Category Archives: Uncategorized

Senior Cohousing Gets ANC Committee Nod for Hill East Boys and Girls Club Development

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday night, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Commissioner Nick Burger, voted to approve a motion to recommend that the full ANC send a letter of support to the city for Century Associates’ proposal to turn the former Hill East Boys and Girls Club into senior cohousing*.  A competing proposal would have provided a more conventional multi-generational condo development.  (For more detail on the two proposals offered for development of the Boys and Girls Club, see the CHC post here: http://bit.ly/2ytuip2)

The vote was 6-0-1 with Commissioners Burger, Ridge, Oldenburg and Resident Members Danks (6B04) and Howard (6b09) voting for the motion.  Commissioner Krepp abstained**.

Commissioner Dan Ridge, in whose single member district the project lies, made the motion that the Committee endorse the cohousing option on the basis that it is more consistent with the District’s Comprehensive Plan, one of the goals of which is to further the city’s commitment to providing social services.

Ridge told CHC “I think (Century Associates’) model is a social service even when muted by private condo ownership. I think the active experimentation they will do is itself a social service.  I would have supported the senior cohousing at the density they want with the parking they want just about anywhere in ANC 6B.  I think we should demand a project like this on Reservation 13.”

Asked to comment on the Committee action, Burger said “The committee felt that of the two options on the table this one was most consistent with a community serving function … we will also voice our view to the city that every effort needs to be made during the selection process to increase affordable housing including affordable housing for older adults, and to require more detailed plans on how the proposed community space will be programmed and managed, including long-term sustainability and effectiveness.”

At the insistence of community members one of the city’s requirements for developing the Boys and Girls Cub was that community space be included, to address in part the loss of the social services formerly provided by the Boys and Girls Club.  Ridge reacted to the community space allowance in both of the submitted proposals, saying, “The basement community space offered by both teams is worth very little to the community without an operator. Neither team proposes an operator.”  Both developers told the Hill East Task Force meeting last week that use of the community space would be determined after assessing the desires and needs of the community.

The Committee recommendation now goes to the full ANC which meets next Tuesday, at 7:00pm in Hill Center.  The full Committee will discuss the recommendation and vote whether to accept the Committee’s recommendation or modify it.

On Thursday, November 16, the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Development (DMPED) will hold a disposition hearing at 7:00pm at St. Coletta’s which will mark the end of the public comment period and provide an opportunity to provide final comments.  DMPED hopes to make a decision on awarding the project this year.

*“Cohousing is an intentional community of private homes clustered around shared space. Each attached or single family home has traditional amenities, including a private kitchen. Shared spaces typically feature a common house, which may include a large kitchen and dining area, laundry, and recreational spaces. Shared outdoor space may include parking, walkways, open space, and gardens.

Households have independent incomes and private lives, but neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces. Community activities feature regularly-scheduled shared meals, meetings, and workdays. Neighbors gather for parties, games, movies, or other events. Cohousing makes it easy to form clubs, organize child and elder care, and carpool.”  From The Cohousing Association of the United States – see here:  http://cohousing.org/node/4005

** Commissioner Krepp explained her vote to abstain:  “I abstained because I wasn’t satisfied with either presentation.  Neither developer could tell me what the market rate will be for their condo units and I’d like to know this information before I vote. I’ve asked that they be prepared to share this information at the full ANC meeting on Tuesday.”

The Week Ahead….Boys and Girls Club Proposals Up before 6B Planning and Zoning Committee Tuesday

by Larry Janezich

Monday, November 6

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Giant of Maryland, LLC, 300 H NE – application renewal of alcohol beverage retailer’s license.

Edgy Craft, LLC t/a Craft Beer Cellar DC, 301 H Street, NE – application for single sales amendment to alcohol beverage retailer’s license.

Relish Food 2, LLC d/b/a Carving Room Kitchen & Bar, 130 M Street, NE – new alcohol beverage license application

Tuesday, November 7

ANC 6B Planning & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

716-718 L Street SE, Concept – Historic Preservation application for a three-story rear addition and two-story rooftop addition.

421 Seward Square SE, Concept – Historic Preservation application for a rooftop addition.

Recap of Hill East Task Force meeting on redevelopment of Eastern Branch Boys & Girls Club Building and discussion of ANC action.

ANC 6C Parks and Events Committee meets at 7:00pm at Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center 700 2^nd Street, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & Half Marathon – Discussion about the scheduled 6^th running of this race on Saturday, March 10, 2018.

NoMa Parks Projects – Update from NoMa Parks Foundation concerning the status of NoMa parks projects and discussion about persistent delays in delivery.

NoMa Underpass Projects/Homeless Encampments – Discussion about status of encampments at the various underpasses due for development by NoMa Parks Foundation.

Wednesday, November 8

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation:  John Green, DC Office of Attorney General.

Presentation:  Celeste Duffie on DPW trash collection and parking enforcement.

Giant of Maryland, 300 H Street, NE – renewal of Class B alcohol beverage license.

Edgy Craft, t/a Craft Beer Cellar DC, 301 H Street, NE – application for Class A, single sales.

Carving Room Kitchen & Bar, 130 M Street NE – Class C, application for new alcohol beverage license.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon, March 10, 2018.

NoMa Parks projects.

NoMa Underpass Projects/homeless encampments.

NoMa Bicycle Study, K to N Streets, 6th Street, NE to 6th Street, NW.

K Street, NE Traffic Safety Study.

Bills concerning parking ticket fines.

1121 Abbey Place, NE – application for zoning adjustment to add a third floor and construct a four-story rear addition to an existing one-family dwelling.

19 Fourth Street Rear, NE – application for a zoning adjustment to allow a one-family dwelling in an existing structure on an alley lot.

Proposed DC Comprehensive Plan amendments.

Bill 22-0382, Union Market Tax Increment Financing Act of 2017.

November 14 Council Hearing on DCRA Management of the Vacant and Blighted Property Program.

November 9 Council hearing on stop-work order disclosure and ANC notice of vacant/blighted designations

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

DC Food Truck Parking Regulations.

Feasibility and possibility of bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Thursday, November 9

ANC6A meets at 7:00pm in Miner Elementary, 601 Fifteenth Street, NE.

Presentation:  Benefits of Solar Power in the District – Micah Feigelson, Community Solar Associate, Sun Power.

Consideration of a motion to approve the grant application for $1500 for replacement supplies for the Eastern Senior High School Blue and White Marching Machine.

Consideration of a motion that ANC^A send a letter seeking funding to renovate the Miner Elementary School playground.

Consideration of recommendation that ANC6A take no action on a request by On the Rocks (1242 H Street, NE) for changes to its settlement agreement.

Consideration of recommendation that ANC6A take no action on the application for liquor license renewals of the following establishments:  1101 Convenience Mart’s license (1101 H Street, NE), China House (1601 Benning Rd., NE), DC Supermarket (539 8th Street, NE),J & K Market (234 15th Street, NE), The Cupboard (1504 East Capitol Street, NE), Economy Market (1804 D Street, NE).

Consideration of recommendation that ANC6A support the Historic Preservation application for 1015 D Street, NE, subject to the developers meeting certain listed conditions: The developers make best efforts to obtain letters of support from the certain nearby neighbors at 1013 D Street, NE; 1009 D, Street, NE; 338 11th Street, NE; 336 11th Street, NE; and 334 11th Street, NE; as well as submit plans showing the rear parking area and how it will address concerns about access to the alley, consider changes to the exterior treatment, and submit a sun study to show the impact to neighbor’s light and air.

ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

L Street Market Inc., 7th L Street Market, 700 L St. SE – renewal of Class B Retail Grocery License.

3rd & Pennsylvania, LLC, Roland’s Grocery, 333 Pennsylvania Ave. SE – renewal Class B Retail Grocery License.

Park & Song Inc., Congress Market, 421 East Capitol St. SE – renewal Class B Retail Grocery License.

Radici Uno (One Root), LLC, Radici, 301-303 7th St. SE – renewal Class B Retail Grocery License.

Trader Joe’s East Inc., Trader Joe’s  #622, 750 Pennsylvania Ave. SE – renewal Class B Retail Grocery License.

Midagra, LLC, DCanter, 545 8th St. SE – renewal Class B Retail Grocery License.

Lola’s LLC d/b/a Lola’s, 711 8th St., SE – Amendments to correct Settlement Agreement to permit use of summer garden that was incorrectly designated as sidewalk café.

Wineandbutter, LLC, P & C Market, 1023 East Capitol Street, SE – renewal Class B Retail Grocery License.

Cho’s Family Market Inc., Mott’s Market, 233 12th Street, SE – renewal Class B Retail Grocery License.

Harris Teeter, LLC, Harris Teeter, 1350 Potomac Avenue, SE – renewal Class B Retail Grocery License.

Developers Present Two Starkly Different Choices for Hill East Boys and Girls Club

by Larry Janezich

Thursday night, ANC6B’s Hill East Task Force, chaired by Commissioner Dan Ridge, hosted a community meeting to hear from the two developers who responded to the city’s Request for Proposals (RFPs) to redevelop the Boys and Girls Club: Morningstar Development and Century Associates.

The proposals share much in common:  both leave the massing and height and building footprint unchanged, both provide community amenity space, both provide around a dozen on site below grade parking spaces, both provide 30% percentage of affordable units required by city regulations, both add new windows, both preserve the “Wall of Fame”, and both provide for home ownership.

The major differences are that the Century Associates team would provide senior co-housing – 29 age-restricted 1, 2, and possibly 3 bedroom condo units with 2 caretaker units and about 1850 square feet of community space.

The Morningstar development team would provide a 31 conventional multi-generational 1, 2, and 3 bedroom condo units and about 3000 square feet of community space.

Century Associate’s team says senior co-housing (a concept developed in Scandinavia in the 1970s) provides an opportunity for Capitol Hill seniors to age in place and stay in the neighborhood.  The plan envisions a range of unit sizes, some as large as 1300 square feet – which could be three bedroom units.  The developer says the planned 1850 square feet of community space could be enlarged based on community needs and desires.  An unusual feature is a mechanical lift to move cars from surface level to garage, affording up to 15 parking spaces.  Century Associates lists Capitol Hill Village as a “community engagement partner” and says it would plan on delivering a finished product by the end of 2019.

Morningstar’s team envisions a more conventional layout for 1, 1 + den, 2, and 3 bedroom condos – larger units suitable for families, they say.  Their plan would provide about 3000 square feet of community space and parking for 11 cars with an entrance ramp from C Street.  Morningstar says that construction would take 7 to 8 months after the permitting process and zoning adjustments are completed.

The requirement for community space was made a requirement of the RFPs for development of the site by the city at the insistence of neighbors, to address in part the loss of the social services formerly provided by the Boys and Girls Club.  Various proposals for programming the space have been mentioned, but both developers say this will be decided after consultation with the community.

Ridge appeared skeptical that the proposals and the RFP requirements furthered the city’s goals of increasing social services in the face of losses to the community such as the Boys and Girls Club and Friendship House.

ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Commissioner Nick Burger, will consider the proposals at its regular monthly meeting next Tuesday, November 7^th, at 7:00pm at St. Coletta’s.  The committee will hear from the community and may or may not recommend one of the proposals to the full ANC.  The full ANC will meet to consider which of the proposals to recommend to the city one week later, on Tuesday, November 14, a 7:00pm in Hill Center.  Two days later, on Thursday, November 16, the city (DMPED*) will hold a disposition hearing at 7:00pm at St. Coletta’s which will mark the end of the public comment period and provide an opportunity to provide final comments.

DMPED hopes to make a decision between the two proposals this year.

*Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

The Week Ahead….Developers Present Plans for Boys and Girls Club on Thursday

by Larry Janezich

Monday, October 30

1. ANC6B Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center, to set the agenda for the full Executive Committee meeting on November 14.

Wednesday, November 1

1. ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Northeast Library, 7th & D Streets, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

1121 Abbey Place, NE: Zoning Application for special exceptions to add a third floor and construct a four story rear addition.

19 Fourth St. NE/rear:  Zoning Application for a special exception to perit a one family dwelling unit in an existing structure on an alley lot.

Discussion of proposed D.C. Comprehensive Plan amendments.

Discussion of Bill 22-0382, Union Market Tax Increment Financing Act of 2017.

Discussion of Nov. 14 Council Hearing on DCRA Management of the Vacant and Blighted Property Program.

Thursday, November 2

1. ANC 6B Hill East Task Force meets to discuss proposals received the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development (DMPED) for the reuse of the former Boys and Girls Club, 7:00pm, St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.  Task Force Char and ANC6B Commissioner Ridge has invited representatives of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development (DMPED) and developers selected by DMPED to share proposals and answer questions from Commissioners and residents.

2.        PSA 107 meets at 7:00pm, SE Library, 402 7th Street, SE.

3.         Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) meet at 5:30pm SE Library, lower level.

 

Councilmember Charles Allen Wades into Eastern Market Rent War

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, CM Charles Allen told the Director of DGS, Ms. Greer Gillis that Eastern Market is a public good and that outweighed the city’s goal of making the Market self-sustaining. The statement was directly related to the city’s controversial appraisal of merchant stall space inside Eastern Market.  The appraisal recommended substantial increases in the rent for South Hall food merchants in apparent violation of a cap on rents provided in statute.*

Allen later told Capitol Hill Corner that “Eastern Market is absolutely a public good.  It is a public good to have a healthy and thriving market.  I’m not looking for fees that would make the Market entirely self-sustaining.  The question is can DGS increase the rent beyond what the law allows.  Director Gillis says yes – my recommendation is that DGS provide a written legal opinion” justifying that assertion.

Last night, Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) chair Donna Scheeder – an Allen appointee to EMCAC – who along with Vice Chair Chuck Burger had attended Allen’s meeting, brought the appraisal issue up for discussion.

As previously reported (http://bit.ly/2fTLhsv), EMCAC has rejected the DGS appraisal and the substantially increased rents for the South Hall as flawed in conception and conclusion.  But EMCAC is an advisory body, and DGS is not bound by their decisions.

As part of their right to respond to the city’s appraisal, the South Hall merchants are contracting for their own appraisal and a new scope of work based on what they think is important.  Any substantial differences between the two appraisals will be referred to a third appraiser for a final recommendation.  The city wants the second appraisal in hand by January 22, a deadline that the South Hall merchants and EMCAC says is too short, given the demands of the upcoming holiday season.

Scheeder moved that EMCAC send a letter to Mayor Bowser, CM Allen, and DGS urging that the timeline be suspended and any requirement for a second appraisal by the South Hall merchants be stayed until DGS renders a legal opinion on how the city can set a new rent level in contradiction to existing statute.  EMCAC asked for the opinion by the next regular EMCAC meeting on November 29.  The motion was agreed to unanimously.

Scheeder said that in addition to the appraisal, the participants in Allen’s meeting discussed the use of the 300 block of 7th Street (currently used by the weekend flea markets) and an overview of Eastern Market and it’s Special Use Area.**

Weekend Flea Market Managers agree to 7 month vending license extension at higher rent

Market Manager Barry Margeson reported to EMCAC last night that both weekend flea market managers had signed a seven month vending license extension at a 52% increase in monthly rent for the 300 block of 7^th Street, as recommended by the city’s appraisal of the block.

Sheeder said that EMCAC’s position is that 300 block needs sustained activity. She complained that the Committee did not have input on the statement of work for the appraisal of flea market vendor spaces on the 300 block, nor was it given time for review, both of which are required by the statute governing Eastern Market.***

Scheeder moved that EMCAC go on record as stating the Special Use Area** should be appraised as a whole and not piecemeal, that EMCAC’s advisory role had been ignored, and that EMCAC rejects “everything in the process” concerning the appraisal of the vending spaces on the 300 block of 7^th Street and the appraisal of the South Hall.  The motion was agreed to unanimously.

Vice Chair Chuck Burger then moved that the Committee go on record as stating that the rent for the flea market vending spaces should not be increased because EMCAC had rejected the appraisal.  That motion carried 8 – 1.  (The vote will have no effect on the flea market managers’ rents since both have signed license extensions with the city at the higher rent.)

CHC followed up with Allen and asked him about the need for an overall business plan for the Market.  Allen said that he believes we need a strategic plan involving all the stakeholders. While there is currently no money in the budget for such a study, he said, “I’m prepared to go to bat to make sure we get the resources we need.”

*Annual rent increases for any operators shall be limited to 102% of the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”), or to an additional amount to reflect the cost of additional services provided, except that in no instance shall the annual increase exceed 110% of the CPI.

**The Special Use Area is generally speaking the portions of 7th Street and C Street being used by the flea markets as well as the sidewalks around the Market and the plazas on the north end of the Market and in front of the Rumsey Aquatic Center.

***Here’s a link to the statute governing Eastern Market:  http://bit.ly/2y7cmAu

Here’s a Hill East Branch of DC Public Library You Don’t Know About

by Larry Janezich

DC Public Library has partnered with the DC Department of Corrections and established a branch library in the DC Jail.  Capitol Hill Corner visited the jail and talked to the library staff on Monday afternoon.

The library is housed in the Correctional Treatment Facility, one of the two main wings of the jail – the other wing being the Central Detention Facility.

The Correctional Treatment Facility has been in operation since 1992 as a specialized medium security institution.  Prior to February 1, 2017, DC Jail was run by CoreCivic (formerly known as Corrections Corporation of America), the largest for-profit correctional facility operator in the country, and a company plagued with a history of bad – even abusive – management practices.  On March 31, 2017, CoreCivic’s contract expired and Mayor Bowser announced the DC Department of Corrections, headed by Director Quincy Booth, would take over the jail.  The ReThink Justice-DC coalition was one group who opposed the city contracting with private corrections corporations.

One of the benefits for inmates that came with government control was a brand new library which opened in the Correctional Treatment Facility last March.  The jail had an existing law library comprised of mostly legal reference books and a few leisure reading books which were transferred to the DC Jail’s  Central Detention Facility from Lorton Prison when it closed in 2001.

At the end of March the Library was moved to its present location in the Correctional Treatment Facility.  In the new library, access to legal research was provided through 8 computer work stations featuring LexisNexis instead of legal code reference books.  In addition, staff stepped up the total amount of material available and diversified it. The Library now boasts about 10,000 books including fiction, nonfiction, large print, Spanish, etc.  Audiobooks are on the way which will benefit illiterate and visually challenged patrons.

The library is staffed by contractors through the DC Public Library.  Librarian Danielle Zoller said that in addition to a full time librarian, there is one full-time associate librarian and one part time reference worker.  Asked to explain the operation of the library, Zoller said that each of the DC Jail housing units gets access to the library once a week  – women in the morning for two hours and men in the afternoon for two hours.  She says that the library can serve up to 40 patrons at a time, though the actual numbers vary from day to day.  Patrons can browse the stacks and check out materials two at a time.  They do not have access to the internet.  Zoller says “what’s popular on the street is popular here,” and that what the library doesn’t have, we can ask DC Public Library to purchase, noting that “we order books continuously.”

For patrons who can’t come to the library – juveniles, those in a witness protection program, and those in restricted housing units – the library goes to them via library cart.

The DC Jail branch is a standalone library that does not share with other libraries.  Staff interacts with the other 27 branch libraries via listservs.

Library patron and work detail guide Joel Casto’n stressed the usefulness of having legal resources searchable by jurisdiction for patrons researching cases relevant to their own.  He also cited how critical access to Microsoft Word and appropriate legal templates are for patrons, not only to help prepare court documents, but also to assist in re-entry planning.  The Department of Corrections emphasizes the importance of inmates leaving DC Jail with a re-entry plan.

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, October 23

ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm in Maury Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room, 1250 Constitution Avenue, NE.

Agenda:

Letter of Support from ANC request for Miner Playground Renovation.

Wednesday, October 25

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

Among items on the agenda:

Responses received from DGS re the 300 block and the appraisal process.

300 block appraisal report.

Parking task force.

Leases for South Hall merchants.

Thursday, October 26

ANC6C Grants Committee meets at 7:30pm, 7:30 at Kaiser-Permanente, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Set Grant and Meeting Calendar for 2018.

Grant Committee on Social Media .

Discussion of Spring Presentation:  Dates, participation of ANC6A and speakers.

Grants Cycle 4 – Nov. 2nd deadline.

City Extends Weekend Eastern Market Flea Market Use of 7^th Street for 7 Months. But….

by Larry Janezich

On October 12, the Department of General Services offered to extend the license agreements with the two weekend flea market managers, to allow them to continue to operate on the 300 block of 7^th Street, SE, from November until the end of May, 2018.  During the period, DGS will develop an official Request for Proposals (RFP) process for any and all potential managers of the Saturday and Sunday flea markets on the 300 block of 7th Street, SE.  Attached to the offer was a substantial increase in rent for the space.

Currently, the total rent the two managers pay the city for use of the street is $4000 a month. The new rate based on the findings of an MAI Certified Appraiser will be $6100 a month.  Currently the two operators pay a total of $48,000 per year.  Under the higher rent, the operators would pay $73,200, a difference of $25,200, roughly an additional $1000 a month increase for each flea market manager.

Barry Margeson, Eastern Market Manager for DGS, says that the Market pays DDOT $56,000 a year for the loss in weekend parking revenues for the 300 block of 7th Street.

The current licenses for operating on the 300 block expire at the end of October, upon which the flea markets are scheduled to re-locate to the newly reopened C Street between 7^th and 8^th Streets.  The re-opening is now projected to be the first weekend in November.

The community strongly supports continued closure of 7^th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and North Carolina Avenue, but there is uncertainty how the 300 block will be used, with much depending on the voices of the future retail merchants who will occupy the first floor of the Hine project.

Saturday flea market manager Carole Wright is cautiously optimistic and intends to use both C Street and the 300 block of 7th Street during the 7 month extension.  She says, “We intend to have a wraparound market ….however, we are still not able to lock in the date of completion for C Street”.  Regarding the use of the 300 block after the seven months, Wright says, “We do not know if those new stores will even want vending in that block.”

Sunday flea market manager Michael Berman says he strongly objects to the increased rent and that the extension should be at the current rent, given the lack of notice and due process.  He says, “We are not able to pass cost increases on to vendors in form of rent increase to them.”  Berman called the appraisal flawed as the result of faulty input involving a disparity in size, rent and amenities of the spaces which were used as comparables.

Berman says, that the Sunday flea market will continue on the 300 block of 7^th through Sunday, October 29 – “The continuation after that is uncertain.”  Berman would like the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC)  to give the flea markets the same deal they gave the South Hall Merchants in delaying any increase in rent until a strategic plan for all outdoor vending areas under Market control is developed.

EMCAC chair Donna Scheeder held out little hope that would happen.  She told CHC “I don’t have a problem with increased rent for public space when the goal is to make Eastern Market self-sustaining and I think most members of EMCAC would agree.  I think the 300 block on 7th Street has been underpriced and I’d like to see some of the increased revenue go into an increased safety and security plan.”

That position seemed to be at odds with EMCAC’s response to DGS’s request for comment on the 300 block of 7^th Street.  On September 19, EMCAC voted 4 – 3 for language supporting “DGS proceeding to have the value of this public spaces (sic) assessed and no rents, permits or contracts for occupying that space should be done until the assessment is completed. The appraisal of space used for market activities should be looked at as a whole and not in 3 individual pieces.”

The proposed rent increase did not sit well with ANC6B Commissioner Diane Hoskins, unhappy at the lack of community consultation regarding the rent increase.  Hoskins said, “This is really disappointing. This completely contradicts the will of the community to maintain the weekend flea market. The September 12 letter from ANC6B to DGS asked that DGS take no actions that would change the current use and operations. A dramatic increase in rent certainly would be a major change”.

EMCAC will consider the 300 block appraisal report at its next meeting at 7:00pm on Wednesday, October 25, in the North Hall of Eastern Market.

CM Charles Allen Sees Little Chance for for Amazon HQ on Reservation 13

by Larry Janezich

Responding to a question at the end of his Pennsylvania Avenue Summit at Hill Center last night, CM Charles Allen all but said “Don’t bet on Amazon putting its new proposed $5 billion headquarters on Reservation 13”.  That counsel has been reinforced by news media reports which point to obstacles in the way of the proposal.

Allen said that there was no doubt such a massive project would have a substantial impact on the community and that the District is one of “6,000 cities saying ‘Pick us’”.  Allen added, with respect to the city’s bid, “There’s no meat on the bones,” referring to the city declining to disclose what financial incentives it might offer to Amazon somewhere down the line.

Amazon’s need for 8 million square feet of space gave him pause, Allen said, and made him wonder if the need is consistent with what the community feels would work for Hill East.  He noted that some Hill Easters are saying, “Let’s not shut the door…” but in terms of a reality check, estimated that the likelihood of Reservation 13 being chosen is “down in the decimal points”.

On the face of it, the proposal seems preposterous.  The disruption and divisions to the community, the dwarfing of every other economic and local governmental agency, and the demands on infrastructure and services such a development would require should cause residents to question the sanity of city officials who proposed this as well as those who support it.  DC would end up just handing over the keys to the city to Jeff Bezos.

As reported elsewhere, some of the obstacles in the way of Reservation 13 being selected include:

The entire zoning of Reservation 13 would have to be changed – a long contentious process.

Reservation 13 is the site of the DC Homeless Shelter and the DC Jail which would have to be relocated.

The adjacent RFK is on National Park Service land.  Events DC holds a lease which expires in 2033.

There are three other DC sites being offered:  Buzzard’s Point and a parcel on Poplar Point across the Anacostia River, NOMA over the railroad tracks, and a site in Shaw/Howard University.  None appear likely in light of incentive packages being offered by jurisdictions in other locations.

ANC6B Commissioners Danial Ridge and Denise Krepp took to Twitter and the New Hill East Listserv to blast the city’s lack of transparency and betrayal of trust with the Hill East community as represented by ANC6B.

Krepp said, referring to DMPED’s appearance before the ANC’s Hill East Task Force last Wednesday, “I’m appalled and incredibly frustrated that DC agencies lied to neighbors last week.  They had a plan for the property; they just didn’t want to share it with us.”

Ridge said, “I am appalled at this lack of transparency. I am further appalled that DMPED spoke to us about this plan at 9:30 this (Monday) morning and asked us to keep it from you until they released it at 10:00.

Amazon as a firm has a vision of the future at odds with DC’s best future. I think they would do bad things to housing affordability and homelessness. I think we would have difficulty fighting Amazon on taxes or jobs or development in the future if they had such an oversize influence on the city.”

In a letter to the Mayor, Ridge said, “I am always willing to consider proper non-disclosure arrangements but I hope that I will never again be contacted under embargo a half-an-hour before an announcement of such significance. It makes me a party to an opaque system in an unwelcome way.”

Bids for the project are due on October 19.  Amazon will make a decision in early 2018.

On Friday, Council Member Charles Allen holds community office hours from 8:00am until 9:30am, at The Pretzel Bakery in Hill East, at 257 15th Street, SE.

 

The Week Ahead…CM Charles Allen Community Meeting on PA Ave SE Development Overview – Tuesday

by Larry Janezich

Monday, October 16

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation:  Office of City Planning – Andrea Limauro

 Capital Yacht Club:  Amendment to CA liquor license

Shilling’s, 1331 4th Street, SE: Amendment to liquor license re hours of operation

Officina Italian Restaurant at The Wharf:  Protest application for liquor license

The Wharf, Phase II – Zoning Application http://bit.ly/2yrUFdB

Forest City PUD Text Amendment – Zoning Application –

RASA 1277 1st Street, SE – Public Space Application for Sidewalk Café

Taylor Gourmet, 1247 1st Street, SE, Public Space Application for Sidewalk Café

CANCELLED:   ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, NE.

Tuesday, October 17

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Discussion of request by On the Rocks (formerly Da Luft) (1242 H Street, NE) for changes to its Settlement Agreement.

1101 Convenience Mart, 1101 H Street, NE, Class B Retailer License Renewal

China House, 1601 Benning Road, NE, Class B Retailer License Renewal

DC Supermarket, 539 8th Street, NE, Class B Retailer License Renewals

J & K Market, 234 15th Street, NE, Class B Retailer License Renewals

The Cupboard, 1504 East Capitol Street, NE.

Economy Market, 1804 D Street, NE.

Councilmember Charles Allen hosts The Pennsylvania Avenue Vision Summit at 7:00p at The Hill Center.

Pennsylvania Avenue, SE from Barney Circle to Seward Square has more than a dozen major projects underway or coming on line.  Allen is bringing together all sides – the city, the developers, community organizations and neighbors – to share their vision for the project.

RSVP here for the event for any updates or changes. http://bit.ly/2gH8mf4

CHRS Board of Directors, meets at 6:30pm, Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6^th Street, SE.

Wednesday, October 18

ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee will meet at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, 10^th and G Streets, NE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

1015 D Street, NE.  HPRB recommendation on the plans for redevelopment of the chapel located at 1015 D Street, NE.

CHRS Historic Preservation Café – “This Old (but great) House – wiring & safety”.  6:30pm, Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 7^th Street, NE.

Friday, October 20

Council Member Charles Allen hold’s community office hours from 8:00am until 9:30am, at The Pretzel Bakery in Hill East, at 257 15^th Street, SE. 

Sunday, October 22

CHRS House Expo, Eastern Market North Hall, 10::am.  Some 30 home service exhibitors help with ideas on ways to repair or enhance your home.  Architects, general contractors, house historians, energy conservation experts, home inspectors, painters, solar panel installers, insurance agents, HVAC specialists, etc.  Open to the public and free.