Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Week Ahead….& T-Mobile Now Open on Barracks Row (too bad if you’re packing heat, though)

by Larry Janezich

Monday, June 5

1. CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm in Kirby House, 420 10th Street, SE.
2. ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Buredo 625 H St, NE, new retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant liquor license.

Farmbird Restaurant Group, 625 H Street, NE, new Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant liquor license.

Sticky Fingers Bakery Bistro, 406 H Street, NE, significant change in Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant,  Entertainment Endorsement and Summer Garden Applications.

Tuesday, June 6

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

Among items on the agenda:

Raze Application: 1329-1331 K Street SE (two, two-story semi-detached row houses).

1108 South Carolina Avenue, SE; Concept/two-story rear and side additions;

1108 South Carolina Avenue, SE; Zoning Adjustment for special exception from lot occupancy requirements, to construct a two-story rear and side addition of an existing one-family dwelling at 1108 South Carolina Avenue, SE.

Historic Preservation and BZA Applications regarding 3^rd Street Alley; special exception from rear yard requirements and side yard requirements and for variances from alley centerline setback and surface requirements, to permit a two-story, two-unit apartment house on an alley lot at 205 3^rd Street, SE.

Alley Naming of 3rd Street Alley [Previously approved in May as Lincoln School Court. Request that it be named “Ruppert” Alley].

119 7th Street SE, zoning adjustment – special exception from rear yard requirements, from the roof top architectural element requirements, and from the height limitations, to construct a rear and third story addition to an existing two story at 119 7^th Street, SE.

Large Track Review (LTR) of Safeway site, 415 14th Street, SE.

Public Space Application; Alley Paving at 335 8th Street, SE, next to Hine project.

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

NoMa Parks – Update from NoMa Parks Foundation concerning the status of NoMa parks projects. Representative: Stacie West, NoMa Parks Foundation.

NoMa Underpass Projects – Discussion with city officials regarding encampments at the various underpasses due for development by NoMa Parks Foundation.  Representatives: Ben Link & Elizabeth Horen, Program Analysts for the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. Melvyn Smith, Department of Human Services.

Wednesday, June 7

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

501 C Street, NE; Historic Preservation Application for concept approval for a rear addition and façade alteration.

525 A Street, NE; Historic Preservation Application of Capitol Hill Baptist Church for concept approval to construct five new townhouses along 6th Street, NE.

1005 1st Street, NE; Application for zoning adjustment for a special exception for garage and loading entrances, loading access, penthouse use, closed court area, to construct a mixed use project consisting of hotel, residential and retail uses at 1005 First Street, NE.  Representative: Leila Batties, Holland & Knight.

Discussion of DC Comprehensive Plan amendments

2. ANC 6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm, in Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the agenda:

Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenue Intersection Improvement Project Environmental Assessment.

DDOT Presentation on 15th/Kentucky/Potomac/G Street Intersection Study.

Thursday, June 8

1. ANC 6A meeting 7:00 pm, Miner Elementary, 601 Fifteenth (15th) Street NE

Among items on the agenda:

Substantial change to liquor license request by the Elroy, 1423 H Street, NE; adding cover charge and dancing.

Request for a new liquor license by Dynamix Lounge , 1220 H Street, NE.

Letter to the DC City Council supporting DDOT’s exploration of the feasibility of installation of 3000 Kelvin LED lights, citing concern about higher intensity Kelvin lights and recommending full shielding.

Letter to DDOT requesting a traffic-calming study for the 1200 through 1500 blocks of C Street, NE.

Letter seeking guidance on marijuana businesses operating in residential areas.

Appeal of DCRA’s issuance of a business license and a Home Use Permit for Puff, Pass & Paint, a cannabis business operating in a residential neighborhood.

Letter of support to BZA for variances from the nonconforming structure requirements and the lot occupancy requirements to construct a rear addition on the first floor of a one-family at 520 Twelfth Street, NE, on the condition that the homeowners make their best efforts to obtain letters of support from the owners of 1125 and 1127 Maryland Avenue, NE.

Letter of support to HPRB for an interior renovation and two (2) story rear addition with a cellar at 1362 East Capitol Street, NE, on the condition that the homeowners use best efforts to obtain a letter of support from 1364 and 1362 East Capitol Street NE.

2. ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Hill Center.

Among items on the agenda:

Hawk N’ Dove, 329 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Substantial change in the renewal of a Class “C” Tavern License with a sidewalk café, to include Cover Charge Dancing Entertainment Endorsement, and expanded Hours of Operation & Service: Mon-Th 10 am-2 am; Fri-Sat 10 am – 3 am; Same for Sidewalk Café.

Lola’s, 711 8th Street, SE, Renewal of a Class “C” Tavern License with a sidewalk café endorsement.  Hours of Operation & Service: Mon-Th 10 am-2 am; Fri-Sat 10 am – 3 am; Same for Sidewalk Café.

The Ugly Mug, 723 8th Street, SE, Application to add a Brew Pub Amendment to the existing license for the establishment.  Install equipment on street level floor of the premises to produce 275 barrels or 525 half-kegs of beer.

3. ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

NoMa Bicycle Study – DDOT is soliciting preliminary input on how to build out the bicycle infrastructure network from K to N Streets and from 6^th Street, NW to 6^th Street, NE. The website for the project is http://nomabicyclestudy.com/and they have an interactive map where you can draw your preferred routes.

501 H Street, NE; Mixed use building currently under construction. Application to add bollards and railings in the alley to protect the neighboring house from accidental damage from cars using surface parking spots located off the alley.  Representative: Chris Regan, Douglas Development Corp. [

Loree Grand Mural Mural concept from Words, Beats and Life,  for the large, blank wall at 3rd and L Streets, NE.  Representative: Mazi, Words, Beats and Life

301 N Street, NE, Traffic control plan and public space construction for new development. Proposed traffic control plan includes closing N Street, NE, to avoid using residential streets.  Representative: Devan Belnap, Foulger Pratt.

Saturday, June 10

Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) will hold a book sale, 10:00am – 3:00pm, Southeast Library, lower level.

Residents Weigh In on Pennsylvania/Potomac Avenue Intersection Redesign  – Comment Period Opens

Bus Stop Location Concerns Jenkins Row Residents

by Larry Janezich

Thursday night, DDOT hosted a community meeting at Hill Center to release the Environmental Assessment and get input from residents on the redesign of the confusing and dangerous Pennsylvania/Potomac Avenue SE intersection.

Councilmember Charles Allen opened the meeting, asserting that the intersection does not work and that residents should not feel wedded to any of the three designs DDOT planners have come up with – that elements of one design could be incorporated into another.  Allen said the focus should be on pedestrians and how the intersection can work for the community rather than just moving traffic.  Most important, he said, was determining how the intersection can improve pedestrian safety and work for the neighborhood.

DDOT representatives told residents that the meeting marks the beginning of the public review period prior to the Environmental Protection Agency decision on the project.  Residents will have until June 30 to comment on the plans (info below).

Once public review of the Environmental Assessment and the three designs is complete, DDOT will make a decision on the redesign this summer.  Following the selection of one of the alternatives, it will take about a year to complete final design and a little longer for that for the National Park Service to transfer any lands to the city, should that be necessary.

Planners say that designs of the park/green space elements are not fully fleshed out.    One of the DDOT representatives said DDOT’s final design for the park will depend on community input, likely through a task force of community stakeholders; “Tell us what you want.”

There are three alternatives being offered:

• Triangle Park Design:  Most like existing condition.  The resulting park/green space in the median would be 25,000 square feet (one half acre) and could contain a sculpture or water element.
• Rectangular Park Design: Encourages low transit speed and would feature a mid-block crosswalk, sculpture or water element, and enhanced landscaping and hardscaping.  The center park – 25,500 square feet – could be lined with trees and would provide a place for civic activities.
• Ellipse Park Design. Encourages low transit speed and would feature a mid-block crosswalk, sculpture or water element, and enhanced landscaping and hardscaping.  The center park – 34,300 square feet – could be lined with trees would provide a unique shape for the neighborhood park.

Many of those who attended expressed concern about the bus stops.  All three plans maintain all bus routes through the intersection with bus stops generally in the same place or close to the same place.

Several residents of Jenkin’s Row called the bus stop on Pennsylvania Avenue near the resident’s entrance, problematic in term of the noise associated with the bus traffic as well and the gathering of riders outside the residential entrance to the building.  One resident told CHC that some 160 eastbound 30s buses stop at this intersection every weekday; all of those would stop in front of the main entrance to Jenkins Row under the Rectangle and Ellipse proposals. This is in addition to approximately 90 circulator buses that might stop there if DDOT so desires.  Some residents want the stop shifted to the east side of the intersection on the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. See schematics depicting proposed bus stops below.

That address marks the location of the proposed development of the NY Pizza site at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, where CAS Riegler Development plans to build a mixed retail/apartment project is a retail project at heart, with 19,000 square feet “Class A” retail, and 174 residential units.  See here:  http://bit.ly/2rzlhWy  During the PUD process to change the zoning to permit increased height and density for the site, CAS Riegler agreed not to protest a bus stop on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue in the 1400 block.

The deadline for comments is June 30, and they can be submitted to DDOT via email ddot.awi@dc.gov or on the DDOT website which has additional info on the project, here:  www.anacostiawaterfront.org/Penn-Potomac

Here’s a Look at the (New) Barracks Row Lola’s, Opening Today

by Larry Janezich

Lola’s on Barracks Row had a soft opening last night and opens for regular operations today.  What’s new?  Lots of mahogany, new floors, and new banquette seating, a new menu (see below) featuring top end burgers in place of entrees and new bartenders – crowd pleasing Mark from Senart’s and Miguel – who, patrons say, “make the bar an interesting place to be”.  The pool tables on the second and third floor remain, as does “Jack’s Porch” named for a regular who serves as a clarinetist in the Marine Band.

Last fall, Xavier Cervera and his partners regained ownership of the string of Capitol Hill/Nats Park restaurants which were sold to a Boston equity firm in December 2012.  Cervera said that one of his first steps after regaining control would be to temporarily close Lola’s for refurbishment of the interior. See original story here: http://bit.ly/2chTmCg

7-11 Execs Meet with ANC Commissioners & Residents on Hill East Location

by Larry Janezich

Last Thursday, 7-11 executives, including Greg Manzer, regional Market Manager and Nancy Wade, Franchise Sales Representative, met with Hill East residents to discuss the transition of the currently corporate-run store to a franchise operation and to hear concerns about about the stores’s operation.  The meeting was organized by ANC Commissioner Denise Krepp.  ANC6B Chair Chander Jayaraman also attended the meeting at 15th and Independence Avenue,SE.

Manzer, who oversees 104 7-11’s in the region, said that the store would go under a new franchise operator in third week of July.  7-11 will sponsor a customer appreciation day in connection with the transition to new management.

Krepp asked the store reps about the on-going reports of theft at the store.  Manzer said that theft is a part of the business that goes on every day, accounting for losses amounting to $15 – $20 per day.

He noted that thefts extended beyond food items, singling out health and beauty aids as being among products most frequently taken.  Theft is a particular issue in the afternoons, after school lets out, but Manzer says that hiring security at $30 an hour is a “challenge of economics.”

Issues raised by neighbors included trash from carryout food discarded throughout the neighborhood, delivery times, and trucks idling for long periods.  Manzer told attendees that “I’m committed to helping this community anyway I can.”  To that end, he seemed amenable to sponsoring a once a month community clean up with free coffee and pastries.

Manzer said there was little he could do regarding adjustment of delivery times which are driven by factors beyond his control.  He did pledge to have managers make greater efforts for delivery trucks to abide by idling restrictions.

The store, open only 11 months, has seen five managers rotate through the store.  A franchise operator, Manzer says, will provide more stability.

Afterward, Jayaraman said, “I appreciate that 7-Eleven corporate came out in the rain to hear about community concerns, their willingness to follow up on issues, and commitment to take a more active role to be part of the solution.  I am hopeful that this is a harbinger of a new corporate approach to addressing the concerns of residents in neighborhoods where they operate.”

 

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, May 30

1. ANC6B’s Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center to set the agenda for the next monthly meeting of the full commission, on Tuesday, June 13.
2. Hill resident and author of Hollywood on the Potomac, Mike Canning, a long-time film reviewer for The Hill Rag , takes a look at the movies featuring DC. Canning’s talk will use  short film-clips to show how our city, has been portrayed in feature films— from “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” to “All the President’s Men” to “No Way Out” to “Minority Report”, etc.  PRICE: $20 Members; $25 Non-members. Includes hors d’oeuvres. Cash Bar.  5:30pm – 8:00pm, Woman’s National Democratic Club, 1526 New Hampshire Ave NW (corner of Q St, near Dupont Circle), (202) 232-7363.  Registration:  http://conta.cc/2ryHi99

Wednesday, May 31

1. Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00ppm, in the North Hall of Eastern Market. The North hall is located at the corner of 7th and North Carolina Ave SE.

Among items on the agenda:

Appraisers Preliminary Report subject of Special meeting June 14^th

Developments on status of 7th Street between C and Pennsylvania Avenue

Market Managers Report:  Status of Leases, Financials, Eastern Market Main Street

Thursday, June 1

1. Community Meeting on DDOT’s Pennsylvania & Potomac Avenue, SE Intersection Improvement Project: 6:30-8:30pm, Hill Center, Abraham Lincoln Hall, 921 Penn Ave SE. DDOT released its environmental assessment for this project here: http://bit.ly/2qvuXyl
2. PSA 107 meets at 7:00pm in Southeast Library, lower level.
3. Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) meet at 5:30pm in Southeast Library, lower level.

Reminder:  Register to participate in the Barracks Row 4^th of July Parade. 

Join the parade on the Fourth of July- just register and you, your family, your school, your group can be a part of an All American tradition. Just sign up with Phil Guire, Grand Marshall of the parade here: philguire@gmail.com  

Remember- this is a rain or shine event. Marchers meet at 8th and I Street under the 695 freeway to form up- and at 10am sharp Phil will start the parade.

The Week Ahead…& Ugly Mug Partners with Microbrewery

Monday, May 22

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Maury Elementary School, 1250 Constitution Avenue, NE. CANCELLED

Agenda not available at press time.

Tuesday, May 23

PSA 106 (Police Service Area) meets at 7:00pm, at the Congressional Quarter Community Center, 5^th and K Streets, SE.

Douglas Klein of the US Attorney’s office will talk about the Preventive Detention of Defendants. In light of some recent violent crimes in the First District, he will talk about what determines if a defendant will be preventatively detained pending trial.

City OKs Pop Up in Cap Hill Historic District – Orders Work Stopped – Now Wants Tear Down

by Larry Janezich

In February, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) issued a permit for a pop up addition in the Capitol Hill Historic District and then issued a stop work order after the construction was well underway. DCRA issued permits to Blue Star Design Build, owned by Eric and Christal Goetz, for an addition to a townhouse at in the Capitol Hill Historic District at 231 10^th Street, SE.  Since the property lies in the Historic District, the permit application should have been referred to the Historic Preservation Board (HPRB) for review, just as a second application to construct a two story garage on the property had been.   It wasn’t (perhaps this should have been a tip off to the developer who has done other projects on Capitol Hill), and the applicants proceeded with the work on the addition.  After a stop work order was issued, Blue Star backtracked and filed a Historic Preservation Application with HPRB in March.

The plans call for the construction of a three story rear addition and one story roof addition extending onto the roof of the original house which is a “contributing structure” in the Capitol Hill Historic District,

As they do on all new construction in the Historic District, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society weighed in, pointing out that regulations provide that an addition must not be visible from public space, must be smaller than the original building, and must not be built over the main block of a historic house.  The proposed project would violate all three.  CHRS’ recommendation included language saying that “Removing the third story would correct the problems with visibility, subordination, and building over the main block of the house”, and urged the HPRB to order the removal of the third story addition.

When the Application came up before ANC6B at its April meeting, the ANC voted 7 – 0 – 1 to support the applicant’s case before HPRB, but offered no support for why they thought the project was consistent with Historic Preservation requirements; commissioners seemed persuaded by the argument that a mistake had been made by DCRA, and the applicants should not have to pay for it.

The Historic Preservation Office reviewing the application on behalf of HPRB, recommended that HPRB approve a modified permit that includes only a two story rear addition – meaning that they want the applicants tear down the new – but incomplete – construction on the project.

On April 27, the HPRB agreed with the HPO recommendation; “The [HPRB] found the concept for a two-story rear addition to be compatible with the character of the historic district, but found that the third floor roof and rear addition to be incompatible with the character of this property and the historic district. Vote: 9-0.”

The applicant has the option of appealing the HPO’s decision to “The Mayor’s Agent”, i.e., The Director of the Office of Planning, Eric D. Shaw, appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser, and to the DC Court system, should Shaw back up the HPRB.

This is the latest instance in a series of errors over the past several months involving the issuing of permits and enforcement by DCRA.  Capitol Hill Corner reported on several of these lapses by the agency.  See here:  http://bit.ly/2rkiUY9 http://bit.ly/2gKzbBd http://bit.ly/2r2EugS and here http://bit.ly/2lCPIbr

Update:  Blue Star Design is also the architect of an alley dwelling at 205 Third Street, SE.  See here: http://bit.ly/2rNxmFE

DCRA/City Faulted as Weed Business Moves into Capitol Hill Residential Neighborhood

by Larry Janezich

The issue of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCRA) allowing businesses to erode residential neighborhoods came up again Wednesday night, but this time in Hill East.

Puff, Pass, and Paint (PP&P) is a new business model emerging in states that have legalized weed. For $50 a head, the company says:

“Come join us for the original Puff, Pass & Paint class, with sessions held in Denver, Portland, Seattle, and now Washington DC!  2-hour Puff, Pass & Paint class – all art supplies included; 21 +; non-refundable/non-transferable. Please note that this event is BYOC (bring your own cannabis) and BYOB/wine in order to comply with local laws that prohibit the provision of cannabis. Exact address will be provided after purchase of ticket in order to comply with local laws for private cannabis events.”

Hill East resident Dan Wolff, a neighbor to such an establishment, complained to ANC6A’s Planning and Economic Development Committee that the business was operating illegally, beyond what city regulations permit.  Wolff objects to the second hand cannabis smoke that seeps into his house through a common wall as well as the coming and going of numerous clients.

Wolff says he is an Initiative 71 (decriminalizing weed in DC) supporter, but has three issues with the business next door.  1) it’s a personal nuisance, 2) the lax DCRA permitting and enforcement process, 3)  and Initiative 71 prohibitions DC regulations regarding consumption of cannabis in a public space.

His complaint about businesses moving into a residential neighborhood on Capitol Hill is increasingly common (see CHC post here:  http://bit.ly/2r2EugS and here http://bit.ly/2lCPIbr).  Wolff says he objects to the business because “as a father and homeowner, I have a stake in the community larger than myself or my block”.

DCRA regulations permit a portion of a residence to be used as office space, but generally limit that use to 250 square feet and the number of clients to 8 per hour.  PP&P advertises classes of 20 per event.  Former ANC6A Chair David Holmes who attended the hearing to support Wolff’s position, asserted that the business requires a zoning adjustment to operate out of a townhouse.

Regarding Initiative 71, DC regulations Wolff said, regulations prohibit smoking cannabis in a public place, and, since the definition includes “any place to which the public is invited”, the business is operating illegally.  In addition, he said, “the operation would not be permitted in an area zoned commercial and it’s inconsistent to allow it to operate in a residential area.  The house is within a stone’s throw of Options Charter School and within 500 feet of Miner Elementary”.  Wolff is asking the ANC to pressure the city’s bureaucracy to point out to city officials that some lines need to be drawn regarding Initiative 71.

Committee Chair Brad Greenfield noted that DCRA has issued PP&P a business license and a Home Use Permit and that enforcement of cannabis regulations is a “hot potato no one wants to touch.”  The business, he added, may be operating legally because no one is willing to say what is legal and what is not.”

None the less, the Committee agreed that the issue needs to be clarified, and voted to make two recommendations to the full ANC for consideration at its meeting on June 15:

1)            That the ANC write a letter to the Mayor asking her to designate which city agencies are charged with regulation marijuana businesses in residential areas.

2)            That the ANC appeal the issuance of permits for the business by DCRA.  (Greenfield said details on the basis of the appeal would be forthcoming.)

TV Journalist Sam Ford Reflects – 35 Years on Capitol Hill

by Larry Janezich

Journalist Sam Ford, Bureau Chief for local television station ABC7 and NewsChannel 8, has lived on Capitol Hill for 35 years.  Capitol Hill Corner asked him to talk about it.

Ford says, “In 1982, I was looking for a place to live.  I got on my bike and rode around and saw the place where I live now near 12th and C Streets (Southeast). I fell in love with it. There was a For Sale sign in front, so I got off my bike and went up to the door and told them I was interested. The house was owned by David Taylor, who was president of Perpetual Savings.  I was 27 or 28 and rode up on a bicycle.  I don’t think they took me seriously, but I ended up buying it.”  He says there was an odd coincidence connected with the purchase:  “My first significant story in Washington was the John Hinckley trial in 1982.  One of Hinckley’s lawyers was Gregory Craig.  When I went to close on the house a few weeks later, the lawyer was Gregory Craig.  He was a friend of the owners of the house.”

Of his early days on Capitol Hill Ford says, “We were much more involved in the community when the kids were small.  Now they’re grown-up.  Now we just live here – we don’t know people the way we used to.  We go to Eastern Market sometimes – I know the old timers there.”

“Back then, I knew all the neighbors who lived up and down the street – there were a number of characters.  Mark used to own the flower shop on 7th Street (now Pitango) near Eastern Market.  There was a teacher across the street who died of AIDS and a woman who was a cook who worked at the United States Senate – she fixed Thanksgiving dinner for us once, and it was heavenly.  There was Mr. Moody, who ran sort of a taxi service for the neighborhood.”

“Walter was from Cleveland, and owned a good part of the block.  He had a Chihuahua that he called ‘Little Boy’.   There was a woman named Ann, who was priced out of her apartment.  Walter took one of his places and fixed it up.  He said, ‘Pay me what you were paying before and you can stay here.” There was Warren and his wife Helen who would occasionally lock themselves out.  They would call my son who would crawl through their dog door to open the house.’”

“Lois and Barbara were two sisters who lived on the block.  Lois got miffed over something and stopped paying her mortgage and the mortgage company took her house.  Barbara was a guard in the DC Jail.  When they put her sister out, I went out to shoot some video and told Barbara if it would be of any use, I’d give it to her.  Apparently, when marshals evict somebody they get people off the street to empty the house.  Some of them were harassing me and told me to stop shooting.  One of them said something to Barbara and she came out and said, ‘If you don’t know who you’re f…ing  talking to, ask some goddam body.  And let him take pictures.’  She totally shut them up.”

“It was a very interesting neighborhood.  I was here during the horrible days in the 1980s – it was very violent.  People were killed within blocks of my house – we heard gunfire from Kentucky Courts.  Officer Jason White (MPD) was killed on 14th Street across from Kentucky Courts.”

“Velma Jane Jones was a woman who lived in Kentucky Courts. She had two grandchildren  – twins.  Last year, I’m walking by Watkins Field where there was a Pop Warner Football game.  I started talking to one of the parents, and then I recognized him.  He was one of the twins.  I told him that I thought by now he would be dead or in jail.  Actually, both twins work for DC Department of Public Works; they’ve both been married for years, and have kids.  It makes me say, ‘Folks, it ain’t all bad news.  There’s some good.’  Grandma is still around, and lives in Maryland.”

Ford says, “Jim Myers (East Hill activist, see CHC post here: http://bit.ly/2qh5CKL) always gave me credit for shutting down Kentucky Courts.  There was so much bird guano in the attic it caused the ceilings in the upper units to collapse.”  The Health Department got involved because of the television report Ford did.  Ford says, “They came in with bodysuits to clean it up and then said they couldn’t remediate it, and shut it down.”

Sam Ford was born in Coffeyville, Kansas.  He found his way to DC through reporting jobs, first in Minnesota, then for CBS News in New York and Atlanta before landing in DC 1982.  Ford is married to freelance reporter and media manager Gloria Murry; they have a son, Murry Ford, and a daughter, Gina Ford.  He met his wife on an airplane on the way to a story when they were both working in Atlanta.  “There was a camera man from Boston who was always trying to line me up.  He came to me rubbing his hands together and said:  ‘Have I got a woman for you.’  We’re having our 36th anniversary this year.”

“When I grew up Coffeyville was a town of 17,000 – now it’s down to 10,000.  The main industry was the COOP Oil Refinery.  I grew up in the shadow of the COOP.  On the north side of the houses exposed to the wind from the refinery, the paint was eaten away.”

“In Kansas the schools were segregated but only if it was economical.  If a town was 15,000 or less there was no segregation.  Above 15,000, it was segregated.  After Brown vs. the Board of Education (of Topeka) required desegregation, Coffeyville was still segregated on a neighborhood level.  There were no white kids in school on the north side of town where I lived.”

“The Black men in Coffeyville worked in the (Sherman-Williams zinc-oxide) smelter.  It provided a steady income. Coffeyville must’ve been 20% Black.  We had a vibrant Black community there with many Black-owned small businesses and Coffeyville had a number of Black policemen.”

“Mama was born in Coffeyville – Daddy moved there from Oklahoma.  My father was a member of the Cherokee tribe – the slaves held by the Cherokees became citizens of the Cherokee Nation after the Civil War.  My heritage is descended from slaves of the Cherokee Indians.”  Ford says he’s a party to a suit in DC federal against members of the Cherokee Nation who are trying to exclude the Blacks – the Cherokee Freedmen controversy.  He says, “Most plaintiffs are in Oklahoma. I’m the only plaintiff in DC.”

Ford has done several news reports on Black History for WJLA, including a three part series titled:  Black Slaves, Red Masters and a report on Ford’s trip to Nigeria West Africa, in search of his own DNA roots.  They can be seen on YouTube, using the search word samuford.

The Week Ahead…..

by Larry Janezich

May 14 – May 21:  Eastern Market Main Street Market Week – a seven day celebration showcasing the businesses who help create the Eastern Market community.  The week will culminate in “Night at the Market,” a ticketed event which will be held in the North Hall on Sunday, May 21, featuring small bites, wine and beer, and live music.  Tickets are $20 online, $25 at the door.  See here for ticket purchase and additional information on  participating in merchant’s specials and events via the Market Week Passport:   https://www.easternmarketmainstreet.org/marketweek

Monday, May 15

1. ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm in Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, N.E.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Discussion with DC Office of Public Private Partnerships (OP3) regarding LED lighting.

Presentation from DDOT regarding the results of the K Street NE Corridor Study/

Tuesday, May 16

1. CANCELLED.  ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm.   Sherwood Recreation Center, Corner of 10th and G Streets, N.E.

Agenda not available at press time.

2. The Capitol Hill Restoration Society Board of Directors meets at 6:30pm, at Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE.

Agenda not available at press time.

Wednesday, Mary 17

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

453 Tennessee Ave NE:  Complaint of a neighbor about a resident who is running a marijuana-related business out of their apartment.

520 12th Street NE (BZA #19513):  Application for variances from the nonconforming structure requirements and the lot occupancy requirements, to construct a rear addition on the first floor of a one-family dwelling in the RF-1 zone.

1362 East Capitol:  Support for an interior renovation and two story rear addition with a cellar in a historic district.

2. Historic Preservation Café, 6:30pm, Northeast Library, 330 7^th Street, N.E. Seth Bau of Historical Arts and Casting, Inc., will discuss recent restoration and reconstruction work on the cast iron dome of the US. Capitol Building.

Thursday, May 18

Police Service Area (PSA) 108 public meets at 7:00pm, Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, S.E.