Monthly Archives: December 2019

The Corner Store, 900 South Carolina Avenue, SE

The Week Ahead….The Corner Store Retires – Capitol Hill’s Neighborhood Arts Venue

by Larry Janezich

The Week Ahead…

Again, there is nothing Capitol Hill Corner’s radar this week.  Capitol Hill Corner notes with regret the retirement of The Corner Store, and salutes Kris Swanson and Roy Mustelier for sharing their home, talents, and time with the community.

After a 16 + year run of bringing art, poetry and the performing arts to Capitol Hill, as well providing training in the arts for hundreds Capitol Hill students, Corner Store Arts is moving on.  The following notice is from The Corner Store’s website:

Dear Friends of the Corner Store,

It’s been a long run, but Roy and I have retired, and the Corner Store

will retire as well in 2020. Our deep gratitude to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation

for helping support Corner Store projects since 2002 and big love to our

friends for all you’ve donated and done to keep the home fires burning.

We hope to see you often on DC visits and plan to stay in touch!

Contact Kris@cornerstorearts.org

Corner Store Arts

900 South Carolina Avenue SE

Washington DC 20003

We owe a debt of gratitude and a heartfelt thanks to Kris Swanson and Roy Mustelier for immeasurably enriching the community and making all of our lives better.  Here’s a link to an article on the dedication of one of Corner Store Arts community projects, the YUME Tree:  http://bit.ly/39nAFsO

Mayor Bowser’s Capitol Hill Walk – Wednesday,  December 18, Photos and Notes

by Larry Janezich

Mayor Bower’s walk on Capitol Hill last Wednesday started with a press conference in freezing temperatures at 3:30pm in front of the Rumsey Aquatic Center behind Eastern Market. It didn’t amount to much: Assistant Chief Dickerson gave a short overview on public safety, citing the fact that the majority of property crimes committed on Capitol Hill have to do with thefts from autos and offering the usual advice about locking cars and not leaving valuables inside. Bowser asked if there were any questions. There were none. The three television crews in attendance looked like they were happy to get moving.

There was an entourage of 40 or 50 people. We walked to Seward Square where a resident engaged the Mayor and expressed concern about the homeless who populate the park. Another resident expressed reservations about the 5G infrastructure, fearing installation of equipment too close to residences. The Mayor walked down C Street and ANC6B Chair Chander Jayaraman explained his idea to increase public parking for Eastern Market by expanding the current parking lot at the expense of property owned by the Aquatic Center.

Organizers then took the Mayor through Eastern Market, where she greeted merchants by name, including Jose Caneles of Caneles’ Deli.

The walk continued down C Street, and right on 8th Street to the bus stop at 8th and Pennsylvania, where ANC6B Commissioner Steve Holtzman (center) and Barracks Row MainStreet Executive Director Martin Smith (right), told the Mayor about residents’ concerns about DDOT’s proposed reversal of the flow of traffic on D Street, and the elimination of the “slip lane” which currently provides an easy way to get onto Pennsylvania Avenue going west.

The Mayor continued down Pennsylvania Avenue, surveyed the new temporary playground in Parcel 1 of the Metro Plaza, then crossed the Avenue to walk down the alley next to Distad’s, where ANC6B Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg (in blue cap) pointed out an ongoing rodent issue associated with the dumpsters for Dunkin’ Donuts.

Then south on the 400 block of 8th Street to the corner where the Subway sandwich shop is located. The Mayor interacted with an activist on that corner advocating for “Save the Children.”

The group crossed 8th Street to the 7-11 and walked north, where ANC6B Commissioner Brian Ready  (on Bowser’s right) and Barracks Row MainStreet’s Martin Smith (right front) told the Mayor of their efforts to address quality of life and drug use issues on the troubled block. The Mayor’s final stop was at Tyler Elementary School, where parents are concerned about pick-up and drop-off of their children.

A reverse shot of the holiday tree in front of the U.S. Capitol,, December 11, circa 5:00pm.  (click to enlarge)

The Week Ahead….

There’s nothing on Capitol Hill Corner’s radar.

Best wishes this holiday season and in the New Year.

Larry Janezich, editor.

Update/New Location:  Mayor Bowser’s Capitol Hill Walk Is Set for 3:30pm on Wednesday

by Larry Janezich

Mayor Bowser’s Capitol Hill Walk begins at the Rumsey Aquatic Center at 635 North Carolina Avenue, SE, behind Eastern Market, with a public safety press conference at 3:30pm on Wednesday.  This month’s press conference will concern efforts to reduce robberies – PSA 106 is third in MPD’s 1st District for robberies and first for burglaries.  Other issues likely to come up include the behavioral health and substance abuse problems on the 400 block of Barracks Row and encampments and issues related to those experiencing homelessness, especially those who frequent Seward Square.

The walk is an opportunity for community members, businesses, and ANC commissioners to engage the Mayor on pressing issues and concerns, and will include Eastern Market, Seward Square, the Eastern Market Metro Park Project, and Barracks Row, before ending at Tyler Elementary School.  All district agency directors and deputy mayors or their representatives are expected to attend to provide context to problems and propose solutions.

Most recent rendering of the plan for redesign of Eastern Market Metro Park (click to enlarge) 

Residents expressed skepticism about the reversal of traffic flow on D Street, north of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Playground equipment options.

Update on Eastern Market Metro Park Redesign – Controversy over Traffic Plan

By Larry Janezich

Last Thursday night the Department of General Services (DGS) updated the community on the development of Eastern Market Metro Park. The format of the meeting included a brief overview of the status of the project, after which attendees broke up into three separate discussion groups: traffic, construction, and materials and finishes.

It was apparent from the crowd at the traffic discussion group that the most controversial aspect of the plan is the proposal to reverse the flow of traffic on D Street on the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue and closing the so-called “slip Lane” in front of Trader Joe’s which allows west bound traffic on D Street to merge onto Pennsylvania Avenue after crossing 8^th Street.  The plan – following a concept developed years ago by architect Amy Weinstein – was incorporated into the current design by DGS. Residents of Southeast Capitol Hill say this will increase result in significant backups of southbound traffic on 8^th, 9^th, 10^th and 11^th streets for those seeking access to Pennsylvania Avenue.  The traffic plan is still awaiting final approval.

Also of considerable interest to the community was the type of playground equipment for the playground.  That decision will be made by the DGS design team – perhaps as early as mid-January – after soliciting input from the community on line or by email.  The options regarding components of the playground installation will be on line at the website (link below), but as of this writing are not currently available.

Regarding construction, the permitting process is in progress and final approval of the plan is expected within the next 45 days.  There have been three significant changes to the plan over the past several months:  shade structures have been added to the playground, the playground on parcel one has been shifted to the south to avoid damage to the critical root zones of trees bordering D Street on the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue, and an entertainment/performance pavilion has been added to parcel 4 near the Metro entrance.

The construction time line has slipped a little on phase 1 of the two-phase process.  Phase 1 (playground and preliminary work around the Metro entrance on Parcel 4) will start in the early spring of 2020 and end by the fall of 2020. Phase 2 – parcels 2, 3, 4, 5 &6 – will launch in October of 2020, with completion forecast for April of 2021.

Upon completion, DGS will assume day-to-day maintenance of the redesigned plaza and the Department of Transportation will assume maintenance of everything in the public right-of-way. The Capitol Hill Bid will continue to maintain the park with respect to trash and litter.

Additional information, as well as the power point presentation from Thursday night’s community meeting are here:  https://dgs.dc.gov/page/eastern-market-metro-park-project

Christmas in The Great Hall at the Library of Congress’ Jefferson Building

The Week Ahead …. Mayor Bowser Walks Eastern Market/Barracks Row on Wednesday

Monday, December 16

ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm, Eastern High School, Parent Center, 1700 East Capitol Street, NE .  (Enter from East Capitol Street)

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation:  Flavors Hook Kids – Elizabeth Feinstone

Tuesday, December 17

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meeting has been cancelled due to lack of business items.  The next meeting of the ABL Committee will take place on Tuesday, January 21, at 7:00 pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, 10th and G Streets, NE.

Wednesday, December 18

Mayor Bowser’s Ward Six Walk. 

Mayor Bowser ‘s monthly mayoral walk. The walk is the Bowser administration’s opportunity to engage with commissioners and community members on pressing issues and concerns. Every district agency director and deputy mayor is expected to attend mayoral walks (though occasionally they send representatives). This walk will cover Seward Square, Eastern Market, Barracks Row, the Easter Market Metro Project, and the traffic situation at Tyler Elementary.

The walk usually lasts about an hour and a half and begins with a public safety press conference. This month’s conference will be about efforts to reduce robberies – PSA 106 is 3rd in MPD’s First District for robberies and first for burglaries. Other issues of particular concern include behavioral health and substance abuse issues on the 400 block of Barracks Row, the encampments & those experiencing homelessness in Seward Square.

The timing and location for start of the walk and the press conference will be announced.

ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

653 8th Street, NE/ 807 G Street, NE:  Zoning Adjustment application for special exceptions to permit the construction of a fourth apartment and the installation of new rooftop mechanical equipment, in an existing three-unit apartment house.

419 10th Street, NE: Discussion of the request for the installation of a solar panel system at 419 10th Street NE in the Capitol Hill Historic District.

DC Draft Comprehensive Plan Updates: Solicit public input for ANC6A to provide comments and recommendations to the draft Comprehensive Plan update.

Thursday, December 19

ANC6B Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center to set the agenda of the January meeting of the ANC. 

The U.S. Capitol Building

The Supreme Court

The White House 

The Library of Congress

Union Station 

The National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Smithsonian Castle

Seven G gauge model trains traverse a wondrously lighted imaginative landscape with structures created of more than 70 different types of plant materials

U.S. Botanic Garden Holiday Show – Photo Essay

by Larry Janezich

This year’s annual U.S. Botanic Garden show “Season’s Greenings: All Aboard!” is open through New Year’s Day.

This year, the theme showcases train stations. Plant-based recreations of iconic train stations from across the United States are represented in the train room – New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, Detroit’s Michigan Central Station, Maui’s Lahaina Station, and many more, plus fantasy Dinosaur and North Pole stations.

The Garden Court displays 12 models of Washington’s iconic landmarks, including the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Supreme Court, and Library of Congress – all made from plant materials.  In addition, thousands of 30 varieties of poinsettias are displayed throughout the building.

The U.S. Botanic Garden is open to the public, free of charge, every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On most Tuesdays and Thursdays in December, the Conservatory will be open until 8 p.m. for live seasonal music concerts and after-dark holiday exhibit viewing.

For more information, see here: https://www.aoc.gov/news/seasons-greenings-us-botanic-garden

ANC6b Chair Chander Jayaraman announced last night that this would be his last meeting as chair. Commissioners, (l-r) Sroufe, Krepp, Holtzman, Jayaraman, Clark, Waud, Holman, and Oldenburg.

Jayarman Opts Out of Chairing ANC6B 2020

By Larry Janezich

Last night, at ANC6B’s December meeting, Chair Chander Jayaraman opened the session by saying it was the last meeting of the year and his last meeting as chair.  The announcement came as a surprise to some commissioners.  Jayaraman is eligible to serve as chair for one more year under commission by-laws and his election – had he chosen to run in January – was widely regarded as assured.  By all accounts, he is regarded as a highly effective chair having taken initiatives with respect to using alcohol licensing to encourage in-door trash storage and appointing task forces on Barracks Row and the development of the Eastern Market Metro Park among other items.

Asked why he made this decision, Jayaraman said “It’s time for other commissioners to take the helm – I’ve been chair twice – having others move into leadership positions is the only way for them to get the experience to move the work of the Commission forward.”

It is unclear which of those commissioners is interested in the chairmanship – a demanding and time consuming volunteer job.   That fact speaks to an additional reason Jararaman is stepping aside – he is running for the City Council Member-at-Large seat.  Councilmember David Grosso is not seeking re-election, leaving that Member-at Large-seat up for grabs.

Jayaraman says he will continue to serve on the Commission and to chair the Commission’s Alcohol Beverage Control Committee.

For more information see here:  http://bit.ly/31sJuw0

Capitol Hill Corner Marks 10^th Anniversary

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, December 10, marked the 10^th Anniversary of Capitol Hill Corner.

Total number of posts in the past ten years:  1,515

Average number of words per post:  503

Total number of views of posts:  1,409,079

Thanks to community members who read the blog and lent their comments and encouragement.