Author Archives: ljjanezich

Footprint of Frager’s Planned Temporary Structure on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Mural-ed Fence Behind which Frager’s New Structure Will Rise

The Temporary Structure Will Be Similar to That Occupied by Eastern Market During the Building’s Reconstruction

The Temporary Structure Will Be Similar to That Occupied by Eastern Market During the Building’s Reconstruction

Frager’s Owner John Weintraub Meets with Nearby Neighbors of the Planned Strucutre

Frager’s Plans 5800 Square Foot Temporary Structure on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

by Larry Janezich

Frager’s Hardware plans to erect a 5800 square foot temporary structure in the vacant lot surrounding 1230 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  The lot and the town house at that location are owned by Larry Quillian.  Capitol Hill residents have become accustomed to the long fence featuring colorful murals just east of the CVS at 12^th and Pennsylvania Avenue.

The 50’x116′ temporary structure will similar to the temporary structure that housed Eastern Market while the original building was restored after the devastating fire, and like it, will be constructed on a concrete pad.

The new structure will be two and a half times the size of the Frager’s location at 1323 E Street, SE, and much of that hardware stock will be moved to the Pennsylvania Avenue location.  The nursery stock and garden supply will be moved there as well in the event construction on the Hine project forces Frager’s to move from the location opposite Eastern Market.  In an earlier interview, Frager’s owner John Weintraub said that Frager’s might have to move from the Eastern Market location within 12 weeks of the resolution of the current appeal of the Zoning Commission’s approval of the Hine project, now before the DC Court of Appeals.

Applications for the necessary permits for the new structure will begin next month, and depending on how quickly that process can be completed, construction will take a few weeks and the new location could be open for business as early as next spring – March is the target.

Thursday night, Weintraub told a meeting of nearby neighbors called to brief them on Frager’s plans that, “We’re just trying to keep Frager’s going and this is one piece of the puzzle.  He said the uncertainty regarding the Eastern Market location and the short term lease on the E Street location plus the fact that there is not enough space there were the reasons driving the decision to put up the temporary structure.  E Street will remain in operation after the new location opens and the paint store will remain at 1129 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Regarding the main site which was destroyed by fire earlier this year, Weintraub said Frager’s is working with the Historic Preservation Office (HPO) to move forward to rebuild.  Frager’s has applied for a demolition permit, but HPO wants to save the façade on Pennsylvania Avenue and on 11^th Street.  Weintraub has a team working on the permit process to shore up the façade which is necessary before debris and hazardous materials resulting from the fire can be removed.  He said, “It will be a couple of years before we can reopen.”

By Larry Janezich
Councilmember Muriel Bowser’s Committee on Economic Development sent a strongly worded message to the Deputy Mayor’s Office regarding its response to the FOIA request on Hine. The message,  sent by Robert Hawkins, charged that the office “improperly withheld responsive records,  improperly referred the appellant to the website of [Recorder of Deeds], and improperly redacted portions of the requested record.”
Hawkins expressed greatest concern over the fact that DMPED “failed to justify these witholdings; such a failure suggests an indifference on the part ODMPED to comply with the spirit and letter of the FOIA law.”
Hawkins concludes with his hope that DMPED will “comply with the appeal order as soon as possible. “

Medstar Announced Plans for an Urgent Care Center at this Location Across from Eastern Market Last January

A View Inside the First Floor of the Home Care and Hospice Association Building at 228 7th Street, SE

Renovation for Eastern Market Medstar Urgent Care Center Underway?

by Larry Janezich

Last week, renovation began on the first floor of the Home Care and Hospice Association Building at 228 7th Street, SE, across from Eastern Market.  Last January, Medstar announced plans for  two facilities with separate entrances at the location:  a primary care facility, open 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, and an urgent care center, open 8:00am to 8:00pm, Monday to Friday and 8:00am to 4:00pm weekends and holidays.  Capitol Hill reported the opening – planned for the fall of 2013.  That posting is here:  http://bit.ly/19XUxPS

An inquiry to the office of Bob Gilbert, President of Medstar Ambulatory Services, to confirm the project’s initiation and ascertain a target opening date was not returned.

A Note on Settlement Agreements…..The Tune Inn and Tortilla Coast As Cases in Point

by Larry Janezich

A Settlement Agreement (formerly known as a Voluntary Agreement) is an agreement between an ANC and an applicant for a liquor license .  ANC6a has their standard Settlement Agreement posted on their website, and though agreements may vary from ANC to ANC, they all have the common goal of creating an environment where the bar/restaurant/tavern may operate as a business within a community while curtailing any adverse effects such a business could have on surrounding neighborhoods.

ANC’s generally make their support of an applicant’s request for a liquor license or renewal of same, contingent on the applicant agreeing to operate the business in a way that minimizes the impact on the neighborhood and to formalize that agreement in a signed document – the Settlement Agreement.   Restrictions on business operations take on additional cogency when neighbors find that the business impinges on their quality of life to an unreasonable degree and complain to the ANC.

In neighboring ANC6B, neighbors complained about the Tune Inn’s late night bottle disposal routine. The Tune Inn initially indicated they would sign an agreement and work to correct the problem, but then backed out at the last minute before ANC6B could formally “protest” the license.    In the case of Tortilla Coast, a technicality prevented ANC6b from following through on a “protest” which resulted from numerous calls to police for issues including disorderly conduct and a repeatedly malfunctioning burglar alarm.  In addition, there have been several ABRA violations, including sale of alcohol to a minor.  Tortilla Coast has steadfastly refused to sign a Settlement Agreement despite having signed one in another location.   Their desire to add an “entertainment endorsement”  to their liquor license – they have karaoke and a Marachi band in mind – gives ANC6b another shot at bringing them to the table to negotiate a Settlement Agreement.

A protest launched by the ANC initiates a mediation process designed to bring the applicant to the table with the ANC to negotiate terms of operation.  ANC6A’s website http://www.anc6a.org/has a category labeled “other documents” and its standard Settlement Agreement is posted at the end of the section of documents related to ABRA.  A copy of that Settlement Agreement can be found here:  http://bit.ly/1dmxQ7F

Tune Inn “Screwed” ANC6b – Commission Unhappy

The Week Ahead ….. Trouble for Phase I, Tortilla Coast, Tune Inn, and lots of H Street Bars

Also:  The future of RFK

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, November 12

ANC6b meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center for its regular November meeting

Among items on the agenda:

Routine liquor license renewals on the consent calendar:  Pour House, 18^th Amendment, Trusty’s Bar, Hawk ‘n’ Dove, Lola’s, The Old Siam, Béarnaise, The Capitol Lounge, Li’l Pub, Wisdom, Sushi Capitol, Sona Creamery/Wine Bar.

Routine public space application on the consent calendar:  sidewalk café for Rose’s Luxury.

Non-routine liquor license renewals and a request for an entertainment endorsement: 

Liquor license renewals – Phase I (trash, dumpster issues), Remington’s, Bachelor’s Mill/Back Door Pub.

Request for entertainment endorsement – Tortilla Coast.  (Tortilla Coast rep was advised there is “zero chance” of this being approved without a signed Settlement Agreement.  Tortilla Coast corporation “thumbed its nose” as one commissioner put it, at ANC6b, refusing to sign a Settlement Agreement for a license renewal.  A technicality prevented ANC6b from filing a protest when the request for license renewal came up before ABRA.)

Letter to Tune Inn Restaurant, 331 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – and ABRA, expressing disappointment that Tune Inn refused to sign a Settlement Agreement in connection with its recent liquor license renewal.   (ANC6b has informally agreed to change its procedures and routinely protest liquor license renewals until a Settlement Agreement is signed – the result of having been “screwed” – in the words of one commissioner – by the Tune Inn’s last minute refusal to sign an Agreement after ABRA advised that signing was voluntary [thanks, Tune Inn, thanks ABRA].)  Odds are good that the next license renewal in three years will be problematical for the Tune Inn.    

The Outreach and Constituent Services Task Force will file its Public Safety Report – statistics and analysis on recent crime in ANC6b.   Probably no major surprises here, but a draft copy of the report did not address the issue of MPD failing to file reports on crimes – which has a positive and self-serving affect on crime stats.    

Wednesday, November 13

ANC6b Hill East Task Force meets at 6:30pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington to discuss the future of the RFK Stadium site.  Erik Moses, senior vice president and managing director at Events DC, will provide a brief presentation on his organization’s plans for evaluating alternatives for the site.

ANC6c meets at 7:00pm at the Heritage Foundation Building, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE for its regular November meeting.

Among items on the agenda:

An appearance by Councilmember Anita Bonds

Consideration of Bikeshare stations at 1st and K; 5th or 6th and K; 7th and Constitution NE

Liquor license renewals for Columbus Club, Center Café, Boundary Road, Big Board, Tynan Coffee & Tea, The 201 Bar, Hamilton’s Bar and Grill. 

Thursday, November 14

ANC6a meets at 7:00pm at Miner Elementary School, 601 15^th Street, NE for its regular November meeting

Among items on the agenda:

Protest of the liquor licenses for the following venues for failure to maintain peace, order and quiet, and authorization for the Chair to be authorized to send letters conveying that protest to the ABC Board: Atlas Room. Biergarten Haus, The Elroy, Little Miss Whiskey’s, Star and Shamrock, Vendetta, HR 57, Avery’s, The Pug, and Toki Underground. 

Friday, November 15

Capitol Hill Village (CHV) presents a free seminar to discuss issues involved in moving to one level living in a condo or rental apartment on Capitol Hill or nearby.  Finance and real estate experts will discuss options.  Housing Committee of CHV will describe new apartment and condo projects and several currently being built – 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at Townhomes on Capitol Hill, 6^th and I Streets, SE.  Open to all without charge, but registration is required:  Call 202 543 1778 to register.

A crowd of more than 200 gathered today in Folger Park to honor veterans.

Guest Speaker Major General Thomas C. Seamands, U.S. Army

Calvin C. Tildon, Commander, Kenneth H. Nash American Legion Post 8, presided over the ceremony

Neighbor and former Post Commander Leonard Hacker (left rear) participated in the event

Local Navy veteran Mark Shlien talks with neighbors after ceremony

Ward Six City Council candidate Darrel Thompson talks to veterans

“Taps”

American Legion Post 8 Ceremony Marks Veterans Day

by Larry Janezich

A crowd of more than 200 attended American Legion Post 8’s ceremony in Folger Park at 11:00am Monday to honor the men and women who have served in the nation’s armed forces.

U.S. Army Major General Thomas C. Seamonds, COS, G-1, Director of Military Personnel Management, the ceremony’s keynote speaker, told the veterans in attendance: “I don’t want any of you to think we don’t thank you for what you have done.  I want to send a message to all veterans –  I know what you do, what you have done, and what you will continue to do, and I thank you.”  He added that, “We owe a debt of gratitude to the mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters who have loaned family members to keep us safe.”

Calvin C. Tildon, Commander, Kenneth H. Nash American Legion Post 8 presided over the ceremony.  Music was provided by The Marine Brass Quintet, “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band.  A moving rendition of “Taps” accompanied the wreath ceremony.

American Legion Post 8 hosts this annual event in Folger Park, opposite the Post on the corner of 3rd and D, SE.  After the ceremony, everyone present was invited to a luncheon reception in the Post.

Goldstar PA Ave SE Condo Project Renderings, PA Ave and 15th St Elevations. Bonstra/Haresign Architects

Eric May, Goldstar Senior VP (left), and Rob McClennan of Bonstra/Haresign, Present Project Designs Monday Night at Wisdom on PA Ave SE

Plans Unveiled for Goldstar’s 41 Unit Condo Project at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

by Larry Janezich

Monday night, more than 30 Capitol Hill residents gathered at Wisdom, the cool funky Pennsylvania Avenue SE, bar to see Goldstar Group’s plans and renderings for the 41 unit residential building at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  The project will be exclusively residential.

Eric May, Senior Vice President of Goldstar, told the group that the 41 units are “99% certain to be condos” – unless there is a drastic change in the market that would make conversion to apartments necessary.  The units will be mixed, largely one bedroom but with a few two bedroom or bedroom and den units.  Five of the units will be “affordable” under the District’s definition; two will be sold at 50% AMI and three at 80% AMI.  Eligibility for subsidized housing programs is often determined by area median income (AMI).

May said he “did not know yet” how much the units would sell for, noting that it would be 16 months before the building is ready for occupancy.  He declined to state the “broad range” of pricing Goldstar had assumed in designing the project.

The build will rise to 44 of the allowable 50 foot height, and will be built largely as a matter or right, with one zoning issue that will require a request for relief and bring the project before ANC6B and the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA).  The issue is parking:  the building will provide the minimum amount of parking required but to do so the developer will need to seek relief from a city regulation limiting the number of spaces in the underground garage which can be designated for compact cars.  Goldstar wants to have a larger proportion of the 21 spaces be designated for compact cars than the current regulations otherwise allow.  ANC6B Commissioner Brian Flahaven was on hand and explained in response to a question, that it would be virtually impossible to limit building residents’ eligibility for residential parking permits once the developers provide the minimum number of parking spaces for a project this size.

Although there is no retail in the building, May noted that he expected a symbiotic relationship to develop between the Goldstar residential project and the Douglas Development office/retail project currently under construction at 15^th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, next to Wisdom.

Chris Regan, project manager from Douglas Development, was on hand and told the attendees that his building would be finished by the end of January, and while they do not yet have tenants, there is “lots of interest.”  He mentioned retail, restaurant and office.

Rob McClennan, representing Bonstra/Haresign Architects, said that his firm specialized in “contextual modernist” structures and that the building the firm designed for the site would enter into a “dialogue with the surrounding environment” of houses, shops, and stores.  A strong selling point for the building will be a trellised 750 foot square foot roof deck that will afford views of the river and up Pennsylvania Avenue.

May said that he expects to start applying for permits in about two weeks.  The permitting process will take some four months, followed by an equal amount of time for zoning relief.  Environmental issues from a gas station which previously occupied the location will require removal of five feet of contaminated soil from the site.  Given those issues, May said construction could start as soon as next March and take 12 months to complete.