Author Archives: ljjanezich

The Week Ahead…..Public input meeting on new H Street Condo proposal (R.L. Christian Library), H Street Liquor Licenses

by Larry Janezich

Monday, October 21

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee Meets at 7:30pm, Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith annex, 1235 C Street, NE

Tuesday, October 22

DC Streetcar Construction Update Meeting 6:30-8:00pm, Miner Elementary School

601 15th Street, NE.  DDOT will provide an update on the final roadway construction underway along the H Street- Benning Road corridor and what residents can expect as the corridor is readied for delivery of of streetcars.

Wednesday, October 23

ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Meets at 7:00pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, Corner of 10th and G Streets, NE

Wednesday, October 23

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

Thursday, October 24

Meeting to receive public comments on the intention of the city to designate the R.L. Christian Library site at 1300 H Street, NE, surplus property.  Rise Development and H Street Community Development Corporation propose a mixed use building with 30 residential units and 8,000 square feet of retail.  The meeting will be at 6:30pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, 10^th and G Streets, NE.

Thursday, October 24

ANC 6A will hold a special meeting at 7:00pm at Maury Elementary School at 13th Street and Constitution Avenue, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Liquor license renewals for H Street Country Club at 1335 H Street, NE; Rock N Roll Hotel at 1333 H Street, NE; Liberty Tree at 1016 H Street, NE; Rose’s DejaVu at 1378 H Street, NE; and Sahra Hooka Lounge at 1200 H Street, NE (the latter is in serious trouble with the neighbors for loud music and illegal outdoor patio). 

The ANC will also consider a motion to request an investigation by DCRA of the non-residential use of the upper floors of 1242 H Street and other new construction at the site.

Wrapping up Last Week….

by Larry Janezich

Friday night, Capitol Hill string quartet Strike warmed up at the Fridge before  performing classical pieces, from Mozart to Sibelius, as well as original arrangements of contemporary music, from David Guetta to Oasis.

Friday night, more than 60 jazz fans turned out at The Corner Store, featuring Peggy Stern – founder of the Wall Street Jazz Festival in Kingston, NY – with saxophonist Leigh Pilzer and guitarist Mark Johnson.

Last Thursday, a hand lettered menu at the Tune Inn offered some enticing choices at good prices.

Progress on the condo project on the site of the former Salvation Army building at 12^th and G Streets, SE.

An early morning auto-scooter accident at 8^th and D Streets SE resulted in what appeared to be serious injury to the cyclist and pointed up the dangers of the multi-street intersection.

The Flea Market

Weekend flea market vendors are grumbling over Frager’s intention to stay indefinately – for free – on the concrete slab across from Eastern Market..  The flea markets were supposed to move onto the slab once the removal of asbestos from the Hine building starts diminishing the amount of space available to them on what is now the Hine parking lot.  Environmental remediation – as the hazmat removal is referred to – could start within 30 days after the resolution of an appeal of the Zoning Commission approval of the Hine project which is now before the DC Court of Appeals.

Barracks Row Alley Issues

Progress on resolving the issues in the troublesome alley on the east side of 8^th Street between E and G appears stalled.  ANC6A Commissioner Phil Peisch says he has reached out to the city multiple times to schedule a meeting on cleaning up the alley (which was suggested by the city) but has not heard back yet.  Peisch credits the efforts of a few restaurants – the new Medium Rare and the Matchbox Food Group with working on ways to improve the alley, both with regard to trash maintenance procedures and encouraging DDOT re-surface the alley.  Peisch says he’s continued to reach out to DDOT about resurfacing the alley, and I’ve thus far been disappointed with DDOT’s responsiveness to this issue.

H Street Liquor License Protests

On Tuesday, ANC6A ABC Committee chaired by Commissioner Jay Williams, recommended that the full ANC6A protest H Street’s Sahra after complaints from neighbors about the illegal late night public space patio and loud music.  Earlier this month, the full ANC6A voted to protest the liquor license renewal for Club XII on H Street, NE.  An ANC protest starts a lengthy process aimed at bringing liquor license applicant into negotiations with the ANC and neighbors.  Negotiations \generally follow a status hearing before ABRA at which the ANC testifies in support of the protest and neighbors have an opportunity to formally file a protest individually or as a group.

Now Open:  Kraze Burger on Barracks Row and Curbside Cupcake Café at 15^th and C, SE

by Larry Janezich

Barracks Row Kraze Burger Opens Today

Kraze Burger at 415 8th Street, SE, opened today at 11:00am.  Nearby neighbors are anxious that the restaurant, opening on a Barracks Row block which has had a plague of rodent and trash issues, will live up to its commitment to become part of the solution and not part of the problem.

The South Korean based chain has an empire of more than 100 outlets and opened their first American restaurant in Bethesda in late 2011.  The menu from that outlet lists 14 burger choices which can be cooked to order, including the Hawaiian Burger with cream cheese sauce, grilled pineapple, and greens; the Vege & Bean Burger with grilled tofu patties, Swiss cheese, grilled mushrooms, tomatoes, lettuce and garlic butter; and classic beef and classic veggie patty burgers.  The menu also offers salads, other sandwiches, fries, chili, onion rings, grilled asparagus and frozen yogurt.  Patrons can build their own sandwiches, choosing their bread, protein and toppings.  See the Bethesda outlet’s menu here:  http://washingtondc.menupages.com/restaurants/kraze-burger/menu

Curbside Cupcakes Café Is Open at 15^th and C, SE

The Curbside Cupcake Cafe at 15th and C Streets, SE

The newly opened Curbside Cupcake Café in former creperie at 257 15^th Street, SE, currently   offers coffee, tea, pastries, and cupcakes from 7:00am until 10:00am, Tuesday through Friday.

Proprietors Sam and Kristi Whitfield say they will expand into lunch and weekends ASAP, but want to roll out each phase slowly to make sure customers have an optimum experience.  You can visit their website here: http://www.curbsidecupcakes.com/

Inside the Cupcake Cafe

Current Offerings

On North Carolina Avenue, “Federal Workers Are American Workers”

ON AIR – CNN Live

ON AIR – CNN Live

ON AIR – CNN Live

ON AIR – CNN Live

Sign Holders Providing a Back Drop for Television Cameras

Security Aide Explaining that Signs Interfere with the Message

The Senate “Swamp Site” on Wednesday Afternoon, Circa 4:00pm – Photo Essay

by Larry Janezich

Capitol Hill Corner visited the Senate “Swamp Site” on the U.S. Capitol grounds Wednesday afternoon, following the announcement that a deal had been struck between Senate negotiators to reopen the government until January 15 and to extend the debt ceiling until February 7.

The “Swamp Site” – so named by television standup crews who found the area perpetually wet when the media interview location was established in the 1970’s – is one of the so-called free standup areas on the Capitol grounds where accredited members of the media can set up live television capability at any time without prior clearance to conduct interviews.

Wednesday afternoon, CHC caught Senators being interviewed, reacting to the announcement of the deal reached in the Senate.  Protestors took advantage of the live television cameras to express their unhappiness with the government shutdown.  The schoolchildren pictured, from Galt, California, were unable to visit museums and chose the opportunity to urge the Congress to reopen the government.  A security aide, explaining to sign holders that they had every right to be there but were distracting from the message the politicians were trying to get out.

The Week Ahead….

By Larry Janezich

Tuesday, October 15

CHRS Board of Directors meets at 6:30pm in Capitol Townhomes, 6^th and I Streets, SE.

Tuesday, October 15

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm in Sherwood Recreation Center, Corner of 10th and G Streets, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Update on status of Cusbah protest hearing.

Discussion of license renewals for: H Street Country Club at 1335 H Street

NE,  Rock N Roll Hotel at 1353 H Street NE, Liberty Tree at 1016 H Street NE,

 Rose’s Dejavu at 1378 H Street NE, Sahra Hooka Lounge at 1200 H Street

NE and discussion of Sahra’s request to amend its Settlement Agreement.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

ANC6D will hold a special meeting at 7:00pm in the ANC Conference Room at 1101 Fourth Street, SW, Suite 130-W.   This special meeting has been called for one purpose only:

ANC 6D will hold an election for a new Treasurer from among the remaining Commissioners following the death of our Treasurer, Ron McBee. ANC 6D bylaws require that such an election must be held within seven days of such a vacancy.  The regularly scheduled October meeting of ANC 6D will still be held at 7:00PM on October 21, 2013 in the DCRA Conference Room at 1100 Fourth Street, SW.

Wednesday, October 16

ANC6B Outreach and Constituent Services Task Force meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Wednesday, October 16

ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm in Sherwood Recreation Center, Corner of 10th and G Streets, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

H Street Business liaison report.

Announcement of Public Surplus Meeting for 1330 H Street, NE, R.L. Christian Library site.   Rise Development plans a 30-unit residential building with 8,000 square feet of retail for the site.  The Public Surplus Meeting is scheduled for 6:30pm at Sherwood Recreation Center on October 24.

Wednesday, October 16

CHRS Preservation Café meets at 6:30pm in Ebenezer’s Coffee House, 2^nd and F Streets, NE.

On the agenda:  Virtual Tour of Historic Swampoodle.

Thursday, October 17

PSA 108 meeting at 6:30pm at First Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Ave SE.

Thursday, October 17

Tabula Rasa at 731 8^th Street, SE, hosts the artwork of Marie Gauthiez.  Reception from 6:30pm until 9:00pm.

Wrapping Up the Week….Crime Spike, 8^th St Starbucks Gets Makeover, Trouble for H St Club XII, Whence the Metro Plaza Redesign?

by Larry Janezich

Crime Spike

At its monthly PSA 107 meeting on Thursday, Lieutenant Fowler reported police knowledge of 18 robberies over the previous 30 days, a 500% increase from the 3 robberies of the last reporting period.  He also reported four “significant” arrests for robberies over the same period of time.  Neighbors shared more anecdotal evidence with Fowler who responded by urging residents to refrain from using smartphones in public, walking without paying attention to surroundings, and leaving items of value in a parked car.  He also urged residents to call “911” if they detect any suspicious behavior.

The increase in crime reported in 106 also held true for PSA 107 .  Commander Andrew Solberg told ANC6A on Thursday that there has been an increase in ANC6A in recent weeks – mostly burglaries committed by kids.  Solberg said that additional cops are being assigned to the area.  He noted the recent increase in carjackings using the technique of bumping a car and stealing it when the driver gets out to  inspect the damage; he advises that owners who choose to inspect for potential damage only do so after removing keys from the ignition.  A better idea is to not get out of the car at all, but to call 911 if you are suspicious of the circumstances.  Maps of PSA 106 and 107 can be found here:  http://1.usa.gov/1bPOjol

Barracks Row Starbucks Starts Closing Early In Face of Makeover

Sign on Barracks Row Starbucks Announces Temporary Early Closings

ANC6A Protests H Street’s Club XII Liquor License

ANC6B will protest H Street’s Club XII liquor license renewal in deference to angry nearby residents, some of whom rose at ANC6A’s October meeting to express outrage about Club XII’s lack of response to their frequent complaints about late night noise emanating from the club.  Residents cited the club’s multi-year disregard of ABRA regulations and the provisions of the ANC Settlement Agreement, with one resident stating; “Every attempt to resolve the issues have been rebuffed or responded to with unfulfilled promises.”  The Settlement Agreement represents an understanding among the ANC, the neighbors and a venue which governs how an establishment will be operated and is routinely a condition of the ANC’s support for a liquor license or a renewal of same.

The protest is aimed at bringing the club into compliance through remedial actions.  Commissioner Jay Williams, Chair of the ANC’s ABC Committee, said that it was his understanding that the rule for noise was that a venue is in violation of noise regulations if it could be heard inside of a residence.  The purpose of the protest is to require mediation and negotiation.

Whence Eastern Metro Plaza Redesign?

During one of last summer’s community meetings to solicit residents’ input on a proposed redesign of the four parts of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza, the Barracks Row Mainstreet Task Force announced that a design team comprised of architect Amy Weinstein, landscape architect Oehme Van Sweden and transportation engineers would produce a design concept and mock up in about two months – late October – which will then be presented to a large community meeting.

Capitol Hill Corner asked Martin Smith, Executive Director Mainstreet, the status of the plan for the Metro Plaza and if any community meetings are in the works.  Martin issued a terse reply,

“Yes.  We will put out a press release with the information once dates and times are decided.”