(Ed. note: This Out and About post is the first in a series – an occasional photo feature by artist, photographer, and Capitol Hill resident Elizabeth Eby. She finds vignettes while out and about on Capitol Hill.)
In February tiny white blooms with green markings start poking up through snow – snowdrops, the harbingers of spring. Plants propagate from seed and offsets – new bulbs that grow attached to the mother bulb. It’s a slow process, and these new bulbs need a year or two before they bloom. Snowdrops became quite fashionable in the 1800s in England and bulbs sold for thousands of pounds. Recently a British breeder paid several thousand pounds for a rare species (white with large yellow dots) but offspring from that bulb have not yet been on the market. Modern techniques like “chipping” (dividing mature bulbs into as many as 16 pieces) produce reasonably priced bulbs. A similar technique is used to propagate orchids, bringing the price down to fit Trader Joe budgets. Snowdrops can be found in shady spots all over the world. This clump is located on Bay Street, SE.
Here’s a photo of a painting of snowdrops and Virginia bluebells by George Weymouth, a neighbor and good friend of Andrew Weyth. Frolic, as he was known, was a horseman and “bon vivant” (see his New York Times obituary https://nyti.ms/3Ku6hOZ ). Weymouth was one of the founders of the Weyth Museum and the Brandywine Conservancy Trust – a three hour drive from Capitol Hill. The collection includes many of Weyth’s best known works as well as original illustrations of Treasure Island. The museum is very intimate and visitors get to know generations of the Weyth family, personal histories of a few of Andrew’s models and local history starting with the Revolutionary War.
The signage on the former Baskin-Robbins at 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, announces the coming of Mason & Greens, Sustainable Dry Goods | Grocer. The company promises plastic free products that are ethically made and sustainably sourced and claims ownership of the title of DC’s largest vegan shop. Package free goods purchased on line can be delivered to your door with a $25 minimum and $5 delivery fee.
Their offerings, they say, contain no toxic chemicals, synthetic fabric, palm oil or anything else that can damage people or the planet. The product line includes items for the home, kitchen, beauty, kids, and the outdoors, as well as food, snacks, and books.
This will be the company’s second store – there’s a Mason & Greene at 913 King Street in Alexandria.
Donna Scheeder presided over a virtual meeting of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee on February 28, 2021. A meeting of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meeting on September 25, 2019, in North Hall, Eastern Market. The before times. L-R Jerry Sroufe, Monty Edwards, Jonathan Page, Chuck Burger, Donna Scheeder, Susan Oulser, Mike Bowers, Angie Brunson, Anita Jefferson.
R.I.P Donna Scheeder
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 7, 2022
Chuck Burger, Vice Chair of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC), announced today the passing of Capitol Hill community advocate and activist Donna Scheeder.
In an email to regular attendees of EMCAC monthly meetings, Burger said:
“Our friend Donna Scheeder has peacefully passed today at home. Personally, I can only say that I am grateful to have known her. She was irreplaceable as a friend and an advocate for so many in so many ways. She will be missed but greatly remembered.
A celebration will be announced in coming weeks.”
The cause of death was cancer. Scheeder was a private person, and made few concessions to her illness, continuing to chair EMCAC until as recently as its January meeting. The seriousness of her condition wasn’t apparent until the February meeting of EMCAC which was postponed until March 2nd, at which time Burger intimated that she was unable to fulfill her role as chair, and asked for a moment of silent prayer for her.
Scheeder is best known in the community for her service for many years as the Ward 6 Councilmember’s appointee to – and chair of – EMCAC. She was also a founding member of the Hill Center Board of Directors and most recently took an active role in the advisory task force for the redesign of Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park and children’s playground.
In her professional life, she was deputy chief information officer for the Congressional Research Service and retired in March of 2015.
According to Wikipedia she was president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) from 2015 to 2017 and served on the governing board of IFLA for 6 years.
Sarah Yerkes heard the call of Bakers Against Racism for an emergency bake sale for Ukraine and responded by organizing friends, neighbors, and Brent school kids for a Sunday bake sale on the 400 block of 7th Street, SE. She told CHC that she likes to bake and her great great grandparents came from Ukraine. The 8 – 10 Brent Schoolers, including her two daughters, solicited customers by engaging passersby with signs. Yerkes alerted the MOTH listserv. At the end of the day on Sunday afternoon, the effort raised $1,819.00. Bakers Against Racism was founded as a social community, connecting bakers across the Globe to fight against racism in all its forms – a collective of people from all walks of life who bake to make the world a better place. See here: https://www.bakersagainstracism.com/Washingtonian reports that Newland, chef Andrew Markett’s new venture in the space formerly occupied by Montmartre, will open near Eastern Market on Tuesday, March 8. The restaurant, at 327 7th Street, SE, seats 42 plus five at a bar described as “intimate.” Capitol Hill Corner reported earlier that the Beuchert’s restaurant team behind Newland will also open Fight Club later this spring in the space formerly occupied by Hank’s on the Hill at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. See Washingtonian, here: https://bit.ly/3hJXL24Bullfrog Bagels near Eastern Market will partner with A Presto! Italian Pop Up. Stephanie Hulbert will bring her Italian pop up A Presto! to Bullfrog Bagels’ second floor at 317 7th Street, SE next Sunday, March 13, according to DCist. In addition to sit down dining, the restaurant will offer takeout and delivery. The restaurant will be open Thursday through Sunday, 5:00pm – 10:00pm. See A Presto! website for the menu: www.aprestoitalianfoods.com See the DCist article here: https://bit.ly/3pJo50JBond Vet will open a full service pet clinic in the 600 block on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, in the space formerly occupied by Sizzling Express. The clinic will offer urgent and preventive care, surgeries, dentals, and virtual visits. Clinics are open 10:00am – 8:00pm, 365 days a year. The company is based in New York and recently announced plans to open four clinics in DC. See here: https://bondvet.com/It seems like a long time ago, but the National Guard was on hand just in case on last Tuesday afternoon, prior to President Biden’s State of the Union message. The 8 foot fence around the Capitol Building had been erected the day before. It was taken down the day after the speech.ICYMI, Gandel’s the liquor store at 211 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, which seemingly had been there forever, closed in January according to the manager at bibija, next door. Asked if he knew why, the manager said, “no customers.”
Presentation: Matthew Graves, US Attorney for the District of Columbia.
1102 8th Street, SE. Taco City DC. Application for Substantial Change in Tavern Liquor License for Sidewalk Café.
119 6th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a rear, two-story addition to an existing, detached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
1307 South Carolina Avenue, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a rear deck addition to an attached, three-story principal dwelling unit.
344 14th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct third story and rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
1500 D Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a second story, rear addition to an existing, semi-detached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
321 D Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept: Construct a rear three-story addition; add a partial third floor on the existing house and renovate the existing house.
ANC6B Request to Mail Notice of Intent to File a Map Amendment to Rezone 1323 E Street, SE, from PDR-1 to RA-2.
Resolution on Reckless Driving in DC – Resident Member John Ten Hoeve.
Request to DDOT to Implement Resident Only Parking Near the Reopened Safeway.
Walk Without Worry Amendment Act (Bill 24-0566) – Commissioner Horn.
Safe Routes to School Expansion Amendment Act (Bill 24-0565) – Commissioner Horn.
Possible Renaming of Garfield Park to Garfield-Anacostia Park.
Letter to DC Council Regarding Neighborhood Concerns on Increased Carjackings – introduced by Commissioner Samolyk.
Letter Regarding Harris Teeter Lease – introduced by Commissioner Ryder.
103 4th Street, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept approval to add a second story to an existing one-story rear addition.
634 East Capitol Street, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept approval to add a two-story addition and roof deck at rear.
931 5th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special exception relief to add a third-story rear addition and penthouse to an existing attached two-story dwelling.
7 New York Avenue, NE – Demolition to construct a 14-story residential building.
Public hearing on B24-565, Safe Routes to School /Walk without Worry/Safer Intersections/Upgrading.
Tactical Safety Projects legislation.
Bus route changes on Eastern Market/L’Enfant Plaza Circulator.
National Capitol Planning Commission – Streetscape design guidelines, National Mall.
Curbside shifts on the 800 block of 3rd Street, NE. Addition of commercial vehicle loading zone at Giant.
Discussion of new and upgraded bicycle lanes.
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Ward 6 Public Schools Parent Organization hosts virtual Middle School Principal Panel Discussion at 7:30pm.
Principals Greg Dohmann (Jefferson Middle School Academy), Marlene Magrino (Eliot-Hine Middle School), Erik Fraser (Stuart-Hobson Middle School), and Kim Adutwum (Capitol Hill Montessori@Logan) will share their ideas on what makes a good middle school, how their schools help all students reach their highest potential, what extracurricular activities they offer, and more. Denise Forte, the interim CEO of the Education Trust, will be the moderator.
Letter of support for stipulated liquor license for Taqueria Al Lado II, contingent on a Settlement Agreement being reached prior to the ANC’s consideration of the matter.
Resolution to officially name the alley in Square 1009, between C and D Street NE and 12th and 13th Streets, NE, “Overbeck Alley” in honor of Ruth Ann Overbeck, and send the resolution to Councilmember Charles Allen.
1127 G Street, NE. Letter in conditional support of the request for a special exception zoning relief to allow construction of a detached, two-story, garage with second story dwelling unit to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling.
Friday afternoon, following a briefing with security officials and city leaders, CM Charles Allen shared the following points related to the possible convoy of truckers coming into the District this weekend and next week.
The largest of the several convoys is reported to have more than 500 vehicles – a mix of tractor trailers, RVs, and personal vehicles.
Most of the convoy appears to be staging in Hagerstown, MD, this evening and Saturday.
The biggest impact (if any) for the District would be later this weekend and potentially into next week if the convoy or individual drivers attempt to enter the District or instead, drive around the Beltway.
The intention of those in the convoy is unclear, though spokespersons for the larger convoy stated they do not intend to enter DC. But they do not speak for every participant.
The convoy has also attracted numerous extremist groups and individuals along its journey, but leadership of the larger group has at times attempted to distance the association with those individuals.
It’s unclear what targets the convoy might have in mind, but areas of focus will be the White House and US Capitol.
DC law enforcement has staged vehicles and personnel at various entry points to stop vehicles if needed and has built up capacity to tow and remove vehicles if there are parking and blocking strategies employed.
There’s no indication the convoy is focused on residential neighborhoods but any attempt to reach the Capitol or White House might bring them through those neighborhoods.
Law enforcement officials say they will continue watching closely any large vehicles and trucks entering the city well before they get downtown or near the Capitol.
Allen says a big take away from the briefing is that “while the situation is still very fluid, law enforcement is taking a very focused and strategic approach and is advising people to prepare to exercise patience next week if we see any road closures take place.” You can also get updates via Alert DC: https://hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc
The Ward 7 Redistricting Task Force met Thursday night. CM Vincent Gray opened the meeting which he then turned over to co-chairs Tamara Blair (ANC7D) and Joel Caston (ANC7F). This map shows the current single member districts most affected by the change of Ward 7’s boundary which redistricting extended to 15th Street on the west side of the river. Note that currently SMD 7D01 has jurisdiction over the RFK campus (Anacostia Park) and SMD 7F07 has jurisdiction over Reservation 13 (Stadium Armory Metro Stop). This map is from Ward 7 Task Force Member Brian Alcorn’s presentation in support of creating a standalone Ward 7 ANC on the west side of the Anacostia River. Redistricting effectively moved the areas with the green dots from Ward 6 into Ward 7.Former ANC6B Commissioner Francis Campbell created a map in support of his and Alcorn’s proposal to create an ANC west of the river with 7 single member districts, including one for the DC Jail. The map would place the RFK campus and Reservation under the jurisdiction of the new standalone Ward 7 ANC 7A.
Hill East Bid for Its Own ANC Gets Chilly Reception from Ward 7 Task Force
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 4, 2022
It would be hard to imagine a better case for creating a new standalone Ward 7 ANC west of the Anacostia River than that presented at last night’s virtual Ward 7 Redistricting Taskforce “listening session.” Brian Alcorn, Ward 7 Taskforce Member and current ANC6A Commissioner – and former ANC6B Commissioner Francis Campbell presented a compelling logical argument supported by facts, figures, history, resident testimony, the presence of natural boundaries and civic and community groups – and a map. The idea was not received with enthusiasm by members of the Task Force.
The proposal would create ANC7A with 8 single member districts including one for the residents of DC Jail. (See above) Supporters argue this new ANC would be better suited to represent residents west of the river and oversee development west of the river because these residents are most affected.
But a well-reasoned argument may not be enough to stand against the realpolitik of redistricting.
If adopted, the proposal would mean that two current Ward 7 ANCs (ANC7D and ANC7F) would give up jurisdiction over the RFK Campus and Reservation 13 respectively. It’s likely no accident that the co-chairs of the Ward 7 Redistricting Taskforce are commissioners from those two ANCs. (In Ward 6, CM Allen decided that no sitting commissioner or anyone who intended to run for the ANC should sit on the Ward 6 Redistricting Committee.)
Former Chair of ANC6B Chander Jayaraman lobbied for a cross boundary Ward 7 ANC west of the river, which would function as a Ward 6 ANC. Under redistricting guidelines, “An ANC may cross a ward boundary, but according to District law, each ANC must, ‘to the greatest extent possible,’ be located within one ward.” The arrangement would require agreement by both councilmembers, however, and though CM Charles Allen supports the idea Councilmember Vincent Gray has shown no interest.
Campbell told Capitol Hill Corner that he has not considered a standalone ANC west of the river that does not include the RFK campus or Reservation 13.
If no new ANC made up of the pieces of ANCs west of the river comes into being, those pieces of ANC6A and ANC6B which recently became part of Ward 7 through redistricting will have to be absorbed into Ward 7’s ANC7D and ANC7F.
In the final analysis, it probably doesn’t matter what the Ward 6 Redistricting Committee recommends – their role is advisory – because the final ANC and single member boundary lines will be drawn by Councilmember Gray. If he has no interest in a cross boundary ANC, it is all but certain he would not sign off on a plan which would surrender the opportunity for existing Ward 7 ANC’s to bring the “great weight” of their opinion to any future development of the RFK Campus and Reservation 13.
The Ward 7 Taskforce is up against an April 1st deadline and has yet to produce a draft map for resident and ANC input. There are two more meetings of the Ward 7 Task Force before then, dates and times to be announced.
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This ominous looking homeless encampment is at the corner of 18th and D Streets, NE, much to the consternation of nearby neighbors. Here, ANC6A07 Commissioner Sondra Phillips-Gilbert and the Mayor’s Representative for Ward 6 Jasmine Coilton engage the occupant/owner of the tarp-covered vehicle. ANC6A Commissioner Brian Alcorn, whose single member district adjoins that of Phillips-Gilbert looks on. Asked for comment, Phillips-Gilbert said: “This issue of the homeless encampment has been a true nightmare for the community for over the past 6 months. The illegally parked black van is operational per the owner and that, plus what appears to be a trash collection business that is run without a license from DCRA has been brought to the attention of the Deputy Mayors Office of Human Services in numerous emails without any response…. After speaking with the homeless gentleman that resides at this location, it’s extremely sad that he feels he is not getting sufficient support or resources from the Encampment Unit or Community Connections….” Phillips-Gilbert went on to question both the process by which this occupation of public space was declared an encampment and the lack of engagement by city agencies. In a conversation with the owner/occupant of the vehicle, she stressed that she was trying to get assistance for him from city agencies and told him that nearby residents are anxious about safety issues. She added that the proximity of a day care center has heightened anxiety of parents regarding the safety of their children. ANC6A’s Transportation Committee met last Thursday to hear Zack Gambetti from DDOT present an update on the H Street, NE, Bus Priority Program. The section of H Street, NE, between North Capitol and Benning Road has been the site of numerous crashes. DDOT is looking at what safety measures can be installed in connection with a proposed priority bus lane, such as curb bumps and traffic signal priority. Gambetti said DDOT will start community outreach on the project this spring, probably in April.The Ward 6 Task Force on Redistricting, chaired by Ivan Frishberg, met last Tuesday night to discuss the draft map for new Ward 6 ANC and SMD boundaries. A dozen or so commenters complained about the changes in various ANC and SMD boundaries. There is pressure for extending the Task Force deadline of coming up with a final product by March 15 as well as support for having more meetings. There’s another meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, and Frishberg wants to wait until after that meeting “to see where we are” and then make a decision about taking more time. In the meantime, he encouraged stakeholders to have more meetings outside the Taskforce. The problem areas seem to be in ANC6D, the line between ANC6C and ANC6A, dividing up jurisdiction of Lincoln Park, and the SMD lines in the SE part of ANC6B. ANC6A Chair Amber Gove is still hoping for a cross-boundary ANC east of 15th Street, but Frishberg is skeptical because of how far along in the process the Task Force is, and because there doesn’t seem to be any impetus for the idea on the Ward 7 side. According to Eater DC, Della Barba Pizza is looking at opening up in Hill East at 1382 East Capitol in April. A look through the window shows a buildout underway, but with a ways to go. https://twitter.com/eat_dc/status/1496925219365310464Speaking of pizza, Extreme Pizza on Barracks Row at 520 8th Street, SE, is back in business. The restaurant opened in February onf2021, then closed in June over what was reported to be management issues.
Sunday morning, contractors started putting up the security fence around the U.S. Capitol. U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger issued the following statement today.
“In light of the upcoming State of the Union Address, and the possibility of demonstrations in the next couple of weeks, we have been working closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners on a security plan to prevent any disruption to the important work of Congress. Out of an abundance of caution, and in conjunction with the United States Secret Service, a plan has been approved to put up the inner-perimeter fence around the Capitol building for the State of the Union Address. I have also requested support from outside law enforcement agencies as well as the National Guard to assist with our security precautions. We will continue to update the community about any information that may impact the roads around Capitol Hill.” Manger also released a list of road closures for the State of the Union address on March 1, and said these are the same road closures the US Capitol Police has had in the past and are not related to the potential truck and vehicle convoys.
The Week Ahead…and Some Photos from the Past Week or So
by Larry Janezich
Posted February 27, 2022
Monday, February 28
ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
119 6th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception to construct a rear, two-story addition to an existing, detached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
1307 South Carolina Avenue, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a rear deck addition to an attached, three-story principal dwelling unit.
344 14th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct third story and rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
1500 D Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a second story, rear addition to an existing, semi-detached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
321 D Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept: Construct a rear three-story addition; add a partial third floor on the existing house and renovate the existing house.
ANC 6B Request to Mail Notice of Intent to File a Map Amendment to Rezone 1323 E Street, SE, from PDR-1 to RA-2.
Wednesday, March 2
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
103 4th Street, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept: to add second story to existing one-story rear addition.
634 East Capitol Street, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept: to construct two-story addition plus roof deck at rear.
931 5th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exception to construct a third-story rear addition and penthouse to and existing attached two story principle dwelling unit.
(Postponed from February 23) Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
How does the Holocaust continue to affect its survivors and frame our thinking today? Join Hill Havurah members Peter Stein (a survivor of the Holocaust), Kim Fellner and Laurie Solnik (the children of survivors), and Dan Rogger (the grandchild of a survivor) for an evening of memory, reflection, and looking forward.
These speakers will share their perspectives and help us explore. We’ll have a chance to hear from each of our speakers and ask them questions.
Thursday, March 3
ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
1102 8th Street, SE. Taco City DC. Application for substantial change to a Retailer’s Class “CT” Tavern License – Request for a Sidewalk Café with 12 seats.
ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Agenda not available at press time.
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Last Thursday, ANC6B Livability Task Force held a virtual meeting on a proposal to rename Garfield Park.
ANC Task Force Demurs on Proposal to Change Name of Garfield Park
by Larry Janezich
ANC6B’s Livability Task Force, chaired by Commissioner Steve Holtzman, held a virtual community meeting Thursday night to hear input on a proposal to change the name of Garfield Park to Garfield-Anacostan Park. The Anacostans were a tribe of local Native Americans (now extinct) which had a village on or near what is now the park.
More than a half dozen neighbors, including several from the Friends of Garfield Park, weighed in, mostly in opposition to the name change. Opposition appeared to be based on resident perception that to do so would be “taking away the name of our neighborhood,” as one put it. ANC6B Commissioner Jennifer Samolyk, in whose single member district the park resides, said a name change would lead to confusion with Anacostia Park on the south bank of the Anacostia River. She and opponents of the change say a better way to recognize the history of the Anacostans and the park is to install one or more historical markers as an educational component of the park’s pending redesign. ANC6B Commissioner Brian Ready also saw the potential for name confusion and supported a historical marker to commemorate the Anacostans.
Some neighbors (including those who opined by emailing commissioners) indicated support for the name change, though fewer than those opposed. Commissioner Jerry Sroufe was supportive of the change, asking why “Garfield” Park was acceptable, given that “Garfield’s attitude toward Native Americans was deplorable.” A neighbor agreed with Sroufe, saying “renaming could be a wakeup call for the neighborhood.”
The genesis of the proposed name change comes from amateur historian and Capitol Hill resident Armand Lione, who has researched the history of local Native American tribes for years and proposed changing the name of the park to commemorate the previous occupants of the site. Lione asked ANC6B to support the proposal.
At Thursday night’s meeting, community input was followed by a discussion among commissioners about options the Task Force had regarding making a recommendation to the full ANC. Holtzman said that he could not recommend the ANC consider renaming the park, “based on what I heard at this meeting.” He added, “It’s not a question of renaming but the baggage that comes with it.” He also said that an anonymous online poll by The Hill Is Home, though it indicated considerable support for the name change, was not an acceptable indicator of community sentiment because of its anonymity.
The consensus of the Task Force was that there was not a sufficient level of support for the Task Force to recommend that the ANC consider changing the name of the park at this time and that the Task Force should take “No Position” on the question. It was the further consensus that the Task Force supports the placement of an education monument recognizing the history of the Anacostan tribe associated with the park. While the questions were not put to a vote, Holtzman said he would circulate draft language for the other Task Force members to consider before referring the matter to the full ANC6B meeting on March 8.
Procedurally, it appears that the ANC will be asked to consider the report and recommendations of the Task Force in the form of a letter to the office of CM Charles Allen and other city officials as an agenda item at the March meeting. The language would be open to debate and amendment at that time, if any commissioner chooses to do so.
Chris Dyer, a Department of Public Works (DPR) representative who joined the online meeting, offered assistance installing any historical marker which interested parties provide. He also stated that the DPR contract for renovation of the park would be awarded in the next week or so. After 3 to 4 months for creating a design for the project, DPR will seek community and ANC engagement.
Members of the Task Force present at the Thursday night meeting included Chair, Commissioner Steve Holtzman and commissioners Jennifer Samolyk, Jerry Sroufe, and Brian Ready.
Last Tuesday, ANC6D heard a presentation from representatives of Mill Creek Residential on a proposed mixed use project for 807 Maine Avenue, SW. The plan anticipates a 110 foot building with 200 residential units – 2 BR + Den and 3 BR – and first floor retail. 15% of the units will be under Inclusionary Zoning with one or two at 50% Area Median Income and the rest at 60 % AMI. The building will be a Planned Unit Development (PUD) and community benefits – including a larger percentage of affordable units – will be up for negotiation. A lobbying firm has reportedly moved into space on the 300 block of 7th Street, SE. Quavaro Leather Goods closed and moved out of the space at 323 7th Street, SE, at the end of last year. The building has a new and so far anonymous tenant and word on the street is that it’s a lobbying firm. The service business is a departure from the retail businesses which have occupied the space for the past few decades. Occupants of the space prior to Quavaro included Found on the Hill, Septcarrés Custom Furniture, and Monkey’s Uncle. On the other hand, the long empty space at 232 7th Street, SE, across from Eastern Market has a new tenant. Rewild – a plant and flower studio – will open in the spring. Rewild has outlets in Shaw and Ballston. See here: https://rewilddc.com/ The last occupant of the space was in the late 1980s – Ainilian Gallery – an art gallery run by Capitol Hill artist Agnes Ainilian. Here’s the draft map of proposed Ward 6 ANC and single member district boundaries that the Ward 6 Redistricting Task Force will consider during a virtual meeting on Tuesday. It suggests 5 ANC Commissions and 43 Single Member Districts with the target of 1960 residents per SMD. See below for info on how to join the meeting.ZOCA & Crush Mexican Restaurant, whose liquor license received ANC6B support on February 8, hoped to open by the end of the month at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, but that may have been optimistic. A proposal to change the name of Garfield Park to “Garfield-Anacostan Park” would recognize the park’s location as the site of a settlement of the Anacostan tribe who inhabited the area up until the late 1600s. ANC6B’s Liveable Task Force will hold a hearing on Thursday night to hear residents weigh in on the proposal. See link below. Photo: Hilary Russell
The Week Ahead…
Tuesday, February 22
ANC6A ABC Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
To discuss and elicit resident views on the issue of whether our Commission will support a proposal to change the name of Garfield Park to “Garfield-Anacostan Park” to recognize the park’s location as the site of a settlement of the Anacostan tribe who inhabited the area of the District of Columbia up until the late 1600s.
The former Harris Teeter on Potomac Avenue in Jenkins Row closed mid January, 2022.
With 8 Years Left on Lease, Harris Teeter Reportedly Stymies Effort to Find New Tenant
by Larry Janezich
Last Tuesday, February 15, the status of the now-closed Harris Teeter on Jenkins Row was the subject of a brief discussion at ANC6B Commissioner Brian Ready’s Capitol Hill Business Interest Group Meeting. Ready cited an internal ANC email saying that Harris Teeter’s lease on the space it occupied on Jenkins Row will continue for the next eight years and the company is refusing to let the space be shown to potential tenants. A source familiar with commercial space leasing practices said that leases come with conditions and penalties and surmised that the refusal to permit showings of the property could be related to an attempt to renegotiate the terms for terminating the lease early.
Earlier in day on Tuesday, PoPville posted a piece on the term of the lease and Harris Teeter’s refusal to permit access to the property. The popular blog published a portion of a letter which it said came from the Board of Jenkins Row.
In summary, the letter said that [the board] has been informed that the Harris Teeter lease has 8 years to run and company has not allowed the owner of Jenkins Row’s retail portion – Edens – to show the space to potential tenants. The letter notes that this could result in a prolonged vacancy, but that under the Reciprocal Easement Agreement (REA) the building owner can require Harris Teeter to pay for the property’s security. The letter concludes with a statement that [the board] has no information about any future plans Harris Teeter has for the property. See Popville here: https://www.popville.com/2022/02/the-future-of-dc-harris-teeter-space/
Asked for his reaction to the report, ANC6B Commissioner Edward Ryder, in whose single member district Jenkins Row lies, says, “If Harris Teeter intends to keep a property vacant for 8 Years, that’s not being a good neighbor.”
The store opened in May of 2008 and closed in mid-January of this year. There is another Harris Teeter at 401 M Street, SE, an 8 minute drive away.
Edens, a national retail real estate investment company, purchased Jenkins Row retail portion in December of 2011, for more than $20 million. The 45,888-square-foot Harris Teeter store is the largest tenant in the retail portion of the Jenkins Row mixed-use building which includes 247 condo units.
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CAPITOL HILL CORNER 