Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Week Ahead….Community Meeting on Eastern Market Metro Plaza Redevelopment

by Larry Janezich

Monday, May 13

ANC6D meets at 7:00pm, 1100 4th Street, SW

Among items on the draft agenda:

Public Safety Report- First District MPD (PSA 103, PSA 105 & PSA 106) Capt. Mongal, Capt. Dorrough, Lt. Lavenhouse

Presentations:

ABRA – Sarah Fashbaugh.

Eagle Academy Charter School – Karen Alston.

Office of the Attorney General Community Engagement Coordinator – John Green.

Department of Housing and Community Development – Director Polly Donaldson.

DDOT Presentation re “Red Top” Accessible Parking Meter Program in Capitol Riverfront/SW BID area.

Resolution Regarding WMATA late night service and for-hire ride subsidy proposal.

DDOT Update on New Jersey Ave SE and I Street SE intersection.

Letter of Opposition RE Mayor’s Resolution to Cut Grants for Commission of the Arts.

ABC Committee Report:

La Vie, 88 District Square, SW: revised/updated Cooperative Agreement.

The Grill, 99 Market Square, SW: Cooperative Agreement for new Restaurant Liquor License w/ Summer Garden.

Odyssey: updated Cooperative Agreement.

Spirit Cruises 077414 (4 marine vessels): updated Cooperative Agreement.

Spirit Cruises 098753 (8 marine vessels): updated Cooperative Agreement.

Development, Planning, and Transportation.

Half Street SW:  Public Space Application.

Letter to DDOT RE Request for Meeting with DDOT to discuss ANC 6D Transportation Issues.

Community Meeting on Redevelopment of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza (Parcel 4 – Metro Canopy)

ANC6B Taskforce on Redesign of Eastern Market Metro Plaza meets at 7:00pm at The Corner Store, 900 South Carolina Avenue, SE.

Agenda:

General Impressions of Metro Plaza Design.

Metro Plaza as a Crossroads: Connectivity

With Barracks Row

With Eastern Market

With the SE Library

Metro Plaza as a place to “Walk to” rather than “Walk through”

As an urban park

As a venue for special events

Maintenance Planning

Weathering the Construction Phase

Tuesday, May 14

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations:

Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge Project Representative: Follow-up from February meeting http://www.southcapbridgeproject.com/

DC Water presentation on lead in drinking water, lead service line replacement, and the newly passed lead service line replacement assistance legislation.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee Liquor License Renewals.

See list here:  http://bit.ly/2Y40Az2

Update on Potomac Ave Metro Plaza Redesign – Sarah Davidson, Insight Property Group.

302 South Carolina, SE – Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing, attached principal dwelling.

717 6th Street, SE – Historic Preservation Application – Concept: 3 story addition.

915 East Capitol Street, SE – Historic Preservation Application – demolition and and reconstruct rear addition, no change in footprint.

203 rear 3rd Street, SE – Historic Preservation Application – Concept: one story addition at rear.

A follow up request given ask for the pavement ratings of all local and federal blocks in 6B.

Reports:

Hill East Task Force

Livable Community Task Force

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee Report

Working Group on Barrack’s Row

Eastern Market Metro Park Advisory Committee meets at 9:30am, 200 I Street, SE. 

Agenda:

Project Timeline Update

Schedule updates

Interim playground

NCPC Hearing – May 2

CFA Hearing – May 16

Plan Overview

Reasons for changes

Discussion of changes from first previous EMMPAT and Community Meetings

Feedback and community concerns/questions

Other Discussion Points 

Celebrate Capitol Hill

Future Meetings and Next Steps

Next Community Meeting – mid/late June

Next EMMPAT Meetings – Set firm recurring schedule

Community Attendees Q&A

Wednesday, May 15

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00pm, North Hall, Eastern Market.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Tenant’s Council Report on Outstanding resolutions

Rediscover Eastern Market celebration

Plans to date: Barry Margeson

Docent led tours: Monte Edwards

Market Managers Report

Status of the HVAC study

Marketing and Promotion

Lease update

Parking

300 block 7th Street

Eastern Market Mero Plaza Update

RFP for DGS Comprehensive Study – Update

Application Advisory Review Subcommittee

Tenant’s Council Report

Thursday, May 16

Sector 2 (PSAs 104, 107, 108) Community Meeting at 7:00pm, at location TBA.

Here’s a Photo Progress Report on Seven Major Capitol Hill SE Developments

by Larry Janezich

On September 3, 2018, Capitol Hill Corner posted a photo progress report on seven major Capitol Hill developments.  Here’s a progress report 8 months later.  The seven projects will provide 1,185 residential units to Capitol Hill’s housing stock.  Below are photos of where construction stands today, coupled with renderings of how the projects will look when finished.

 

Here’s DC Public Library’s Thinking on SE Library Renovation – the Request for Qualifications

by Larry Janezich

The process for renovation of DC Library has been less transparent than desirable.  Community activist Pat Taylor tracked down the Request for Proposals* (RFQ) which contains a wealth of information about the proposed project.

On April 11, DC Library issued a request for qualifications from design/build teams to determine which firms have the resources for the renovation of Southeast Library.  The deadline for responses was May 1.  It is uncertain how many responses there were, but a select number of 3 or 4 firms will be asked to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP).  The RFP is scheduled to be issued May 21, and a design/builder selected by July 2.

The following language from the RFQ reveals DCPL’s thinking about the overall plan that design/build firms have been asked to consider.  Attached to the RFQ is a feasibility study from an outside firm which analyzes several possible ways to approach the renovation, including a dissection of the Barracks Row plan created by architect Amy Weinstein.

The following language from the report reveals details about what DC Public Library is looking for in the renovation.

“Renovation Project Overview”

“The existing 9,600 gross square feet (gsf), two story concrete and brick building is located in Ward 6, at 403 7^th Street, SE, Washington, DC.  DCPL seeks to replace the various electrical and mechanical systems and equipment; modernize, and improve building accessibility; enlarge the bathrooms; replace the existing elevator; increase the available floor area to accommodate a large meeting room, a smaller conference room, 3-4 study rooms, lounge-style seating areas, and a children’s computer area.  Overall, DCPL seeks to add at least 5,400 gsf to the existing library (minimum library total = 15,000 gsf).  DCPL also expects the library to attain LEED Gold v4 rating.

In the fall of 2016, DCPL engaged McKissack-Hill to undertake an overview of the library’s facility condition with particular attention to the building systems and to assess, in a general way, how the DCPL could go about increasing the building useable space to meet the community’s needs.  The final report concluded that there are many constraints that limit the options to expand the library’s footprint and offered several possibilities.

The risks identified by the McKissack-Hill report are many; constrained site availability, proximity of the Metro line , traffic congestion, neighboring homes and businesses, and regulations relating to historic preservation.  Therefore, to offset these risks, DCPL expects a more through due diligence and building program and an even more comprehensive set of design/construction documents to identify and describe various risks in order to balance the allocation of risk between DCPL and the construction contractor that will, in turn, minimize the contingencies and lower the overall price of the construction contractor.

The entire McKissack-Hill report is included as Attachment J.3.

DCPL does not view the McKissack report as the only or even the preferred solution to the issues of additional space.  On the contrary, DCPL strongly desires to stretch the domain of design and construction alternatives thinking to reach a much more welcoming and less costly library to meet its overall space requirements.  For example, during the listening and learning sessions, DCPL heard from a wide community of designers and construction contractors who believe that, as a public entity – not a developer – it may be possible to achieves some regulatory relief in terms of lot coverage, or even historic preservation requirements, that will allow for a design that meets the community’s needs without resorting to the costly and unwelcoming choice to dig under the existing building.

In view of the above, DCPL seeks a Contractor that not only has extensive urban library design experience especially designing libraries in Washington, DC historic neighborhoods and has underground construction experience in urban areas and constrained sites, but will also broaden the design and construction thinking to provide the added square footage of the Southeast Community Library in a thoughtful and sensitive way.”

 

Here’s a more detailed timeline on how the project will unfold:

A list of attachments to the Request for Qualifications follows:

Of particular interest is Attachment J.3, the Mikissack-Hall Feasibility Study for SE Library.  It has analyses of four possible designs – the Amy Weinstein/Barracks Row design, the excavating within the existing foot print design, a limited excavation under 7th Street design, and an attic design.  The firm recommended excavating within the existing footprint design as the least expensive and the least problematic.  The attic design was not pursued in depth owning to zoning and constructions issues.

Also of interest is Attachment J.2, which has photos of the renovations of several DC Community Libraries, including, Woodbridge, Cleveland park, Takoma Park, Georgetown, Petworth, Northeast, and Mt. Pleasant Libraries.  Mt. Pleasant, Takoma Park, and Southeast Libraries are the three Carnegie community libraries in DC.

*And here’s the link to the Request for Qualifications and the attachments:  https://www.dclibrary.org/node/63670

The Week Ahead… 9th St SE 20 Condo Project Delayed Plus Some News You Probably Missed

By Larry Janezich

9th Street’s Proposed 20 Condo Unit delayed – Last week, ANC6B Planning and Zoning chair Corey Holman announced that the Historic Preservation Office has deferred the case at 417 9th Street, SE, because of an incomplete initial application. The move puts off ANC6B’s consideration at least until June.  CHC reported on the condo project here: http://bit.ly/2vxVqz6

Update on Renovation of Southeast Library – Last Wednesday, the period closed for receipt by DC Library of the responses to its Request for Qualifications – a request for expressions of interest from design/build companies who are qualified for and interested in the $23.5 million renovation of Southeast Library.  DC Library is being close-mouthed about the number of responses, but they will invite some or all of those responses to respond to the forthcoming Request for Proposals.  The project’s time like anticipates the issuing of a Request for Proposals in early spring of 2019, the selection of a design/build team in the spring of 2019, design kick-off in the summer of 2019, closing for construction in early 2021, and re-opening in Fall of 2002.  The community will have an opportunity for input during the design kick-off phase.  See CHC report on the first community meeting last November, here:  http://bit.ly/2JjzEas

Capitol Hill Group Ministry re-names itself – On April 24, Capitol Hill Group Ministry formally changed its name to Everyone Home DC.  Fifty years ago, the organization was founded as a grassroots response by several Capitol Hill churches to collectively address challenges faced by their congregants and communities, and since the 1980s, it’s been focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The new name reflects its core purpose: for everyone in DC to thrive and have quality housing.  The name change will be accompanied by a new logo and website, live as of Thursday, April 25, see here:  http://everyonehome.org/

The Week Ahead…

Monday, May 6

ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Items on the draft agenda: 

Alcohol Beverage License renewals

Nando’s Peri-Peri, 411 H Street, NE.

Nuevo Cucino, 320 D Street, NE.

Duet,  601 2nd Street, NE.

Phoenix Park Hotel & Dubliner,Inc., 520 North Capitol Street.

Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW.

The Wydown, 600 H Street, NE.

Cane, 403 H Street, NE.

The Alibi, 237 2nd Street, NW.

Cafe Berlin, 322 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW.

La Loma, 316 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Momoyama, 231 2nd Street, NW.

DC Harvest, 517 H Street, NE.

Fancy Radish, 600 H Street, NE.

Fare Well, 406 H Street, NE.

Hikari Sushi & Sake Bar, 644 H Street, NE.

Po Boy Jim, 709 H Street, NE.

Whole Foods Market, 600 H Street, NE.

Hyatt Place Washington DC/US Capitol, 33 New York Avenue.

INDIGO-Indian food on the go!, 243 K Street, NE.

Seoul Spice, 145 N Street, NE.

East St Café, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Bon Appetit, 600 New Jersey Avenue, NW.

Hotel George/Bis, 15 E Street, NW.

Bistro CaCao, 320 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

The Monocle, 107 D Street, NE.

Courtyard by Marriott Washington DC/US Capitol, 1325 2nd Street, NE.

Streets Market, 51 M Street NE.

NOONTIME CANTATA SERIES:  Washington Bach Consort season finale – Capitol Cantata Series for St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill, 313 2nd Street, SE.  12:10pm

Cantata: Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen, BWV 146

Tuesday, May 7

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Discussion of Comprehensive Plan + Conservation Districts – Director Andrew Trueblood, Office of Planning.

Update on Potomac Ave Metro Plaza Redesign – Sarah Davidson, Insight Property Group.

302 South Carolina, SE; Zoning adjustment application – Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing, attached principal dwelling.

717 6th Street, SE; Historic Preservation Application, Concept: 3 story addition.

915 East Capitol Street, SE; Historic Preservation Application – Permit: demolition and reconstruct rear addition, no change in footprint.

203 rear 3rd Street SE; Historic Preservation Application – Concept: one story addition at rear.

Wednesday, May 8

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Alcoholic Beverage License Renewals (see Monday above for list of applicants appearing before the ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee).

40 Patterson Street, NE—Presentation of concept public space plan for mixed use development, including curb cuts, loading, bike racks, streetscape, covered utility vaults.

Verizon, 120 7th Street NE—Discussion of parking on public space with Verizon.

Dave Thomas Circle, Florida Ave Multimodal Project NE, and Vision Zero.

520 Groff Court, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application for exceptions and variances to construct a two story addition of an existing principal dwelling unit.

520 Groff Court, NE, Historic Preservation application for a two-story addition.

Logan School, 215 G Street, NE, Historic Preservation Application for concept for modernization and addition.

111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Zoning Application – Modification of a PUD revising building footprint, ground floor, penthouse, and exterior façade.

Union Station expansion—Discussion of draft Section 106 Assessment of Effects.

Board of Elections, proposed new precinct— Commissioner Eckenwiler.

ANC6B Transportation Committee will meet at 7:00pm in the Conference Room, Ground Floor, The Yard, 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Comments on the FY19 pave plan asking for removal of the 1300 block of E Street, SE.

 Discussion on PaveDC, the DDOT Paving Plan.  A follow up request given this ask for the pavement ratings of all local and federal blocks in ANC6B.

Notice of Intent: Installation of All-way Stop Control for 8th & A Street SE Intersection.

Thursday, May 9

ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee meets at 7:00pm in the Conference Room, Ground Floor, The Yard 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Alcohol Beverage License Renewals (except as noted):

7:00 PM

Las Placitas, 1100 8th Street, SE.

Taco City DC, 1102 8th Street, SE.

Tio Javier, 514 8th Street, SE.

Cafe 8, 424 8th Street, SE.

Folger Shakespeare Library, Trustees of Amherst College, 201 East Capitol Street, SE.

Talay Thai Restaurant, 406 1st Street, SE.

Tortilla Coast, 400 1st Street, SE.

Capitol Hill Club, National Republican Club of Capitol Hill Inc., 300 1st Street, SE.

Hunan Dynasty, 215 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion, 224 D Street, SE.

Sonoma, 223 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Santa Rosa Taqueria, 315 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Good Stuff Eatery, 303 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

We, The Pizza, 305 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

8:00 PM

Radici, 301 7th Street, SE.

Boxcar Tavern, 224 7th Street, SE.

Tunnicliffs Tavern, 222 7th Street, SE.

Eat Brgz, 250 7th Street, SE; New Class “CR” Restaurant Application.

Hanks Oyster Bar,  633 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

La Plaza Mexican Restaurant, 629 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Mr. Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Acqua al 2/Suna/Harold Black Bar, 212 7th Street, SE.

Hill Center, The Old Naval Hospital Foundation, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

La Lomita Restaurant, La Lomita, Inc., 1330 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Emilie’s, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

9:00 PM

Sushi Hachi, 735 8th Street, SE.

Torai Grill & Sushi, 751 8th Street, SE.

Chiko, 423 8th Street, SE.

Ophelia’s Fish House, 501 8th Street, SE.

Finn McCools, 713 8th Street, SE.

Medium Rare Barracks Row, 515 8th Street, SE.

Ted’s Bulletin, 505 8th Street, SE.

 

Frager’s Hardware Set to Open Tomorrow on Pennsylvania Avenue

by Larry Janezich

Frager’s management told Capitol Hill Corner they expect to open at their new location at 1115 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, tomorrow, Friday, May 3.  The store was expected to open earlier this spring.

There will be two components of the opening – the hardware store proper, and its associated garden-center storefront (Foliage by Frager) one door away on the other side of Kabob & More.  The hardware store will be under the management of Aisha Bryant and Foliage by Frager will be overseen by Kristin Sampson.

Passage through Foliage by Frager will permit access to the garden center in the lot behind the store – which, in turn, will allow passage into the rear of the hardware store.  The entrance to the garden center on 12th Street will remain.

Meanwhile, over at Frager’s blue building at 1323 E Street, SE, a skeleton crew staffed the store as other employees transferred stock to the new location.  It’s unclear what plans building owner John Weintraub has for the site once Frager’s vacates.

Frager’s is owned by Gina and Marc Friedman’s of A Few Cool Hardware Stores – the latest of their 12 locations, and part of Ace Hardware Co-operative.  They have a 25 year lease on the store.

The iconic Frager’s Hardware was destroyed by fine in June of 2013, as reported and photographed by CHC:  http://bit.ly/1QGbdTB and here: http://bit.ly/1R39h1D.  Perseus Realty purchased the site in for development of a mixed use building in October 2015.  Washington Business reported then the developer had paid $5.7 million for the location.

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Suspects ID’d  In Potomac Metro Homicide – More Details Emerge

By Larry Janezich

At last night’s community meeting on crime at Liberty Baptist Church, MPD First District Commander Morgan Kane distributed flyers on two suspects who are wanted in connection with the homicide last Sunday night at Potomac Avenue Metro Station.  Warrants have been issued for the two 18 year old teens – Xavier Culbreth is wanted for homicide and Jada Smith for armed robbery.  Anyone with information is asked to call MPD Homicide Branch at 202 645 9600 or text the tip line at 50411.  There is a reward for up to $25,000 for anyone that gives police information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person/people responsible for the killing.

The victim, 40 year old Jamal Ferrell, died Sunday night as the result of stab wounds received on the down escalator at the Potomac Avenue Metro Station where he may have been attempting to flee his pursuers, not realizing that the station was closed.  The gate at the bottom of the escalator was locked, the last train having departed at 11:20pm. MPD and Metro Transit Police received a 911 call at 11:42pm.  Transit Police responded, and found Ferrell suffering from stab wounds.  He was transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead after life-saving efforts failed.  Once the case was declared a homicide, MPD took over the investigation.

Kane told some 30 Hill East residents that the killing “rattled you, and it rattled us.”  She said it was not clear why the victim was running down into a locked Metro station and that police had information that there may have been an attempted robbery – MPD has video and witnesses.

The victim did not have a local address, and Kane said that there’s nothing to suggest that the assailants knew the victim.  She said she could not discuss information about the weapon.  Detectives are investigating a motive for the crime.

One attendee said she had heard screaming on Sunday night, but had not called 911, assuming it was kids.  Kane told her she should not “beat yourself up over what you could have or should have done.”

That exchange opened up a discussion exposing the tension that exists between residents concerned about over-policing and residents who follow police advice to call 911 when they see something suspicions.  One attendee said that the danger is that some people are criminalized more than others – children have been victimized – and “we need to carefully consider what the threshold is for calling 911.”

Another said that residents are told to call 911 and turn over our concerns to the police – “I want to think it’s okay to leave here knowing it’s okay to be wrong and to trust the MPD.”  A resident on the other side responded, “I disagree wholeheartedly.”

Kane said that “We have to respond when we get a call.  We always try to do it in the most compassionate way. Sometimes we get it right – sometimes we get it wrong.”  She said, “Call us and let us figure out what’s going on.”

She said she is anxious to have an eye-to-eye discussion on issues regarding the potential for over-policing, and that she is anxious to find a community partner to identify groups to participate.

To sign up to receive MPD First District crime reports and crime alerts, send a blank email to mpd-1d-subscribe@yahoogroups.com from your email account.

Neighbors Dismayed Over Plan for 20 Condo Building Just Off Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

Last night, the development company District Quarters unveiled plans to raze the Tried Stone Church of Christ across 9^th Street from Hill Center to construct a 23,000 square foot, four story plus a penthouse, 20 unit condo building with three surface parking spaces. The building is a block from Barracks Row’s retail, restaurants, and fire station. The project will be built “by right” under city regulations, meaning that there will be virtually no opportunity to change the scale or massing of the project. Since the church is a non-contributing structure in the Historic District, it can be razed, but the new building is subject to Historic Preservation review.

Evan Muchai, Associate Partner for Acquisitions & Development for the developer, revealed the initial concept for the project to about a dozen neighbors who gathered in the basement of the church.  The meeting to solicit feedback was called on what seemed to be unusually short notice, and only one week before the developers appear before ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee to ask for its support of their Historic Preservation Application for the proposed concept.

Neighbors who attended the meeting were taken aback at the scale of the project – substantially higher than adjoining townhouses – and raised a number of concerns including scale, massing, parking, rodent and trash issues, impact of demolition and construction, HVAC issues, and light.  Muchai noted the concerns and said he would “get back to you” regarding how and if the company could address those concerns by next Monday.

Neighbors were dismayed at the prospect throwing up to an additional 17 parking vehicles into the mix in the hunt for parking in the neighborhood, where they say it is difficult if not impossible to park now.

Muchai said that under city regulations, they need to provide only three parking spaces, adding that they would like to provide more parking for their potential owners but held out little hope that more parking could be provided on site, although he said they would “look at it.”

When residents asked if the developer would agree to make condo residents ineligible for Residential Parking Permits allowing street parking, the developer said that in reality the city doesn’t enforce those contractual agreements between seller and purchaser.  He added, “We want to provide parking for people who live here – we don’t expect to ask people to give up parking.”  The developer downplayed the likelihood of adding 17 vehicles to the parking mix, saying that with close proximity to Metro people drive less and that he was a prime example, not having owned a car in four years.

Justifying the scale of the project, the developer said that without the proposed height and density, the project is not economically feasible.   One attendee said that the project was akin to “trying to fit a big peg into a limited lot – it’s not a fit – the lot and the neighborhood infrastructure doesn’t support this amount of density. It’s going to be a nightmare.”

District Quarters has not yet purchased the building, which is under contract, and contingent on getting approval for the building.

The developer’s timeline anticipates closing on the sale in June or July, followed by 3 to 5 month’s design work.  Construction would start in September and last 12 – 13 months, followed by a 3 to 5 month period for sales.  Muchai said the units will be mostly two-bedrooms or one bedroom and a den, with a few one-bedroom apartments and priced from $400,000-$1 million.

The building seems to be on a fast track for approval – the developers will appear before the Capitol Hill Restoration Society Historic Preservation committee next Monday, May 6 for concept review, and the next night will ask ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee to support the Historic Preservation Application for the concept.  The committee’s recommendation will be considered by the full ANC a week later, on May 14.  The application then comes up before the Historic Preservation Review Board on May 23.

Residents complained that the process was “much too telescoped” and that the “compressed nature of the timeline undercuts the effort to work with us.”  They indicated they would carry their concerns to the various review venues going forward.  One resident pleaded, “Don’t forget there are people here – who want to live out their lives here. This is a really big thing to them – to all of us.”

District Quarters is a small development company by industry standards.  They develop residential units in the District – their website shows a number of projects between 2 and 9 units, and the current proposal appears to be their largest to date.  See here:  https://www.districtquarters.com/

Police To Address Hill East Residents on Homicide at Potomac Ave Metro Last Saturday

by Larry Janezich

On Wednesday, May 1, Chief Ronald Pavlik, Jr., Metropolitan Transit Police, will address the community regarding the homicide* which occurred at Potomac Avenue Metro Station last Saturday.  Also on hand will be MPD First District Commander Morgan Kane and other MPD officials – the Metropolitan Police Department is the lead investigative agency.

The previously scheduled community meeting (MPD First District Citizens Advisory Council) will be the vehicle for the briefing and discussion.

The meeting will be at 7:00pm at Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE.

The full agenda for the meeting is as follows:

Metro Transit Police discussion on safety and crime at and around the Potomac Avenue Metro Station.

MPD First District Commander Morgan Kane will discuss the homicide as well as the Crime Report for Sectors I-III.

Community Outreach Report with support from MPC/CAC Partnership team.

US Attorney Prosecution Report – Doug Klein, DC US Attorney’s Office.

US Court Services and Offenders Supervision Agency (CSOSA) Report with Michael Bonds.

*The following notice was posted to the First District listserv on Sunday:

At approximately 11:45 p.m. on 4/28/19, First District officers were called to the Potomac Avenue Metro station to assist MTPD was an assault investigation.  On the scene, officers located an adult male suffering from stab wounds.  The victim was transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead after life-saving efforts failed.

The suspects have been described as black males, approximately 16-18 old, wearing black jackets and blue jeans.

This case is being actively investigated by members of MPD’s Violent Crimes Branch.  Should anyone have information or video regarding this incident, please contact the Metropolitan Police Department’s Command Information Center at (202) 727-9099.

Seth Anderson

Lieutenant, First District

Residents Air Concerns About New Burger Place Across from Eastern Market

by Larry Janezich

Hoping to head off a lengthy and contentious ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control committee meeting, ANC6B sponsored a community meeting last night to hear residents’ concerns regarding a new burger joint opening across the street from Eastern market.

Some 40 nearby neighbors and Hine project residents turned out to express concerns about what the restaurant might bring to the neighborhood besides burgers, i. e., noise, rodents, odors, trash and a clashing aesthetic.

Owner Brandon Gaynor, introduced his concept, engaged residents, and assured them that he had anticipated their concerns or would move to remediate them as they arose, stressing his desire to be a good neighbor and a part of the community.

The neighbors’ greatest concern – aside from the on-going battle against rodents drawn to 7^th Street restaurants which residents have called upon the city to address with limited success – appeared to be noise; noise  well into the night from up to 60 patrons eating burgers and drinking beer seated outdoors.  The restaurant’s seating is primarily outdoors – seating for only 25 customers will be within.

Rodent concerns have been minimized in this case by indoor, temperature controlled, trash storage.

However, heightening the concern about – as one attendee put it, “raucous behavior” – the applicant is asking to serve alcohol until 2:00am.  Hours of operation and for serving alcohol are often scaled back by a voluntary settlement agreement in order to get ANC6B’s endorsement of the liquor license.  ABC Committee Chair Chander Jayaraman asked attendees to suggest appropriate limits for alcohol service before the ABC Committee considers the license in May.

Gaynor offered assurances that he had hired a sound engineer to address potential issues, and cited one planned mitigating measure – the use of broad umbrellas in the outdoor seating area to help contain noise of conversations.  There will be no music from outdoor speakers.  Residents appeared skeptical that this would fully address their concerns, and residents and Jayaraman urged Gaynor and his team to think more broadly about the issue.

EAT BRGA is a new model and the restaurant is Gaynor’s first foray into the hospitality industry. The concept setting it apart from its peers involves serving a “complex burger” – mixing and blending the ingredients into a locally- sourced chicken, beef, or veggie patty before cooking. Two examples Gaynor mentioned were a Greek burger and a Mexican burger. Buns, produced locally, will be delivered fresh daily. Also on the menu will be three beers and three wines as well as proprietary high protein, reduced calorie, all natural shakes – which Gaynor called a “little bit better for you product.” The restaurant will not offer table service or glassware – and will use all recycled material.

Gaynor anticipates 15 seats in front of the restaurant on Seventh Street and another 45 banquet seats  – read high end aesthetically pleasing benches and tables – alongside the restaurant on the sidewalk on C Street. The outside areas will be enclosed by planters and perhaps ropes.  Gaynor hopes to open in July.

One questioned the degree of Gaynor’s commitment to helping the community.  Gaynor cited the long history of contributing to charities nationally and internationally, and, referencing a local program under which restaurants donate food to homeless shelters said “will we will be part of that.”

ANC6B will consider the alcohol beverage license application at its meeting on May 9, at 7:00pm in Hill Center.  The committee will make a recommendation which will then be taken up by the full ANC at its monthly meeting on May 14 – also at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

The Week Ahead… & Tio Javier Morphs into Tortuga Caribbean Bar & Grill on Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

Monday, April 29

ANC6D Special Meeting, 7:00pm, 700 7^th Street, SW, Town Square Towers Party Room.  A special meeting of ANC6D has been called to discuss the following items:

Modification of consequence for the PUD for Audi Field to allow  the applicant to use Parcel B adjacent to the stadium as temporary surface parking.

Protest of applications for renewals of ABC licenses for La Vie and various vessels operated by Entertainment Cruise Ships.

Community Meeting Introducing New Hine Development Eatery – EAT BRGZ at 7:00pm, 777 C Street, SE, Club Lounge (Hine Project Residential)

ANC6B is sponsoring a community meeting to acquaint residents with a new restaurant, featuring hamburgers and a summer garden, proposed for the currently vacant business location at the corner of 7th and C Streets, SE.   The meeting will provide an opportunity to identify any issues that may come  before the ANC’s Alcohol Beverage Committee.

Representatives of EAT BRGZ will present their restaurant concept and operation plans and answer questions from the community.

Tuesday, April 30

The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will meet at 7:00pm in the North Hall, Eastern Market. 

Among items on the agenda:

Report on the Budget Hearing April 4th and update.

Finance Committee Report on Meeting held April 25th.

Rediscover Eastern Market celebration

Plans to date: Barry Margeson

Docent led tours: Monte Edwards

Lease update

Parking

300 block 7th street

Status of the Request for Proposals for the Market Study

Wednesday, April 26

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 6:30pm, Northeast Library, 7^th & D Streets, NE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

520 Groff Court, NE – Zoning Adjustment application, special exception to permit construction of a two-story addition to an existing semi-detached, principal dwelling unit.

520 Groff Court, NE – Historic Preservation application for concept approval for a two-story addition to an existing semi-detached row dwelling.

1120 Abbey Place, NE – Zoning Adjustment application for special exception to construct a two-story, rear addition to an existing, attached principal dwelling unit.

111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW – Zoning Application for a modification of consequence, to an approved planned unit development previously modified. The proposed modification would revise the building footprint and ground-floor plan; add habitable penthouse space; and modify the exterior façade, including by adding balconies.

MPD First District Citizens Advisory Council meets at 7:00pm at Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE. 

Agenda:

Resident safety concerns.

US Attorney Prosecution Report – Doug Klein US District Prosecutors Office.

US CSOSA Report with Michael Bonds (if available).

Crime Report lSectors I – II)I Commander Kane and team.

Community Outreach Report and Community Thoughts.

Thursday, April 25

Friends of Southeast Library meet at 5:30pm, Southeast Library, lower level.