The former Emilie’s has morphed into Paraíso Taqueria & Mezcaleria
Part of the new operation is the Market and Cafe
Mid-afternoon last Thursday. Paraiso had it’s grand opening earlier in the week.
Emilie’s on PA Ave SE Rebrands: Now it’s Paraíso Taqueria & Mezcaleriaby Larry Janezich
This taqueria is different – the colorful green (cilantro) and pink (beet) corn tortillas sets it apart and emphasizes the website’s claim: “Creative cuisine inspired by the streets and home kitchens of Mexico”
The menu is unusual as well, divided into these several categories: Food – Neighborhood Favorites – Desserts – Beverages – Mezcal + Tequila – Brunch – Market & Café – House Pantry
Also from their website: “Paraíso takes us to the childhood memories of a Mexican town fair. A vibrant atmosphere, hypnotizing neon lights, and captivating music. A day at the feria is a moment of wonder; all of our senses get stimulated with flavorful eats and drinks and vibrant sounds and visuals.”
Elsie Yang at DC Eater has a write up here that backs up the claim:
Protest Sculpture at the Adams Building, Library of Congress
by Larry Janezich
Protest art is everywhere, but protest sculpture is rare, which makes the piece in a fire box at the southeast corner of the Adams Building at 3rd and Independence noteworthy.
The assemblage tableau represents Thomas Jefferson holding a key, standing next to a shackled Sally Hemings with two children and a commentary on her and her children’s servitude and Jefferson’s parentage.
It’s not clear who”s responsible other than appended signature “Fearless Girls 2020.”
The original Fearless Girl is the famous NYC sculpture initially placed at Bowling Green facing down the Charging Bull statue, and later moved to a location where it faces the NY Stock Exchange.
After the British burned the Capitol and its Library during the war of 1812, Congress purchased Thomas Jefferson’s library to replace it. Initially housed in the Capitol, it was subsequently moved to its own structure across the street. In 1938, construction of the Library Annex (now the Adams Building) was complete. On the anniversary of the birthday of Jefferson on April 13, 1976, President Ford signed a law to change the name of the Library of Congress Annex Building to the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. The building was renamed for President John Adams in 1980 – Adams had approved the law establishing the Library of Congress.
Sunday night’s rehearsal for the Annual (virtual this year) Lighting of the Menorah on Thursday, December 10, in Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park, hosted by Capitol Hill BID and Hill Havarah.
This year’s Christmas tree on Eastern Market Metro Park is a temporary replacement for “Big George” named for community benefactor George Didden,III, of National Capital Bank. In January, DGS will work with a supplier to replace this with a larger tree. The tree honors George Didden III, former president of National Capital Bank and founder of the Capitol Hill BID. Last week, the Captiol Hill BID’s “Men in Blue” worked to decorate the tree and the playground.
The US Capitol’s Christmas Tree was lit on Wednesday, December 2. This year’s tree is a 55 foot, 86 year-old Engelman Spruce from Grand Mesa, Colorado.
Some 400 starlings were present for the tree lighting ceremony.
In case you were wondering, these structures on the south side of the Adams Building of the Library of Congress have to do with the restoration of the flagpoles.
Here’s something new. On Pennsylvania Avenue, the Hawk & Dove has added table top fire pits to encourage outdoor dining.
The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Week Past
by Larry Janezich
Monday, December 7
ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Gerard Brown, DC Department of Health, to speak on DC rodent concerns and efforts to reduce rodent population during Covid-19 (TENTATIVE).
Harris Teeter, 1350 Potomac Avenue, SE; Renewal of Class B Retail-Full Service Grocery.
Archibald Walk SE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept for a one story rooftop addition to existing garage.
413 8th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application: Special Exception; Application for a 10-year extension for a special exception allowing fast food use at 413 8th Street, SE, (Chipotle).
741 12th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition and an accessory building in the rear of an existing attached principal dwelling at premises 741 12th Street, S.E.
Text amendment to increase height and reduce alley setback for accessory buildings All SMDs; Representative: Elisa Vitale (DCOZ).
Boys and Girls Club Update.
Letter of support for DDOT 65% Design plan for Penn/Potomac Avenue SE Intersection Project.
Report on DDOT presentation on a new study on Eastbound Exit Ramp (D4) at 695 & 11th Street, SE, with Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements.
Report from Hill East Task Force.
Discussion of Reservation 13 Phase II Requst for Proposals.
Discussion of 2020 ANC 6B Service Awards.
Wednesday, December 9
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
ANC 6A Community Leader Award to Fernanda Zavaleta.
The Cupboard, 1504 East Capitol Street, NE Renewal of Class B Retail Liquor License.
Economy Market, 1804 D Street, NE. Renewal of Class B Retail Liquor License.
H Street Beverage Warehouse at 1431-1433 H Street, NE. Application for a Class A Retail Liquor License. Committee recommends protest, unless a signed settlement agreement is submitted before the protest deadline.
Amazon Retail at 801 H Street, NE. Application for a Class B Retail License with Tasting Permit. Committee recommends protest, unless a signed settlement agreement is approved by the chair of the ANC by the protest deadline.
ANC6A letter to BZA in support of Zoning Adjustment Application for a new street parking plan for Maury Elementary School, 1250 Constitution Avenue, conditional upon DDOT’s consideration of the ANC request for ROP (Resident Only Parking) on the west side of 12th Place, NE, and RPP (Resident Permit Parking) from 6:00 pm – 7:00 am on the east side of 12th Place, NE, and that there are 8 parking spaces involved.
Letter to DDOT stating that ANC6A reviewed and commented on Public Space Application for 1518 North Carolina Avenue NE in March of 2020. As the application is unchanged, DDOT should refer to the letter of opposition already sent.
Letter of support for Public Space Application to permit fence on public space at 424 11th Street, NE, conditional upon the fence atop the retaining wall being no higher than the current fence (36″) and of similar (open, iron) construction.
Letter of support to Bureau of Zoning Adjustment for a special exception to permit construction of a two-story rear addition to an existing principal dwelling unit at 903 11th Street, NE.
114 12th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application for special exceptions to construct a second-story addition to an existing accessory structure in the rear yard of an existing flat at 114 12th Street, NE.
Letter of conditional support for Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception from the minimum vehicle parking requirements to allow conversion of an existing, detached, two-story, carriage house to a principal dwelling unit at 1608 East Capitol Street, NE.
Request for removal of Metro Bus Shelter located at 17th Street and Road NE.
Update on the Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenues SE Improvement Project
by Larry Janezich
Last Wednesday, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee chaired by Commissioner Kirstin Oldenburg voted unanimously to support DDOT’s 65% design for the Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenues SE Improvement Project. DDOT appeared before the committee in a virtual meeting to present the latest version of the plan.
Currently the intersection is an awkward mess, with a challenging pedestrian network, closely spaced intersections, inconsistent traffic controls and a skewed geometry.
DDOT’s solution is to reconstruct the intersection to create an elliptical traffic circle with a park in the middle, new traffic signals, revised curb geometry for future bike lanes (per the PA Ave SE Corridor Study), landscaping treatments, expanding the bus stop/layover in front of Metro, and relocating two other bus stops.
The Ellipse Park will feature stone clad seating walls, oak and crab apple trees, and a raised central planter with potential for becoming a location for public art.
DDOT will be back before the ANC’s Transportation Committee in the spring of 2021 with a 90% design and in the summer of 2021 with a 100% design.
Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2022 and last 18 months.
The plan now goes to the full ANC6B where an endorsement is virtually certain. For the full DDOT PowerPoint presentation, go here: https://bit.ly/33Nbs9S
DGS gave the members of the Eastern Market Metro Park Advisory Taskforce (EMMPAT) a project update on Wednesday, offering details on work which will be done during December on Parcel 4 where the Metro entrance is. That work will include utility and foundations, sidewalk replacement along Pennsylvania Avenue and D Street, SE, new ADC ramps and pavers, and curb improvements on 7th Street.
Work is also underway on the triangular parks – Parcels 3 & 4. The D Street SE extensions in front of Trader Joe’s and the former Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts which provided access to Pennsylvania Avenue both west and east bound have been closed and will be closed permanently. The project is scheduled for completion in April of 2021.
Next week, the design team is meeting with artist Jay Coleman – winner of the Metro Park public art competition with his concept of “Joyful Hands”, to discuss issues of size, materials, color, siting and timeline. Coleman will appear at the next EMMPAT virtual meeting on December 17 to provide an update on his concept and to take questions. One of the key decisions will be the base for the piece. Some Advisory Team members are in favor of a stronger vertical element – a higher base – to create a greater sense of presence. A link for joining the meeting will be widely distributed to encourage public participation. There was also a discussion about community support for additional pieces of public art for the project.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 