY 2020 Budget. Krepp said that without the broader application of FOIA applicability, residents would not have known about the $3 million in payments or the decline in parking enforcement on Capitol Hill or MPD’s policies for reviewing body camera video.

City Official Gets Grilled by ANC6B on Traffic Deaths – Deputy Mayor Lucinda Babers came to ANC6B to brief the Commission on the Mayor’s 2020 budget, and wasn’t expecting to get raked over the coals by Commissioner Corey Holman about the DC’s failure to protect the city’s residents from vehicular violence in the current auto-friendly environment. Holtzman cited the recent deaths on or near Capitol Hill of outspoken critic of the city’s road safety policy, Dave Salovesh, who was killed, allegedly by the driver of a stolen mini-van on April 19. A month later, on Saturday, May 18, an SUV struck a light pole at the intersection of 12^th and K and Florida Avenue, NE, damaging the white “ghost bike” memorial placed there last month to honor Salovesh. The driver of the SUV fled the scene. As of May 14, 122 people had been killed by vehicles in the city. Traffic safety policy will be discussed at 6B Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg’s Transportation Committee on June 5, and at a meeting on June 10 of Ward 6 ANC reps being coordinated by 6B Commissioner Denise Krepp.

Insight Developers Update on Community Benefits – Sarah Davidson, of Insight Property Group, briefed ANC6B last Tuesday on the public benefit commitments Insight made in exchange for zoning adjustments increasing height and density limitations for Lockwood – their residential project in the 1300 block of E Street, SE. Those benefits include granting a lease for an existing townhouse on the 1300 block of E Street in perpetuity, for free, to Capitol Hill Village for the benefit of Capitol Hill’s senior population; working with two other developers who have similar public benefit obligations to improve landscaping at Potomac Avenue Metro; and recasting Lady Bird Park, next to Peter “Bug” Matthews’ Shoe Repair Academy. Community input is still being sought on the latter; among the ideas being considered are a community garden, a dog park, and passive green space.

New Charter School Will Succeed Caesar Chavez – Nima Farshchi, Director of Operations at Digital Pioneer Academy, announced that the charter school has applied to the DC School Board to open a computer oriented middle school in the space formerly occupied by the Caesar Chavez Charter School at 709 12^th Street, SE. The school provides STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) training to kids living in underserved areas of the city.

Ted’s Bulletin Liquor License Renewal Postponed – The owners of Ted’s Bulletin got roughed up a little by ANC6B Chair Chander Jayaraman and nearby residents, who went after the restaurant for not living up to the alley cleanliness and rodent control requirements which were contingencies attached to their liquor license. The commission postponed the license renewal for a month to give the restaurant a chance to clean up its act. (District Soul, whose license renewal was delayed last month on issues of noise, trash, and odor control, will come back before the ANC in May to demonstrate that those issues have been addressed.)

A New Southeast Library? – Finally, Neal Gregory, President of the Friends of Southeast Library, asked CM Charles Allen at Allen’s community office hours on Friday, if he would consider seeking new funds – or re-directing funds destined for the renovation of Southeast Library – to build a new library, possibly at the site occupied by the old Frager’s store on the 1300 block of E Street. Community activists Pat Taylor and Jill Lawrence have been pushing the idea of reserving the current library – the Carnegie building at Eastern Market Metro Plaza – for children, and building a new library for adults elsewhere on Capitol Hill. Gregory pointed out to Allen that after the proposed renovation, the Southeast Library will still not have enough space. Allen was non-committal, saying he would have to talk to DC Library before supporting the idea. An request for proposals for renovating the Southeast Library was scheduled to be issued this coming week.

The Week Ahead…

Monday, May 20

ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Meets at 7:00pm, Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Review of report from DDOT on list of high-priority safety locations.

Prepare to implement plan (approved by Commissioners at 5/9 meeting) to identify additional bike share station locations (and bike/scooter racks) and ascertain public support for same.

Prepare to implement plan (approved by Commissioners at 5/9 meeting) to create an initial list of local/local intersections where 4-way stops are desirable (but do not already exist).

Consideration of potential curb cut request at 808 13th Street, NE.

Discussion of potential tracking system for requests to DDoT.

Discussion of what role ANC can play in addressing conditions leading to recent cyclist deaths.

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm, Eastern High School, Parent Center, 1700 East Capitol Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Eastern High School Grant

Community Comments

Tuesday, May 21

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Discussion of renewals of the following licenses:

Quara Ethiopian Fustion Restaurant, 818 H Street, NE, restaurant license.

DC Conscious Café, 1413 H Street, NE, restaurant license.

Gallery O on H, 1354 H Street, NE, club license.

Maketto, 1351 H Street, NE, restaurant license.

Red & Black, 1210 – 1212 H Street, NE, restaurant license.

Discussion of request for change in hours by RedRocks, 1348 H Street, NE.

ANC6B Barracks Row Working Group meets at 7:00pm, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Agenda:

Presentation: Jennifer McCahill from the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife & Culture.

Positioning/Marketing:

1. New Marketing Plans for the Main Streets
2. The Marines Summer Event Collaboration
3. Additional Ideas for Improvements

Possible Future Agenda Items

1. How Barracks Row can take better advantage of our alternate modes of Transportation
2. Collective Snow Removal
3. Eastern Market Metro Park Transportation Study Review
4. The incident of broken windows on 8th Street
5. Updates on current projects

Seniors Have Issues with Management of Hayes Recreation Center

by Larry Janezich

A group of eight senior citizens were waiting for CM Charles Allen when he walked in the door at Radici for his regularly scheduled community office house on Friday.  There were there, said organizer Marci Hilt, to raise concerns about the city’s privately managed Hayes Senior Wellness Center at 500 K Street, NE.   Hilt told Allen that members feel there is a lack of communication between Director Andre Lane and the membership, citing instances of miscommunication and obfuscation regarding programming at the center, which, she says is suffering a dwindling number of programs while the number of seniors using the center is increasing.  She cited the fitness programs as among those especially affected.

The Wellness Center is an adult activity center with social, recreational, and educational programs designed specifically for adults ages 60 and up. The center – housed in the renovated Hayes Elementary School – includes a cardio/weight room, computer lab, multi-purpose room, kitchen, and library.  It has been open since October, 2012, and is one of six senior wellness centers.

Allen noted that one of the challenges is that the building, which houses the headquarters of the Office of Aging and Community Living (AOCL), is using more and more and more space for administration purposes, at the expense of programming for the center.

The seniors asked Allen to host a meeting at Hayes with the Department of AOCL and Andre Lane, the Center’s Director, to resolve their concerns.  They want to see the center’s budget, grants, and an organizational chart.  Allen agreed to set up a meeting – probably in June.

The Hayes Senior Wellness Center opened on October 11, 2012. The center is one of the city’s six senior wellness centers.

 

 

Update on Eastern Market Metro Plaza: Council Adds $7 Million in New Funds – DGS Reveals New Design

by Larry Janezich

According to Donna Scheeder, Chair of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee, an additional $7 million for continued construction of the redesign of the Metro Plaza/Park received preliminary approval by the City Council in a vote on the FY 2020 budget earlier this week.  A vote on final passage comes next week.

In addition, today – Thursday, the Department of General Services (DGS) received approval from the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) of the tweaks to the design plan to address concerns raised by the CFA last month when the plans were sent back to the design team’s drawing board.

And earlier this week, DGS revealed its modification of the rejected April 3 version of the plan for redesigning the Metro Plaza/Park at a pair of meetings on Monday and Tuesday.  The main recommendation of the CFA was that Parcel 1 (playground) and Parcel 4 (Metro canopy) should be treated differently but complement each other, taking into account the residential orientation of the first and the commercial orientation of the latter.   Here’s a link to DGS’ April 3 Community Presentation which includes the concept drawings of that date:  http://bit.ly/2Hkni0u DGS has not yet posted the newest concepts on its website.

On Monday night, ANC6B’s Livable Community Task Force, chaired by Commissioner Steve Holtzman, hosted a community meeting with DGS Project Manager Cassidy Mullen to give residents a chance to voice suggestions and hear Mullen answer questions about the proposed design for Parcel 4.  Mullen  heard from some 35 community members, fielded questions, and noted their concerns.

He said the timeline remains unchanged:  The interim playground funded by developers of the Hine project will be placed in June.  Construction on the redesign will proceed in phases: in Phase One, construction will begin in December on the permanent playground on Parcel 1 and landscape design changes on the eastern end of Parcel 4.  In addition, Phase One will see delivery of fully permit-ready construction drawings for the project.  Schematic drawings – actually giving definition too forms, colors, furniture – will be done late spring or early summer and presented to the community at the next community meeting in June.  In late summer or early fall, the DGS plan will go back to the Commission of Fine Arts for final approval.

The second meeting occurred on Tuesday, when The Eastern Market Metro Plaza Advisory Committee met with DGS to provide feedback on the design.  The Advisory Committee is made up of community stakeholders and representatives from CM Allen’s office and ANC6B.

Susan England of the design team explained some of the changes made in response to the CFA’s concerns.

Parcel 4 – Metro Canopy

Almost all trees the trees on the site will remain, and more will be added.

The water feature was relocated from near the Metro entrance to the eastern end of Parcel 4.

Visual relief – lawn panels and trees providing more porosity – was added to address criticism that there was too much hardscape and to address the heat island effect.  Lawn panels will be raised on one end to provide seating, and then slope to grade.

More space was added for use of Southeast Library.

The connection with Barracks Row was strengthened by making access more open and generous.

The 10’ X 10’ kiosk was moved to make it more visible and more useable as a way-finding location.

A possible location for public art was established at the corner of 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue, contingent on WMATA relocating bike lockers and bike racks currently occupying that space.

In addition, Project Manager Mullen told the Advisory Team that the plan for Parcel 4 anticipates space for a bus stop on Eighth Street at the east end of Parcel 4, adding that any change in the traffic plan will depend on approval by the Department of Transportation and WMATA.

Parcel 1 – Playground

Shapes have been modified and curves added to make a more organic feel.

The bio retention area has been made more useable.

Two separate areas of the 7,300 s.f. playground have been established to accommodate two sets of equipment for two age groups.

DGS is meeting with the Capitol Hill BID to discuss a consolidated maintenance and programming role for the Plaza/Park.

DGS received some push back from the Advisory Team at Tuesday’s meeting on the concept of a kiosk that would sell food and drink.  The concerns came from businesses who could suffer from the competition, as well from stakeholder who see the potential for generating litter and trash.  Some participants favored eliminating the kiosk entirely and expanding the hardscape to accommodate a structure with the flexibility to serve as a performance platform.

Another issue involved traffic flow, specifically the route for a turnaround for the Circulator Bus, the closing of the two D Street cut-throughs (outside Dunkin  Donuts and Trader Joe’s), and moving the bus stop from in front of Starbuck’s to the east end of Parcel 4.  All of these are issues for DDOT and WAMATA, though Mullen, as noted above, said that the DGS plans will accommodate a move of the bus stop if DDOT agrees to make the change.  Some members of the Advisory Committee expressed a desire to meet with DDOT and WMATA before they make a final determination.

The Week Ahead….Community Meeting on Eastern Market Metro Plaza Redevelopment

by Larry Janezich

Monday, May 13

ANC6D meets at 7:00pm, 1100 4th Street, SW

Among items on the draft agenda:

Public Safety Report- First District MPD (PSA 103, PSA 105 & PSA 106) Capt. Mongal, Capt. Dorrough, Lt. Lavenhouse

Presentations:

ABRA – Sarah Fashbaugh.

Eagle Academy Charter School – Karen Alston.

Office of the Attorney General Community Engagement Coordinator – John Green.

Department of Housing and Community Development – Director Polly Donaldson.

DDOT Presentation re “Red Top” Accessible Parking Meter Program in Capitol Riverfront/SW BID area.

Resolution Regarding WMATA late night service and for-hire ride subsidy proposal.

DDOT Update on New Jersey Ave SE and I Street SE intersection.

Letter of Opposition RE Mayor’s Resolution to Cut Grants for Commission of the Arts.

ABC Committee Report:

La Vie, 88 District Square, SW: revised/updated Cooperative Agreement.

The Grill, 99 Market Square, SW: Cooperative Agreement for new Restaurant Liquor License w/ Summer Garden.

Odyssey: updated Cooperative Agreement.

Spirit Cruises 077414 (4 marine vessels): updated Cooperative Agreement.

Spirit Cruises 098753 (8 marine vessels): updated Cooperative Agreement.

Development, Planning, and Transportation.

Half Street SW:  Public Space Application.

Letter to DDOT RE Request for Meeting with DDOT to discuss ANC 6D Transportation Issues.

Community Meeting on Redevelopment of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza (Parcel 4 – Metro Canopy)

ANC6B Taskforce on Redesign of Eastern Market Metro Plaza meets at 7:00pm at The Corner Store, 900 South Carolina Avenue, SE.

Agenda:

General Impressions of Metro Plaza Design.

Metro Plaza as a Crossroads: Connectivity

With Barracks Row

With Eastern Market

With the SE Library

Metro Plaza as a place to “Walk to” rather than “Walk through”

As an urban park

As a venue for special events

Maintenance Planning

Weathering the Construction Phase

Tuesday, May 14

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations:

Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge Project Representative: Follow-up from February meeting http://www.southcapbridgeproject.com/

DC Water presentation on lead in drinking water, lead service line replacement, and the newly passed lead service line replacement assistance legislation.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee Liquor License Renewals.

See list here:  http://bit.ly/2Y40Az2

Update on Potomac Ave Metro Plaza Redesign – Sarah Davidson, Insight Property Group.

302 South Carolina, SE – Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing, attached principal dwelling.

717 6th Street, SE – Historic Preservation Application – Concept: 3 story addition.

915 East Capitol Street, SE – Historic Preservation Application – demolition and and reconstruct rear addition, no change in footprint.

203 rear 3rd Street, SE – Historic Preservation Application – Concept: one story addition at rear.

A follow up request given ask for the pavement ratings of all local and federal blocks in 6B.

Reports:

Hill East Task Force

Livable Community Task Force

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee Report

Working Group on Barrack’s Row

Eastern Market Metro Park Advisory Committee meets at 9:30am, 200 I Street, SE. 

Agenda:

Project Timeline Update

Schedule updates

Interim playground

NCPC Hearing – May 2

CFA Hearing – May 16

Plan Overview

Reasons for changes

Discussion of changes from first previous EMMPAT and Community Meetings

Feedback and community concerns/questions

Other Discussion Points 

Celebrate Capitol Hill

Future Meetings and Next Steps

Next Community Meeting – mid/late June

Next EMMPAT Meetings – Set firm recurring schedule

Community Attendees Q&A

Wednesday, May 15

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00pm, North Hall, Eastern Market.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Tenant’s Council Report on Outstanding resolutions

Rediscover Eastern Market celebration

Plans to date: Barry Margeson

Docent led tours: Monte Edwards

Market Managers Report

Status of the HVAC study

Marketing and Promotion

Lease update

Parking

300 block 7th Street

Eastern Market Mero Plaza Update

RFP for DGS Comprehensive Study – Update

Application Advisory Review Subcommittee

Tenant’s Council Report

Thursday, May 16

Sector 2 (PSAs 104, 107, 108) Community Meeting at 7:00pm, at location TBA.

Here’s a Photo Progress Report on Seven Major Capitol Hill SE Developments

by Larry Janezich

On September 3, 2018, Capitol Hill Corner posted a photo progress report on seven major Capitol Hill developments.  Here’s a progress report 8 months later.  The seven projects will provide 1,185 residential units to Capitol Hill’s housing stock.  Below are photos of where construction stands today, coupled with renderings of how the projects will look when finished.

 

Here’s DC Public Library’s Thinking on SE Library Renovation – the Request for Qualifications

by Larry Janezich

The process for renovation of DC Library has been less transparent than desirable.  Community activist Pat Taylor tracked down the Request for Proposals* (RFQ) which contains a wealth of information about the proposed project.

On April 11, DC Library issued a request for qualifications from design/build teams to determine which firms have the resources for the renovation of Southeast Library.  The deadline for responses was May 1.  It is uncertain how many responses there were, but a select number of 3 or 4 firms will be asked to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP).  The RFP is scheduled to be issued May 21, and a design/builder selected by July 2.

The following language from the RFQ reveals DCPL’s thinking about the overall plan that design/build firms have been asked to consider.  Attached to the RFQ is a feasibility study from an outside firm which analyzes several possible ways to approach the renovation, including a dissection of the Barracks Row plan created by architect Amy Weinstein.

The following language from the report reveals details about what DC Public Library is looking for in the renovation.

“Renovation Project Overview”

“The existing 9,600 gross square feet (gsf), two story concrete and brick building is located in Ward 6, at 403 7^th Street, SE, Washington, DC.  DCPL seeks to replace the various electrical and mechanical systems and equipment; modernize, and improve building accessibility; enlarge the bathrooms; replace the existing elevator; increase the available floor area to accommodate a large meeting room, a smaller conference room, 3-4 study rooms, lounge-style seating areas, and a children’s computer area.  Overall, DCPL seeks to add at least 5,400 gsf to the existing library (minimum library total = 15,000 gsf).  DCPL also expects the library to attain LEED Gold v4 rating.

In the fall of 2016, DCPL engaged McKissack-Hill to undertake an overview of the library’s facility condition with particular attention to the building systems and to assess, in a general way, how the DCPL could go about increasing the building useable space to meet the community’s needs.  The final report concluded that there are many constraints that limit the options to expand the library’s footprint and offered several possibilities.

The risks identified by the McKissack-Hill report are many; constrained site availability, proximity of the Metro line , traffic congestion, neighboring homes and businesses, and regulations relating to historic preservation.  Therefore, to offset these risks, DCPL expects a more through due diligence and building program and an even more comprehensive set of design/construction documents to identify and describe various risks in order to balance the allocation of risk between DCPL and the construction contractor that will, in turn, minimize the contingencies and lower the overall price of the construction contractor.

The entire McKissack-Hill report is included as Attachment J.3.

DCPL does not view the McKissack report as the only or even the preferred solution to the issues of additional space.  On the contrary, DCPL strongly desires to stretch the domain of design and construction alternatives thinking to reach a much more welcoming and less costly library to meet its overall space requirements.  For example, during the listening and learning sessions, DCPL heard from a wide community of designers and construction contractors who believe that, as a public entity – not a developer – it may be possible to achieves some regulatory relief in terms of lot coverage, or even historic preservation requirements, that will allow for a design that meets the community’s needs without resorting to the costly and unwelcoming choice to dig under the existing building.

In view of the above, DCPL seeks a Contractor that not only has extensive urban library design experience especially designing libraries in Washington, DC historic neighborhoods and has underground construction experience in urban areas and constrained sites, but will also broaden the design and construction thinking to provide the added square footage of the Southeast Community Library in a thoughtful and sensitive way.”

 

Here’s a more detailed timeline on how the project will unfold:

A list of attachments to the Request for Qualifications follows:

Of particular interest is Attachment J.3, the Mikissack-Hall Feasibility Study for SE Library.  It has analyses of four possible designs – the Amy Weinstein/Barracks Row design, the excavating within the existing foot print design, a limited excavation under 7th Street design, and an attic design.  The firm recommended excavating within the existing footprint design as the least expensive and the least problematic.  The attic design was not pursued in depth owning to zoning and constructions issues.

Also of interest is Attachment J.2, which has photos of the renovations of several DC Community Libraries, including, Woodbridge, Cleveland park, Takoma Park, Georgetown, Petworth, Northeast, and Mt. Pleasant Libraries.  Mt. Pleasant, Takoma Park, and Southeast Libraries are the three Carnegie community libraries in DC.

*And here’s the link to the Request for Qualifications and the attachments:  https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63670