Monthly Archives: September 2021

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Update on Plan to Make PA Avenue SE Two Travel Lanes in Each Direction

By Larry Janezich

Posted September 10, 2021

Last Wednesday night, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee got an update on DDOT’s plan to reduce Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, from three travel lanes in each direction to two lanes in each direction between 2^nd Street, SE, and Barney Circle. 

DDOT considered several options and asked for community comment before selecting a plan which provides two travel lanes in each direction, a peak period bus lane in each direction with parking allowed during off peak hours, and a curbside bike lane.

The plan is at 30% design phase completion, which means that the major design elements which the public is most likely to care about are at a stage that they can be depicted and explained in some detail.  The plan has been transferred to the DDOT Traffic Engineering and Signals Division to carry the project to 100%. 

The project will proceed in two phases – Phase I will be from 2^nd Street, SE, to 13^th Street, SE, and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2022.  Phase II will be from 13^th Street, SE, to Barney Circle and will be complete in 2024-2025.

The Committee agreed to a motion to support the project by a unanimous vote.  The full ANC6B is expected to follow suit at its next monthly meeting on September 14.  

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Jazz Artist Aaron Myers at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Friday Night – 5:00-6:30pm

By Larry Janezich

Aaron Myers – DC based jazz artist (4 albums), author (2 books), Obama activist, and WPFW Jazz Stories host – will bring his music and poignant cultural insights to Eastern Market Metro Plaza for an early evening performance on Friday, September 10. 

Myers:  “It is an artist’s responsibility to use their platform to shed light, bring about awareness, and thoughtfully engage others on the issues of the day.”

For more information, go here.  https://www.aaron2.me/

The performance is the second in a series of September Friday Night live events brought to the Plaza by Barracks Row and Eastern Market Main Streets, Champs, the Capitol Hill BID and the Hill Center as an on-going Plaza activating effort for the benefit of the community. 

The schedule for the rest of the month includes performances by Samuel Prather on September 17, and Herb Scott on September 24. 

Funding is being provided by the two Main Street organizations and the Capitol Hill BID.  CM Charles Allen was successful in providing $150,000 in next year’s budget for programming for the Plaza in   FY 2022.

Programming for September will feature more live music for kids and families on Saturday mornings from 10:00-11:30am.

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Capitol Hill Art League Members-Only Juried Art Exhibit thru Sept 25

By Larry Janezich

Posted September 8, 2021

The Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL) members show themed “Reflections” is hung in the gallery at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) and will be there until September 25th. The exhibit may also be viewed online at: http://caphillartleague.org/2021-reflections  “Reflections”, literal and or abstracted suggests contemplative, evocative expressions that welcome the viewer’s curiosity, and perhaps recognition. “Reflections” may reflect one’s internal musing of the “real”, or imaged and/or depictions of the multiple reflections actually visible.  Below are some additional images of pieces from the show.  

CHAW is located at: 545 7th Street, SE, Washington, DC. 20003

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The end of the first day of school last Monday – this was the scene around 3:20pm on Monday in front of Watkins Elementary.

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The Week Ahead…and Some Photos from the Past Week

By Larry Janezich

Posted September 6, 2021

The Week Ahead…

ANC Highlight:

Wednesday, September 9, ANC6A:  U.S. Attorney’s Office for the DC representative Douglas Klein – Community Prosecutor for the First District – will make a presentation.  Seems like a good time to ask how the prosecution of insurrectionists is going and whether that East Capitol Street chiropractor has been charged with anything.  Klein usually responds that he can’t comment on ongoing investigations.  Still, it might be interesting.  

Wednesday, September 8

ANC6B Transportation and Public Safety Committee will hold a virtual meeting.

For information on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/calendar/ 

• Requests for Support of Speed Humps
  • 1500-1600 blocks of E Street, SE
  • 1100 block of D Street, SE—SR# 21-00312546 (6B04)
• Request for Support to Name Alley between 200 blocks of 10th & 11th Streets SE
• DDOT Update on Traffic Safety Request for Freeway Exit at 9th & I Streets SE
• Request for No Parking Zone in Front of SE Library
• Request for Contra-Flow Bike Lanes for 1200 block of G Street, SE & 1500 block of K Street, SE.
• Conversion of One-Way Blocks to Two Way (6B04)–NOI #21-204-TSED Installation of Mobile Roadway Vehicle Zone at 100 D Street SE (6B01) NOI 21-183-TOA
• Commercial Loading & No Parking Zones for 816/818 Potomac Avenue, SE.

Thursday, September 9

ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For information on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Presentation: Jessica Sutter, Ward 6 State Board of Education Representative.
• Presentation: Principal Sah Brown, Eastern High School.
• Presentation: S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia Update – AUSA Douglas Klein, Community Prosecutor for 1D, AUSA Magdalena Acevedo, Community Prosecutor for 5D and Christopher Wade, Community Outreach Specialist for 1D.
• H Street Spirits at 1368 H Street, NE. Application for a Class A Retail License.
• Z Korner Store at 234 15th Street, NE. Application for a Class B Retail License
• Traffic calming. Letter of support to DDOT for consideration of speed humps and/or raised crosswalks.
  • 1600 block of Isherwood Street NE, amending the ANC’s resolution of July 10, 202.
  • F Street, NE, between 17th and 18th Streets, NE, and the Intersection of 18th NE, and E Streets, NE, and 18th Street NE from D to E Streets. NE, and E Street. NE, from 18th to 19th Streets, NE.
  • 700 – 1300 blocks of I Street, NE, including consideration of speed humps and/or raised crosswalks.
  • 1300, 1400 and 1500 blocks of East Capitol Street, NE, including consideration of speed humps and/or raised crosswalks.
  • 300 block of 19th Street, NE, including consideration of speed humps and/or raised crosswalks.
  • Intersections of 14th and A Streets, NE; 15th and A Streets, NE; and 15th Street and Constitution Avenue, NE.
• 1300 I Street, NE. Letter of support to BZA for a Modification of Consequence pursuant to previously approved plans (to add a penthouse enclosure, including a staircase, and roof deck at 1300 I Street, NE) with the caveat that the developer make best efforts to get letters of support from the neighbors on I Street and Florida Avenue, and that the developer change the treatment on the penthouse structure to match and flow with the rest of the building.. 
• 810 C Street, NE. Letter of support to HPA regarding a historic review of a project for the renovation and a 10 foot addition, add third story to two-story building, and reconfigure façade’s windows and door openings to an existing two-unit row house with conversion to a single family row house at 810 C Street, NE, in the Historic District. with the caveat that the developer make best efforts to get letters of support from the owners or occupants of adjacent properties at 812 C Street NE and 805 C Street NE.

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For information on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda.

• G Street, SE. Case: BZA 20502. Special exception for lot occupancy.
• Letter in support of bills by Eleanor Holmes to remove to remove federal members of the DC Zoning Commission and to remove NCPC review of District-owned and private projects. The bill to reintroduce would remove CFA review for private projects. The last one uniquely affects ANC 6B (and 6C) in that ordinary permits for private properties close to the Capitol must go through an extra layer of review at the Commission of Fine Arts. For everyday permits that don’t require HPRB reviews, these are always approved without issue but are subject to delays from their staff as well as their meeting calendar. For larger projects, our local HPRB would retain review and jurisdiction.

ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For information on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda.

• La Casina DC, 327 7th Street, SE. Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant liquor license, request to change/update Settlement Agreement.
• Crazy Aunt Helen’s, 718 8th Street, SE. Retailer’s Class CR License, request to change/update existing Settlement Agreement.
• BR Fine Wine & Spirits, 801 Virginia Avenue, S.E. Retailer’s Class “A” Liquor Store license.  Request to change name from BR Fine Wine & Spirits to Classy Corks Wine and Spirits. 

ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For information on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Presentation: Serve Your City/Ward Six Mutual Aid, Sarah Liebman
• Washington DC NOMA Operations, 1222 1st Street NE. Application for a new Class C hotel liquor license and a new Class B retail liquor license.
• King Street Oyster Bar, 22 M Street, NE. Application for a stipulated restaurant liquor license. 
• National Park Service, update on properties in ANC 6C.
  • Swampoodle II park at 3rd and L Streets NE, update.
  • Swampoodle II, park at 3rd and L Streets, NE, transportation safety features.
• 1133 North Capitol Street NE. Revised public space application.
• Circulator route, Union Station to Deanwood.
• Baltimore-Washington SCMAGLEV draft environmental impact statement.
• 6th Street between K Street NE and Florida Avenue NE. Request for speed bumps.
• 617 A Street NE. Application for Zoning Adjustment – accessory garage with roof deck.
• 200 K Street, NE. Zoning Application – PUD modification, retail use to be located at 2nd and L Streets, NE.
• 111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Zoning Application –PUD modification, of consequence and a waiver, university use.
• 227, 233-235, 237-239 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Historic Preservation Application for Hillsdale College – penthouses and plazas.
• 300 New Jersey Avemue, NW & 51 Louisiana Avenue, NW. Zoning Adjustment Application for penthouse.
• 1173 3rd Street, NE. Revised BA application, new 3-story dwelling with roof deck.

Saturday, September 11

• Friends of Southeast Library will hold a book sale at Southeast Library from 10:00am until 3:00pm. More later. 

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Friday Night Live Jazz on Eastern Market Metro Plaza Starts September 3

by Larry Janezich

On Friday, September 3, Deborah Bond, DC’s popular indie-soul song artist, will kick off a month of Friday night live music performances from 5:00pm until 6:30pm at the Eastern Market Metro Pavilion.  Her music references Anita Baker, Sade, and Chaka Khan and she cites inspiration by Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder.

Bond is a veteran of performances at venues including the Warner Theater, 9:30 Club, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Blues Alley, Blue Note NYC, Cobb Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, and Jazz Café in London.

For more information and music videos, go here:   https://www.deborahbond.com/media

The complete schedule for the month is as follows:

• September 3: Deborah Bond
• September 10: Aaron Myers
• September 17: Samuel Prather
• September 24: Herb Scott

According to Charles McCaffrey, Executive Director of Eastern Market Main Street, Councilmember Charles Allen initiated the effort to program the events through the end of the fiscal year.  Barracks Row and Eastern Market Main Streets, Champs, the Capitol Hill BID and the Hill Center joined forces to consider what could be done quickly.  Capitol Hill Center’s relationship with Herb Scott of DC Jazz Fest enabled performers to be lined up for Friday nights in September. 

According to McCaffrey, the goals were to activate the plaza, reinforce the idea that DC is open, do things outside for the community, and encourage the community to patronize nearby businesses and restaurants.

Funding is being provided by the two Main Street organizations and the Capitol Hill BID.  Allen was successful in providing $150,000 in next years budget for programming for the Plaza in   FY 2022.