A cross section of the new SE Library. The Library will have three floors and three separate customer bases: top floor for adults, middle floor for community, bottom floor for youth and family. There will be restrooms on each floor and access to each floor by stairway and elevator at the west end of the building. The historic main entrance will also provide access to the top floor. Natural light will be drawn in by means of a skylight – harkening back to the building’s original roof – and a light well extending all the way to the lowest level, with light-scattering glass panels providing daylight to every floor of the building.
Councilmember Charles Allen – who joined the virtual meeting – said he had had a preview of the presentation, and had found it “phenomenal” and “stimulating – filled with space and light”, adding “I think you’ll be super excited to see where we’ve landed.”
Here Are the Latest Design Concepts for SE Library
by Larry Janezich
Posted May 6, 2021
On Wednesday night, DC Public Library held a virtual community meeting on the $23 million renovation of the Southeast Library, and Quinn Evans Architects gave Capitol Hill residents a look at the latest schematics for the plan. Representatives of Quinn Evans took attendees through a PowerPoint presentation.
The Upper Floor Plan: Here is adult collection, the media collection, a study room, and a staff workroom. The floor will be accessed through the original 7th Street entrance and the west stairwell/elevators via a new entrance on South Carolina Avenue.
Here’s a rendition of the Upper Floor looking toward the 7th Street entrance, showing the skylight and the light well. Furniture is notional and may not reflect what will finally be placed.
The Ground Floor Plan will feature a large meeting room, a study, a conference room, community computing, holds and new books, a circulation work room and storage. Friends of Southeast Library will have a storage room here to hold books donated for book sales.
Here’s a rendition of what the Ground Floor will look like from the 7th Street side conference room looking to the west end of the library. The “goldenrod” painted stairwell and elevators will permit access at the west end of the library, again via the new South Carolina entrance. Access is also permitted via interior stairwell descending from the main 7th Street entrance.
The below grade Lower Floor Plan includes: the elementary collection, spaces for programs and activities, the picture book collection, the early learning collection, and the teen collection. It also has staff rooms and the manager’s office. Natural light from the light well will be supplemented by a skylight running the length of the building over the underground extension of the below grade floor on the library’s south side. This level will be accessed directly from the new entrance on South Carolina.
Here’s a rendition of the Lower Level showing the underground southern extension lit by its own skylight as well as the central light well.
And here’s a rendition of the new entrance from South Carolina Avenue.
The Overall View.
Designers say the renovation will provide:
25% more meeting/conference spaces
Almost 50% more computer space
Double the space for adult seating
3 times the space for children and families
Collaboration opportunities
3 bookable group rooms
Ground floor meeting story hour space
Entry level access for children’s programs
Age specific active learning spaces
Nine fold increase in children’s seating
Children’s collection increased more than 50%
The current library is closing at the end of 2022 and the renovated library will reopen in the spring of 2024.
Here’s a rendering of 818 Potomac Avenue, designed by Capitol Hill based PGN Architects. The building at the left is 816 Potomac Avenue, “Callisto” operated by Sonder. Here a link to Sonder’s “Callisto” webpage. https://bit.ly/3h81
Hotel/Airbnb Disrupter Sonder Expands Operation off Lower Barracks Row
by Larry Janezich
Posted May 5, 2021
Murillo/Malnati Development Group is changing the use of what was to be a 49 unit apartment building overlooking Virginia Avenue Park at 818 Potomac Avenue, SE, to what will functionally be self-service hotel. In its new incarnation, the building will be managed by the billion dollar disruptive hospitality startup Sonder, and the 49 units will join 32 short term rental units in an adjacent building at 816 Potomac Avenue also owned by Murillo/Malnati and already being operated by Sonder.
The change comes as a matter of right, but the developer has to come back to the city via ANC6B because they need a special exception for not having required loading. Although scheduled for next week’s meeting, 6B’s consideration was postponed until June, when the Zoning Adjustment Application will come before the BZA.
Sonder is a short term hospitality company that operates like a combination Airbnb and hotel. The company offers apartments like an Airbnb but in buildings they own or lease which are licensed as hotels. The rentals operate on a self-sufficiency model, but the company claims they offer the best of both of the hospitality worlds they target. Units have ready-to-cook-in kitchens and washers and dryers. So far, Sonder has apartments in 26 cities here and abroad. Sonder also operates The Avenue Flats in Del Ray, Alexandria and The Grace in Old Town, Alexandria.
As to the name: “sonder” is a Portuguese word meaning – among other things, “to probe”. But it probably comes from John Koenig’s forthcoming The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows (Simon & Schuster, November 16, 2021), i.e., “the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dictionary_of_Obscure_Sorrows
Monday morning, District Soul Food was packing up to move to a new location. Sunday was their last day of business.
District Soul Food on Barracks Row Falls Victim to Pandemic
by Larry Janezich
Posted May 3, 2021
District Soul Food is closed. David Roundtree, the restaurant’s chief operation officer, told Capitol Hill Corner this morning, “We’re moving”, adding that details on the move would be forthcoming.
The restaurant opened in February of 2019 bringing “soul food with a French connection” – to Barracks Row. At the time, Roundtree said they were trying to set themselves apart by offering a full service restaurant with live music and a cigar lounge all in one.
The restaurant has struggled during the pandemic and the health and safety restrictions imposed by mayoral order.
The restaurant joins a host of other Capitol Hill restaurants which closed because of the COVID virus, including, Montmartre, 7th Hill Pizza, Aqua al 2, Capitol Lounge, Emilie’s, Wisdom, Finn McCool’s, Tortilla Coast, and Hank’s Oyster Bar.
DGS briefed the Eastern Market Metro Park Advisory Team on April 28. Project Manager Diego Martinez said the a ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the new Plaza with Mayor Bowser, CM Charles Allen, DGS, and other District agencies was being planned and was targeted for first week of June. Pictured is a rendering of where Jay Coleman’s “Loveful Hands” will be sited near the Metro canopy.
Here’s a photo of the progress to date on the “deeply affordable” residential project going up on Reservation 13. Donatelli Development/Blue Skye Development broke ground on the building in January 2021. The $47 million contract with the city will provide a residential community of 100 Permanent Supportive Housing (PHS) units to support very low-income families and over 12,000 square feet of retail space. The “deeply affordable” single bedroom units are intended for those with 0 – 30% of Area Median Income.In December of 2020, the developers delivered their initial project on an adjacent parcel – 262 residential units (31 affordable) and over 12,000 square feet of retail space.
The Covid testing business was slow on Saturday, May 1, at Engine 8 Firehouse, 1520 C Street, SE. The testing station opened at noon and had tested 14 residents by 1:00pm. Testing sites days and hours of operation can be found here: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/testing
The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee met last week and heard from DGS that the projected pandemic-driven Eastern Market financing shortfall for the current fiscal year is $201,000. DGS has identified opportunities for savings totaling $138,000, leaving a $63,000 gap. Market Manager Barry Margeson said that resolving the stalled lease negotiations with the South Hall Merchants would cut the latter figure in half.
This building at 1500 East Capitol Street, currently undergoing renovation, is slated to become the Capitol Square Bar and Grill – which aspires to be a family-friendly neighborhood restaurant with a sidewalk cafe.
The “Happiness” Art Show at Frame of Mine Store on Capitol Hill opened Saturday and will run through June 19. The Gallery is located at 545 8th Street, SE. The show is sponsored by the Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL).
Participating artists were asked to explore their art interpretations of “happiness” using any media, including photography. CHAL invites you to visit the gallery when shopping at Frame of Mine as well as viewing it online at the store website at: www.frameofmine.dc – the art may be purchased through the store.
The following artists are featured in the show: Anne Albright, Ken Bachman, Sally Canzoneri, Karen Cohen, Martin DeAlteriis, Elizabeth Eby, Tara Hamilton, Louise Holland, Steve Kunin, Victoria Lakes, Bennett Lowenthal, McCain McMurray, Heidi Nielson, Ann Pickett, Martha Pope, Nan Raphael, Carolyn Rondthaler, Judy Searles, Alexia Stefanovich, Rifat Taher, Karen Van Allen, Elin Whitney–Smith and Karen Zens,
For more information about the “Happiness” Show and the Art League, visit the website at www.caphillartleague.org
The featured piece is “Spring” by Elizabeth Eby.
The Week Ahead…Highlights…Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted May 2, 2021
Highlights:
Monday: Southeast Library reopens after pandemic closure.
Wednesday: Southeast Library Virtual Community Meeting to hear design updates.
Thursday: The $18 million new Southwest Library opens, 900 Wesley Place, SW. It has been closed since June, 2019.
Scissors & Scotch, 331 N Street, NE. Request for ANC6C Support for new liquor license. (From the website: “The Scissors & Scotch experience offers a complimentary cocktail, coffee, or cold one with every haircut, plus a full-service bar and lounge, because we know you’ll be ready for round two.”}
Capitol Fine Wine and Spirits, 415 H St.reet, NE. Renewal of Class A retailer’s license.
Kogod Liquors, 441 New Jersey Avenue, NW. Renewal of Class A retailer’s license and request to terminate the Settlement Agreement.
Courtyard by Marriott Washington, 1325 2nd Street, NE. New retailer’s Class B liquor license. Washington DC
Cru Hemp Lounge, 816 H Street, NE. New retailer’s Class C restaurant liquor license.
Tuesday, May 4
ANC6C Environment, Parks and Events Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
360 7th St SE: The Eastern Wine Bar. Historic Preservation Application. Concept: add metal pergola structure at sidewalk;
420 11th Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Rear addition and change in front façade from stucco to wood siding.
1525 K Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a rear, one-story addition with roof deck, to an existing, three-story, attached, principal dwelling unit.
POSTPONED –818 Potomac Ave SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Modification of Significance to change the principal use of and add special exception relief for the approved project at 818 Potomac Avenue, SE.
232 10th Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application and Zoning Adjustment Application. Conception Review and Special Exception to construct a three-story with cellar and roof deck, rear addition, to an existing attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit. [Applicant has requested a delay in BZA Hearing Date to 6/9/2021]
313 9th Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Second story addition to existing two-bay garage. [Will be considered only at full meeting on May 11]
POSTPONED – 900 South Carolina Avenue, SE: Historic Preservation Application. Concept: remove awning and bays at front and add two new door openings; add two window wells at west elevation and larger basement areaway at rear; new window openings at rear second story; new openings and cladding at rear one-story addition; new openings at one-story garage. [Case will be considered in June. New HPRB hearing date 6/24/21 or 7/1/21]
POSTPONED – 13 7th St SE; Zoning Adjustment Application. Area Variance to construct a rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit. [Case will be considered in June; BZA Hearing rescheduled for 6/23/21]
Wednesday, May 5
ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee
220 H Street, NE, aka Senate Square. Zoning Adjustment for a modification of consequence to an approved 2005 PUD to allow the required affordable housing units to be rented rather than sold.
CANCELLED: ANC6B Transportation Committee *No Monthly Meeting for May* [The update on traffic signals regarding the Pennsylvania Avenue Streetlights Project will be heard at the Full ANC6B meeting on May 11.]
DC Public Library will hold a virtual Southeast Library Community Meeting at 6:30pm.
CHC dropped in on The Roost and Caruso’s Grocery Friday morning. Staff was busy finishing details in advance of a soft opening this weekend. Chef Matt Adler said they would open next Wednesday for limited reservations, and then be fully open a week later – May 12th
Chef Matthew Adler – Caruso’s Grocery. Photo: NRG
Caruso’s Grocery – Italian Restaurant at The Roost – Opens Next Week
by Larry Janezich
Caruso’s Grocery opens this week. The Roost’s Culinary Clubhouse at 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, has one standalone restaurant – Caruso’s Grocery. It’s modeled on a classic southern Italian red sauce- red banquette-old school type eatery – like AV’s, for those who remember the iconic New York Avenue eatery favored by Members of Congress and neighborhood diners alike.
According to Chef Matt Adler, after a soft opening this weekend for friends and family, the restaurant will open for limited reservations on Wednesday, May 5th, and fully open a week later on May 12th.
The menu is not on their website yet, but it will feature traditional Italian – items including Chicken Parmesan, Shrimp Scampi, Penne alla Vodka, Mozzarella en Corozza, Sole Francaise, Garlic Bread with Four Cheese Sauce.
According to the website description, the beverage program will feature affordably priced Italian wines by the glass, carafe, and bottle, along with a short reserve list – and a selection of Italian-style pilsners and sours sourced from Italy. Vintage cocktails include an Espresso Martini, Limoncellotini, Mulberry St. Cosmo – all featuring house made liqueurs from Show of Hands, the Roost’s separate cocktail bar. Classic espresso rounds out the beverage menu.
Caruso’s chef, Matt Adler, spent most of his career focused on regional Italian cuisine. Adler has worked with top chefs including Alain Ducasse and Michael White. An opportunity to serve as opening chef to Osteria Morini in the Capitol Riverfront in 2013 brought him to DC. Osteria Morini received two and a half stars from both the Washington Post and Washingtonian magazine. Caruso’s was inspired by Adler’s father’s upstate New York restaurant called Scoozi. Adler partnered with Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG) on the development of The Roost and Caruso’s Grocery in 2019. Besides the Culinary Clubhouse at The Roost, Michael Babin’s NRG also owns Iron Gate, Hazel, Bluejacket, and Churchkey, The Partisan and several outlets in Virginia, including the Evening Star Cafe, Buzz Bakeshop, Columbia Firehouse, Vermilion, and Rustico.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 