Mayor Bowser Update: Preregistration, Parking Enforcement, Relaxed Restrictions Coming
by Larry Janezich
Today marks one year since declaration of Public Health Emergency.
Yesterday, 77,141 preregistered – 33,098 were those not eligible yet.
On Friday, DC Department of Health will send out 13,550 invitations to sign up for a vaccination, randomly selected from those eligible preregistered individuals.
Those registered by 11:59pm on Thursday night – or any future night before the invitations go out – will be in the pool from which randomized selections will be drawn.
No one will be turned away from a vaccination appointment because of a lack of documentation.
Health care providers also have vaccine. (One reader of CHC after receiving an invitation to book an appointment recently said he arranged an appointment at a Medstar facility near Nats Park by calling 833-205-1553, and added that many appointments were available.)
CDC recommendations for how fully vaccinated individuals (2 weeks after the last shot) can interact can be found here: https://bit.ly/3erzoG9 Scroll down to the section which starts on page 12.
On other matters:
Parking has started to be enforced by DPW.
No parking in school zones will be enforced starting next Monday. From March 15 through March 19, warning tickets will be issued – no fines, but vehicles could be relocated (call 311 to locate the vehicle in that case). $25 tickets will be issued starting March 22.
Full parking enforcement will be phased in gradually.
Here’s what’s being enforced:
No parking is school zones.
Non-commercial vehicles illegally parked in commercial loading zones.
Large vehicles (22 feet +) illegally parked next to a recreational park, school, church, or residential domicile.
Safety violations – parking near bike lanes, cross walks, fire hydrant, etc.
Here’s what’s not being enforced:
Emergency No Parking violations (vehicles may be relocated).
Expired DC license plate and inspection stickers.
Expired Residential Parking Permits.
Expired Meters.
Vehicle booting and towing.
Asked about relaxed restrictions in MD, Mayor Bowser said that sometimes Maryland and Virginia have done things at the state level which do not translate to the county level – and what happens in the counties surrounding us has been the most concern.
DC Department of Health is taking a look at the restrictions and the Mayor said she will talk next Monday about loosening some Phase 2 restrictions. And more as spring unfolds.
An announcement on restrictions on access to the Tidal Basin cherry blossoms will be announced soon.
A view of the US Capitol from the fence line at 2nd and East Capitol – the site of a 10:00am protest gathering on Saturday, March 13.
Groups Plan Protest Against Capitol Fence on Saturday
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 10, 2021
Two separate neighborhood grass roots groups will use different tactics to oppose the US Capitol fence which has come under fire from local officials as well as members of Congress. The efforts will give residents of the Capitol Hill neighborhoods an opportunity to participate in the resistance.
Last night, Tiffany Davidson of “Don’t Fence the Capitol” spoke to ANC6B’s virtual meeting to announce the give-away of 250 “Don’t Fence the Capitol” yard signs at Eastern Market this Saturday between 10:00am and 2:00pm. The yard signs grew out of a “Don’t Fence the Capitol” petition started by Allison Cunningham four weeks ago which has garnered about 30,000 signatures as of today. Here’s a link to the petition: http://bit.ly/3t7Wq9a
Davidson started the yard sign campaign by giving away 150 yard signs, and then raising $2,000 and ordering another 250 which will be distributed on Saturday.
Another effort, spearheaded by EatDC and The Hill Is Home calls for a peaceful gathering at 2nd and East Capitol at 10:00am on Saturday to express opposition to the fence and its adverse impact on our neighborhoods. Here’s a link to a piece in The Hill Is Home with additional information: https://bit.ly/3rBDbEs
Yesterday, a US Capitol Police request to extend the presence of the National Guard at the Capitol through May 23 was approved by the Department of Defense. It’s not clear, but it seems likely that the fence around the Capitol complex will remain in place at least that long. If not removal, then reducing the footprint of the fence to alleviate its disruption of bike, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic would be welcome.
Earlier this week, a task force appointed by Speaker Pelosi and headed by retired Army General Russel Honore found the USCP understaffed, insufficiently equipped and inadequately trained.
Today, an editorial in the Washington Post points out that the US Capitol Police is one of the largest and best funded police forces in the country – and questioned whether instead of a lack of resources it was the lackadaisical preparation for January 6 – in contrast to the preparations for the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer – that resulted in their failure to protect the Capitol. The US Capitol Police is an overconfident, secretive, highly insular, non-transparent organization that continues year after year as their elected overseers rotate into and out of office. This has left them presiding over the Congressional security system with a “we know what’s best” attitude and little accountability. For example, the USCP, like Congressional offices, are exempt from FOIA requests. They operate at the direction of the US Capitol Police Board (and indirectly at the direction of Congressional leadership) comprised of the Architect of the Capitol (appointed by the President) and the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms (appointed by House and Senate Leadership). Any reform effort should take a long look at USCP oversight, management, and accountability.
Councilmember Charles Allen on Fencing, Tax Increase on the Wealthy & Redistricting
by Larry Janezich
Last night, CM Charles Allen joined a virtual meeting of ANC6D to talk about Ward 6 issues. He said the 3-4 mile fence around the US Capitol complex impacts everybody in Ward 6 and called it “absolutely ludicrous”. He said that pressure for change should be focused on the Congressional Leadership – Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer – and the Architect of the Capitol as being those who will make a final decision on removing the fence. Allen is working the Representative Norton and Mayor Bowser to fight hard and push back. He says the city must speak with one unanimous voice saying, “this has got to end”.
(Yesterday, a report on a review of Capitol security by retired Army Lt. Gen Russel Honore recommended among other measures, installation of “retractable fencing” which would allow public access to the Capitol Grounds. On Saturday, March 13, a peaceful protest against the fence is being planned for 10:00am – see The Hill Is Home article here: http://bit.ly/3rBDbEs)
On another matter, Allen is going to try again to raise the income tax on DC’s wealthy. He says that the pandemic has hit the city so unequally – if you have a job or are in the stock market you’re doing fine – but some DC residents are still hurting and “feeling deep deep pain”. Allen says he will push to ask something from high income earners – $45 a month from people making $500,000 or over, with those funds redirected to needs such as affordable housing and child care. In July of 2020, the City Council voted 8 to 5 to reject an Allen proposal for a modest tax increase on incomes higher than $250,000.
Things have changed since Allen’s last comments on redistricting in February. Redistricting was to have begun with receipt of data from the Census Bureau at end of March, but this year, that has been pushed off until the end of September. Afterward, the City Council will have 90 days to approve new Ward Boundaries – probably in mid-December.
The city’s total population will be divided by 8 to establish an average. Regulations require that each ward be plus or minus 5% of the average number. The City Council’s Redistricting Subcommittee (comprised of at-large members – Bonds, Henderson, Silverman) will hold public hearings about which boundaries need to move to achieve the population goals.
During January, February and March of 2022, ANC boundaries within each ward will be redrawn by a committee selected by the Councilmember for the Ward. Allen said he would likely follow the lead of his predecessor, Tommy Wells, in not appointing sitting ANC Commissioners to the committee. Those ANC boundaries will then be ratified by the City Council. Allen said he would welcome input from the ANCs in his ward.
Mayor Bowser’s Situational Update – New Preregistration Portal Opens Wednesday
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 8, 2021
Mayor Bowser announced today that the city’s new preregistration procedure for vaccination appointments for eligible groups starts Wednesday, March 10.
Here are the currently eligible populations as of March 8:
Health care workers
Members of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
Residents of long-term and intermediate care facilities and residents of community residential facilities/group homes
DC residents 65 years old and older
Those experiencing homelessness
Members of the Metropolitan Police Department
Department of Corrections Employees & Residents
Continuity of Government Operations personnel
All teachers and staff who work for a school or licensed child care facility in DC
Grocery Store Workers
Outreach workers who work in health, human, and social services
Individuals working in manufacturing
Individuals working in food packing
DC Residents with qualifying medical conditions (see list here: https://bit.ly/3btRx46 )
Registrants will be asked for information regarding:
Here’s the number for the call center: 855-363-0333 – open M-F 8am – 7pm and Sat – Sun 8am – 4pm.
The order of registering will not affect when registrants are offered an invitation to book an appointment.
After registration individuals will wait to be notified by call, text, or email. The system will assign appointments to people when it is their turn so the wait could be days or weeks or months, depending on the risk factor and eligibility. Everyone will eventually be vaccinated. Random selection will be adjusted to make sure registrants are not continually passed over in favor of other eligible individuals.
Once notified, registrants will have 48 hours to book an appointment – each invitation can be used only once. If registrants miss the 48 hour window, they have to wait until the next time they are selected by the system. Registrants can be selected up to three times to make an appointment – after which they have to re-register. Check spam or junk folders to make sure alerts are not missed.
On Monday, March 15, the first vaccination appointments made through preregistration will take place and the second set of invitations to make appointments will go out by calls, texts, or emails.
After March 15, invitations will be sent out:
Thursdays by 10:00am
Sundays by 10:00am
Tuesdays by 10:00am (only if any appointments need to be filled)
If people who are not eligible to sign up and register anyway, they will not be called until their group is eligible. People who are not eligible are encouraged to wait until their group is eligible before registering.
DC Veterans 65 and older may be able to get vaccinated through the VA Medical Center. Call 202 745 4342
The City Wide ANC Caucus – coordinated by former ANC6B Chair Chander Jayaraman – met last Monday. Commissioners expressed interest in finding ways that the city’s 300 ANC commissioners can assist the administration in the roll out of programs. One suggestion was to help coordinate Covid 19 vaccine distribution. Tyler Williams, Director of Operations for the Mayor’s Office on Community Relations, was present and offered to liaison the Caucus and “Senior Leadership”. The Caucus in laying plans to hold a virtual COVID 19 Vaccine Hesitancy Town Hall Meeting to encourage vaccination.
Tuesday, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Corey Holman, met and considered Barracks Row Chipotle’s request to continue operating as a fast food restaurant. A potential sticking point regarding rodent control seemed to have been resolved as neighbors – led by Linda Elliott – praised the efforts of the Chipotle management and building owner Guy Silverman for addressing their concerns by effectively creating an indoor cooled trash room. The Committee also voted unanimously to appeal the decision of the Zoning Committee to disregard building codes and issue a permit to change a single family dwelling at 207 3rd Street, SE, to a six unit multi-family building. (Correction: an early version of this post showed a photo of 203 3rd Street, SE. CHC regrets the error.)
207 Third Street, SE, next to the Starbucks at Third and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee agrees with a neighbor that the Zoning Commission did not follow DC regulations in authorizing the conversion of the building to a six unit multifamily dwelling.
Prefabrication sketches for “Loveful Hands” and “Found You”. The jury is still out on the colorful “Weavings.”
DGS briefed the Eastern Market Metro Park Taskforce on Wednesday on the renovation of the Eastern Market Plaza. There are weekly meetings regarding the fabrication of the two pieces of public art. The city is funding “Loveful Hands” by Jay Coleman for Parcel 4 near the Metro entrance, and Barracks Row Main Street is funding “Found You” – three rabbits playing hide and seek by Beth Nybeck– to be installed near the playground on Parcel 1. The pieces will be fabricated over the summer and installed late summer or fall. Project Manager Diego Martinez said there was no update on a potential third installation – “Weavings” by Hiroshi Jacob – near Trader Joe’s. Dave Perry of Barracks Row Main Street said Barracks can’t commit to funding “Weave” at this point, but “conversations continue.” DGS is projecting a late spring grand opening for the renovation project.
Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg’s ANC6B’s Transportation Committee met on Wednesday and resident member Brian Kirrane unveiled an interactive internet tool to assist in an ANC6B intersection audit. He gave Mark Sussman much credit for technical assistance in the development of the tool and said they were closing in on a launch date. The purpose of the tool is to collect data on the details to evaluate how each of the some 270 intersection in ANC6B is managed to help the ANC assess future traffic management needs. The tool will seek input from nearby residents of each intersection on how traffic is regulated, the timing of traffic signals, and details on crosswalks, ramps, and safety bollards. Kirrane said other ANC’s might find the tool useful. See below.
The Week Ahead…ANC Highlights and Photos
By Larry Janezich
ANC highlights:
Monday – ANC6D. Councilmember Charles Allen appears at ANC6D.
Tuesday – ANC6B. Andrew DeFrank, Ward 6 Community Engagement Specialist, District Department of Transportation (DDOT).
Wednesday – ANC6C. Councilmember Charles Allen appears at ANC6C. MPD Captain Hrebenak discusses recent carjackings.
Thursday, – ANC6A. Andrew DeFrank, Ward 6 Community Engagement Specialist, District Department of Transportation (DDOT).
Presentation: Andrew DeFrank, Ward 6 Community Engagement Specialist, District Department of Transportation (DDOT)
Presentation: Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic – Solar for All and Solar Works DC.
Letter to ABRA Requesting delay in protest petition deadline for Handle 19 at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
The Ugly Mug Dining Saloon/Valor Brew, 723 8th Street, SE. Application to add Sports Wagering and Game of Skill endorsements to their operations sports wagering through mobile app and physical consoles for the electronic game of skill Dragon’s Ascent.
Chipotle, 413 8th Street SE. Zoning adjustment application – special exception to extend the terms of the special exception granted on July 19, 2011, for an additional ten (10) years, to allow a fast food restaurant use.
102 9th Street, SE. Zoning adjustment application – special exception to construct a penthouse addition to an existing three-story, attached, principal dwelling unit.
610 South Carolina Avenue, SE. Zoning adjustment application – exception to construct a one story addition to two-story building.
1819 A Street, SE. Zoning adjustment application – special exceptions to construct a third story and a three-story rear addition, and to convert an existing two-story, detached, principal dwelling unit to a three-story, semi-detached, three-unit residential building.
411 New Jersey Avenue, SE. Zoning adjustment application – special exception to construct two new, three-story, principal dwelling units.
15 8th Street, SE. Historic preservation application – concept review for 2-story rear addition adjacent to alley.
207 3rd Street, SE. Committee recommendation to appeal the decision of the Zoning Commission to disregard building codes and issue a permit to change a single family dwelling at 207 3rd Street, to a six unit multi-family building.
Resolution for Security at RNC Capitol Hill Club and DNC National Democratic Club Regarding January 6th Insurrection on the Capital.
Wednesday, March 10
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Presentation: Andrew DeFrank, District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Community Engagement Specialist
Letter to ANC6A ABRA licensees via mail to physical addresses and/or e-mail regarding recent amendments to ANC 6A’s template settlement agreements as well as ANC 6A’s intent to cease enforcement of anti-loitering provisions in existing settlement agreements, and further authorize expenditure up to $150.00 for the costs of paper, printing, and postage.
Transportation and Public Space
Joint ANC6A and ANC6C letter to DDOT requesting a comprehensive review of safety and traffic concerns on H Street, NE, from North Capitol to 15th Street NE.
Joint ANC6A and ANC6C letter to Letter to Mayor Bowser, the DC Council, DDOT, and DCOP regarding solutions for H Street NE.
Motion to designate ANC6A Chair Amber Gove, or another Commissioner authorized by the Chair, to provide testimony on behalf of ANC 6A at the March 23, 2021 roundtable “Transportation in the District after the Pandemic”, sponsored by the DC Council.
1637 D Street, NE. Letter to BZA opposing the Application for a special exception to construct a two-story with basement addition to an existing, nonconforming, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit at 1637 D Street, NE.
135 13th Street, NE. Letter of conditional support to BZA for a specialexception for constructing a second dwelling unit at 135 13th Street, NE.
1101 H Street, NE. Letter of conditional support to BZA for special exception and an Area Variance to permit the construction of a new mixed-use residential building at 1101 H Street, NE.
Ad Hoc By Laws Committee
Approve February 2021 committee report.
Letter to WMATA expressing support for the continued operation of bus transit, particularly lines used by transit-dependent neighbors and residents of 6A and Ward 6.
Mayor Bowser’s March 4 Situational Briefing – Hints at “Loosening Up” & New Preregistration
by Larry Janezich
Posted March 4, 2021
At today’s briefing, Mayor Bowser pointed to the lifting some of the restrictions on travel for those fully vaccinated and announced a tentative date of March 15 for a phased in resumption of high school sports. Bowser also hinted at a broader loosening of restrictions. DC Department of Health is expected to make recommendations mid-month for those needing lead time to think about reopening. “Knock on Wood that things go well”, Bowser said, “I think by mid-month some things might be loosening up.”
Guidance for travel: Travel related quarantine and testing requirements may be waived for:
Those fully vaccinated against COV-19 AND
Travel is within 90 days of the last required dose AND
It is recommended to bring your vaccination card with you while travelling in case documentation is requested. Those not fully vaccinated still need to be tested before coming to DC
Bowser announced that this is the final week using the current system to book appointments. Next week (date TBA) DC DOH launches a new pre-registration system for making vaccine appointments. Eligible individuals can visit the website portal or call the DC Call Center. The website portal will be open 24/7/365. The Call Center will be open 9 – 7, M-F, and 9-4 on weekends. https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc
Those who are registered will be notified by phone call and/or text when they have an opportunity to make an appointment.
When making an appointment, residents will be offered a selection of vaccination sites which will list which vaccine is available at those locations.
Preregistration does not mean every senior will be offered an appointment before those in a population with lower eligibility.
Timing of registration is weighted least in terms of priority for scheduling appointments. DC Health hopes residents who are not in an eligible population will not attempt to preregister until their population is eligible.
There are other opportunities for making vaccine appointments by calling health care providers, DC health care centers and dialysis centers. For a list, click on link above.
Appointments will continue to be set aside for residents living in top priority zip codes.
DC DOH is working to open or expand high capacity vaccine sites administering the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Residents will need an appointment through: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc
Other highlights:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center (new)
Providence Health System (already open – will expand)
Entertainment and Sports Arena in Congress Heights (already open – will expand)
Children’s National Hospital is vaccinating DC residents 16 or 17 with qualifying medical conditions. https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccine
All teachers and staff who work for a school or child care facility are eligible for vaccination and are encouraged to use the DC pre-registration portals.
1011 people have been vaccinated at 11 out of 12 DC Housing Authority Sites
Nesbitt said that large walkup sites are not being considered because standing in queue for “hour upon hour to be told that the site is out of vaccine is not a good experience and not what the customer wants”.
No thought is being given at present to a vaccination passport.
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Finn McCool’s – the Irish Pub Tavern on Barracks Row – has closed, as reported by Eater Washington DC: http://bit.ly/3b0euvs The space will become a new tavern serving American fare run by a new operator, according to Tom Johnson of the Hill Restaurant Group which ran McCool’s. Johnson’s group recently relinquished its lease on the former Orchid, which has morphed into Extreme Pizza run by Bombay Street Food owner Asad Sheikh.
Finally…we know what’s going into the space on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the Hine Project next to Sephora. It’s being fitted out for a new AT&T retail cell phones
Last Tuesday, a joint Senate Rules and Senate Homeland Security Committees hearing opened up what will become a long investigation on several fronts of the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. The hearing revealed a series of failures which led to the collapse of security, including: bad intelligence, a missed FBI warning, lack of training and equipment for the US Capitol Police, the freezing up of the Capitol Police Board, and a failure of preparedness and communications which led to a delayed deployment of the National Guard. The hearing was held in the Senate Hart Building’s second floor multi media room. Photo from the Senate Recording Studio coverage of the hearing.
On Wednesday, temperatures in the upper 60s drew about 100 kids to the Eastern Market Metro Park Playground.
Also on Wednesday, the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee held a virtual meeting. Chair Donna Scheeder announced the resignation of Johnathan Page as the Mayor’s representative on the Committee. Page has relocated off the Hill. Market Manager Barry Margeson discussed a plan to expand Market hours – 9:00am until 6:00pm Tuesday thru Friday; 8:00am until 5:00pm on Saturday; and 9:00am until 5:00pm on Monday – timing TBA.
Wednesday morning, a dozen neighbors of Folger Park met with National Park Service representatives, Tonya Thompson (Chief of Staff, National Capital Parks-East facing camera on right) and Daniel Weldon (Cultural Resources Program Manager, National Capital Parks-East facing camera on left) to discuss improvements to the park. The meeting was called by ANC6B Commissioner Jennifer Samolyk. Funds for renovation of the park will be available in 2023. Samolyk says her major takeaway was initiating the formation of Friends of Folger Park – an effort which the National Park Service will help coordinate.
Neighbors Marsha Lea and Stephanie Rao observe that the central wading pool (now a plant bed) and lush planting plan depicted in the 1930s design, suggest that the design intent for this space was to be a garden-like oasis for city-dwellers. Asks: Replacement of hazardous hardscape. Restoration of the design features on the west and east sides of the park, including the faded mosaic and non-functioning fountains. Evaluation of and addressing pedestrian circulation. Creating more open and inviting perimeters. Replace rotting wood benches. Rat abatement.
The Week Ahead and ANC Committee Highlights
by Larry Janezich
Posted February 28
ANC COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS
Wednesday, ANC6B Transportation Committee discusses the Baltimore/DC Maglev DEIS.
Thursday, ANC6C Transportation Committee considers a letter to city officials on H Street safety issues and also discusses the Baltimore/DC Maglev DEIS.
THE WEEK AHEAD…
Monday, March 1
ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
102 9th Street, SE – Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception to construct a penthouse addition to an existing three-story, attached, principal dwelling unit.
413 8th Street, SE, Chipotle – Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception to allow (continue) a fast food restaurant use.
610 South Carolina Avenue, SE – Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception to construct a one story addition to two-story building.
411 New Jersey Avenue, SE – Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception to construct two new, three-story, principal dwelling units.
1819 A Street, SE – Zoning Adjustment Application. Special Exceptions to construct a third story and a three-story rear addition, and to convert an existing two-story, detached, principal dwelling unit to a three-story, semi-detached, three-unit residential building.
Text Amendment to add Inclusionary Zoning Requirements to NC-6 (Lower Barracks Row).
ANC6C Environment, Parks, and Public Events Committee which usually meets this date will not meet this month.
Wednesday, March 3
ANC6B Transportation Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW – Capitol Crossing – Informational presentation on to-be-filed second-stage PUD application for the Center Block of the Capitol Crossing development project. This application is for the last two buildings in the project. It includes a commercial building on which will be developed with a hotel and ground floor retail, and a residential building which will include 50 affordable housing units and ground floor retail.
622 Eye Street, NE – Further-revised application of VBS Community Builders LLC, for a special exception to convert an existing residential building into a five-unit apartment house and for variance relief from the 900-square-foot/unit lot area requirements.
Short-term rental rulemaking (2nd round) – Proposed DCRA regulations implementing the 2019 Council legislation regulating Airbnb and similar short-term lodging arrangements. The PZE and ANC 6C reviewed and commented on the initial draft regulations in November 2020; owing to the number of comments, DCRA has issued a revised proposal. Deadline for comments: Mar. 22, 2021. (Original proposed rulemaking; ANC 6C comments; second proposed rulemaking; underlying legislation)
307 A Street, NE – Application for a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a one-story rear addition to an existing attached three-story principal dwelling unit.
410 East Capitol Street, NE – Application for concept approval to replace an existing one-story rear addition with two-story addition.
Thursday, March 4
The ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Committee – usually scheduled this day – will not meet this month
ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
111 K Street, NE – New Sidewalk Café. Public Space Application for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe at the southeast corner of K Street, NE and 1st Street NE. The proposed 216 sq. ft. cafe will include a total of 10 tables, or 27 seats total, with umbrellas. Hours listed on the application are from 8am or 10am until 11pm or midnight, 7 days a week.
H Street NE safety concerns. A joint meeting between ANC 6A and 6C Transportation and Public Space Committees was held on February 16 on H Street NE safety concerns. The Committee will review the joint letter as drafted by a subcommittee of members from both ANCs requesting solutions for H Street NE.
DDOT Performance Oversight Testimony. The hearing record for the Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment held DDOT’s performance oversight hearing on Friday, February 26, 2021 will close 14 days after the hearing date. The Committee will consider and make any recommendations for the ANC to submit written testimony for the record.
Baltimore-Washington SCMAGLEV Project DEIS. Comments are due on April 22, 2021 for the Baltimore-Washington SCMAGLEV Project
Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The Committee will discuss the DEIS and any received community feedback.
Here’s where the District was on Saturday – the Daily Case Rate is in the upper left corner at 14.9 cases per 100,000 population.
As opposed to where DC was on Friday.
Daily COVID Case Rate Out of the Red – Bowser Situational Update, Monday, Feb 22
by Larry Janezich
Posted February 22, 2021
Mayor Bowser held a Situational Briefing on COVID-19 today and took questions afterward. Here are some key takeaways:
The daily case rate is below 15 – out of the red at 14.9 cases per 100,000, expressed as a 7 day rolling average. The last time it was this low was early to mid-November. This means we are in the mid-level of community spread.
995 Washingtonians have died from coronavirus. The mayor encouraged residents to continue to wear masks, continue to social distance, and to get vaccinated.
DC is seeing a downward trend in testing. Bowser said, “We’re not happy about that.” Testing is around 25,000 a week – the lowest since the last week of September or first week of October. During the holidays testing was up to 50,000 a week. La Quandra Nesbitt encouraged residents to get tested if they are not in their usual state of health. If the 45% to 55% number of asymptomatic cases are not picked up by testing it can have an impact (by lowering) the apparent daily case rate.
Inclement weather delayed last week’s delivery to DC; that delivery will arrive early this week and be in addition to the 17,590 doses scheduled to arrive this week.
Because of the late delivery, hospitals and health care systems have had to cancel some first appointments and reschedule. Residents will be notified by those hospitals or health care systems. No appointments made through the DC portal have been cancelled.
Last week, an unemployment insurance vendor issue caused a delay in the delivery of payments for 39,000 DC residents. The problem has been identified and resolved. Those payments should arrive in bank accounts Tuesday or Wednesday.
There have been no changes in quarantine requirement for travelers into the District. See restrictions here: https://bit.ly/37FZGA2
There is no new information on the time line for taking down the fence around the Capitol complex. Bowser said they will be making specific inquiries.
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New on Barracks Row: Arena Social Arts Club, 507 8th Street, SE, will open this spring as an art and event space dedicated to the visual arts, concentrating on artists of color. The recently renovated building with 7,000 square feet of space served until recently as Shakespeare Theater’s Rehearsal Hall. Behind the enterprise is Ian Callender – creator of Blind Whino, now Culture House at 700 Delaware Avenue, SW. Callender: “It’s not just a gallery space we’re after, we want to create a delicate balance where we could hold an art opening or fancy wedding one afternoon and the next day we could hold a kids arts and crafts event or an ANC meeting in the same environment.” For more info go here: https://www.arenasocial.org/ Here’s more on Callender from an article a couple of years ago in The Southwester: http://bit.ly/3sgRgah
Also new on Barracks Row is Movement Methods Chiropractic at 719 8th Street, SE, second floor. Dr. Daniel Osborn, a board certified chiropractic physician, specializes in sports medicine and treating all types of sports-related injuries. Here’s the website for more information or to book appointments – or call 202-547-0317.
Here’s a look behind the fence surrounding the Eastern Market Metro Plaza.
And here’s a look from a different angle.
At 40 degrees on Sunday afternoon, people were ready to get out – here’s the Senday flea market at Eastern Market.
The Week Ahead – New on Barracks Row – Photos – Meeting Highlights
by Larry Janezich
This Week’s Meeting Highlights:
Wednesday – DGS Virtually Briefs EMMPAT on Eastern Market Metro Park Progress.
Wednesday – Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee Virtual Meeting.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, February 22
ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm
DGS will hold a virtual meeting to brief the Eastern Market Metro Park Advisory Taskforce on progress on the redevelopment of Eastern Market Metro Park. The meeting is monthly, and usually occurs at 1:00pm.
Information on joining the meeting will be available day of – usually mid-morning.
Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:30pm – one-half hour later than their usual meeting time.
Two ANC’s and H Street Businesses Have Had Enough of DDOT’s Slights
By Larry Janezich
Last Tuesday night, the Transportation Committees of ANC6A and ANC6C held an unusual joint meeting to plan a response to DDOT’s ignoring repeated requests to address traffic and safety issues on H Street NE. The committees are chaired respectively by Mark Brumer and Christy Kwan. Brumer chaired the joint meeting.
Commissioners cited a January 10, 2021, letter signed by 25* H Street businesses to then DDOT Director Jeff Marootian describing a December 22nd incident when a reckless driver lost control while speeding down H Street NE and crashed into Joy of Motion Dance Center, severely damaging the studio space. The letter said, “Luckily, no one was hurt, but with this being the third such incident in three months along the H Street Corridor, next time we might not be so lucky. We … believe that the current configuration of H Street a public safety hazard and urged DDOT to consider large-scale safety improvements.”
The ANC Committees want a comprehensive review of transportation and safety issues on H Street and are requesting a traffic study of the corridor from North Capitol to 15th Street NE. A Special Committee was formed to write a letter to DDOT, copying CM Charles Allen. The letter will reiterate the asks from the H Street merchants which they believe will make H Street safer:
Bus/Streetcar-only lanes. Convert the right travel lanes in each direction to all-times, red carpet bus/streetcar-only lanes. Bicyclists should not be encouraged to ride in these lanes due to the danger associated with the streetcar tracks.
Wider Sidewalks. Reclaiming a significant portion of on-street parking spaces would allow for creation of wider sidewalk “bulb” outs. This space could be used for increased transit rider space, al fresco dining, and bicycle parking.
Pick-Up/Drop-off Zones only. Long-term parking on H Street should not be allowed. We propose those remaining spaces not reclaimed by sidewalk be used as pick-up/drop-off zones with maximum parking time of no more than 30 minutes.
Once drafted, the letter will come up before the full ANCs for their approval, probably at their March meetings.
Among the city agencies which give the ANCs short shrift, DDOT has a reputation of being especially cavalier in attitude. ANC6B has jousted with DDOT for years over traffic safety issues on the “17th Street Speedway”. Marootian has recently moved on, having been named as Special Assistant to the President for Climate and Science Agency Personnel in the Biden Administration.
The 25 businesses signing the letter to DDOT are as follows: Atlas Doghouse, Atlas Performing Arts Center, AtlasVet, Aurora Salon, Craft Beer Cellar, DC Harvest, Fare Well, Granville Moore’s, H Street Country Club, Joy of Motion Dance Center, Maketto, Moody Graham Landscape Architecture, Mozzeria DC, Pie Shop, Physicality DC, Pow Pow, Rice Bar, [solidcore], Solid State Books, Sospeso, The Daily Rider, The Pug, The Queen Vic, Toki Underground, Yoga District.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 