Monthly Archives: April 2020

The DC ReOpen Advisory Group Reads Like Roll Call of Political Insiders

by Larry Janezich

Yesterday, Mayor Bowser listed the committee members of the ReOpen DC Advisory Group.  Heading up the group will be national figures – Susan Rice, National Security Advisor to President Obama and Michael Chertoff, Homeland Security Advisor to President George W. Bush.

The Advisory Group will deliver a Reopen DC Plan to the Mayor the week of May 11, with recommendations on how to effect a phased reopening along with sector mitigation guidelines.  Bowser says a timeline for reopening will be determined by health care officials.

Eleven committees* comprise the Advisory Group, made up of a coterie of DC establishment insiders. City Paper has taken the Mayor to task for appointing only two restaurant owners to the Restaurants and Food Committee (see here: https://bit.ly/2xdgNu2) and the DCist has criticized the lack of teachers on the Education and Childcare Committee (https://bit.ly/2zEVMcH).

But so far not enough attention has been paid to the Real Estate and Construction Committee which is also of interest.

The committee has three co-chairs: Sarosh Olpadwala, Director of Real Estate in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; Buwa Binitie, current member of the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors; and Monty Hoffman, Chairman of Hoffman & Associates.

A couple of these names are familiar to residents of Capitol Hill.  Olpadwala is known to Hill East residents concerned about the development of Reservation 13, unhappy with DMPED’s lack of transparency on the project.

Buwa Binitie, founder and Managing Principal of Dantes Partners, was a partner in the development of the Hine project.  His proposal for redevelopment of the Boys and Girls Club in Hill East was rejected by the community.  He is a major campaign contributor to Mayor Bowser’s campaigns, and to the now- defunct “Fresh PAC” which was started in 2015 and closed down the same year after it came under City Council scrutiny.

Hoffman is Chair of Hoffman & Associates, and is co-developer of The Wharf.

Residents of DC would not be surprised to learn of at least of some political insiders appointed to all of these committees.  But to have this work left primarily to insiders when the voices of those in the city most affected by the decisions are left out raises questions about Bowser’s vision and judgment.

The “Community Members” of the Real Estate and Construction Committee members are:

Dr. John Davies-Cole, State Epidemiologist at DC Government District of Columbia Department of Health.

Thomas Borger, Chair, Borger Management – development of multifamily and commercial properties.

Jaime Contreras, Vice President, 32BJ’s Capital Area District, representing commercial, government, arenas and residential cleaners, security officers, and education facilities cleaners and maintenance workers.

Stephen Glaude, President and CEO of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development.

The Rev. Canon Michele V. Hagans, General Manager of public parking at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and owner of Fort Lincoln Realty Company, Fort Lincoln New Town Corporation, D.C. and Hagans Development Company, which helped construct Metro Center.

Rob Hawkins, Chair of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP’s District of Columbia Government Relations Practice – represents clients before city government.  Hawkins served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Counsel to Mayor Bowser.

Chico Horton, Partner in the real estate law firm of Tiber Hudson LLC – practice includes financing of multi-family apartment and condominium projects, office buildings, hotels, retail, and mixed use projects.  Horton chaired Fresh PAC before the Mayor pulled the plug on it.

Stan Jackson, President and CEO of the Anacostia Economic Development Corporation – non-profit economic development organization.

Stephanie Liotta-Atkinson, Executive VP at MidCity – developer and manager of multifamily housing and mixed-use real estate.

Lisa María Mallory, CEO, District of Columbia Building Industry Association.

Kymber Menkiti, President, Sales, Regional Director, Keller-Williams MD/DC, Menkiti Group.

Bob Murphy, Managing Principal MRP realty – developer and operator of office, industrial, residential and mixed-use real estate.

John Ritz, President, WC Smith – development, construction, sales and finances residential real estate – owns in excess of 12,000 units.

Gregory Rooney, Vice President, LEED AP at The Bernstein Companies – owns, manages, develops and invests in a variety of commercial and residential properties, with a focus on office buildings and hotels.

Joe Sternlieb – CEO at Georgetown Business Improvement District and former VP of Acquisitions for Georgetown-based EastBanc.  Prior to Eastbanc, he was staff director of the DC Council Committee on Economic Development.

Rosalind T. Styles – President and CEO of Capitol City Associates, INC – consultant on major development projects to meet contracting goals for small, disadvantaged, minority, woman-owned and veteran-owned business participation.

Robert Thorne, CEO, Public Performance Management – provides performance management products and services, including IT hardware and software, strategy, operations management, and information transformation to public sector clients.

Adam Weers, Principal at Trammell Crow Company – real estate development, investment, and property management company.  It is a subsidiary of CBRE (Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis) – according to wiki, the largest commercial real estate services company in the world.

*Here’s a list of the eleven committees making up the ReOpen DC Advisory Group

Education and Childcare

Equity, Disparity Reduction, Vulnerable Populations

Faith, Arts, Culture, Hotels, Sports, and Entertainment

Government Operations, Public Safety, and Criminal Justice

Human Services, Social Services, and Health

Open Spaces and Recreation

Public Health Innovation and Workforce

Real Estate and Construction

Restaurants and Food

Small Business and Retail

Transportation and Infrastructure

For more information and to see the members of the committees, see here:  https://coronavirus.dc.gov/reopendc

The Week Ahead…And Some Photos From the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

The Week Ahead….

Tuesday, April 28

ANC6B’s Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm, to set the agenda for next month’s virtual meeting of ANC6B on May 12.  Details on how to access the meeting will be posted here as soon as they are available.

Some Photos from the Past Week…

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 Closes Eastern Market For Deep Cleaning

by Larry Janezich

Yesterday, a Department of General Services staff member at Eastern Market tested positive for COVID-19.  Last night, Eastern Market Manager Barry Margeson notified vendors that the market would be closed on Sunday, April 26, for a deep cleaning.  The market is ordinarily closed on Monday.  A sign posted on the market’s doors this morning to notified the public and stated that the market would be open on Tuesday.  The staff member and those potentially exposed have been notified and will take appropriate action regarding DC Health Guidance.  No other details were immediately available.

 

Guerrilla Gardeners Carve Out Plot on Marine Barracks’ Sidewalk

by Larry Janezich

Wiki:  “Guerrilla gardening is the act of gardening on land that the gardeners do not have the legal rights to cultivate, such as abandoned sites, areas that are not being cared for, or private property.”

Guerrilla Gardner’s, DC was busy on a plot of public land at 9th and I Street adjacent to the Marine Barracks last week, as a group of resident volunteers joined forces with the transformative activist group to remake an asphalt rectangle into a greenspace garden of native plants.

The idea originated with the Marines two years ago, who were having drainage issues at the 9th and I Street corner and wanted a rain garden there.  After floating the idea, they were stymied by a prohibition on spending funds on lands the Marines don’t own and the refusal of the city to relinquish control of the land.

Ninth Street resident Karl Kindel learned of their intent from the beginning in the annual pre-parade season meeting the Marines host with the nearby neighbors.  It was six months later when they learned of the obstacles.

The idea lay dormant for months, until Kindel’s chance encounter with Jim Guckert who he encountered restoring a call box at 8th and I.  During the ensuing conversation, Guckert explained the mission of his organization, Guerrilla Gardeners, DC, which he had incorporated last year, after finding out there was a national and international movement which identified and named a practice he’d been following for 15 years.  The conversation inspired Kindel to recruit the organization for the Marine’s rain garden project.  Guckert took a look and told Kindel Guerrilla Gardeners would like to get involved and offered to join forces to lend whatever assistance they could.

It was a fruitful collaboration, leading to a meeting with the Marines and the enthusiastic embrace of Col. Donald Tomich, which led to re-starting the project.  The Marines couldn’t fund the project, Tomich told them, but could offer materials and plants.

Kindel solicited funds from neighbors, raising $1100 in two weeks – half the amount needed.  Kindel and Guerilla Gardeners split the remaining cost.  They rented a jackhammer and a dumpster and with some assistance from the Marine’s landscape contractor, removed 10 – 12 tons of asphalt last week.  Volunteers put down new soil and planted native plants – Arrowwood, Black Eyed Susan, and Cardinal flowers.  The Marine’s landscape contractor will maintain the garden.

Guckert was also responsible for the original guerrilla gardening which transformed the pocket park on the SW corner of 8th and I into the beautifully manicured fiesta of decorative plants and blooms currently on full display cattycorner from the Barracks.  Fifteen years ago, Guckert – who lives on I Street across from the pocket park – and four of his neighbors constituted the informal group that took upon themselves the beautification of the – then neglected – plot of land.  Guckert says they were guerilla gardening before they knew it had a name.  He incorporated the organization as a 501C3 nonprofit in September of 2019, after an article in the Hill Rag sparked community interest and requests for assistance on misused, unused and neglected plots.

The group has no boundaries and pursues gardening where no gardening is being done – just doing it – as people make known plots that are candidates for improvement.  Since last fall, Guckert estimates 15 to 20 tree boxes have been improved in hopes it will inspire nearby residents to maintain them.

Guerrilla Gardener’s funding comes from a grant from donations and a grant from the Capitol Hill Foundation.  To donate, volunteer, or see their website, go here:  https://guerrillagardenersdc.org/

The Quiet Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Last Week

by Larry Janezich

The Quiet Week Ahead…

Monday, April 20

ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee meeting CANCELLED 

Next meeting: 3rd Monday, May 18, 7:00 p.m. Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, NE.

Tuesday, April 21

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meeting CANCELLED 

Next meeting: 3rd Monday, May 19, 7:00 p.m, Sherwood Recreation Center, Corner of 10th and G Street, NE.

Here Are the Obstacles Small Businesses Say They Face In Reopening After Covid-19

by Larry Janezich

Over the past two weeks, CM Charles Allen has repeatedly warned that economic recovery from COVID-19 will take several years and that a lot of Capitol Hill’s small businesses and restaurants may not be able to reopen once the crisis is past.

CHC asked several local business stakeholders to explain why reopening will be so difficult.

Julie Aaronson, Executive Director of CHAMPS says, “In general, most long term contracts still need to be paid regardless of whether or not the business is operating. While rent is usually the largest monthly expense, several others exist. For example, IT contracts, trash and sanitation, payroll fees, credit card processing fees & other bank charges, utilities, etc.  Even if late fees are forgiven, the debts will still pile up making bankruptcy the only viable option for many businesses.

Many of the small businesses on Capitol Hill (especially restaurants) rely on discretionary spending. If higher income individuals begin losing income then they will necessarily decrease spending. Unfortunately, it’s not easy for many businesses to “scale down” to a lower price point. That part of the market is already filled by chain restaurants or big box retailers.”

Martin Smith, Executive Director of Barracks Row Main Street (BRMS), agrees with Allen and says, “We really need a stronger federal response – the Paycheck Protection Program and Small Business Administration assistance are mini steps in the right direction but it’s assistance that comes as the result of the federal government’s ability to engage in deficit spending – an option that states and local government don’t have.  The city will not be able to do enough – they can waive penalties for late taxes, but I don’t know how much more the city can do.”  Asked whether BRMS could use the $500,000 grant it received from DCCD to assist its 168 businesses, Smith said those funds are designated by the agency for façade improvement and BRMS has no discretion to repurpose them – he said he would love to, but thinks it unlikely.  Asked if it were possible to repurpose funds from the city’s $150,000 annual grant to Main Street organizations, Smith said that a significant amount of those funds have either been spent or committed during the first half of the year.

Charles McCaffrey, Executive Director of Eastern Market Main Street, said most small businesses operate on a 3.5- 5% profit margin, and that’s based on a 75% capacity.  With any reduced capacity, the loss of revenue is significant.  He says, “Our MainStreets have already seen a decline in business as competitors – the Navy Yard, the Wharf, Union Market – have emerged, and that has resulted in a decline in revenues.  Then add the virus, and for some businesses it’s going to be devastating.  As people focus on essentials – food, rent, and healthcare – they are not focused on restaurants and retail consumption.  Once you get to the point where you can reopen but income hasn’t been coming in, if too much debt has stacked up, businesses may see no sense in reopening if all they will do for the next 3 – 5 years is repay debt.”  McCaffrey has urged his members to apply for everything available in the form of city and federal government assistance.

There was funding available for small businesses from the city and the federal government, but those pools of assistance have dried up, and so far, few if any of the grants and loans have been distributed.  Those governments have blamed the overwhelming demand and a clunky distribution system for the slow response.

The city council passed Emergency Legislation to address COVID 19 in March.  Among the provisions was a $25 million public health emergency grant program to assist businesses with fewer than 500 employees who have suffered because of the health crisis.  Applications were overwhelming and the application process closed the first week of April.  CM Chares Allen says the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) is processing applications and preparing to announce awards later this month.  The legislation also provided for mortgage and rent payment deferral for up to 90 days without penalty, as well as a freeze in all rent increases.

On Friday, Mayor Bowser was asked about pressure from a group of business owners for additional relief for small businesses.  Bowser said that in light of a projected $600 million shortfall in revenues for the current fiscal year, she could “not make any commitment for any other relief at this time.”

The two sources of small business assistance from the federal government have also been tapped out.  The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) $349 billion Pay Protection Program (PPP) established by the Congressional CARE Act – passed last month in response to the health crisis – ran out of money on Thursday.  It provides loans to small businesses at 1% which are forgivable if the money is used for payroll expenses. That program was administered through banks, some of which accepted applications only from current customers.  An additional $250 billion refunding of the program is stalled in Congress.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EDIL) providing loans and grants on a first come first served basis is also out of funds. The CARE Act provided $10 billion in grant money and was quickly overwhelmed by 3 million applications.

Congressional Democrats want an agreement on an additional $50 billion in funds for the EIDL loan program and $15 billion for grants, as well as additional aid for hospitals before they sign off on the administration’s request for the $250 billion in additional funds for the Paycheck Payment Program.  Negotiations are continuing over the weekend and an agreement could be reached this week.  It is likely that substantially more funding will be necessary.

Aaronson says that a number of CHAMPS members have applied for the DC grants and SBA EIDL and PPP funding, but she is not aware of any who have received checks.  She said, “While the money may be in the pipeline, it is needed as quickly as possible…. Some businesses saw a decline even before the shutdown order, so they are operating on 6 weeks or longer of reduced/no sales and income. They are anxious about how to pay bills, how to help their employees, and how to plan when we do not yet have a sense of when or how we can reopen safely.”

Additionally, she said, some businesses have expressed concern about how to pay next month’s rent, and while they are hopeful their landlords will take advantage of the mortgage deferment that was included in the Council’s emergency legislation, there’s no guarantee landlords will pursue or qualify for the deferment.

According to one source, most small restaurants operate on thin margins with substantial fixed expenses with lots of perishable inventory.  A retail store with a 5000 square foot store might have $20,000 a month expenses and 10 employees but a restaurant with 5000 square feet will likely have $200,000 expenses and 50 employees.

The source said that the PPP requires a restaurant to hire the same amount of staff before the forced closures and it will cover salaries for approximately 2 months – but a restaurant full of employees but no customers is pointless and the restaurant will still end up closed.  In addition, Unemployment Insurance provides [$440 for 39 weeks plus $600 for 13 weeks for those who lost jobs because of the health crisis] – more than some employees made before closures.  It’s going to be hard to hire those people back.

The source says, “Even when government says we can reopen, demand won’t be like before especially without a vaccine or the like.”

Washingtonian Magazine has a piece – How to Help Struggling DC-Area Restaurant and Bar Workers here: https://bit.ly/3ezdAG9

Eastern Market Main Street created a Go Fund Me campaign to raise fund to help the small businesses of their Main Street here:  https://bit.ly/2wVWNw4

ANC6B Supports Resurrection of Huge Mixed Use Project on M Street SE – 900 Units & Retail

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday night, ANC6B voted to support Felice Development Group’s resurrection of a dormant residential/retail project on the banks of the Anacostia River near Boat House Row.  The 6 – 0 – 2  vote was to support of the developer’s plan to ask the DC Zoning commission to initiate  the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process for the project.  The Zoning Commission has scheduled that meeting for later this month.  (Developers of a PUD project apply to the Zoning Commission for a change in zoning that would allow greater density, height, and mass than the current zoning for the site would allow.  If approved, it is usually with a package of benefits or amenities for the community, provided by the developer.)

A similar project, introduced in 2015 by developer Crescent Heights, was deferred in 2017,“stymied by overdevelopment” according to the developer, who at the time sought and received at two year extension of the PUD.  http://bit.ly/2kTQKxy

According to a representative of GTM Architects, the revival of the 2015 – 2017 project is similar to that plan but with an improved design and development (and 1/3 larger) program.

The new plan anticipates three buildings – two of the larger buildings – each 13 stories and 130 feet tall, will be connected by a bridge.  The smaller third building will stand alone with nine stories at 92 feet tall.

The total project will amount to 791,000 square feet, with 900 residential units and two levels of below grade parking.  Ten percent of the units will be affordable – 2% more than is required under Inclusionary Zoning requirements.

The project will provide 45,000 square feet of retail space, with ground floor retail facing M Street.  A 25 foot slope of the site toward the river will afford two levels on retail on that side.  According to Biz Now, the developer will fill much of the retail space with a food hall.

ANC6B Commissioner and Chair of the ANC’s Planning and Zoning Committee Corey Holman said that the ANC would appoint a working group to discuss community benefits and amenities, as the project moves forward.  Holman noted that the buildings will change the present view-scape dramatically and raises questions about that value to the community.  He said the Planning and Zoning Committee would solicit the input of constituents on benefits, as well as on how a Memorandum of Understanding regarding construction mitigation should be structured. He also said his Committee wants to see additional renderings of the view from L Street and from the river and the south side of the river, as well as shadow studies.

A company representative cited a number of “community benefits” which the project will provide by developing beyond what the department of transportation requires in terms of infrastructure improvements.  She noted that providing 2% more affordable housing than the 8% requirement was also a public benefit.

 

Eastern Market Farmers Line to Re-open Tuesday & New Hours for Inside Merchants

by Larry Janezich

DGS announced this afternoon that the Eastern Market Farmers Market has been granted a waiver to re-open.  Both the farmers line and the inside merchants will operate with shorter hours during the COVID-19 crisis.

For the Farmers Market:

Tuesdays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Saturdays and Sundays: 9:00am to 1:00pm

For the Indoor Merchants

Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00am to 5:00pm

To ensure everyone’s safety, customers will be required to follow social distancing regulations:

Per Mayor’s Order 2020-058 issued on April 8, 2020:

ALL CUSTOMERS MUST:

• Wear a face covering.
• Avoid entering the Farmers’ Market if you are feeling sick.
• Maintain six (6) feet of distance from each person who is not part of your household. Households should have no more than one or two people in their shopping group.
• Cough or sneeze away from people and into a tissue or your elbow or sleeve and immediately dispose of tissues in a safe manner.
• Do not shake hands or engage in any other physical contact.
• Do not eat any food you purchased while in the market space.
• Wash your produce and wipe down any packaging with a disinfectant when you get home.
• Keep your market visit simple and short; buy what you need and do not linger, socialize, or congregate in the market space.
• No browsing or entering market tents! Stay focused on buying what you need — aim to get in and out of the market in under 30 minutes.
• Leave your dogs, children, and senior family members at home.

The Week Ahead… CM Charles Allen Continues Updating ANC Virtual Meetings on CORVID-19

Monday, April 13, 2020

ANC6D meets at 7:00pm.  This meeting will be a Webex virtual meeting.

Details for ANC 6D Virtual Meetings will be provided on this page. http://www.anc6d.org/virtualmeeting/

The hyperlink to connect to the meeting and call-in information will be provided below on the day of the meeting. You will be able to enter the meeting no earlier than 15 minutes prior to its scheduled start time. There is a call-in option for those who prefer to listen via phone.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation:  CM Charles Allen – update on COVID – 19.

Public Safety Report:  1^st District MPD, Lt. Donigian

La Famosa, 1300 4^th Street, SE – application for a new class C restaurant liquor license.

Colada, 10 Pearl Street, SW – application for a new class C restaurant liquor license.

1900 Half Street, SW – Zoning Application for a modification of design review.

Report on DC Central Kitchen/Riverpoint.

Proposal to strengthen guidelines for work on construction sites during COVID-19 pandemic.

Request for five month relocation of Unity SW Health Clinic.

Tuesday, April 14

ANC 6B will meet at 7:00pm.  This meeting will be a Webex virtual meeting.  Below is the link & Call-In number to join this public meeting.

Meeting Link:

https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/j.php?MTID=m0382991b034b966a7cab4419c2925854

Join by video system:

Dial 477941435@dcnet.webex.com

You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Join by phone:

1-650-479-3208 Call-in number (US/Canada)

Access code: 477 941 435

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations – Councilmember Charles Allen – Update on COVID-19

The Roost – 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – application for a class C restaurant license.  Establishment will be a restaurant offering multiple food vendors. Seating Capacity of 415inside and a Total Occupancy Load of 480. Sidewalk Café with a Total Occupancy Load of 118. Request to add an Entertainment Endorsement indoors and outdoors. Hours of Operation for Inside of The Premises and For the Sidewalk Café: Sunday through Thursday 7am–2am, Friday and Saturday 7am –3amHours of Alcoholic Beverage Sales, Service, And Consumption Inside of The Premises and For the Sidewalk Café: Sunday through Thursday 8am–2am, Friday and Saturday 8am –3amHours of Live Entertainment Inside of The Premises and For the Sidewalk Café: Sunday through Thursday 8am–2am, Friday and Saturday8am –3am

Finn McCools, 713 8^th Street, SE – Change in liquor license request to install three Dragon’s Ascent electronic games of skill machines.

Lola’s, 711 8th Street, SE – Substantial Change request to install three Dragon’s Ascent electronic games of skill machines.

The Brig, 1007 8th Street, SE – Substantial Change request to install three Dragon’s Ascent electronic games of skill machines.

1333 M Street, SE – Zoning application, 1st-Stage & Consolidated PUDs & Related Map Amendment from PDR-4 zone to MU-9 zone.

DDOT Notice of Intent for E Street SE Bike Lane.

Notice of Intent for Temporary Pick Up Drop Off Zones for ANC 6B for 501 8th Street, SE and 655 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Review of request for Traffic Hump on 600 block of D Street, SE.

Letter to DDOT on request for traffic calming measures on 11th Street, SE, at the junction of I-695.

Wednesday, April 15

ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm.

Webex Event

A link to the virtual meeting is provided on the ANC6A webpage, here:

https://anc6a.org/wp-content/uploads/EDZA0420.pdf

Among items on the draft agenda:

429 18th Place, NE – Informational discussion

909 and 911 I Street, NE – Zoning application for special exceptions for a special exception under the penthouse height requirements and to permit a trellis that does not conformwith the side building wall setbacks, to construct two three-story buildings with penthouses in the RF-1 Zone.

 

Other News, courtesy of ANC6B Commissioner Kelly Waud:

Food Insecurity:

If you know anyone who is experiencing food insecurity, please share:

DC Central Kitchen, Martha’s Table & World Central Kitchen are providing free lunch & groceries starting at noon @ THEARC located at 1801 Mississippi Ave SE. See below for a schedule:

DC Central Kitchen providing FREE lunches for children 19 & younger Monday – Saturday from 12 noon – 3 pm

Martha’s Table providing FREE grocery bags on Wednesdays from 12:30 – 3 pm

World Central Kitchen providng FREE hot lunches Tuesday – Thursday from 12:30 – 3 pm

Solid Waste Management:

Trash and recycling collection will continue as scheduled.

Residential mowing continues but may be delayed. (NOTE: I have submitted requests for mowing for the lot at 13th and Potomac and the park across the way).

All resident solid waste drop-offs, including hazardous waste and e-cycling, are suspended.

Parking Enforcement:

Ticketing for safety violations (e.g., blocking a fire hydrant) continues.

The following ticketing is suspended:

Emergency no parking violations (vehicles will be relocated without charge and will not be ticketed)

Expired district license plates and inspection stickers

Expired residential parking permits

Expired meters

Vehicle booting and towing is suspended.

Eastern Market Outdoor Farmer’s Line Closed Until Waiver to Operate Is Granted – New Rules Govern Access to Inside Merchants

by Larry Janezich

Today, Eastern Market Farmers received the notification below from the Chief Operating Officer of the Department of General Services – ten hours before the Saturday morning market setup.  On yesterday, Eastern Market management imposed strict rules implementing the Mayor’s order governing access to food markets.  Only one door on the north end of the market may be used for access, customers are required to wear masks, only 11 customers are permitted in the market at a time, and foot traffic in the market is limited to one direction – north to south.