CAPITOL HILL CORNER

City Invites New Flea Market Operators to Bid for Saturday Space on 7^th Street

by Larry Janezich

Today, the city invited flea market operators to submit proposals to operate a flea market on the 300 block of Seventh Street for six months at $3,300 a month.  The deadline for submission of responses is 3:00pm, Saturday, February 18.

DC Department of General Services (DGS) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the license for an outdoor Saturday market.  The RFP specifies that the “sole use of the shall be as an Outdoor Market with locally made arts and crafts, antiques and imported handcrafts from other countries”.  Further, the language states that there “shall be a maximum of three food vendors, with local competition considered when determining type and placement of food vendors”.  A vendor deemed to best meet these and other criteria listed in the RFP will be awarded the license.

On January 24^th, Barry Margeson, Eastern Market Manager, announced that the DGS license allowing the Saturday flea market to occupy the 300 block of 7th Street on Saturdays had expired on December 1, 2018 and “is terminated.” Carol Wright, operator of the Saturday Flea Market for some 15 years, had not signed a contract extension offered in December by DGS which would have allowed her to operate until June.  That prompted DGS to “terminate” the contract and announce that it would issue a call for a new operator for the space.  Issuing the new RFP is seemingly at odds with the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee’s responsibility to review RFP’s issued concerning the Market or its associated vending spaces.  Mike Berman, the Sunday flea market operator, has said he thinks he should have been offered the right of first refusal.

Wright responded to the Department of General Services’ (DGS) termination of her license to operate on 7th Street saying,  that she had “no intention, whatsoever, of giving up or terminating the license” for use of the 300 block of 7th Street.

DGS’s Request for Proposals (RFP) and other related documents is here:  https://dgs.dc.gov/event/dgs-rfp-2019-02-request-proposals-outdoor-market-opportunity

ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Commissioner Corey Holman, (checked shirt)

Conservation Districts vs. Historic Districts – ANC6B Planning and Zoning Chair Pushes Dialogue

by Larry Janezich

At Tuesday night’s ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chair Corey Holman suggested the committee open a conversation with city agencies on the concept of conservation districts as an alternative to expanding historic districts. The former aim to protect the character of older neighborhoods with fewer regulations that the latter.  Currently, residents outside of the Capitol Hill Historic District have more options – and fewer bureaucratic hurdles – to expand their homes, than those inside, and worry they will be affected adversely by historic district designation.

Recently, both Kingman Park and Bloomingdale were made historic districts over the opposition of the ANCs.  Last year, ANC6B sent a letter to city officials saying that the historic district designation process does not serve District residents.  See CHC report here:  https://bit.ly/2LlGF8U

Holman sees a role for the Committee in helping to figure out what a conservation district means – a job which the Comprehensive Plan anticipated that the city’s Office of Planning would do, but which fell by the wayside in 2016.  The conversation would entail, Holman said, “not saying what we want, but having a discussion of how to discuss what we want.”  Holman sees conservation districts as a defensive measure against a preservation concept which has been “weaponized” – alluding to the privileging “preservation” over the needs of some homeowners seeking to expand their homes to accommodate growing families.

Holman cited a preliminary conversation he had had with the DC Preservation League, who offered that conservation districts will never happen unless the preservationists are on board.  If it does happen, the process will be a long one, requiring Historic Preservation Board approval, legislation, and funding.

At one time, the Comprehensive Plan for the District called for action aimed at establishing conservation districts:

Action UD-2.2.C: Conservation Districts

Explore the use of “Conservation Districts” to protect neighborhood character in older communities which may not meet the criteria for historic districts but which nonetheless have important character-defining architectural features.

Action MC-1.2.A: Conservation Districts

Consider the designation of Columbia Heights, Eckington, Bloomingdale, and other Mid-City neighborhoods as “Conservation Districts.” Design standards and review procedures for such districts would be less rigorous than those used in Historic Districts, but would strive for more compatible infill development and maintenance of historic building scale, mass, and height conditions.

In the 2016 status report the two actions were cancelled.

Friday, February 1, circa 8:45am.

The Week Ahead…2^nd Community Meeting on Redesign of EM Metro Plaza on Wednesday

By Larry Janezich

Monday, February 4

ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm in the Conference Room, Ground Floor in the Hine Project (700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – entrance to 700 Penn is to the left of the Trader Joe’s entrance and to the right of the security desk).  This meeting has been moved to avoid conflict with the next community meeting of the Eastern Market Plaza project, scheduled for 2/6.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Compilation of suggested Locations in 6B for bike racks for dockless bikes.

Discussion on possible traffic flow Improvements to the 1300 Block of E Street, SE.

[LATE BREAKING] Consideration of a petition to add the unit block of 15th Street, SE, to the RPP system.

Tuesday, February 5

ANC6B Planning & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm, at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

Support for the Capitol Hill Classic 2019.

Historic Landmark Nomination: Southeast Branch Library, 403 7th Street, SE; nominated by Capitol Hill Restoration Society.

411 4th Street, SE, Historic Preservation Application for concept/two story rear addition.

1322 D Street SE, Zoning Adjustment application – special exception to construct a two-story, rear addition to an existing, attached principle dwelling unit.

Wednesday, February 6

Second community meeting on Eastern Market Plaza Redesign, 7:00pm, North Hall, Eastern Market.  Update on the planning for the redesign, and continued community input on the plan.

Here’s a link to the CHC report on the first community meeting:  https://bit.ly/2QwIDtR

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 6:30pm, Northeast Library, 7^th and D Streets, NE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

224 C Street, NE, Historic Preservation application for concept approval for a second story garage addition.

918 7th Street, NE – Zoning adjustment application for a special exemption to construct a third-story addition to an existing two-story attached principal dwelling.

209 M Street, NE/Uline Arena – Zoning adjustment application VBR Brewing Corporation, for a special exception under the use regulations to permit live performances in an eating and drinking establishment.

2019 Council oversight hearings – Discussion of proposed topics for ANC 6C testimony.

The Capitol Hill Garden Club meets at 7:15pm at Northwest Library, 330 7TH Streets, NE.

Agenda:

Presentation: Garden Therapy

Thursday, February 7

ANC6B ABC Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Agenda:

700 Wine, LLC. t/a The Eastern; 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; New Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern License operating as a wine bar and serving a limited food menu. Sidewalk Café with 30 seats. Total Occupancy Load is 75 with seating for 55. Hours of Operation and Consumption Inside Premise and On Sidewalk Café: Sunday through Thursday 9am-2am. Friday and Saturday 9am-3am.

ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:00pm at Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 2nd Stteet, NE, Room G3-G4.

Agenda not available at press time. 

Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) meet at 5:30pm, Southeast Library, lower level.   

The 300 block of 7th Street, SE, circa 10:00am, Sunday, January 27. Business is slow early in the year – still, flea market operators pay the same fee now as they do in the height of the foot traffic season.

The Week Ahead…Lots of Meetings: Future of the Jail, SE Library Renovation, Metro Plaza Renovation

by Larry Janezich

Monday, January 28

The Hill East Task Force meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1900 Independence Avenue, SE.

Agenda:

DC contracted with a company to conduct community engagement related to the future of the DC jail.  The contract awardee will be sharing information about the contract and will be seeking your input on what should happen to the jail.

Community Meeting on renovation of Southeast Library, 1:30pm, at the Southeast Library. 

Friends of Southeast Library, in cooperation with Capitol Hill Village, is sponsoring a community meeting on planning for a new, expanded Southeast Library.  While the focus will be on  wants/needs of seniors, everyone is welcome to participate.

As part of community outreach, Richard Reyes-Gavilan, executive director of the city’s library system, will describe other recently built branch libraries, present the time-line for the new Southeast construction, and entertain comments and suggestions from the audience.  Funding of $23 million dollars is available for the project, which is expected to take four years.

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm Eastern High School, Parent Center, 1700 East Capitol Street, NE, (Enter from East Capitol Street)

Agenda:

Ludlow Taylor Grant

ANC6A Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm, Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Chick-Fil-A, 1401 Maryland Avenue, NE, has requested support for reinstatement of an expired construction permit #316465; the site plans have changed.

Evaluation of Commissioners’ lists of “pedestrian safety issues” to be grouped and prioritized for eventual submission to DDoT.

Tuesday, January 29

ANC6B’s Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm, in Hill Center.

The committee will determine the agenda for the February meeting of the full ANC.

Eastern Market Metro Plaza Advisory Committee meets at 9:00am in Hill Center. 

To receive and update on the planning process for the redevelopment of Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  The meetings are open to the public.

District Soul Food, at 8th and E Streets, SE – Barracks Row – opens February 2.  It opens in the space formerly occupied by Banana Cafe which closed in December of 2018.  

The restaurant has been completely renovated and the first floor dining area features an open kitchen.

Upstairs: cocktails and live music.

And behind a closed door off to the side, the cigar lounge.

The five partners who are bringing District Soul Food to Barracks Row are, L-R – Eddie Reynolds, Christopher Alston, Craig Parkinson, CEO; Chris Everette, and David Roundtree, COO. The restaurant is a new venture for the five – all of whom have had experience in the hospitality industry.

District Soul Food Opens On Barracks Row Saturday, February 2

by Larry Janezich

District Soul Food will open next Saturday at 10:00am, bringing “soul food with a French connection” – breakfast, lunch and dinner – to Barracks Row.  David Roundtree, the restaurant’s chief operating officer, said they are trying to set themselves apart by offering a full service restaurant with live music and a cigar lounge all in one.  The first floor caters to families, while there are cocktails, cigars, and live music upstairs.  He said, “We want to create an experience and have every customer be part of the experience.” He wants the restaurant to appeal to every generation – wants people to walk in because they desire to be part of something special.

The menu – created by Executive Chef John Fearrington (La Residence, True Flavors Southern Diner) – is eclectic – with vegan and gluten free options – and can be viewed here:  http://districtsoulfood.com/contact/.  The drink menu will be up by middle of next week.

The restaurant will provide live entertainment two or three times a week – jazz, rhythm and blues, reggae, and soft rock.

Asked, “Why Barracks Row?” the owners give Roundtree credit; “He brought us all together.” Roundtree says that the five had talked about opening a restaurant and were looking for the perfect location – “I drove past here every day – when I showed it to the others, we decided the location was perfect.”

Craig Parkinson, CEO, said that the restaurant wants to embrace the community and be a good neighbor – and provide people in the neighborhood with a great experience every day.  He said he had been pleased at the collaboration the team experienced in interacting with other restaurants on Barracks Row – and happy to be with others in a team environment.

One immediate environmental improvement nearby neighbors will appreciate is the indoor storage of trash.  ANC6B has been a leader in leveraging renovations of restaurants in 6B’s commercial corridors to store trash in doors.

The restaurant will be open daily: Sunday – Wednesday: 10:00am-11:00pm, and Thursday – Saturday: 10:00am-2:00am.

The 300 block of 7th Street was open to traffic Saturday morning, circa 7:15am.

Saturday Flea Market Operator Will Fight Termination of Lease for 300 Block of 7^th Street

By Larry Janezich

Friday afternoon, Carol Wright, operator of the Saturday Capitol Hill Flea Market, responded to the Department of General Services’ (DGS) termination of her license to operate on 7^th Street.  Wright sent an email to Eastern Market Manager Barry Margeson, that she had “no intention, whatsoever, of giving up or terminating the license” for use of the 300 block of 7^th Street.

Wright’s email outlined her engagements with Margeson to provide for the “continued use of Seventh Street since October 1, 2018.”  The letter charges that termination of the license had not been brought up in conversations and meetings before it was suddenly announced last Thursday.

Wright’s letter said, “The public announcement that our market is terminated has already created community outcry.  Your announcement that DGS will be putting out an RFP [request for proposals for another operator] while we are still negotiating a change in terms and security upgrades for the 5th extension offered to us and without any notification to EMCAC, the ANC, Councilman Allen, and most importantly me, will be met with extreme protest by myself and others.”

“I will be requesting a meeting, regarding this matter, with Councilman Charles Allen, EMCAC chair Donna Scheeder,  ANC Chair Chander Jayaraman, and you  to stop the February 7th DGS plan for a RFP. As I previously answered your question the Capitol Hill Flea Market is ready for a March 2, 2019 set up on the 300 block of Seventh Street and should not be threatened by your announcements this week.”

As previously reported Wright has not yet signed a contract for the continued use of the block for the flea market.  The Saturday flea market has not set up on 7^th Street since the first week of December, not has it set up on C Street between 7^th and 8^th Streets so far this year.  January and February are the slowest months for all outside vendors connected with Eastern Market as weather makes setting up tents difficult and keeps foot traffic indoors.

PSA:  Election of Independent Community Representative to Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee

Press Release

EMCAC – Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee

Election of our INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE

The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) will be having an election by its members for the seat of Independent Community Representative.  This will be done during its scheduled meeting on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 7pm   in the North Hall at the Eastern Market.  According to our By Laws the election was announced, but rescheduled to assure further dissemination and notice to the community.

To qualify for election to a two year term the EMCAC Independent Community Representative is required to a resident of the local community.  Additionally, the individual so selected shall not be an officer, director or chair of any committee in any of the Capitol Hill Community Organizations represented on the Committee, or a sitting Commissioner of ANC 6B.  Election is by simple majority of the standing EMCAC members.

We ask that if you would like to put you name in nomination it is suggested that you submit your name and short resume by February 25th to EMCAC members at  cburger@cbmove.com.  Nominations will also be accepted from the floor the day of the election.

EMCAC is the District’s legislatively established body entrusted with advisory and oversight responsibilities for the operations, management and renovation of Eastern Market.  Current members include representatives from ANC6B, Capitol Hill Restoration Society, Capitol Hill Association of Merchants, Eastern Market Preservation and Development Corporation, Stanton Park Neighborhood Association, a community representative, Ward 6 Council Office, the Mayor and representatives from the South Hall, Farmer’s Line and non-food merchants at the Market.

We cordially invite the community to all of our meetings.  They are generally held on the last Wednesday of each month in the North Hall at Eastern Market at 7th SE & North Carolina SE.  Your comments or involvement in any of our committees is welcomed.  Please call for information or questions: Chuck Burger, Vice Chair at 202-258-5316 or email at cburger@cbmove.com.  Follow the market at www.easternmarket-dc.org.

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee, North Hall, Eastern Market, Wednesday night. Market Manager Barry Margeson, responding to a question from Union Meats’ Bill Glasgow, said the Saturday flea market operator had not renewed the license for vending on the 300 block of 7th Street. The announcement that DGS was terminating the license and issuing an RFP came on Thursday.

Saturday Flea Market Surrenders License to Operate on 300 Block of 7th Street

by Larry Janezich

Thursday afternoon, Barry Margeson, Eastern Market Manager, announced that the Department of General Services (DGS) license allowing the Saturday flea market to occupy the 300 block of 7th Street on Saturdays had expired on December 1, 2018 and “is terminated.” The message stated, “On February 7, 2019, DGS will advertise a Request for Proposals (RFP) for management of the 300 block of 7th Street on Saturdays.”

The Saturday and Sunday flea markets on the 300 block of 7th Street and on C Street between 7th and 8^th are operated by Carol Wright, and Mike Berman, respectively. Their licenses to operate on 7th Street expired on December 1 and the operators had the option of a signing up for a six month extension. Berman signed, Wright did not.

During December, Wright continued to operate on the (now privately owned by Hine developer Eastbanc) C Street under a three year contract with the developer.  Reportedly, Wright told EastBanc she would not operate on C Street during January and February (the two slowest business months) but would return in March.

DGS’s action means Wright’s Saturday flea market could return to C Street in March, but not to 7^th Street.

CHC reached out to Wright for reaction; her reply was, “No comment at this time.”

Sunday flea market operator Mike Berman – whose market will continue on 7^th and on C Streets on Sundays, said he was offended that DGS did not give him the right of first refusal to help them maintain a closed street on Saturday: “Instead of asking us to secure it, they put it out to bid.  It does harm to have the street unoccupied – no one wants the street open to traffic –an empty street means fewer shoppers for Eastern Market as well as retail.”

No details regarding the RFP are available, so what it might contain regarding the term of a license, the fee requirement, and what criteria must be met, are unknown. It seems unlikely a selection of a new vendor could happen before June.  It’s possible the RFP could open the street for proposals other than flea markets.  If DGS found none of the responses to the RFP qualified, that might be just fine with the brick and mortar retail on 7^th Street as well as the new retail coming in to the ground floor of the Hine project and the Eastern Market South Hall merchants.

The city has allocated funding for a strategic plan study regarding the future of Eastern Market and the surrounding retail spaces, including 7^th and C Streets, which is still in its early stages.

CHC asked Eastern Market Advisory Committee Chair Donna Scheeder for her reaction to DGS’s plan to issue an RFP for the 300 block of 7th Street.  Scheeder said that she was speaking for herself, since EMCAC had not considered the DGS announcement:

“I was surprised that we went overnight from options under discussion at DGS to a decision today.

EMCAC has taken a position that we support the block being occupied by flea market activity until the strategic business plan addresses this.

This action is in keeping with this position. However, EMCAC is also charged to review the RFPs that deal with market activities in the Eastern Market Special Use District so I have written to Barry Margeson to demand that we review the RFP before it is promulgated.”

The current Saturday and Sunday flea market managers have been operating the flea markets for about 15 years – first on the Hine schoolyard and then – with the beginning of the construction of Hine – on 7^th Street.  While the community seems overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the street closed, some in the business community believe it’s problematic to continue the flea market on 7^th Street in its present form.

ANC6D elected new officers at the end of last night’s meeting: L-R Ron Collins, Treasurer; Rhonda Hamilton, Secretary; Andy Litsky, Vice Chair; Gail Fast, Chair; Commissioners Edward Daniels, Anthony Dale, and Anna Forgie.

ANC6D Recommends Approval of Waterfront Station – Amidon PTA Pushes Back on Charter School

by Larry Janezich

Last night ANC6D recommended to the Zoning Commission that the Planned Unit Development (PUD) application by developer PN Hoffman for Waterfront Station at 1000 4th Street, SW, be approved.  The ANC recently concluded negotiations with the developer for a package of community benefits under the PUD process, to compensate the community for the project’s density, mass, and height, which would otherwise run afoul of city zoning regulations.

Two of the community benefits eagerly sought by 6D were the inclusion in the ground floor retail of a diner and an experimental performance space (a black box theater).  To that end, the developers pledged to reserve 1200 square feet for a diner and 9000 square feet for a theater for five years – beginning now, with the effort to market those spaces for those purposes.  If unsuccessful, the spaces could be used for other purposes after that time.

Concerns were raised from the community regarding the recently announced decision by Hoffman to lease space to the AppleTree Pre-K charter school currently operating out of space on the grounds of Jefferson School.  Representatives of the PTA from Amidon Bowen Elementary School voiced worries that the charter would set kids on a path that would draw students and funding away from Amidon.

6D Chair Andy Litsky expressed surprise the commission had not heard of the inclusion of the charter school before.  PN Hoffman said that there had never been an intention to include an educational component, but AppleTree had approached the developer seeking to lease space.  Commissioner Anthony Dale moved to make ANC6D’s recommendation contingent on Hoffman meeting Amidon Bowen reps within 10 days of the scheduled January 31st Zoning Commission hearing on the PUD, and the developer’s agreement with the school within 30 days after January 31 that addresses the school’s  concerns.

The vote on the motion to recommend approval of the PUD was unanimous, 7 – 0.

The mixed use joint development is the result of a partnership between the city and the developer.  Construction is expected to begin early next year with the goal of completion by the fall of 2022.  The 11 story building will provide 456 residential units (134 affordable,) 11,400 square feet of retail, and 233 below grade parking spaces.  UrbanTurf has a lot of renderings here:  https://bit.ly/2FW4T9Z

In other business, the ANC elected new officers for 2019 and 2020:  Gail Fast will serve as Chair; Andy Litsky, Vice Chair; Rhonda Hamilton, Secretary; and Ron Collins, Treasurer.

Kabob & More started sharing space with Pizzaiole a couple of weeks ago (the operations are separate). The sign pictured above arrives this week. Unpretentious, it’s reported to be good value for the money. It opens daily at 11:00am until 12:30am Sunday – Thursday, and until 2:30am on Friday and Saturday.  Dine in or carry out – but no alcohol.  The restaurant is a couple of doors away from Hype Cafe, which opened last year.  

Here’s a look at the menu – click to enlarge. 

The Week Ahead…and Kabob & More at 1123 Pennsylvania Avenue

By Larry Janezich

Monday, January 21

Martin’s Luther King’s Birthday celebrated.  DC Government closed.  DPW will not pick up trash or enforce metered or residential parking.

Wednesday, January 23

ANC6D meets at 7:00pm, 1100 4th Street, SW

Among items on the draft agenda:

Introduction of DC Nightlife Mayor Shawn Townsend

Public Safety Report- First District MPD (PSA 103, PSA 105 & PSA 106) Capt. Mongal, Capt. Dorrough, Lt. Lavenhouse.

Presentations:

Amidon Field Environmental Restoration Project – Cecelia Lane, DOEE

 FreshFarm Markets Letter of Support – Carrie Hildebrandt

Walters (address not listed by ANC) – new Tavern liquor license w/Entertainment endorsement plus Sidewalk Cafe & Summer Garden.

Waterfront Station/1000 4th Street SW PUD – Zoning Commission Application.

555 E Street project update (multifamily apartment development with 195 units – 58 affordable for seniors – a boutique hotel, and 10,000 square feet of innovative retail space).

950 South Capitol Street Public Space Construction Permit Application.  Residential building with active residential amenity space and approximately 300 units.

DDOT Notice of Intent re “No Turn On Red” signs.

Letter to DDOT and WMATA RE Public Comment Period Regarding Parking Space Removal for Buses.

Election of 2019 Commission Officers.

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00pm, North Hall, Eastern Market, 225 7th Street, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Announcement:  Eastern Market Metro Plaza Advisory Committee Meeting January 29, 2019, 9AM, Hill Center. Advisory Committee meetings are now open to the public.  Public meetings are scheduled for February 6 and April 3rd, 7 PM. North Hall at Eastern Market.

Independent Community Member election : Chuck Burger, Chair, Elections and Credentials.

Market Managers Report

Status of the HVAC study

Lease update

Parking

Thursday, January 24

ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee holds Special Meeting with DDOT at 7:00 p.m. at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second St. N.E. (2nd & G Streets N.E.

On the agenda:

K Street, NE Road Diet (reducing and narrowing the number of lanes to increase traffic flow)