Monthly Archives: March 2024

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week – Crime Discussion Meeting Tuesday Night

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 31, 1024

Eastern Market News:  EMCAC met last Wednesday night. Takeaways:

• Rumsey Court – work is underway regarding the renovation of Rumsey Court.  Expect public meetings in about six months.
• EMCAC is seeking volunteer community members to work on the Communications Committee and the Public Safety Committee:  Contact Chuck Burger at CBurger@cbmove.com
• Eastern Market is collaborating with Alejandra Calvache of the US State Department’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative who presented a marketing analysis for Eastern Market (which is what should have been funded by DMPED’s 2019 $300,000 strategic plan grant which instead went to the archttectural firm architrave p.c.).  EMCAC Chair Chuck Burger (center in photo) called the presentation excellent” and said and if she’d been here a couple of years ago “we could have gotten you a nice grant.” 
• “Blossoms at Eastern Market” reprises its 2023 installation of 150 blossoming Yoshino Cherry Trees in the North Hall in celebration of the DC Cherry Blossom Festival.  Artechouse’s installation is coming this week. 

Tuesday, hundreds of demonstrators flooded 1^st Street in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as Justices heard arguments in a case regarding the availability of the abortion drug mifepristone.  Press reports after the hearing speculated that Justices did not seem to be impressed by arguments in favor of limiting access. 

ANC6B’s Public Safety Committee held a virtual meeting last Monday night to hear a crime report by 1^st District Commander Colin Hall.  Hall cited an on-going downward trend in crime in the First District and announced establishment of a five day drug free zone at the corner of 8^th and H Streets, NE.  Enforcement began on Wednesday morning and will be lifted on the morning of April 1 – but could be activated by COP Pamela Smith for no more than 15 days per month.  Tuesday night Hall will be back to report on crime in the First District at the MPD CAC meeting which will also feature US Attorney for DC, Matthew Graves (see below). 

Committee Chair Lisa Matsumoto (pictured with Commander Hall at upper right above) commented afterward:  “It was helpful to get an update from Commander Hall and Captain Harding on what work MPD is doing, their challenges, and to hear from them that the number of criminal incidents is declining.  I do think that the committee was incredibly interested and impressed by the information presented by [the Office of Neighborhood Safety Engagement]. The work they are doing is so important and they seem to be having a tangible, positive impact on at-risk individuals and an effect on preventing future crime.”  (A March WaPo editorial on crime said “DC Auditor Kathy Patterson has found that agencies fail to measure their success [of violence interruption programs] in a credible way.  Stronger oversight is essential.”]

New Retail on 7^th Street, SE.  Zen Renovations –  promising to transform your kitchens, bathrooms, basements – opened this past week at 370 7^th Street, SE, across from Peregrine Espresso.  Here’s a link to their website:  https://bit.ly/3xqHOZF

Zero Waste DC Community Fair at Eastern Market:  Saturday, this city-hosted event in the North Hall introduced residents to zero-waste resources provided by city agencies and local businesses and organizations.  Clarissa Edwards of the Office of Waste Diversion handed out free canvas bags.  The event is over, but the DPW website is still up and has a lot of useful information such as neighborhood dropoff locations for recycling batteries and cell phones.  https://bit.ly/4axVIrm

Mott’s Market Update:  Saturday afternoon, Mott’s Market celebrated the communitee with a pop-up artist showcase, featuring the works of local artists.  Community members organized and raised funding to bring this neighborhood market back to the community.

At circa 6:00pm, some 150 community members were present to view the progress on the renovation, view the art works and listen to live jazz provided by The Knox Engler.

A plan for the operation of the market reminds one of the Union Kitchen at 538 3rd Street, NE – espresso, pastries, and hot breakfast offerings, along with upscale groceries and some indoor seating. (BTW, Union Kitchen still plans to open an outlet in the former Subway shop at 8th and E Streets, SE).

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week – Crime Discussion Meeting Tuesday Night

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 31, 1024

Monday, April 1

CANCELLED 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/  

Agenda:  TBA

POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 15. ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an in person meeting at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Conference Room 201,

Agenda: TBA

Tuesday, April 2

MPD 1^st District Citizens Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting 6:00 – 7:15 pm

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://1dcac.com/   

Among items on the agenda: 

• Community Discussion with US Attorney for DC, Matthew Graves. 
• Crime Discussion in 1st District with Commander Colin Hall and MPD officials.
• Question period for ANC Commissioners and Block Associations.
• Comments from businesses and residents

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm. Physical location will be 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

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

Agenda:

• Capitol Hill Wine & Spirits; 323 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Renewal of a Class A Liquor License.
• New Congressional Liquor; 404 1st Street, SE. Renewal of a Class A Liquor License. 

ANC6D will hold an Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm. 

To view meeting contact 6D@anc.dc.gov

Agenda: 

• Discussion of the agenda for the April meeting of ANC6D. 

Wednesday, April 3

ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.   

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

Agenda: 

• Alley Signs Behind 700 Block of C Street, SE.
• Speed Humps on 600 Block of I Street, SE.
• Letter to DDOT Requesting Study of Future Design of I-695.

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/  

Agenda:

• Alley lots bounded by 3rd, 4th, D & E Streets, NE.  BZA Application of The Heritage Foundation for a special exception and two area variances to permit the continued operation of accessory parking lots in the RF-1/CAP zone on three lots located within the alley bounded by 3rd, 4th, D and E Streets, NE.

Thursday, April 4

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

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

Agenda

• 633 E Street, SE.  Rear Project: Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application.  To construct a second story addition, and convert to a principal dwelling unit, an existing, semi-detached, commercial building in the RF-1 zone.
• 138 E Street, SE.  Project:  Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application. To construct a second story addition to an existing detached accessory garage to an existing, attached, three-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
• Consideration of CBA for Alley Closing in Square 762 (behind the former Capitol Lounge).

ANC6C Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

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

Agenda: 

• 420 H Street, NE.  Public Space Improvement.  Owner shall perform improvements to the exis>ng building structure that projects into public space. Owner also making improvements to the public space by adding new planters, areaway entrance, stairs w/ handrail, pervious pavers along the 5th St. side of the property.

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

East City Art’s 2024 Capital Art Book Fair:  Saturday & Sunday, April 6 & 7, 2024 | Saturday: 11am–6 pm & Sunday: 10am–4pm.  Eastern Market’s North Hall.

The event is open to the public, free of charge. Thirty-six exhibitors from across the DMV, the US, Asia and Europe will present books as works of art, editions about art or artists, limited run books, prints as well as DIY zines, graphic novels and art magazines. Over 100 fine artists, independent publishers, small presses, illustrators and photographers will be represented.

For more go here:  https://artbookfair.eastcityart.com/

Hill Center Concert :  Stone Room Concerts @ Hill Center Featuring Modern Folk/Americana Sextet Buffalo Rose, Sunday, April 7, 4:30pm – 6:00pm. $20

For more, go here:  https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/stone-room-concerts-hill-center-featuring-modern-folk-americana-sextet-buffalo-rose/   

Hill Center Event:  Volunteer Capitol Hill, Saturday, April 6, 2pm to 4pm.

More than 30 local non-profit organizations will be present to share how you can help them meet their mission.

For more, go here:  https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/volunteer-capitol-hill/

Harvest Tide Steak House at 212 7th Street, SE.

Coastline Oyster Company at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Harvest Tide Steak House Closes – Coastline Oyster Company Awaits New Owership

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 25, 2024

Harvest Tide Steak House across from Eastern Market is permanently closed as of this morning.  Its sister restaurant, Coastline Oyster Company at 319 PA Ave, is temporarily closed awaiting a takeover by new ownership in about four months.

A source told CHC that the closure was less a lack of business and more about the increased costs of running the business, the difficulty small businesses face in operating in DC, and an unspecified lease issue.  In addition to its restaurant trade, Harvest Tide had steady revenue from lobbyists and members of Congress as a location for events. 

Owner Danio Somoza owns the Harvest Tide Steak House in downtown Lewes, Delaware.  He opened his second Harvest Tide restaurant opposite Eastern Market in October 2021, in the space formerly occupied by Aqua al 2.  He subsequently opened a third restaurant at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue – ZOCA Mexican Restaurant – in May of 2022, in the space formerly (sequentially) occupied by Stanton + Greene, Pour House, and Politicki.  ZOCA closed in February 2023 and morphed into Coastline Oyster Company, following the closue of Hank’s Oyster Bar in the 600 block of PA Ave.

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 24, 2024

John Lottman, owner of the currently only-on-line Spin Time Records will open a music store on PA Ave SE. 

New Cap Hill Music Outlet:  John Lottman, the DC music scene aficionado who has marketed DC Go-G0, Punk & D.I.Y., Soul & Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop & Electic, and DC Americana on-line is realizing his dream of going brick-and-mortar.  The shop will open soon in the second story at 613 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, above Barrel. 

Here’s Lottman from his website:  “Like so many parts of DC, the Capitol Hill I grew up in has become a neighborhood that has “everything,” but feels like it’s lost so much.   One thing I can give it back is a record store. It seemed like there used to be one on every block, but the last one closed about 25 years ago….

I want this to be a resource for locals, visitors, and people around the world to dive into the city’s musical life. You can look, listen, and read about this dimension of local history. You might give a local artist you’ve never heard of a spin, or discover a connection to DC in an artist you already knew.  And you are guaranteed to find some good music.”  Here’s a link to the website:  https://spintimerecords.com/ and here’s a link to a WaPo article: https://wapo.st/3IOlThA

Here’s the new public restroom from Thronelabs – coming to DC in a six month pilot program.

This is what the Throne at 8th and H Street, NE, would look like on site.

New Public Restroom Pilot coming to H Street NE:  Last Monday, ANC6A’s Transportation Committee heard a presentation from Thronelabs, the company who DC Department of Public Works has contracted with to launch a public restroom pilot.  One of the selected locations for the pilot program which will run now through September 31, 2024, is at the SW corner of H and 8th Street, NE.  Hours of operation will be 7:00am – 10:00pm, but could be expanded.  (It hasn’t been installed yet.)

According to the website, [the] “Throne offers an elevated experience that uses technology and behavioral science to bring bathrooms into the 21st century. The company promotes it as transportable, self monitoring re servicing, clean and touchless, sustainable, plumbed and ventilated, and accessible and completely free to the public.  If it works out, the contract could be extended to February, 2025.  Several residents raised questions regarding whether the corner of 8th and H which they say is a hotspot for drug activity is the best place to test the pilot.  Company representative Jessica Heinzeilman responded that the location was selected by DPW and DDOT, and changing it would be their call. For more, go here:  https://www.thronelabs.co/   Here’s where you can give feedback on proposed locations:  https://bit.ly/3TxC1Jb

Broken Glass.  Tuesday morning, patrons of Peregrine say that a small stone caused the impressive fracturing of the large plate safety glass front window of Peregrine.  How the stone became airborne is uncertain, as there seemed to have been no obvious explanation. 

Memorial for Barracks Row Restaurateur Tom Johnson.  Saturday afternoon, hundreds of friends, former customers, past and present employees, family including his mother, and business partner William Sport – attended a memorial service for Capitol Hill restaurateur Tom Johnson, who died last weekend.  The event was held at Stadium Sports Bar which the Hill Restaurant Group (where Johnson was the managing partner) closed last month.  There were several heart felt eulogies in which he was remembered as a charismatic presence on Barracks Row who had a terrific impact on the Capitol Hill neighborhood.  His restaurant group included numerous eateries on or near Barracks Row and included the Hawk & Dove, Lola’s, Playa Ocho, Opheila’s Fish House, Senart’s Steak House (which became Orchid briefly before closing), Boxcar and Stadium.  Privately, his business partner Sport, confirmed that Johnson had died from a fall on the steep driveway of his home.  Photo by Maggie Hall.

SE Library Update:  Last Thursday, ANC6B’s SE Library Task Force met at the Arthur Capper Community Center, home of the “Tech Express” interim facility during the renovation of the SE Library.  Jaspreet Pahwa, Director, Capital Planning and Construction, DC Public Library, reported that construction is on schedule.  Martha Saccocio, Director, Community Engagement at DC Public Library, reported on usage of the interim facility which has been open for about a month.  After opening early February, an average of four patrons a day visited the facility mostly to use the copier or printer or desktop computers.  Usage has more than doubled in March.  130 patrons have picked up or dropped off books.  From left above:  Jaspreet Pahwa, Eric Schuster, Whiting-Turner Superintendent, Taskforce Chair David Sobelsohn, and Martha Saccocio.

Haiku Contest Winner:  A haiku written by Capitol Hill resident Cindy Gordon was one of those selected for display in the Golden Triangle haiku competition.  It’s located on the north side of I Street NW, just east of Farragut Square.  Photo by Cindy Gordon.

The Week Ahead…

Posted March 24, 2024

Monday, March 25

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee 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: 

• Announcements & Updates
• What is Community Outreach?
• Miner Grant Application
• Community Comments (2 minutes each)

ANC6B Public Safety Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.

Physical location: 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE, 7th Floor Classroom Meeting Room B (Please see front desk security guard who will be able to let you up to the 7th floor).

For info on how to join virtually, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Presentation by Commander Colin Hall, Commander, 1st District, Metropolitan Police Department.
• Availability of Youth Services: Kimberley Pinkney, Community Outreach Program Specialist, Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE).

Tuesday, March 26

ANC6B’s Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

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

Agenda: 

• The committee will consider the draft agenda for the full ANC6B meeting on April 8 (changed from April 9 to avoid religious conflict)
• Vote on two medical cannabis settlement agreements in SMD 6B03.

Wednesday, March 27

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will hold its monthly meeting virtually and in person at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  TBA

Among items on the draft agenda:

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee has scheduled 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: 

• Discussion of application of Verg Enterprises LLC for a medical cannabis license at 1230 H Street NE.
• Discussion of renewal of a Class A retail liquor store license at 7 River Mart at 250 11th Street NE.
• Discussion of renewal of a Class A retail liquor store license at Exotic Wine and Spirits at 801 Maryland Avenue NE.
• Discussion regarding settlement agreements at Pascual at 732 Maryland Ave NE and Jumbo Liquors at 1122 H Street NE.

Thursday, March 28

The ANC6C Grants Committee has scheduled a virtual meeting at 7:30pm.

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

Among items on the draft agend:

• Discussion of application of Verg Enterprises LLC for a medical cannabis license at 1230 H Street NE.
• Discussion of renewal of a Class A retail liquor store license at 7 River Mart at 250 11th Street NE.
• Discussion of renewal of a Class A retail liquor store license at Exotic Wine and Spirits at 801 Maryland Avenue NE.
• Discussion regarding settlement agreements at Pascual at 732 Maryland Ave NE and Jumbo Liquors at 1122 H Street NE.

Once a contractor starts renovating, sometimes they don’t stop.  The result is shown above in a photo of 326 A Street, SE, from February of 2019:  a demolition that went far beyond anything authorized by the Historic Preservation Review Board.  Once the extent of the work was called to HPRB’ attention, an inspector issued a stop work order on the project – too late to comply with any HPRB attempt to preserve a contributing structure to the Historic District.  The contractor got a slap on the wrist. 

Weigh in on Fines for Contractors Who Violate Historic Standards – Register by 5pm Monday

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 24, 2024

Wednesday, March 27, Council Chair Phil Mendelson will hold a public hearing on Councilmember Allen’s Protecting Historic Homes Amendment Act of 2023, which would increase fines for violating historic preservation laws based on the damage done, in order to deter contractors and developers who view current fines as the cost of doing business.  This will be the public’s only opportunity to weigh in with support or to suggest changes to the bill and have it be part of the legislative record.  

Those who wish to testify must register using the Council’s Hearing Management System at https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hearings/353 by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024. Testimony is limited to four minutes.  

Public witnesses will participate virtually via the Internet on the Zoom Video Conference platform and will receive instructions on how to participate prior to the hearing.  If you have additional questions, please contact Evan Cash, Committee and Legislative Director, at (202) 724-7002 or ecash@dccouncil.gov .

Testimony should be submitted through the Council’s Hearing Management System (https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings ) in advance of the hearing.  Testimony will be publicly accessible upon Committee review.  

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Statements for the record should be submitted through the Hearing Management System or left by voicemail by calling (202) 430-6948 (up to 3 minutes which will be transcribed). The record will close at 5:00 pm on Wednesday,

The hearing will be at 2:30pm, Room 412, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Editorial Part II:  Who’s Behind the “Recall Charles Allen” Campaign?

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 21, 2024

Proponents of the “Recall Charles Allen” campaign characterize it as a grass roots effort.  The list of initial donors simply does not bear that out. 

As I discuss below, the list of major donors (defined as giving $100 or more) is overwhelmingly comprised of people who work professionally in national politics or who are identifiable Republicans, or both.  Many people in Ward 6 fall into one or both of these categories.  But the great many more Ward 6 residents who do not are simply just not on the list of $100+ donors.

What accounts for the heavy presence of political professionals and local Republicans on the donor list?  Are they concerned about, but unable to persuasively debate, crime policy in DC?  It’s possible.  But other possibilities exist as well, and I examined the list for indications of these. 

Who benefits or has a stake in recalling Allen?  The list includes congressional and other Republicans who want to show that blue cities can’t manage themselves effectively; Mayor Bowser, who desperately wants the new Commanders stadium that Allen opposes; the DC Police Union, members of which resent Allen’s police reforms; Eric Goulet –  Director of the DC Committee on Health and former Ward 3 City Council candidate who resents Allen’s endorsement of his then-opponent Matt Frumin, and who has been active on social media in support of the recall; the fossil fuel industry – including Washington Gas – which is intensely opposed to Allen’s Healthy Home Act; and lobbyists and political groups using private residences near the Capitol for corporate and/or fundraising receptions contrary to applicable zoning, something Allen has recently been more active in curbing.  

To explore each of these possibilities, CHC examined the initial donor filing.  DC Campaign Finance Law requires filing an initial list of donors by January 31st, but disclosure of additional donor info is not required until July 31st.  For the period from January 12 to January 31, the recall campaign raised $56,000 from 400 donors. 

Of the 400 names on the list, 205 people donated $100 or more, up to the maximum of $500.  Those donations account for 90 % of the $56,000 total, averaging $238 per donation.  The following analysis is confined to this influential group of “big” donors.  (A handful of donors contributed more than once, which explains why the following numbers total 209.)

• 22 were non-DC residents ($259 average donation)
• 75 were DC residents but not Ward 6 ($216 average donation)
• 112 were Ward 6 residents (average donation $250)

My first and most important observation about the big donor list is that the recall is thoroughly political.  That might sound like an obvious point, but in this case I’m not just characterizing the effort, I’m characterizing the donor list. 

The majority (72%) of the 205 in the $100 or more group work professionally in national politics:  lobbyists, consultants, fundraisers, congressional employees, etc.  I’ll call this subgroup the “professional pols.”  Notably, they averaged a substantially higher donation ($251).  It is no exaggeration to say that they are the initial contributors and driving force behind the recall effort. 

Professional pols in the $100 + group were soon joined by a second kind of donor in the $100 + group:  local (DC or Virginia) Republicans.  To some extent, the 41 identifiable Republicans overlapped with professional pols, but many did not.  As a group, identifiable local Republicans donated less money ($213 average).  A separate analysis https://bit.ly/4aoqD9n conducted by Alex Koma of the Washington City Paper found that “nearly half” of the entire list of initial donors could be identified as Republicans or tied to the Republican party.  Koma says the donor’s list includes current and former staff members for former Presidents Trump and G.W. Bush, former Speakers of the House Boehner, Hastert, and McCarthy, and current Senators Cotton, Grassley, Romney and Scott. 

The story that the data describe is a straightforward one:  the professional political class launched and largely funded the recall effort, then localRepublicans and others jumped in seeing an opportunity for advancing their own political message. 

It is easy to explain the political motivation oflocal Republicans looking to exploit the recall effort.  More difficult to assess is the motivation of the professional pol group.  The range of professional pols drawn to the recall effort defies any partisan, ideological, or interest group generalization. 

In fact, it is the sheer number and diversity of “lobbyists,” “consultants,” “fundraisers,” and “strategists” – and, likewise, the nearly total absence of people who are neither professional pols nor identifiable Republicans – that tells us something. 

One issue that many lobbyists, corporations, and politicians on both sides of the political spectrum have in common: opposition to Allen’s attempt to crack down on corporate uses of Capitol Hill townhomes for fundraisers. 

Professional political fundraisers play an important role in the recall campaign.  Tonya Fulkerson, co-founder of Democratic fundraising powerhouse “FK& Company,” one of whose clients is the Senate Majority PAC, has been a vocal presence in the recall effort.  She is the first donor listed following the group’s leader, Jennifer Squires, and her son Alex.  Fulkerson, her partner Ashley Kennedy, and Kennedy’s husband Sean account for $1500 of the fundraising total. 

When discussing the recall effort, Fulkerson cites a shooting https://bit.ly/4cr976o  that took place on her block a year ago.  Police reportedly searched for four juvenile assailants.  But this leaves some questions unanswered, since nothing in Charles Allen’s record would interfere with the ability of police to apprehend those responsible for the shooting or the ability of prosecutors to charge them.  At most, if a judge decided that any of those offenders were eligible for the Youth Rehabilitation Act, then those able to seal their record after successful completion of a sentence would be far less likely to re-offend.

In terms of the political fundraiser explanation, it is also noteworthy that the employer that accounts for the most donations is “814 Consulting,” an equally high-profile Republican fundraising outfit based in Virginia, whose clients include Representative James Comer, (R-KY) who chairs the House DC Oversight Committee (which recently brokered legislation on RFK stadium) and Representative Brett Gutherie (R-KY) chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee. 

As for other possible explanations for the strangely political big donor list, I examined the pool of $100 plus donors for local DC powerbrokers, particularly anyone with connections to Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Federal City Council, and Opportunity DC.  A number of people who could not be categorized as professional pols or identifiable Republicans were local real estate developers with a record of donations to Mayor Bowser.  However, almost any local developer will have a record of donating to Mayor Bowser.  Interestingly, the developers who donated to the recall effort tended to be smaller in scale and known for remodeling residential properties, not the big-time developers who sit on the Federal City Council or donate to Opportunity DC.  I did not see any real connection between the recall effort and the bigger players in DC politics.

But there was one notable exception:  Russell “Rusty” Lindner, executive chair and CEO of The Forge Company, owner of Colonial Parking.  The Forge Company contributes heavily to Opportunity DC, most recently in the news as the Super PAC (or Independent Expenditure Committee) that helped Kenyan McDuffie defeat Councilmember-at-Large Elissa Silverman, and which late last year also launched a soft-on-crime mail campaign aimed at Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George.  Lindner also sits on the powerful and prestigious Federal City Council, despite his past involvement in the pay-to-play corruption investigation of former Councilmember Jack Evans. 

Lindner does not appear on the donor list, but two of his children contributed $500 each to the effort:  Blake Lindner (misspelled as “Linder” on the filing) of New York City, and Rebecca Lindner Clarkson (nee Lindner, listed as “Rebecca Clarkson” on the filing) of Atlantic Beach, Florida.  It seems obvious that two children of a DC power broker who live in New York City and Florida can only have a marginal interest in a recall effort.  These donations seem more likely to track back to “Rusty” Lindner himself.  If so, then it is also worth noting that Colonial Parking owns the parking around the DC Armory on the RFK campus. 

To date, Councilmember Allen has been adamant in opposing conversion of RFK to an NFL stadium for the Washington Commanders, as are several other Councilmembers, on the grounds that NFL stadiums cost a lot of money but deliver little in return.   On the other hand, Mayor Bowser strongly supports the move, as does much of the DC business establishment.  There seem to be clear indications that the possible selection of the RFK site for the Washington Commanders might benefit Colonial Parking.  It will be worth following subsequent donor lists for connections to Opportunity DC, the Federal City Council, and Mayor Bowser.  Equally, it is worth knowing more about the donors to the seemingly well-funded recall launched against Brianne Nadeau. 

Also relevant to the stadium explanation is the fact that, at a March 2 news conference, when the Mayor was asked to address the recall efforts aimed at both councilmembers, she replied, “I don’t have anything to say about that.” 

In all, the initial filing of the recall effort reveals an attempt to rough Allen up for political reasons, capitalizing on the growing neighborhood concern over crime without contributing anything constructive to the conversation of what to do about it. 

If recall proponents object to being second-guessed regarding their motivations, they should offer better reasoning for the recall.  As I showed in Part I of this editorial, that has just not happened yet.      

The city of Washington DC, and this neighborhood, continues to struggle with crime.  But if you’re not talking about evidence-based policies on crime, it’s just politics.  And that does not deserve my support or signature. 

If anyone wants to investigate other possible explanations for the recall, here’s a link to donor list:  https://bit.ly/3ISowPj

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 20, 2024

Editorial:  What’s Behind the “Recall Charles Allen” Campaign?

Last December, several well-connected political professionals who live on Capitol Hill launched an effort to recall Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen from office, citing Allen’s role in creating policies which they say resulted in a significant increase in crime in DC during 2023. 

If the recall organizers succeed in getting 7,500 registered voters in Ward 6 to sign the recall petition by August 12, 2024, that recall question will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.

The founders of the recall campaign are Jennifer Squires, former DOD and Booz Allen analyst and now a consultant, and her husband Ned Ertel, former President and CEO of the data processing company RegScan and former treasurer for Chander for Council.  Others close to the leadership who are volunteering their time and effort include recall campaign treasurer April Brown, a realtor; Tonya Fulkerson, a Democratic fundraiser; Moses Mercado, a lobbyist with Ogilvy Government Relations; Rich Masters, a VP for Public Relations, BIO; Michael Hacker, an in-house lobbyist for TikTok and a former House Democratic leadership aide to Rep. James Clyburn; and Mitchell Rivard, chief of staff for Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.).

The recall proponents’ focus has been on five positions Allen supported while serving as chair of the DC City Council’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee: 

• The Revised Criminal Code Act passed by the DC Council in 2022, which modernized the District’s criminal laws.  The bill was overturned by Congress and that nullification was sustained by President Biden after he initially threatened to veto the Congressional override.   

One of the most frequently cited objections to the revision was that it would have lowered penalties for carjackings and other crimes.  (The bill’s supporters said the changes brought the penalties in line with actual sentencing practices.)  Regardless, the bill never became law.  As a result, the recent spike in carjackings has taken place during a time when the District has some of the harshest penalties anywhere for carjacking already on the books.

A recent community meeting on the spate of carjackings on the Hill https://bit.ly/3VnAhVH discussed at length the difficulty involved in apprehension and prosecution for this particular crime.  In that light, it is worth noting that the proposed-but-never-passed Criminal Code revision broke the crime of carjacking down into several grades based on seriousness of the crime, to better align sentencing with the degree of harm inflicted and to supply achievable thresholds of evidence for each grade to facilitate prosecution.  A U.S. Attorney confronted with a lesser grade of carjacking who might be reluctant to charge under the current, harsh law might be willing to do so under a charging scheme that better reflected the particulars of the crime in question.  As it stands, carjacking remains a difficult crime to prosecute in the District.

• An expansion of eligibility for the Youth Rehabilitation Act, from those under the age of 22 years to include those under the age of 25, except in cases of rape, murder and sexual abuse.  In order to fall under the provisions of the YRA, offenders must plead guilty and the prosecutor must be charging them as an adult.  It is always the decision of a federal judge whether to sentence under the YRA or not. 

One benefit of the YRA is the ability to seal the record of a conviction following successful completion of a sentence.  Research conducted by the independent Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Washington DC demonstrates that juvenile offenders unable to seal their convictions are three-times more likely to re-offend.  Another benefit of the YRA gives the court flexibility to sentence an offender under the age of 25 below the mandatory minimum, provided the court takes certain factors under consideration and provides a written reasoning if the decision is to sentence under the YRA.  Research demonstrates https://bit.ly/4apfrcP that increasing the length of a sentence has no deterrent effect on crime.  Nor does it affect recidivism:  when looking at the YRA, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council also found that being sentenced or not being sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act had no effect on the likelihood of that offender to commit a crime following release.

• Expanded the Second Look Act to promote sentence reduction mandates for violent offenders under the age of 25.

Once again, research has shown that increasing the length of a sentence does nothing to deter crime.  https://bit.ly/4apfrcP Sentence reduction programs have been examined by the independent and non-partisan Council on Criminal Justice and found to have no effect on re-arrest for violent or serious crime, mostly because whether someone has benefited from the program or not, most people returning to their communities have “aged out” of criminal offending after serving a substantial sentence. https://bit.ly/498ux5c

While no one can claim sentence reduction actually reduces crime (as opposed to sealing convictions for juveniles, which does), no one can claim that it increases crime either. 

• A 2020 $15 million reduction in the increase in the mayor’s proposed FY 2021 budget for MPD which redirected most of that cut ($9.6 million) to violence preventers – community-based criminal justice related services.  $6.1 million of the cut was to reduce the size of the police force – which, along with the Mayor’s proposed $44 million in “vacancy savings” (preventing the filling of vacant positions) resulted in a one-year hiring freeze for fiscal year 2021.  Recruits dropped that fiscal year from over 200 to 37, and though the number of recruits rose again in FY 2022, they continued a decline which began in fiscal year 2019, falling from the recruitment high of 261 in fiscal year 2018.  This decline in new recruits began well before the Council passed the $6.1 million reduction – a reduction which paled in comparison with the Mayor’s own cuts – and it continues despite the Council’s strong efforts to incentivize hiring.  https://bit.ly/3IwFWB2 

On October 12, 2023, Chairman of the DC Police Union Gregg Pemberton testified at a House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee.  Pemberton claimed that, as the direct result of the actions and rhetoric of the DC City Council, “the MPD has lost 1,329 officers, more than one-third of the department.  501 of these separations, nearly 40%, were resignations; employees who just walked away from a career with MPD.”  The figures cited by Pemberton are misleading, at best.  There were 101 resignations in FY 2018 and 103 resignations in FY 2019, before the budget cuts passed in 2020.  Resignations from the MPD for FYs 2020 – 2023 amounted to an additional average of 27 officers per year above the 100 or so for each of the two previous fiscal years.  Regarding the pandemic-era addition of about 27 officers to the preexisting exodus of officers from MPD, DCist reported in October 2023 https://bit.ly/3TFZCJ3 that many factors were at work, including the pandemic itself as well as increased scrutiny of police, but that many officers “ultimately left because they said they were profoundly overworked and felt disrespected by MPD managers,” particularly mandatory overtime, a finding confirmed in a study conducted by the independent Police Executive Research Forum.

Most important, the police staffing shortfalls appear to be not the resignations, but the inability to hire recruits to replace officers who resigned, retired (including those who moved on to neighboring jurisdictions which pay more) or were terminated.  The average hiring rate for FYs 2018 and 2019 was 248 hires each year.  The average for FYs 2020 – 2023 was 138 a year.  See MPD staffing report here:  https://bit.ly/3IwFWB2  Other cities across the country have also experienced recruiting problems; the Justice Department released a report on the nationwide recruitment crisis in law enforcement in October 2023.   

Like others on the Council and the Mayor herself, Allen supports aggressive measures to recruit new police officers to the MPD. 

• The Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, made it easier to fire officers for misconduct, prohibited the hiring of officers with prior misconduct, required the release of names and body camera recordings of officers involved in deaths, and banned chokeholds.  President Biden vetoed the Congressional override of the law, noting that enhancing public trust in the police improved public safety. https://bit.ly/3x0ujjs (Crucially, the Police Accountability Act included two provisions vehemently opposed by the DC Police Union:  a provision which required the creation of a public-accessible data base of police discipline files and another provision which takes discipline out of collective bargaining.) 

There is little in the 2022 Policing Reform Act that is new.  Bans on chokeholds, increased transparency for police misconduct, and making it easier for the Chief of Police to fire officers for cause are all fairly commonplace.  Many jurisdictions ask even more from police when it comes to use of force or explaining their actions. https://bit.ly/494oWgp

Taken together, the features of Allen’s legislative record which the recall leaders claim drove crime higher in DC actually show that Allen has implemented evidence-based criminal justice policy, endorsed basic police accountability measures, and served as a member of a Council that has taken steps to assist in police recruitment and retention that seem modest compared to what the Mayor might achieve in boosting MPD morale by insisting on better police management. 

The recall proponents say they want to send a message to the City Council which has supported progressive criminal justice policies by marginally cutting back funding for policing and increasing funding for community groups involved in criminal justice.  In not offering policy alternatives, their message implicitly endorses less accountability for police and more severe punishment, without acknowledging that such an approach must itself be measured for effectiveness.    

That evaluation would not go favorably for recall supporters.  One of the most consistent research findings in criminal justice https://bit.ly/4apfrcP is that certainty of apprehension deters crime, but increasing the severity of punishment does not.  And, given that questions remain about how best to design and implement police accountability, no serious person can suggest that poor police accountability serves the public interest.

From CHC’s coverage of many community crime meetings, it is clear to me that real debates exist on questions of policing and crime reduction.  The recall effort contributes nothing to any of them.  Setting aside the broader, mostly economic factors that drive crime, the two “local” criminal justice factors cited by experts as affecting crime in the District are 1) the fact that the US Attorneys who work for the federal Department of Justice and are tasked with charging adults in the District actually have one of the lowest charging rates in the country (recently, the Office of USAG has increased the number of prosecutions); and 2) the probably-related appalling state of the DC Department of Forensic Science, aka our “crime lab,” https://wapo.st/3TJGqKl which only recently has won back accreditation and the ability to process evidence.  Stepping back from just criminal justice policy but still focused on local factors, DC’s current chronic school absenteeism and truancy rate https://wapo.st/3PwCLxc is scandalous and clearly bears a relation to crimes committed by school-age young people. 

If you follow the evidence, care about criminal reduction and review the record, it makes more sense to recall the Mayor – but even that would founder for lack of substantive justification.  Or it might make more sense to support DC statehood and sovereignty over those who serve as our District Attorneys so that the office could properly be staffed and supervised with DC priorities in mind.  What would make the most sense of all, according to the independent and non-partisan Council on Criminal Justice, is to urge an intergrated, whole-of-government approach to crime reduction consisting of evidence-based policies.  https://bit.ly/3INeH5o

Something Charles Allen has done.  https://bit.ly/43tV4Ji

As a criminal justice intervention, the recall of Charles Allen makes no sense.  Then how should we view it?  I discuss this in Part II of this editorial: Who’s Behind the “Recall Charles Allen” Campaign?

R.I.P.  Tom Johnson of Hill Restaurant Group

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 18, 2024

Tom Johnson, Managing Partner of the Hill Restaurant Group – a Washington DC based hospitality firm that currently operates six restaurants in Capitol Hill neighborhoods died last Sunday, March 10.  He was in his mid-fifties.  He was found in the driveway of his home in Hillcrest with an injury consistent with a fall, though no cause of death has been announced.  The Hill Restaurant Group is owned by William Sport, President at Pinnacle Investment Properties Inc., of Miami, Florida. 

His death came as the Hill Restaurant Group was considering closing some of its Barracks Row venues in the wake of shrinking revenues and lack of foot traffic.  Stadium Sports Bar and Smokehouse, the group’s sports bar in Navy Yard, closed last month.  WBJ reports that other outlets could follow as their leases expire.  Those currently open include those on Barracks Row – Lola’s, Playa Ocho, and Opheila’s Fish House; The Hawk and Dove on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; and Boxcar across from Eastern Market. 

From the HRG website:  “With over 30 years of experience as a successful restaurant operator, Tom joined his friend and investor William Sport in 2018 to breathe new life into some of the Hill’s most historic and beloved establishments, including Hawk ‘n’ Dove, Lola’s, Boxcar Tavern, Ophelia’s Fish House, Tortuga, and Stadium Sports by Nationals Park.”

He was remembered by Barracks Row neighbors and benefactors https://bit.ly/49VeZDi Karl and Carrol Kindle.

“Tom Johnson was a good friend.  We met him almost literally the day he arrived in DC to take over general management of the (then failing) Hill Restaurant Group.

Tom was a knowledgeable, honest, straightforward, fun, interesting, generous, entertaining, opinionated individualist, a very good friend, raconteur, hard-working person, who had high expectations of those around him as well as for himself.

From nearly day one in DC, he professed to “hate” DC, but if the maxim, “Actions speak louder than words” is true, he was a true supporter of DC:  He always lived in DC proper, finally buying a house for himself in Hillcrest, becoming Commander of a local Anacostia Boating Club and saving it from disappearing, strongly and vocally supporting local businesses in DC, always finding ways to improve the Barracks Row neighborhood and always the first to volunteer his support and help in any endeavor for neighborhood improvement.  He participated actively in the actions of the ANCs and the City Council and City government, making them all better and more effective.

Tom could be a tough negotiator and taskmaster, but he always recognized hard work and the success of others.  He was kind to a fault.  He was always the first to welcome new businesses and business people to Barrack’s Row, even those in direct competition with his businesses.   He was free with his ideas and suggestions for improving a given business or the community, and followed through with actions where it was appropriate.

He made great efforts to know the neighbors, the business owners, the police, the politicians, his customers and activists in order to further their possibilities for success.

He may have said that he “hated” DC, but his actions showed that he did everything he could to make the city and the neighborhood more successful, and he walked the walk, by living in and supporting DC.

Tom will be sorely missed by the community and all who knew him.”

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 17, 2024

The gentrification of weed.  Washington DC Cannabis & Marijuana Lawyers at 413 East Captiol Street, SE. 

SE Library Modernization Construction Update:  Here’s a photo of the current state of the main reading room in SE Library with ceiling stripped and terracotta and brick exposed on the interior walls.  For more information and additional photos, go here:   https://bit.ly/3TG11Q3

Last month, Mayor Bowser opened DC first safe commercial corridor Hub in Chinatown at 675 H Street NW.  The Safe Commercial Corridor Hubs will connect residents to a range of city services in priority areas, with a specific focus on working across government to keep corridors safe and clean. The hubs are staffed  be staffed by outreach teams from multiple public safety and human services agencies including Metropolitan Police Department, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, Mayor’s Office of Nightline and Culture, Mayor’s Office of Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health. 

CHC was permitted to take a photo inside on the condition that none of the clients present in the office was included.  Friday afternoon, the staff included Calvin Woodward, pictured at right.

Calling out Colon Cancer:  These 27,400 blue flags on the National Mall were installed on March 19 as a visual representation of more that 27,400 people under 50 estimated to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2030.  The display will be up until March 22.  For more info and to donate, go here:  https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/united-in-blue/

The Future of Orchids: Conservation and Collaboration features 200 hundred varieties of orchids displayed in the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard.  Smithsonian American Art Museum.  January 27, 2024 – April 28, 2024.  Open Daily, 11:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m  Free.  For more, go here:  https://s.si.edu/3PpuA5C

The Week Ahead….

Monday, March 18

7:00 pm

ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee 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: 

• Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project Update. The Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project outreach team will provide project updates and address community safety concerns with related contractor work.
• West Virginia Avenue NE Traffic Safety. Commissioner Chatterjee will provide an update on community input and DDOT responses to traffic safety issues on the 800- block of West Virginia Avenue NE.
• National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. Tasin Malik, DDOT Transportation Planner, will present updates to DDOT’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Deployment Plan.
• DPW Public Restrooms Pilot Program. DPW has financed a pilot consisting of five standalone public restrooms under contract with Throne Labs, including one at the corner of 8th and H Streets NE. Jessica Heinzelman, co-Founder and COO of Throne Labs, will present the company’s plans for installing “The H Street Throne.”

Tuesday, March 19

ANC6D Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://www.anc6d.org/anc6d-transportation-committee/

Agenda:  TBA

Wednesday, March 20

ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

• For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/
• 216 11th Street, NE: To construct a new two-story and basement rear addition to an existing two-story rowhouse.
• 1127 G Street, NE: To construct a new detached, two-story, accessory garage with second story dwelling unit to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
• 235 10th Street NE: To construct a two-story with cellar, rear addition, to an existing, attached, three-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.

Thursday, March 21

ANC6D ABC Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://www.anc6d.org/abc-committee/

Agenda:  TBA

Southeast Library Taskforce will hold an in person and virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

The in person/virtual meeting will be held at Arthur Capper Recreation Center Interim SE Library Service Center.  1000 5^th Street, SE. 

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

Agenda:  TBA

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

Library of Congress Cherry Blossum Festival https://bit.ly/3TGm8Bq

• The Library of Congress will host its annual Japanese Culture Day in celebration of the 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival, an annual commemoration of Japan’s 1912 gift to the U.S. of 3,020 cherry trees.  Japanese Culture Day will take place at the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring family activities, including Japanese drum and traditional dance performances, a book talk with a featured author, storytelling, and arts and crafts from Japan. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available at loc.gov/events.

CHRS Walking Tour

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society is offering guided outdoor walking tours on Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24 at 1 pm both days. Tickets ($15) now on sale through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/march-walking-tours-tickets-853186502797?aff=oddtdtcreator

• The Civil War and Before – (learn about early residents of Capitol Hill, their homes, work, and community).  Saturday, March 23.
• A History of Capitol Hill in One block (rich in information but a very short walk). Sunday, March 24.
• Notable People – (sites associated with many of the historically significant people who have made Capitol Hill their home). Sunday, March 24

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 10, 2024

Joint Library Book Sale a Smashing Success:  Saturday, Friends of SE and NE Libraries held a joint booksale at NE Library which – despite the unforgiving weather – turned out droves of bibliophiles. The joint effort was occasioned by the two year closure of SE Library for renovation.  The sale garnered in excess of $2,500 – which goes to support library programs.  Organizers have announced that they plan to do it all over again on the second Saturday of April (April 13). Volunteers are welcome to help with setting up and taking down the sales.  Photo:  Jay Adelstein

A note from Capitol Hill Village – How to get those sidewalk hazards fixed:   This chart shows how the number of Ward 6 complaints to 311 about sidewalk hazards has more than DOUBLED in the past year.  As always, if you don’t have time to file your own 311 report of a sidewalk hazard, you can send a picture of the problem with the address of the problem to chvpedestriansafety@gmail.com and someone at CHV will file the 311 report for you.  While our DC government still expects to address each tripping hazard in 270 business days – more than one year – the first step is filing the 311 request. 

Another Safety Walk:  Last Monday, ANC Chair Edward Ryder organized a community safety walk which started at 13^th and I Streets, SE, and proceeded along L Street adjacent to the highway and ended at the McDonald’s on Pennsyvania Avenue.  CM Charles Allen, MPD, and a representative of the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations participated.  These walks do more than providing an opportunity for residents to engage with the Councilmember and MPD.  They provide an opportunity to bring officials’ attention to a broad array of quality of life issues – some of which can be scheduled for immediate remedy.  The walk ended with an extended sidewalk discussion at the McDonalds.  On the way back to the starting point, CHC was surprised at the extent of multi-unit residential development on K Street in this out-of-the-way neighborhood.  Above, to CM Allen’s left is MPD 1^st District Commander Colin Hall, then ANC6B Chair Ryder.  To Allen’s right is Kelly Waud, Ryder’s predecessor as 6B Commissioner, who currently is an alternate on ANC6B’s Public Safety Committee. 

Thursday Night’s Public Meeting on Understanding Adult Supervised Release.  The Criminal Justice Coordination Council (CJCC) is a federal independent agency providing a platform for collaboration among federal and local agencies related to the criminal justice system.  Thursday night in the North Hall of Eastern Market, two agencies participated in a panel discussion to further community understanding of adult supervision pre-and-post conviction in the District of Columbia.  The meeting was hybrid – in person and viewable on line. 

Kristy Love, Executive Director of CJCC moderated the discussion.  On the right is Victor Davis, Assistant Director, Defendant Engagement and System Support, Pretrial Services Agency and on the left, Marcus Hodges, Associate Director, Office of Community Supervision & Intervention Services, Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).  In the midst of a debate over criminal justice in the city, the public engagement serves to explain the agencies’ roles and defend their record – which they say is very good. 

More Books:  Capitol Hill Books may be the only retail outlet which maintains the from-long-ago Capitol Hill Second Saturday wine and cheese party tradition.  Despite the rainstorm a crowd turned out for the event to browse, meet other book lovers, and to take advantage of the featured 10% discount.  Capitol Hill Books has a clever X feed and you can follow it here:  https://twitter.com/chbooksdc

Eastern Market, circa 6:00pm, Saturday night. 

The Week Ahead…

Highlight:  CM Charles Allen comes before ANC6A Thursday night. 

Monday, March 10, 2024

ANC6D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://www.anc6d.org/virtual-meetings/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Community Announcements.
• Community Concerns.
• Pepco Multi-Year Rate Plan.
• Project Pipes.
• DCPS Chancellor Ferebee or Designate (invited).
• Review, Comments on 2024 TOPP.
• Race for Hope Run.
• Marine Corps Marathon.
• Transportation Committee Report.
• Transportation and ABC Committee Appointments.
• Good Company – License Application.
• Hen Quarter – CA Modification.
• Chair’s Report.
• Treasurer’s Report QFR.
• Funds for IT Website Assistance.

Tuesday, March 11

ANC7D will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Speaker

• TBD 40 minutes w/Q&A.

DC Government Updates/Presentations.

• Lawrence Davlin, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services (MOCRS) Ward 7 Representative.
• Francis Campbell, Office of Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray.

New Business

• Nomination and Confirmation of New Committee Members.
• Public Safety Committee Meeting Update.
• Economic Development, Housing Justice, Zoning and Alcoholic Beverage Committee Meeting Update.
• Transportation & Public Space Committee Meeting Update.
• Letter to Events DC Concerning Community Support and Coordination During RFK Spring Festival Season.
• Letter to DDOT in support of Bikeshare Station in the 1500 Block of North Carolina Avenue, NE.

ANC6B will hold a hybrid public/virtual meeting at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE, First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Consent Agenda:

• February Minutes.
• Appointment of Resident Members.
• Amendment to Bylaws to Address Vendors Paid by Debit Card.
• Amendment to Bylaws to Address Committee Chair Vacancies.
• Transportation Committee Consent Items.
• Resolution on Dedicated Funding for Metro.
• Letters to DDOT Re: 2024 Q2 TSI Prioritization Locations in ANC 6B.
• Letter to DDOT Re: No Parking Sign on Ives Place, SE.
• Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee: Update on pending medical cannabis retailer applications: No Kids Allowed, 637B Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; DC Dash; 727 8th Street ,SE; UpnSmoke, 427 8th Street, SE.

Plenary Session: 

• 633 E Street, SE Rear Project.  Historic Preservation Application. To construct a second story addition, and convert to a principal dwelling unit.
• 633 E Street, SE Rear Project: Zoning Adjustment Application.  To construct a second story addition, and convert to a principal dwelling unit, an existing, semi-detached, commercial building.
• Consideration of CBA for Alley Closing in Square 762, 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, former Capitol Lounge, rear. 
• Discussion Regarding HPRB and BZA Notification Processes.
• Upcoming March Hearing on DOB Fees for Historic District Violations.
• Report for Committees and Taskforces.

Wednesday, March 13

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

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

Agenda: 

Consent Calendar

• TOPS#: 439867 – 420 H St NE – Public Space Improvement’
• 638 I (Eye) St. NE – Proposed BZA appeal of permit B2308873 (alteration of rooftop architectural element)

Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee

• Union Pub (substantial change—outdoor seating)

Transportation and Public Space Committee (Michael Upright, Chair)

• S.O. 24-00310 Public Alley Closure, C Street NE

Thursday, March 14

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:  Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen.

Consent Agenda:

• Motion that ANC6A approve a grant to Celebrate Capitol Hill, Inc. in the amount of $1,370.00 for the purpose of engaging neighborhood youth in beautifyingactivities/public art.
• Letter of support to BZA for Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit at 1432 F Street, NE.
• Letter of support to BZA for Special Exception to construct a third story and rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit at 808 I Street, NE.

Plenary Session: 

• Officer Reports.
• Standing Committee Reports.
• Letter of support to BZA for: Request an AreaVariance to construct two new, attached, three-story with basements, principal dwelling units at 257 Warren Street, NE.
• New Business – motions to approve members of Standing Committees:
• Becca Beuthe (6A03) as a member of the Economic Development and Zoning (EDZ) Committee.
• Patrick Bloomstine (6A01) as a member of theTransportation and Public Space Committee.

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about: 

Tuesday, March 12^th at 7:30pm, Folger Library.

• Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize, with a reading from this year’s judge, Linda Gregerson, and this year’s winner Hannah Louise Poston. In person at the Folger Shakespeare Library. 201 East Capitol Street, SE.  Tickets $20. Duration 60 minutes.  Go here for more info:  https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/anthony-hecht-poetry-prize-2024/

Thursday, March 14th at 7:00pm at Hill Center

• Hill Center Event: The Life of a Poet: Sandra Beasley.  East City Bookshop partners with Hill Center for The Life of a Poet series, which is a quarterly series of in-depth literary conversations. The series offers a rare opportunity to consider a writer’s entire career and explore the major events that have shaped their work. This event will feature local poet Sandra Beasley. In-person at Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital. 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Go here for more info:  https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/the-life-of-a-poet-featuring-celebrated-poet-sandra-beasley-in-conversation-with-kyle-dargan/

Crime Update in MPD 1st District with Commander Colin Hall

By Larry Janezich

Posted March 6, 2024

Last night, MPD 1^st District Commander Colin Hall updated the community on crime issues at the monthly virtual meeting of the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC).  https://1dcac.com/

He said that compared with the first two months of 2023, there has been an over-all decrease in crime of 4% and a double digit decrease in homicides, robberies and stolen autos.  He expects a tic-up in crime will come in the spring with warmer weather and more people moving around.  2023 saw crime increase in March, April, May and June.

Here are some other takeaways.  MPD:  

• Remains focused on gun violence and has seen an up-tic in SW areas and around 15th and 17th Streets, and Independence Avenue, SE.
• Has increased resources in those areas and has partnered with DC Department of Housing Police in response to shootings around Potomac Gardens resulting from neighborhood disputes.
• Is adding more bike patrols to H Street, NE. 
• Has increased patrolling in alleys in the commercial corridors in response to burglaries.
• Has partnered with Metro Transit Police in patrols around Metro stops.

(A wealth of information on crime in the city is available on the MPD Crime Card website, here:  https://crimecards.dc.gov/ For example you can find a detailed map of the crimes which have occurred within 1,000 feet of your home address.)

Hall said MPD has seen a “big difference in Chinatown – it has a different feel to it” and noted the Mayor’s HUB facility there is showing results.  The HUB is a pilot project which locates an office in a crime hotspot which provides access to MPD, the Department of Human Services (homeless and youth services), Behavioral Health, and the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations.  Two more HUBs are scheduled to launch in the near future – one in Ward 1 at 14th and U Streets, and one in Ward 8 in Anacostia. 

ANC6A Chair Amber Gove, who is a regular promoter of and presence at the CAC meetings, asked Hall how to get a HUB for 8th Street, NE.  He replied that the Mayor is spearheading the HUB project and her office is deciding where they go.  The pilot program is engaged in a process of ironing out the kinks before deciding on future expansion.

Gove continued to urge residents to attend the monthly virtual meetings of the CAC – which has the widest array of personnel available – as the best place to interact and ask questions of the MPD and the US Attorney General’s Office, as well as other representatives of city agencies including the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations. 

Another venue will be available on tomorrow (Thursday) night, when the Spring Public Forum on Understanding Adult Supervised Release will take place.  The Criminal Justice Coordination Council (CJCC) will hold the public meeting on Understanding Adult Supervision in the District of Columbia at 6:00pm at Eastern Market North Hall, 225 7th Street, SE.

Featured:  A panel discussion on adult community supervision pre-and-post conviction in the District of Columbia.

• Moderator Kristy Love, Executive Director, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
• Panelists Victor Davis, Assistant Director, Defendant Engagement and System Support, Pretrial Services Agency.
• Marcus Hodges, Associate Director, Office of Community Supervision & Intervention Services, Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency.
• Watch Live: tinyurl.com/CJCC-Meeting (see here)   https://bit.ly/3wwXF8E