Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Week Ahead & Photos from National Night Out in Lincoln Park

by Larry Janezich

MPD First District celebrated National Night Out in Lincoln Park last Tuesday, the annual law enforcement community building effort.  Here are some impressions from that event.

DC MPD Chief Peter Newsham and First District Commander Morgan Kane interact with community members.

Community building.

And more community building.

Sometimes, you have to dance.

These guys couldn’t keep up with demand.

The Week Ahead….

Precious little.  No community meetings scheduled.  But…

Last chance to catch The Life of Animals in Japanese Art at the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art.  Closes August 18.  Exhibit is open until 8:00pm, daily. Click to enlarge.

Work continues on the temporary playground on Parcel 1 of Eastern Market Metro Plaza, between 8th and 9th Streets on the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue. This week saw the placement of the first piece of equipment. The playground is scheduled to open this month. It will be incorporated into a larger permanent playground on the north side of Parcel 1 after construction begins in December 2019 or January 2020.

News you may have missed – Metro Playground, Southeast Library, Eastern Market, Folger Library

by Larry Janezich

Southeast Library – Four architectural/design firms have been selected by DC Library out of some 20 companies who want to do the $21 million renovation of Southeast Library.  The four firms will make oral presentations to the selection committee in a closed meeting and the firm finally selected will meet with members of the community over the next year before a final design is agreed upon.  Not only is the selection meeting closed to the public, but attendees must sign a non-disclosure agreement.   Construction and the 2 year closing of the Southeast Library is scheduled to begin at the end of 2021.  The community is represented on the selection committee by ANC6B Commissioner Jerry Sroufe and Friends of Southeast Library President Neal Gregory.  Other members of the committee include DC Library personnel and DC government officials.

Eastern Market – the office of Deputy Mayor for Economic Development (DMPED) has selected five applicants to conduct a $300,000 comprehensive plan to address the future of Eastern Market.  A selection committee comprised of officials from DMPED, the Department of General Services (DGS), and Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee, (EMCAC) will hear 30 minute presentations from the top two applicants (selected by DMPED) in a closed meeting and make a recommendation to the Deputy Mayor.   A meeting to hear the two candidate’s presentation was scheduled for Thursday morning, August 8.  Participants are required to sign a non-disclosure.  The community is being represented by Donna Scheeder, President of EMCAC, and Jerry Sroufe, ANC6B Commissioner in whose district Eastern Market lays.

Folger Library –  On August 1, the Historic Preservation Review Board voted 5 – 1 – 1 to adopt a Historic Preservation Office (HPO) staff report recommending that the Board NOT approve the application of the DC Preservation League to designate the 1983 Hartman Cox addition on the south side of the Folger Library as a National Historic site.  The Folger Library itself opposed the designation, claiming it would tie their hands regarding any future expansion as demand on the Library’s resources grows.  ANC6B and ANC6C supported the Library in its opposition to the application.  The Capitol Hill Restoration Society supported the application.

The HPO staff said that they felt the applicant had not made the case for Historic Preservation and that a stronger case needs to be made for it.  HPO staffer Steve Callcott said, “We are not saying the building doesn’t meet designation criteria, but think designation is premature based on the information provided.”  The effect is an invitation for the League to come back in one year and re-apply with additional information.

ANC6B Commissioner Jerry Stoufe at right introduces entrepreneur Hollis Silverman at last Thursday’s community meeting. At left is ANC6B Chair Chander Jayaraman.

Some 40 resident turned out to hear about the new restaurant coming to the Hine project. Click to enlarge.

Here’s the corner of 7th and C Streets, catty corner from Eastern Market. The 7th Street entrance is at the far right behind the passersby.

Here’s a look at the restaurant’s overall footprint.

Prospective restaurateur Hollis Silverman has had a long professional history in the hospitality industry in purchasing, marketing and management, and is embarking on something she said “I would never do” – opening her own restaurant. Asked why she changed her mind, Silverman said, “After consulting for so long and being part of a team, I wanted to do it my way – build my own group.”

Residents Hear Details on 380 Occupancy Restaurant Opening in Hine Project Near Eastern Market

by Larry Janezich

Hollis Silverman of Eastern Point Restaurants met nearby residents of the Hine Project Thursday night to answer questions about how the 380 occupancy three-concept restaurant coming to 7^th and C Streets, SE, will affect them.  She hopes to open in January or February of next year, depending on the city’s permitting process.

The community meeting was called by ANC6B Commissioner Jerry Sroufe, in whose district the site lies, and ANC6B Chair/ABC Committee Chair Chander Jayaraman.

Silverman, who is partnering with Hine project developer Eastbanc to open the restaurant, was vague about how the three concepts would fit into the 8,500 foot space, other than saying that a breakfast menu would be served in the space at the corner of 7th and C Streets. A bar and another dining area would be located in the large space facing C Street.  Silverman is not ready to announce the restaurant’s name or to be more specific about the concepts she envisions.

What she did say was that it will be a neighborhood restaurant first and a destination restaurant second.  “One kitchen – one business – three venues:  two dining areas and a bar.  Three small spaces in one big space… a good mix of themes which will not compete with existing restaurants and with price points comparable to nearby restaurants.”

Silverman says, “I’m going to serve food that will taste really really good … healthy-ish … simple ingredients, seasoned well.”   She says she’s looking for local and sustainable antibiotic-free and pesticide-free products.

Neighbors and residents had questions:  What about – noise – hours – venting of cooking odors – splash pad – flea market – rodents?

Silverman said noise abatement would be limited to umbrellas over outdoor seating for now and that there will be no entertainment or outside speakers.   The kitchen will close at 10 to 10:30pm on week nights and 11 to 11:30pm on Friday and Saturday.  Engineers are looking at how best to vent cooking odors, but scrubbers (air pollution control devices) are cost prohibitive.  The outdoor seating will not be in the way of the splash pad or the flea market.  All the outdoor seating will be fenced off with planters and located on the C Street side, none on the 7^th Street side, and the outside area will be cleaned nightly after service is concluded.

One resident commended Silverman saying that she was glad to see the space filled; she had been concerned about the street’s empty retail windows, compounded by Trader Joe’s being below grade.  (Another prime 1,300 s.f. retail space fronting on Pennsylvania Avenue near the corner of 7^th and Pennsylvania Avenue apparently remains unleased.  Chase National Bank is opening soon between the 7^th and Penn corner and Trader Joe’s).

The 7^th and C Street space has long been marked for a restaurant, but it appears that Eastbanc has not been able to find a lessee.  This will be Eastbanc’s second restaurant venture, the first being partnership in Kafe Leopold in Cady’s Alley which the company also helped develop.

ANC6B’s ABC Committee will consider the restaurant’s application for a liquor license on Tuesday, September 3, at 7:00 pm in Hill Center.  The full ANC will then consider the committee’s recommendation regarding the license a week later, on Tuesday, September 10, also in Hill Center.

Stone Fruit. Eastern Market, circa 1:00pm, Sunday, August 8

The Week Ahead…National Night Out Celebration Tuesday, Lincoln Park 5pm – 9pm

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, August 6

National Night Out.  MPD First District Celebration.  5:00pm – 9:00pm.  Lincoln Park. 

Join CM Charles Allen, DDOT Director Jeff Marootian, ANC Commissioners, the law enforcement women and men of the First District, along with community and business leaders.  The event features a Starbucks refreshment stand.  Have a hotdog or a burger, meet those who keep our communities safe, meet new neighbors and come together in the interests of personal, pedestrian and property safety.  Learn more at www.mpdc.dc.gov

Wednesday, August 7

Annual Eastern Market Poluck, 7:00pm, North Hall, Eastern Market. Sign up online or just send an email to Barry.margeson@dc.gov  telling him what you’d like to bring and how many people will be coming. If you cannot bring something you can also make a donation. Here’s the info:

https://www.facebook.com/events/447606372459958/

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050c4aada723abf94-eastern

 Saturday, August 10

Friends of the Southeast Library Book Sale, 10am—3pm, Southeast Library.   History, biography, mystery, fantasy, literature, photography, cookbooks — many brand new. Plus, most books are only $1. Proceeds from sales help fund library programs for children.

The current plan, in its final stages is more curvilinear and features more trees.

The playground on parcel one is larger. Input from residents as to its specific features is being sought in the online survey accessed by the link in the article below.

Residents can also weigh in for or against an entertainment pavilion which would be located in the large hardscape area near the center of  parcel four. The current plan does not include such a pavilion but infrastructure is planned to support a temporary stage, as necessary.

CM Charles Allen announced his efforts to secure full funding for the project, allowing completion by end of 2021, had been successful.

And here’s some useful information.

Eastern Market Metro Plaza Redesign on Track for Completion by End of Next Year

By Larry Janezich

DGS Project Manager Cassidy Mullen told residents at the fourth community meeting on the redesign of Eastern Market Metro Plaza that he expected the $15 million project to be complete at the end of 2021.  Construction will start this December-January and will take 12 months. He said that the current plan is for the Capitol Hill BID to assume responsibility for maintaining and programming the plaza, a model which has worked elsewhere in the city.  Councilmember Charles Allen, who was present, pledged to provide funding in future budgets to create a sound plan for maintenance and upkeep.

Allen opened up Wednesday night’s meeting, announcing that he had been successful in providing an additional $7 million in budget authority, which when added to the previously authorized $8 million, fully funds the redesign of all six parcels of the project. “The whole idea,” he reminded residents, “is to make the plaza a place to walk to, rather than walk through.” He said that the engagement of the community had “absolutely” made it a better project.

Maybe not everyone felt that way, since the DGS Advisory Committee of community stakeholders has been vocal in expressing the feeling that DGS had given their input short shrift.  In addition, ANC6B has been largely left out of the process.

Still, Mullen presented the community with a nearly final design of the project which is in the stage of preparing the schematic plans for blue prints, a process which should be wrapped up in August.  The permitting process will begin in and continue through the Fall of 2019.

Mullen says work will begin simultaneously on parcel 1 – the playground – and parcel 4 – the metro entrance.  The distinguishing feature of the latter will be a bousque of shade trees with movable tables and chairs beneath.  The entertainment pavilion hoped for by the Advisory Committee is on life support, with an assurance by Mullen that if the community expresses a strong preference for it (apparently evidenced by feedback on the online survey that went up on the DGS website Wednesday night at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EMMP2019) he would take the idea to the Commission on Fine Arts which, he noted, has resisted  building permanent structures as part of the redesign.  A couple of residents raised questions about the effect of an entertainment venue on nearby residents and on passing traffic.

The next community meeting will be in the Fall at a date to be announced.

“The Eastern” – 7^th Street’s New Wine Bar Near Eastern Market – is Open:  Photos

by Larry Janezich

7^th Street’s new wine bar – The Eastern – near Eastern Market holds its grand opening Tuesday, August 30.  But tonight, principal partner Matthew Weiss told CHC, is the “secret soft opening.”  Here’s  a photo essay, including menus.

The Eastern at 360 7th Street, SE seats up to 85: 55 indoors and up to 30 at the sidewalk café.

Secret soft opening patrons included – no surprise – @barredindc at far right

(Click to enlarge)

Featuring 33 wines….

Your hostess: Chamell Nash

Owners Matt Weiss and Mike Schuster have a long history in the Capitol Hill hospitality industry, being owners or co-owners of a lot of local outlets:  Barrel, Union Pub, 201, McClellan’s Retreat, Truxton Inn, Café Midar, Compass Rose, Trusty’s, and the Star and Shamrock.

The Week Ahead….and some Eastern Market News you might have missed

by Larry Janezich

Here’s some Eastern Market news you might have missed.

The Market is getting some new signage – EMCAC has contracted with urban consultants Brick & Story to create new signage for the market.  Last Wednesday, the local company owned by Latoya Thomas, presented a selection of options to the Committee.  The consensus of the Committee was for signage as illustrated below: Click to enlarge.

New EMCAC member application – At the September 18 meeting of EMCAC, the membership committee will make a recommendation to the full committee regarding  the newly chartered Eastern Market Preservation and Development Corporation’s application for a seat on the Committee.   A previous organization with the same name – now defunct – is entitled by statute to a seat on the board.

Leases for South Hall Merchants – EMCAC agreed unanimously to recommend to DGS that the South Hall merchants have an extension of 120 days – until January 2, 2021 – to complete their appraisal’s of the market rate for rents which they should pay to DGS.  DGS had mandated that the process be complete by September 2.  A September 2017  appraisal by DGS met with vehement opposition from the merchants and was rejected by EMCAC .  DGS says the merchant’s appraisal – paid for out of pocket by the merchants themselves – will be used in in conjunction with the previous DGS appraisal  to set a rate for the new leases.

The annual Eastern Market Potluck Dinner – Wednesday, August 7 at 7:00pm, in the North Hall – more details to follow.

The Week Ahead…

Wednesday, July 31,

The Department of General Services is hosting a community meeting on the design for the Plaza at 7:00pm in the North Hall, Eastern Market.

Thursday, August 1

ANC6B hosts a community meeting to discuss the proposed restaurant complex for the 300 block of 7^th Street, SE.  The restaurant is described as having three different concepts – not yet revealed – an will seat 230 on the interior and an additional 150 outside on the plaza.   The meeting will be at 7:00pm in the Club Lounge of the Residences at Eastern Market.  Enter at 700 C Street, SE.    

Project Manager Cassidy Mullen (standing at left) hears from members of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza Advisory Committee, Tuesday afternoon.

Community Advisory Committee Riled DGS Dismissed Pavilion Proposal for Metro Plaza

by Larry Janezich

Community representatives on the Advisory Committee on the redesign of Eastern Market Metro Plaza are unhappy that DGS brushed aside the one recommendation they had made.  The recommendation had grown out of a suggestion by Nicky Cymrot (Hill Center, CHCF) that DGS include a pavilion in the redesign of the Plaza, located to the SW of the metro canopy, for use as an entertainment venue.  The idea gained momentum and received the endorsement of other members of the advisory committee.

But DGS chose not to include the recommendation in the final design presentation to the Commission on Fine Arts.  ANC6B Commissioner Jerry Sroufe, in whose Single Member District the project lies, wanted to know why not.

Project Manager Cassidy Mullen replied that the Fine Arts Commission had not been receptive to the construction of new structures on the Plaza, objecting even to shade structures which the project architects had wanted to build near the playground.  In addition, Mullen cited concern that the level of programming events for the pavilion (possibly no more than 12 – 13 events scheduled in warm weather months) would not justify it.  DGS is leery of public criticism that taxpayer dollars were not being well spent.

Sroufe said that he could accept the Commission on Fine Arts’ rejection of the idea, but faulted DGS for not trying to present the view of the community.  He said the whole idea was to make the plaza a place where people would go and without a pavilion there is no reason to go there other than to walk through.  A pavilion, he said, is the one idea that would draw people here.

Neal Gregory (Friends of Southeast Library) said that SE Library needs space for programming and that there are many musical groups on the Hill that would take advantage of the stage; he thought it would be no problem scheduling 2 – 3 events a week.

Donna Scheeder (Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee) said a pavilion creates a sense of place as a center which we do not have.

Martin Smith (Barracks Row Main Street) said that unless you give people a reason to use the space, they won’t, and pointed out the advantage of having space underneath the pavilion to store maintenance equipment.

Cymrot was critical of the process, saying the advisory committee has never felt that it was in a conversation with DGS and wished the idea had come up earlier in the process.  She suggested that at least the electrical and plumbing infrastructure should be included in the design so a pavilion could be installed at a later date.

Mullen allowed that given the strong feelings, DGS would take a second look at the proposal.  He made no promises but said he would cost it out and discuss it with the Commission on Fine Arts, consider different options, and bring it up at the community meeting next week.  A key question, he said, was how the venue could be realistically programmed – “We want to assure people will use it,” noting that space available would limit the number of people to 75 – 100.

A community meeting on the design for the Plaza is scheduled for next Wednesday, July 31, at 7:00pm in Hill Center.  Mullen said a new survey to gather community input on the redesign would be up on the DGS website by Friday and would remain for about three weeks.  With respect to a time line, DGS will break ground on the project in early December.  The project should take about one year to complete, since funding has been secured – that will be just about the time that construction on the renovation of Southeast Library is scheduled to start.

A Public Space Committee hearing on the project is scheduled for August 22.  (Details to follow.)

Eastern Market Vendor Stall, Saturday, July 13, circa 9:00am

The Week Ahead…. & Ward 6 Block Party Next Sunday

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, July 23

PSA 106 meets at 6:30pm at the Capper Community Center, 5^th and K Streets, SE.

Wednesday, July 24

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

Among items on the agenda:

Capital Improvements Report on Eastern Market Signage

Report from the Committee on Nominations and Credentials: Chuck Burger (re application of the Eastern Market Preservation and Development Corporation for a seat on the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee).

Market Managers Report

Marketing and Promotion

Lease update

Parking

Business/ Strategic plan update

Eastern Market Metro Plaza Update

Thursday, July 25

HPRB considers the nomination for landmark designation of Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE, amendment of existing nomination to include 1980s wing and its interior, Case 17-07, at 9:30am. 1100 4th Street, SW, Suite 650. See here for more: https://planning.dc.gov/node/1417261

Sunday, July 28

Ward 6 Block Party and Pot Luck – CM Charles Allen hosts a block party to celebrate summer and to highlight his proposal to close a street to let kids have more play space.

13th Street SE, between K and L Streets will be closed for the 1pm – 3pm community gathering. See here for more: http://bit.ly/2Gmx0yw

Some News You Might Have Missed:  Burgers – Playground – Parking Enforcement – Eastern Market Leases

by Larry Janezich

Eastern Market BRGZ

Update on new Eastern Market Burger Joint…

Owner Brandon Gaynor tells curious passersby that he hopes to have a soft opening the first week of August, depending on his ability to get air conditioning up and running by then.  EAT BRGZ’ concept involves serving a “complex burger” – mixing and blending the ingredients into a locally- sourced chicken, beef, or veggie patty before cooking.  The plan anticipates 15 seats in the restaurant and another 45 banquet seats – read high end aesthetically pleasing benches and tables – alongside the restaurant on the sidewalk on C Street.

Update on temporary playground on Eastern Market Metro Plaza…

The Department of General Services has announced they will break ground on Monday, July 22, the interim playground scheduled for installation in the Northeast parcel of Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  Construction on the permanent playground will begin the first week of December, and take about 18 months. The temporary playground will be incorporated into the permanent facility.

More citizen parking enforcement…

Mark Sussman, co-founder of How’s My Driving app appeared before ANC6A last week to tout the new application aimed at helping clear streets of certain illegally parked cars. The app allows users to snap a photo of an illegally parked vehicle blocking a crosswalk or a bus/bike lane and then determine how many unpaid citations the vehicle has. The goal is to connect that information with the city’s enforcement infrastructure to initiate an enforcement response to a violation by repeat offenders. The developers are not there yet regarding the enforcement connection. The project was launched by Sussman and software engineer Daniel Schep. Sign up for the beta here: https://hmdapp.io/

Eastern Market Leases…

Eastern Market South Hall merchants and the Department of General Services edge closer to an agreement on long term leases – and a solution to a problem which has vexed merchants for years.  Eastern Market legislation requires that rent for Eastern Market leases be set at market rate.  After meeting with the Merchants on May 21, DGS offered the merchants an opportunity to move forward to long term leases with 1) rents established by a prior DGS conducted appraisal, 2) the merchant’s own appraisals which would be used in conjunction with the DGS appraisal to determine a final rent rate, or 3) open their books and agree to a rent that reflects a reasonable percent of gross sales.  The merchants were given until July 1 to respond.   According to Market Manager Barry Margeson, nearly all the vendors have decided to have their own appraisals done and will have until September 2 to complete that process.  DGS will consider both sources and decide on setting the terms of the leases.

In related news, DGS has set a July 22 deadline for contractors to respond to the Request for Proposals to produce a study and comprehensive plan for Eastern Market for the next five years.