Author Archives: ljjanezich

Part of the pleasure of visiting Capitol Hill Books at 657 C Street across from Eastern Market is experiencing the acerbic wit behind the admonitory notices reminding customers to return books where they came from, to wit, the above.

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 5

CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm at Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE. 

Tuesday, February 6

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

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation/consideration of a letter regarding renovation of Potomac Avenue Parks

1511 C Street SE; Zoning adjustment – Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing one-family dwelling.

656 Independence Ave SE; Zoning adjustment – Special Exception to construct a two-story, rear addition to an existing one-family dwelling,

Letter to DC Water, DCRA regarding night work within 500 feet of residences.

Wednesday, February 7

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

Among items on the agenda:

Discussion on the DDOT decision for 8th and A Streets parking issue, SE.

Discussion on traffic problems at Brent and Tyler Elementary schools.

Proposed letter on Park Drive.

Public usage of Lot 843 in Square 1046 (tentative).

Thursday, February 8

The ANC6B ABC Committee which usually meets this day has not scheduled a meeting. 

ANC6A meets at 7:00pm at Miner Elementary School, 601 15^th Street, NE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Presentation:  District Department of Transportation Director Jeff Marootian.

Motion that the ANC approve the submitted Settlement Agreement with Truth Hookah/Cigar at 1220 H Street, NE, and not protest its request for a restaurant liquor license.

Recommendation that ANC 6A provide a letter of conditional support for the 2018 Rock and Roll Marathon on the condition that the organizers commit to meeting with the ANC prior to their meetings with DDOT and HSEMA in order to discuss the possibility of alternate routes that do not repeatedly impact ANC 6A and the streetcar for the 2019 race, and that ANC 6A oppose the “Clean Route” requirement that no cars be permitted to park along the route far in advance of the race.

Recommendation that ANC 6A send a letter of support to the Mayor’s Task Force on Special Events for the 2018 Capitol Hill Classic race and oppose the “Clean Route” requirement that no cars be permitted to park along the route far in advance of the race.

Recommendation that ANC6A send a letter to DCPS and DGS encouraging them to request a variance and seek other ways of increasing playspace at Maury Elementary School.

Recommendation that ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting they engage with DCPS to come up with a solution to the challenges regarding parking and space restrictions at Maury Elementary School.

Recommendation that ANC6A send a letter to BZA asking for flexibility in the interpretation of parking requirements at Maury Elementary School.

Saturday, February 10

The Friends of Southeast Library will hold a book sale from 10:00am until 3:00pm at Southeast Library, lower level. 

Maury Elementary School will hold a book sale in the Eliot Hine multi-purpose at 18^th and C Streets, NE, from 10am until 2:00pm.  Hundreds of books to choose from for both children and adults – $1 for paperbacks and children’s books and $2 for hardcovers.  Also for sale:  valentine treats, popcorn and hot chocolate, & valentine pencil-grams.  There will also be a make your own bookmark craft station.  All proceeds will go to sending Maury 5th Graders to space camp in 2018.

Diane Hoskins, ANC6B02 Commissioner, resigned today

ANC6B02 Commissioner Diane Hoskins Resigns

by Larry Janezich

ANC6B02 Commissioner Diane Hoskins announced her resignation today, effective immediately, saying the demands of a new job were incompatible with serving the neighborhood.  The announcement came in the form of a letter to Director of the DC Board of Elections, Alice Miller, and is as follows:

Hoskins was elected in 2014 to succeed retiring commissioner Ivan Frischberg.  She recently stepped down as ANC6B Treasurer.  Hoskins and has been an active supporter of efforts to manage the impact on the neighborhood of Hine Project and has been the ANC’s representative on the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee.  Her single member district includes Eastern Market, the Hine Project, and Eastern Market Metro Plaza.

The usual procedure for filling the seat once ANC6B declares it vacant is by special election at a time and place determined by the ANC.  Capitol Hill Corner will post the details as they become available.  A map of ANC6B is below showing the boundaries of Single Member District 6B02.  If only one candidate emerges, the usual procedure is for the ANC to declare that candidate the new commissioner.

Map of ANC6B.  ANC6B02 contains within its boundaries Eastern Market, the Hine Project, and Eastern Market Metro Plaza

The neon Tibetan lettering means “dumpling” in the evening window of Bullfrog Bagels – 317 7th St. SE

Tibetan Dumplings at Eastern Market?  Here’s the Menu

by Larry Janezich

Former popup restaurant Dorjee Momo has found an evening home (at least through August – maybe longer) at Bullfrog Bagels on 7^th Street near Eastern Market.

When evening comes, Bullfrog Bagels – which operates 8am – 2pm, is transformed into Dorjee Momo with the addition of traditional Tibetan décor at the 22 upstairs seats.

Momos are vegetable or meat Tibetan dumplings, some gluten free, and can be accompanied by Tumeric rice, sweet buns, spicy Tibetan sauce, or “roadside pickles”.  See the menu below.

The restaurant also offers a vegetarian or meat based Sichuan hot pot for four which – the owners warn – can be made more spicy, but not less.

Beverages include wines – and cocktails with a decidedly Tibetan spin.

Co-owner Dorjee Tsering worked at Bullfrog Bagels, Maketto, and Sospeso.  He and his wife/partner Amjerjade started catering traditional Tibetan dinners in private homes before graduating to Union Kitchen which helps launch fledgling restaurants.  That led to popups and the stint at Bullfrog Bagels.  Next stop: a permanent brick and mortar outlet.

Dorjee Momo is open Thursday – Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.  317 7th St. SE; for their webpage, go here:  http://www.dorjeemomo.com/

Ebenezer Methodist Church, 4th and D Streets, SE. Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Divided Historic Preservation Board Objects to Ebenezer Church Mechanized Parking Plan

by Larry Janezich

Thursday morning, The Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) concluded consideration of a plan for a 16 car mechanized parking unit behind Ebenezer Church at 400 D Street, SE, located within the Capitol Hill Historic District.  The proposal failed to get the required majority endorsement on a 3 – 3 vote.  But it might not be over.

As previously reported, opposition was largely based on the likely consequences of a proposed curb cut on 5^th Street which would allow access to the parking garages.  Residents feared that among other effects, traffic would backup on 5^th Street, SE, as many vehicles arrive simultaneously for Sunday services.  The developer pushed to have the issue of the curb cut passed on to DC Department of Transportation (who has the final say) without input from HPRB, but several of the Board members asserted that the curb cut fell under their province.

Board member Outerbridge Horsey said, “I looked up the definition of compatibility.  It means harmony.  I see conflict everywhere….it’s incompatible.  The whole is worse than sum of its parts….I see issues with timing of cars coming and going out.  I see this as within our purview.  I’m not saying I could never get on board; I like the structure and it is doing what it needs to.  But you need to think through these impacts; I’m not in support as it currently stands, but could be, given more attention to alleviating potential back-ups.”

Opponents of the project presented a petition signed by 70 neighbors who oppose the project; other neighbors presented a letter signed by 16 supporters

It appears that the mechanized parking structures are off the table for now.  The proposal could re-emerge in a different form, or the Church could simply seek a curb cut from the DC Department of Transportation – a likely easier hurdle than approval by HPRB – and park as many cars as they can in the 12,000 square foot space.

ANC6B Vice Chair Chander Jayaraman presented the case to HPRB for ANC6B’s opposition to the project.  Jayaraman told Capitol Hill Corner:  “The split decision in this case by the HPRB is emblematic of the struggle that ANCs representing historic areas of DC face between responsible development and historic preservation.  Over the several meetings on the proposed Ebenezer development, it was apparent to me that the community supports Ebenezer Church and recognized the need for the church to develop their underutilized property.  However, testing a new mechanical parking garage concept that would serve only the applicant and eliminate all green space was asking too much.

I think that if this parking concept was proposed outside the historic district, I would be more supportive to see if new technologies and more efficient use of space can alleviate the daily parking struggle.”

A cross section of the plan shows the three level parking structure on the left. On the right is a cross section of one of the five new townhouse rental units being built be the Church, and one of the five parking spaces behind those new units.

Historic Preservation Board Resumes on Ebenezer Church Parking Issue this Thursday

by Larry Janezich

The Historic Preservation Review Board has revised its February 1 Continuation Meeting schedule to accommodate continued consideration of the Capitol Hill Historic District Case at 400 D Street SE Ebenezer Church).

9:00 – 9:30     400 D Street SE, HPA 17-488, concept/construct parking structures [continuation from January 25th meeting]

The meeting will be held at 441 4th Street NW in Room 220-South.  Applicants and those interested in testifying should arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to the assigned time for the case.

HPRB Meetings are streamed live.  Go here:  http://bit.ly/2ndn7Jc and click on “View Live Video” in column on the left to view hearings.

For a report of the initial HPRB consideration of the case, see CHC post here:  http://bit.ly/2DPpoEy

Metro Center

Metro Sales Office at Metro Center to Re-open with Expanded Hours on Feb 26

by Larry Janezich

Metro’s in-person sales office is moving back to an inside Metro Center Station and will offer expanded hours, starting February 26, 2018.

The announcement, by press release, stated, “The new Metro Center Sales Office will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. – two hours later than the existing sales office at Metro Headquarters, which closes at 4 p.m. The new location will allow customers to conveniently purchase SmarTrip® cards, add value to their card, purchase senior and specialty cards and pick-up bulk sales packages – all without exiting the Metrorail system.”

“Metro Center is the center of Metro, making it the ideal location for our sales office,” said Dennis Anosike, Metro’s Chief Financial Officer. “Relocating the sales office to a space within the rail system will maximize convenience for visitors and customers, who will now be able to purchase fare products without leaving Metro.”

At a January 6 DDOT community meeting at Barracks Row’s Miracle Theater on proposed Circulator Bus changes, Heather Foote – representing Capitol Hill Village – pleaded with officials to consider providing an indoor location in DC where residents can purchase Senior Discount Smart Cards.  She told officials that since the location at Metro Center was eliminated, the only place in the District to buy a Senior Discount Card is the outdoor location at Metro sales office at 600 Fifth St, NW.  Capitol Hill Corner reported on that meeting here:  http://bit.ly/2m2Z2E3

While it is clear that many factors went into the decision to re-open the Metro Center outlet, Foote’s comments brought home to DDOT, at least, needs of seniors in the system which needed to be addressed.

The existing sales office at Metro Headquarters will permanently close on February 23, 2018.

Not What You Think – NWYT is an a cappella ensemble performing pop, light jazz, and folk. They performed at East City Book Shop on Saturday, January 20.

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

There’s not much happening the last week of January

Tuesday, January 30

ANC6B’s Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center to set the agenda for the next full meeting of ANC6B on Tuesday, February 13.

Here’s a capture from today’s meeting.  HPRB Meetings are streamed live.  Go here:  http://bit.ly/2ndn7Jc and click on “View Live Video” in column on the left to view future hearings.

Historic Preservation Board Puts Off Ebenezer Church Parking Plan Until February

by Larry Janezich

Thursday afternoon, the Historic Preservation Review Board considered Ebenezer Church’s mechanical parking proposal but ran out of time and pushed further consideration until its next meeting on February 22.

The board had about 30 minutes before it had to surrender the meeting room and heard briefly from the project’s architect, the ANC6B (which opposed the parking plan), and three community members – one in support of the project and the additional parking it would bring to the neighbors and two opposed on the grounds of the disruption, noise, and traffic that the proposal will bring to the middle of a block in what previously had been green space.  For more, see the previous CHC post see here:  http://bit.ly/2mYGIgD

Coming Soon: HYPE Cafe

HYPE-Café – Ethiopian Coffee Café To Open at 12^th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

by Larry Janezich

Hype-Café, an Ethiopian Coffee Café featuring home-made pastries will open at 12^th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, according to Mahmoud Abd-alla who owns the building which once housed Frager’s Paint Store and a long series of restaurants.  Abd-alla also owns the adjacent buildings occupied by Anh-Dao Vietnamese Restaurant and Pizza-Iole Pizza by the Slice.

Asked when the café would open, Abd-alla said, “When you smell the coffee, you will know it is open,” but later allowed he hoped to open in February.

In February of last year, Abd-alla floated a preliminary proposal to develop the three properties into 32 residential units with 5000 square feet of ground floor retail.  The status of that plan is uncertain.  See CHC post here:  http://bit.ly/2lp8hgX

The speakers were on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  Photo from Saturday, January 21, 2018, circa 12:20pm. Click to enlarge.

Batala Washington, the All Female Afro-Brazilian Percussion Band, showed up to lead the march to the White House.

The pussy hats have become gender neutral.

The Week Ahead…And Photos from the Women’s March on the Polls

by Larry Janezich

Monday, January 22

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

Among items on the agenda:

Announcement that ANC 6A seeking volunteer committee members.

Request for support of the 2018 Capitol Hill Classic 10K race.

ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm at Eastern High School, Parent Center, 1700 East Capitol Street NE (Enter from East Capitol Street).

Among items on the agenda:

Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law presentation of 2018 Vita Tax Preparation program with Catholic Charities.

Tuesday, January 23

PSA #106 meets at 7:00pm at Congressional Quarter Community Center, 1000 5^th Street, SE.

Wednesday, January 24

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00pm in the North Hall, Eastern Market, 225 7th Street, SE.

Among items on the agenda:

Receipt and request for comment on RFP for 300 block of 7th street

Oversight hearings for Department of General Services and request for input

Committee appointments

Special Task Force to study market violation and dispute resolution process.

Market Managers Report

Status of the Leases

Financials

Eastern Market Main Street

Tenant’s Council Report

Thursday, January 25

The Historic Preservation Review Board will meet on Thursday, January 25, at 441 4th Street, NW in Room 220-South.  The Ebenezer Church case HPA 17-488 regarding a curb cut to allow parking on the interior of the block as well at the Historic Preservation Application for two structures housing mechanical parking lifts, is scheduled to be heard from 3:15pm – 4:00pm.