Author Archives: ljjanezich

View from Pennsylvania Avenue showing preservation of original facade. New retail is planned for the original space occupied by Frager’s. Click to enlarge.

Frager’s will occupy the ground floor of the new four story infill at the East end of the project.

12th Street Facade, showing restoration of the Frager’s logo.

11th Street Facade showing ground floor retail space and entrance to parking..

Rear facade of the new four story construction, looking NE. (Update:  The ground level triangular space would be Frager’s gardening outlet.) 

View from Pennsylvania Avenue and 11th Street, looking SE.

First Images of the Frager’s Site Development – Hardware Store, Condos, and Retail

by Larry Janezich

Adam Peters, Executive VP of Development for Perseus Realty told more than 50 Capitol Hill Residents tonight, that Perseus would develop the burned out Frager’s site, constructing a four story (plus a penthouse)  mixed use retail/residential project.  The project will include 30 to 40 high-end one, two, and three bedroom condo units, weighted heavily to the larger units intended to accommodate families.  The plan anticipates that Frager’s Hardware will lease 8,500 square feet of retail space, plus some outside space for the gardening facility.  There will be an additional 7,600 square feet of first floor retail which Peter’s says will be filled by community-friendly retail, perhaps a “restaurant or two.”  The plan for 35 below grade parking spaces will be double what city regulations require, i.e., one space for every two units.  The developer will stay at or below the 50 foot height permitted by current zoning.

Peters stressed that Perseus is committed to using “fine materials and well done details” to make the building consistent with the historic character of the neighborhood.  The original façade will be maintained, and the first activity neighbors will see at the site is the bracing of the original walls.  The new construction on the site will employ brick, glass, metal and stone.

Since it is being build “by right” under existing height and density regulations the project will not be subject to the public unit development (PUD) process wherein public amenities are exchanged for increased height and density.  Since it lies in the Capitol Hill Historic District, the new structure will need HPRB approval, which will bring it before ANC6B.

Inclusionary Zoning regulations require a developer of a project this size to set aside 8 to 10 percent of the residential units for affordable housing.  That would mean pricing those units for households making 50 to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Perseus purchased the site last October.  Washington Business reported then the developer had paid $5.7 million for the site.  Construction could start in the spring of 2017, and will take two years, delivering the project in the spring of 2019.

Frager’s was destroyed by fire in June of 2013, as reported and photographed by CHC:  http://bit.ly/1QGbdTB and here: http://bit.ly/1R39h1D.  Despite hopes that they could rebuild within a year, in October of 2014, Frager’s owner John Weintraub told ANC6B that redeveloping Frager’s was “out of his comfort zone.”  He had said earlier, that the fire damaged the site so severely that, “even with insurance proceeds, we could not afford to rebuild the site alone,” leading him to seek other means to rebuild the store by partnering with a developer or selling the site.  A partnership with Roadside Development for redeveloping this site fell through in 2014 after parties failed to reach an agreement on the condition of the site before Roadside purchased the property.

Perseus has developed numerous mixed use projects in DC, VA, and MD.  Among them:  the Greyhound Bus Terminal mixed use project in NOMA and a hotel in the Ballpark District at 1^st and N Street, SE.  Perseus Realty was founded in 2004 by Robert L. Cohen, who remains the President and CEO.  Cohen has been an active participant in Washington area real estate since 1971.  For more information, go here:  http://www.perseusrealty.com/

The second floor Poetry Corner of Capitol Hill Books, 657 C Street, SE, across from Eastern Market

The Week Ahead…Plans for the Rebuilding of Frager’s Hardware – Thursday

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 22

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm at Maury ES (multi-purpose room), 1250 Constitution Avenue, NE, (enter from 13th Street NE).

Tuesday, February 23

ANC6B Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center to set the agenda for the full ANC6B meeting on March 8.

Wednesday, February 24

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) meets at 7:00pm in North Hall, Eastern Market.

Among items on the agenda:

Update on Hine construction plans

Status of leases

Snow storm operations

Market Manager’s report

Thursday, February 24

Community meeting to hear re-development plans for the Frager’s site, which will include  the rebuilding of Frager’s hardware stone and family oriented residential units.  The meeting will be hosted by Perseus Realty, a family owned development company which purchased the site last fall.  7:00pm, Hill Center.

Some 35 residents turned out for a meet with 8 7-Eleven executives last night. Co-organizer ANC Commissioner Krepp stands at upper right.

After 7-Eleven initially declined to attend a previous community meeting, they turned out in force after a letter from ANC Commissioners Krepp and Jayaraman strongly urged their participation.

Elevations of proposed 7-Eleven showing view from Independence and from 15th Street (lower)

7-Eleven Gets an Earful from Unhappy Hill Easters on Proposed 15^th Street, SE Location

by Larry Janezich

Last night, at a community meeting organized by ANC6B Commissioners Denise Krepp and Chander Jayaraman, eight 7-Eleven executives listened as some 35 neighbors expressed their concerns about the proposed 24 hour 7-Eleven on 15^th Street, between Massachusetts and Independence Avenues.  (For map and related story see here:  http://bit.ly/1IWbKxj)

Residents sought assurances that the proposed 7-Eleven would not resemble the 7-Eleven on Barracks Row, with its violence, panhandling, loitering, drug deals, and flash robberies.  Krepp said, “We … are asking you to take the necessary steps to assure that were not going to live with what is happening on Barracks Row.”

Though 7-11 is moving into the 15^th street location by right, individual residents nevertheless rose to state their opposition to the proposed location.  They pointed to the area’s history of criminal activity, which has improved over the years with gentrification, and they fear backsliding when the outlet opens.  A resident said that having a store open 24-7 “means putting us at risk” since the store “will attract foot traffic moving north from the Potomac Avenue Metro stop” as well as customers and clients from drug treatment clinics at DC General and clients from two nearby mental health clinics.  Another said, “You’re going to bring people in. We’re already scared at night. Crime is increasing. There is a potential assault issue in the neighborhood. What if it’s my daughter, what if it’s my son, what if it’s me?”  In addition, concerns were expressed about traffic, parking, and littering.  Dog owners cited example after example of having to protect their animals from discarded chicken bones in parks all over the Hill from 7-Eleven’s bestselling chicken wings.  There was strong pressure from the community for 7-Eleven to hire a security guard for the location.

In response to community concerns, the 7-Eleven reps said that the proposed 7-Eleven will not sell beer or wine, and cited the company’s proactive outreach to MPD for assistance on controlling panhandling and said they would install no loitering signs. (DC has no law prohibiting loitering, a result of the repeal of the “move along” laws of the 60s, which were deemed unconstitutional.)  They will provide three surveillance cameras for the exterior of the building and ample lighting.  7-Eleven further expressed a willingness to consider installing planters to establish a boundary in front of the store.  These promises were tempered by the executives’ apparent acceptance of the conditions at the 7-Eleven on Barracks Row, despite their assurances that they make weekly rounds to check on all stores.

Representatives said that security guards are not an effective tool to deal with flash robberies because even MPD “throws up their hands and say they don’t know how to deal with them.”  They said regarding hold ups that they believe their nationally known Loss Prevention and Safety Program – developed after talking to professional criminals – is more effective than hiring security guards.

Another bone of contention at the meeting was the proposed 24-hour operation of the new store.  7-Eleven justified the hours, not for the money that is made overnight, but as a branding technique whereby customers are always certain that a store will always be open.  Reps noted that it is an essential part of their business model, and further, without a 24 operation, the building will be dark and vulnerable to burglary. Executives mentioned their willingness to participate in community clean-ups and to consider adopting a park.  They also mentioned that, to date, they have not located a franchisee for the new store.  In the event that the store opens without a franchisee it is run by the corporation.

ANC Commissioner Jayaraman cited the 7-Eleven’s on Barracks Row and at 8^th and Maryland Avenue, and said he was “pretty sure” that the measures that 7-Eleven claims to be taking were not working at those stores, and urged the representatives to look at those locations.  Jayaraman urged 7-Eleven not to depend on the assurances from MPD to assuage community concerns. He said with a 300 to 400 officer shortage, MPD was never going to devote significant resources to the store.

A representative told the residents, “Our take away is that we will take all these examples and figure out what we have to do to do better.  We can assure that we will do everything to make this store a beacon in the night, not a problem in the night.”  The reps discounted the value of a security guard, saying, “But a security guard is not the answer. Trust our judgment – there is a better way. We’ve got hard work to do.  I promise you that’s what we will do.”

That pledge was received with some skepticism.  One resident pointed out that the company was assuring that it could do at that the proposed location what it has failed to do at a much more controlled location on Barracks Row – which is nearly across the street from a fire station.  She cited the panhandling, the presence of the homeless, and the “filthy sidewalk” and trash which litters the area (including the once attractive side garden) around the store.  “Why haven’t you fixed it?” she said.   The representative in charge of the store assured that he will work with the franchisee going forward.

Krepp summed up, citing the main concerns of the community:  loitering, pan handling, security, loading hours, lighting, signage, hours – and chicken bones.  She warned that the representatives, “You can’t anticipate what’s going to happen” when schools let out in the afternoon and thousands of students pour into the community.  “You need to be ready,” she said.

View of the site looking Northeast

Residents fear proximity to nearby green space will encourage loitering.

An alley running behind the proposed store opens onto Massachusetts Avenue on one end….

…and onto Independence on the other, and seems likely to encourage temporary parking while shopping. Pranksters have altered the “No Loitering” and “No Drinking” signs.

septcarrés’ showroom is still in the process of coming together. The decorative ceiling installation is a highly crafted 1/3 scale model of a hip roof. The single slab table and bench were custom built for the space.

Some of septcarrés’ cabinetry.

323 7th Street, SE.

Furniture Designer/Builder Sets Up Shop Near Eastern Market

by Larry Janezich

“septcarrés septième rue” (Seven Squares Seventh Street) has opened up at 323 7^th Street, a few doors down from Eastern Market, in the former location of Monkey’s Uncle.  CHC first reported on the proposed brainchild of restaurateur Ari Gejdenson in August of 2014, here:  http://bit.ly/1UaYSX4

The company is whimsically named “septcarrés” and the Seventh Street showroom represents a step forward in a bid to become an even more significant player in the city’s design culture.

Criston Mize, the creative director of the custom furniture design and construction outlet, says on the firm’s website that their goal is to connect creativity with the construction process – not just furniture, and commercial interiors but in residential construction as well.  He emphasized to CHC that septcarrés is a nine member team of designers, craftsmen, and artists based in the company’s workshop in Deanwood.

The firm has worked on many of Capitol Hill’s (and DC’s) hottest new food and drink venues, handling the complete design and interior builds on some of them.  Their project list includes: Maketto, Dolcezza – City Center, Bad Saint, Honeycomb Grocer – Union Market, Denson Liquor Bar, Sotto, Room 11 – Coffee Shop, Petworth Citizen, Crane & Turtle, Toki Underground, Harold Black, and Ghibellina.  Several of the outlets are owned by Acqua al Due owner Gejdenson.

septcarrés is currently building an addition to a Capitol Hill townhome, but has not been authorized to talk about location or other details.

The hours for the showroom “vary” Monday – Friday but are a firm 10:00am until 6:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

More information can be found here:  www.septcarres.com

Pineapple and Pearls is currently anonymous, but not hard to find.

Bill of Fare.

Lemon-Thyme Shortbread, Pineapple and Pearl sticky bun featuring pineapple butter and pearl sugar, Cinnamon bun with white and brown sugar and a buttermilk glaze, and Mexican Hot Chocolate bun spiced with cayenne. Nothing gluten free yet, but according to Silverman, there will be.

Thursday morning, circa 8:45am.

A sign of things to come.

What’s Brewing Next to Roses’ Luxury? “Pineapple and Pearls” Photo Essay

by Larry Janezich

The first phase of the Aaron Silverman’s new dining venue next to his signature Barracks Row restaurant Roses’ Luxury, has been open for a week.  The opening gambit for “Pineapple and Pearls” is a carryout coffee bar and pastry shop that will continue operation after the site graduates to a full service fine dining restaurant in mid-April.  A half hours spent in the shop on Thursday morning saw a steady stream of customers, signaling community approval.

Why “Pineapple and Pearls?”  A coffee bar representative told CHC that the fruit is a traditional 20^th century symbol of hospitality dating from the time New England ship captains placed a pineapple outside their homes to indicate a safe return from the Caribbean and an invitation to friends to visit.  The “Pearl” part adds a fillip of elegance to the name.

The shop is strictly carryout for now – later in the spring, an unenclosed sidewalk café will provide tables and customer seating

The coffee bar is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:00am until 2:00pm, and Saturday, 8:00am until 4:00pm.  Closed Sunday and Monday.

Saturday, February 13, circa 3:30pm.

The Week Ahead…

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 15

Presidents Day.  City government closed.  No trash pickup.

Tuesday, February 16

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

1. Capitol Hill Restoration Society Board of Directors meets at 6:30pm, Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6th Street, SE, Second Floor.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

1. ANC6A Economic Development Committee meets at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, 10th and G Streets, NE.

Among items of the Agenda:

1120 Park Street, NE.  Minor Modification for a special exception to allow a detached garage addition serving a one-family dwelling.

2. PSA 106 meets at 7:00pm in the Community Room, 400 M Street, SE.
3. PSA 105 meets at 7:00pm, Southwest Public Library, 900 Wesley Place, SW (corner of Wesley Place and K St. SW)

Thursday, February 18

1. PSA 108, featuring MPD Acting Captain Damion Taylor, meets at 7:00pm, at Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE.

The rise of the Hine project signifies a new and different dawn for 7th Street, SE

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 8

1. ANC6D meets at 7:00pm at 1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor.

Agenda not available at press time.

Tuesday, February 9

1. ANC6B meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Among items on the agenda:

Election of Committee Chairs.

Establishment of Task Forces and Election of Chairs

Presentation:  Sarah Fashbaugh, Community Resource Advisor, Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration.

Matchbox, 521 8th Street SE, substantial change due to expansion of 1,600 square feet (formerly Las Placitas) resulting in an additional 45 interior dining seats, 14 bar/counter seats, and six exterior patio seats.

Rear 1524 Independence Avenue SE: Parking for Zip Cars.

Letter to DDOT on Southeast Boulevard Feasibility Draft Report.

2. PSA 104 meets at 7:00pm at Stuart Hobson Middle School, 410 E Street, NE.

Wednesday, February 10

1. ANC6C meets at 7:00pm, Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Agenda not available at press time.

Thursday, February 11

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

Among items on the agenda:

Community Presentations:

Deputy Mayor Courtney Snowden

MPD First District Commander Robert Contee

Letter of support to BZA for the technical modifications that the developer is submitting for 1300 H Street, NE.

Letter of support to BZA for a special exception to allow construction of a two-story rear addition to an existing one-family dwelling at 230 12th Place, NE.

Letter of support to BZA for a special exception to allow a third-story addition to an existing one-family dwelling at 619 Elliott Street, NE.

2. CHRS Zoning Committee meets at 7:30pm at 420 10th Street, SE.

Saturday, February 13

1. Valentine’s Concert & Sparkling Wine Tasting to benefit Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church. 6:30pm at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church.  Concert sung by CHPC Choir & friends.  Tickets available at http://www.capitolhillpreschurch.org/

$15 concert only – $30 concert and tasting – $55 for 2 concert and tasting tickets – $100 4 tickets for concert and tasting (childcare included in ticket price).

2. Friends of Southeast Library holds a book sale from 10:00am – 3:00pm at Southeast Library. Volunteers to help set up at 1:00pm on Friday, and take down at 3:00pm on Saturday, are most welcome.

Future home of East City Bookshop

645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

New Indie Bookshop Opening Near Eastern Market

by Larry Janezich

Capitol resident Laurie Gillman will open a new indie bookshop at 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, this spring. The shop is planning a grand opening celebration the weekend of April 30 which will continue through Sunday, May 1, coinciding with this year’s Literary Hill Bookfest at Eastern Market.  A soft opening is planned for the first few weeks of April.  The announcement is in keeping with the quiet revival of independent book sellers in an era which has seen the closing of one chain bookstore outlet after another.  Gillman says, of the 3,200 square foot space, “It will be great to have East City Bookshop, Labyrinth, and Capitol Hill Frame & Photo together as a bright spot of retail in the neighborhood.”

According to the shop’s website, East City Bookshop will cater to book lovers of all ages.  The shop will compete with on-line booksellers by focusing on community engagement – providing “top-notch” customer service, a venue for author events, and space for hosting book clubs in in the shop’s lounge space.  In addition, East City Bookshop will feature letterpress cards, a curated selection of prints, and locally made items.  Gillman says, “We will have online sales and they are pretty speedy.  We will never be able to compete with Amazon on price, but indie bookstores offer so many other things like real people and customer service – we will focus on those…. I’m learning that there are plenty of people who prefer to pay a few more dollars and support their neighborhood businesses.”

Asked what brought her to the decision to open a bookstore on Capitol Hill, Gillman says, “About a year ago, I realized that I was annoyed by the fact that I had to leave the neighborhood to go to a bookstore….Then I became a little obsessed by the idea of an indie bookstore in my neighborhood.  I couldn’t let it go….”  She chose the name East City Bookshop, because she wants to serve the eastern side of the city, where there are no general interest bookstores.  The new store recalls Trovers Books, the much-loved 50 year community institution at 221 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, which closed in August, 2009.

The new outlet will be the third bookseller on Capitol Hill, joining Capitol Hill Books, a used book store on at 657 C Street, SE, and Riverby Books, at 417 East Capitol.  The Fairy Godmother, at 319 7th Street, SE, is a children’s bookstore that has served Capitol Hill for some 30 years.  East City Books sees room for a customer base not served by any of these outlets.

For more on East City Bookshop, see the website here: http://www.eastcitybookshop.com/

The Bank of America ATM on Barracks Row – 425 8th Street, SE

The ATM’s interior last Wednesday afternoon speaks to the casual indifference of the bank or the clientele or both.

The Week Ahead….Mayor’s Ward 6 Town Hall Meeting on Affordable Housing, the Homeless & Crime

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 1

1. ANC6C ABC Committee meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 2^nd Street, NE.

Agenda:

New hotel license for MHF NOMA, 1225 1st Street, NE.

Updates on old business:  Addis Ethiopian at 707 H Street, NE; Craft Beer Cellar at 301 H Street, NE; Po Boy Jim’s  at 709 H Street, NE; The Alibi at 237 2nd Street, NW; Toscana Café,  601 2nd Street, NE; Sugar Factory, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE;  and XO at 15 K Street, NE.

2. CHRS Historic Preservation committee, Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE.

Tuesday, February 2

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

Among items on the agenda:

Support for 11th Street Bridge Park: Scott Kratz, Director of the Bridge Park Project.

125 D Street SE, rear addition/concept. (Ari Gejdenson of Aqua al II, owner)

647 South Carolina Avenue, SE, two-story rear addition replacing existing two-story pavilion/concept.

1247 E Street, SE, request for a 2-Year Extension of the expiration date of the Order granting use variance relief to operate a restaurant in the ground floor space at 1247 E Street, SE.  Also, a variance request to convert storage space at the address into a residential unit.

1620 and 1622 E Street, SE, request to permit construction of three-three story flats on three nonconforming lots.

1445 C Street, SE, (Payne Elementary School) for a special exception from the rooftop mechanical equipment requirements to allow the installation of new rooftop mechanical equipment to an existing school building.

229 10th Street, SE, special exception to construct a three-story rear addition to an existing one-family dwelling.

Rear 1524 Independence Avenue, SE, request for a variance from the off-street parking requirements to commit parking spaces to a car-sharing service at premises (rear) 1524 Independence Avenue, SE.

2. ANC6C Parks and Events Committee meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Agenda:

Updates on neighborhood use of Stuart Hobson Middle School field; Reservation 84 improvements; and NoMa parks issues.

Capitol Riverside Youth Sport Park – Presentation concerning CRYSP’s effort to turn parking lots north of RFK Stadium into playing fields and green space.  Representative:  Mike Godec, President, CRYSP.

Wednesday, February 3

1. Mayor Bowser’s Ward Six Town Hall Meeting, 6:30pm – 9:00pm, a Friendship Public Charter School, 1345 Potomac Avenue, SE, (across from Harris Teeter).

Mayor Muriel Bowser, Councilmembers Charles Allen and Anita Bonds, with Office of DC Attorney General and DCMPD will participate in a Ward Six Town Hall Meeting to discuss 1) Affordable Housing and Services for the Homeless, and 2) Crime Prevention and Criminal Enforcement.

2. ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second Street, NE.

Agenda:

1105 Abbey Place, NE, application of Robert Bailey for a special exception to enclose a rear porch for an existing one-family dwelling in the R-4 District at premises.

629 L Street, NE, application for special exceptions to construct a second-story addition to an existing one-family dwelling in the R-4 District.

Burnham Place (project to deck over tracks north of Union Station) (non-voting) – Informational presentation by the developer concerning the expected review process and schedule for the project to deck over the tracks & construct numerous new structures. Representative: David Tuchmann, Akridge.

Status update on efforts toward DCRA reform

3. ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm, in Hill Center.

Agenda:

DDOT Traffic Calming Study Progress and/or results: 12th and G Streets, SE.

ANC 6B Comments on DDOT Southeast Boulevard Feasibility Study

ANC 6B Report to the Mayor on Reflections on Snow Team Operations during Blizzard 2016

Thursday, February 4

1. ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage Control Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Agenda:

Matchbox, 521 8th Street, SE, expansion of 1,600 square feet resulting in an additional 45 interior dining seats, 14 bar/counter seats, and six exterior patio seats.

2. ANC6C’s Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Agenda not available at press time.

3. PSA 107 with Acting Captain Damion Taylor meets at 7:00pm in Southeast Library, lower level.

4. Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) meets at 5:30pm, in Southeast Library, lower level.

The treehouse over Archibald Walk will have to Be moved back off public space

City Says No To Treehouse Over Archibald Walk

Owners Say OK – But There Will Be A Treehouse

by Larry Janezich

The city told the owners of the treehouse over the historic residential alley Archibald Walk that the structure cannot extend into public space over the alley.  The owners – Bing Yee and Ellen Psychas – say they will move it off public space, but the tree house will stay.

The DDOT’s Public Space Committee met Thursday morning to hold a hearing on an apparently inappropriately issued permit authorizing construction of a “balcony” in public space which allowed the treehouse to be constructed.  At today’s hearing, the question was not on the “balcony” permit as such, but on what committee chair Matthew Marcou deemed a request for a permit for playground equipment in public space.

After hearing support for the treehouse from from Yee and opposition from several neighbors, Marcou, made the motion to deny the permit on the basis that the owners admitted they could have built the structure entirely on their property, that the structure extends substantially into a narrow ten foot wide alley, and that the request was not in keeping with previous approvals of playground equipment on public space.  The vote was 4-0-1, with only Chris Bailey – the DCRA’s representative on the committee – abstaining.

The owners of the tree house say they are disappointed and that they have looked at the feasibility of moving the tree house back so that it does not extend over the alley.  They cite offers of help from architects to redesign the treehouse and from neighbors who do not live on Archibald Walk to help with construction.  Psychas said, “The treehouse is going nowhere.  It will be moved.  We have to do it for our daughters.”

The five member Public Space Committee was established by order of the Mayor to regulate the use of public space – usually defined as the city’s green space but extending to streets, sidewalks, and alleys.  (Oddly, there seems to be no public record of the membership of the Committee.)

Public wrangling over the tree house (first reported by CHC here http://bit.ly/1W7GgGp) has been on-going since mid-January.  Neighbors objected to the structure because of the precedent it would set and for safety reasons, but seemed most upset at the “overwhelming” visual intrusion at what some of them characterized as a very special historic space.  ANC6B Commissioner James Loots, testifying in opposition on his own behalf and not representing the ANC, told the Committee that the alley was unique and historic and it is the front yard of the residences on Archibald Walk.  He said, “This is public space in the truest sense…and approving the permit would dedicate this public space for exclusively private purposes.”

ANC6B had previously opposed the extension of the structure into public space – all be it in the form of opposing the “balcony” permit – by a vote of 8-0-2.