Monthly Archives: November 2022

Redesign of the 11th Street Freeway Off Ramp. Last Wednesday, the ANC6B Transportation heard a presentation from DDOT on the 30% design stage of the proposal to alter the SE/SW Freeway east bound exit ramp to 11th Street, SE.  DDOT says safety is the number one consideration but stresses the plan balances the needs of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.  This was the first time DDOT came back to the committee since April of 2021, when Committee Chair Corey Holman lambasted the presenters for favoring motorists over pedestrians and bicyclists.  The committee followed up with a letter detailing the changes they wanted to the intersection.  See here:  https://bit.ly/3spn9NE  Last week the DDOT returned to the committee with the 30% complete re-design in hand.  The details showed that DDOT had tinkered around the margins of the recommendations, but did not change the major concern – widening the off ramp and making more concessions to cyclists and pedestrians.  Unhappy attendees at the meeting pushed back, voicing their opposition and disappointment.   The final design will be finished next summer and construction will begin as funds are available.  The committee voted to send a letter to DDOT summarizing attendee’s concerns expressing the committee’s major concerns about widening the ramp and the impact on cyclist and pedestrian safety.  The letter goes to the full ANC for its meeting next Wednesday. 

Open Street Event for 8th Street SE/NE.  Also on Wednesday, after some wrangling over language, the ANC6B Transportation Committee agreed unanimously to recommend the full ANC send a conditional letter of support for an Open Street Event on 8^th Street, SE/NE some Saturday next spring.  Concerns have been raised by the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee about the impact on Eastern Market and customer (not to mention residents) access to parking at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue which houses Trader Joe’s.  Working out the details regarding these issues – including closing of cross streets, (H Street NE, East Capitol Street, Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Maryland Avenue) – would fall to those event planners at DDOT.  The event is being pushed by Open Streets advocate Mark Sussman.  ANC6A and ANC6C have already given their conditional support.  Go here for more on DC Open Streets https://openstreets.dc.gov/

Historic Landmark Status for Peter Bug Academy.  On Tuesday, the ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee gave its endorsement to a proposal to grant Historic Landmark status to the Peter Bug Shoe Academy at 1320 E Street, SE.  Matthews was in attendance at the virtual meeting when Todd Jones of the DC Historic Preservation Office presented the case for the designation to the committee.  More later on this.  Peter Bug Matthews has achieved icon status for long service to the community and the recommendation will go to the full ANC’s consent calendar for their meeting next Wednesday (a day later than usual owing to the election).  

Renovation of Folget Library.  Here’s a work in progress photo on the Folger Library.   The Library is closed for major renovation under a time line that would see it reopen in 2023.  But…I don’t know.  We’ll see.

Here’s a rendering of what it will look like. 

Triple Candie Again.  Here are some parts of Triple Candie’s latest abstruse installation at the Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Triple Candie takes conceptualism in a new direction, eliminating the museum, the gallery, the art market, and in some respects, the art. 

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted November 6, 2022

Tuesday, November 8

*Election Day.  No ANC meetings.*

Wednesday, November 9

ANC6B will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Appointment of Vice Chair (Vice Chair Horn resigned from the ANC in October due to relocation)

• 1320 E Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application.  Peter Bug Shoe Academy Landmark Nomination.
• 1322 Independence Avenue SE. Historic Preservation Application.  Concept review – three-story rear addition. 
• as you are, 500 8^th Street, SE. Class “C” Tavern License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Live Entertainment & Sidewalk Café.
• Kaiju Ramen Bar, 525 8^th SE. Class “C” Tavern License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Summer Garden.
• Rose’s at Home, 721 8^th Street, SE. Class “C” Restaurant License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Sidewalk Cafe Applicate. 
• Trusty’s Bar, 1420 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Class “C” Tavern License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Summer Garden, Live Entertainment & Sidewalk Café.
• Extreme Pizza, 520 8^th Street, SE. Class “C” Tavern License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Sidewalk Café.
• Lola’s, 711 8TH Street, SE. Class “C” Tavern License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Sidewalk Café.
• Crazy Aunt Helen’s, 713 8^th Street, SE. Class “C” Tavern License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Cover Charge Dancing Entertainment & Sidewalk Café.
• Tune Inn Restaurant, 331 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Class “C” Tavern License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Sidewalk Café.
• Hawk N’ Dove, 329 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Class “C” Tavern License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Cover Charge Dancing Entertainment & Sidewalk Café.
• Hill East Burger, 1432 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Class “C” Tavern License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Entertainment. 
• Fight Club Restaurant, 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE: Class “C” Restaurant License: ENDORSEMENT(S): Entertainment.
• Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Study of land transfers at Washington Navy Yard. Concept plan to create potential for 2 million square feet of residential, retail, office, and parking use ~1300 at 11th and O Streets, SE.
• Letter to DDOT on 11th Street 695 Ramp Study 30% Design.
• Letters to DDOT for Transportation Safety Impact studies: 11th & G Streets SE Intersection and 9th & I Streets, SE, Intersection. 
• Letter to DDOT on proposal to hold an Open Streets Event along 8th Street SE/NE in Spring of 2023.

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ANC 6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

ABC Committee renewal applications:

• Kelly’s Irish Times, 14 F Street, NE; Buffalo and Bergen, 240 Massachusetts Avenue, NE; Red Bear Brewing Company, 1140-100 Third Street, NE, Suite B; The Dubliner, 4 F Street, NW; Hamilton’s Bar & Grill, 233 2nd Street, NE; Solid State Books, 600 H Street, NE; Allure Lounge, 711 H Street, NE; Bar Elena, 414 H Street, NE; The Big Board, 421 H Street, NE.

Transportation and Public Space Committee

• GWU Survey, electric vehicle (EV) charging sites
• Two Rivers Public Charter School, request for School Parking Zone at 1227 4th Street, NE
• FedEx, 300 Maryland Avenue, NE, existing curb cut, public space permit

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee

• 601 Massachusetts, NE. Historic Preservation Application.  Concept approval, raze one-story noncontributing  building (dry cleaner) to construct a three-story residential building.
• 616 Lexington Place, NE. Historic Preservation Application – Amended application, concept approval for rear and attic addition to a two-story row dwelling with attic and cellar.
• 663 Maryland Avenue, NE. Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application.  Special exception from lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story rear addition to a three-story dwelling with basement. 

Thursday, November 10

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

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Presentations

• Capitol Hill Village – Mary Bloodworth, Director of Operations
• Rosedale Recreation Center – Henry Moton, Recreation Manager, Department of Parks and Recreation

Consent Agenda

• Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL)
• Letter of support in favor of Biergarten Haus at 1355 H Street, NE, for renewal of its Class C Tavern License.
• Letter of support in favor of Brine at 1357-1359 H Street, NE, for renewal of its Class C Tavern License.
• Letter of support in favor of Sospeso at 1344 H Street, NE, for renewal of its Class C Tavern License.
• Letter of support in favor of H Street Country Club at 1335 H Street, NE, for renewal of its Class CC Tavern License.
• Letter of support in favor of the Pie Shop at 1339 H Street, NE, for renewal of its Class C Tavern License.
• Recommendation: ANC 6A oppose the license renewal application of Copycat Co. at 1110 H Street, NE, unless a new settlement agreement is entered into prior to the protest date.
• Letter of support in favor of Capitol Square Bar & Grill at 1500 East Capitol Street, NE, for renewal of its Class C Restaurant License.
• Letter of support in favor of Langston Bar & Grille, at 1831 Benning Road, NE, for renewal of its Class C Tavern License.
• 223 8^th Street, NE. Letter of support to HPRB for a plan to construct a rear three-story addition; add a partial third floor on the existing house, and renovate the existing house for a home
• Letter of support to the city with recommendations to assist the tenants at the Havana Building at 1219 K Street, NE. (Because of the pending auction, two letters will be drafted and ANC 6A will select the appropriate one to submit.)
• ANC 6A send a letter of support to the DC council for the Green New Deal for Housing Act Green New Deal for Housing Act with recommended changes to the Act.
• Motion: ANC6A provide EDZ with a mandate to further investigate ANC6A support to sponsor a text amendment for zoning districts NC-9, NC-10, NC-11, NC12, NC-13, NC-14, NC-15, NC-16 and NC-17 to actively encourage use forthe arts.
• Motion: ANC6A send a letter to Councilmembers Vincent Gray and Robert White and Department of General Services (DGS) Director Keith Anderson to request urgent support for repairs and improvements to Eastern High School Athletic Facilities.

                                                                                           ***

ANC6D will hold a virtual Special Meeting at 7:00pm

For info on joining the meeting, go here:  www.anc6d.org/virtualmeeting

Agenda: 

• 807 Maine Avenue, SW, Zoning Application. PUD Modification. 

Saturday, November 12

• Friends of Southeast Library will hold a Book Sale on from 10am to 3pm.  

Renovation of “Spielberg Park” in Hill East To Begin Next Spring

by Hilary Russell

Posted November 5, 2022

Landscape architect David Wooden of DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation shared details at a Zoom community meeting on November 2 on plans to renovate the triangular park at 17th and C, SE.  He acknowledged that he had “heard from neighbors” that it’s “sometimes referred to as Spielberg Park,” but didn’t explain why.  Steven Spielberg’s movie studio donated the current playground equipment after this small park served as a shooting location for his 2002 movie Minority Report.

This Hollywood gift will disappear by next summer, replaced by up-to-date play equipment installed by AMT and Konstructure, the design-build team that won the $750,000 contract last June.  The design/permitting phase continues until next February; construction managed by the DC Department of General Services begins in the spring.  The new playground, in the same location, is the main feature of this project.  Work outside its wrap-around fencing will improve turf, add shade trees, benches, a picnic table, a bike rack, and fencing along a portion of Massachusetts Avenue.  Comments at the meeting prompted information on features not listed in the presentation, including a drain system for the playground and a water fountain with a bottle- filler.

Attendees were invited to chime in on two options, both for the model and colors of the Sparks@Play playground equipment and the location of an ADA-compliant ramp.

They preferred Option 2: “Hedra” equipment, and in earth-tones, not bright blue and purple.  Option 1, the Tree Tops model, would duplicate the equipment in the playground at Pennsylvania and 8th Street, SE.

Attendees also preferred a gentler ramp between Massachusetts Avenue and the playground, rather than a steeper ramp from C Street that requires handrails.  Attendees brought up a few concerns, including the need for fencing along C Street, given its large volume of traffic, and the potential for disturbing close-by neighbors if the equipment includes musical toys.

You can find the presentation and a recording of the community meeting at https://dgs.dc.gov/page/17th-c-se-triangle-park-and-playground-improvements.  Submit any additional comments and questions to David Wooden at david.wooden1@dc.gov.

Map showing the new west of the river Ward 7 Hill East Single Member District boundaries post 2022 redistricting. The new ANC and SMD boundaries will take effect on January 1, 2023 

Map showing current ANC6A and ANC6B Hill East Single Member District boundaries 6.  

Hill East’s Ward 7 ANC Election – The List of Candidates

by Larry Janezich

Posted November 3, 2022

DC’s 2022 redistricting process extended the Ward 7 boundary across the Anacostia River west to 19^th Street, SE, moving that Hill East area (along with the Rosedale neighborhood to the north) into Ward 7. 

This leaves the new Ward ANC7D Single Member Districts (SMDs) west of the river with something of an identity crisis.  These SMDs fought long and hard to remain a cohesive and independent Ward 7 ANC west of the river, first making the case for a new Ward 7 ANC including Reservation 13, and then falling back to a Ward 7 ANC which did not include Reservation 13.  Neither proposal garnered enough support to become a reality.  This ultimately left an ANC7D comprised of 5 Single Member District which were formerly part of Ward 6, plus the Ward 7D01 SMD (Kingman Park) on the west side of the river, and four ANC7D Single Member Districts on the east side of the river.  Some critics of the cross river division say such a large ANC separated by such a distinct geographic boundary can’t work effectively to serve its residents – which is why how ANC7D responds to this inherent challenge will be so important and so interesting to watch.   

Among the five SMDs formerly in Ward 6, two seats are being contested:  7D07 (two declared write in candidates) and 7D09 (two candidates listed on ballot); two seats have only one candidate – 7D06 and 7D08, and one seat is up for grabs by any undeclared write in candidate – 7D10.  Among all of the five current commissioners for these SMDs, only Brian Alcorn in 7D08 (formerly 6A08) is seeking re-election. 

Here’s the lineup of the new SMDs formerly in Ward 6:

• 7D06 (formerly SMD 6A07) – current Commissioner Sondra Phillips-Gilbert
• 7D07 (a new SMD created between the former ANC6A07 and ANC 6A08)
• 7D08 (formerly 6A08) – current Commissioner Brian Alcorn
• 7D09 (formerly 6B10) – current Commissioner Denise Krepp
• 7D10 (former SMD 6B09) – current Commissioner Alison Horn [resigned – relocated]

 (If you are not sure if redistricting changed which single member district you’re in, go here:  https://bit.ly/3V3002Z )

Here are the candidate profiles for the SMDs formerly in Ward 6:

7D06 MARC FRIEND.  My name is Marc Friend and I would like to be your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for 7D06.  My wife and I have lived in the Rosedale Community since 2017 and recently welcomed a new baby to our family.  My priorities serving as your Commissioner are to be an advocate for the community to the District Government, to advocate and support more youth programming, and to organize more community events to bring us together.  I have been a community member of ANC 6A (our ANC prior to redistricting) Community Outreach Committee, where I organized a number of forums including one that highlighted local non-profits and one looking at the root causes of gun-violence.  I also am the treasurer of the Rosedale Library Friends group and volunteer with a few local non-profits including Serve Your City.  Overall, I am here to listen to you – especially our community members who have been here for decades, if not for generations.  I hope to learn from this strong community and lift up my neighbors voices.  What makes the Rosedale community so special is the history, the vibrancy, and the people – and I hope to be your voice on the ANC.

7D07 No one filed to run for the seat.  Two Write-In candidates have emerged, as follows: 

7D07 BRETT ASTMANN.  Neighbors – ANC7D07 does not have a candidate on the ballot.   As our neighborhood transitions to Ward 7 there will be challenges and opportunities.  I want to ensure that our ANC/SMD has a strong voice advocating for the important issues and projects that will affect us over the next several years.  I’m running as a write-in candidate on November 8th.  I’ll prioritize maximizing lines of communication with the residents, ensuring transparency and opportunities for engagement.  My top Priorities:  public safety, street and sidewalk safety, and land use.  About me:  A career civil servant and although new to local government I’ve been active in the community through the schools, Sports on the Hill (SOTH) and with non-profit organizations.  My two children, “almost” 11 and “almost” 13, attended Maury Elementary and now Eliot-Hine and Washington Latin.  I’ve been a Capitol Hill resident for the past 18+ years, and I love everything about this community and Capitol Hill.  I’m excited about the opportunity to give back. 

7D07 MICHAEL LEDERMAN:  Michael Lederman has been a resident of ANC7D, specifically, for the past 8+ years.  He is a parent of two, a former DCPS teacher, and now owns a local real estate team focused specifically on serving Rosedale, Kingman Park, and Hill East.  As such, he is intimately familiar with the issues facing 7D07 on a block-to-block basis, brings expertise in navigating land use challenges, and cares deeply about the people living here.  Michael’s priorities include traffic safety (particularly speed bumps and monitoring the impact the C Street, NE, Implementation Project will have on adjacent and cross streets), clean and well-maintained public spaces, and building a sense of community through opportunities to come together and engage: block parties, joint yard sales, neighborhood clean-ups, community gardens, etc. Michael’s business requires him to communicate constantly and solve problems quickly, and he intends to carry over these habits and skills as an ANC representative. 

7D08 BRIAN ALCORN. As a two-term ANC Commissioner in ANC 6A and a longtime Capitol Hill resident, I have seen the neighborhood benefits that can come from active community participation in outreach in the unique micro-governments that are DC’s Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.  I have been pleased to contribute to and support efforts that have improved our neighborhood transportation infrastructure and safety, encouraged development and brought our municipal government closer to citizens.  I am running for a new Single Member District created in the redistricting from the 2020 Census that is the far western end of a much expanded ANC 7D.  While I will continue to focus my day to day efforts on supporting my immediate community in Hill East I also look forward to collaborating and problem solving with all Commissioners in the new ANC7D.  As the new 7D roughly covers a geographical area equal to the size of all of Ward 1 and includes the nonresidential Fields at RFK, Kingman Island, the Pepco service yard, the Anacostia River trail and Anacostia park, and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, the community will have a lot to focus on!  But I also plan to maintain close ties with the other, much smaller adjacent Capitol Hill ANCs such as 6A and 6B as the 7D Hill East community will also need to work on common issues closer to home.  

7D09 ASHLEY SCHAPITL. I have lived and worked on Capitol Hill – in the Senate and House – for 14 years.  This is my home, and I want to make it an even better place to live.  My top priorities would be improving public safety and combating gun violence, building more housing, improving city services, increasing pedestrian safety, restoring the reliability of public transportation, and ensuring the redevelopment of Reservation 13 meets the needs of our community.  As I have knocked on hundreds of doors in the district, the number one issue neighbors have raised with me is concerns about public safety.  As an ANC Commissioner, I think it’s critically important to focus on where I could make a tangible difference for my neighbors.  My top priorities related to public safety are to:  facilitate better communication between law enforcement and constituents;  track the status of cases in our neighborhood and write community impact statements in coordination with neighbors who are victims of crime; advocate for a more permanent MPD presence at hot spots like 15th and Independence, SE, where there were multiple shootings in October; push for additional CCTV cameras; and increase awareness of the District’s security camera rebate program.  Learn more at www.ashleyschapitl.com  

7D09 SHANE SEGER.  My passion for local government started as an LGBTQ advocate and member of the city council in Ithaca, New York.  Since then, I’ve held a number of positions in constituent service and communications.  I currently work at the George Washington University where I support communications for the university’s research community.  Prior to moving to Hill East, I served as a resident-member of the ANC 2F Alcohol Policy Committee (Logan Circle).  And I have been a longtime volunteer tax preparer with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  I want to create opportunities for the Hill East community to come together, share ideas, and collaborate to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood.  I am committed to safer streets and sidewalks, improving public transportation, enhanced greenspaces and neighborhood amenities, and making sure Hill East residents have a voice in the development at Reservation 13 and the RFK campus.  I am proud to have the support of former ANC 6B Commissioners Alison Horn and Francis Campbell, and neighbors Nkosi Bradley and Andria Thomas, among others.  I have also been endorsed by DC Voters for Animals and the LGBTQ Victory Fund. For more, visit www.ShaneSeger.com.

7D10 No one filed to run for the seat.  Write in if any.  (CHC has not heard of a declared write in candidate.)  See below:

From DC Board of Elections:  “Write-In Candidate is someone whose printed name does not appear on the ballot, but whose name was written in by voters. Write-In votes are counted equally as if the person was formally listed on the ballot.  If a Write-In Candidate wishes to declare their candidacy, similar to a Candidate’s Declaration of Candidacy, a Write-in Candidate must file an Affirmation of Write-In Candidacy.  This form must be filed with the Board on or before the third day after a Primary Election, or on or before the seventh day after a General or Special Election.”

Early voting began on October 31 and will continue through November 6, 2022.  Here’s a link to early voting sites:  https://earlyvoting.dcboe.org/