CAPITOL HILL CORNER

City Advances Hill East Boys and Girls Club Redevelopment – RFP to be Released in April

by Larry Janezich

Last night, about 25 Hill East residents turned out to continue the engagement with the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) regarding development of the former Boys and Girls Club in Hill East.  The meeting was a follow up to the January 28 meeting where residents expressed their preferences regarding the development of the site.

Project Manager Dion Townley recapped the results of the January meeting, listing possible uses of the site and the community’s expressed priorities regarding housing and public space and sustainability.  The building is not historic, nor is it in the Historic District, and could be demolished.

Attendees were given one green sticker and two yellow stickers to further refine their priorities.  The instructions were to place the green sticker – indicating “must have” on a list of priorities and a yellow sticker to indicate “would like to have”.

The results are reflected on the accompanying images above.  Most residents indicated they must have a mixed use project and would like it to exceed green building requirements.

Mixed use means mostly residential plus neighborhood services such as community space, day care, senior care, and a corner store.  The last would require a waiver of existing regulations by the Zoning Commission.

Under DC regulations, a minimum of 30% of housing for the site must be affordable.  If the units are rentals, 25% of the affordable housing would be for households at or below 30 % AMI* and 75% for households 31 – 50% AMI.  If condos, 50% of the affordable must be for households at or below 50% AMI and 50% at 51 – 80% of AMI. *(AMI is Area Media Income – for more on that, see here:  http://bit.ly/1Vb36is)

DMPED will consider all feedback and priorities and release a Request for Proposals (RFP) in April.  A pre-response information session for developers interested in the site will precede the receipt of proposals.  After proposals are received, responsive developers will present them to the community and neighbors will have an opportunity to engage them.  ANC6B will weigh in on behalf of the community regarding a recommendation, and under city regulations, their opinion will be given “great weight”.

A previous attempt to develop the site under the auspices of the Department of General Services (DGS) foundered, largely because a 25 year lease restrictions precluded the possibility of private financing and limited the number of proposals.  Councilmember Charles Allen was instrumental in kick-starting the project, now under the management of DMPED.  Under this agency, the lease could be up to 99 years.

Capitol Hill Corner’s coverage of the January 28 meeting is here: http://bit.ly/2k8V9Ms

The RFP meeting last night was preceded by a Surplus Hearing on the site.  Re-purposing of the site requires that the city declare it surplus.  Three attendees spoke in favor of declaring the site surplus:  ANC Commissioner Dan Ridge, Hill East resident Rochelle Winter, and former ANC6B Commissioner Francis Campbell.  Ridge noted that “It is impossible to certify that the city doesn’t need the building, because the city never needed the building.”

Full disclosure:  Capitol Hill Corner expressed its preference for a mixed use building, with an opportunity for home ownership and multi-generational housing.

Developer Hopes to Start on Res 13 in 3^rd Quarter 2017 – also – RFK Road Plan Riles Residents

by Larry Janezich

Last night, Donatelli Vice President Larry W. Clark said that the developer hopes to begin construction on Donatelli/Blue Skye’s mixed use development on Reservation 13 in the third quarter of 2017.  Clark presented a development timeline at a Hill East community meeting organized by ANC6B Commissioner Denise Krepp to update the community on plans for Reservation 13 and the RFK Stadium.

Last December, Donatelli/Blue Sky asked and received from the city council, a one year extension of their building permit application, while DC Department of Transportation reviews the project’s infrastructure plan.  Clark estimates DOT will sign off in June, allowing the permitting process to go forward and construction to begin in the third quarter.

The project envisions 353 residential rental units, 30% of which will be affordable, and 20,000 plus square feet of retail.  The latter would allow for up to ten ground level retail spaces in two buildings, with the possibility of expansion into some 8,000 square feet below grade for a retailer with additional space needs. The rental units – both market and affordable – will range from studio to three bedroom units.

In answer to a question, Clark said the developer had looked at LITHC financing for the affordable housing portion, but that the agency has a lot of regulations, and financing through other agencies could be easier.

Asked for his reaction, ANC6B Commissioner Daniel Ridge told CHC, “My takeaway is that Donatelli/Blue Sky’s financing seemed less than certain, a sense I got from their answer to the LIHTC question and from what we heard recently about the postponed M Street development. If that project is soft, it could stall the site for another 10 years.”  Last week, CHC posted on the difficulty Cohen Seigel Investors are having in finding financing for their proposed 673 unit project at 1333 M Street, SE, see here:   http://bit.ly/2kTQKxy

As previously reported, EventsDC’s vision is to turn RFK into a five component development comprised of three multi-purpose recreation fields, a 47,000 square foot market hall, a 350,000 square foot sports and recreation complex, three pedestrian bridges connecting the main site to Kingman and Heritage Islands, and a memorial to Robert F. Kennedy.

Much of last night’s meeting was devoted to community reaction to EventsDC’s infrastructure plan for the RFK Stadium site.  What riled the community was part of the transportation plan to facilitate access to the new complex.  The preliminary plan calls for for a road connecting Benning Road to Barney Circle, which Commissioners and residents fear will funnel Maryland commuter traffic through their neighborhoods.  Krepp declared a preemptive “No” to the proposal, and promised residents future meetings with Events DC on the matter.

Krepp told CHC, “I’m very concerned about EventsDC’s transportation plan. They made it very clear that the design is for commuters not residents.  It moves cars, not people. ”

Ridge said, “Residents should accept an EventsDC role in the future of the Hill East Waterfront as neither natural, nor automatic, nor inevitable.  What I heard from EventsDC about a road from Benning to Barney Circle was preposterous. So preposterous and so poorly defended that it nearly overshadowed the question of why we were talking to EventsDC about it at all.”

Mayor Bowser Headlines Protest Rally at Rayburn House Office Building #HandsOffDC

CM Allen Moves to Organize the Opposition to Federal Control of the District

by Larry Janezich

About 400 protesters gathered in tonight’s early evening in the park behind the Rayburn Office Building to send a message to the U.S. Congress and to Representative Jason Chaffetz in particular that – in Bowser’s words – “the best thing the federal government can do for us is leave us alone.”

Several Councilmembers spoke to the protesters including Councilmembers Allen, Todd, Silverman, Nadeau, and Cheh.

Bowser urged the crowd to “Stand up, speak up, and fight back….”

The rally preceded an organizing meeting hosted by Councilmember Charles Allen at H Street’s Atlas Theater, to connect neighbors, increase awareness and participation, and turn energy into activism.  To that end, after a panel discussion and Q&A, the over-capacity crowd broke up into individual action groups to discuss ways of moving forward.  The working groups – which spilled over into nearby H Street restaurants – included:

Congressional Lobby Working Group

Protests, Rallies, Youth Working Group

Phone Banking Working Group

CHAW Sign Making Workshop

Visibility and Media Working Group

Written Advocacy Working Group

Monday: 5 PM Capitol Hill Rally Opposing Congress’ Oversight of DC – Sponsored by DC Councilmembers

Councilmembers Allen, Grosso, Nadeau, and Gray will participate in a rally to tell Rep. Chaffetz and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to keep their #HandsOffDC.  5:00pm at Lower D Park on the South Side of the Rayburn House Office Building, South Capitol Street and C Street, SW.  Protestors will then continue on to the #HandsOffDC organizing meeting at the Atlas Performing Arts Center at 1333 H Street NE at 6:30 pm, sponsored by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen.

The Week Ahead….Community Meetings on Res 13/RFK & Boys and Girls Club Redevelopment

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 13

1. Rally to tell Rep. Chaffetz and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to keep their #HandsOffDC as they vote to override the will of D.C. residents. 5 pm at Lower D Park [Spirit of Justice Park on Google Maps] near South Capitol Street and C Street, SW, and then continue on to the #HandsOffDC organizing meeting at the Atlas Performing Arts Center at 1333 H Street NE at 6:30 p.m.

2. ANC6D meets at 7:00pm, 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Public Safety Report- First District MPD (PSA 105 & PSA 106) Lt. Robinson, Sgt. Kennie, Sgt. Strassman, Sgt. Ritchie

Presentations:

SW Waterfront Fireworks Festival

Greater Greater Washington

Mother Earth Public Art

Bus Stop – Delaware & M Street

ABC Committee licensing:

1. Cherry Blossom 8:10
2. Pearl Street Warehouse

Marine Corps Marathon

Museum of the Bible

Forest City Waterfront Station – PUD Extension

Forest City Parcel L-1

Short Term Family Housing Letter of Support

Tuesday, February 14

1. ANC6B meets at 7:00pm, Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the agenda:

Election of Committee Chairs

Establishment of Outreach & Constituent Services & Hilleast Task Forces; Election of Chairs

Alcohol Beverage issues:

1. Capitol Hill Tandoor, 419 8th Street, SE; Withdraw Protest, support license renewal with Settlement Agreement
2. Pretzel Bakery, 257 15th ST, SE; New Class “D” Restaurant License; Stipulated License

Historic Preservation Application: 417 4th St SE; Modifications to plans

Historic Preservation Application: 1335 Mass Ave, SE; Rear 2nd Story addition with Rooftop deck

Zoning Adjustment: 608 G St, SE; Rear first-floor addition to an existing one-family dwelling

Zoning Adjustment: 337 16th St. SE; Rear first-floor addition to an existing one-family dwelling

Zoning Adjustment: 1415 Potomac Ave, SE; Two-story rear addition to an existing flat

Zoning Adjustment: 1336 E St. SE, Rear second-story addition to an existing one-family dwelling

1333 M Street, SE– PUD Modification to allow 2 more years before permitting

Historic preservation application: 517 7th St, SE; 3-story addition

Historic preservation application:  1335 Mass Avenue, SE, rear second-story addition to an existing one-family dwelling

Youth Rehabilitation Act Resolution

Hands Off DC Resolution

2. PSA 104 meets at 7:00pm at Stuart Hobson Middle School, 410 E Street, NE

Wednesday, February 15

1. Community Meeting – briefing by developers on RFK/Reservation 13 hosted by ANC6B Commissioner Denise Krepp. 7:00pm, St. Coletta’s of Greater Wasington, 1900 Independence Avenue, SE
2. ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, Corner of 10th and G Streets, NE

Among items on the agenda:

619 Elliott Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements to permit the construction of a third-story addition with roof deck to an existing one-family dwelling in the RF-1 Zone.

1126 Constitution Avenue, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements to permit the construction of a two-story garage in the RF-1 Zone.

3. PSA 106 meets at 7:00pm at the CQ Community Center, 1000 5^th Street, SE.

Thursday, February 16

1. Community meeting on the redevelopment of the Boys and Girls Club, hosted by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), 6:30pm, Friendship Chamberlain Elementary School, 1345 Potomac Avenue, SE. Surplus hearing and discussion of the OurRFP process regarding the redevelopment of the Hill East Boys and Girls Club.

During the surplus hearing, the District will receive comments on the proposed surplus of the District property. After the surplus hearing, DMPED will hold the second engagement meeting in the OurRFP process to reconnect with the community about the ideas shared at the January 28^th  Workshop and Online Engagement Forum. Community members will also be provided an opportunity to further prioritize their preferences for the redevelopment of the site.

2. PSA 108 meets at 7:00pm, at Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE.

Developer: Overbuilding “Stymied” Financing of Major SE Residential Project – Seeks PUD Extension

by Larry Janezich

Last Tuesday night, Eric Siegel of Cohen Seigel Investors appeared before ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, seeking support for a two year extension of the PUD for the first phase of a major residential project in Southeast Washington, saying the company had not been able to get equity partners and debt financing for the project, despite efforts of brokers who had approached some 85 potential investors.

About two years ago, the Zoning Commission approved the construction of the first phase of a planned 673 unit project at 1333 M Street, SE, as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) which would allow greater height and density than would otherwise be allowed.  The first phase of the project anticipates a ten story 218 residential unit building.

Seigel offered several reasons why investors had shied away.  The project is a mile from Metro, and though Cohen Siegel has proposed a shuttle for the complex that “had not been persuasive to investors.”  Cohen Siegel has reached out to the city for a potential remedy which involves raising the Southwest Boulevard, or building a pedestrian bridge over it, which would reduce the distance to an acceptable ½ mile, but that does not appear to be something that could happen quickly.  Siegel also cited the lack of proximity to retail, and added that the “3500 units under construction on the Capitol Riverfront and another 2300 in the pipeline have stymied interest”.

Once financing is obtained, the project will be built in four phases, resulting in three buildings – which will appear to be four, but two of them will be connected.  The project will include affordable housing units, seven retail spaces totaling about 10,000 square feet, and 214 below grade parking spaces.

The Committee voted 9 – 0 in favor of supporting the PUD extension.

When first proposed in 2010, the project was envisioned as office, hotel, retail and commercial, but the glut of office space in DC resulted in conversion of the project to mostly residential with some ground floor retail.

Cohen Siegel is one of the major players among District developers, and was named in the NPR/WAMU Series “Deals for Developers” in May of 2013 (see here: http://apps.npr.org/deals-for-developers-wamu/).  In that series, NPR/WAMU stated that the company had received an $8,800,000 subsidy in the form of an LDA on this project, and had contributed $62,250 to District politicians over the past ten years.

 

Proposal Unveiled to Develop Former Frager’s Paint Store Parcel at 12^th and Pennsylvania, SE

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday night, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee heard representatives of PGN Architects present a proposal for the redevelopment of 1123-1129 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, a series of retail shops which include the former Frager’s Paint store, an Asian restaurant, and Pizza Iole.

PGN Architect Jeff Goins described the proposal as a very early concept, intended to brief the Committee on the intent of the property’s owner.  No formal actions toward redevelopment have yet been taken, but over the next couple of months, the architects will take the proposal before the Historic Preservation Review Board and meet with the community to explain the details of the project.  Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg, in whose single member district the project resides, will host community meetings where PGN Architects will explain the details of the proposed development, which lies in the Capitol Hill Historic District.

The proposal would comprise 30 to 32 residential units with 5,000 square feet of ground floor retail.  .

The reaction of the Committee to the proposal was generally positive, with Chair Nick Burger expressing his personal reaction to the proposed design, calling it “cool, not boring, distinctive….punchy.”  The architects had considered a more conventional approach along the lines of Butterfield House, but had opted for another design inspired by modern structures in historic neighborhoods in Paris and Lisbon, as well as the Stanton Development building at 7th and Pennsylvania which houses Le Pain Quotidien.

The Week Ahead…CM Charles Allen’s Oversight Roundtable on Youth Rehabilitation Act Thursday

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 6

1. Capitol Hill Restoration Society Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm, Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE.

Tuesday, February 7

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

Among items on the agenda:

417 4th Street, SE, (HPRB denied ANC6B approved application for special exception to permit a third floor in December.)  This appears to be a reconsideration of the Historic Preservation Application – perhaps of a new concept – for construction of a three-story rear addition to an existing three-unit apartment house in the RF-3 Zone at premises.

517 7th Street, SE; Historic Preservation application for a 3-story addition.

1335 Massachusetts Avenue, SE, Historic Preservation Application for rear second story addition to an existing one-family dwelling.

1335 Massachusetts Avenue, SE, Zoning Adjustment application for rear second story addition to an existing one-family dwelling.

Application for Minor Modification of Zoning Adjustment order for 1401 A Street, SE.

608 G Street, SE, Zoning Adjustment for rear first-floor addition to an existing one-family dwelling.

337 16th Street, SE, Zoning Adjustment for rear first-floor addition to an existing one-family dwelling.

1415 Potomac Avenue, SE, Zoning Adjustment for two story rear addition to an existing flat.

1336 E Street, SE, Zoning Adjustment for rear second-story addition to an existing one-family dwelling.

1333 M Street, SE, – Application for PUD Modification to allow 2 more years before permitting.

Concept Design Presentation, 1123 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, PGN Architects.

2. ANC 6C Parks and Events Committee meets at Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 2^nd Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Capitol Hill Classic – Presentation concerning the 38th annual Capitol Hill Classic race, a fundraiser for the PTA of the Capitol Hill Cluster School, scheduled for Sunday, May 21, 2017. Representative: Roberta Stewart, Outreach Chair, Capitol Hill Classic.

NoMa Parks – Update from NoMa Parks Foundation concerning the status of NoMa parks projects. Representative: Stacie West, NoMa Parks Foundation.

Reservation 84 – Discussion of neighborhood effort to revitalize a triangular public park space (bounded by Constitution Avenue, NE, Massachusetts Avenue, NE, and 7th Street, NE, and potential ANC6C grant application requesting funds for the purchase of trees.

Wednesday, February 8

1. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C meets at the Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation:  Fighting climate pollution in D.C. – Jeremiah Lowery

Capitol Hill Classic, Sunday, May 21, 2017, fundraiser for the PTA, Capitol Hill Cluster Schools.

Revitalization of Reservation 84, park at Constitution, Massachusetts, and 7th Street, and potential ANC 6C grant request to plant trees.

725 L Street NE, Zoning Adjustment for addition of one-story sunroom.

108-110 8th Street, NE, revised application for three-story rear addition and one-story garage with attached studio.

646 6th Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment application for third-floor addition.

Council oversight hearings.

K Street traffic study.

Union Station, First Street entrance.

Vision Zero to eliminate D.C. traffic deaths, second rulemaking.

NoMa underpass at L Street NE.

300 Maryland Avenue N.E., hardscaping, landscaping, and lighting.

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

Among items on the agenda:

Overview and Discussion of DDOT’s 17th Street, SE, Improvement Project with DDOT Representative.

Review of DDOT’s Vision Zero Revised Proposed Rulemaking.

Establishment of a Committee Working Group on Alley Naming.

Update on Status of DDOT Study.

Thursday, February 9

1. Councilmember Charles Allen’s Judiciary & Public Safety Public Oversight Roundtable

The DC City Council Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety will hold a Public Oversight Roundtable on the following Matter:  Sentencing in the District of Columbia: Agency Roles and Responsibilities, at 9:30am in the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 500.

The Committee invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony. Anyone wishing to testify at the roundtable should contact the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety via email at judiciary@dccouncil.us or at (202) 727-8275, and provide their name,  telephone number, organizational affiliation, and title (if any), by close of business, Monday, February 6, 2017.

2. ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee meets at 7:00pm, Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the agenda:

Capitol Hill Tandoor, 419 8th Street, SE, Withdraw Protest, support renewal with Settlement Agreement.

Pretzel Bakery, 257 15th ST, SE, New Class “D” Restaurant License.

Update on Hank’s Oyster Bar Protest and decision on the Motion in Limine.

Here’s How Policing Will Change on Capitol Hill Under MPD’s New Sector Plan

PSA’s 104, 107 & 108 Constitute Sector Two of First District’s Three Sectors

By Larry Janezich

Thursday night, at the PSA 107 meeting, MPD Captain John Knutson explained the operation of the new Sector Concept instituted January 3 by MPD.  It will, he said, bring additional management accountability to districts, allow for faster dispatch, lower response times, and improve service to the community.  The sector concept does not eliminate PSAs – those boundaries within the First District remain the same.

Under the Sector model, each patrol district is divided into three sectors with a Sector being an informal grouping of Police Service Areas (PSAs).  Each sector will be led by a captain, who will report directly to their respective district commanders. Each Sector will also have 3 Lieutenants on 3 shifts for round the clock coverage.

Knutsen pledged 24 hour availability 7 days a week, and attendance at monthly community PSA meetings in a renewed effort to improve community policing.  Lieutenants will share responsibility for overseeing the PSAs and personnel in their sector on any given shift.

According to Knutsen, the main benefit of the Sector Concept is that it will allow MPD to pool resources of the three PSAs and allow police to shift resources where needed to respond to crime patterns.

While Knutsen and his Lieutenants are available 24 hours a day by phone or email, if residents witness a crime in progress, they should call 911.

Knutsen stressed: “For this sector, I am the decision maker and I’ll be at meetings,” referring to PSA meetings.  He said that MPD will take a look at meetings to see how they can be structured to better serve the community – or example, next month’s meeting will be held on the first Thursday in Northeast Library.  Referring to his fellow captains in charge of Sectors, Knutsen said, “We all run Sectors as little police stations.  We’re all competing against each other.”

Officials say they generally answer emails 24/7 and the cell phone when at work.

Captain Knutsen’s contact information:

John.Knutsen@DC.gov

Cell:  202 438 8486

Lieutenant Crystal Beslow’s contact information:

Crystal.beslow@dc.gov

Cell: 202 437 1714

For more on the Sector Concept, go here:  http://bit.ly/2l5tsDV

Following are photos of activities Monday night and tonight in front of the Supreme Court.  Last  night, protesters gathered to express their objections to Trump’s executive order banning Muslim refugees and immigrants.  Tonight, protesters gathered to take advantage of the live television camera set up on the sidewalk in front of the Court as reporters awaited Trump’s announcement of his nomination to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.