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ANC6C Unanimously Opposes HPA Plan for MGM’s Proposed DC Lobbying HQ on Stanton Park

by Larry Janezich

Last night ANC 6C voted unanimously (6 – 0) to oppose MGM’s Historic Preservation Application (HPA) for modifications to a building on Stanton Park that the company wants to be the home of their 10 person Washington, DC lobby headquarters, at 501 C Street, NE.   The vote could delay the project and require MGM to go back to the drawing board if the Historic Preservation Review Board gives the required “great weight” to the ANC opinion.

Last week the Commission’s Planning and Zoning Committee voted to recommend to the full ANC that they oppose the application, citing a number of concerns.  (See here:  http://bit.ly/2rU1HEe)

On Monday, MGM submitted revised plans to the Historic Preservation Office, with a number of modifications to the design they brought before the Planning and Zoning Committee, in an attempt to address some of the committee’s concerns.

Mark Eckenwiler, chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee told the commission last night that while the committee was generally supportive of the renovations proposed for the building itself, there were still areas of concern.  He acknowledged that the revised plans resolved concerns regarding the use of public space for parking.

However, he noted, the committee’s main concerns regarding the additions at the rear of the building had not been modified at all.  These included the exterior elevator shaft extending beyond the eaves, the trellis running the length of the large roof top deck on top of the one-story historic structures added to the building, as well as the deck itself.  He also cited failure to conserve the façade of the historic structures behind the building and the proposed use of stucco on the exterior of the rear additions.

Though not directly related to historic preservation, Eckenwiler said that concerns of the nearby neighbors regarding the noise from rooftop deck gatherings (fundraisers) had not been addressed.

An MGM senior vice president for government affairs responded, asserting that the building will be used for office space for fewer than 10 people, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM.  Regarding the noise concerns of Capitol Hill neighbors she said that and MGM intends to be a good neighbor, is very sensitive to noise issues, and that residents could call upon her personally to address any issues.  She said MGM would use the deck for “small functions” and would “work with neighbors.” She said that the company’s operations would result in no parking or traffic disruptions – employees who do not live in the neighborhood, will use public transportation or rental parking.  Attendees at fundraisers will use Uber or Lyft.

Anne Adams, representing MGM on matters regarding historical architecture, said that it was not possible to put the elevator shaft inside the building because it would disrupt the historical interiors which MGM is trying to preserve.  She noted that the elevator made the building ADA accessible and that it will be partly hidden by the trellis running the length of the rooftop deck.

Some of the nearby neighbors rose to express their concerns, including the lack of outreach to the community and the lack of enforceability of activities on the rooftop deck.   One neighbor asked what MGM meant by “small gatherings.” An MGM representative replied 20 to 30 people

Commissioner Scott Price guessed that the deck could be as large as 900 square feet and could accommodate a much larger gathering.  He worried that if MGM sold the building, the community would be stuck with the potentially bad behavior of a future owner, with no community ability to hold the owner accountable.  He cited similar problems which had arisen regarding decks used by the Heritage Foundation and a nearby Georgia State University student housing facility.

After the meeting, Price took the initial steps to create a dialogue between the nearby neighbors and MGM, with the hope of reaching a community agreement regarding MGM operations should a roof deck ever be sanctioned by the city.  However, given the unanimous opposition of ANC6C as well as that of the Board of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, it seems unlikely that the project can go forward under the latest proposed plan.  The hearing before the Historic Preservation Board which will decide the matter will take place Thursday,  June 22.

Update:  June 16, 2017.  A Historic Preservation Office staff report made available today, concluded, “The HPO recommends the Board find the concept to be compatible with the Capitol Hill Historic District, and delegate final approval to staff.”

MGM Plan for Stanton Park Lobby Shop in Cap Hill Historic District Under Fire – ANC6C Votes Wednesday

By Larry Janezich

The erosion of Capitol Hill residential neighborhoods takes place in large ways – like the use of townhouses on New Jersey Avenue by lobbyists and non-profits for offices, and small – like the incompatible additions to and uses of commercial buildings that have a negative effect on residents.

A case in point concerns the deep-pocketed MGM Corporation which is in the business of films and gambling (National Harbor casinos), which plans to open up a lobby shop at 501 C Street, NE, on the south side of Stanton Park.  The 500 block is zoned C-2a for office use and all the buildings on C Street are used for that purpose.

The currently slightly shabby, but still grand 1876 building on the northwest corner of the block was built as the home of former U.S. Treasury official, Silas C. Clarke.   The large Italianate style building is in the Capitol Hill Historic District and requires approval from the city to alter the property – the owner submits a Historic Preservation Application (HPA) to the Historic Preservation Office (HPO) requesting approval to make changes to the property.  The HPO makes a recommendation to the Historic Preservation Review Board.

MGM plans to restore and renovate the former residence in ways that should delight neighbors as well as those concerned with historic preservation.  But what MGM gives with one hand, it takes away with the other.

The design includes elements that raise the hackles of nearby residents as well as the Capitol Hill Restoration Society and a majority of ANC6C’s Planning and Zoning Committee.   These elements include an exterior elevator tower with glass sided bridges between the tower and the building’s upper floors, an expansive roof top party deck with a pergola behind the building, and parking on public space.  Most of the other businesses on the block have private parking space, and none has a roof deck.

MGM hired the respected architectural historian Anne H. Adams of the powerhouse real estate law firm Goulston & Storrs and prominent historical preservation architect Michael Marshall of Marshall Moya Design to shepherd the project through the city bureaucracy.  Adams submitted Historic Preservation Application on behalf of MGM.

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) met with Adams and Marshall on June 5.  CHRS found that the elevator addition, the roof top deck, and the pergola rendered the project incompatible with the Capitol Hill Historic District.  The Society also noted concerns regarding “the potential noise and function of the roof deck as well as the continued use of the side yard for parking,” (neither directly related to historic preservation though some preservationists are making a case that use of public space is a historic preservation factor) as well as lack of letters of support from nearby residents.  It would surprise if such letters are forthcoming, given the impact on the neighborhood of parking for MGM staff and those attending events at the building.

On Thursday night, the ANC6C’s Planning and Zoning Committee voted 4 – 3 to oppose a motion to support the Historic Preservation Application, without revisions to address the issues of the elevator tower, the party deck, and side yard parking in public space.  The full ANC6C will consider the HPA at its meeting at 7:00pm, Wednesday, June 14, at the Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

MGM representatives had until the close of business today, June 12, to submit modifications of the plan.  The Historic Preservation Review Board Hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday, June 22, 2017.

The ANC is an advisory body, whose opinion is, by city regulation, given “great weight” by city agencies.  Many in the community who have been involved in trying to preserve the residential character of the Capitol Hill community feel that the MGM proposal crosses a line.   Much will depend on residents’ attendance at public meetings where this is being considered – the ANC6C meeting on Wednesday, and the Historic Preservation Review Board hearing on June 22.

ANC6A Has Harsh Words for City Council’s Cut in Streetcar Funding on Eve of Budget Vote

by Larry Janezich

Last Thursday night, DDOT’s Project Manager for Street Car Planning Jamie Hensen, gave ANC6A an update on the extension of the Streetcar Project.

Hensen recounted the previously widely reported bad news for the project regarding the reduction in FY 18 funding for the proposed extensions of the H Street line east to the Benning Road Metro Station and west to Georgetown.  Last month, the City Council released a proposed budget which reduced the Mayor’s request for $160 million over six years for the extension eastward, to $100 million and put off additional funding until FY 2023.  The $100 million allocated by the Council will allow planning to continue but under the best scenario, construction could not begin until 2023, instead of 2020.  The Council increased the Mayor’s request for funding the Georgetown extension from $165 to $196, but delayed spending the funds until 2020-2022.  ANC6B reacted in a proposed letter letter to the Mayor and City Council, saying that the funding was “unceremoniously stripped from the budget the council was presented to enact late the night before the Council vote.”  On May 30, the Council took the first of two required votes on the FY 18 budget. Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 13, the Council will take the second required budget vote.

ANC6A voted unanimously to send the letter to the Mayor and the City Council protesting the cut in funding and lack of transparency by which it was done, and urging the Council to restore the funds.  The letter states, in part, ANC6A “is extremely concerned about recent reports that funding was stripped from the budget at the last moment with no public notice…undermining the [city’s] longstanding commitment to ensuring the viability of this streetcar line …” Also, “Such lack of process and transparency undermines confidence in the Council’s budget process and the well-reasoned committee-led consideration that the Council provides to matters of public importance…”

Jensen also briefed the Commission on the recently completed ridership and travel time analysis, saying that the H Street Streetcar currently attracts 3000 riders a day, seven days a week.  DDOT estimates riderships on an extension from Union Station to Georgetown will attract 5700 riders per mile, making it, one of the higher ridership streetcar lines in the US.

The Environmental Assessment (EA)  for both extensions is currently underway, city agency and public meetings on the assessment will occur in the Fall of 2017, followed by a public meeting on, and publication of, the Environment Assessment in the winter of 2017/2018.  Final approval of the National Environmental Policy Assessment is expected in 2018.

The Week Ahead: ANC6B Likes Ellipse Alternative for PA/Potomac Avenue Intersection Redesign (Tuesday) – ANC6C Takes Up MGM Lobby Shop Proposal to Locate on Stanton Park – New Restaurants in ANC6D

Monday, June 12

1. AN6D meets at 7:00pm, 1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Public Safety Report- First District MPD (PSA 105 & PSA 106) Lt. Robinson, Sgt. Barnes

Report on Activities of CBCC by Rikki Kramer.  (The Near Southeast/Southwest Community Benefits Coordinating Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in 2009 as the result of community dialogue, retreats and careful planning centered around building and bridging the diverse culture of Near Southeast and Southwest.)

Report on DC United Stadium Streetscape – Cassidy Mullen (DC Department of General Services)

Vermin Remediation Letter

Wharf Housing Lottery and Construction Update – Elinor Bacon

Florentijin, 11 Pearl Street, SW: new restaurant liquor license with entertainment and summer garden endorsements.

Del Mar, 791 Wharf Street, SW: new restaurant liquor license with two summer garden endorsements.

Union Stage, 740 Water Street: new tavern liquor license with entertainment and license to serve liquor on a boat.

Hyatt House, 725 Wharf Street, SW: new hotel liquor license with two summer gardens with entertainment endorsement.

Canopy by Hilton, 975 7th Street, SW: new hotel liquor license with entertainment endorsement and summer garden with entertainment endorsement.

Hank’s on the Wharf, 701 Wharf Street, SW: new restaurant liquor license and with summer garden endorsement.

Dacha, 79 Potomac Avenue, SE: new tavern liquor license with summer garden and sidewalk café endorsements.

Zoning Application:  ZC 05-38C – Square 499 – Modification Of Consequence (CM Fast)

Zoning Application:  2100 2nd Street SW – Square 613 – Design Review

Report on progress of neighborhood negotiations – Altrus Development.  Hard to figure out what this is about from the agenda, unless you’ve been following this:  http://bit.ly/2rQOBYI

Public Space Application:  1257 1st Street, SE – Chopt Sidewalk Café

Public Space Application:  1251 1st Street, SE – Roti Sidewalk Café

Tuesday, June 13

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation: Director Fred Mossally, from the DC Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration.

Hawk N’ Dove, 329 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Renewal of a Tavern liquor license with a sidewalk café, with Cover Charge Dancing Entertainment Endorsement.

Lola’s, 711 8th Street, SE, Renewal of Tavern liquor license with a sidewalk café endorsement.

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.

1108 South Carolina Avenue, SE: Historic Preservation Application: Concept/two-story rear and side additions.

1108 South Carolina Avenue, SE – Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story rear and side addition to an existing one-family dwelling in the RF-1 Zone at 1108 South Carolina Avenue, SE.

Alley Lot at 2015 3^rd Street, SE:  Zoning Adjustment Application for special exceptions from the rear yard requirements and the side yard requirements, and for variances from the alley centerline setback requirements and the pervious surface requirements to construct a two-story, two-unit apartment house on an alley lot in the RF-3 Zone at 205 3rd Street SE.

Alley Naming –  3^rd  Street Alley [Previously approved in May as Lincoln School Court. Request that it be named “Ruppert” Alley.  (After further research by the applicant, it appears that the request will be to name the alley “Lincoln Court.”

119 7th Street, SE: Eric Goetz of Blue Star Design’s Zoning Adjustment Application for special exceptions from the rear yard requirements, from the roof top architectural element requirements, from the height limitations, to construct a rear and third story addition to an existing two-story one-family dwelling in the RF-1 Zone at 119 7th Street, SE.  (Blue Star was issued and stop work order and a tear down order after constructing an illegal third story at 231 10^th Street.)

Report on modification of concept of the Safeway site, 415 14^th Street, SE.  Large Track Review (LTR) No. 2017-03.

Vote on letter expressing preference for the “Ellipse Alternative” proposed by DDOT for the redesign of the Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenue Intersection Improvement Project

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

2. Police Service Area (PSA) 104 public meets at 8:00pm, Stuart Hobson Middle School, 410 E Street, NE.

Wednesday, June 14

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

Presentation:  Council Member Robert White.

NoMa parks update.

Report one 3^rd  and L Street, NE, mural project.

Report on NoMa underpass projects.

Buredo, 625 H Street NE, new restaurant liquor license application.

Farmbird, 625 H Street NE, new restaurant liquor license application.

Fare Well, 406 H Street NE, entertainment endorsement and summer garden applications.

Report on NoMa bicycle stud

Indigo, 243 K Street NE, continued operation of sidewalk café without a permi

301 N Street NE, traffic control plan and public space constructio

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

525 A Street NE, Historic Preservation Application by Capitol Hill Baptist Church, concept approval, five new town houses along 6th Street.

1005 1st Street NE, Zoning Adjustment Application, mixed-use project with hotel, residential and retail uses.

Follow-up letter to the Council on the February DCRA issues roundtable.

Thursday, Jun 15, 2015

1. PSA 108 meets at 7:00pm, Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE.

2. CHRS Zoning Committee meets at 7:30pm, Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE.

 

Insight Development Tinkers with Layout for “Lockwood” Apartment Complex Near SE Safeway

by Larry Janezich

The apartment complex in the 1300 block of E Street, SE, known as the “Bowie Site” has a new name:  Lockwood.  Insight Development, who is developing the Buchanan School Site across the street, has plans to modify the plan for the building, and new city regulations require more intense review of changes to projects.

Insight wants to decrease the number of apartments from 153 to 145 and increase the number of 2 – 3 bedroom homes.  Two to the 3 bedroom units will be designated affordable, under the city’s Inclusionary Zoning requirements.  Insight also requested changes in the design features for some of the project’s windows and balconies.  The Committee, chaired by Commissioner Nick Burger, voted 7 – 0 to approve a motion to support the changes, and the application was placed on the consent calendar for the next meeting of the full ANC, Tuesday, June 13, at 7:00pm in Hill Center.  For the original post describing the first look at the project, see here: http://bit.ly/1TsgfOV

Capitol Hill Baptist Church To Build Five Townhouses on Church Parking Lot at 501 A Street, NE

by Larry Janezich

Wednesday night, ANC6C’s Planning and Zoning Committee approved the Historical Preservation Application of Capitol Hill Baptist Church (501 A Street, NE) to construct five new townhouses facing 6^th Street, NE, on the parking lot on the north side of the church.  The Committee tinkered with the landscaping, hardscaping, and public space aspects of the design, and local architect Jeff Goins of PGN Architects agreed to incorporate the suggestions.

The church will retain ownership of the houses, each of which will contain two units.  The church plans to use the units as temporary residences for pastor-trainees and a host pastor who will oversee the operation of the units.  The timeline anticipates a 9 to 12 month construction period, once the city signs off on permits.  A nearby resident raised the issue of the impact of the new residences on neighborhood street parking, not only because of the additional potential car users, but also because of the loss of the parking lot for church-goers.  Parking issues, however, are outside of historic preservation province, and historic preservation was the question before the committee.  Since each of the residences will have a separate address and is separately titled, it appears that each of the ten residents will be eligible for a residential parking permit.  In addition, each property is apparently eligible for a renewable one year visitor’s parking permit.

The Committee voted to support the project, 7 – 0.  The matter now goes to the next meeting of the full ANC on Wednesday, June 14, at 7:00pm, at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, 700 2nd Street, NE.

ANC6A Commissioner Matt Levy to Give Up ANC Seat on July 31

by Larry Janezich

ANC6A04 Commissioner Matt Levy has announced that he will give up his seat on July 31. His announcement came at tonight ANC6A’s June meeting.  Levy has served on the commission for two and a half years and was applauded by his fellow commissioners for his work on the commission.

Levy, a Georgetown Hospital pediatrician, has accepted a new job as Medical Director of the Children’s Care Network, in Atlanta, Georgia.  Levy said he will work on creating a new model for access to care, affecting “a couple of hundred thousand kids”.  He will maintain a home on Capitol Hill and commute to Atlanta.

The process for his replacement is as follows:  After his resignation, there will be three weeks for potential candidates to register with the DC Board of Elections and gather 25 signatures on a petition to make them eligible to run for the ANC.  There will be a one week period for challenges to the eligibility of petition signers.  Then, at the next regularly scheduled ANC6A  meeting, the seat will be declared vacant, and a date for a special election announced – probably in September.  Asked if he knew of any potential candidates, Levy said he had spoken to “a couple of individuals” who had expressed interest in running.

ANC6A commissioners expressed their gratitude for Levy’s contribution to the community  at tonight’s meeting.  Levy said “Serving on the ANC has been a wonderful experience, it had been an honor, privilege, and a pleasure to work with all of you  to try it to make my community better.”

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