Category Archives: Uncategorized

Trey Daniels:  Saxophonist Photo: Trey Daniels

Friday Night Live – Jazz at Eastern Market Metro – April 14 – 5pm – 6:30pm

This Friday Night Live features award winning saxophonist Trey Daniels: soloist, composer and bandleader performing in the genres of jazz, funk, R&B and Hip Hop.  For more info, go here:  https://treydanielsmusic.com

CM Charles Allen visits ANC6B’s April meeting Tuesday night.

CM Allen on MPD Vehicle Pursuit Policy, Traffic Enforcement, & SE Library

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 13, 2023

CM Charles Allen continued his spring visits to Ward 6 ANCs Tuesday night, briefing the ANC6B on the Mayor’s Budget, now under consideration by the Council, and discussing his priorities as Chair of the Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee. That part of the presentation mirrored his remarks before ANC6A last month as reported on Capitol Hill Corner, here:  https://bit.ly/3FjTOgN

During the Q&A Allen responded to specific questions from Commissioners on issues concerning residents of ANC6B. 

• On restrictions on MPD vehicular pursuit: Commissioner Chander Jayaraman asked Allen about the widely distributed Twitter video of a carjacking of a jeep near the Ballpark on March 29, as several MPD officers and a squad car on site were unable to stop the theft and who failed to pursue.  Jayaraman suggested the failure to pursue was due to the Law Enforcement Vehicular Pursuit Reform Act of 2021 and wondered if there was any thought being given to providing more support so officers can actually do their jobs.

Allen replied that he thought Jayaraman was referring to a bill that had been introduced, not one that the Council had passed.  He said that “nothing the City Council has passed prohibits MPD from being able to do a vehicle chase if they believe there’s a crime taking place.  MPD has its own internal policy around chases.”  Allen said, “I have heard many times where somebody says the council voted to tell somebody to do that or the council has tied their hands.  That’s not true – it doesn’t mean people don’t say it though.” 

Jayaraman said that it would be appropriate, then, “for the ANC6B Public Safety Task Force to ask what MPD’s policy is, and what happened there.” 

• On traffic enforcement. Commissioner Matt La Fortune asked Allen for an update, following CM Henderson’s presentation to the 6B Transportation on this subject last week and her skepticism about moving a bill to toughen traffic enforcement.   

Allen said that he and Henderson along with CM Cheh were frustrated last year in their efforts to address this issue when they tried to move an amendment providing for loss of license for individuals with numerous serious traffic violations.  Allen said, “We were unsuccessful…and  lost the vote significantly.”  His plan, he said, is to hold a hearing later this spring with no preconceived answers to help build a stronger coalition which he says he thinks will be more successful than the approach taken last year.

Allen added that the Mayor’s Budget would repeal the law which directs revenue from fines from automated traffic enforcement cameras to go back into traffic safety.  Instead, those funds would be used to balance the budget.  He says residents are unhappy with traffic cameras and it’s harder to justify cameras to them if the funds don’t go to traffic safety.  Allen says that will be difficult to undo but he is looking at ideas to claw back funds to be used for safer streets. 

In a follow up on the subject from Commissioner Frank Avery, Allen said that on Monday, DOT revealed their plan to double the number of automated traffic cameras by the end of summer.  In addition, the 136 cameras currently operating will be replaced with new technology.  Allen is trying to work with the CFO and DOT to figure out how incoming revenue can be redirected toward safety efforts. 

(Later in the meeting the ANC unanimously agreed to a Resolution which, among other items, urged the city to make the primary goal of traffic enforcement prevention of dangerous driving, rather than raising revenue; tying non-financial penalties to traffic violations; negotiate with VA and MD on reciprocity agreements to hold non-safe drivers accountable; and to take proactive measures against drivers with the most significant traffic violations.)

• On interim services for SE Library: Commissioner Sobelsohn referenced the SE Library Task Force reps meeting with Allen on April 21^st  and announced that four ANC6B Commissioners, along with Commissioners from Ward 8 and possibly Ward 7, plus a representative from Capitol Hill Village would testify in support of funding for interim services before the Budget Committee meeting this Thursday.  In response Allen suggested that clearly laying out the communities’ priorities for interim services and defining what the needs are would be the most effective and persuasive line of testimony. 

(Later in the meeting, the Commission unanimously approved sending a letter to all members of the city council urging their assistance for interim services for the SE Library.) 

• DC Circulator: In other business, the Commission unanimously agreed to send a letter to the City Council stressing the importance of the service provided by the DC Circulator Route from Eastern Market Metro to L’Enfant Plaza.  The Mayor’s Budget would terminate the route and the letter urged urges the Council to keep it. 

Flowers in the National Gallery of Art’s Rotunda celebrate the season.  The lilies represent purity, innocence and rebirth.  The Rotunda and the building were designed by Architect John Russell Pope who also designed the Jefferson Memorial.  The design was based on the Pantheon in Rome and the building was completed in 1941.  The building was funded by former Secretary of the Treasury, Paul. W. Mellon, who gifted it to the nation.  The sculpture of Mercury, from Mellon’s collection, stands atop the Mercury Fountain, and is the work of an anonymous artist after Giovanni Bologna, 1529 -1608.

Public Safety.  Last Thursday, Council Member Charles Allen hosted his Ward 6 Community Meeting on the Mayor’s proposed budget.  The meeting was both virtual and in person at the School-Within-School at Goding.  Here are the highlights from the public safety portion of the meeting:

• The Mayor proposed $10 million in budget cuts for MPD, but the budget includes what MPD asked for re for recruitment and retention bonuses at $5.4 million, and $1.2 million for police education incentives.  In addition, there is $2.18 million to civilianize 18 MPD positions and get 18 officers back on the streets.  Also:
• $7.7 million for violence interruption programs at the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.
• $4.5 m for Pathways workforce development for at risk youths (but 14% overall budget cut).
• $9 m for safe passage programming.
• $227 million for a new jail

Allen said that the two public safety issues driving violent crime stats – gun violence/ homicides and carjackings are a national problem.  MPD strategies in response have been: 1)  Establishing a region-wide carjacking taskforce to coordinate police responses, and 2)  Better partnering with community based organizations and violence interrupters.  He noted that that coordination didn’t happen two years ago. 

Declining police staffing is also an issue which is not limited to DC.  Allen said the Chief says that money is not the problem – of the 347 training slots in the police academy, only 74 are filled.  Attrition is outpacing new hires.  (On Friday, Mayor Bowsers raised the hiring bonus for new MPD recruits to $25,000, $5,000 over the current bonus.)   

ANC6C’s Transportation Committee, chaired by Resident Member Michael Upright, met last week and voted to support a proposed streetscape plan for the NRP Group’s new 12-story plus penthouse mixed-use building at 301 Florida Avenue, NE, with 115 dwelling units, all affordable to income levels at or below 50% AMI and ground level space dedicated to retail. 

The ANC6C’s Transportation Committee also voted to support Folger Shakespeare Library’s request for support of the installation of two digital totems (signage); one at 2nd and East Capitol, one at 3rd and East Capitol.  An earlier plan for ten foot totems was scaled back to six feet, judged to be more in keeping with the scale of other nearby signage. 

This street tree on the unit block of 7^th Street NE, fell victim to last weekend’s windstorm, so to speak.  Photo: Daniele Schiffman

Easter Sunday, circa 3:00pm, at The Flea Market at Eastern Market on 7^th Street, SE. 

The Week Ahead …

By Larry Janezich

Posted April 9, 2023

Monday, April 10

Southeast Library Taskforce will hold an in person meeting at 7:00 pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Second Floor.

Tuesday, April 11

ANC7D will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://bit.ly/40MDsWL

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Speaker – FY 2024 Budget & Questions

• The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Mayor, Washington, DC

DC Government Updates/Presentations

• Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services (MOCRS)
• Office of Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray

Scheduled/Open Community Comment Period

• Yvette Alexander, R13 Community Partners
• Parkside Community Development Update
• DDOT, 19th Street, NE, Redesign Update (TBD)
• Community Violence Interrupters (TBD)
• Geoffrey St. John, DC Public Charter School Board
• Capitol Hill Classic Road Race (TBD)

New Business

• ANC 7D Committees Update
• ANC 7D Resolution (23-xxx) In Support of Solutions to Address the Opioid Crisis

ANC6B will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  http://bit.ly/3ZQ33ge

Among items on the draft agenda:

Consent Agenda

• Lola’s, 711 8th Street, SE.   Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern License, Application for an Entertainment Endorsement.
• Lola’s.  Request for a stipulated license for an Entertainment Endorsement.
• Mason & Greens DC.  400 8th Street, SE. Application for a Retailer’s Class “B” Full-Service Grocery Store license. 
• Mason & Greens DC.  Request for a stipulated license for a Retailer’s Class “B” license.

Presentations:

• Charles Allen, Councilmember, Ward 6
• Stephen Akyereko, DC Water – Lead Free DC

Planning and Zoning Committee

• 4-5 Library Court, SE.  Special Exception to combine one tax lot and two record lots in the RF-3 zone (Square 788, Lots 28 and 817).
• 1236 Walter Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application to construct a two-story rear addition, to an existing attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
• 1236 Walter Street.  Historic Preservation Application to construct a two-story rear addition, to an existing attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
• Rezoning of 1323 E Street, SE.
• Potential of Moving P&Z Meetings from Tuesday to the Thursday ABC Committee Slot

Transportation Committee

• Traffic Safety Resolution

Southeast Library Task Force

• Sending Previously Approved Letter of Support for Budget Funding for Interim Services for the Southeast Library to Remaining Members of DC Council.
• Authorization for Commissioners Sobelsohn and D’Andrea to Testify (Thursday 4/13; 12-3pm) on ANC 6B’s Behalf to the DC Council’s Library Committee on the Library System’s Budget.

Special Committee on Public Safety

• Report for the Special Committee on Public Safety

Wednesday, April 12

ANC6C holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Agenda not available at press time. 

Thursday, April 13

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Presentations

• Mayor’s Proposed FY2024 Budget – Richard Jackson, Director, Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
• DC Water’s Lead Free DC (LFDC) Initiative – Sean Moore, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority

Consent Agenda

• Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the application of Hiraya Kapamilya at 1250 H Street, NE, (ABRA-124137) for a Class C Tavern License unless a settlement agreement is entered into prior to the protest deadline.
• Recommendation: ANC 6A submit FOIA requests to DDOT to disclose certain data regarding the nature and disposition of the pre-January 6, 2023 TSI requests; as well as the component parts scoring of the TSI 2.0 prioritization model, and the identification and availability of data used to compute the prioritization scores.
• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT and Washington Gas, requesting that all barriers be re-installed along the entire Florida Avenue bike route and that measures be taken to ensure compliance with safe accommodations.
• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT or an appropriate entity within DC government to request data concerning the number and disposition of claims related to sidewalk safety issues in 6A; and if the information was not made available within a “reasonable” period of time, then ANC 6A would submit a FOIA request.
• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter of support to BZA for area variance relief for a project to construct a rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit at 912 Maryland Avenue, NE, in the RF-1 zone on condition that the owner provide letters of support.

Plenary session: 

• Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the application of Old City 1 Cafe at 1307 H Street, NE, for a Class C Restaurant License.
• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter of support to BZA for Special Exception relief pursuant 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, based on the plans that include 3,261 square feet of retail space on condition best effort to get come to an agreement on construction issues and that gas service only be used for emergency usage.
• Recommendation: ANC 6A send letters of support to BZA and HPO for special exception relief to construct a rear and side addition to an existing attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit at 336 11th Street, NE, with the condition that any information or reports received from HPO before the full ANC considers the project be in support of the project. BZA hearing scheduled for 4/26/2023.
• Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter of support to BZA for special exception relief to construct a two-story rear addition, to an existing semi-detached, two-story principal dwelling unit at 214 Warren Stree,t NE, in the RF-1 zone on condition that the developer make best efforts to get letters of support from 216 and 222 Warren Street NE.
• Suggested Motion: ANC 6A support the application of Kitchen Cray at 1301 H Street NE for a stipulated restaurant CR license with an entertainment endorsement under the condition that entertainment is only in the indoors lower level.

Jazz artist Allen Jones

Friday Night Live – Jazz at Eastern Market Metro – Returns April 7

“Live, on the Hill” Jazz Concerts at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park returns Friday, April 7, 5:00pm – 6:30pm.  The featured artist kicking off the season is drummer Allen Jones. 

Council Member At Large Christina Henderson talked about traffic and parking enforcement at last night’s ANC6B Transporttion Committee, chaired by Commissioner Matt LaFortune.

CM At Large Christina Henderson Slams City Traffic Enforcement at ANC6B Committee

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 4, 2023

“We have gotten to a point unless you destroy property or kill someone or get caught parking on a street long enough, there is no enforcement – unless you do something so egregious that MPD pulls you over.” 

In a rare appearance of a Council Member before an ANC Standing Committee, CM At Large Christina Henderson came before ANC6B’s Transportation Committee last night to talk about traffic enforcement. 

She opened her presentation noting that the Automated Traffic Effectiveness Amendment Act (ATE) she introduced last year had gone nowhere.  She said she has reintroduced the ATE Act this year but “the votes are not there” and she is trying to refine it: “That’s where we are.”

The ATE would:

• allow traffic cameras to issue points on driver’s licenses – currently the sole province of MPD
• require reporting driving records of drivers who accumulate five moving violations to insurance companies
• require reckless drivers to take “safe driving” lessons

The bill introduced last year was co-sponsored by Charles Allen, Brianne K. Nadeau, Elissa Silverman, and Brooke Pinto.

Henderson alluded to another bill introduced last year by then-CM At Large Elissa Silverman – the Reckless Driver Accountability Act of 2022 – making it easier to boot or impound vehicles with a large number of parking or moving violations.  It also went nowhere.  Henderson cited concerns about overburdening those with lower income as an impediment to passage of both bills by the city council. 

The brief presentation was followed by a Q&A period.

Can the city take a more proactive approach for towing?

Henderson:  “We have a list of vehicles which are boot-eligible … we have addresses.  DPW is reluctant to be more proactive because of a lack of resources,” with only six towing teams on the streets.  She said she had talked to DPW about doing overnight towing funded with overtime pay and whether having a crew working overnight would produce significant results.  A resident member attendee raised concerns about the safety of a towing team conducting overnight towing.

Have you considered citizen reporting and rewarding citizens with a percentage of the fine? 

Henderson:  “That has come up in conversations with bike groups regarding idling vehicles in bike lanes.  The issue is the same as with parking tickets.  If we can’t force the violator to pay the ticket, so what’s the point?   You get caught up in the idea of overburdening a certain class of people.  We have gotten to a point unless you destroy property or kill someone or get caught parking on a street long enough, there is no enforcement – unless you do something so egregious that MPD pulls you over.”

What is the status of Rock Creek Parkway case where three people were killed by a driver with 44 violation and unpaid $12000 in fines?  At what point is interest in enforcement triggered?

Henderson:  “Right now our system isn’t designed in that proactive way.  Right now visual observation of a vehicle on the street is what triggers enforcement.  It is no one’s job to actively search for the most egregious vehicles ticketed in term of speeding.” 

What’s the status of Vision Zero in light of the recent auditor’s report seeming to indicate there’s a program, but no program? 

Henderson:  “I’m meeting with the Director of DDOT to try to understand what the commitment of that agency is.  I appreciate that the ANC is considering a resolution on this because I feel like my colleagues need to hear enforcement is important to them as part of the overall Vision Zero goals, and right now, we don’t have that.”  She said that because of how we bifurcated the system it makes it difficult to hold a single agency accountable for Vision Zero – because they would say Vision Zero responsibilities cover three agencies.

What will nudge people to change their behavior?

Henderson:  “Infrastructure is one,” Henderson said, adding “I’m on ‘Team Infrastructure.”  She supports using “concrete and steel” infrastructure (street diets, bollards, bump outs, speed bumps) to slow traffic in support of Vision Zero goals.  But, she added, “…we should be clear not everybody on the council is onboard with infrastructure changes to improve safety.  Part of that is a legacy about how to move people in and out of downtown in the fastest way possible and sometimes at expense of public safety of the people who live here.  We have to change that paradigm.  And I’m not sure were prepared to do that.  Even in conversations about the ATE bill – in terms of the notification of insurance companies – folks were claiming I was anti-driver.  I have a car but my husband and kids bike and they commute and I want them to be safe.  I walk my kid to school.  Across Georgia Avenue and I want her to be safe.  And I think we can do both.  But every change we make toward Vision Zero, people assume that it’s anti-vehicle as opposed to safety concerns that undergird it. She added, “There are other things.  We’re still trying to figure that part out.  We’re open to suggestions.”

Afterward, the Committee unanimously supported a motion to forward a Traffic Enforcement Resolution to the full ANC for consideration at its next meeting on April 11.

The resolution urges the DC City Council to take up legislation to improve traffic enforcement in the DC including, but not limited to:

• tying nonfinancial penalties to traffic violations such as points on a driver’s license,
• reporting on traffic violations to insurance companies,
• requiring remedial lessons for drivers accruing a substantial number of violations prior to renewal of a driver’s license and registration.  The measure also:
• urges the city administration to reconvene the Fake Temp Tag Task Force and make public recommendations for further action to reduce the number of fake tags in DC and
• urges the Mayor to begin negotiations with MD and VA on a regional reciprocity agreement to hold unsafe drivers accountable regardless of where they commit traffic violations.

Mason and Greens – the Zero Waste Store at 8^th and PA Avenue, SE – plans on offering what is the possibly the city’s first beer and wine “refillery.”  Their liquor license application comes up before ANC6B ABC Committee meeting on Monday night. 

In mid April, M&G hopes to turn on the wine and beer taps which will be installed in the four holes shown above. The existing taps currently offer non-alcoholic beverages.

Barracks Row Union Kitchen – The unconfirmed word on the street is that Union Kitchen is still slated to open an outlet in the former Subway Shop on Barracks Row at 8^th and E Street, SE, across from the 7-11.  Most recently, the space was the campaign HQ of DC City Council candidate Graham McLaughlin.  The windows are blurred with film, but there’s been activity inside.  The Union Kitchen folks are pretty hard to reach. 

The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee met last Wednesday night in the Market’s North Hall.  Chair Chuck Burger announced the establishment of four committees to involve the community in the Market’s survival.  EMMCA will solicit volunteers to serve on the following four committees:  Fundraising, Events, Marketing/Branding, and Social Media.

Triple Candie’s latest.  Here are two shots of Triple Candies’ new installation in their exhibit space in the former Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  For more, go here: http://www.triplecandie.org/  

“Jannis Kounellis was a Greek Italian artist based in Rome. A key figure associated with Arte Povera  – a movement theorized by curator Germano Celant as a major shift from work on flat surfaces to installations.”  Wikipedia.

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich  

Posted April 2, 2023

The Week Ahead … (Some meeting dates have changed in observance of the upcoming religious holiday)

Monday, April 3

The Washington Bach Consort will offer another free performance of its Noontime Cantata series at 12:10pm at St. Mark’s Church,  301 A St SE.  Professional soloists, choir and orchestra will perform an prelude and Bach cantata.

ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage Control Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to access the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Lola’s, 711 8th Street, SE. Application for an Entertainment Endorsement for their Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern License. 
• Lola’s, 711 8th Street, SE. Request for a stipulated license for an Entertainment Endorsement.
• Mason & Greens, 400 8th Street, SE. Application for a Retailer’s Class “B” Full-Service Grocery Store license.
• Mason & Greens, 400 8th Street, SE. Request for a stipulated license for a Retailer’s Class “B” license.

ANC6B  Transportation Committee Meeting will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

 Among items on the draft agenda:

• DPW Presentation on Parking Enforcement.
• DDOT Presentation on Bridge Rehabilitation Project on the SE/SW Freeway (I-695).
• DDOT Presentation on Traffic Cameras.
• DDOT Presentation on 695 Offramp & I Street, SE.
• Presentation by Councilmember Henderson on Traffic Enforcement.
• Resident Member Cunningham Update on Draft EV Letter.
• Traffic Safety Resolution.

ANC 6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

No meeting this month.

ANC 6C Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 301 Florida Avenue NE – Streetscape Plan.  The NRP Group has requested a review of their proposed streetscape plan for the development project at 301 Florida Avenue, NE.
• 1100-1199 Block of 4th Street. NE – DDOT TOPS. Construction Permit Request, Fixture Small Cell Installation.
• Folger Shakespeare Library request for support.  The Folger Shakespeare Library is requesting ANC support for the installation of two digital totems (signage); one at 2nd and East Capitol, one at 3rd and East Capitol.
• Request for bike lanes on Massachusetts Avenue, NE.  ANC 6C resident requesting the addition of bike lanes on the Massachusetts Avenue corridor.

Tuesday, April 

ANC 6B April 2023 Planning and Zoning will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Request for Oversight by Council of DOB Vacant Building Enforcement.
• 4-5 Library Court, SE; Special Exception to combine one tax lot and two record lots in the RF-3 zone (Square 788, Lots 28 and 817).  
• Rezoning of 1323 E Street SE.
• Potential of Moving P&Z Meetings from Tuesday to the Thursday ABC Committee Slot.

•  

ANC6C Planning, Zoning and Economic Development is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.

No meeting this month.  

ANC 6C Environment, Parks & Events Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Capitol Hill Classic – The 42nd annual 10-K, 3-K and Fun Run will be held on May 21, 2023. Race representative Roberta Stewart will discuss the event with our committee, answer questions, and seek ANC 6C support. For details, please see https://www.capitolhillclassic.com/
• Hayes Senior Wellness Center Tot-Lot Playground – The playground, which first opened in 2012, is in need of repairs. Specifically, the rubberized surface has worn away in several locations, the entry gate is misaligned and difficult to operate, and the metal fencing along K St is detached/loose. EPE Chair Joe McCann will present.
• L and M Street Underpasses (NoMa) – Request to DC Government that the concrete barriers be removed at the L & M Street underpasses in NoMa, and that the District install on the side path areas seating, bike lanes, playable art, and other elements to activate these spaces. 
• Brentwood-Hamilton Field – Request to DPR to install basic safety and access improvements to the Brentwood-Hamilton field on 6th Street at Neal NE in ANC 5D adjacent to 6C. This limited seating, no ADA pathways, and very poor maintenance of the areas outside the fields. 6C07.

Thursday, April 6

Friends of Southeast Library will hold their monthly meeting at 5:30pm in Southeast Library, lower level.  

Agenda: 

• The April book sale.
• Report by SE Neighborhood Library Branch Manager Julia Strusienski

“Woodhenge” by Ragnar Thoresen  – photography

“Untitled—1” by Tom Chabolla – acrylic painting

“The Old Frederick Douglas’s Bridge” by Roderick Turner – oil painting

The rescheduled opening Reception (from April 1) will be on Saturday, April 15 at 5:30pm for the Art League Exhibit  “Free for All”

The Capitol Hill Art League Presents its 12th Annual Open Call Juried Exhibition March 28-April 28, 2023 At Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th Street, SE.

Juror Priya Vadhyar, who has selected pieces by 30 artists, will provide remarks and present awards at the opening reception on April 15, 2023 from 5:30-7:00, pm at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop.

The theme of this exhibit left it up to artists to explore, to work in new ways or experiment in their usual medium through their own personal process and any 2D and 3D media, including photography.

Juror Priya Vadhyar is a visual artist based in Ellicott City, Maryland. In her current work, Priya explores the manifestation of what Loren Eiseley calls one’s “interior geography,” and the self’s relationship with the sum of things

The Capitol Hill Art League invited artists in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia to enter this annual open call.

In addition to viewing the show in person, the exhibit may be viewed and art purchased through the “Exhibitions” section, on the Capitol Hill Art League website at: www.caphillartleague.org

The Capitol Hill Art League is a visual arts program of The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW).

Capitol Hill Institution Distad’s Has Been Sold

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 30, 2023

A week ago today, MetroMotor closed the deal on the sale of neighborhood institution, Distad’s Auto Clinic, at 823 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  It came as a shock to the Capitol Hill community and their loyal customer base since the new owners wanted to hold off on an announcement until the sale was complete.  The new owners will continue operating the auto clinic business.  

According to Amanda Distad, the owners – brothers Rick, John, and Roy (her father) – decided last year that they wanted to retire.  (Their sister, Donna Jean (Distad) Crawford, who John said was “key to the operation,” passed away suddenly, January 19, 2021 from covid.) 

Amanda said her grandfather – Harold Distad – opened the service station seventy-five years ago in 1959.  She’s the third generation of Distad’s to work in the station. 

The public face of Distad’s – the faces behind the counter – were John and Amanda Distad and Abby Astatke.  John’s last day was yesterday. Amanda says the first thing he’s doing is leaving for South Carolina on an 8 day camping trip.  Amanda and Abby will continue dealing with clients in the front office. 

The new owners wanted to retain the name “Distad’s,” but the brothers would not agree to that condition.

The station’s new service manager is Dana Novosel, who has been with MetroMoters for 12 years.  He said all employees are being retained for as long as they want.  He said, “Nothing’s changed except the ownership.  No one is going anywhere.  We don’t want them to leave.  We need all the familiar faces.”

MetroMoters has two more outlets on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Capitol Hill Exxon and Pennsylvania Avenue Exxon and 12 other outlets in and around the District.  

Update on Demolition of RFK – Phase 3 Structural Demolition To Begin

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 30, 2023

Last Monday night, Ryan Conway, Senior Director of Events DC and his team, briefed the community on the status of demolition of RFK during the RFK Campus Quarterly Stakeholders Meeting. 

He recounted that the project generally consists of four phases: 1. hazmat materials abatement, 2. selective (non-structural) demolition, 3. structural demolition, and 4. back filling and grading. 

Conway said that the contractor has completed the first two phases and Events DC is in the process of securing approvals in order to proceed with structural demolition.  Though the demolition is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023, Conway team members say they don’t have a firm time line as they work through regulatory approvals.  So far, they have received sign off from DOE, Historic Preservation, Zoning and DDOT. 

The stadium will be demolished mechanically in sections, working clockwise on the inside, from top to bottom, and starting on the C Street, NE, side of the structure.  Once the contractor begins demolition on the outside and the walls are breached permitting a view into the interior, the demolition will be more apparent.  Again, the time line for that part of Phase 3 is uncertain.

Once the stadium is down and demolition complete, the site will transform to a compacted pervious lawn area.  After demolition, Events DC doesn’t know what will be done.  Land use has to be established before anything else.  A lot of ideas have been put out there but Events DC has not endorsed any of them.  One such idea was recently presented to ANC6B by a representative of the Capitol Riverside Youth Group Capitol Riverside Youth Sports Park (CRYSP).  This plan, an Events DC representative noted, is coming from an outside organization; as Events DC formulates a vision it will keep the community informed.

During the Q&A, the question of what will happen to the RFK bust arose.  Events DC said they would work with the Kennedy family and the community regarding a permanent location.  For the time being, the bust remains outside of the construction fence and available for public viewing. 

EventsDC has installed a live construction camera on the roof of the DC Armory to record the demolition of RFK Stadium.  See here:  http://eventsdc.com/venue/rfk-stadium/live-demolition-camera

See here for more information and demolition updates http://eventsdc.com/venue/rfk-stadium

The front wall of 639 A Street, SE is all that remains after the developer exceeded the scope of work for construction on the property.  The blue tarp makes assessing the degree of the demolition difficult. 

Here’s a view of the rear of the property from the alley. 

Demolition at 639 A ST SE – a “tragic and unfortunate development “– Gets Stop Work Order

by Larry Janezich

Posted:  March 28, 2023

In May of 2022, the Historic Preservation Review Board approved an application to build a two-story rear addition and a new cellar under the house at 639 A Street, SE, in the Capitol Hill Historic District.

According to Beth Purcell, chair of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s Historic Preservation Committee, “The plans called for demolition of some exterior walls, but retaining the front wall, party wall, and part of the dogleg wall.  In March 2023 an alert neighbor noticed that only the front wall was left and contacted HPO.  On March 17, 2023 a Department of Buildings inspector found that the work exceeded the scope of the building permit and issued a stop work order.  No further work can be done until the property owner corrects the violations and obtains a new building permit, which will require HPO sign off.”

Bruce Yarnall, Historic Preservation Operations Manager at the DC Office of Planning called it a “tragic and unfortunate development.”

Moira Nadal, Architectural Historian, DC Office of Planning says, “The property owner will need to follow the instructions provided with their Stop Work Order and file a response with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).

To amend the building permit for the new scope of work – in essence, to apply for after-the-fact approval of the demolition and for new construction on the site – the property owner would need to file for review by the HPRB.  The HPRB review process gives great weight to resolutions from the ANC, and will include an opportunity for the public to provide testimony or to submit letters in advance.

The Stop Work Order will remain in place until the HPRB has completed its review and the new permit is issued, and no work is permitted at the property while the Stop Work Order is in place.”

The path forward seems to be one that involves a matter of months and is not without peril regarding the preservation of the remaining portion of the structure or the comfort level of the adjoining neighbors.  Excavation for the new cellar has begum. 

As mentioned above, a new HPRB review will come back before ANC6B.  In the meantime, the developer might be subject to fines and penalties for infractions.  These, however, seem paltry compared to what might be a potential doubling in value of the property beyond the original cost of purchase and redevelopment, and that could be an incentive for the same thing happening again.  Here are some of the consequences facing the developer: 

From the DC Office of Planning Website:  https://bit.ly/3JRm7oo

Historic Preservation Violations and Fines

It is illegal to violate the DC preservation law, just as it is illegal to violate building codes or traffic laws. Historic Preservation Office (HPO) inspectors are authorized to stop illegal construction and may also issue citations and fines for violations of the DC building and property maintenance codes.

Violations of the preservation law and DC building code include:

• Working without a required construction permit
• Exceeding the scope of a permit
• Failure to comply with the conditions of a permit
• Failure to maintain historic property in good repair
• Demolition by neglect

Fines and Penalties

Violators of the preservation law and building code are subject to a $4,068 civil infraction fine for failure to obtain or stay within the scope and conditions of a building permit.  Fines may double for a second infraction.

If you get a Stop Work Order for illegal construction, you may be liable for a fine of 50 percent of the cost of the permit you should have obtained. DCRA will not release the Stop Work Order until you pay the permit fee and any fine assessed.

Capitol Hill Corner reached out for comment to real estate agent Jessica Bachay who is listed as the contact for 639A LLC, the applicant for DOB permits for the property, but as of press time has not received a reply. 

Back in 2021, a similar case occurred a few blocks west at 326 A Street, SE.  Here’s a link:  http://bit.ly/3lLBHtH