ANC6A met last Thursday night. The meeting featured a presentation by CM Charles Allen.
CM Charles Allen on RFK, Schools, The Budget, Traffic & the Environment
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 12, 2023
Last Thursday night, CM Charles Allen joined the ANC6D virtual meeting for the first of his annual springtime tours of the Ward 6 ANCs.
Takeaways:
RFK Campus Time Line. There is none – we’re all just stuck. Swapping one billionaire for another does not change the fact that a stadium is still not a good idea. Stadiums do not pay for themselves and don’t create jobs. The Mayor wants a stadium but a majority of the city council does not. Representative Norton says she will not move on transfer of the site to DC until the Mayor and city council are on the same page.
Ward 6 DCPS school budgets are facing cuts in the Mayor’s Budget – he will work to restore them.
Teacher retention is problem. For past three years the number of teachers who do not come back has increased. Last year, 30% of public school teachers and 38% of charter school teachers did not return. Need to figure out how to support teachers – part of that is pay.
The Annual Ward 6 Budget Town Hall with open mike will be on April 6 at the School Within a School at 920 F Street, NW.
DC’s economy continues to grow but has slowed because of decreased assessment of downtown properties resulting in lower taxes which has impacted revenues.
The city should have Sunday enforcement of parking. We’re a seven-day a week city. We need to be thoughtful and partner with churches.
Priorities as Chair of Committee on Transportation and Environment.
Traffic Safety. Hold hearings on Traffic Safety Investigations and Traffic Enforcement. Get funding for laws already passed such as Vision Zero, Safe Sidewalks, and Safer Streets Act.
WMATA Recovery. Ensure safe systems and that WMATA has the equipment they need.
Planning and oversite of the billions of federal dollars for infrastructure coming to the city.
Climate Change. Push bill expanding Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure with a hearing this spring and moving legislation this fall. Push Residential Electrification with equity in mind. Push Metro for DC moving to a fare-free bus system. Figure out how to integrate climate, transportation and public space goals into the city’s economic recovery.
Public Safety. Move forward on both an effective policing/accountability AND an investment in prevention strategy for people at risk rather than an either/or strategy.
Push DPR to open recreation centers all weekend. Note today’s announcement of roll out opening of recreation centers on Saturday. We need recreation centers open all weekend.
ANC6B Special Committee on Public Safety held its initial meeting last night to discuss how to address Capitol Hill crime issues.
ANC6B Launches Effort to Address Crime on Capitol Hill
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 7, 2023
The new ANC6B Public Safety Committee chaired by resident member Lisa Matsumoto held its first meeting on Monday night and elected Jody Kent Levy as Vice Chair. Both Matsumoto and Lavy have extensive experience in working within the criminal justice system and both are resident members appointed to the Committee by ANC6B Commissioner Chander Jayraman. Resident member Dilip Ramchandani was elected secretary. Some 28 participants joined the virtual meeting.
The primary purpose was to craft a statement of purpose and committee members wrestled with the prospective mission of the Committee for more than an hour. They discussed a wide range of goals but came to no final resolution and members were asked to flesh out their ideas and bring them in writing for consideration at the next meeting which will be at 8:00pm on Monday, March 20.
Matsumoto, an attorney who has spent her entire career working in the criminal justice system, opened the discussion by laying down a proposal that the purpose was to raise public safety issues to ANC6B through meetings and interactions with the community.
Some of the ideas about how to do that included:
Serve as a forum to hear community concerns, decide what can be done, and make recommendations to the ANC.
Strengthen ANC communications with MPD and received periodic reports from them.
Examine any future rewrite of the criminal code and make recommendations to the ANC to forward to the City Council.
Engage with agencies such the Office of the Attorney General, and the US Attorney General’s Office to understand how they work.
Examine the disconnect happening in the Office of Unified Communications to understand how the 911 call system functions (and at times seems to not function) and assess anomalies in response times.
Find ways to increase agency transparency when the ANC deals with federal agency law enforcement such as the US Capitol Police.
Take a proactive look at crime data and talk to experts to try to come up with recommendations on the most pressing issues, rather than focus on rapid responses to incidents or potentially distracting liaison efforts.
Hear panels or individual presentations to explain definitions of crime and the penalties for committing them, the work of violence interrupters, and Safe Passage Program representatives.
Request allocation of MPD resources for areas that need it.
Create an ANC6B email address for residents to communicate public safety concerns to the Public Safety Committee.
Assess the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act of 2016 – which uses a community-based public health approach to violence prevention and intervention – to see how effectively its provisions have been implemented – especially behavioral health teams – and seeing if there are recommendations the ANC can support.
Identify ways to support and amplify organizations in the community already working on public safety issues.
Create an ANC email address for community members to express their concerns to the Public Safety Committee.
It seemed that the consensus was that the committee should be more than an anecdotal forum for residents to engage in a community dialogue about their public safety concerns and more than a vehicle to promote a better relationship between the community and the MPD.
Early on in the meeting, committee member Chuck Burger suggested that steps be taken to develop a base of knowledge regarding an understanding of crime – what’s being committed and the penalty for it. He said his observation is that interpretations of crime and punishment issues haven’t shown a lot of knowledge regarding what we’re hearing from the police and the press and that there is a lot of misunderstanding about what’s going on. He added that that kind of understanding is critical before the committee starts interpreting things.
At its next meeting in two weeks, the committee will work on continue drafting its Statement of Purpose and will attempt to schedule its first presentation on one of the major topics of discussion facing the committee, such as the mental health crisis, the work of violence interrupters, and the homeless issue.
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HIPS – Harm reduction services for sex workers and drug abusers. Monday night, the ANC6A Community Outreach Committee, chaired by resident member Adina Wadsworth, heard a presentation on behalf of HIPS from Chibundo Egwuatu, Coordinator for the Sex Workers Advocates Coalition (SWAC). HIPS stands for “Honoring Individual Power and Strength” – an organization that provides non-judgmental harm reduction services, advocacy, and community engagement for sex workers and drug abusers.
The center of the organization is a Drop -In Center at 906 H Street, NE. Go to their website for more information on their operation and a list of services the organization provides for sex workers or drug abusers: https://www.hips.org/
Covid Centers Closing. ICYMI, on Friday, Mar 3, the Department of Health announced that the city’s Covid Centers – including the one on Barracks Row – will close on Friday, March 31. The Centers were established in 2022 to provide free access to Covid vaccinations, testing, and masks.
CM Charles Allen’s Bills subsidizing purchase of electric bikes and promote Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. Thursday, the ANC6B Transportation and Public Space Committee chaired by Commissioner Matt LaFortune, held a Special Call Meeting on Electric Vehicle Policy. Charles Allen – now Chair of the Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment – discussed two bills, the first would promote EV infrastructure and the second would subsidize the purchase of electric bicycles.
The Comprehensive Electric Vehicle Infrastructure …Act has as its goal establishing 7,500 public charging stations by 2027 while setting a requirement to equally distribute stations across the entire District: http://bit.ly/3ZBu33e Allen says a hearing will be held later this spring.
The Electric Bicycle Rebate Program Amendment Act would provide rebates for bikes, locks, fittings, and batteries for residents to subsidize the costs of an e-bike (either a regular frame or cargo bike model). http://bit.ly/3JlXrp7 A hearing on the bill is scheduled for March 16.
New residential units coming to Barracks Row – 733 8th Street, SE. Demolition has started on the the two story building at the former location of Howl to the Chief at 733 8th Street on Barracks Row. The owner plans on addition two new stories – three floors of residential units while keeping the first floor for retail. Howl to the Chief moved a few doors down to 719 8th Street.
Here are before and after images from the Architect’s Powerpoint presentation to ANC6B in June of 2021.
Orchids galore. The 27th annual orchid exhibit at the US Botanic Garden continues this month and runs through April 30. Hundreds of orchids festoon the Tropics House where visitors will find two 9 foot tall tree sculptures covered with epiphytic orchids.
The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 5, 2023
Monday, March 6
ANC6B Public Safety Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 8:00pm.
Request volunteer to serve as Secretary of the Committee.
Future meeting schedule.
Statement of Purpose.
Identify agenda items for next meeting.
Identify possible speakers/experts for future meetings.
Tuesday, March 7
ANC6B Planning and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: TBA.
Among items on the draft agenda:
Election of Vice-Chair.
Presentation from Mark-Anthony Tynes – Department of Buildings.
218 D Street, SE; Capitol Hill Day School. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to expand a private school use to the second story of an existing, attached, three-story commercial building.
718 North Carolina Ave SE. BZA Application. To construct a two-story rear deck addition, to an existing, attached, three-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit.
ANC6B Transportation and Public Space Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the meeting go here: TBA.
Among items on the draft agenda:
Presentation from DC Water on Ongoing Projects Causing Roadwork.
Presentation from DPW on Parking Enforcement.
Presentation from DDOT on Additional Speeding Cameras.
Presentation by Mark Sussman on Kidical Mass Chapter for Capitol Hill. (Kidical Mass DC is the Washington, DC chapter of Kidical Mass, the national movement to encourage parents and children to bike together.) http://kidicalmassdc.blogspot.com/
Report of the March 2, 2023 Special Call Transportation Meeting.
DPR Update – Christopher Dyer, Community Engagement Manager, Department of Parks and Recreation.
Consent Agenda
Letter to Councilmember Charles Allen requesting the DC Council offer a resolution honoring the late Mr. William Outlaw honoring his long-time service to the Capitol Hill community.
Letter of support to HSEMA for the 2023 Capitol Hill Classic Races.
Letter of support to DDOT Public Space Committee to enclose a second floor balcony at 207 14th Place, NE.
Letter to DDOT regarding sidewalk repairs, sidewalk gaps, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Letter of support to the DC Council for the Automated Traffic Enforcement Effectiveness Amendment Act of 2022
Letters of support to BZA for a request for area variance relief to HPRB for historic review of a project to construct a second story accessory dwelling unit addition to an existing detached, accessory garage in the rear of an existing, attached, three-story principal dwelling unit at 915 Maryland Avenue NE. Both letters will state that support is on the condition that the plans be updated so that the access to the upper unit is only available from the rear yard and not the alley.
Letter of support for Special Exception relief to construct a new, detached, five-story with cellar and penthouse, 80-unit apartment addition, to existing mixed-use buildings at 1000–1016 H Street, NE, on condition that the residential units on the ground floor be designated as artist space/studios, and this would be written into the condominium bylaws, and that the developer make best efforts not to include natural gas in the building, and that if these conditions are not met, ANC 6A should oppose the request.
Motion to approve Mark Sussman (6A04) and Paul Angelone (6A05) to and remove Hassan Christian from the membership of the TPS Committee.
ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Application for an Entertainment Endorsement for Hill East Burgers.
Discussion on Notice to Cure for Harvest Tide.
Status update of working group on protocol for ABC cases.
ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here:
Among items on the draft agenda:
Presentations:
Yohannes Bennehoff, DDOT, on proposed improvements to the 8th Street, NE, bus lines (Bus Priority Project).
ANC6C Commissioner Adelstein and resident Bob Dardano on the “triangles” that are formed at the intersections of various DC streets and avenues in ANC 6C. Specifically, who has jurisdiction over them, how/can they be improved, and finally what type of improvements would be welcomed by the community.
DDOT Construction Permit. 125 E Street NE: Paving: ADA Curb Ramp. Paving: Alley(s). Paving: Curb & Gutter(s). Paving: Driveway(s). Close Existing, Paving: Driveway(s) Repair or Replace, Paving: Mill and Overlay, Paving: Sidewalk(s), Fixture: Bike Rack(s): DDOT Standard, Fixture: Curbside Signage, Fixture: Mutlispace Meter, Landscaping: New Tree Space(s), Landscaping: Stormwater Mgmt (serve public), Landscaping: Tree Planting, Landscaping: Tree Space (Stormwater Mgmt), Over Head Work: Streetlight(s) Installation.
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Eastern Market stakeholders and community members met last night to plan the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Eastern Market. Here, Eastern Market Main Street Chair Mary Quillian Helms (center with back to camera) addresses the group. Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee representative and chair of the Planning Group is Brian Pate (center in red coat.)
CM Charles Allen said, “It’s going to take all of us…I envision this group growing as we think about who to bring in…this will be exciting…a celebration and creation of a vision coming out of civic pride…a great way to bring people back together again after what we’ve been through over the past two years.”
Plans Advance for Months of Celebrating Eastern Market Anniversary
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 1, 2023
Tuesday night, a group of stakeholders convened to plan the eight month celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Eastern Market. The meeting was chaired by EMCAC Board Member Brian Pate. Some 20 community members turned out, including Councilmember Charles Allen.
Allen provided an overview of the goal which, he said, was an opportunity to determine how to celebrate, promote, and advance Eastern Market… not just a celebration but a determination of “what we are and what we want to be.”
Pate called it a celebration of Eastern Market but also of the community and the arts. He announced that Eastern Market Main Street had applied for a $400,000 grant for funding a series of events which will begin on March 20 and stretch through the actual birthday of the Market on November 12.
Allen was optimistic about receiving assistance from EventsDC, saying decision makers appeared to be excited by the prospect of participating in funding, designing, and marketing the anniversary.
Mary Quillian Helms, Chair of the Eastern Market Main Street Board of Directors, and Barry Margeson, Co-chair, discussed some of the items on the preliminary calendar of events. Additional details were provided by Eastern Market Main Street Executive Director Ann Blackwell
Among those items:
March 20: 150th Market Banner Installation.
March – 20 April 9: The Cherry Blossom Experience – which will include filling the North Hall with cherry blossoms.
March 26: Capitol Hill Arts Workshop celebrates Eastern Market with events throughout the day.
March 30: Capitol Hill Restoration Society presents an Eastern Market History Lecture by Capitol Hill author Robert Pohl.
April 1-2: Capitol Art Book Fair in North Hall.
May 6: The History of Eastern Market Book Launch in association with The Literary Hill Event.
May 19: Market Day – A 150 table community picnic set up on 7th Street. Family activities all day.
November 12: An Anniversary Celebration with all day family activities and cerebration in the North Hall that night.
Allen said that the events calendar – currently heavily weighted in favor of April events – would continue to be built out by the efforts of the group as they focus on the summer and fall.
A brainstorming session which followed produced a number of ideas, including a kick-off media event featuring Mayor Bowser, a food shopping tour, the sale of an anniversary beer, additional programming related to the history of the Market, soliciting community restaurants to provide cooking demonstrations with Eastern Market products, and creation and sale of an Eastern Market jigsaw puzzle.
The first event is 20 days away, and the group will meet again before then, though a date has not yet been set.
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Saturday morning, the Parasol Patrol and friends numbering about 200 turned out to demonstrate in support of the LGBTO community on the 700 block of Barracks Row. The event was precipitated by the regular Drag Story Hour brunch at LGBTO-friendly restaurant Crazy Aunt Helen’s where Drag Queen Tara Hoot held story reading time for kids and their parents.
A similar event last week the Parasol Patrol had confronted anti-LGBTO Proud Boys who were protesting the event. A large contingent of MPD – dozens of officers – were on hand to keep the peace, and although attendees Tweeted photos of a handful of individuals who the posters claimed were Proud Boys being escorted by MPD officers. no incidents were reported. Inside it was business as usual.
Drag Queen Tara Hoot interacts with supporters on Barracks Row outside Crazy Aunt Helen’s. Photo: Debbie Curtis.
Sunday afternoon, the ANC6B Southeast Library Task Force, chaired by Commissioner David Sobelsohn (far left), met in Southeast Library with some 20 residents and library stakeholders. The purpose was to brainstorm and share information, strategize for securing interim services during the two year closure for renovation starting this summer, and find volunteers willing to work on getting those interim services. Two of the regular library services – Story Time and meeting space for the Book Club – have already found new temporary homes. The remaining services of concern include a place to pick up and return books, access to computers, printers and a copier, and space for community programs. Volunteers will investigate the availability of space in the community and research sources of funding. The group also discussed the special interests of nearby neighbors with respect to the impact of renovation on the community, including construction, staging of equipment and trailers, and rodent abatement. The Taskforce will hear reports from the volunteers at its next meeting on Sunday, March 12. An indication of the ANC’s interest in the issue was the presence of a majority of ANC6B commissioners , including Sobelsohn, Jayaraman, Sroufe, Avery, LaFortune, and Marino.
Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee – a photo of a late October 2022 meeting.
Wednesday night, Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee met in Eastern Market’s North Hall. Board member Susan Oursler, announced she was relinquishing her seat – which under statute is the slot filled by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society – owing to other responsibilities which she says will prevent her from giving EMCAC proper attention. CHRS has named Steve Hagedorn to succeed her. Chair Chuck Burger also announced that Robin Hinson-Jones, representing Capitol Hill Village, was joining the board as a non-voting member. Burger said he was working on tweaking the statute – which currently limits the number of voting members – to increase that number.
And Brian Pate, head of the 150th Anniversary of Eastern Market Celebration effort will lead – along with CM Charles Allen – a community meeting next Tuesday night at 7:00pm in the North Hall to solicit public comment on plans for the eight month celebration of the event. Eastern Market Main Street has filed a request with Events DC for a $400,000 grant to “pre-load” some 3 dozen events and will hear disposition of the request in April. The start will coincide with the Cherry Blossom Festival. (For more, see Tuesday, February 28 below.)
On Barracks Row, the former Tortuga Caribbean Bar and Grill is morphing into Playa Ocho (Beach Eight) Cantina. Might open next month.
Here’s a detail from another one of Triple Candies’ curious installations in their exhibit space in the former Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
The Week Ahead (Eastern Market Community Meeting, Electric Vehicle Special Meeting)…& Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted February 26, 2023
Monday, February 27
ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Presentation by HIPS (Honoring Individual Power and Strength) – Chibundo Ewautau and Johnny Bailey. According to its website, HIPS promotes the health, rights, and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by sexual exchange and/or drug use due to choice, coercion, or circumstance. HIPS provides compassionate harm reduction services, advocacy, and community engagement that is respectful, non-judgmental, and affirms and honors individual power and agency.
Honoring the late William Outlaw – ANC 6A 07 Commissioner Steve Moilanen
Tuesday, February 28
ANC6B’s Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm to set the agenda for the March monthly meeting. See here for more information: https://anc6b.org/calendar/
ANC6B will meet next on Tuesday, March 14, at 7:00pm. See here for more information: https://anc6b.org/
In person Community Meeting on the 150th Anniversary of Eastern Market, 7:00pm, North Hall Eastern Market featuring CM Charles Allen and EMCAC Board Member Brian Pate, head of EMCAC’s 150th Anniversary of Eastern Market Celebration effort.
The community will have an opportunity to provide input for the months-long celebration Eastern Market is planning to celebrate the anniversary. Some three dozen different activities are being planned and the kick off will coincide with the Cherry Blossom Festival. The actual date of the anniversary is November 12, 2023
Wednesday, March 1
ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
601 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Historic Preservation Application.– Revised application of Schmidt Development LLC for concept approval to raze an existing one-story noncontributing building, currently used as a dry cleaner, and construct a three-story residential building.
1232 4th Street, NE. Zoning Application. Informational presentation on application of 1232 Shift Cubed Partners, LLC for a consolidated PUD with a PUD-related map amendment for the construction of a mixed-use all-affordable residential building with office space and PDR space on an 8,982sf lot at 1232 4th Street, NE. The applicant proposes to replace the existing industrial building on the site with a ten-story, 105’-tall mixed use building with a penthouse. The building would have 98 all-affordable units at no more than 60% MFI and 20% of the units at or below 30% MFI. The building would also have 314sf of PDR “maker” creative space on the ground floor and a 392sf office space for a nonprofit and/or for supportive services (job training, children/youth programming, etc).
Zoning regulations rulemaking (ZC 22-25) – Proposed text amendments to BZA and ZC rules.
Thursday, March 2
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual Special Call Meeting Special Call Meeting at 7:00pm on Electric Vehicles.
Agenda (from former ANC Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg):
Presentation by CM Charles Allen on Pending EV and E-Bike Legislation.
Presentation by Thomas Bartholomew on DOEE’s work related to transportation electrification.
Presentation by DDOT on EV Charging Strategy (pending).
Presentation by Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (pending).
Committee Discussion on Potential Actions – Council Testimony, Letters to DOEE/DDOT.
The Friends of Southeast Library will hold their March in-person meeting on the lower level of Southeast Library at 5:30pm.
Among items on the agenda:
The upcoming March second Saturday near-monthly book sale. Want to help with the sale? Prospective new members are welcome. Just show up for the meeting.
Saturday, March 4
Capitol Hill Art League Show “Environmental Chaos” opens with a reception from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop gallery located at 545 7th Street, S.E.
In this show, Capitol Hill Art League artists have created art that speaks to the consequences of environmental chaos on the individual as well as the community, society, and planet.
The show will display works by the following artists: Anne Albright; Sufie Berger; Tara Hamilton; Allen Hirsh; Jim Huttinger; Camille Kouyoumdjian; Victoria Lakes; Dave Mann; Jane Mann; Rindy OBrien; Nan Raphael; Carolyn Rondthaler; Nafia Syeed: Karen Van Allen; Elin Whitney-Smith; Jan Zastrow; Karen Zens.
Music, Art, & Wine Inside at Mott’s Market – 5:00pm to 8:00pm – 233 12th Street, SE.
Art sale featuring local artists.
Wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts
Live music featuring Michael Yugo (The Mavis), JC Mickenben, and Know Engler.
New Residential Development on South Capitol – 1 K Street, SW – Last Monday night, ANC6D heard an informal presentation from representatives of W. C. Smith Development, prior to the ANC’s formal design review of a plan to construct a 13 story 352 unit residential building at 1 K Street, SE, adjacent to the long-time South Capitol fixture, the Skyline Inn. The plan anticipates 179 below grade parking spaces. The developer will come back to the ANC for a formal presentation when it is scheduled to go before the Historic Preservation Review Board for design approval. Here’s a view looking north from South Capitol Street.
As a matter of policy ANC6D regularly pushes for inclusion of additional affordable housing whether projects are required to provide it or not and the ANC did not disappoint. In 2019, Mayor Bowser announced a goal of building 36,000 new homes by 2025 including 12,000 affordable units. Here’s a broader view looking north from South Capitol – the US Capitol is visible is faintly visible in the distance.
The project is being built on what is now a parking lot in a D-5 Zone which is exempt from the requirement that new construction of 10 or more units must provide affordable housing. Commissioner Gail Fast told the representatives, “What you are required to do and what you do do are two different things.” She urged them to “look inward” and provide affordable housing.
Chair Rikki Kramer told the developers, “I hope you will come around. I expect you to move closer to our concerns next time [you come back before the commission].” Here’s a view looking southeast with the smaller Skyline Inn in the foreground.
647 G Street, SE – Developer Bojan Peovski of Square Residential Development wants to convert a three floor townhouse at 647 G Street, SE, into a 5 unit condo by digging a new floor ten feet below the building’s English basement. Neighbors and the Capitol Hill Restoration Society are opposed. A majority of the ANC voted to support the concept, with the prevailing sentiment seemingly being that increasing the number of residential units in the city takes precedence over historic preservation considerations. There may be other sub-basement constructions on Capitol Hill but this is the first one CHC has encountered.
Puppatella – Pupatella Neapolitan Pizza announced in September of 2021 they were opening a new pizza restaurant at 3rd and Massachusetts Avenue, NE, in the former Romeo & Juliet’s. Not much happened for months. There has been some recent activity but still no word on a prospecting opening. Pupatella has five outlets locally.
Here’s a shot of the line at Angie Brunson’s Blue Iris Flowers in Eastern Market on Valentine’s Day. Photographer Maggie Hall took this photo about 3:00pm Tuesday afternoon and titled it “Rose Day Line Day.” And, “Rose Day Line Day” from another angle.
Friends of Kingman Park held their hybrid in-person and virtual February community meeting last week. The group meets regularly on the third Thursday of the month at St. Benedict the Moor’s Catholic Church. The Friends heard a presentation on Kingman Island, and reports from Friends Chair Lisa White, ANC7D Chair Wendell Felder, ANC7D Commissioner Ebony Payne (who is also Secretary of the Friends group), and from Eboni-Rose Thompson of the DC Board of Education. See here for more: https://twitter.com/FOKPcivic
At last. Pacci’s Trattoria on Lincoln Park is open for a “preview.” An official Grand Opening will be announced in the near future.
The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted February 20, 2023
Tuesday, February 21
ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Among items on the draft agenda: (Ed. Note: Thanks to the 6A TPS Committee for the clear explanation of agenda items.)
8th Street NE Bus Priority Project Update. Yohannes Bennehoff, DDOT Supervisory Transportation Planner, will present the 30% designs for the 8th Street, NE, Bus Priority Project.
42nd Annual Capitol Hill Classic 10K, 3K, and Fun Run. Roberta Stewart, Outreach Chair for the Capitol Hill Classic, requests a letter of support for the 42nd Annual Run, and will present race course and logistical details, and answer any questions.
Public Space Permit Application. Community Members Neale Bergman and Ligia Paina are requesting ANC 6A support for renovation of private property on an existing footprint partially overlapping public space.
Draft resolution: Calling for Greater Transparency and Action to Address Sidewalk Repairs, Sidewalk Gaps, and Pedestrian Infrastructure. Commissioner Amber Gove will discuss a recent ANC 4B resolution as a template draft resolution from ANC 6A.
Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE). TPS Co-Chair Shaun Lynch will lead a discussion on DDOT’s ATE process, including a recent incident reporting an RPP violation involving an out-of-state vehicle with excessive outstanding ATE violations.
Wednesday, February 22
The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will hold and in person and virtual meeting at 7:00pm in Eastern Market’s North Hall.
Event Calendar and Improvement in Planning Process
Strategic Plan Presentation
150th Anniversary Update
Committee Structure
Progress Updates
Report of the Market Manager
Capital Improvements
Market Operations
Tenants Council Report
Sunday, February 26
ANC 6B Southeast Library Task Force will hold an in-person meeting at 2:30pm in the lower level meeting room of Southeast Library.
Community members are encouraged to attend. Since the Library could close as early as June. The Task Force will discuss the need for interim services during the closure, potential sites and funding for interim services, the impact of construction on the neighborhood, and the potential for tweaking the final renovation design.
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ANC6B held a virtual meeting on Wednesday night. First up on the agenda was a presentation from MPD on Public Safety.
Takeaways from Wednesday’s MPD Public Safety Presentation to ANC6B
by Larry Janezich
Wednesday night ANC6B heard a public safety presentation by MPD 1st District Captain Kevin Harding and Lt. Joy Lee. The meeting had been scheduled prior to the shootings two week earliers at Potomac Avenue Metro Station where Metro engineer Robert Cunningham lost his life while trying to assist a passenger who was being threatened by a gunman. The ANC began their meeting with a moment of silence in his honor and later in the evening passed a resolution of condolences.
Takeaways: MPD 1st District:
Has increased its presence at Potomac Avenue Metro Station.
Has increased its patrols in the areas where shootings have recently occurred – East Capitol and 15th and G Streets.
Has lost 110 officers through retirements and attrition. Increased MPD presence is being accomplished by paying overtime. Harding was unable to share insight on why officers are retiring or leaving the force.
Has put plans for revamping the operations of the Substation at 5th and C “on hold for now.”
Checks every Metro bus once an hour. Putting officers on buses is not a good use of resources.
Statistics show violent crime year to date is down 18% compared with last year (but homicides are up 19% and sex abuse is up 88%).
Statistics show property crime year to date is up 23% compared with last year (but motor vehicle theft is up 102%).
Commissioners had questions about the operation of the Office of Unified Communication (911 dispatchers), who the Violence Interrupters are and how they operate, and how Safe Passage Programs are established. Harding and MPD Lieutenant Joy Lee said those inquiries should be directed to higher officials.
ANC6B has resolved to deepen its engagement on public safety issues. It has established a Public Safety Committee chaired by resident member Lisa Matsumoto which the Commission expects to be MPD’s point of contact for the ANC.
ANC7D, Chaired by Commissioner Wendell Felder, met Monday night to hear from DDOT Director Everett Lott.
The new ANC7D sprawls from Hill East on the south to the Maryland line on the north.
An Important New Player Gets to Work
By Hilary Russell
Posted February 15, 2003
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7D emerged in 2022 from a contentious redistricting process, required by DC law, to ensure populations of all wards are relatively equal in size. The epicenter was Ward 6’s explosive growth, which necessitated reducing its population by some 20,000 residents. As the map shows, voters on the west side of 19th Street were relocated to Ward 7, now represented by Councilmember Vincent Gray. The new ward’s 10 ANC commissioners will thus tackle a host of new challenges flowing from the demolition of RFK Stadium, plans for the jail, the ongoing development of Reservation 13, and extant PEPCO facilities along the Anacostia River.
The February 13 ANC 7D meeting seemed to augur harmonious and productive working relationships. The main feature was a presentation by Everett Lott, Director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), who referenced plans for a streetcar extension along Benning Road; a new Circulator route from Union Station to Deanwood; more car-free lanes and bikeshare stations; and plans to install traffic cameras on buses to support the enforcement of bus-only “red-paint” lanes. The question period included a critique by Commissioner Brett Astmann of DDOT’s Traffic Safety Input dashboard, along with Commissioner Ebony Payne’s concern that the recent “no-left-turn” sign on Oklahoma Avenue is funneling more traffic onto D and 19th Streets.
Perhaps the most salient part of this meeting was Commissioner Marc Friend’s announcement about five committees to be formed that will directly engage community members across ANC 7D:
Housing; economic development; economic justice
Transportation; public space
Grants; community outreach
Environment
Public safety
Capitol Hill Corner will endeavor to report on the work of these committees, whose names may be adjusted. Of particular interest is how they develop priorities and tackle overlapping issues—for example, the demolition of RFK Stadium. Throughout, the hope is that the 10 new commissioners and these committees will help to negate the thesis that a ward divided by a river or other geographic boundary will not work well.
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Mayor Bowser at Monday’s ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of The Ethel. Photo: Brynn Barnett
The Ethel, at 19th and C Streets, SE. Photo: Elizabeth Eby
Mayor Cuts Ribbon on Hill East’s 100 Units of Housing for the Homeless
by Elizabeth Eby
Posted February 14, 2023
About 200 people including press and many city officials attended Mayor Bowser’s ribbon cutting ceremony at The Ethel – which will provide permanent supportive housing* for 100 formerly homeless women. The building, at 19th and C, SE – steps away from the Stadium-Armory Metro Station – is part of the redevelopment of Reservation 13. The announcement came days before the National Park Service is scheduled to shut down the large homeless encampment at McPherson Square.
The Ethel is named for philanthropist Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Senator Robert Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy did not attend but her daughter Kathleen Kennedy Townsend did and read a letter from her congratulating the city on the housing and job-training the building will provide. She talked about her mother’s attachment to the Hill East neighborhood. Foremost, of course, the stadium named for her late husband and then the Anacostia River. Townsend said her mother loved attending games at RFK and is still – at 95 – an avid football fan. Mrs. Kennedy actively participated in Anacostia Rivershed Society activities and clean-up days. A news story from the 70s featured Mrs. Kennedy pulling up a mud-filled tire from the river bottom and lugging it to shore. Speaking personally, Townsend mentioned that her mother doesn’t like the name Ethel and has spent the last 20 years making everyone call her Kate.
Here’s a photo of one of the units. Photo: Elizabeth Eby
The building hosts 100 spacious one-bedroom apartments each furnished with a kitchen, and a washer and dryer. Residents will pay 30% of their income for rent and the city will make up the difference between that amount and market value. The combined rent and subsidy goes to the building owners – Donatelli and Blue Skye. Amenities include an education center where local organizations will provide programs. There is also a computer lab, a kitchen for learning cooking and nutrition skills, as well a beauty salon for learning cosmetology and beauty skills. Residents will also receive intensive case management. Residents must have a Section 8 voucher but no additional requirements were mentioned.
The Ethel, at 19th and C, SE – steps away from the Stadium-Armory Metro Station – is part of the redevelopment of Reservation 13.
In 2019, Mayor Bowser announced a goal of building 36,000 new homes by 2025 including 12,000 affordable units. 1,400 of those units were slated for Capitol Hill.
Originally the building now named The Ethel was scheduled to be a mix of market rate and affordable units. In November of 2019, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development revealed a plan to change the building to 100% low income housing units. The surprise left Hill East residents with deep feeling of distrust toward the city. Across C Street from The Ethel lies the 262 unit Park Kennedy luxury apartment complex, 31 of which are classified as affordable under Inclusionary Zoning regulations.
*Supportive housing refers to affordable housing with wrap-around support services for those who are homeless or have disabilities.
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What’s going on at the MPD 1st District Substation at 500 C Street, SE? This afternoon, former ANC6B01 Commissioner Jennifer Samolyk sent an email to MPD 1st District Commander Tasha Bryant referencing a decision to “drastically shrink the footprint” of the Substation and calling for a pause and a public meeting to hear from the community about the impact of the decision. Samolyk asked Bryant for a meeting to discuss the matter. Bryant responded that the Substation is not closing and offered to discuss the matter one-on-one with Samolyk. Samolyk responded that she understands that the Substation is not closing, but stated that “90% of the patrol officers that reported there are now moving to M street to begin and end their shifts – which will remove their presence from Capitol Hill.” Bryant replied that that number is “not accurate” and again offered to meet with Samolyk. Samolyk’s successor, ANC6B01 Commissioner Frank Avery (who Samolyk had copied on the email chain), weighed in later Sunday night via Twitter, saying his understanding is that the Substation will continue to staffed 24/7 and that there may be a plan being discussed to address neighbor concerns about over-parking in the community by asking officers to report for duty elsewhere before covering their normal patrols. If this is the case, he urged residents to express to the ANC and MPD their preference to prioritize MPD presence in the neighborhood over parking. Avery has asked MPD to put out a statement clarifying the status of the substation with details of any proposed changes. The full ANC6B has a previously-scheduled presentation from MPD 1st District Captain Kevin Harding next Wednesday at its February meeting.
CM Charles Allen and ANC6B Commissioner Matt LaFortune at Thursday’s Public Safety Meeting: The Public Safety meeting at Chamberlain School, organized by ANC6B10 Commissioner Matt LaFortune with help from CM Charles Allen’s office, featured Allen, LaFortune, Metro Transit Police and representatives from the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Discussion focused on ways to improve public safety in the immediate neighborhood, including increased MTP visibility in the area, establishing a Safe Passage site for school kids, and ways to activate the space to increase a sense of public ownership. Asked for reaction afterward, LaFortune said, “Thursday’s meeting provided a valuable opportunity for neighbors to share their experiences and hear directly from public safety leaders. We’ll continue to work together to make Potomac Avenue Metro a safer and more positive community space moving forward.”
Update on Vybrations: Also Thursday night, a full ANC6A Commission meeting heard from the owners of the Vybrations – a restaurant proposed to occupy the space at 1123 H Street, NE, formerly the home of the problematic XII Lounge and Touché Supper Club. Owners Kathon and Karie Van Hook tried hard to persuade skeptical neighbors that their proposed 350 seat vegan restaurant (with non-vegan options) was not going to turn into a club. In the end, the Commission voted 4 – 1 to support the license application conditioned on receipt of a signed Settlement Agreement. Commissioner Mike Velasquez voted to oppose.
Mott’s Market Mardi Gras. Saturday afternoon, some 50 neighbors gathered to celebrate Mardi Gras and renovation progress at Mott’s Market, 233 12th Street, SE. When the market closed last spring, a group of neighbors came together to buy back the building with the goal of creating a revitalized corner market and community gathering spot.
Constrution Progress: Work has already begun on the project by the self-described “Old Home Experts,” Keil Construction. The renovated market will include about 1,000 f\square feet of retail space and a two bedroom residential apartment on the second floor. Those who want to find out more about participating in this community project, can email community project managers here: SaveMottsMarket@gmail.com
At the Hirshhorn: Four Talks In 2021, as part of her exhibit The Weather the Hirshhorn invited Laurie Anderson to create a new work on site. She painted 10 hours a day for more than two weeks to create this remarkable installation taking viewers on a journey through her mind. Four Talks refers to the four sculptures – a raven, a parrot, a canoe and a shelf.
The Week Ahead – Photos from the Past Week & What’s going on at the 1st District Substation?
Establish ANC 6B Committees, Task Forces & Working Groups.
Proposal to Create a Special Committee for Public Parks and Space.
The February ANC6B Full Monthly Meeting will begin immediately after this meeting is adjourned. The meeting link will remain the same for both meetings.
Draft Agenda for the full Commission meeting:
Presentation: MPD First District – Captain Kevin Harding
Hill East Burger, 1432 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Request for an Entertainment Endorsement for Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern license.
2023 Capitol Hill Classic – May 21, 2023.
732 7th Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept review – vertical and rear addition to an existing one-story non-contributing commercial building. Proposed building to be four stories.
4-5 Library Court SE. Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to combine one tax lot and two record lots in the RF-3 zone.
647 G Street SE. Historic Preservation Application. Consideration of revised plans regarding basement design and windows. Concept Review: New three-story rear addition.
DDOT Updates:
9th & I Streets SE Intersection
Community Petition for Traffic Signal at 11th and D Streets, SE.
19th Street & Potomac Avenue, SE, Corridor Safety Project.
Incorrect Restoration of 4th St SE / South Carolina Ave Pedestrian Safety Features.
Letter to DDOT re: ANC 6B TSI locations that did not make the initial list of 200 priorities.
Letter to DPW re: Virginia Ave bus.
Upcoming Transportation Committee Meetings – Special Session on Electric Vehicles
Special Committee on Public Safety – Discussion on Proposed Structure for new special committee
Southeast Library Taskforce – Discussion on Proposed Structure for new special Committee
Amendments to Bylaws
Election of ANC 6B Representative to the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee.
Appointment of ANC 6B Resident Members.
Election of Committee Chairs.
ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
1000 – 1016 H Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for Special Exceptions to construct a new, detached, five-story with cellar and penthouse, 80-unit apartment addition, to existing mixed-use buildings.
915 Maryland Avenue, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Request for area relief to construct a second story to construct an accessory dwelling unit addition to an existing detached, accessory garage in the rear of an existing, attached, three-story principal dwelling unit.
Racial Equity Tool. Discussion of the revised DC Zoning Commission Racial Equity Tool, and how it will be used on zoning projects within ANC6A.
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