by Larry Janezich
Posted February 2, 2025
The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted February 2, 2025
RFK and the Commanders: The exterior demolition of RFK is underway. The Friends of Kingman Park RFK Taskforce will hold an in-person meeting on Tuesday, February 4, at St. Benedict’s Church to solicit community input on RFK in anticipation of a February 20 community meeting hosted by Friends of Kingman Park featuring representatives from the Washington Commanders. The event is billed as an opportunity to meet and learn about proposed plans for RFK. Since the Mayor’s office has not reached aa agreement on the proposed construction of a new stadium, any plans presented will be provisional and subject to change. A sign over on the south side of RFK shows the sentiment of how some in the community feel about the stadium.
EAT BRGZ Closes Eastern Market and the West End Locations. The sign on the door says, “We’ve made the strategic decision to move on to an exciting new chapter. It has been a our greatest pleasure serving this community over the past five years …. Thank you for all the love, support and memories that will last a life time.” EAT BRGZ owner Brandon Gaynor opened the burger joint in early summer of 2019, featuring a new concept based on a “complex burger” which set it apart from competitors. See here: https://bit.ly/2IOOcj3
Update on Lobby Bar. Here’s a photo from the past week of the on-going renovation of the former Boxcar at 224 7th Street, SE, across from Eastern Market. The owner of the new Lobby Bar expects to open at the end of February. Photo credit: Maggie Hall.
Acqua al 2’s owner Ari Gejdenson is stirring up the across-the alley-neighbors. Gejdenson is reopening AA2 at 212 7th Street across the street from Eastern Market. All well and good. However, the restaurant’s liquor license placard in the front window includes an application for an “Entertainment endorsement to provide live entertainment inside of the premises and on the sidewalk café with dancing and cover charge.” And it goes on: “House of operation alcoholic beverage sales, service and consumption and live entertainment for inside premises and for the sidewalk cafe. Sunday through Thursday 7:00am to 2:00am Friday and Saturday 7:00am to 3:00am.” That may be a bridge too far. The application will come up before the ANC6B ABC Committee which will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday night at 7:00pm (see below for details). Could be contentious.
Foliage at Frager’s takes over the former Hype Café Space. Staff says Foliage at Frager’s opened up the new space a few weeks ago. A grand opening is a month or so away, but customers are welcome in the new space which is fully stocked with garden supplies.
Here’s what inside the former café looks like now.
BTW – Frager’s is holding its second annual Ladies; Night on Thursday February 13, from 5pm – 8pm, with 20% off everything in the store during the event which features demonstrations, giveaways, and “good eats.”
The Week Ahead…
Monday, February 3
ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.
- To view meeting contact 6D@anc.dc.gov
Tuesday, February 4
ANC6A Alcohol Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
- For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/
Agenda:
- Discussion of a new Medical Cannabis Retailer license with delivery endorsement at Dreamy DC, 1111 H Street, NE.
- Discussion of a letter requesting the city council to pass legislation creating a provision for a moratorium zone for cannabis licenses equivalent to the provision for a moratorium zone for alcohol licenses.
- Discussion of a new Class C Restaurant license with carry out and delivery endorsement at Dumpling Hot Pot Beyond, 1216-1218 H Street.
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
- For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Agenda:
- New restaurant liquor license for Acqua al 2 (212 7th Street, SE)
MPD First District Citizens Advisory Council Monthly virtual 6:00 – 7:15pm
- To join the meeting, go here: https://1dcac.com/
Agenda:
- Discussion of crime in the First District
Also on Tuesday:
- The Friends of Kingman Park RFK Taskforce will hold an in-person meeting at St. Benedict’s Church to solicit community input on RFK
- Representatives of Bridgepoint Hospital at 213 7th Street, NE, will hold a community meeting featuring Chris Lafontsee, the new Chief Executive Officer, Capitol Hill and Perry Limes, the new Vice President of Business Development. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss Bridgepoint Healthcare and community issues. The meeting is at 6:30pm in the Bridgepoint Hospital Conference Room.
Wednesday, February 5
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:
- Update on the Potomac Ave Metro construction.
- Continued discussion on the Penn/Potomac improvement project. Discussion will focus on forming an agreement with NPS for maintenance of the park in the traffic circle.
- Discussion on Lincoln Park traffic safety collaboration with ANC 6A
- Presentation on traffic closures related to the Capitol Hill Classic and discussion of a support letter request
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/
Agenda: TBA
Thursday, February 5
- ANC6C Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Agenda: TBA
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Hill Center Events
Tuesday, February 4 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Free
Reel Abilities Film Festival – 2 screenings. Deaf Giants and Rally Caps. For more and tickets, see here: https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/reelabilities-film-festival-greater-washington/
Rally Caps (In this star-studded family coming-of-age drama, young Jordy, who is recovering from a serious Little League baseball injury, goes to summer camp where he forms a friendship with Lucas, who just had Cochlear Implant surgery. Together, they form a special bond as friends and pitcher/catcher duo and lead their team in the camp championship game.)
Deaf Giants (Baseball-loving 10-year-old Bracken and his younger deaf brother investigate the contrast between early 1900s inclusion of deaf players in baseball and the present, seeking to understand why representation has regressed.)
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 