The Week Ahead … and Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 7, 2024

Crime Update from Matthew Graves, US Attorney for DC – Tuesday night, April 2, Matthew Graves, US Attorney for DC, appeared at the MPD First District Community Advisory Committee virtual meeting to talk about his office’s enforcement policies and other criminal justice issues.  He took questions, and near the end of the meeting, summarized his presentation – as follows: 

“I completely understand the…concerns and the frustrations of what everyone – myself included – is experiencing in the community… and that crime is not something you can necessarily address with numbers.  Commander Hall and I can tell you all day long that the numbers are going down dramatically in a kind of unprecedented fashion – in part because of the law enforcement actions we are collectively taking – but until people feel it, it’s not go to resonate.  So all we can do is continue to employ tactics we’ve been employing which include arrests.  But another thing we’ve been doing that’s having an impact is proactively going at the drivers of violence and doing everything we can to get them off the street…. That often looks like a federal prosecution for illegally carrying firearms [or) illegal drug distribution.  That’s what we can prove – that’s what we can do that gets them off the streets and we’re doing that – and we’ve taken 100s of people who are very dangerous individuals off the streets that way. That’s why if you look at the jail population right now it’s at a relative recent record high … and it’s not just the number of people in jail – when you look and Department of Corrections statistics on what people are in jail for, I don’t think … we’ve had a greater percentage of individuals in jail for serious violent offenses or firearms offenses….  And I think some of that explains in part why you’ve seen a dramatic difference between the violent crime numbers in the summer and the violent crime numbers now.  [We] just have to continue to stick at it and hope that as the trend lines continue … [and] people feel a different way than they felt in 2023.” 

Graves will speak again at ANC6B’s Public Safety Committee on April 23.  More info to come on CHC’s Week Ahead. Meanwhile, here’s a link to MPD’s District Crime Data at a Glance:  https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/district-crime-data-glance

Another Delay for Hilleast Boys and Girls Club Development – Morningstar Development’s plan to develop the Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club into a 34 affordable unit apartment building has hit a snag.  The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) has postponed the Zoning Adjustment hearing scheduled for April 24.  BZA says it wants Morningstar to resolve a map amendment issue through the Zoning Commission before BZA takes up the requested zoning adjustment.  The Zoning Commission hearing won’t occur until June.  Morningstar won the right to develop the city-owned property in 2017.  The Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club is at 261 17th Street, SE.  Here’s a link to Morningstar’s presentation to ANC6B in October 2021.  The architect’s rendering above is from that presentation.  See here: https://bit.ly/3AkTYz8

Here’s another example of the on-going community-building work being done by Guerrilla Gardeners – Jim Guckert, founder and Executive Director of Guerrilla Gardeners, in collaboration with Sasha Bruce Youthwork, established a training program in landscape maintenance and urban agriculture at the Sasha Bruce House House campus, 11^th and Maryland Avenue, NE.  The photo shows tulips from some of the 5,000 bulbs Youthwork project members planted.  Guckert says, “These guys are willing and available to do any kind of yard work. They are looking for entry level employment as well.  During their internship we focused on workplace skills that are translatable for virtually any kind of opportunity.”  Contact Guckert at https://guerrillagardenersdc.org/  Guerrilla Gardeners is a non-profit organization focused on the beautification and maintenance of public parks and gardens throughout the District. 

Saturday afternoon at Hill Center – The second floor of Hill Center was taken over by Volunteer Capitol Hill 2004.  VCH was established in 2013 by the Old Naval Hospital Foundation and is an annual event designed to showcase the variety of opportunities for volunteer service.  Organizations which participated:  13th Street Park & Garden, AARP Driver Safety, Barracks Row Main Street, Capitol Hill Restoration Society, Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, Capitol Hill Village, City Wildlife, Community of Hope, DC Tutoring and Mentoring Initiative, Eastern Market Advisory Committee, Food Rescue US, Hill Center, Horton’s Kids, Kids Connection Haiti, Little Light Urban Ministries, National Capital Bank, Opera Lafayette, Ruth Ann Overbeck History Project, Ward  6 Democrats, and Washington Urban Debate League. 

Saturday afternoon at North Hall, Eastern Market – Here’s a shot of the Capital Art Book Fair, an annual event organized by East City Art, which brought together publishers, artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts to showcase and celebrate the world of art books.  The Fair serves as a platform for artists, publishers, and independent bookmakers to exhibit and sell art-related publications, which can include artist monographs, exhibition catalogs, zines, photography books, graphic novels, and other forms of printed material which double as fine art.  The fair features a diverse range of exhibitors, including established publishing houses, independent publishers, art institutions, galleries, and individual artists.  Go here from more on East City Art:  https://www.eastcityart.com/

The Capitol Hillbillies were tearing it up at Eastern Market on Saturday afternoon.  That’s band leader Joel Bailes at the piano.  https://www.facebook.com/rollingpiano/    https://twitter.com/rollingpianodc

The Week Ahead …

Highlight:  CM Charles Allen visits ANC6B Monday night to discuss the 2025 Budget.

Highlight:  The SE/NE Libraries Joint April Book Sale will be held Saturday, April 13

Monday, April 8

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/

Agenda:  TBA

ANC6B will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.  Note: This meeting date has been adjusted to avoid conflicts with holidays, religious days, or other events.

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

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Consent 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.
• 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 for I-695.Planning & Zoning Committee Consent Items.
• Public Safety Committee Consent Items.

Presentations:

• Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen – Discussion of the FY2025 Budget.

Transportation Committee

Planning and Zoning Committee

• 633 E Street, SE, Rear Project: To construct a second story addition, and convert to a principal dwelling unit, an existing, semi-detached, commercial building in the RF-1 zone.
• Report on alley closing community benefits agreement, Square 762.
• Report of the Committee

Southeast Library Task Force

• Update on Traffic Issues Around SE Library.
• Report of the Task Force..

Report for the Public Parks and Recreation Spaces Task Force

Public Safety Committee

• Motion to change date for next meeting to April 24. 
• Testimony in Support of Bill B25-0536: The Home Purchase Assistance for 911/311 Call-Takers and Dispatchers Amendment Act of 2023.
• Report for the Public Safety Committee.

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee

• Report of the Committee.

ANC6B Administrative Matters

• Adjust April Date of Public Safety Committee to Avoid Conflicting with Second Evening of Passover. Suggested New Date: April 24^th.

Tuesday, April 9

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 Speakers

• TBD, DC Department of Buildings (DOB) – Vacant Property.
• TBD, DC Water – Lead Service Line Replacement Update.

DC Government Updates/Presentations

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

Community Comment

New Business Items

• Treasurer Item.
• Monthly Treasurer Report.
• Approve FY 2024 Q2 Quarterly Financial Report.

ANC 7D Committee Updates

• Public Safety Committee
• Economic Development, Housing Justice, Zoning and Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee
• Transportation & Public Space Committee

Other Commission Business

• Proposed motion: ANC 7D to send a letter to DDOT in support of roadway improvements at the intersection of 16th/North Carolina/C Streets. NE.
• Discussion of hiring administrative support for ANC7D.
• Commissioner Single Member District (SMD) Report.

Wednesday, April 10

ANC6C 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:

Consent Calendar

• 420 H Street, NE – Public Space Improvement

Transportation and Public Space Committee

• Proposed letter to DDOT on Florida Avenue

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee

• Application of Heritage Foundation for zoning relief to continue operation of nonadjacent parking lots in the alley complex bounded by 3rd, 4^th, D and E Streets, NE.

Thursday, April 11

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

• History of H Street NE – Dr. Kyla Sommers, Historian and Author of When the Smoke Cleared (https://thenewpress.com/books/when-smoke-cleared )

Consent Agenda

• Motion that ANC6A approve a grant to Miner Elementary School PTO in the amount of $1,000.00 to fund the renovation of a turtle habitat.
• Motion that ANC6A send a letter to ABCA to protest the license application of Verg Enterprises LLC at 1230 H Street, NE.
• Motion that ANC6A take no action with respect to the application for renewal of a Class A Retail Liquor License by 7 River Mart at 250 11th Street, NE.
• Motion that ANC 6A take no action with respect to the application for renewal of a Class A Retail Liquor License by Exotic Wine and Spirits at at 801 Maryland Avenue, NE.
• Motion that ANC 6A send a letter of support to the HPRB re new two-story and basement rear addition to an existing two-story rowhouse at 216 11th Street, NE.
• Motion that ANC 6A send a letter of support to the BZA Request for a Modification of Consequence from Board of Zoning Adjustment Order to construct a new detached, two-story, accessory garage with second story dwelling unit to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit at 1127 G Street, NE.
• Motion that ANC 6A send a letter of support to the BZA re Request for a Special Exception from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story with cellar, rear addition, to an existing, attached, three-story, principal dwelling unit at 235 10th Street, NE.

Standing Committee Reports:

Community Outreach

Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis

Transportation and Public Space

• Motion that ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT Acting Director Sharon Kershbaum, Ali Shakeri, DDOT Infrastructure Project Management Division and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen requesting that the crosswalk be restored at Florida Avenue and M Street NE so that there is a way for west bound bicycles and pedestrians to access M Street NE and the NOMA/Gallaudet metro station and request that the traffic signal division review and adjust signal timing to further slow driver speeds to the existing speed limit on Florida Avenue NE.

Economic Development and Zoning

New Business

• Single Member District reports .
• Community Comments.

Saturdy, April 13

• The NE/SE Libraries Joint April Book Sale to benefit both the Friends of the Northeast and Southeast Libraries is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 10-3:00pm, at the Northeast Library.

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

• Artomatic continues through April 28 at Artomatic, 2100 M Street, NW.  For more, go here:  https://www.artomatic.org/