Capitol Hill Art League: New Members’ Art at Frame of Mine on Barracks Row
The Capitol Hill Art League is sponsoring an exhibit of the art of new members to the Art League, on-going through January 7. Frame of Mine is at 545 8th Street, SE – Barracks Row.
The work of the following artists is featured: Donna Amedeo, Tammy Barnes, Martin de Alterlis, Mimi Guernica, Bennett Lowenthal, Rifat Taher, Sharon Thomas-Parks, Anne Thompson, Marcie Wolf-Hubbard.
The Capitol Hill Art League is a visual arts program of The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW). For more information about the Art League, visit the website at www.caphillartleague.org
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The Kaiju Raman & Bar location at 525 8th Street, Barracks Row, is seeing some progress in their build out.
Here’s a look inside.
Last Monday, the joint ANC6A/ANC6B Transportation Committees held a virtual meeting to hear a presentation by Will Handsfield, DDOT bicycle specialist, on a concept to install bike lanes on 17th and 19th Streets, NE and SE, from Benning Road to Barney Circle. The concept anticipates a lane reduction on both streets. The proposal is in a very preliminary stage with a traffic study maybe comming in 2022. For the PowerPoint on DDOT’s presentation, go here: https://anc6a.org/wp-content/uploads/TPSA1121.pdf
Here’s a schematic of the affected streets, showing a connection between 19th Street SE and Barney Circle via Potomac Avenue.
There’s also some activity at the Ledo Pizza location at 415 8th Street, Barracks Row.
Here’s a look inside Ledo.
The ANC6A Planning and Zoning Committee met last Tuesday to hear an informational presentation on the development of the nearly 1 acre Auto Zone site at 1207 H Street, NE, from Ben Miller. Miller is co-owner of the H Street development firm WestMill Capital and is also co-founder of the crowd funding platforms Popularise and Fundrise.
Miller told the committee his company is considering a number of options, including the potential use of the city’s Inclusionary Zoning Plus program which provides for no-hassle rezoning of a development site if the developer commits to making 20% of the units affordable at 60% AMI. It provides an alternative to the PUD process which can be protracted. Miller doesn’t sound 100% committed to this option, and it may be because the program has been in existence for more than a year but so far no one has used it – he would be the first. Miller’s attorney admitted that there’s a reason the program hasn’t been used – i.e., the uncertainty that it would work for a developer. Miller says he’s also pursuing selling the property outright, as well as extending Auto Zone’s lease.
The Week Ahead…
It’s a pretty quiet week ahead, with only one ANC committee meeting:
ANC6A’s Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Crowd Celebrates Arrival of Holidays at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Last Night
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 20, 2021
Some 800 Capitol Hill residents turned out on Eastern Market Metro Plaza Saturday night for the annual lighting of the Capitol Hill Holiday Tree. The gathering far exceeded numbers seen in previous years and included Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, Council Member Charles Allen, and Council Member at Large Elissa Silverman.
Kathy Didden, representing the family of George Didden, III – the community benefactor and founding president of the Capitol Hill BID in whose honor the tree was planted in 2007 – threw the switch which lit the tree as darkness fell across the Plaza at 6:00pm.
In 2007, days before the tree’s dedication ceremony, Didden fell ill and in light of his precarious position, the BID decided to install a larger tree (nick-named “Big George”) in his honor on the NE Quadrant near what is now the children’s playground. On December 7 of that year, the tree was illuminated for the first time to welcome the holidays. That tree succumbed to disease in 2019. There are plans to replace it as part of the redesign of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza; in the meantime, this year the return of the holiday season was marked by lighting of the original tree (known as “Little George”) – now 30 feet tall – near the entrance to the Metro on the NW Quadrant. This year’s ceremony included the re-naming of “Little George” which will hence forth be known by Didden’s nickname, “Sonny.”
Some 800 Capitol Hill residents turned out for the tree lighting ceremony on Eastern Market Metro Plaza.
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton: “There is reason to celebrate this special holiday season” …“We’re on the nub of becoming the 51st State.”
CM Charles Allen said he was excited to be in this special public space hosting so many Capitol Hill residents. He related how a last minute electric power glitch was resolved by the combined efforts of people and offices, illustrating how special people work together to solve problems on Capitol Hill.
CM at Large Elissa Silverman thanked Norton for her statehood work and especially Allen for creating a great space and making it easier for us to come together on Capitol Hill.
Former Capitol Hill resident, songstress Adalia Jimenez, led the crowd in singing Bobby Hebb’s 1966 hit, “Sunny,” in celebration of the renaming of the tree honoring George Didden, III. “Sonny” was George Didden’s nickname. From left: Jimenez, Kathy Didden with arms upraised, representing the Didden family and at the podium, Patty Brosmer, President, Capitol Hill BID.
The Joyous Voices warmed up the crowd.
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s Suzuki Strings warmed up the hearts.
500 8th Street, SE – Soon to be As You Aree Bar and Cafe
LBGTQ Dance Bar and Café Coming to Barracks Row in the former District Soul Food
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 16, 2021
The City Paper’s Laura Hayes reported yesterday that the As You Are Bar will open sometime next year on Barracks Row in the space formerly occupied by District Soul Food and before that Banana Café, at 500 8th Street, SE.
Last July, co-owners Rachel Pike and Jo McDaniel introduced their concept for a new bar/café with a dance floor, catering to the LGBTQ community intending to open at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, the former site of Stanton and Greene. The idea met with support and approval from those attending a virtual community meeting but the landlord decided to rent the space to another party.
At an early October community meeting, Pike and McDaniel unveiled a new plan to lease the former District Soul Food space which closed last May for the As You Are Bar and Café. Yesterday, City Paper reported that the duo has signed a lease for the new location on Barracks Row. The concept anticipates a daytime café’ and an evening bar on the first floor and an upstairs dance floor for those 18 and older.
At the October meeting, nearby neighbors raised concerns about noise from the venue and from late night departing patrons. The hybrid community meeting took place in the Community Church’s Barracks Row Miracle Theater and was attended by 13 residents in person and 9 on line. The noise issues had been problematic for the previous occupant of the space, District Soul Food, though less so for the Banana Café.
According to City Paper, McDaniel and Pike expect ANC6B to protest their liquor license application, but that may not necessarily be the case. The owners are pursuing soundproofing the building and it might be hard for the ANC to protest a license given good faith efforts to address neighbors’ concerns and the current tendency of the ANC to support new retail on Barracks Row which is struggling to recover from Covid-driven closures.
La Casina Romana Pinseria – the new pizza place at 327 7th Street, SE, (formerly 7th Hill Pizza) – will open on Monday, November 15, and daily for lunch and dinner from 11:00am – 2:30pm and 5:00pm – 10:00pm.
Eat DC @eat_dc reported a couple of days ago that the Capitol Hill location of Hank’s Oyster Bar at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, is not reopening as previously planned. Jessica Sidman, Washingtonian Food Editor, reports the owner says the closure is not permanent and is working with the landlord in a “wait and see situation.” I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Last Wednesday, Councilmember at Large Elissa Silverman was before ANC6A to talk about redistricting. If ANC6A doesn’t stay in Ward 6, it won’t be for lack of effort. The ANC submitted a detailed 10 page argument to the Redistricting Subcommittee and a new proposed map which would keep ANC6A in Ward 6 – but move the Southwest Waterfront into Ward 8.
Here’s the map ANC6A submitted – and the schedule for the redistricting process: · Mid-November 2021: Subcommittee mark-up of the ward redistricting bill. · December 7, 2021: First vote by the full Council on the ward redistricting bill. · December 21, 2021: Second vote on the ward redistricting bill. · December 2021: Ward Task Forces (which provide recommendations on ANC redistricting) start meeting. · February 2022: Ward Task Forces report out recommendations. · May 2022: Subcommittee mark-up of the ANC redistricting bill. · June 2022: Council votes on the ANC redistricting bill.
The Wharf Phase 2. Last Monday night, Tony Albanese – Vice President of Construction at Hoffman & Associates – appeared before ANC6D to provide an update on The Wharf Phase 2. He told the Commission that construction on project is one year away from completion. Phase 2 will deliver an additional 1.15 million square feet of mixed-use spaces, including a marina, office, residential, retail, as well as parks and public spaces to the District’s Southwest Waterfront. Last December, the developer announced that The Atlantic will move its D.C. headquarters to the second phase.
Last week saw the completion of part one of a new mural celebrating the legacy of John Lewis by D.C. muralists Mark Garrett and Dietrich Williams. Lewis, a American statesman and icon of the civil rights movement served for 33 years as a Representative from Georgia in the US House of Representatives. He was one of the six leaders who organized the 1963 March on Washington. He died on July 17, 2020, and his body lay in state in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on July 27 and 28. The mural is at 13th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
The Week Ahead…
By Larry Janezich
Posted November 14, 2021
Monday, November 15
Special joint virtual meeting of ANC6A and ANC6B Transportation and Public Space Committees at 7:00pm.
Discussion of DDOT proposed changes to 17th Street from Benning Road, NE to Barney Circle, SE; 19th Street from C Street, NE, to Potomac Avenue, SE; and Potomac Avenue, SE, from 17th to 19th Streets, SE.
Wednesday, November 17
ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
905 L Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment for a special exception from the rear yard requirements and for an area variance from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a rear deck to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit.
1207 H Street, NE. (Zoning Application.) Informational session about the request for a map amendment to change the property from its current NC-14 zoning (Mixed Use: Medium Density Residential and Medium Density Commercial)to NC-15 (medium density mixed use) which permits a height of 70 feet and an FAR of 4.8, and will be subject to the enhanced affordability requirements under the Inclusionary Zoning program.
820 Constitution Ave, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Historic review of the proposed construction of a two-story accessory building at the rear of the property that will not increase the number of dwelling units.
628 9th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for special exception zoning relief from the rear setback requirements to construct a 2-story rear deck on the rear of an existing single-family rowhome in the RF-1 Zone.
647 16th Street, NE. (Zoning Adjustment Application.) Informational Presentation for a project to add one floor and extend out the back of the building to create two flats.
The Capitol Hill Restoration Society will present “The New Deal in Washington DC”, a free, virtual Preservation Cafe, on Wednesday, November 17, 6:30 pm.
Photo Essay: Day – American Legion Post 8 Remembers Veterans Day
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 11, 2021
Veterans Day honors military veterans who served in the US Armed Forces. It is always on November 11 – and marks the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. American Legion Post 8, at 3rd and D Streets, SE, commemorates the day with a ceremony in Folger Park on Capitol Hill.
Presentation of Colors by the US Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.
Several hundred Capitol Hill residents attended today’s ceremony.
David Carmichael, Commander, Kenneth H. Nash Post 8, with Reverend Stephanie Vader, Capitol HillUnited Methodist Church and Captain Eric J. Hawn, Commander, Naval Facilitation Engineering Systems, Command Washington.
Karlene Bowen, President, American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 8. Bowen quoted John F. Kennedy: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen paid tribute to those who served and who pass their morals and values on to the community and instill in young people – like the Boy Scouts who help with the ceremony – the knowledge of what service means.
Council Member at Large Robert White expressed pride in the service of residents of the city and reminded the audience that as Chair of the Council’s Government Operations Committee, he had increased funding for the DC Office of Veterans Affairs.
C. Dixon Osburn, Executive Director of the Servicemenbers Legal Defense Network delivered the Veterans Day Address and asked the audience to reflect on the meaning of inclusion in the Armed Forces on the 10th anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Osburn said, “When barriers drop, extraordinary individuals emerge to make our nation a better place…that’s what it means to be an American.”
Captain Eric J. Hawn thanked those who served and sacrificed and who continue efforts to promote patriotism.
Past American Legion Post 8 Commanders join this year’s ceremony participants in the wreath ceremony.
DC Health Department Bails on ANC6B Meeting (Popeyes, Maybe?)
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 10, 2021
The Food Safety and Hygiene Division of the DC Department of Health was scheduled to make a presentation at ANC6B’s virtual monthly meeting last night but failed to show up despite having confirmed their appearance with Chair Brian Ready.
Ready had invited DC DOH to talk to the committee about health inspection procedures and frequency in the wake of the closure of Popeyes on Barracks Row for health code violations. The closure appears to be permanent after the owner subsequently lost the Popeyes franchise.
Ready told the ANC he was disappointed in DOH’s failure to appear. “If [the video of rats in the kitchen which had gone viral on Twitter and TikTok] had not come out, would the restaurant still be open? What’s going on with the other restaurants on the block? The buildings are old and interconnected. I wonder how often they are inspected. I’m disappointed they did not show up. I have a lot of questions about the safety of restaurants in the city.”
Ready noted the efforts ANC6B had taken to require new or remodeled restaurants on Barracks Row to install cooled indoor trash storage rooms as a means of controlling rodents. ANC6B had pioneered requiring restaurants to provide indoor trash storage, using the public pressure and the power of the ANC to support liquor license applications as leverage. New and remodled restaurants on Barracks Row have complied, and & Pizza on the same block as the former Popeyes has one of the best indoor trash storage spaces. Popeyes trash storage, Ready said, had been grandfathered in. Neighbors pressured them into enclosing their trash area behind the restaurant, but have complained about its lack of effectiveness.
Ready commended the 7th Street neighbors for being vigilant in monitoring the restaurant rodent problem and for their organized support for indoor trash storage all along Barracks Row. He said he would work to schedule an appearance by Food Safety and Hygiene in the near future.
Havana Tobacco “Smoke Shop” Set to Open on 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
by Larry Janezich
The former long-time print shop at 607 Pennsylvania Avenue looks like it’s set to become the Havana Tobacco Mart Smoke Shop and begin marketing Cigars, Hookah products, CBD, Kratom, and Delta 8.
The last two items may raise some resident eyebrows. Kratom is known and used as a psychostimulant and a pain reliever. Although Kratom is currently legal in the US, some states consider it a controlled substance. Kratom is widely available at DC smoke shops.
Delta-8 THC is extracted from hemp-derived CBD and is legal under federal law, but its sale has been banned in some 14 states. It’s chemically similar to cannabis and produces a similar effect. Delta-8 is available in DC, though apparently not as readily as Kratom.
This comes at a time when the DC Council is taking a hard look at stores and delivery services which skirt the law by giving away cannabis as a gift to accompany purchase of exorbitantly priced retail items such as stickers, pencils, and tee shirts. Last week, the City Council passed a bill, introduced by Council Chair Mendelsohn, that originally would have allowed city agencies to take action against retail operations engaging in such gifting activities, including shutting down operations and levying fines. Those enforcement provisions were removed from the bill at the last minute over objections that it penalized entrepreneurship of DC residents involved in the gifting trade and what passed the Council was an extension through January 2022 for expired medical marijuana cards. Medical marijuana dispensaries have suffered during the pandemic because of difficulty in renewing medical marijuana cards and patients turned to gifting operations as an alternative. Mendelsohn said regarding the watered down bill, that the gifting operations would eventually have to be addressed. There is already at least one of the gifting cannabis shops on the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
DC voters approved the legalizing the possession of cannabis for personal use and home cultivation of small amounts of cannabis in 2014, but it can’t be sold. Medical marijuana outlets have been sanctioned and regulated by the city for patients with doctor-approved medical marijuana cards issued by the DC Department of Health. Those medical cannabis outlets are licensed by the Alcohol Beverage Control Board after the local ANC weighs in on the application. The ANC appears to have no voice in the establishment of a smoke shop.
Popeyes on Barracks Row was shut down by DC Health Department last week after a video of rats running free in the restaurant’s kitchen went viral on Tik Tok and then on Twitter. The raw chicken delivery person who shared the video said he was subsequently suspended without pay by his employer, and set up a GoFundMe page which raised more than $27,000 – $17,000 over his goal. According to Newsweek, Popeyes told the magazine it has taken action “to terminate the franchise agreement with this restaurant operator. This Franchisee only operates this one location, and it is being closed indefinitely.” Popeyes also confirmed that the delivery person, Ricardo Land, is not employed by Popeyes and added, “We’re cooperating in the distributor’s investigation of the matter, and have been ensured by the vendor that their employee who posted the fundraising page is currently receiving his full pay,” and added, “He is not a Popeyes employee, nor that of the Franchisee, and decisions regarding his suspension are handled by his employer.”
Redistricting hearing. Last Wednesday, CM Silverman, Chair of the Committee on the Whole’s Redistricting Subcommittee held a hearing on Ward 6. Some familiar Ward 6 faces showed up to weigh in, most often to oppose moving their constituents or neighbors out of Ward 6. Some of those who testified included Ken Jarboe, former commissioner ANC6B; Francis Campbell, former commissioner ANC6B, Chander Jayaraman, former commissioner and Chair of ANC6B; Andy Litsky, commissioner ANC6D; Gail Fast, former commissioner and Chair of ANC6D, Sondra Phillips-Gilbert, commissioner ANC6A; Rikki Kramer, commissioner ANC6 D; Brian Alcorn, commissioner ANC6A; Alison Horn, commissioner ANC6B; Denise Rucker Krepp, commissioner ANC6B; and Corey Holman, commissioner ANC6B. The Subcommittee will mark up the ward redistricting bill in mid-November and the City Council will hold the first of 2 votes on December 7th and the second vote on December 21. Ward Task Forces to recommend ANC boundaries will start meeting in December, report out recommendations in February of 2022, and the Council will vote on an ANC redistricting bill in June of 2022.
Dedicated street parking for teachers and school staff. Last week both the Transportation Committees from ANC6B and ANC6C met to weigh in on rule making for implementation of the Daytime School Zone Act of 2018. The act establishes a process for establishing exclusive street parking zones around schools for teachers and staff. Any such zone would have to be recommended by the ANC before DDOT could implement. There seemed to be support in both committees for issuing a residential parking permit for teachers and staff rather than establishing a dedicated parking zone. Letters making recommendations for rules will be taken up by both full ANCs at their November monthly meeting this coming week.
Capitol Hill Corner stopped in at La Casina Romana Pinseria last week. A wood fire was crackling in the pizza oven and the staff said they were waiting for their license and expected to open this coming week. It’s close by Eastern Market at 327 7th Street, SE, in the space formerly held by 7th Hill Pizza. We’ll see if DCRA – known for dragging its feet – comes through.
Here’s a look inside of La Casina Romana Pinseria.
We haven’t seen this band for a while, but Saturday afternoon the Capitol Hillbillies were blazing away in front of the 7th Street Hill Café: “The spirit of New Orleans in the heart of DC.” See here: https://www.facebook.com/rollingpiano/
The Week Ahead & an 8th Street Popeyes Update… Highlights…Last Week’s Photos
by Larry Janezich
Highlights:
Tuesday: Presentation at ANC6B – Food Safety and Hygiene Division of the DC Department of Health. (Wondering if Popeyes will come up/)
Thursday: CM Silverman at ANC6A on redistricting at ANC6A.
Saturday: Rock and Roll Half Marathon will close streets in NE Capitol Hill
403 7th Street, SE, Southeast Library. Historic Preservation and Zoning Adjustment Applications for the interior renovation and cellar addition.
1208 D Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application – Concept Review for second story addition to existing one-story garage.
237 8th Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Area Variance to construct a new, detached, one-story accessory garage.
Comments on DDOT Daytime School Parking Zones Proposed Rulemaking.
Comments on DDOT Fast Tracking Process for Roadway Safety Projects.
Presentation:
Food Safety and Hygiene Division of the Department of Health.
Planning and Zoning Committee
316 2nd Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Use Variance to convert an existing, three-story, attached, principal dwelling unit and two-story accessory building to a three-unit apartment house.
1227 E Street SE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception to construct a rear, two-story addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar.
Wednesday, November 10
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Announcements: Dave Thomas Circle; Maryland Ave NE streetscape project.
Proposed rulemaking, Daytime School Parking Zones.
New DDOT process for traffic safety investigations.
1100 block of 7th Street NE—Traffic safety investigation.
300 block of M Street NE—Safe accommodations concerns.
Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee
622 Eye Street NE, Zoning Adjustment Application – Further revisions with special exceptions to convert a residential building into a four-unit apartment.
301 Florida Avenue, NE, planned PUD – Proposed all-affordable project of 115+ housing units at 30% And 50% AMI.
621 A Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application – Expedited review for relief from lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing two-story residence.
103 Fourth Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application – Expedited review for relief from lot occupancy requirements to construct a second-story rear addition to a two-story residence.
New Business
Council hearing on comprehensive cannabis legalization, regulation, and taxation.
Supreme Court expanded security perimeter.
ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. (Moved from Thursday – Veteran’s Day)
DC Redistricting Process – Councilmember-at-Large Elissa Silverman
Department of Parks and Recreation Update – Christopher Dyer, Community Engagement Manager.
Community discussion of 2021 draft of ANC 6A Bylaws
Transportation and Public Space Committee
Letter to DDOT expressing the need for expansion of electric vehicle charging throughout the District; urging both public and private solutions to electric vehicle charging for residents without off-street parking, including measures to facilitate extending charging cables from residences to the curb, with all due consideration for safety and ADA compliance.
Letter to DDOT supporting Transportation Study Application for the 300 block of 18th Street, NE, including consideration of speed humps and raised crosswalks.
Letter to DDOT supporting Transportation Study Applications for the 1500 -1900 blocks of Benning Road, NE, including a full traffic safety investigation; consideration of speed humps, raised crosswalks, signal timing, and all other traffic calming measures; and that DDOT consider extending the planned H Street dedicated bus lanes to this corridor as a traffic calming measure as well as to improve transit.
Letter to DDOT requesting that 20 MPH speed limit signs be placed on all collector streets in ANC6A that do not yet have signs.
Letter to DDOT requesting the installation of a contraflow bike lane on the 1100 block of F Street NE.
Letter to DDOT supporting Transportation Study Application for the intersection of 13th Street, NE, and Wylie Street, NE, including installation of raised crosswalks for the entire intersection.
Economic Development and Zoning
Letter of support to BZA for a special exception from the rooftop and upper floor requirements to construct a third story addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit with the caveat that the owners make best efforts to get letters of support from nearby neighbors.
New Business
Letter to the DC Council Redistricting Committee requesting that the Committee ensure that the current ANC6A boundaries are retained in the Redistricting Process, and that ANC 6A remain a part of Ward 6.
Thursday, November 11, Veteran’s Day Commemoration – The American Legion Kenneth H. Nash Post No 8 will sponsor a Veterans Day Commemoration at 11:00an in Folger Park, 3rd and D Street, SE.
Program:
Performances: The U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps & the DCFD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums
WELCOME David Carmichael Commander, Kenneth H. Nash Post 8
REMARKS Charles Allen; Councilmember Council of the District of Columbia C. Dixon Osburn, Executive Director Service members Legal Defense Network
Southeast Library Book Sale, 10am until 3:00pm, 7th and D Streets, across from Eastern Market Metro Plaza.
Rock and Roll Marathon (will affect streets in Capitol Hill NE)
The 2021 Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC Half Marathon will take place on Saturday, November 13. The race begins at 8:30 am on Constitution Avenue, NW, at 14th Street. The race course takes runners on a tour of DC past many of the Capitol’s monuments and finishes at the RFK Stadium grounds.
Here’s a rendering of a birds-eye view of the renovated Southeast Library. Note the skylight on the roor which will bring daylight to every floor of the library, including the lowest level. The ground level triangualar skylight below the second row of windows will also illumiate the lowest level.
A view in cross section. The ground level skylight for the lowst level is more visible in this rendering.
Actually, the view here is looking south from D Street, SE. The staff entrance and emergency exit on the left caught the eye of commissioners who wondered about the alcove becomeing a gathering space for habitués of the corner of 7th and D Street.
Here’s how the south-facing side of the library will look, with the entrance to the library’s lower level. The plan envisions keeping the current main entrance on the library’s east side, as is.
And a rendering of the view at night.
Tuesday night’s ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee virtual meeting.
Proposal to Renovate Southeast Library Advances
by Larry Janezich
Posted Novemb er 3, 2021.
Last night, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Commissioner Corey Holman, held a virtual meeting and voted unanimously to support both the Historic Preservation and the Zoning Adjustment Applications for the renovation of Southeast Library. The applications now move to the full ANC and will be taken up at their November 9th meeting for what will likely be a swift endorsement. The renovation will expand the existing library from 8,500 sf to 19,925 square feet.
Prior to the vote, commissioners raised some issues for the design team and DC Public Library personnel. Commissioner Samolyk sought assurances that the concerns of the Friends of Southeast Library had been resolved. The Friends group, headed by Neal Gregory, had protested that the renovation would leave them without space to organize for the popular monthly book sales to benefit the library.
Martha Saccocio, Director of Community Engagement at DCPL, assured the ANC that the DCPL had come to an agreement with the Friends regarding the allocation of additional space and that the Friends had expressed support for the proposal.
Commissioners Jerry Sroufe and Steve Holtzman expressed concern that the proposed emergency exit and staff entrance on D Street would serve as a gathering spot for the habitués who frequent the corner of 7th and D Street. The design team said they were aware of that potential and would look for ways to address the problem in addition to the security camera which would monitor the entrance/exit.
With respect to the time line, the renovation process is approaching the midpoint of the design phase which will continue through mid-2022. Construction will begin in 2022 and reopening is anticipated in 2024
Consideration by the ANC is the first step in agency approval. The plans for the renovation now move to the Historic Preservation Review Board and the DDOT Public Space Committee on November 18. Next comes a review by the Bureau of Zoning Adjustment February 22, 2022. Then reviews by the Commission on Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission in the winter of 2022.
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CAPITOL HILL CORNER 