The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted October1, 2023
Here’s a photo from Saturday night as tens of thousands of people flooded the National Mall to attend the World Culture Festival celebrating peace, unity, and diversity. Looking closely, one can see that the lantern in the dome of the U.S. Capitol – called the Session Light – is lighted, signifying that one or both houses of Congress is in session. In this case, it was the U.S. Senate meeting to vote on the U.S. House-passed “Continuing Resolution” to keep funding the government beyond a 12:01 am Sunday morning deadline after which most of the federal government was scheduled to shut down.
On Friday, the flag at the U.S. Capitol flew at half-staff, commemorating the death of Senator Diane Feinstein, (D) California. The structure around the Statue of Freedom at the top of the dome indicates the restoration and preservation work being done ofnthe dome’s crowning feature.
The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee met on Wednesday night. There was considerable discussion on the November 12 weekend event to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Market. The Committee also released the membership list of Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee, including EMCAC members* and volunteer residents: Bobbie Brinegar, *Chuck Burger, *Steve Hagedorn, Pherabe Kolb, *Jackie Krieger, Kirsten Oldenburg, Thomas Parker, Sam Pastore, *Brian Pate, Kem Ramirez, Chuck Schmoyer and *Jerry Sroufe. The Committee also discussed at length a letter that went to the Mayor, the Department of General Services, MPD, and City Councilmembers regarding Eastern Market Public Safety and Security Concerns. More on this to come.
A source tells CHC that the building which formerly housed the Tortilla Coast at 1st and D Streets, SE, has been purchased by the Republican National Committee, whose HQ is across the street. The Tortilla Coast closed for good on December 18, 2021, a victim of the pandemic, after owners could not reach agreement on a new lease with the owner.
Ward Six’s first HYBRID ANC Committee Meeting: ANC6B broke new ground last Wednesday night when it held the first Ward 6 Hybrid ANC Committee meeting – that of the Special Committee on Public Safety. Utilizing Meeting Owl – a 360-degree camera, mic, and speaker device (shown in the middle of the table) that captures a panoramic view of meetings and allows remote viewers to see all committee participants. The camera is capable of recognizing and platforming the person speaking. This meeting was held in the ground floor conference room at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, that has a screen which allowed the committee to share the view which remote viewers saw on their home computers. (ANC6B’s ABC Committee, chaired by Commissioner Chander Jayaraman, will use the same hybrid format at its October meeting on Tuesday night. See below for info on how to join the meeting.)
Afterward, ANC6B Chair Edward Ryder said, “I think it was a resounding success. There were little to no technical difficulties. Those online were able to participate and were engaged, as were those in the room. In-person meetings do tend to facilitate dialogue a bit more naturally, and it helps make the meeting accessible for those with limited access to a computer, but having a virtual option also greatly expands the number of people who are able to attend. Now that we know the hybrid format works, 6B will certainly be having more hybrid meetings. I’m leaving it to committee chairs to make the determination on whether they want to go hybrid.”
Commissioner Kasie Durkit said, “Major kudos to my fellow 6B Commissioners who did the research to get such a well-integrated piece of tech. The audio seemed strong for both in-person and virtual attendees, and the video feed of the in-person attendees was able to capture a wide pan of the entire group, but also constantly cycle through individual shots of folks seated around the table….I am hopeful that this is the meeting attendance compromise that neighbors have been hoping for.”
The Week Ahead…
Monday, October 2
ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee 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 agenda:
- Not available at press time.
Southeast Library Taskforce will hold an in-person meeting at SE Library, lower level, at 6:30pm.
Among items on the agenda:
- Kyle Yeldell, Policy Analyst for the DC Council’s Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs.
- Nic Wilson, ANC Commissioner for 8F01, which includes the Arthur Capper Recreation Center,. the site of the interim Southeast Library,
- Strategy for a smooth transition to Arthur Capper, including how to maximize the services available at the interim library after the Southeast branch closes.
- Update from the Southeast branch’s close-in neighbors about issues affecting neighboring homes during library renovation.
ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.
- To join the meeting, request a link by contacting the office at 6d@anc.dc.gov .
Tuesday, October 3
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a HYBRID MEETING at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://bit.ly/3F3pIhe
Among items on the draft agenda:
- Dos Toros Taqueria, 215 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Application for a Class C restaurant license.
- Capitol Supreme Market, 501 4th Street, SE. Application for the renewal of a Retailer’s Class “B” Grocery Liquor license.
- Yes! Organic Market, 410 8th Street, SE. Application for the renewal of a Retailers’ Class “B” Grocery Liquor license.
- World Wine and Spirits, 1453 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Request to amend existing Settlement Agreement to allow for the sale of individual containers of beer and ale of less than 70 ounces.
- Omakase @ Barracks Row, 522 8th Street, SE, 2nd Floor. Application for a new Class C Restaurant liquor license.
- The Ugly Mug Dining Saloon/Valor Brew Pub, 723 8th Street, SE. Application for a substantial change to add sports wagering endorsement to their operations.
- Café 8, Class “C” Restaurant License. Request for a substantial change to their existing liquor license
- Discussion: I Egg You Protest and lessons learned.
- Discussion: Notice to Cure for Establishments on the 500 block of Barracks Row.
- Discussion: ABRA law review and revision upcoming this fall.
- Discussion: Final Cannabis Rulemaking and Retailer Licensing.
MPD 1D Citizens Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting, via WebEx 6:00pm – 7:15pm.
- Agenda and connection details here: https://1dcac.com/
Wednesday, October 4
ANC6B Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm
For info on how to access the meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the agenda:
- DDOT Presentation on SE/SW (I-695) Freeway Bridges Rehabilitation.
- DDOT Presentation on NOI 23-198: Vision Zero Hardening 11th & E Cap Street, SE.
- Update on D Street Alternatives for 8th Street Bus Priority Project (Postponed to November).
- Pedestrian Crossings at 14th/D/Kentucky Avenue, SE Intersection near Safeway.
- DPW and DDOT Employee Parking at Watkins Alley.
- Letter of Support for Notice of Violations of DDOT and Other Related District Agency Regulations (6B01).
- Eastern High School Homecoming Letter.
ANC6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/
Among items on the agenda:
- Not available at press time,
ANC6A community safety walk at 6:00 PM. Meet at the triangle park immediately south of the intersection of 14th St and Duncan Street, NE.
Walk & Roll to School Day at 7:45 am at Lincoln Park.
- Ward 6’s annual semi-annual celebration of safe routes to school. Hosted by the Ward 6 Public Schools Parent Organization (W6PSPO), the event features student performances, activities,
For more info and to register, go here: https://bit.ly/46yewol
Thursday, October 5
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://bit.ly/3PwowYo
Among items on the agenda:
- 630 G Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing, semi-detached, three-story principal dwelling unit and to add a roof deck in the RF-1 zone.
- 116 5th Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing, semi-detached, three-story principal dwelling unit and to add a roof deck in the RF-1 zone.
- Discussion of Fines for Violating Historic Preservation and Unauthorized Work.
ANC 6C Transportation & Public Space Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/
Among item on the agenda:
- Not available at press time.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 