Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Week Ahead….What’s Up with Reservation 13 (See Monday)

Monday, November 7

1. DC Council Committee on the Whole public roundtable on Reservation 13 – the “Hill East Redevelopment – Phase 1: Parcels F-1 and G-1 Extension Approval Resolution of 2016.” 12:30pm, Room 412, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.  According to ANC6B Commissioner Denise Krepp, who will testify at the hearing, DC agencies have not finished reviewing the permits for these parcels of land and the extension is needed to give them more time to review them.

2. ANC 6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00 pm, Kaiser-Permanente, 700 2^nd Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Driftwood Kitchen, 400 H Street, NE.  Window trial period check-in.

Wunder Garten, 131 M Street, NE, Stipulated License.

The Wydown, 600 H Street, NE, Settlement Agreement.

Whole Foods Market. 600 H Street, NE, Class D License Application.

Taqueria Rosticeria Fresca, 701 H Street, NE, Class C License Application.

3. CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm, 420 10^th Street, SE.

Tuesday, November 8

1. Election Day – Polls are open from 7:00am until 8:00pm.

2. PSA 104 meets at 7:00pm, Stuart Hobson Middle School, 410 E Street, NE.

Wednesday, November 9

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

Among items on the agenda:

Presentations:

Department of Behavior Health

Gas Meter Replacements: Cheryl Morse, Consumer Outreach Specialist, Office of the People’s Council & Doreen Hope, Community District Manager, Washington Gas

Anacostia Riverkeepers, Emily Franc

Cava Restaurant, protest of renewal of Class C Tavern license with summer garden and sidewalk café.  (Consent agenda.)

Tune Inn Restaurant, 331 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with sidewalk café.  (Consent agenda.)

Trusty’s Bar, 1420 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with sidewalk café. (Consent agenda.)

The Brig, 1007 8th Street SE, continuance of renewal of Class C Tavern license with entertainment endorsement.   (Consent agenda.)

Phase I, 525 8th Street SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with Cover Charge Dancing entertainment endorsement.  (Owner Allen Carroll is still “deciding what he wants to do” with Phase 1, and has mentioned the possibility the bar might reopen next year.)

Bachelor’s Mill/Back Door Pub, 1104 8th Street SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with cover charge dancing endorsement.

Report on the Status of ANC 6B License Renewal Protests: Good Stuff, Bearnaise, and We the Pizza; and Hank’s on the Hill.

415 14th Street, SE, curb cuts for new development (Safeway): Foulger-Pratt, developer.

709 8th Street, SE, projection into public space.

Appeal of Capitol Hill Partners I, LLC, regarding the decision of the Zoning Administrator not to enforce time limits regarding the expiration of building permit for 521 11th Street SE: Meridith Moldenhauer (counsel); Bernard Renard (property owner).

Wednesday, November 9

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

Agenda not available at press time.

Thursday, November 10

ANC6A meets at 7:00pm, at Miner Elementary School, 601 15^th Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Presentations:

Joe Weedon, Ward 6 State Board of Education Member

Nikki D’Angelo Petty, Office of Family and Public Engagement, DC Public Schools

Marcus Lucas, Department of General Service, DC Public Schools liaison

Recommendation of the Community Outreach Committee that ANC6A approve $587.77 in support of the Ludlow-Taylor PTO request for books for two school kindergarten classroom libraries.

ANC6A protest of the CT license renewal of Nomad Hookah Bar (1200 H Street NE) if the ABL Committee recommends a protest at its November meeting, and authorize the ANC Chair and ABL Co-Chairs to represent the ANC in the matter.

Recommendation that ANC6A write a letter to BZA in support of the application by the owners of 1341 H Street, NE, for a special exception under the enlargement and design requirements to construct a mixed-use building, on condition that the design to be updated to bring it into conformance with the H Street Overlay, best efforts are made to get letters of support from neighbors, restrictions be included in sales documents prohibiting placing anything on the H Street balconies, including hanging or displaying anything, residential permit parking (RPP) restrictions written into the sales documents, and restrictions on amplified music on the roof deck to be included in sales documents.

Motion authorizing former ANC6A Chair David Holmes to join the existing authorized representatives on behalf of ANC6A in H St NE Overlay Amendment, Facade Preservation Density Bonus Zoning Regulation.

Letter to BZA in support of the application of the owners of 600 9th Street, NE, for variances from the non-conforming structure requirements , the lot occupancy requirements, and the rear yard requirements, to permit the location of multiple decks over an existing rear-attached garage, on the condition that owners supply letters of support from neighbors.

Letter to BZA to oppose the application of the owners of 1336 H Street, NE, for lot occupancy relief for the residential levels, as well as court width relief for the residential levels, and rear yard relief.

2. CHRS Zoning Committee meets at 7:30pm, 510 10^th Street, SE

Saturday, November 19

Second annual charity pig roast to support men’s’ health issues – The Movember Foundation (www.movember.com). Tickets on sale now at https://lmw.ticketspice.com/movember-pig-roast-111916.

$60 all you can eat and drink, full pig and all the sides provided by The Queen Vic beverages and DC Brau, proceeds to Movember.  Cash raffle with hundreds of dollars in prizes!  Limited tickets available.

Every November the Movember Foundation challenges men to grow a moustache and challenges both men and women to get active and MOve, all of this while focusing on raising vital awareness of men’s health issues. Since inception in 2003 Movember has raised over $710M and helped fund 1,200 break through programs in 21 countries.  Programs typically focus on Movember’s core issues which are Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

Developer Says SE Safeway To Be Closed for Two Years

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday night, the Foulger-Pratt development team appeared before ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Commissioner Nick Burger, to support their public space application for curb cuts in connection with the proposed development of the SE Safeway.

During the discussion, the following points emerged regarding the development:

• Construction will take 24 months. During that time, Safeway will be closed.
• Ground breaking is anticipated in 18 – 24 months.
• The current Safeway will be demolished. The new Safeway will be 60,000 square feet – 10,000 square feet larger than the current store.  The developer said that the new store will be “bigger, better, fresher.”
• Foulger-Pratt hopes to close on the deal with Safeway by the end of the year, and become partners and owners with Safeway of the new project.
• The dry cleaning service and the dog grooming shop at 14^th and E Streets are not part of the project. One member of the development team remarked, “We have tried.”
• There will be two levels of below grade parking. The upper level will have 194 spaces for Safeway customers – up from the current 145 spaces.  The lower level will provide parking for residents, at a rate of .5 spaces for the each of the anticipated 325 – 330 apartments.
• The alley behind Safeway will be widened to 30 feet to accommodate 67 foot delivery trucks and two way traffic to accommodate residents’ access to the ramp for resident parking.
• The 24 foot wide entrance to Safeway parking will be off 14^th Street, one foot south of the southern entrance to the current Safeway parking lot.

The Committee voted 5 – 1 with 2 abstentions to recommend the full ANC6B approve the public space permit.  Opposition/abstention on the motion came from commissioners who had reservations about language included by Chair Burger to flag for the city the ANC’s concern about the appropriateness of the 67 foot tractor trailer trucks being used on residential streets.  Those with reservations about the truck size language felt that the issue should be addressed further along in the review process and/or were concerned that the language was a “back door way” to get at the long-standing issue of truck traffic routes on Capitol Hill.

The full ANC6B will take up the issue next Wednesday (instead of Election Day Tuesday), November 9, at Hill Center.

For previous CHC post on Safeway development, see here:  http://bit.ly/2eDM6lq

 

Opening near Eastern Market: New Spanish Restaurant and Bike, Box, Build Fitness Studio

by Larry Janezich

Two new ventures in the 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, are set to open soon.

Joselito – opening mid-December at 660 PA Avenue in the space formerly occupied by Sona, will be “a small and intimate Spanish restaurant reminiscent of those found throughout Spain at the turn of the century” with a menu “showcasing classic Spanish dishes with an innovative and playful twist.”   The arrival of the new restaurant was first reported by CHC last August, here:  http://bit.ly/2aqjri0.  Washington Business Journal reported additional details on October 19, here:  http://bit.ly/2feaQyw.

The restaurant has started a kickstarter campaign “to raise additional funds for décor and a handicap ramp, among other things.”   http://kck.st/2frYVCa

Also, across the street, OffRoadDC (see their website here http://bit.ly/2fe28Ak) is opening a biking, boxing, strength building fitness training facility upstairs at 637 C Pennsylvania Avenue, in the space formerly occupied by Remington’s.  The first floor is occupied by a 7-11 and Sprint outlet.  The Eastern Market location is an expansion of the company’s fitness studio at 905 U Street, NW.  The fitness program, according to Offroad’s website, is based on a philosophy of “affordability, sustainability and attainability.”  They will offer training in boxing techniques, including punches, kicks, and footwork; strength building including working out with suspension straps and kettlebells, and cycling.

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, November 1

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

Among items on the agenda:

415 14th Street, SE, curb cuts for new development (Safeway): Foulger-Pratt, developer.

320 9th Street, SE, new curb cut and parking pad.

709 8th Street SE, projection into public space: 1330-1338 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, modification of BZA Order, now requesting special exception relief under the parking requirements and the loading requirements, and variance relief under the lot occupancy requirements to construct a mixed-use building at premises 1330-1338 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Appeal of Capitol Hill Partners I, LLC (re 521 11th Street, SE): Meridith Moldenhauer (counsel); Bernard Renard (property owner), from a July 15, 2016 decision by the Zoning Administrator, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, to not issue a stop-work order on Building Permit in the R-4 District at 521 11th Street SE.

1436 Ives Place, SE: Todd Sheppard and Partners LLC, for a special exception from the nonconforming structure requirements and the side yard requirements to add a third-floor rear addition at premises 1436 Ives Place SE.

2. ANC 6C Parks and Events Committee 7:00 p.m. Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 Second St. NE (2nd & G NE)

Agenda not available at press time.

3. ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee 7:00 pm Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente 700 Second St. NE (2nd & G NE)

Among items on the agenda:

625 E Street, NE – Application of Danuta Otfinowski for concept approval for the construction of a third-floor roof addition and roof deck.

108-110 8th Street, NE – Application of Utka Aslanturk for concept approval for the construction of a three-story addition and new two-story carriage house.

434 3rd Street, NE – Application of Adeniyi Talabi & Bellview Development Inc. for concept approval for the construction of a new two-unit building on a vacant lot.

111 Mass. Avenue, NW  – Application of Jemal’s Darth Vader, LLC requesting approval of a modification to a previously-approved planned unit development (“PUD”) and related map amendment for property located at 111 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.”). The Property has a land area of approximately 35,336 sf and is currently improved with an existing eight-story office building constructed pursuant to a PUD approved in ZC Order No. 324. The Property occupies the entirety of Square 563 and is bounded by H Street NW to the north; New Jersey Ave, NW to the east; Massachusetts Ave. NW to the south; and 2nd Street NW, to the west.

Applicant proposes to undertake significant renovations to the existing building in order to update and improve the building’s architecture and street presence. The renovated building will continue to be devoted to office use, with ground level spaces designed to provide up to 14-foot ceiling heights to accommodate potential retail users. Applicant will add approximately 95,400 square feet of gross floor area to the existing building, such that the renovated building will have an overall density of approximately 9.2 FAR and a maximum height of 130 feet. The PUD will continue to provide 230 on-site parking spaces located within the building’s existing cellar and vault space, plus three loading berths on the ground floor.

Wednesday, November 2

1. ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm, Hill Center.

Among items on the agenda:

DDOT Alley and Sidewalk priority process: Suzette Robinson, DDOT

Letter to DDOT and DOEE on Lead Paint on DC Infrastructure (in cooperation with the Outreach & Constituent Services Task Force)

Discussion on time limits for temporary public space permits (Emergency No Parking)

Thursday, November 3

1. ANC6B ABC Committee meets at 7:00pm, Hill Center.

Among items on the agenda:

525 8th Street, SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with Cover Charge Dancing entertainment endorsement.

Cava Restaurant, 527-529 8th Street, SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with summer garden and sidewalk café.

Tune Inn Restaurant, 331 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with sidewalk café.

Trusty’s Bar, 1420 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with sidewalk café.

Bachelor’s Mill/Back Door Pub, 1104 8th Street SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with cover charge dancing endorsement.

The Brig, 1007 8th Street SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with entertainment endorsement.

Report on the Status of ANC 6B License Renewal Protests: Good Stuff, Bearnaise, and We the Pizza; and Hank’s on the Hill.

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

Agenda not available at press time.

3. PSA 107 meets at 7:00pm, Southeast Library, lower level.

4. Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) meet at 5:30pm, Southeast Library, lower level. Those interested in joining FOSEL, the main activity of which is to hold nearly monthly used book sales to benefit Southeast Library, are welcome to attend.  The group meets once a month for about half an hour.  There are no dues.

Editor’s Note:

Capitol Hill Art League is having its sixth annual open call exhibition.

The deadline to apply for the show is December 18th, 2016.

Find all the details about the juror and for applying to the show here. http://www.caphillartleague.org

Capitol Hill SE Safeway Development – Up to 320 Apartments Planned

By Larry Janezich

Representatives of Safeway and Foulger-Pratt, the developer they selected for the SE Safeway project, began to unveil the details of the proposed development Monday night at Hill Center.

Foulger-Pratt, who will purchase part of the site from Safeway, plans up to 320 apartments on three floors above the Safeway which will be relocated to occupy the entire north end of the ground floor.  60 to 70% of the units will be studio or one bedroom, following the trend toward smaller single tenant units evident in the nearby Capitol Courts in the 1200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, which plans 120 micro apartments.  The Safeway project will rise to fifty feet, with a penthouse setback.  Two additional retail spaces will occupy portions of the ground floor on the south end of the project.

The tentative time frame is to break ground in about 18 months with an 18 – 24 month construction time frame.

Two floors of underground parking will provide 194 spaces for Safeway (up from 150 now) and .5 parking spaces per unit of residential.  The latter will be accessed via the alley behind Safeway; the former from a ramp off 14^th Street, SE.  The pedestrian entrance for the new Safeway will be at the corner of 14th and D Streets.

More details may be available when the developer’s public space application comes before ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee at its November 1 meeting.  The developer plans to eliminate the two curb cuts closest to the corner of 14^th and D Streets, and move the other curb cut on 14^th Street farther south.  The reduction in curb cuts is designed to mitigate the traffic impact on the neighborhood.

The developer will not seek a Planned Unit Development (PUD) designation to increase density for the project.  Even though the project is being built by right, the city requires a “Large Tract Review” (LTR) process for projects with more than 50,000 square feet of commercial space.  This process involves review by multiple city agencies and the ANC to identify issues prior to the developer filing for a building permit.  Foulger-Pratt hopes to submit the LTR to the Office of Planning in April, 2017.

The Planning and Zoning Committee will be chaired by Commissioner Nick Burger.  Burger told CHC, “I thought the meeting tonight was constructive. There was a great turnout by engaged, constructive neighbors. The neighbors had a lot of questions, and the development team seemed ready to listen.  To me it was an encouraging start to the larger process.”

For previous CHC post on the development of the SE Safeway, see here:   http://bit.ly/2edWeUd

 

The Week Ahead…Community Meeting on SE Safeway Development on Monday

by Larry Janezich

Monday, October 24

1. Southeast Safeway/developer team holds the first of multiple public meeting to introduce the redevelopment of the Southeast Safeway. 7:00pm, Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

According to ANC6B Commissioner Nick Burger, the site will be redeveloped into a by-right mixed use building, which will include a Safeway store, additional retail, and residential units on the upper stories. Because of the large retail space(s), the project will go through a “large tract review” process.  For more info on the large tract review process, see Burger’s blog post here:  http://bit.ly/2elPm85

For a previous CHC post on this subject, see here:  http://bit.ly/2edWeUd

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

Among items on the agenda:

Review of grant application from Ludlow-Taylor ES PTO

Review of grant application from Eliot-Hine MS PTO

Tuesday, October 25

1. ANC6B Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm 8:15pm in Hill Center, to set the agenda for the November meeting of ANC6B.

2. Capitol Hill Village is sponsoring a series of symposia to explore challenges and options as the Hill population ages, from 9:00 to 3:30pm at Hill Center. Registration is free, but call 202 543 1778 to register.  For more information about the meetings, see here:  http://www.capitolhillvillage.org/

Wednesday, October 26

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

Among items on the agenda:

Market Managers Report by Barry Margeson

Leases

Hilloween

New website

Hine Update: Jonathan Page and Diane Hoskins

Friday, October 28

1. Annal Hilloween event at Eastern Market, 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Hayrides, bouncy farm obstacle course, face painter, truck touch – construction vehicles and fire trucks.  Costumes are encouraged.

2. 17 top ceramic artists participate in “Pottery on the Hill” from October 28 – October 30.

Friday night – Preview Reception p- 6:30pm.  Tickets: $30/advance, $35/day of.  Tickets are available at potteryonthehilldc.org or by calling (202) 549-4172

On Saturday and Sunday, a free show and sale is open to the public.

Potters in the 2016 shows include: Mary Barringer (Shelburne Falls, MA), Bob Briscoe (Harris, MN), Bulldog Pottery-Bruce Gholson & Samantha Henneke (Seagrove, NC), Kyle Carpenter (Asheville, NC), Trista Depp Chapman (Fredericksburg, VA), Naomi Dalglish (Bakersville, NC), Dan Finnegan (Fredericksburg, VA), Ryan Greenheck (Philadelphia, PA), Rick Hensley (Floyd, VA), Michael Hunt (Bakersville, NC), Matthew Hyleck (Baltimore, MD), Matthew Metz (Alfred Station, NY), Ronan Peterson (Chapel Hill, NC), Donna Polseno (Floyd, VA), Stacy Snyder (Arlington, VA) and Catherine White (Warrenton, VA).

Editor’s Note:

Capitol Hill Art League is having its sixth annual open call exhibition.

The deadline to apply for the show is December 18th, 2016.

Find all the details about the juror and for applying to the show here. http://www.caphillartleague.org

 

Free Charging Station/WiFi at Eastern Market Metro Plaza – “Soofa Bench”

Pilot Program Draws Cheers …and Questions

by Larry Janezich

Last Tuesday, night, John Stokes, Deputy Director of DC Department of Parks and Recreation, briefed ANC6B’s Constituent Services Task Force on the new free charging station and WiFi service installed at the NE corner of 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  The Task Force, chaired Tuesday night by Co-chair ANC6B Commissioner Jennifer Samolyk, greeted the prospect of broader free community WiFi with enthusiasm.

The station doubles as a park bench, under the brand name “Soofa Bench” after the fledgling MIT Media Lab spin-off company, launched to develop smart furniture for the urban environment. Stokes said the installation is part of a six to twelve month pilot program to determine whether the public will use the service – as well as if the location is right – before deciding whether to expand the program throughout the city.  A second bench has been installed in Columbia Heights.  According to Soofa, there are over 200 Soofa Benches in the U.S. in 21 states and 65 cities

The bench seats three and the services are powered by battery charged by a solar panel.  There are two usb ports (you’ll need your own usb cord) for charging devices.  The free WiFi can accommodate up to 64 log-on’s at one time and speeds of up to 50 Mbps. The WiFI service range is 75-100 feet from the bench.

This version of bench costs $7,500 each, as opposed to $2,100 for a regular bench.  Soofa Benches can be upgraded with sensors to track air quality, noise levels, light levels and nearby pedestrian foot traffic, but benches currently installed in the pilot program are not equipped with those features.

Soofa characterizes it’s product as “…a straightforward technology that is meant to serve as a civic amenity.”  Stokes told ANC6B commissioners in a follow-up email, “This WiFi will hopefully encourage more teens and adults to enjoy the city parks as they are meant for everyone. This is a sustainable element in this day since this is something that will encourage wider use of our parks and allow people to stay more connected and involved with our programs.”

ANC6B6 Commissioner Daniel Ridge, though not at the meeting, reviewed the minutes of the meeting  and raised potential possible difficulties.  Ridge, an informational systems analyst formerly with NASA, noted several concerns in an email to his fellow commissioners and to Stokes.  Among them:

1. Eastern Market Metro Plaza has several other sources of free WiFi, making it difficult to gauge true demand for Soofa Bench Wi-Fi.
2. The coverage range for WiFi is poor compared to coverage from Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts both of which are located hundreds of feet away. He suggested relocating the WiFi router in a better place than under the bench.
3. Sharp edges on the solar panel are a safety problem.
4. The hazard potential of the battery powering the bench’s electronics has not been assessed.
5. There are concerns regarding FCC certification for the electronic components.

Finally, Ridge questioned the premise of the entire Soofa Bench project, saying that benches should just be benches because they’re cheaper and safer and “free from the tangle of regulatory machinery that comes with internet enabled benches.“

Ridge concluded, “I would like to do anything I can to span the digital divide. I am concerned that this particular product may do more harm than good to that end and that this trial could actually set back the cause of ubiquitous WiFi.”

Barracks Row &pizza Opens Thursday at 11:00am – First Photos Inside

By Larry Janezich

Barracks Row &pizza opens Thursday, October 19, at 11:00am.  At tomorrow’s opening, the first five guests to request a tattoo of the &pizza’s signature ampersand will receive it gratis, complements of D.C. tattoo partner Laughing Hyena, and those five will receive free pizza for a year.  Additionally, free pies will be given to the first 118 guests in line.

Pizza guests can craft their own individual pie (with unlimited ingredients) or choose from nine signature pizzas, such as the meat heavy Maverick, the egg-topped Farmer’s Daughter, or the Gnarlic. The pizza shop uses fresh ingredients and works with local producers to create its signature and seasonal menu of pizzas, snacks, craft sodas and artisanal teas.  Pizzas can be ordered ahead for carry out or dining in on &pizza’s app.

The company’s commitment to each neighborhood it joins is reflected in the shop’s interior design.  For &pizza Barracks Row, the company partnered with local artist Matt Corrado to paint a mural for the shop’s interior using “dazzle camouflage,” the term for geometric shapes of contrasting black and white colors used on ships in the first World War to mislead the enemy. The pattern pays homage to both the neighboring Marine Barracks as well as &pizza’s iconic graphic black and white shop design.

Additionally, through &CHARITY, the brand’s localized charity arm, &pizza will launch its “Buy One, Give One” campaign on Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 23. For every pizza sold during opening weekend, &pizza will donate a pizza to either the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop or Ready, Willing & Working, at the guest’s choosing.

The hours for the store – located at 405 8th Street, SE – are 11:00am until 11:00pm Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00am until 2:00am on Friday and Saturday.

Founded in 2012 in Washington, D.C.’s historic H Street NE corridor, the brand is characterized by the organizational culture of its employees (the brand calls them Tribe Members), its rapid expansion, and numerous “best pizza” awards.  &pizza currently has 18 shops in the Washington, D.C. region as well as Baltimore and Philadelphia.  &pizza’s website is here:  www.andpizza.com.

Labyrinth Games and Puzzles on Pennsylvania Ave SE Expands

by Larry Janezich

Labyrinth Games and Puzzles, the popular game store at 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, has more than doubled its size by expanding into the next door space formerly occupied by ACE Check Cashing service.

Owner Kathleen Donahue told CHC that the new space opened on Thursday, and the Grand Expansion Opening and Party is set for Saturday, October 22.  Donahue says she is “scared and excited” by the move.  She had been looking for more space on Capitol Hill but had not found it.  When the space next door became available she saw a chance to remedy the problems of overcrowding and always-sold-out events.  The store opened in November of 2011 and is coming up on its sixth anniversary this month.

The new space is devoted to children’s games with a separate room for children’s private parties and kid games.  The move allowed Donahue to devote the original space to adult role-playing and board games and European Style designer games, plus more seating for the Thursday night game nights and Friday night tournaments.  The store can now accommodate 52 players for tournaments.

She says that her best seller is Magic the Gathering – an expansion trading card game.  An expansion game is an addition to an existing game with add-ons with new characters or storyline.  The store also carries a line of expansion strategy and tactics games which are popular in DC.

For more, see Laybrinth’s website, here:  http://bit.ly/2eGzSdq

The Week Ahead….and Barracks Row &pizza Opens this Week

by Larry Janezich

Monday, October 17

1. ANC6D meets at 7:00pm, 1100 4^th Street, SW, Second Floor

Among items on the agenda:

Public Safety Report- First District MPD (PSA 105 & PSA 106) Sgt. Kennie, Sgt. Strassman, Sgt. Ritchie, Lt. Williams

Other Presentations & Resolutions

Resolution on Randall/DPR Negotiations

Alcohol Beverage Committee issues:

Cordial: Annotated CA + Protest Info Form for submission to ABRA

Hampton Inn & Suites: Amended CA + ANC6D letter to ABC Board re expansion of # seats in sidewalk cafe

Artechouse: new CA, new license and stipulated authorization

Takorean – new CA and recommendation for Type C Tavern renewal

Zoning Commission issues:

DC Stadium, LLC – Consolidated PUD, presentation and vote

Other matters:

Request to place 12 large, full motion video advertising billboards outside the Nationals Stadium

Letter to WMATA board opposing proposed changes to Metro’s operating hours

Appeal of ANC 6D CBRF in C-3-C District, 475 School Street SW

PUD Extension Request for 250 M Street SE, Square 769, WC Smith Office Building

Leaton Dialysis LLC, letter of support for 1225 South Capitol Street SW facility

Public Space permit for 155 N Place SE

Public Space permit for 1200-1299 Block of Half Street, SE 9:55 p.m.

Public Space permit for 50 M Street SE – benches for Shake Shack

Tuesday, October 18

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

Among items on the agenda:

Discussion of Renewals of Class CT (restaurant) Liquor Licenses for:  Atlas Arcade (1236 H Street NE), Rock N Roll Hotel (1353 H Street NE), Da Luft Restaurant and Lounge (1242 H Street NE), Langston Bar & Grille (1831 Benning Rd NE), The Queen Vic (1206 H Street NE), The Elroy (1423 H Street NE), Star & Shamrock (1341 H Street NE), Mythology & Lore (816 H Street NE), Biergarten Haus (1355 H Street NE), Copycat Co. (1110 H Street NE), Little Miss Whiskey’s (1104 H Street NE), Impala Cantina y Taqueria (1358 H Street NE), H Street Country Club (1335 H Street NE), The Pursuit Wine Bar (1421 H Street NE), Sol Mexican Grill (1251 H Street NE), Rose’s DejaVu (1378 H Street NE), Liberty Tree (1016 H Street NE), Vendetta (1212 H Street NE), Avery’s Bar and Lounge (1370 H Street NE), Halftime Sports Bar (1427 H Street NE), The Pug / Toki Underground (1234 H Street NE)

2. ANC 6B Outreach and Constituent Services Task Force Meets at 7:00pm, at Hill Center.

Among items on the agenda:

Discussion of community free WiFi on Capitol Hill

Proposal for test pilot of a Soofa WiFi bench at the Eastern Market Metro station park (north side of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE)

DC Fair Elections Coalition proposal

Wednesday, October 19

1. Union Station Expansion Open House Public Meeting #3 at Union Station’s Presidential Room, 50 Mass Avenue, NE, 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Presentations at 4:30pm and 6:30pm.

Thursday, October 20

1. Community meeting on H Street Connection Construction Update, 6:30pm, Capitol Towers, 900 G Street, NE.
2. CSX Virginia Avenue Park Planning Meeting, 7:00pm at the Courthouse Marriott Hotel, 140 L Street, SE, second floor.
3. Coalition for Smarter Growth Social and Fundraiser, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, North Hall, Eastern Market. Tickets: $25.

Friday, October 21

1. Council Member Charles Allen Community Office Hours, 8:00am – 9:30am, Radici, 7^th and C Streets, SE.

Saturday, October 22

Early voting starts.

From October 22 until November 4: Early voting at One Judiciary Square, 441, 4^th Street, NW, 8:30am until 7:00pm daily

From October 28 until November 4:  Early voting at Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10^th Street, NE and King Greenleaf Recreation Center, 201 N Street, SW.

Editor’s Note:

Capitol Hill Art League is having its sixth annual open call exhibition.   The deadline to apply for the show is December 18th, 2016.  For more information, please visit our web site, http://www.caphillartleague.org.Find all the details about the juror and for applying to the show here. http://www.caphillartleague.org