September 7, 2026 · 10:21 pm
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The Week Ahead…& Photos from SE Library (Opening this Thursday*)

The Week Ahead…& Photos from SE Library (Opening this Week*)

by Larry Janezich

Posted September 7, 2026

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

Perhaps the main beneficiaries of the renovation of  SE Library will be the community’s children.  Here’s a view as one descends to the lower level largely dedicated to children.

Here’s another angle. Pictured is Julia Strusienski, branch manager for the Southeast Library.

Here’s the view looking up through the skylight which runs the length of the children’s area on the south side of the library.

And a view from the lower level looking up through the light well in the center of the library.

And a view looking down the light well from the main floor.

Last week’s storm wreaked havoc with the tree canopy.  This giant near the front of the iconic Capitol Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church at 10th and Mass NE was one of its victims. 

The Week Ahead…

Tuesday, September 8

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

Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Updates from committees and taskforces:

Community & Commission Announcements & Speak Out

  • Office of the Mayor (MOCR)
  • Councilmember Charles Allen’s Office
  • Metropolitan Police Department

Update on Items from Executive Committee Meeting

  • Application for the Folger Library for a substantial change that would add a summer garden endorsement to their existing alcohol license.  The Executive Committee voted 4-0-0 to support a stipulated license. 

Presentations

  • TBA

Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee

New Applications

  • BluntSluts Cannabis Parlour is applying for a new medical cannabis retail license. The applicant is requesting Delivery, Educational Tasting, and Safe-Use Treatment Facility endorsements.  This is a woman owned dispensary.  Here’s their website.  https://www.bluntsluts.com/

Renewals

  • DCanter Has applied for the renewal of an alcoholic beverage license at the premises: 545 8th Street, SE. 
  • Yes Organic Eastern Market, Inc.
  • Trader Joe’s East Inc.
  • Capitol Supreme Market
  • Protests/Other Updates

Transportation Committee

  • Update: Presentation from DDOT on Personal Delivery Devices
  • Update: Traffic suppression on Unit Block of 9th St. SE
  • Update: Traffic safety measures (TBD) on 700 Block of 13th St SE
  • Update: WMATA buses on 4th St. SE

Planning and Zoning Committee

400 Seward Square SE. Application for an Area Variance for internal construction only.  Applicant is an apartment building owner.  They propose to convert excess maintenance space into 2 additional units.  This ANC supported and the BZA granted the exact same application in 2020, but the building owner did not go ahead with the project at that time, so the permit expired.  There are only 2 close buildings; the owners of both neighboring buildings have verbally offered their support, and will get it in writing soon.  After BZA approval, it would take ~1 month it would go to the full DOB permit process and  ~ 6 months to get that permit, and then, ~ 6-8 months for construction.  This building is under a possible Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) process (that is, the tenants might buy the building.)

The Committee voted unanimously to endorse, with condition that this endorsement is only related to the BZA, and has no relation to any possible TOPA process. 

ANC7D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Elected District Government Official Updates

  • Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Districts 1, 5 and 6
  • Office of Wendell Felder, Ward 7
  • Eboni-Rose Thompson, Ward 7 Representative, SBOE
  • Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services (MOCRS)

Community Matters

  • Update on Prologis Facility, 3300 Benning Road, NE
  • RFK Campus Notes – Opportunity for Commission and community members to raise awareness around RFK development, planning and construction issues

Commissioner SMD Reports 10 minutes

Business items

Committees

  • Economic Development, Housing Justice, Zoning and Alcoholic
  • Beverage Cannabis Administration Committee
  • Transportation/Public Space Committee
  • Community Outreach and Grants Committee

Proposed Motions:

  • (Alcoholic Beverage Licensing): ANC 7D to protest the transfer of a “Class A” Retailer License to EthioMeloti, Inc  (t/a Kingman Park Wine & Spirits) at 2409 Benning Road, NE unless a Settlement Agreement is reached prior to the protest deadline.

Wednesday, September 9

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Election of new ANC 6C Secretary (count to be certified by Christy Kwan)

Community announcements

Commissioner announcements

DC agency informational announcements

Transportation and Public Space Committee

  • Micro-mobility transportation discussion
  • ANC 6A RFK Master Plan Proposal, as it pertains to H Street NE
  • Proposed H Street BID

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee

  • 408 Constitution Avenue, NE.  Application for a special exception from lot occupancy requirements to add a one-story screened rear porch to an existing two-story dwelling.
  • Alley lot behind 300 block of Eye Street NE.  Application for special exceptions from new alley record lot requirements and alley record lot height requirements to add a new detached four-story plus penthouse 22-unit on an alley lot
  • 203 3rd Street NE.  Application for approval of an illegally constructed rooftop pergola.
  • Draft letter to encourage developers to install infrastructure (e.g., sewer lines under alleys) to promote construction of additional housing.

Grants Committee

  • Status of the h3 grant
  • 2. Role of the OANC auditor

Thursday, September 10

ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, September 10.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Election of Vice Chair

Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee

  • Recommendation: ANC 6A protest a New Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant license for Indochine Cuisine and Lounge, LLC, 1025 H St NE, 1st Floor), unless a settlement agreement is reached, and if a settlement agreement is reached, ANC 6A write a letter of support for a stipulated license for the establishment.

Community Outreach Committee

  • Recommendation: ANC 6A approve a $500.00 increase to the annual community grants budget.

Economic Development and Zoning

  • Recommendation: ANC 6A withhold support from the applicant at 1226 F Street, NE. (The applicant proposes to construct a third story addition to an existing, detached, two-story, 4-unit, apartment house in the RF-1 zone. Requested relief for rear yard and lot occupancy. there are 14 letters of opposition.   Presented at June 17 EDZ meeting in which applicant was asked to negotiate a compromise with neighbors who raised objections. At the July 15, 2026 EDZ meeting, by unanimous vote, the EDZ declined to support or oppose this application pending further negotiations between the applicant and the neighbors.  Absent that, the EDZ recommends that the ANC withhold support on September 10, 2026.  Applicant notified neighbors by mail postmarked Friday, August 14 to attend a meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, which 8 neighbors attended. No agreement was reached. BZA hearing is September 16, 2026.)

 Officer Reports

 Standing Committee Reports:

  • Community Outreach Committee
  • Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis
  • Transportation and Public Space
  • Economic Development and Zoning (EDZ)

Recommendation: ANC 6A refrain from comment on the request by applicant at 800 10th Street, NE, for special exceptions in regards to rooftop elements, lot occupancy, and penthouse setback. (The applicant has completed construction on rear three-story plus penthouse and cellar addition, and converted it to a flat, an existing semi-detached, three-story plus cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.  Three letters of support from 1) both adjacent neighboring business, and 2) across-the-street neighbor.  By unanimous vote at its July 15, 2026 meeting, the EDZ declined to weigh-in on a request for special exception to building elements that have already been built in a non-conforming manner; such comment would be inappropriate for the EDZ.  BZA hearing is October 7, 2026.)

New Business

  • Report – 2026 Mobility Survey
  • Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter to the Greater H Street BID Association, with copies to Councilmember Charles Allen, Phil Coppage, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert and Director Rosemary-Suggs Evans, Department of Small and Local Business Development, in support of formation of an H Street Business Improvement District (BID).
  • Recommendation: ANC 6A approve the appointment of Daniel Aboyage to the Community Outreach Committee (COC).

Single Member District reports (1 minute each)

                                                                    ***

Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You To Know About:

Thursday, September 10

Re-Opening of SE Library.

Official ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, September 10, (Time depends on the Mayor’s schedule, TBA) followed by a community block party that night from 5pm to 8pm in Eastern Market Metro Park.

The new $33 million renovation includes:

Expanded space for children, teens and adults.

More room for books, computers, and seating.

A universally accessible entrance.

An environmentally sustainable design.

More meeting, collaboration, and study spaces.

CM Charles Allen helped secure funding for the $33 million effort and worked with DC Public Library and neighbors to get the design right.

Tuesday September 8

DC Health sponsors a Post-Blitz Community Virtual Meeting to learn about the work completed in the neighborhood, hear what we’ve learned, and discuss next steps for keeping the community rodent-free.

11:00am.  Register here: https://bit.ly/4A3I90w

During the meeting, the Department of Health will:

  • Share updates and results from the Rodent Blitz
  • Discuss rodent activity and common contributing factors
  • Provide practical tips for residents and businesses
  • Hear your questions, concerns, and observations
  • Talk about continued efforts to prevent and address rodent activity

Saturday, September 12

Book Sale at NE Library

The Friends of the Southeast Library (FOSEL) and the Friends of the Northeast Library (FONEL) will hold a book sale this Saturday, September 12, at the Northeast Library. 7th and Maryland Avenues NE.

In general, we have new and mostly used books of all types, including children’s books, fiction, best sellers, non-fiction, cookbooks mysteries, science, science fiction, romance, religion, history, biography, self-help, classics, travel, etc. Our inventory varies widely from sale to sale.

Most hardbacks and paperbacks are two dollars each. Coffee table books, some cookbooks, special items, and some larger books are more. Mass market paperbacks are a quarter!

Proceeds benefit local libraries, especially the Southeast Library, the Northeast Library, and the DC Library.

If you have books to donate, we will take them during the sale. Otherwise, donate during regular business hours by leaving books in the donation bin at the library. Ask the staff for help finding the bin.

Please, NO text books, NO casebooks, NO magazines, NO foreign language books, NO outdated computer books, NO encyclopedias. We no longer want CDs and DVDs.

Questions? bob@bobgellman.com

Sunday, September 13

Hill Center Event.  American Roots Concert Series: The Little Mercies. 

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Free | Reserve here  https://bit.ly/3TbIhu9    

With individual expertise in bluegrass, reggae, jazz, folk, and classical, their collective sound respects tradition while blending genre lines.

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