CM At-Large Kenyan McDuffie at Mr. Henry’s last night.
CM Kenyan McDuffie on His Support for a New Stadium at RFK
by Larry Janezich
Posted, May 14, 2025
Last night, CM At-Large Kenyan McDuffie appeared before a group of Ward Six Democrats upstairs at Mr. Henry’s on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
In remarks, McDuffie expressed frustration on how long it’s taking to produce a budget owing to Congressional inaction to authorize DC to spend its own funds for the current FY. He also expressed concern over the expected loss of $1 billion in city revenue over the next three FYs because of reductions in the federal workforce.
Afterward, he made himself available for informal discussions with attendees.
An audience member questioned McDuffie’s support for Mayor’s proposal to build a new NFL stadium to replace RFK, asking him if he is aware of any empirical evidence that a new stadium would provide new revenue or economic benefit for the city in light of economists’ assessment that there is none. (Mayor Bowser wants the city council to approve spending $850 million in public funds for infrastructure to support a new stadium with the Washington Commanders covering the cost of building the stadium.)
McDuffie responded, “I guess my evidence that a stadium is good for DC would be what we see at Nats Stadium, what we see at Audi Field, what we see at Capital One Arena.”
In a follow-up, he was asked, “So, you can point to (those developments) as maybe a catalyst for supporting that sort of investment. What are you seeing at RFK that indicates that’s a similar situation?”
McDuffie replied, “What I’m seeing at RFK is 180 acres of dormant land that has been sitting idle for decades. I’m seeing a lot of asphalt that’s collecting dust and it’s in extreme disrepair. What I saw as a child growing up in the city were areas around SE and the Navy Yard and the Waterfront that needed investment. What I saw in the areas around SW was my friends who went to high school with me at Woodrow Wilson were communities that were starving for community service amenities that other parts of the city had. What we have today (in those areas) that didn’t exist before are events coming out of those facilities that are supporting a lot of businesses around it that are giving job opportunities to residents and for small businesses the opportunity to service what is happening in and those neighborhoods. “
The Ward 6 Democrats website carries a notice inviting neighbors to a Fireside Chat on the Future of RFK: Monday, June 2, at The Strand Restaurant, 131 Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE. The event is sponsored by: The Hill Rag and East of the River Newspapers, The Ward 6 Democrats, and The Ward 7 Democrats.
The following is an update from ANC7D Commissioner Ebony Payne:
Dear Kingman Park neighbors,
There are several RFK town halls in the upcoming weeks and I need your help keeping Kingman Park’s voice at the forefront of the conversation. Many of you reached out with concerns about the parking garages that are planned for Oklahoma Avenue. I spoke about your concerns on Fox 5 this past weekend and I will continue to share these concerns with city leaders.
The deal needs 7 votes to pass. Now is the time to start contacting Councilmembers to let them know your thoughts on the stadium plan. Please cc me on any email correspondence you send.
ICYMI.Capitol Hill Pastor’s car destroyed in suspicious garage fire. The Rev. William H. Gurnee’s car, parked in the garage behind St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill where he is pastor, was destroyed the night of Saturday May 3rd by a fire of suspicious origin. In this photo, the fire’s debris has been cleaned up and hauled away leaving the burned out vehicle behind the church.
The church is at 2nd and C Street, NE, catty corner from the Senate Hart Office Building. The fire was apparently set in a dumpster near the garage. DC fire (FEMS) controlled the blaze and kept it from spreading. There have been a series of suspicious fires on Capitol Hill stretching across Capitol Hill in the direction of Barney Circle, as previously reported by CHC. https://bit.ly/3E3ZxtW MPD arrested an individual who FEMS observed setting a fire near Barney Circle Thursday night. FEMS encourages the public to reach out using 202-673-27766 (ARSON) or submit information online https://fmhotline.femsdc.com/HotlineForm Tips can be anonymous.
ANC6A invites Mayor Bowser to discuss her proposal to build a new NFL stadium for the Washington Commanders on the RFK site. ANC6A met last Thursday, chaired by Commissioner Dave Wethington. Noah Glasgow, one of the Mayor’s Ward 6 Community Relations representatives, said he would carry the invitation to the Mayor. BTW – if you want to talk to CM Allen about RFK, he’s holding his ANC6A Office hours 8:30am – 10am next Friday, May 16, at Hiraya Café, 1248 H Street, NE. Register here: https://www.charlesallenward6.com/office_hours_0516
Moral Mondays demonstration at the Supreme Court and US Capitol: Last Monday, a group of faith-based nonviolent activists continued a recurring action opposing the current federal budget being proposed by the administration and the US House of Representatives. During a demonstration a week earlier, the Reverend William Barber, one of the group’s founders, was arrested while praying in the Rotunda of the US Capitol. Barber was ill on May 5 and did not attend that day’s demonstration. But some 100 other protestors marched to the Supreme Court for a rally and then some proceeded to the U.S. Rotunda to pray where five of them were arrested. The group’s organizers say they plan to continue demonstrating over the next few weeks to take a stand against an immoral budget that harms people.
ICYMI The Lobby Bar sets opening date. The Lobby Bar at 224 7th Street, SE, (across from Eastern Market in the old Boxcar space) will start taking dinner reservations on Friday, May 16. That probably indicates a soft-opening this coming week. Stay tuned. Meantime, here’s a look at their menu: https://www.lobbybardc.com/menu (Uh-oh. No prices.)
Friday Night Live at Eastern Market Metro. Friday night, The Taiko Drummers of Japan performed at Eastern Market Metro Plaza, celebrating the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Here’s a video of a Taiko training demonstration session featuring four volunteers from the audience. The volunteers really got into it. Subsequent Fridays during May will feature additional performers celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander culture.
Ducks. Here’s a photo of a mother Mallard duck which set up a nest to hatch her 12 ducklings on the basement steps of a house on the 300 block of 7th Street, NE. April Linton from City Wildlife’s Duck Watch showed up with a box and conveyed all of them to the Tidal Basin. Duck Watch says that this is a common occurrence in courtyards, parks, and roofs across the city every spring. Volunteers gather up the ducks and take them to open water. For more and to volunteer, go here: https://citywildlife.org/programs/duck-watch/ Photo: Jay Adelstein.
How to follow Capitol Hill Corner. To receive an email when an article is posted on CHC go to the homepage here: https://capitolhillcorner.org/ On the right hand side of the page there’s a column below “Blog Stats.” Scroll down to the bottom of the Archives and click on the blue tab that says “Follow Capitol Hill Corner.” You will automatically be notified as soon as anything is posted. To stop following CHC go to the same blue tab which now says “Following,” and click it again and return it to “Follow.”
The Week Ahead…
Highlights:
Wednesday: ANC6C Presentation: CM Charles Allen—Ward 6 Update Announcements, see below.
Friday: CM Charles Allen holds Office ANC6A community office hours 8:30am – 10am at Hiraya Café, 1248 H Street, NE.
Monday, May 12
ANC6B Parks & Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an in person only meeting at 7:00pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s)
Agenda:
Per Chair Jerry Sroufe: Two residents to brief the committee on their experiences in dealing with two unique issues that are pertinent to our mission draft: (1) closing public school playgrounds; (2) loading and unloading at the CVS in early morning hours. Additionally, we have the mission statement and foundational tasks topics carried over from the past meeting.
ANC6B Southeast Library Task Force will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s)
For info on how to join the meeting virtually, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Agenda:
Per Chair David Sobelsohn: At Monday’s meeting we hope to have hard copies of the renovation update, also to learn about negotiations with Washington Gas to relocate its pipes, a problem that could cause DCPL to cut some of the renovation plans or even delay the library’s reopening, currently scheduled for mid-2026.
ANC6C Alcohol & Cannabis Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Presentation: Charles Allen Ward 6 Update Announcements
Commissioner announcements
DC agency informational announcements
Other community announcements
Consent calendar TBD
Plenary Agenda
Alcohol and Cannabis Licensing Committee
Pupatella’s trash disposal amendment
Renewals—Junction Bistro & Bar
Café Fili
Sidamo Coffee
Chopsmith
Morrow Hotel Le Clou Vesper Upstairs
Cynthia
Shake Shack
Café Berlin
Whole Foods Market
The Monocle
Nostra Cucina
Bistro Cacao
Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development
1109 4th Street NE – Special exception from nonconforming side-yard requirements to retroactively allow an already constructed third story with roof deck and three-story rear addition to a two-story principal dwelling.
1151 Abbey Pl. NE – Special exception from rear yard requirements and variance from lot occupancy requirements to retroactively allow an already constructed rear deck and staircase addition to a two-story principal dwelling.
304-308 K Street NE – Special exception for residential use of an alley lot and two variances, creation of a new alley lot and subdivision into two lots, to allow construction of two semidetached two-story dwelling units.
Transportation and Public Space Committee
6th Street commercial traffic – Request for relief from heavy trucks – Christy Kwan.
1232 4th Street NE – Ten-story affordable housing project with no parking, public space improvements including new curb and gutter, sidewalk, closure of existing driveway, bike racks, new street trees, benches, plantings, balcony and bay windows.
316 Massachusetts Avenue NE – Request to allow additional furniture and equipment to the existing café.
Request for Zone 6 parking only – Residents seek the following locations to be restricted to Zone 6 parking only – 1 and 2 Terrace Court NE and 100 block of 5th Street NE.
Safety concerns at 5th and C Streets NE, Stanton Park.
American Roots Concert Series: Duende Camarón| 4:30 pm | FREE
Duende Camarón is fronted by brothers Mario and Jose Oretea, who were born and raised in Bolivia. After spending time in Spain, they became enamored with Gypsy-Flamenco music and years later began collaborating with the Gipsy Kings.
The meaning of “Duende Camaron” comes from the influence of flamenco culture in which Duende is a state of mind in which the artist reaches a magical connection with Art and Passion. “Camaron” is the nickname of Jose Monje Cruz the most influential flamenco singer of contemporary times.
Charles Kia, the owner of the popular Haad Thai restaurant at 1100 New York Avenue, NW, (which closed in October 2024 after 30 years) is opening a new restaurant at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, near Eastern Market. The space was formerly occupied by Joselito. Kia said the restaurant closed after being unable to renegotiate a new lease with the landlord.
ZomTum – which translates to “papaya salad” names the new restaurant and the concept, variations of which will characterize the menu.
Kia told Capitol Hill Corner that he had been looking for a place to open near Eastern Market for 15 years and found that the space was available and leased it. He will make some cosmetic changes inside and hopes to open in July.
Here’s FreeDC continuing its unrelenting campaign calling out House Speaker Mike Johnson for failing to pass the Senate-passed bill to allow DC to spend its own money to continue essential city services until the end of the fiscal year. For more, go here: https://freedcproject.org/news/dc-wants-our-money-mike
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) currently features two temporary exhibits. First is the exhibit Uncanny – now through August 10, 2025. From the website: “A concept popularized by Sigmund Freud in 1919, the uncanny describes the psychological experience of something that is strangely familiar, yet alien, eliciting a sense of anxiety.”
Louise Bourgeois’ Untitled (with foot), 1989. The juxtaposition of a baby’s foot beneath a sphere could speak to the duality and interconnection of the wonder and trauma of birth. (One reason artists decide not to title works is to allow the vieerw to bring their own interpretation.)
Leonara Carrington’s The Palmist, 2010, is a fantastical figure of an animal/human hybrid reflecting the artist’s interest in animals, myth and symbolism. A palmist interprets the lines on a palm for insights on a person’s character and future. In this sculpture, the hands of the palmist appear to do the interpreting.
Also featured at NMWA is the exhibit Guerilla Girls, now through September 28, 2025. The art cooperative Guerilla Girls has been making text-based art since 1985.
Their subject in the late 1980s was inequality, and their message was feminism. Women in America Earn only 2/3 of What Men Do, from the series, “Guerilla Girls Talk Back: The First Five years, 1985 – 1990.
Works from the 1990’s onward broadened the scope of the cooperative to include politics, pop culture, reproductive rights, and the environment.
Recommendation: ANC 6A take no action on the following:
Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment and summer garden endorsements at Maketto, 1351 H Street NE .
Renewal of a Class C multipurpose license with at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE.
Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with dancing entertainment and summer garden endorsements at Stable, 1324 H Street NE.
Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with sidewalk cafe endorsements at Taqueria al Lado H, 809 12th Street NE.
Renewal of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license at Milk and Honey Café, 1116 H Street NE.
Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with dancing entertainment sidewalk cafe and summer garden endorsements at Bens Chili Bowl/Bens Next Door/Ben’s Upstairs, 1001 H Street NE.
Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with sidewalk cafe endorsement at Pascual 732 Maryland Avenue NE.
Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with cover charge and entertainment endorsements at The Upper Room, 1360 H Street NE unless a settlement agreement is reached.
Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment and sidewalk endorsements at Choongman, 1125 H Street NE
Transportation and Public Space Committee
Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT requesting a comprehensive traffic study of the neighborhood street grid bounded by 10th and 13th Streets NE and Maryland Avenue and Florida Avenue NE.
Plenary Session:
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee.
Recommendation: ANC6A protest the Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment endorsement at Lydia’s Restaurant and Lounge at 1427 H Street NE and that Commissioner Velasquez seek enforcement information from ABCA.
New Business:
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter to the DC Council and the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) to provide ABCA the authority to release to ANC Commissioners the contact info for owners of establishments seeking to renew an alcoholic beverage or medical cannabis license.
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter to the DC Council, the Directors of the Department of Building (DOB), the Bureau of Zoning Authority (BZA) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), asking for an explanation of why residents of large buildings, with more than X units, that do not have adequate parking for residents, as determined by a ratio of X/Y spaces per apartment, are currently allowed to obtain a Resident Parking Permit (RPP) stickers. Previously, residents of buildings without adequate parking were denied RPP stickers. Also, residents of buildings with addresses on commercial streets were not allowed RPP stickers. The Council et. al. is asked to clarify the status of these previous restrictions and reinstate them if not currently in effect.
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
ANC6D will hold a Special In-Person Meeting at 6:00pm at the Southwest Library, 900 Wesley Pl SW.
Agenda: To hear resident views and to further consider ANC recommendations for DDOT’s 2025 TOPP (Traffic Operations and Parking Plan) for handling traffic problems produced by Nationals Park and Audi Field.
ANC6D Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Tuesday, May 6 – MPD Public Safety Meeting at Stuart Hobson School – 410 E Street, NE – 6:00pm – 7:15pm.
MPD invites the community to a hybrid (in-person and virtual) Public Safety Meeting. MPD wants to know your feelings on community safety, security, and policing From the invitation: “We are present to listen and respond.”
Osgemeos – The Endless Story – is an on-going exhibit on the entire 3rd floor of the Hirshhorn Museum which continues through August 3. Osgemeos means “the twins” in Portuguese and refers to two twin brothers, Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo, who collaborate making art. The exhibit – their most ambitious ever –is an astonishing explosion of creativity. Its 1,000 or so pieces, span decades and stem from their lives and work growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
They work in paint, sculpture, drawing, photography, installations, fabric, video, music, light, found objects, and color.
Much of the work references Tritrez, a surreal and mystical universe they invented and continue to explore.
Here’s another image from Tritrez.
The Moon Room installation is a room created especially for the Hirshhorn exhibit. This is a view looking through one of the windows. A sense of dreamy intimacy is heightened by a thrilling operatic aria soundtrack drawing the real world into a fantastic one.
Behind you as you look in the window is a floor to ceiling fantasy image.
Here’s a video of a piece titled Zoetrope, from 2014 – an actual handmade giant zoetrope – shown in operation in the video – which delights and creates a sense of wonder about the conceptualization and construction of the piece.
Tuesday, FreeDC demonstrates an “Unwelcome Back” to Congress for failure to authorize DC to spend its own revenue. See details under “Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:”
Tuesday, Forum on the RFK Stadium Site at the Hill Center. (Mayor Bowser and the Commaders will announce on Monday the details of a deal to build a new stadium at RFK per WaPo.) See details under “Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:”
Monday, April 28, 2025
ANC6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. pm
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment endorsement at Lydia’s Restaurant and Lounge at 1427 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with cover charge endorsement at The Upper Room 1360 H Street, NE
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment and summer garden endorsements at Maketto 1351 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C multipurpose license with at Atlas Performing Arts Center 1333 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with dancing entertainment and summer garden endorsements at Stable 1324 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with sidewalk cafe endorsements at Taqueria al Lado H 809 12th Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment and sidewalk endorsements at Choongman 1125 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license at Milk and Honey Cafe 1116 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with dancing entertainment sidewalk cafe and summer garden endorsements at Bens Chili Bowl/Bens Next Door/Ben’s Upstairs 1001 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with sidewalk cafe endorsement at Pascual 732 Maryland Avenue, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class D restaurant license with summer garden endorsements at Whole Foods Market 600 H Street, NE.
Wednesday, April 30
RESCHEDULED April 2025 ANC6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
FreeDC Event, Tuesday, April 29, 8:30am – 11:00am.
Unwelcome Back Congress – gather in the Spirit of Justice Park on the South side of the Longworth House Office Building. “The House returns from recess on Tuesday and we want to make sure they know DC wants our money unfrozen…We start with a training and practice session from 8:30-9:00 AM which everyone is encouraged to attend.”
Petition Supporting a Second Story for Rumsey Aquatic Center
CM Charles Allen is circulating a petition to garner support for a redesign of the proposed plans for a new Rumsey Aquatic Center that would include a second floor for a senior center and other amenities.
Allen says, “While neighbors have said they want a second story – and I funded $15 million more specifically to add one – DGS and DPR did not include a second floor in their first design concepts presented to the community last month. They’ve gone back to the drawing board now, and this petition will help send a message to honor the original plan. The more neighbors we have sharing your voices, the better. Please sign the letter and share it with your friends who love Rumsey and want to see a redesign that meets the community’s needs.”
Forum on the RFK Stadium Site – Tuesday, April 29, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE).
No Billionaires Playground/Homes Not Stadiums is holding this community forum (dinner provided) to hear from residents & experts on the real economics behind an NFL stadium and to share a vision for how RFK could be developed to enrich the community.
DC is reportedly close to a deal with the Commanders to build a new stadium to replace RFK Stadium. The deal reportedly could cost DC taxpayers up to $1 billion in public funds for supporting infrastructure and associated financing costs – according to Council Chair Phil Mendelson. No Playground for Billionaires – an organization which opposes using public funds for a new stadium – is hosting a public forum at Hill Center on Tuesday, April 29. See below under “Capitol Hill Corner Would also like you to know about:” for more information.
Here are some photos of Saturday’s DPW Free Special Waste Collection Event at RFK Stadium Parking Lot Number 3. DPW organizes the event which brings together organizations which collect hazardous waste, recycle electronics, and shredded paper. The next scheduled Special Waste Collection Event is on Thursday, June 26, at 10:00am at the same location. For more information and to register for a timed entry, go here: https://bit.ly/3GjSlug
Drivers queued up on 22nd Street NE and turned right onto East Capitol to access Parking Lot #3. The timed entry made the line manageable and it moved quickly. After showing their DC driver’s license participants are directed to one or more of the three collection points where employees unload vehicles. The whole process takes around 30 minutes from the time you join the queue.
Electronics.
Hazardous waste.
Paper shredding.
Easter Sunday Morning near Eastern Market: Here’s a photo of café society on 7th Street SE, circa 10:30am.
The Week Ahead…
MONDAY April 21
ANC6D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:30pm.Note new time.
Government Announcements (Executive and Legislative Branch).
DDOT briefing on final design of approach bridges to 14th Street (informational).
Consent Agenda 1. Approve Amazon-AF Ride May 31, 2. March for Babies May 3.
ABC Matters
Shall the ANC comment on a Modification without a Hearing for 2121 1st Street?
Shall the ANC support developers’ request for a 2-year extension of PUD for 807 Maine?
SMD Updates
Chairperson’s Report
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Hill Center Event – Tuesday, April 29 – 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Forum on future of RFK Stadium sponsored by No Billionaires Playground’ Homes Not Stadiums.
No Billionaires Playground/Homes Not Stadiums” is holding a community forum (dinner provided) to hear from residents and experts on the economics behind an NFL stadium and to share a vision for how RFK could be developed to enrich the community.
Petition Supporting a Second Story for Rumsey Aquatic Center
CM Charles Allen is circulating a petition to garner support for a redesign of the proposed plans for a new Rumsey Aquatic Center that would include a second floor for a senior center and other amenities. Here’s a link to the councilmember’s website which has a link to the petition. https://www.charlesallenward6.com/
“Sign My Petition to DPR! Rumsey Pool Needs a Second Story – Rumsey Aquatic Center is a beloved community asset in the heart of Capitol Hill. It’s also one of the most heavily used Department of Parks and Recreation facilities in the District, and it’s sorely in need of modernization.”
Hill Center Event – Thursday, April 24 – 7:00pm – 9:00pm – $10.00 – In Person
Atlantic Journalist Yoni Applebaum Discusses his new Book STUCK in Conversation with New York Times Writer Binyamin Appelbaum
According to ANC6B Commissioner David Sobelsohn, the DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) today dismissed the application for a medical marijuana license by Aloha/Tobacco King at 539 8th Street, SE, the former location of La Vagna restaurant.
Sobelsohn reported that the applicants failed to show up at today’s ABCA Roll Call Hearing at which those protesting the license have an opportunity to explain their opposition. Opponents, on the other hand, did show up, and they included Sobelsohn, ANC Commissioners Sam Pastore and Anna Krebs, ANC6B’s ABCA Committee chair Ellen Opper-Weiner, and District Montessori director Anjelina Keating.
Sobelsohn said “Tobacco King’s application troubled not only my constituents who live close to that location, but also troubled several important nearby 7th Street, SE, institutions that have programs for children: the Montessori School, the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, & the Mormon Church. Our ANC had made very clear to the applicant that our community was united in opposing a cannabis retailer so close to our children. Thankfully, Tobacco King got the message. No one attended the hearing for Aloha/Tobacco King. As a result, ABCA dismissed the application. For the time being at least, we need not worry about a cannabis retailer so close to our children.”
Aloha was intended to be an upstairs cannabis retail space owned by Tobacco King, a tobacco/smoke shop on the first floor. There has been evidence that Tobacco King was dispensing cannabis in anticipation of receiving a license legalizing the operation. The application was been opposed at the ANC Committee level as well as by the full ANC since it would permit Aloha to operate as a dispensary within 400 feet of a school, which is banned by city statute.
Sunday morning, Congressional Cemetery sponsored its annual Cherry Blossom 5K. Some 900 runners participated in the run this year. All proceeds from the race go to furthering the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery’s non-profit mission, including environmental preservation. Here are some post-race photos from where the race started and finished near the center of the cemetery.
CHC asked Association interim Executive Director, A.J. Orlikoff to comment on the Cherry Blossom 5K: “We started doing this race last year for the first time because we just care so much about our environment … it’s just such a core part of our mission to be an urban oasis. It’s a place for people to come to be a part of nature and to get connected to an outdoor space and really bring back cemeteries to what they used to be – a place for people to gather. We were overwhelmed by the level of support we had – over 900 runners registered this year. Last year we had about 500 – so pretty much almost double.
The Yoshino blossoms have come and are mostly gone, but the Kwanzan cherry trees blossomed to celebrate the spring and framed the roads inside the cemetery.
Later, on Sunday afternoon, local author, historian and tour guide Robert Pohl led a tour of some of the cemetery’s known and one of its unknown gravesites. At a stop at J. Edgar Hoover’s grave, Pohl recounted Hoover’s birth in a house near Seward Square on Capitol Hill on the site of what is now Capitol Hill United Methodist Church. A stained glass window in the church is dedicated to him. After 11 years in the post, Hoover became instrumental in founding the FBI in June 1935, where he remained as director for an additional 37 years until his death in May 1972
Nearby is the grave of Hoover’s colleague and protégé Clyde Tolson. Tolson was the second-ranking official of the FBI from 1930 until 1972. After Hoover’s death in 1972, Tolson was acting director for a brief period until J. Patrick Gray became acting director. Tolson retired the following day and was succeeded by Mark Felt – who was later revealed to be the Deep Throat of the Watergate scandal, reportedly after later being passed over for the top FBI job.
Here’s a photo of the grave site of “Mayor Marion “Mayor for Life” Barry’s.
And here’s a photo of the federally-ordered unmarked grave of David Herold in the Herold family plot. Herold was the accomplice in the plot to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln who accompanied John Wilkes Booth on the latter’s 12 day attempt to reach Richmond following the assassination. Surrounded by federal troops in a Virginia tobacco barn, Herold surrendered, but Booth was killed. Herold was from a financially well off family who lived in a large house on the east side of what is now Barracks Row, near G Street. After his execution, the federal government officials released the body to the family for burial with the proviso that his grave would not marked.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, April 14
ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Lincoln Park Task Force – 6A and 6B drafted a letter to DDOT requesting a traffic study of this area.
14th & A/Ames Streets – ANC 6A sent a letter to DDOT requesting traffic calming on this stretch of 14th Street NE.
500 and 600 blocks of 10/11/12/13th Streets. Issues with speeding cars down the hills on these blocks. 12th & E Streets NE is considered for “future consideration.”
New Business.
15th & Ames Place NE was part of Q3 prioritization and is under investigation by DDOT.
13th & Linden Streets NE is part of Q3 prioritization and is under investigation by DDOT.
Notice of intent: Installation of Residential Parking Permit zones on 200 and 500 blocks of 15th Street NE.
ANC6B April Parks & Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an in person meeting at 7:00pm.
This meeting will be held 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
1355-1359 H Street, NE. To combine five lots (2 facing H street NE, 3 facing alley) and convert to a retail and eating and drinking establishment use an existing, semi-detached, mixed use building. Special Exception: minimum vehicle parking requirements, rear yard requirements, eating and drinking establishment use requirements, and fast food establishment use requirements. Area Variance: The floor area ratio requirements.
New Business
917 Constitution Avenue, NE. To construct a second story addition to a detached garage, in the rear of an existing, attached, two-story plus cellar. Special Exception: lot occupancy requirements and accessory building expansion requirements
901 H Street, NE. Informational presentation for proposed fast casual restaurant.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Hill Center Event. Tuesday, April 15. 7:00pm – 9:00pm. $20.00
Global Sounds on the Hill featuring Latin Music Sextet Las Guaracheras. Las Guaracheras is a powerful Latin Music sextet from Cali, Colombia that performs Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as salsa, as well as music from the Pacific region of Colombia. Their compositions and lyrics revolve around the re-vindication and recognition of the role of women in the music industry – especially in the Latin Music scene in Colombia – and seek to express the power and strength of women as sources of love, hope, resilience and creativity.
Folger Theater Event. Saturday, April 19. Starts at 11:00am. Free.
Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration. Through performance, poetry, song, dance, scholarship, and history, the birthday celebration showcases the breadth of the Folger’s offerings as a cultural organization. The party to celebrate the playwright’s 461st year will kick off when the Folger opens at 11am on Saturday, April 19, and conclude that evening with the annual Shakespeare’s Birthday Lecture, given this year by the Folger’s recently appointed director, Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper.
On Friday, ANC6B followed through on the commission’s unanimous vote last Tuesday to send a letter to the Directors of the DC Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), requesting a restart on the design of the Rumsey project.
The tone of the letter was more diplomatic than a letter from Eastern Market Main Street which characterized the designs put forward by DPR/DGS as “a disappointing lack of imagination and or understanding of the rare opportunity this redevelopment project offers the city.” See here: https://bit.ly/43A2b4Q
Here’s the full text of the ANC’s email:
April 11, 2025
Thennie Freeman, Director, DPR;
Delano Hunter, Director, DGS
Ward 6 Councilman, Charles Allen,
VIA EMAIL:thennie.freeman@dc.gov; delano.hunter@dc.gov; callen@dccouncil.gov
Re: Requesting a Restart for Rumsey Aquatic Center Rebuilding
This letter requests a restart in planning for the Rumsey Aquatic Center and explains
why a restart is necessary.
Most are familiar with the Sesame Street jingle: “One of these things is not like the others.” It is not hard to determine which proposal for the Rumsey Aquatic Center is different than the community-based proposals that preceded it. The one that is different is the one just introduced – without community consultation – on March 12. Rather than reflecting the RFP that was the basis for the generous design/build award, the current proposal goes its own direction and seeks to shoehorn a few small auxiliary rooms into the current, single story, pool space.
The difference between the RFP and the proposed project is as great as the difference between Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch: The RFP declares: “In addition to new and upgraded aquatic features, the project will aim to deliver community-based program spaces.” Implausibly, the current proposal does not propose to provide even the core items stipulated in the RFP:
senior center with tech lounge and other amenities;
large multipurpose/recreation room;
small to medium multipurpose/recreation rooms (note the plural).
At the March community meeting residents were presented with three “options”, none of which included the second floor which has been anticipated by the community, and which will be required to meet the specifications of the RFP. Not until the Q and A was the issue of a second floor addressed and then only because several residents specifically asked about its surprising omission from the plan.
Capitol Hill residents hold a variety of expectations for pool use. However, there is universal understanding that the rebuild of Rumsey is a once in a lifetime opportunity to add needed space resources for our built-up neighborhood that are unlikely to arise elsewhere.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 