The Week Ahead…(Chess at Eastern Market Metro) & Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Sunday afternoon, R&B/Soul band Elroy International performed at Eastern Market Metro Plaza. Founder and front man Michael Elroy Craig started the band in 2020. Sunday was the first time the band performed here. Craig says he has partnered with Image Society to bring his music to Metro Plaza and hopes to perform once a month throughout the summer. Image Society is a Global Conservation community organization dedicated to the preservation of culture through exposure and education by offering classes in music, graphic design, video editing, social media development, entrepreneur development and life skills. Meanwhile, this was the scene over at the West Front of the US Capitol as preparations continued for Sunday night’s Memorial Day Concert. Security was tight, and the closed area extended from the West Front all way to Second Street west of the Capitol.
Here’s some video from around 7:30pm on Friday evening at 13th and South Carolina Avenue, SE. It looks like Prince George’s County Police pursued a vehicle into the District resulting in a chase through the Hill East neighborhood and a crash. MPD was lax in posting a DC Alert to enlighten residents, but tweets from witnesses alleged there were seven MPD and Prince Georges County police vehicles involved. Witnesses said that an individual – possibly a juvenile occupant of the crashed vehicle – was being detained. Witnesses also reported a surveillance helicopter overhead which may have been looking for another individual who was reported to have fled the scene. No word how this comports with MPD regulations regarding pursuit of vehicles. Video credit: Brian Alcorn.
Thursday evening at MLK Library, DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan applauds the presentation of Dirk Lohan – architect and grandson of Mies van der Rohe. Van der Rohe designed the recently completed $211 million renovation of MLK. Reyes-Gavilan said “MLK is the only Mies building in DC and the only Mies Library in the world.” Lohan toasted his just-finished hour long talk entitled “Mies and Me,” with an admittedly fake martini, a tribute to a long stretch of Thursday evening conversations with Mies which featured martinis and cigars. Lohan’s recollections of his grandfather – spiked with numerous anecdotes – highlighted van der Rohe’s transformation from a classical architect to a modernist following WWII. The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee held a virtual meeting on Wednesday night. The committee discussed possibilities for honoring former chair Donna Scheeder, who passed recently but came to no final decision. Acting chair Chuck Burger expressed his hope that a permanent chair could be appointed by the next meeting on June 29. He said he had had discussions with CM Allen regarding the vacant seat on the Committee (both the slots for members designated by Allen and Mayor Bowser are currently unfilled) and said he hoped both of these would be filled by fall.
And finally, last week on Monday night, the four Democratic candidates for DC mayor participated in a forum at Hill Center: Muriel Bowser, Robert C. White Jr., Trayon White Sr., and James Butler. The forum was sponsored by The Hill Rag and Ward Six Democrats and moderated by Sam Ford, bureau chief of ABC Channel 7 News. The the station carried the proceedings live. Here’s some video showing what being in the room was like.
The Week Ahead…(Chess at Eastern Market Metro) by Larry Janezich
The Week Ahead…
Tuesday, May 31 ANC6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm to set the agenda for the June meeting of the full ANC on June14.
· 1005 First Street, NE – Public Space Application for projection on the corner along 1st Street, NE, and L Street, NE, for a new restaurant entrance and facade. · 301 Massachusetts Avenue, NE – Public Space Application for outdoor seating including a sidewalk café on 3rd Street for Pupatella Neapolitan Pizza. · Proposal for a bike parking corral at 6th and K Street, NE, and general discussion of bike corrals in ANC6C. · Update on Maryland Avenue, NE, streetscape improvements.
*** Friends of Southeast Library hold an in-person monthly meeting at Southeast Library at 5:30pm.
Friday, June 3 · Chess in the Park at Eastern Market Metro Plaza from 1 to 4pm, sponsored by the U.S. Chess Center. · Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza, 5:00pm – 6:30pm, weather permitting. (Info on the featured artist was not available at press time.)
Saturday, June 4 Chess tournament for kids from 10:00am – 1:00pm. · This FREE tournament will be hosted by the US Chess Center and Barracks Row Main Street Program for students in grades 2-8. Students need to register via the U.S. Chess Center to be entered in the tournament. Registration and more information can be found on the U.S. Chess Center’s website here: https://register.chessctr.org/a/easternmarketmetro
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The final map for Hill East Single Member District Boundaries. Friday afternoon, the City Council’s Redistricting Subcommittee voted to recommend to the City Council Committee on the Whole that Hill East be divided into north and south components, each part of a different Ward 7 ANC. Hill East residents and the commissioners of the former Ward 6 ANCs (ANC6B and ANC6A) have struggled mightily for a single Ward 7 ANC west of the river. The Committee on the Whole will vote to place the entire ANC/Single Member District boundary plan on the Council’s agenda for the next legislative meeting. Theoretically, once before the Council, changes could be made. If Council passes the plan on the initial vote, a second and final vote will occur at the next legislative session. The measure then goes to the Mayor for her signature. Here’s a rendering of what a completed Southeast Boulevard Project could look like if DDOT gets federal funding to finish this project. Last Thursday, at a Special Meeting of ANC6B, the commission agreed to a letter of support requested by DDOT to accompany an application for a federal grant to complete the Southeast Boulevard and Barney Circle Projects. A coterie of residents of L Street between 13th and 15th Street voiced opposition, citing their concerns their quality of life will suffer if the project moves forward. Plans would include an underground garage for Circulator buses. ANC6B has long expressed reservations about the bus garage but also stated that a 100% electric bus fleet would mitigate some of the issues. There’s been major progress on The Ethel on Reservation 13 since we last visited. A sign says “Coming March 1013 – 100 units of Permanent Supportive Housing, work force training opportunities, transitional housing, 11,000 square feet of retail. Permanent Supportive Housing provides long-term housing voucher and intensive case management to individuals and families who are chronically homeless and continue to be at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Progress on new Pacci’s Italian restaurant on Lincoln Park. There’s been a lot of activity at the proposed restaurant at 106 13th Street, SE. The building formerly housed the Park Café, Ninnella, and the Lincoln Park Kitchen and Wine Bar. A complete renovation has been underway and owner Spiro Gioldasis had hoped to open in 2019, and might have but for the pandemic. Much of the gutting and renovation has been done, and it looks like the workers are closing in on the final build out. Here’s a shot inside from last week – still a ways to go. For more on Pacci’s restaurants, go here: https://www.paccistrattoria.com/Here’s a shot of Session Americana performing at the Hill Center on May 15 as part of the free outdoor American Roots Music Series. Out of Boston, Session Americana is a rock/folk band/collective of musicians that move in and out of the band and performances. Americana music meets at the starburst crossroads of American music traditions including folk, gospel, blues, country, jazz, rhythm and blues, rock, and bluegrass. For more, go here: https://www.sessionamericana.com/
The Week Ahead…
by Larry Janezich
Monday, May 23
Forum: DC Democratic Mayoral candidates Primary, at Hill Center, 7:00pm – 9:00pm.
The Ward 6 Democrats have teamed up with the Hill Rag, the Hill Center, the DC Democrats, the Ward 2 Democrats, and the DC Young Democrats to sponsor a series of four candidate forums during May at Hill Center.
***
ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Here’s a preliminary massing concept for the proposed retail/residential development at 1365, 1371, and 1375 H Street, NE. The actual architectural renderings of the project could be considerably different.
The sites include spaces currently occupied by Crossfit DC at 1365 H Street, Physicality at 1371, and Atlas Dog House at 1375.
Barracks Row Developer Eyes Project on H Street, NE
By Larry Janezich
Posted May 19, 2022
Wednesday night, Chris Martin of Martin-Diamond Properties, gave an informational presentation to the Economic Development Committee of ANC6A for a proposed retail/residential development of three adjoining sites on H Street, NE.
The sites include, spaces currently occupied by Crossfit DC at 1365 H Street, Physicality at 1371, and Atlas Dog House at 1375. Martin says the current tenants are all want to return to the location after development.
Martin told the Committee that he anticipates delivering 50 efficiency residential units, with 20% being affordable, using DC government’s new development program Inclusionary Zoning Plus. IZ+ provides for no-hassle rezoning of a development site if the developer commits to making 20% of the units affordable at 60% AMI. It provides an alternative to the PUD process which can be protracted. Last November, the developer of the Auto Zone site on H Street told the Committee he is considering using the program for development of that site.
Martin appears to be in extended negotiation with the Historic Preservation Board and sounded as though he was hoping the Committee could give an early endorsement to the concept to smooth the way through the Office of Planning bureaucracy. Committee Chair Brad Greenfield indicated that the committee would not take any action at such an early stage of the project, given that the project appears to be “a year or two years from moving forward.”
An unusual aspect of the proposal is that 1365 H Street – a former auto showroom and later an African American movie theater – is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
In 2018, Martin-Diamond acquired the last empty lot on Barracks Row (the Shakespeare Parking lot), the Shakespeare rehearsal space across the street, and the building which formerly housed Phase 1, DC’s legendary lesbian bar. Those properties are now retail spaces: Bitter Grace Boutique, Jeni’s Ice Cream, and the soon-to-open Ginza BBQ and Karaoke; and across the street, Arena Social Arts Club (currently occupied by DC Department of Health), and Kaiju Ramen & Bar, respectively.
Martin-Diamond Properties LLC, is an “urban retail specialist” headquartered in Delaware with an office in DC. It has partnered with NW1 Partners, a real estate investment advisory firm focused on small cap value-added property investments in the US, UK, and Europe. NW1 – backed by Delancey Investments – raised $175 million 2018 to invest in Washington, DC, retail outlets focusing on Millennial demographics. They purchased the Georgetown Theater building on Wisconsin Avenue and developed it into mixed use retail and residential. NW1 is headquartered in London and Chicago.
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Saturday afternoon, thousands of protestors marched past the Supreme Court to voice their support of Roe vs. Wade.
The leaders of the march arriving at East Capitol Street circa 3:30pm. “Our Bodies – Our Abortions”Last Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market featured Jazz artist Reginald Cyntje – trombonist, educator, producer, and composer. To date, Cyntje has recorded six album, including his latest, . Healing (2020). For more, go here. https://www.reginaldcyntje.com/And on Saturday, in honor of Cinco de Mayo (postponed from last week), the Joe Falero Band performed on the Plaza. Falero, Puerto Rico-born percussionist, DJ, and frontman for the Joe Falero Band which he founded in 2010, is a master of Latin genres. For more, go here: https://www.facebook.com/joefalerobandHere’s a rendering of the locally owned Silver Diner coming to Half and N Streets, SE, across from the entrance to Nat’s Stadium. The diner’s second floor will feature Silver Social – a venue with a drinks and small plates feel to it. Also: two outdoor sidewalk cafes. The owner plans opening mid to late July.
And here’s a rendering of concepts for Parcels G1 and G2 of Brookfield Properties’ The Yards West at 100 Potomac Avenue, SE, on a site currently occupied by DC Water. It lies east of the ball park and south of the Yards on the water front. The developer told ANC6D last Tuesday night that 8% of the residential units will be affordable at 80% of AMI and 30% will be split equally at 30% AMI and 60% AMI.
The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
By Larry Janezich
Posted May 15, 2022
Monday, May 16
Forum: DC Democratic City Council Chair Primary, at Hill Center, 7:00pm – 9:00pm.
The Ward 6 Democrats have teamed up with the Hill Rag, the Hill Center, the DC Democrats, the Ward 2 Democrats, and the DC Young Democrats to sponsor a series of four candidate forums during May at Hill Center.
ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
647 16th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for special exception zoning relief and special exception zoning relief to construct a third story and rear addition, and convert to a flat, an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit.
1252 H Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for Special Exception zoning relief and an area variance from the design requirements.
1447 Maryland Avenue. NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for Special Exception zoning relief from the minimum vehicle parking requirements to construct a front, rear, and third floor addition with penthouse, and to convert to a mixed-use, nine-unit apartment house with first floor retail, an existing, attached, six-unit, two-story with cellar, mixed use building.
1320 North Carolina Avenue, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept review of the construction of a rear addition.
1365-1375 H Street, NE. Informational presentation on a residential development concept for the address range 1365-1375 H Street, NE.
1341 H Street, NE. Informational presentation on a development concept for 1341 H Street, NE.
Thursday, May 19
ANC6B Special Call meeting and Executive Committee virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Letter to United States Department of Transportation in support of District Department of Transportation’s application for a National Infrastructure Project Assistance Grant to remove the current Southeast Boulevard and construct an at-grade road, create land available for disposition, and potentially host an underground bus garage. Deadline for Letter: Friday, May 20.
Friday, May 20
Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza, 5:00pm – 6:30pm. (Info on the featured artist was not available at press time.)
Saturday, May 21
Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power will be canvassing throughout the Eastern Market neighborhood on Saturday, May 21st to promote partnerships with local businesses and organizations in the neighborhood. They will also return to the community to promote their volunteer opportunities at Labyrinth Games & Puzzles on Saturday, June 4th. Those interested in volunteering or partnering with the organization, please contact a Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@kidpowerdc.org or talk to our team while they are in the neighborhood.
Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power is a one-to- one community-based mentoring program which gives mentors the opportunity to meet a young person who will lead them in a mentoring partnership. With the support and guidance of their mentors, youth work towards their academic, career exploration, civic engagement and personal development goals.
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A photo of an alley near H Street, NE, where neighbors have noticed an increase in drug activity. Commissioner Joel Kelty found discarded drug paraphenalia there today and requested an alley cleanup from DPW. According to Kelty, the photo was taken in the alley south of H between 7th and 8th but the problem has been observed in other alleys north and south of H along the corridor. Photo: Joel Kelty
Neighbors Alarmed Over Drug Sales In Alleys Near H Street NE
by Larry Janezich
Last night, ANC6C05 Commissioner Joel Kelty added a last minute item to the agenda of the Commission’s May meeting: a discussion of drug dealing in the alleys near H Street, NE. The area lies in Kelty’s single member district.
Neighbors called in to the virtual meeting to say they have noticed an uptick in drug dealing in their alleys over the past several months and were concerned about the public nuisance, their kids, and pets. The initiative by neighbors was in support of making the issue an agenda item for discussion and investigation going forward.
Residents cited their observations in support of the allegations:
Lager groups congregating in the alleys
Witnessing drug activity
A recent drug overdose requiring Emergency Medical Services
Trash issues and discarded drug paraphernalia contributing to the overall problem
Kelty – who has stated in the past that he does not oppose legalization of cannabis – said he sees a relationship between the problem and the decriminalization of marijuana – that “H Street has become the de facto Mecca of the illegal sale of weed in DC.” He related the illegal drug activity in the neighborhood to “the tolerance the city has taken” to illegal gifting of weed. There are numerous shops on H Street that cater to the trade.
Kelty advised neighbors that there are some things they can do:
Report all incidents to MPD – police allocate resources according to the number of calls for service.
Advocate for a local prosecution. He said that “MPD can’t solve the problem by itself. These crimes are prosecuted by US Attorney’s Office and they don’t seem interested and refuse to paper the case when MPD makes arrests.”
Take advantage of the MPD camera rebate program. He said his own use of a camera has resulted in 18 or 20 arrests over the past 15 years or so.
Ask DPW for an alley cleanup.
On April 5, the city council rejected a bill proposed by Chair Phil Mendelson which would have allowed fines for unlicensed weed businesses of up to $30,000. Some council members who voted against the bill wanted a more thorough investigation of the issue in public hearings. In addition, some were concerned that shutting down gifting shops would merely move the trade to home delivery.
CM Charles Allen talked about the budget at last night’s ANC6B meeting.
CM Charles Allen Touts Budget Items For SE Capitol Hill – and Public Safety
By Larry Janezich
Posted May 11, 2022
CM Charles Allen appeared before ANC6B Tuesday night to highlight the portions of the Ward 6 FY 2023 budget that affects the neighborhoods making up Southeast Capitol Hill.
Allen singled out the following projects:
Eastern Market Metro Park Activation and Programming: $150,000 in recurring annual funding to program Eastern Market Metro Park including the Friday Night Live Jazz performances and the Saturday Children’s Story Time – the latter done in conjunction with Southeast Library.
Eastern Market Maintenance Fund: $160,000 in funding for Eastern Market facility needs and improvements. The Mayor’s proposed budget provided nothing for Eastern Market’s maintenance and repairs in FY23. Allen said he worked with CM Robert White to secure all of the funding needed for the forthcoming six-year financial plan. Some of the projects include fire alarm system upgrades, re-grouting the exterior walls, and repairing walkways,
Brent Elementary Modernization: $60 million – bringing the total to $94.1 million for full modernization of Brent School which will start in FY 25 with planning and design. The construction period will take 12 – 18 months.
Tyler Elementary Modernization: $89.8 million for a full modernization, set to begin in FY26.
Rumsey Aquatic Center: $15 million spread over the next two years to upgrade the swim center at Eastern Market.
11th Street Bridge Park: $5 million increase in funding for FY23 and $15 million in FY26, for a total of $30 million. The project – funded by public and private dollars – will connect Anacostia and Navy Yard and southeast Capitol Hill as a park built on the old 11th Street bridge.
Following the presentation, Allen took questions from commissioners and residents. Here are some highlights from those conversations:
Public Safety: The budget “fully funds” public safety. It provides funds for hiring every officer the Chief of Police and the Mayor asked for. It provides a substantial portion of the Mayor’s request for retention funding including funds for a $20,000 signing bonus. It does not authorize the take home car program but provides incentives to encourage MPD officers to live in DC. Only 15% of the force lives in DC currently. (According to press reports, the council cut $6 million from the $500 million the Mayor requested for MPD, which still leaves the budget $20 million more than the current FY budget.)
Police in Public Schools: The council refused to restore funding for police in public schools. The program will be phased out over five years. Allen said that the council wants conflict resolving adults in schools but not police and the council is following the recommendation of the Police Reform Commission in that regard. He said funding for the DC Sentencing Commission should improve the ability to track prosecutions through the different justice systems and thus provide more accountability.
Garfield Park: Funding for Garfield Park renovation has already passed the council. DPW and DGS need to move forward.
Pennsylvania/Potomac Avenue Intersection: DDOT does not have it in their long term budget plan.
Central Detention Facility Annex: Funding for an annex to the Central Detention facility will unfold over the next several years
Earned Income Tax Credit: The budget extends eligibility for the city’s earned income tax credit to all qualified workers, including undocumented residents, as long as they have an Individual Taxpayer ID Number. (Press reports indicate this could affect some 5,000 households and cost $3 million.)
Recent Shootings near Potomac Gardens and Hopkins: Allen said DCHA is not doing their job and are attempting to shift responsibility to MPD. He said he is meeting with violence interrupters on Wednesday to see what help they need from the Office of Neighborhood Engagement.
Process: The council passed the budget Tuesday and will take a second vote on May 24th before sending it to Mayor Bowser for her signature. The FY begins October 1.
Walk around the neighborhood, tulips are everywhere! Some are planted in straight lines and others are in what gardeners call “naturalized” settings. However they are planted, everyone loves tulips. Ottoman emperors adored them. They had elaborate tulip gardens and professional gardeners who began to hybrid their own varieties. Michael Pollan’s book The Botany of Desire, tells wonderful stories about the sultans’ elaborate tulip themed parties. At one party, guests and staff wore tulip colored clothing and giant tortoises with tulip colored wax candles on their backs roamed through the garden. In the 15th century diplomats attended the parties and carried tulips from Asia to Europe. The bulbs became increasingly valuable as investments. Tulip Mania refers to the futures market for tulip bulbs that sprang up in 1634 and crashed dramatically in 1637. This event is said to be the first recorded futures market.A ramble through the Park Service Tulip Library on Independence near the Tidal Basin is a great place to research your favorites. They bloom just after the cherry trees. Tulips are planted in fall so take a notebook and your camera along if you are planning a garden of your own. Mail order offers broad selections and better prices than the hardware store or nursery. Cut tulips are sold year round. They are priced by the quality of the petals and the color. They are cut green for shipping and to prolong the life of the blossom. You have probably noticed that the color becomes more intense after they are placed in a vase of water. And yes, cut tulips really do continue to grow in water. This growth is caused by a hormone that also makes them bend toward the sun. Just cut the stem and change the water if your bouquet becomes unruly. As a gardener, I am awed by tulip’s history and admire their perfect posture, precise geometric form, and saturated colors. They command attention and add a regal touch to any landscape until the bitter end even when the petals curl down and blow away.
Out and About is an occasional photo feature by artist, photographer, gardener, and Capitol Hill resident Elizabeth Eby. She finds vignettes while out and about on Capitol Hill.
Politico posted a leaked draft of the Supreme Court’s majority opinion on Roe vs. Wade on Monday, May 2. Predictably, crowds on both sides of the issue gathered in front of the Supreme Court. The US Capitol Police closed First Street between Constitution and Independence as well as Second Street behind the court. By Thursday morning, an 8 foot unscalable fence had been erected all the way around the building. Here are some photos from Wednesday and Sunday.
The broadcast media established a stand up loction in front of the Court on First Street. Photo from Wednesday, May 4. US Capitol Police stand between demonstrators on each side of the issue. Wednesday, May 4. By Thursday morning, the 8 foot security fence had gone up around the building. Photo from Sunday, May 8. The protests continue on Sunday, May 8.
Pinseria Romana – the pizza place that replaced 7th Hill Pizza on 7th Street near Eastern Market – announced the availability of beer and wine which starting last Friday. La Casina DC – Pinseria Romana Capitol Hill, 327 7th Street, SE. Go here for their menu: https://www.toasttab.com/lacasinadc/v3
New restaurant coming to PA Ave SE? A source tells Capitol Hill Corner that the owners of the building where Rolands was an institution for decades have leased the space to a restaurant which will feature “Mediterranean cuisine.” We await details.
The Week Ahead….
Monday, May 9
DC Democratic Attorney General Candidates Forum at Hill Center, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
The Ward 6 Democrats have teamed up with the Hill Rag, the Hill Center, the DC Democrats, the Ward 2 Democrats, and the DC Young Democrats to sponsor a series of four candidate forums during May at Hill Center.
These discussions will take place weekly on Mondays in May from 7-9 PM at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Ave SE, two blocks from the Eastern Market Metro stop and near several major bus lines).
1208 D Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a second story accessory garage addition, to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
109 11 Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a second story, rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story, principal dwelling unit.
300 G Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Rear yard two story addition.
639 A Street SE. Historic Preservation Application. Two-story addition with cellar, new cellar under existing house, window wells, interior renovation, two-story carriage house to replace one-story garage.
135 Kentucky Avenue, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Two-story addition at rear of house, one-story addition on garage.
139 D Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct two, second story rear additions, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit.
510 9th Street, SE; Historic Preservation Application. Partial third floor roof deck above existing house. New cellar windows and wells on front façade, front steps to be replaced
Letter to encourage OP to continue to analyze potential for increased Alley and Accessory Building housing units.
Rezoning 1323 E Street SE – Filing Letter to DCOZ.
Transportation Committee
Notice of intent regarding D Street, 14th Street, and Kentucky Avenue, SE, Intersection. Improvements
101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Charlie Palmer Steak.
234 3rd Street, NE, 116 Club.
Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee
420 4th Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application. Special exception and variance relief to construct a one-story garage with roof deck accessory to an existing attached two-story flat with basement.
227-229 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept approval for a 4th story addition and alterations to the façade of 227 and alterations to the plaza in front of 227.
301 Florida Avenue, NE. Zoning Application – non-voting item. Presentation to construct a 12-story with penthouse, a mixed use building with 115 dwelling units, all affordable to income levels at or below 50% AMI, with ground-level space for nonresidential use.
Transportation and Public Space Committee
Update on North Capitol Street CAC.
1147 3rd Street, NE, DDOT –Construction permit: fence, ADA compliant hand rail.
1133 North Capitol Street, NE, DDOT – Construction permit.
6th Street NE/SE, request to evaluate for safety updates.
Amtrak proposal to claim Union Station through eminent domain.
1128 H Street, NE. Protest of the application of Hakuna Matata Kitchen and Bar for a Class C Restaurant License unless a Settlement Agreement is finalized prior to the protest deadline.
1125 H Street, NE. Protest of the application of Choongman Chicken and Seafood for renewal of its Class C Restaurant License unless an updated Settlement Agreement is finalized prior to the protest deadline.
1300 H street, NE. Letter of support for the application of Mozzeria for renewal of its Class C Restaurant alcohol beverage license.
1333 H Street, NE. Letter of support for the application of Atlas Performing Arts Center, t/a Atlas Performing Arts Center at 1333 H Street NE for renewal of its Class C Multipurpose license.
1234 H Street, NE. Letter of support for the application of Stable DC for renewal of its Class C Restaurant License.
1116 H Street, NE. Letter of support for the application of Milk & Honey Cafe for renewal of its Class C Restaurant License.
Economic Development and Zoning (EDZ)
Letter of conditional support for an Zoning Adjustment regarding an area variance from the new alley record lot requirements to construct six, new, attached, two-story with cellar and roof deck, principal dwelling units in the alley between 15th & 16th Streets and C & D Streets, NE.
New Business:
Resolution support of Councilmember Charles Allen’s Open Movie Captioning Requirement Act of 2022.
Friday, May 13
Friday Night Live Jazz, Eastern Market Metro Plaza, 5:00pm – 6:30pm. Artist TBA.
Saturday, May 14
Friends of Southeast Library Book Sale. At Southeast Library. 10:00am – 2:45pm.
Storytime with the Southeast Library. Eastern Market Metro Plaza. 10:30 am to 11:30 am.
Postponed Cinco De Mayo Even. 12noon to 5:00pm.
Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks & Recreation host Cinco de Mayo Party on Eastern Market Metro Plaza with live music and Barracks Row food and drink specials at Barracks Row Main Street Restaurants.
Music featuring Caña y su Mariachi de Oro – and Latin Band Joe Falero. 11:00am – 5:00pm, rain or shine.
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The Ward 7 Redistricting Task Force Map for ANC/SMD Boundaries
Fate of Hill East Redistricting May Come Down to Silverman Meeting on Saturday
by Larry Janezich
Posted May 5, 2022
Wednesday night, CM Elissa Silverman, Chair of the City Council’s Redistricting Subcommittee, used Twitter to announce a meeting on Ward 7 ANC redistricting.
!!Attention Ward 7, east and west of the Anacostia River!! Need a fun indoor activity for a rainy Saturday? Like maps? Coffee? The topic of ANC redistricting? Well, then: Come to Capitol View Library this Saturday, between 10:30am and noon to talk Ward 7 redistricting!
The suddenly-called meeting will provide a final opportunity for Hill East residents to express themselves on the Ward 7 Taskforce plan for ANC redistricting. The controversial plan has implications for economic and political power sharing including oversight of the development of Reservation 13. The Subcommittee will vote on the proposed changes to ANC and single member district boundaries on May 17. Next, the City Council of the Whole will vote on the Subcommittee recommendations on May 24, followed by a second and final vote on June 7.
There has been talk of a compromise to make the power sharing among the east of the river-west of the river single member districts in ANC 7F more equitable.
Silverman has been consistent in stressing the importance of the redistricting principles that has guided the Subcommittee’s work. Some indications that her Subcommittee is open to changing the map recommended by the Ward 7 Redistricting Task Force include the fact that on March 28, Silverman made visit to the final meeting of the Task Force. In her remarks, she stated that the Subcommittee was expecting a map that met the principles of redistricting and the statutory requirements.
Among the criteria she stipulated for the evaluating the map drawings:
Are your boundaries compact and contiguous?
Are they geographically sensible?
Are communities of interest kept together?
On April 7, during the first Subcommittee hearing on the map proposals, Silverman said that the proposed ANC7A map was “thoughtful regarding the balance of power and this is about power. [4 SMDs on each side of the river.] This is not the situation in 7F where there are 3 SMDs west of the river and 5 east of the river. I see an imbalance of power…. I am straining to see how the power is balanced in 7F [a cross-river ANC which includes south Hill East and Reservation 13].”
On April 28, at the final Subcommittee meeting on ANC/SMD redistricting, Silverman cautioned at the beginning, “You might not think we make changes in the map, but we do.”
Throughout, she stated more than once that the Subcommittee would consult with CM Gray before making a final recommendation.
Given her remarks, there remains a possibility that the Subcommittee will redraw the ANC7F boundaries in accordance with the Subcommittee’s interpretation of the principles of redistricting. Such a move could result in a more equitable sharing of power between the east and west side of the river in ANC7F.
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Fight Club – formerly Hank’s on the Hill – at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Fight Club on PA Ave SE Opens May 10 for lunch – then Full Service June 1
by Larry Janezich
Posted May 5, 2022
Fight Club – Beuchert’s Saloon’s pandemic sandwich and booze pop-up – which took over the space formerly occupied by Hank’s on the Hill at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – will open for lunch on Tuesday, May 10. Full service will be available by June 1. According to previous coverage, they will be open seven days a week with an expanded menu. Chef and restauranteur Andrew Markert and team behind the move also opened Newlands last March in the nearby former Montmartre space on 7th Street, SE.
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CAPITOL HILL CORNER 