Author Archives: ljjanezich

CM Allen Urges Collective Action to Address Recent Hill East Shootings.

by Larry Janezich

Last night, CM Charles Allen told a community meeting on the August 28 double shooting in the 1400 block of A Street, SE, “We can’t think of this as only a police issue,” and urged that the community pull together in a collective effort to find meaningful solutions to violence in the neighborhood.  One of the victims was Robert Chandler* (see below), a community activist, who was seriously wounded but is recovering and expected to be discharged from the hospital next week.  The other victim was shot in the calf and was released from the hospital after being treated.  Some 70 neighbors attended the meeting which was held at the Community Action Group Headquarters at 124 15^th Street, SE, and organized by ANC6B Chair Chander Jayaraman.

Commander Morgan Kane of the MPD’s First District said police had minimal information on the shootings.  So far, she said, the investigation has revealed that a “mixed group was hanging out when two individuals walked up – something was said – and there was gunfire.”  There were two guns involved and six shell casings were recovered.  “We don’t have a lot of information on who the shooters were,” she added.

Allen, who lives about five blocks away, pointed to actions he had taken in the immediate aftermath:  DOT has changed lighting in an effort to create a safer space and he has received a commitment from the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement to insert violence interrupters into the neighborhood.  In addition, he is supporting Jayaraman’s efforts to promote community engagement through social events.  He stressed the need for residents to engage and get to know the police officers patrolling their streets.

One of the problems which appear to have defied enforcement attempts is the presence in the neighborhood of outsiders who deal drugs.  Residents complained that they see a familiar pattern of narcotic unit arrests followed by displacement of the problem to a few blocks away.  Often, violence is associated with illegal activity and meetings such as Wednesday night’s meeting results in a temporary increase in MPD activity.  Kane explained that she has to deploy resources in a balanced way throughout the First District and urged residents to take advantage of the Mayor’s Private Security Camera Rebate Program, saying “If we can’t prevent crimes, we need the tools to bring justice to victims and victim’s families.”  She said the First District Crime Suppression Unit would follow up on the work of the narcotics unit in the 14th Street hot spot.

ANC6B Commissioner Denise Krepp, a frequent critic of the US Attorney’s office failure to prosecute, pointed to a list of about 100 Hill East crimes since 2016 which she had compiled.  Of those, only five or six had been prosecuted, and when she asked why cases had not been perused, she said, the response was, “We can’t tell you.”  She urged attendees to work together and individually to hold the US Attorney’s office accountable.

Allen said that “Meetings like this keep the momentum going and allow us to move forward.  MPD is a great partner, but we need a holistic approach and we can’t just look at enforcement.  We have to look at why there’s a problem.  Is it resources?  Employment?  This is your neighborhood and we have to decide what we want the steps forward to be … we can’t have a top down approach.”

The councilmember also urged being careful about the “us vs. them” sentiments evident in some of the concerns raised, referring to different viewpoints expressed by life-long residents and those who are more recent arrivals.  Some attendees in the diverse group cited personal experiences illustrating problems relating to police officers while others felt police were not being diligent enough in addressing quality of life issues in the neighborhood.  Community activist Maurice Cook stressed that police resources are distributed unequally, and other parts of the city are “ten times worse.”  He said that police don’t protect all residents the same and much depends on how you prioritize your own well-being.

Kane said that many times police are put in the middle of what should be a community conversation:  “We try to focus on robbery, guns, and shootings.”  She urged the community to increase communication with the police and said she would emphasize to her officers the need to engage the residents of the neighborhood on a personal level.

In the interests of furthering community engagement, Jayaraman announced that he was sponsoring a block party at 14^th and A Streets, SE, on September 29.

A link to information on the Mayor’s Private Security Camera Rebate Program is here:  https://ovsjg.dc.gov/service/private-security-camera-system-incentive-program

*A Go Fund Me page to help cover medical expenses for Robert Chandler is here:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/hill-east-together-for-robert

The Week Ahead….ANC Transportation Committees Consider “Micromobility Corrals” on Wed/Thurs

By Larry Janezich

Monday, September 3

Labor Day.  No trash or recycling pickup.

Tuesday, September 3

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.

Draft agenda:

Payne School Public Art

Eastern Market Metro Plaza Parks, Public Space Permit application permanent improvements.

715 North Carolina Avenue, SE. Historic Preservation application to remove rear addition and construct new addition, convert from 2 units to single family dwelling.

Congressional Cemetery. 1801 E Street SE; Historic Preservation application for a one-side porch addition and associated paving.

715 8th Street, SE (Pineapple & Pearls). Public Space Permit application, to add Furniture/Equipment to Cafe Plans.

224 South Carolina Avenue, SE. Zoning Adjustment application for a variance to construct a second story rear addition.

328 Kentucky Avenue, SE. Zoning Adjustment application for a special exception to construct a two-story, principal dwelling unit addition on an existing retail use building.

1429 D Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment application for a special exception to permit a one-story existing accessory structure at the rear of an existing, attached principal dwelling unit.

Comments on HPRB Draft Sustainability Guidelines; Guidelines are written by OP and accepted by HPRB. The guidelines were delayed by two months to allow for extra comment from ANCs and DOEE. Link: https://planning.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/op/publication/attachments/SustainabilityGuidelines_June28_2019_1.pdf

Potential Heliport Site:  Consideration of a possible ANC 6B Map Amendment to rezone the triangle bounded by 11th Street, Southeast Freeway, and the Anacostia River from high intensity industrial uses to medium density mixed use zoning.

Wednesday, September 4

ANC6B Transportation Committee will meet at 7:00pm in the conference room, ground floor, at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Draft agenda:

Notice of intent regarding installation of curbside bike and scooter parking “corral.”  (See also, ANC6C Transportation Committee meeting on “Micromobility Corrals,” Thursday, below.)

Discussion on 17th Street, SE, Bike Lanes.

Request to DDOT to Relieve Congestion at 3rd and Virginia Avenue, SE.

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 7:00pm, Northeast Library, 7^th and D Streets, NE. 

Draft agenda: 

224 C Street, NE.  Zoning Adjustment application for special exceptions to construct a one-story rear addition to an existing accessory structure.

667 F Street, NE.  Historic Preservation application for concept approval for reconstructed garage, reconfigured rear door, and rear deck with steps to garage roof.

609 H Street, NE.  Zoning Adjustment application for a special exception to operate a massage  establishment in an existing mixed-use office building.

310 5th Street, NE.  Zoning Adjustment application for a special exception to construct a two story rear addition to an existing semi-detached principal dwelling unit.

Logan School, 215 G Street, NE.  Historic Preservation application – revised application of DC Public Schools for approval for modernization and addition.

Second proposed rule making to rewrite DCMR Title 12 (Construction Codes).

Community meeting on last week’s shooting incident at 15^th and A Streets, SE.  7:00pm, at the CAG (Harold J. Gordon Building) 124 15^th Street, SE.

ANC6B Chair Chander Jayaraman:  “In my conversations with neighbors since Wednesday night, I believe that there is a shared resolve within the whole community that more needs to be done to improve safety on our blocks.  Mobile bright lights can provide temporary respite from our immediate fears, but it cannot address the underlying problem that people from outside of our neighborhood are using it to conduct illegal activities.  We need to take back our block and it can happen if we demand action from our city agencies but also do our part through community policing.  I welcome all neighbors to attend this important meeting….  I have invited Councilmember Charles Allen, Attorney General Karl Racine’s Office, and MPD to attend and hope that we have a large showing of neighbors to demonstrate our resolve.”

Thursday, September 5

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Draft agenda:

Ambar, 523 8th Street, SE.  Substantial Change application to expand to 3rd floor, adding 56 additional seats and increasing total occupancy from 140 to 196.

The Brig, 1007 8th Street, SE. Substantial Change application to add Sports Wagering to their operations. Establishment will have one teller, two self-service kiosks, and geo-fenced applications for phones while on the premises.

Wine and Butter, 1023 East Capitol Street, SE.  Substantial Change application for a Class Change from Retailer “B” to Retailer’s Class “B” Full-Service Grocery store.

Hine Restaurants, 320 7th Street, SE.  New Retailer’s Class C Restaurant with a seating capacity of 230 and Total Occupancy Load of 400 and Summer Garden with 150 seats.  Hours Of Operation For Inside Premises And Outside In Summer Garden: Sunday through Thursday 7am – 12am, Friday and Saturday 7am – 2am; Hours Of Alcoholic Beverage Sales, Service, And Consumption For Inside Premises And Outside In Summer Garden: Sunday through Thursday 8am – 12am, Friday and Saturday 8am – 2am;

District Soul Food, 500 8th Street, SE.   Class “CR” Restaurant License Renewal

ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 2nd St. NE, Room G3-G4

Draft agenda:

2nd & F Streets, NE – Micromobility Corral.  As part of a new city-wide initiative, the District Department of Transportation would like to install a Micromobility Corral, a designated parking spot for bicycles and scooters, in the bollarded area on F Street at 2nd Street, NE. The intention behind installing designated parking for micromobility is to declutter sidewalks by providing bicycle and scooter parking. We are interested in your feedback on this proposal and encourage you to share this information with your constituents. The Capitol Hill BID helped select this location.  Each corral will be able to accommodate six bicycles and approximately six scooters. DDOT anticipates this spot will provide a well-ordered parking area for dockless vehicles and increase access for pedestrians.

1st & K Street, NE – Proposed Capital Bikeshare Station

The District Department of Transportation is proposing to install a new 17-dock Capital Bikesharestation in your Advisory Neighborhood Commission on the southeast corner of 1st & K Streets, NE. This location was proposed and approved in 2014 but was not installed and DDOT wishes to pursue this station again. DDOT intends for this piece of public transportation infrastructure to bolster the existing network of stations in the NoMa neighborhood and believes this is a strong location.

Friends of Southeast Library meet at 5:30pm in Southeast Library, lower level. 

Friday September 6

King Bullfrog At Southeast Library, 10 am and 11 am

Join us for a special performance from local children’s performers King Bullfrog. The musical duo will sing and play favorite and original songs for the whole family.  All ages.

Saturday, September 7

Community Litter Cleanup

9:00am – Trusty’s and Atlas Vets have 10:00 am cleanup starts. Volunteer bag and glove pick-up locations include Fulcrum Properties – 1328 G Street, SE; Trusty’s – 1420 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; 7-11 – 1501 Independence Avenue, SE; Atlas Vet – 1326 H Street, NE; Chik-fil-A – 1401 Maryland Avenue, SE (offering free breakfast sandwich to volunteers); and Wine & Butter Cafe, 1023 East Capitol Street. Volunteers return filled bags to any of these sponsors.  At 10:00 am, Fulcrum Properties offers mimosas, coffee and donuts to volunteers. Info on rain cancellation will be available by emailing here: CleanCapHill@gmail.com

Dirty Water Is H Street’s First Sports Betting Applicant – Duffy’s Not Far Behind

by Larry Janezich

Last week, ANC6A’s alcohol beverage committee considered Dirty Water’s sports gambling application, then took a wait and see approach, referring the Boston-oriented H Street sports bar to the full ANC6A meeting on September 12.   The matter before the committee was a request for a “substantial change” in the establishment’s liquor license.  If a substantial change is granted to the liquor license, it would come up for review every three years with the renewal of the liquor license.

The process of establishing sports betting in DC – authorized in December, 2018 by the city council – is “uncharted water,” according to Dirty Water owner Ted Luongo, but the discussion at the meeting revealed some details on how it will work, and potential problems.

Luongo, told the committee that he was trying to figure out the process as he goes along, “like everybody else.”  He said Dirty Water has to have sports betting to be competitive.   City officials are still working out the regulations, restrictions on advertising, licensing details, and a ban on betting on local college sports.  Luongo said that having ABRA involved was a new wrinkle that added an additional level of bureaucracy to the process.

DC’s sports gambling industry will be overseen by DC Lottery which has no process for public review.  Committee chair Jay Williams explained that requiring applicants to amend their liquor license to allow for a “substantial change,” gives the public an opportunity to weigh in on the process.

Luongo’s application says he intends to have three kiosks – which look like ATM machines – in his third floor bar as 816 H Street.  He also said that a mobile app is being worked out that would work only inside a venue’s physical location.  The app is unlikely to launch before January.

Getting a sports betting license for small players will take three to six months, not in time for the beginning of this year’s football season.  Luongo says that for him, a January start date is more realistic.

Asked how the pay out to winners would be handled, Luongo said “We don’t want to be in the casino business.  No one uses cash any more.  Details haven’t been worked out yet, but the goal is to pay out directly to a winner’s account by mobile phone.”  He says, if it ends up being a cash payout on site, “we’re not going to do it.”

The ANC voted 3-0 to take no action, which will bring it up before the full ANC in September.  Duffy’s Irish Pub at 1016 H Street, is expected to file an application for sports wagering in September and on lower Barracks Row, The Brig is expected to follow suit.

Asked for comment on the committee action, Chair Jay Williams said, “It’s hard to be proactive on an issue so unknown. The sports betting industry is heavily regulated.  The committee’s approach was wait and see – avoid imposing new regulations when we’re not sure how it will work out.  We don’t want to solve problems when it’s not clear that there are problems. We should wait and see how others react others – how other ANCs respond, including ANC 6A, and address problems as they come up.  Both Dirty Water and Duffy’s have been responsive to ANC concerns and are good neighbors.  I’m confident that if concerns arise they will address them.”

Upscale Southern Style Cuisine on H Street – KitchenCray Looks for Late October Soft Opening

by Larry Janezich

ANC6A’s alcohol beverage committee endorsed Kitchencray’s restaurant liquor license application last week, clearing the way for full ANC6A approval in September.  The restaurant hopes to have a soft opening in late October, depending on permits.  The fine dining with full bar restaurant is at 1301 H Street, NE.

KitchenCray will serve southern-style cuisine under the direction of Chef JR Robinson, formerly of the Blue Duck Tavern and Indulj on U Street.  A sister restaurant in Lanham, Maryland features a popular Lobster Mac, shown above.

The venue’s occupancy load will be 120 with seating for 110 inside, plus an additional 30 seats on the sidewalk café.   Hours are Sunday, 10am – 9pm; Monday – Friday, 4pm – 2am; Saturday 10am – 2am.  The sidewalk café will shut down at 9pm on Sunday and 12 midnight the rest of the week.

The Cray part of the restaurant’s name stands for Creative Revolutionary Artistic Youth – referencing Chef JR’s commitment to teach underprivileged youth about healthy eating and inspire them to pursue a career in culinary arts.  Here’s a link to the home page and the menus featured at the Lanham, Maryland outlet.  www.kitchencray.com

 

The Week Ahead… Mayor Bowser in Hill East on Monday & Helipad(s) on Capitol Hill?

by Larry Janezich

Monday, August 26

Community Meeting on Proposed Helipad(s) – The DC City Administrator is considering putting up to two helipads to a site at 11th and Water Street, SE.  ANC6B Commissioners Oldenburg, Holman, and Waud have organized a community meeting at 6:30pm at Southeast Library, lower level, to hear community feedback about the proposal.  Commissioners have concerns about noise pollution, impeded  access to the Anacostia River Trail, and ecological dangers presented by a helicopter refueling station. A map of the location of the proposed site is below, courtesy of  ANC6B Commissioner Kelly Waud.

Mayor Mayor Muriel Bowser and community members rally from 8:00am to 9:00am in Lincoln Park remind motorists to #SlowDown and adhere to the speed limits in all school zones across the District.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and Chancellor Lewis Ferebee celebrate the modernization of Maury Elementary School with a ribbon cutting.  9:00am, Maury Elementary School – 1250 Constitution Avenue NE

 

The Week Ahead…ANC6A Alcohol Licensing Committee Considers Sports Wagering on H Street, NE

by Larry Janezich

Monday, August 19

ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, N.E.

Among items on the draft agenda:

If filed before the meeting date, consideration of application made by owner of 1519 Constitution Avenue, NE #301, who wishes to add a gate in the rear to access parking spaces.

Consideration of proposal to close a portion of, East Capitol Street west of Lincoln Park on the evening of October 31, 2019 – to improve safety for Halloween revelers.

Discussion of Revel’s plans to add electric shared-mopeds to the transportation mix.

Tuesday, August 20

ANC6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, 10^th and G Streets, NE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

Discussion of application of Kitchen Cray at 1301 H Street, NE, for a new restaurant CR license.

Discussion of substantial change application of Mythology & Lore/Dirty Water at 816 H Street, NE for addition of Sports Wagering to operations.

General discussion of addition of Sports Wagering to liquor licenses in ANC 6A.

Discussion of upcoming relocation of Montana Liquor Store to 710 H Street, NE, (previous location: 1801 Montana Avenue, NE).

Discussion of request for relocation of license by Smokin’ Pig from 1123 H Street, NE, to 1208 H Street, NE.

Eastern Market Metro’s Temporary Playground Opens

by Larry Janezich

After city safety inspectors signed off on the installation of the new equipment on Thursday, the temporary playground on Parcel 1 (between 8th and 9th Streets) of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza opened today.  It will be open dawn to dusk and managed by DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

The temporary playground will be incorporated into a larger permanent playground on the north side of Parcel 1 after construction begins in December 2019 or January 2020.

Funds for the playground came from the developers of the Hine Project as part of the benefits for the community negotiated by ANC6B in exchange for the impact of the Hine project’s increased height and density beyond what zoning would otherwise allow.

Here’s a link to a survey where readers can weigh in with their ideas regarding the options under consideration for the permanent playground:  https://dgs.dc.gov/page/eastern-market-metro-park-project

 

Orchid – Barracks Row’s Gay Bar – Closes

By Larry Janezich

Orchid is permanently closed according to a notice on the bar’s website.  The LBGT community welcomed the new outlet after Phase 1, Barracks Row’s iconic lesbian bar and nightclub, closed in the summer of 2016.  Orchid opened on May 18, 1918, in the space formerly occupied by Senart’s Oyster and Grille Room.

Orchid is owned by Bill Sport of the Hill Restaurant Group and managed by Tom Johnson.  The building is owned by Mary Quillian of Mr. Henry’s.

 

City and Businesses Attack Barracks Row Safety/Aesthetic/Cleanliness Problems

by Larry Janezich

DDOT began the repair of Barracks Row sidewalk yesterday, starting near the 7-11 on the 400 Block of 8^th Street.  The broken and uneven slate pavers set into dirt have been an annoying pedestrian hazard for years.  (CHC first reported this in August, 2013.)  The work will progress down the west side of 8th Street to M Street, SE, and then back up the east side of 8^th Street to Pennsylvania Avenue.  Barracks Row Main Street (BRMS) lead the effort to get DDOT to remedy the sidewalk issues on the street.  The work is expected to take 34 days.

Some sidewalk cafes will be temporarily affected as crews work on the space directly adjacent to them. Brickwork will be repaired where needed, but the majority of the work will focus on the slate section of the tree box line adjacent to the curb.

Martin Smith, Executive Director of BRMS says, I’m very excited about the sidewalk repair – BRMS has been lobbying DDOT for three or four years on this.  Since its complete reconstruction in 2004, the street scape has been a victim of its own success as increased traffic has taken a toll on the infrastructure.”

The sidewalk repair comes in the middle of a new pilot program aimed at the problematic 400 block of 8^th.  The program, undertaken and funded by BRMS, the Capitol Hill Business Improvement (BID) and a collection of Barracks Row property owners, was given impetus by ANC6B Chair Chander Jayaraman who established the ANC6B Barracks Row Working Group chaired by ANC Commissioner Brian Ready, with business co-chairs Tom Johnson (District Restaurant Group) and Gaynor Jablonski (The Ugly Mug).

The components of the pilot project include installation of planters and rose bushes, the assignment of two BID Clean Team members to the 400 block for 8 hours a day, seven days a week, and a BID social worker who will focus efforts on assisting some of the individuals who frequent the block.

Capitol Hill BID President Patty Brosmer said, “This block of 8th Street is busy and has been a challenge for some time. With the extra funding dedicated to address the challenges we are already seeing a difference in the way the block looks and feels.”

After the pilot project concludes in mid-September, BRMS will assess which elements were successful and work to implement longer term funding and partnerships.

Smith said that he was glad to see the two projects overlap – especially in light of the upcoming redesign of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza [scheduled to begin in December].  The fact that these projects are coming together should have a positive impact on pedestrians in the neighborhood.”

Fridge Mural Commemorates 5 Lives Lost to Gun Violence in School Year 2017 – 18

by Larry Janezich

Lauryn Renford’s grief over the death of her boyfriend Zaire Kelly – shot during an attempted robbery in 2017 – inspired her to seek a way to memorialize him.  That idea became a larger project to help call attention to the gun violence visited upon the city’s youths and to spur the community to do something about it.  She co-founded the student advocacy group – Pathways 2 Power – based in Thurgood Marshall High School – that unveiled the mural on the wall of The Fridge, Barracks Row’s art space at 516 8^th Street, SE, rear alley last Friday evening.

Dubbed “The Limestone of Lost Legacies Mural Project,” the mural is an effort to make sure the community remembers these lost lives, envisions the potential these kids had, and urges people to take action.

Pathways 2 Power raised nearly $13,000 to fund the project.  Alex Goldstein, owner of The Fridge, provided the wall space.  Local artist Martin Swift painted the mural.  Attorney General Karl Racine lent his presence and his praise for Renford to the unveiling.

In her remarks, Renford remembered the five victims whose portraits adorn the wall:

Paris Brown: a creative student who enjoyed telling his story through wordplay.

Jamahri Sydnor: a college-bound young woman who was loud and proud on her cheerleading team.

Steve Slaughter: a ninth-grader who had the deepest passion for football.

Taiyania Thompson: a 16-year-old with a family that claims the sun would not shine without her.

Zaire Kelly: a twin-brother who was passionate about the inequities in our city, like gentrification.

Renford said that when she began the project in 2017, she had three goals:  first, to humanize the victims, second to have the mural live in a neighborhood with residents who live their everyday lives without gun shots in their backyards, and third, to use this work of art to rally people to action.

She hopes that every time someone walks past the mural, they will reflect on what they can do to further the conversation and end the epidemic of gun violence.

As of yesterday, there have been 101 homicides in DC.  Renford, who won a four year scholarship to George Washington University, pledges to continue her work against gun violence.