The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted October 5, 2023

Prospective Opening and the menu for the Awakening Bar and Grill on Barracks Row:  The former Extreme Pizza at 520 8^th Street on Barracks Row is becoming Awakening Bar and Grill.  A new coat of black paint and signage coming this week herald the planned grand opening on Saturday, October 25 for an inaugural brunch. 

Here’s a link to their website and menu:  https://awakeningdc.com/ Photo: Awakenings

One step forward and two steps back for Popeyes on Barracks Row.  Still in the buildout stage, a stop work order appeared on the door of Popeyes at 409 8^th Street, SE.  Then some new building permits went up and the stop work order disappeared.  Now a new (double) stop work order is up citing the continuation of work under a stop work order and the unauthorized removal of a stop work order. 

Dos Torros Taqueria at 215 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, is ready to open…

awaiting the final permitting.  On Friday afternoon the restaurant’s owner said he hoped that would happen this week. 

Illegal Weed in the shadow of the Library of Congress has been shut down:  At the September 29th ANC6B’s Public Safety Committee meeting, MPD 1st District Commander Colin Powell said that the previous week, MPD assisted the DC Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration close down TGP Exotics, an illegal weed dispensary literally in the shadow of the Library of Congress.  Powell said one arrest was made and a number of illegal drugs were seized.  The locks have been changed and the property is now under ABCA Control. 

Here’s the sign notifying visitors that The US Capitol Visitors Center has closed “owning to a lapse in appropriations.” 

Tight security at the Capitol on Friday afternoon.  The House was not in session, but the Senate was holding another vote on a short term House-passed funding resolution to permit the reopening of the federal government.  Capitol Police had secured the East Plaza in front of the Senate Wing of the Capitol Building.  Asked what those two tiny figures on the roof of the Senate Wing were doing, an officer replied, “SWAT.”

The Week Ahead…

Monday, October 6

ANC6C’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee usually meets the first Monday of the month.

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

Agenda:  Details on the meeting are not yet available.

Tuesday, October 7

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.  Meeting

Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 1 (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

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

Agenda:

Renewal Applications – Class C Taverns

• Barrel – 613 Pennsylvania Ave SE.  Renewal with Entertainment & Sidewalk Café endorsements.
• The Eastern – 360 7th Street SE.  Renewal with Sidewalk Café endorsement. 
• Tune Inn Restaurant – 331 Pennsylvania Ave SE. Renewal with Sidewalk Café endorsement. 
• Ginza BBQ Lounge & Karaoke Spot – 526 8th Street SE.  Renewal with Entertainment & Summer Garden endorsements, 
• Omakase – 522 8th Street SE.  Renewal – no entertainment. 
• Trusty’s Bar – 1420 Pennsylvania Ave SE.  Renewal with Entertainment, Sidewalk Café & Summer Garden endorsements. 

Ongoing Settlement Agreement/Protest Negotiation

• Ambar – 523 8th Street SE.  Ongoing negotiation regarding settlement agreement and protest hearing. Parties have requested continuance while discussions proceed.

Applications Under Protest or Review

• ALOHA – Medical Cannabis Retailer (Second Application) – 539 8th Street SE. Second application for medical cannabis retailer license, including Delivery Endorsement. ANC6B has retained legal counsel (Kerry Verdi) to assist with protest.

New License Applications

• Awakening Bar & Grill – 520 8th Street SE.  Request for Class “C” Tavern license with Sidewalk Café, Carry-out/Delivery, Entertainment Endorsement (inside only). Draft Settlement Agreement under consideration.
• Streets Market – 1442 Pennsylvania Ave SE. Request for Class “B” Full-Service Grocery Store license with Tasting Permit.

Conversation and discussion about the ABC Committee’s recommendation regarding how to proceed with maintaining commercial diversity on Barracks Row.  At our April meeting, we unanimously passed a motion to “instruct the ANC 6B com­mit­tees on Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis and on Planning and Zoning to propose, by the ANC’s July 2025 meeting, measures to preserve commercial diversity on the part of 8th St., SE, known as ‘Barracks Row,’ including the possibility of a moratorium on licensing new medical-cannabis retailers and ‘fast food restaurants’ as defined in Title 11, Chapter 1 of the DC Code.”

• Community Comments & Concerns
• Input from residents, businesses, and stakeholders
• Review of petition deadlines and hearing schedules
• Committee Discussion & Recommendations
• Votes on recommendations to the full ANC6B

CAC MPD 1^st District Meeting, 6:00pm – 7:00pm at Lincoln Park.  (light refreshment served)

• For more info, go here:  https://1dcac.com/

Agenda:

• 3^rd – 14^th Street Safety Concerns
• G Street – K Street NE Safety Concerns
• H Street NE Crime and Drug Concerns
• Burglaries, Car Jackings, Stolen Auto, Homicides Follow Up
• Policing Streets SE/14^th Place, NE/15^th Street NE/other areas
• 15th and Independence Avenue, SE update
• ANC Commissioners and Block Associations input
• Business and Resident comments

Wednesday, October 8

ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting, 7:00pm – 9:00pm.

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Discussion of Issues at Capitol South Metro Station
• Barney Circle Illegal Left Turns

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: 

• Announcements
• Commissioner announcements
• DC agency informational announcements
• DC Director of National Guard, Marcus Hunt
• Other community announcements/public comment
• Consent calendar

Plenary agenda

Alcohol and Cannabis Licensing Committee

• Scissors and Scotch, 331 N Street NE.  Class C Tavern renewal.
• Lost Sock Roasters, LLC, 1100 4th Street NE.  Class B retail grocery (?)

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development

• 605 Constitution Ave NE.   Historic Preservation Application.  Revised application, concept approval to construct a third story addition to an existing one-story dwelling with a two-story addition.
• 304-308 K Street NE.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  Revised application, area variances and special exception to subdivide an alley record into three record lots and to construct three semi-detached two-story dwelling units.
• Office of Planning omnibus proposed amendments to the zoning regulations.

Ward 6 Walk & Roll to School Day, 7:30am at Lincoln Park.  (For more, see below under Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like you to Know). 

Thursday, October 9

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 Presentation

• Commander Colin Hall, MPD First District

Consent Agenda

• Economic Development and Zoning
• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to BZA in support of a special exception to construct a  second story accessory dwelling unit to an existing, detached, accessory garage, in the rear of an  existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit at 1231 F Street NE.
• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to BZA in support of a time extension 1207 H Street NE; Zoning Adjustment Application.  Submitted by WCP 1207 H Street, LLC, to  extend for an additional two years, Board of Zoning Adjustment Order Number 20943, raze an existing  structure, and to construct a new, detached, six-story with below-grade parking and penthouse, 184- 210 dwelling unit, mixed-use building.
• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to BZA in support of a special extension to construct a third story and a three-story with basement rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story  with basement, principal dwelling unit at 1332 Corbin Place NE in the RF-1 zone.

Transportation and Public Space

• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT requesting replacement of the blinking stop sign at 9th and K St NE and to consider additional safety improvements to the intersection and to 10th and Mass Ave NE.

New Business                                                                                  

• Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter to the DC Council, Director Brian Hanlon DOB, and Director Sara Benjamin Bardin with copies sent to Utku Aslanturk, CEO of Dila Developments, Attorney General Brian Schwalb and ANC 6C regarding real estate developments by Dila Developments (ANC 6A at 1000-1014 H Street NE and ANC 6C at 901 3rd Street NE) and to request that ANC 6C consider sending a similar letter to the cited parties.
• Suggested Motion: Renewal of a class C tavern license for Paste & Rind, LLC dba Paste & Rind, 904 H Street NE.
• Suggested Motion: Renewal of a class C tavern license with sidewalk cafe endorsement for Hoost, LLC dba Nomad Hookah Bar, 1200 H Street NE.
• Suggested Motion: Renewal of a class C tavern license with summer garden endorsement for Queen Vic, LLC dba The Queen Vic, 1206 H Street NE.

 Single Member District reports

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 624 C St SE, Historic Preservation Application (repeat from September).
• St. Peter School, Zoning Adjustment Application  (previously approved HPA). 
• Alley Homes campaign

ANC6D’s is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

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

 Agenda:  Details are not available yet

Saturday, October 11

Book Sale – Northeast Library.

(See Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You To Know About below).

Sunday, October 12

Deadman’s Run, Congressional Cemetery

(See Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You To Know About below).

Capitol Hill Cormer Would Also Like You to Know About

Wednesday, October 8

Walk & Roll to School Day.

Wednesday, October 8, at 7:30 am at Lincoln Park for a Unity Walk.  Bring DC flags or wear a Free DC t-shirt or anything else that is meaningful to you as a symbol of unity.

This year will feature the Ludlow Taylor Dancing Stars, the Watkins Bucket Drummers, and the Eastern High School Marching Band.  Councilmember Charles Allen will emcee.  There will be granola bars and oranges for students and coffee for adults.

Thanks to Amidon-Bowen, CHM@Logan, SWS@Goding, Ludlow Taylor, Maury, Payne and the Capitol Hill Cluster School for already registering. 

If your school isn’t registered, you can register here.  https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/registration/

Wednesday, October 8

Hill Center Event

At Issue: The Politicization of the F.B.I. Featuring New York Times F.B.I. and DOJ correspondent Devlin Barrett and Former F.B.I. Agent Michael Feinberg | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – $10.

For more info, to register and get tickets go here:  https://bit.ly/3IEVuGF

Friday, October 10

Hill Center Event

Iranian Journalist Fatemeh Jamalpour discusses her new book For The Sun After Long Nights: The Story of Iran’s Women-Led Uprising | 7:00 pm – $10.

To register and get tickets, go here:  http://bit.ly/4o2985z

Sunday October 12

Dead Man’s Run is Congressional Cemetery

The annual fall 5K fundraiser race. 5:30pm.

The region’s most death defying and thematic 5k race. This bare bones run is the best way to stay ahead of your grave… by running among them! The race starts inside the cemetery and continues onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music and other fun!

Registration ends on Sunday, October 12 at 5:30pm. 

Go here for more info and to register: https://runsignup.com/Race/DC/Washington/DeadMansRun