CAPITOL HILL CORNER

The Fridge has a new public face.  “NSF” is the tag* of the NSF crew – a team of graffiti artists that Fridge proprietor Alex Goldstein (pictured) credits with tagging 1 million walls and 100,000 illegal graffiti.  NSF?  – various meaning have been ascribed, i.e., “Not Strictly Freights” and “Never Show Faces.”  Goldstein’s translation:  “Non Stop Fun.” (click to enlarge)
*”Tag; a personal signature, usually vandalism with spray-paint, but can be any graffitti.  Tag’s can take seconds, or can use multiple colors. Two color tags are usually throw ups, may consist of block or bubble lettering.  “Bombs” are usually tri color while pieces are always of the up most complexity – very large, good use of colors, where they will seem to blend together, or bleed, and burn.”  Urban Dictionary.

The Week Ahead….and New Paint on The Fridge

by Larry Janezich

Monday, August 27

RFK Stadium Community Meeting – EventsDC is hosting a quarterly meeting with RFK Stadium stakeholders on August 27th. The meeting will be at 7pm, at RFK, in the Media room on the 4th floor. The entrance is via Lot 5, Gate A.

Tuesday, August 28

ANC6B’s Executive Committee will meet at 7:00pm in Hill Center to set the agenda for the full ANC6B meeting on September 11.

Thursday, August 30

ANC6B’s Hilleast Taskforce meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta, 1900 Independence Avenue, SE, to discuss Reservation 13.  DDOT, DGS, DMPED, and DOEE have been invited to participate.

Eastern Market Main Street Chair Manuel Cortes and Johnetta Jordan, Director of Resident Services for the Residences at Eastern Market, at Wednesday night’s open house for Eastern Market Main Street.

Madeleine Odendahl, Executive Director, Eastern Market Main Street

Hine Project News – 250 Samsung Employees Coming This Fall

By Larry Janezich

Eastern Market Main Street’s (EMMS) Board of Directors hosted an open house Wednesday night at Joselito Casa de Comidas – the traditional Spanish restaurant at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Chair Manuel Cortes said that the board had opted for a happy hour instead of a board meeting to allow organization members to interact with directors and each other.

During the mix and mingle, EMMS Executive Director Madeleine Odendahl told Capitol Hill Corner that up to 250 Samsung employees could be working out of the Hine project by Thanksgiving.  She expects local restaurants will see a boost in lunch sales from the increase foot traffic.  Samsung announced in July they would relocate their public affairs office and demonstration center to the 700 Pennsylvania Avenue location by late 2018.  The demonstration center is where Samsung will show off their latest technology to potential government customers.  Samsung will occupy 28,000 plus square feet – an entire floor of the office building.  The move does not anticipate a retail outlet.

In other news about the Hine project, Johnetta Jordan, Director of Resident Services for the Hine project, says that 60% of the 128 residential units are occupied.

Eastern Market Main Street is a micro-chamber of commerce for the commercial corridors around Eastern Market.  Its goal is to promote, retain, and attract diverse, small businesses.  The officers of the Board of Directors include: Manuel Cortes, Chair; Mary Quillian Helms, Vice Chair; Terry McDonald, Treasurer; and Lona Valmoro, Secretary.

Ward 6 ANC and Single Member District Boundaries (click to enlarge)

Here’s an Early Look at How Capitol Hill ANC Races Are Shaping Up

By Larry Janezich

An ANC is a non-partisan, neighborhood body made up of locally elected representatives called Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners who serve two-year terms without pay.  Commissioners are elected from Single Member Districts of about 2,000 people.  Ward Six has 5 ANCs with different numbers of Single Member Districts.

The ANCs’ main job is to be their neighborhood’s official voice in advising the District government (and Federal agencies) on things that affect their neighborhoods.   Although they are not required to follow the ANCs’ advice, District agencies are required to give the ANCs’ recommendations “great weight.”

District law says that agencies cannot take any action that will significantly affect a neighborhood unless they give the affected ANCs 30 days advance notice.  This includes zoning, streets, recreation, education, social services, sanitation, planning, safety, budget, and health services.

Candidates for ANC Commissioner have until 5:00pm on Wednesday, August 8, to file a petition of 25 signatures with the DC Board of Elections in order to get on the ballot for the November 6 General Election.

Here’s a look one week out at which incumbents in the four Capitol Hill ANCs are not seeking re-election, and which incumbents who are running have attracted potential challengers.

ANC6A (click to enlarge)

ANC6A

6A03:  Incumbent Mike Soderman is being challenged by Raman Taheri.

6A05:  Incumbent Patrick Malone has not picked up a petition and does not appear to be seeking re-election.  Two candidates for the seat have taken out petitions – Alan Chargin and Ruth Ann Hudson.

6A08:  Incumbent Calvin Ward is not seeking re-election.  Brian Alcorn has taken out a petition.

ANC6B

ANC6B

6B03:   Incumbent James Loots is not seeking re-election.  Brian Ready has filed a petition with the Elections Board.

6B05:  Incumbent Steve Hagedorn has not picked up a petition and does not appear to be seeking re-election.  Taylor Kuether has taken out a petition.

6B06:  Incumbent Nick Burger is not seeking re-election.  Cory Holman has taken out a petition.

6B09:  Update:  Incumbent Dan Ridge has not picked up a petition and does not appear to be seeking re-election.  Dan Ridge has taken out a petition.  No one else has taken out a petition.  Kasie Clark has taken out a petition.

ANC6C

ANC6C

6C03:  Incumbent Scott Price is not seeking re-election.  Jay Adelstein has filed a petition with the Elections Board.

6CC05:  Incumbent Chris Miller has resigned and is relocating.  Chad Ernst has taken out a petition.

6C06:  Incumbent Heather Edelman has attracted two challengers – Robb Dooling and Jason Starr.

ANC6D

ANC6D

6D01:  Incumbent Gail Fast is being challenged by Clayton Rosenberg.

6D02:   Incumbent Cara Shockley is being challenged by Sutton Roach.

6D04:  Incumbent Andy Litsky is being challenged by Haley Ashcom.

6D05:  Incumbent Roger Moffatt is being challenged by Anthony Dale.

6D07:  Incumbent Meredith Fascett is not seeking re-election.  Four candidates have taken out petitions – Edward Daniels, Dr. Letty Maxwell, Sean Murphy, Brant Miller

MPD First District Commander Morgan Kane addresses PSA 106 last night. Officials standing to the right are DC Housing Authority Police Lt. Bentley and MPD Lt. Crystal Beslow.

Cops Reassure Residents on Shootings at Capitol Quarter Community Center

by Larry Janezich

At a regularly scheduled Police Service Area 106 community meeting last night, MPD First District Commander Morgan Kane reassured the 40 plus residents that she doesn’t think it’s the case that residents are in danger or have to be concerned about the drive by shooting outside the Capitol Quarter Community Center at 3:20am on Saturday morning.   The meeting was held in the building at 5th and L Streets, SE, outside of which, the shootings occurred.

Kane provide a few new details – it turns out the shooting was outside the Community Center itself  rather than across the street from it, as was initially reported by MPD.

There were two victims – one had been shot in the stomach and the other in the foot; both were hospitalized.  Neither is cooperating with police.  Kane said that “officers were here immediately and recovered two guns.”  She said it was not certain that some of those involved were residents of the community – “because someone has an address in the community doesn’t necessarily mean they live here.”  MPD has reviewed video from Community Center security cameras, and Kane said detectives were working the case “around the clock.”

Residents say that hanging out on Community Center property and elsewhere in the neighborhood is an ongoing problem.  One resident said, “People hang out and smoke and drink all night long and nobody pays attention.  What’s the plan was for moving forward?”

Kane’s message: Don’t be reluctant to call 911.  She cited the “delicate balance” between enforcing against criminal behavior and intervening when people are not doing anything wrong.  Being on Community Center property after 8:00pm is a violation and enforceable.  Kane said, “If you see a problem night after night – if you know something we don’t – you need to tell us.  We will increase patrols and coordinate with DCHA Police.  If people are standing on the corner drinking and smoking weed we need to come for it.”

When a resident said that the line is unclear when we should call 911.  Lt. Crystal Beslow responded, “Call and let us figure it out. “

Kane said that she was passionate about keeping residents safe and getting guns off the street, and that MPD has to do a better job of heading off these incidents before they happen by engaging all members of the community – “those doing right, those on the line, and those across the line.”

The Community Center is currently being administered by the DC Housing Authority.  See CHC article here:  https://bit.ly/2Lmoxjm  Naomi Mitchell, CM Charles Allen’s community liaison representative, noted that plans are underway to transfer the Community Center from DCHA to DC Department of Recreation by year’s end.  She said that the community will have an opportunity for input on the Center’s role going forward, and that the community needs to be involved from day one.

ANC6D07 Commissioner Meredith Fascett, in whose single member district the Center lies, told Capitol Hill Corner after the meeting, “The candid conversation that Commander Kane led tonight makes our community stronger.  I am very grateful for the tremendous efforts of MPD’s First District team and the unwavering commitment of community members to ensure that our neighborhood is a place where everyone can feel safe and thrive.”

Capitol Quarter Community Center at 5th and L, SW.  Saturday morning’s shootings took place across the street.

The Week Ahead…MPD To Meet With Residents on Shootings in Nearby SE Saturday Morning

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, July 24

PSA 106 meets at 7:00pm, Capitol Quarter Community Center, 1000 5th Street, SE.  The shootings which occurred across the street early Saturday morning (see below) will be discussed. 

Saturday morning, MPD First District Lieutenant Joseph Stimmell, messaged to the MPD First District listserv:

‘At approximately 0320 hours unknown number of suspect(s) approached the victims that were in front of 1005 5th Street SE in dark colored vehicle.  The suspect(s) opened fire on the victims wounding both of them.  One victim was shot multiple times and transported to the hospital, the other victim was shot in the leg and transported to the hospital.

The suspect(s) and suspect vehicle fled in an unknown direction.  It is unsure how many individuals were in front of 1005 5th Street SE.  Two weapons were  recovered in front of the recreation center, also multiple shell casings found on the scene and there are rifles casings among the shell casings.’

Commander Kane, MPD 1D, will attend the meeting.

Wednesday, July 25

The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market. 

Among the items on the draft agenda:

Election of Board Members at the September meeting

Parking report update

Status of Lease Discussions

NOTICE:

For residents considering a run for ANC Commissioner, petitions are available at the DC Board of Elections Office.  Candidates must submit a petition of at least 25 signatures of registered voters in their single member district by Wednesday, August 8, at 5:00pm.   See the following link for more information.  https://dcboe.org/Candidates/Candidate-Guide-to-Ballot-Access

Batalá Washington is one of the more than 30 Batalá percussion ensembles that make up the international organization Mundo Batalá. It is one of two all female bands. According to its website, Batalá Washington seeks to empower women through drumming and expose people to Brazil’s Afro-Bahian culture and Samba Reggae music.

Batalá All Female Drum Band Performs Last Night at Library of Congress:  Video

by Larry Janezich

Last night Batalá DC performed on the North Lawn of the Library of Congress.  The performance was the first in the partnership of Washington Performing Arts with the Library of Congress which will continue on Thursday nights through August 16 in conjunction with the LOC Summer Movies on the Lawn series which showcases iconic films from the Library’s National Film Registry.  There will be no film associated with the concert on August 23 by DuPont Brass and VeVe & Tha Rebels.  Concerts start at 7:00pm followed by the film at sundown.

Tickets for the concert are available, but not required.  See here for information on the artists and registration.  http://www.washingtonperformingarts.org/calendar/view.aspx?id=3910

Tickets for the screenings are available, but not required, on a first-come, first-served basis.  See here:  https://etloc.eventbrite.com

The schedule for the remainder of the performances is as follows:

July 26:  Chelsey Green followed by “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” (1994 National Film Registry)

August 2:  Cheick Hamala Diabate  followed by “Back to the Future” (2007 National Film Registry)

August 9:  Trifilio Tango Trio   “Superman” (1978) (2017 National Film Registry)

August 16:  Sarah Marie Hughes & Coy Fish followed by “The Wizard of Oz”(1989 National Film Registry)

August 23:  DuPont Brass and VeVe & Tha Rebels (No film on this date)

Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names to the National Film Registry 25 motion pictures that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant, showcasing the range and diversity of America’s film heritage to encourage support for its preservation. The films must be at least 10 years old. The Librarian makes the annual registry selections after conferring with members of the National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) and a cadre of Library specialists. Thousands of public nominations are also considered.

Kingman Park Historic District came into being June 24.

ANC6B Says Historic District Designation Process Does Not Serve District Residents

by Larry Janezich

ANC6B has put CM Charles Allen, Mayor Bowser, and the Historic Preservation Board on notice that it believes that the process for designating new historic districts “is not working to serve District residents” and wants the city to review it before any more historic districts are approved.  In addition, the ANC specifically wants clarification of both the ANC’s role and the role of community support or lack thereof in the process.

The charge, detailed in a letter authored by 6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Nick Burger and passed by 5 – 1 vote of the commission, was sparked by the Historic Preservation Board’s (HPRB) recent designation of the Kingman Park Historic District, apparently over the opposition of a majority of the residents, as well as a recent series of inconsistencies in HPRB actions in ANC6B’s jurisdiction.   A case in point regarding the latter was HPRB’s failure to refer a historic preservation application to the ANC after the historic preservations staff made substantive changes to the application and referred it directly to the HPRB for approval.  In addition, the letter cited deficiencies in HPRB’s notification process and ambiguity regarding criteria for adjudicating historic preservations cases.

Regarding the Kingman Park Historic District, City Paper recently reported (https://bit.ly/2Lgwt1p) the DC’s Historic Preservation Office opinion on the changing national climate about what constitutes eligibility for historic designation – broadening the definition of beyond those neighborhoods with unique and historic architecture, to include consideration of the value and meaning that the diversity of minority communities bring to the city.

In accordance with a change in thinking, a long-standing civic group (the Kingman Park Civic Association) filed an application for the Historic District directly with the Office of Historic Preservation (HPRB’s administrative arm), by passing the local ANC, the usual route to historic district designation.  The move was controversial; in general (according to press reports) older residents of the historic black community preferred historic designation while newer residents were wary of the accompanying restrictions which would prevent them from expanding homes to accommodate growing families.

As the controversy played out – apparently without substantial outreach and notification to the community – HPRB appeared to put the onus for community engagement on the ANC7D – home to most of the proposed historic district – rather than on the sponsoring civic association which is customary.  The Friends of Kingman Park civic association, formed to oppose the historic designation, conducted a survey and claimed that 72 % of respondents in Kingman Park opposed a historic district.  Despite the lack of evidence of the support of a majority of residents, HPRB approved the application and Kingman Park Historic District came into being on June 24, though smaller than what the applicants had wanted.  It is noteworthy that HPRB is not required to take community opinion into consideration.

According to ANC7B Commissioner Bob Coomber, “We (ANC7B) heard the applicants twice, but the applicants mostly made ad hominem attacks against me and the Chair, so we didn’t have enough information to vote either time.”  ANC6A, on the other hand, claiming status since two blocks of proposed historic district was in their jurisdiction, voted to oppose the Kingman Park Historic District based on limited communication and outreach and lack of transparency in the process.

Beth Purcell, who is active in historic preservation on Capitol Hill, when asked to comment on the ANC6B’s letter, says that when people come to the Capitol Hill Restoration Society seeking information on establishing a historic district, she urges them to consult their ANC commissioner immediately and get the ANC to sponsor it.  She suggested the letter could have been improved by making a case for adding conservation districts as “another tool in the tool box.”  Purcell said she is not aware of any current plans for expansion of the Capitol Hill Historic District in ANC6B.

An attempt to establish the Barney Circle Historic District in Hill East in 2010-2011 foundered, after it failed to get the endorsement of ANC6B.

Capitol Hill Corner asked ANC6B chair Dan Ridge, who voted for the letter, to comment.  Ridge said that “the Capitol Hill Historic District is a failure at a number of things,” noting it has done nothing to restore the street car routes that made neighborhoods practical for downtown workers and nothing to support the small merchants that make a historic neighborhood work.  He says it has also failed by using the force of law to preserve architectural features that enable passive cooling and heating while doing nothing to incentivize using those features, and nothing to prevent people from filling open courts in the rear that bring in fresh air and daylight to interior rooms.

Ridge asked, “Is Barney Circle (or Kingman Park, or anywhere else in the city) facing the same existential threats that prompted the creation of the Capitol Hill Historic District? No.  Are there residents in these neighborhoods interested in conserving particular qualities of their neighborhood (like architectural forms, air, light, privacy, densities, flora, subsidized auto storage in public space, property values)? Yes.”

Ridge said that there are tools other than a historic district that could be used, citing for example, that the city could move quickly to take remedial action in Barney Circle by paying or eliminating the costs for those who wish create conservation covenants and easements.  “I signed the petition (supporting Barney Circle Historic District) last time,” he said – “I am older, wiser, and kinder now. Who could say whether I would sign another one?”

For the full text of ANC6B’s letter, visit the “Library” on Capitol Hill Corner’s homepage.

The Week Ahead…and a Look Back

By Larry Janezich

A Look Back….

ANC6D met last Monday. A DC Housing Authority rep briefed the Commission and residents on progress on redevelopment of the Arthur Capper and Greenleaf mixed use developments and got hammered with questions regarding lack of outreach, possible displacement of residents, and current poor living conditions in DC Housing Authority public housing.

On Tuesday, ANC6B voted to send a letter to city officials asking for a review of the historic district designation process.

ANC6C met Wednesday. It was Commissioner Chris Miller’s last meeting (second from right), since he is relocating. And residents challenged Pepco (see below) over possible dangers of electromagnetic fields associated with the construction of a new Pepco Mt Vernon substation at New Jersey and K Streets, NW.

Concerned residents engage Dr. William Bailey (at left), whose company was hired by Pepco to reassure the public regarding the safety of the Pepco upgrades. Most of those to the left in the photo are Pepco reps.  This isn’t Bailey’s first rodeo.

Here’s a map showing where the Mt. Vernon Substation will go.

On Thursday, ANC6A heard a presentation on Eliot-Hine Middle School Modernization from Oni Hinton and Meg Davis, DCPS (see illustration below), and then heard from ABRA’s Sara Fashbaugh (pictured standing) who urged residents to call ABRA’s inspections office at 202 329 6347 for any issues regarding establishments serving alcohol.

Here’s what Eliot Hine will look like at 1830 Constitution Avenue, NW. Construction starts summer 2018. Completion date: summer 2020.

The Week Ahead….It’s a slow week.  ANCs are already looking toward the August recess.  Meetings resume in September.  

Monday, July 16

ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Will NOT meet in July. Next meeting: 3rd Monday, August 20, 7:00pm, Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, NE.

Tuesday, July 17

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee will NOT meet in July.   The next meeting is scheduled for August 21, 2018 at 7pm.

Agenda not available at press time. 

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society Board of Directors meets at 6:30pm, Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6th Street, SE. 

Agenda not available at press time.  

Wednesday, July 18

ANC6A’s Economic Development and Zoning Committee will NOT meet in July.  Next meeting: Wednesday, August 22, 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, Corner of 10th and G Sts. NE

Thursday, July 19

Sector 2 (PSAs 104, 107, 108) Community Meeting, 7:00pm, J.O.Wilson Elementary School, 660 K Street, NE.

NOTICE:

For residents considering a run for ANC Commissioner, petitions are available at the DC Board of Elections Office.  Candidates must submit a petition of at least 25 signatures of registered voters in their single member district by Wednesday, August 8, at 5:00pm.   See the following link for more information.  https://dcboe.org/Candidates/Candidate-Guide-to-Ballot-Access

Friday night’s meeting of the Hill East Task Force. L-R: Commissioner Dan Ridge, Celeset Duffie (DPW) , Johnny Gaither (DPW), Hill East resident, Task Force Chair Denise Krepp, and former Commissioner Francis Campbell.

DPW Claims on Hill East Parking Enforcement Raises Questions

by Larry Janezich

Friday night, ANC6B Hill East Task Force, Chaired by Commissioner Denise Krepp, met to hear DPW officials respond to resident concerns about lack of parking enforcement in Hill East.  Residents say illegal parking is not being addressed either on a day to day basis or on days when events occur at RFK Stadium.

Former ANC Commissioner Francis Campbell was particularly vehement in asserting that there is a lack of parking enforcement in Hill East, saying, “I don’t see them. They have no visibility.  Why are vans and construction vehicles sitting for hours without ticketing? After 6pm I don’t see inspectors.  Enforcement does not happen.”

Johnny Gaither, Deputy Administrator, Department of Public Works Parking Enforcement Management Administration, told the Task Force that his agency deploys two squads of three to four officers each, in two shifts to cover Hill East six days a week, from 6:30am until 10:00pm.  He defined Hill East as the area between 14th and 19^th Streets and East Capitol and D Streets, SE.  (DPW does not enforce parking restrictions on Sunday – DOT and MPD provide limited enforcement.)

But DPW Director Chris Shorter was quoted last week in the Hill Rag https://bit.ly/2u2oP4c  as follows:  “We have issued 1,246 citations and 120 ROSA [Registration of Out-of-State Automobiles] warnings starting from 01/01/2018 through present in the Hill East area.”  This would mean that fewer than ten parking citations per day – total – were issued per day by the 6 to 8 enforcement officers covering Hill East area.

A follow-up inquiry to DPW elicited this response:  the 1,246 figure actually represents the number of citations issued between January 1, 2018 and June 14, 2018 in the area defined in the attached map – a different area that the one cited by Gaither.  The map does not represent the full Hill East neighborhood but focuses on the areas adjacent to RFK and the Armory.

The Hill East area covered by the 2 enforcement teams per day, six days a week cited by Gaither remains unclear, as does the number of citations issued in that presumably larger area.

Gaither told the Task Force that there are 220 parking enforcement officers in the city and the number of officers on a squad varies based on absenteeism, but “there could be three – four – five squads in any ward at one time”.  (Parking restriction signage is not equal by ward, meaning some wards would have fewer teams than others.)

DPW’s responses to a list of questions Krepp had asked them to be prepared to answer are as follows:

What is the day-to-day break down of the 1246 parking enforcement citations?  DPW said their General Counsel advised Mr. Gaither not to answer the question and instead ask ANC6B to FOIA the information.  (The Task Force voted to send a letter to the Director, citing the Task Force status as a city agency.)

How many DPW inspectors are assigned to Hill East on days when Events DC is sponsoring events at the RFK?  The numbers do not change and DPW does not staff up for the events.

How many of the 1246 citation were paid?  DPW does not have that information.  (The city collects around $70 million a year in fees for parking violations overseen by DMV.)

Does DPW track on a year by year basis the number of traffic citations issued?  They do and the information is available on the DPW website.  (See below for sample)

What is the city’s policy of parking enforcement on Sundays?  DPW doesn’t enforce parking on Sundays.  (DOT and MPD provide limited enforcement.)

Several years ago, DPW agreed to provide extra parking enforcement inspectors for Events DC sponsored events with greater than 10,000 attendees. Is that agreement still in place?  No such agreement in effect. 

The Hill East Task Force discussed the idea of ANC6B entering into an agreement with Events DC and DPW for additional parking officers to be deployed for Events DC-sponsored events greater than 10,000.  Commissioner Ridge will follow up with the Office of the ANC about the idea.  Events DC and DPW agreed to raise the idea with their leadership.

In addition to Gaither, others attending the meeting included Celeste Duffie from DPW, and Jennifer Lawrence and Villareal representing Events DC – the frequent sponsor of events which occur at RFK.

*Below is a sample of data from the DPW website illustrating the categories with the highest number of recent parking citations: