CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Demolition Begins on the Buchanan School Site Near Southeast Safeway, Making Way for Residences

81 High-end Town Home/Condos Slated for the Site

by Larry Janezich

This past week saw the beginning of demolition to make way for new residential units on the Buchanan School site between D and E Streets, on 13th Street, SE.  It is one of the three residential projects being built in close proximity to Southeast Safeway.  The Watkins Alley Project, up before ANC6B is one of those projects, and lies on the south side of E Street, across from the Buchanan School project.

This was the layout of the Buchanan site before demolition began this week. The newer structure on the lower left has been demolished, as seen in the photo below. The non-historic auditorium to the left of the center building will be demolished. The two remaining historic buildings will be converted to condos. Subscribers to the newhilleast listserv can find a post on the history of the Buchanan site by Hill East resident/activist, Jim Myers, posted there on Sunday, titled: “Our Land of Broken Dreams”. That piece is reprinted below.

Plans call for 81 residences for the site – 40 townhomes priced at around $1 million and 41 condos priced at $300,000 to $1 million. For more on how the project will look, see here: http://bit.ly/1pDUMeQ

Previously printed on the newhilleast listserv and reproduced here:

Our Land of Broken Dreams

by Jim Myers

Piles of rubble along 13th Street, SE, behind old Buchanan School now seem to be all that remains of a pair of  quixotic ventures that came to naught in Hill East — and also sometimes made our neighborhood seem cursed by the shadow of too many ideas that were never meant to be in the first place.

Years ago, DC started getting rid of unwanted school buildings that were a result of racial segregation, requiring two schools where one would do thereafter. The Buchanan School was sold and for more than a decade became an enterprise that called itself the International Graduate University.  But it wasn’t a “university” in the common definitions, and that fact eventually left it empty without seeming purpose at all, while the land it sat on quietly but massively increased in value.

In recent days they’ve demolished section of Buchanan School closest to the 13th and D corner that briefly claimed to be the important-sounding Democracy Hall of Fame.  In the early days, the Hall enshrined the likes of Lech Walensa, who came all the way from Poland to our neighborhood to be so honored.

So Hall of Fame is now gone, and next to the piles, heavy machines on have also knocked down the remains of quixotic efforts by Lady Bird Johnson and her New York socialite/ philanthropist friend Brooke Astor who in 1968 wanted to turn the block along 13th Street into an “open-air living room” for our neighborhood.

It eventually included a sunken basketball court with seating for spectators, chess and checkers tables, concrete art and more — all of which evolved into sad uselessness in relatively short order. But, maybe, the neighborhood didn’t want an open-air living room; what many people here eventually seemed to want was a real living room in PG County.

Still the ill-fated “living room” venture was very ceremoniously dedicated in 1968 only days after rioting in the city ended, and on the day Lady Bird and Brooke came to Hill East, DC newspapers were still reporting about bodies being found in the rubble of burnt-out buildings elsewhere in the city.

After that, the sunken court eventually became a chosen spot to consummate  open-air drug deals (among other things) out of sight of the cops, and the discovery of new dead bodies on the basketball court sadly followed.

Then, for years, the rest of what remained of the open-air living room just sat there, rousing the question, “What was that supposed to be?”

Another of Lady Bird’s efforts in the 1300 block of South Carolina Avenue, SE, was removed years ago to build the row houses that were part of the Bryan School redevelopment project. A similar vision – dozens of townhouses and condos – now apparently awaits at Buchanan and environs.

Jim Myers

The Week Ahead….ANC6A Considers Community Benefits from Watkins Alley Project

by Larry Janezich

Monday, March 21

Cancelled  ANC6A Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Capitol Hill Towers (900 G Street, NE – Photo ID required

Agenda:

DDOT Director Leif Dormsjo update on Maryland Avenue redesign and other local concerns –

Update from DDOT officials on 17th Street and 19th Street redesign

Sidewalk café permit application for BAB Korean Fusion at 1387 H Street, NE

Support for new DC Bikeshare station at 8th and H Streets, NE

Request for truck and bus restrictions on 11th Street, NE

(Commissioner Mahmud, who chairs the committee, will be available to SMD01 constituents from 6:30-7:00 pm, preceding the meeting.

Cancelled  ANC6B Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm in Maury Elementary School (multi-purpose room), 1250 Constitution Ave NE, (enter from 13th St. NE)

Agenda:

Review of grant request: Ludlow Taylor Elementary School PTO

Proposed ANC 6A Facebook Page

Tuesday, March 22

ANC6B Special Call meeting from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE).   The ANC will hold final discussions and vote community benefits and amenities associated with the proposed Watkins Alley PUD project near the Southeast Safeway.  See here:  http://bit.ly/1R951BT and here http://bit.ly/1Zm9t60

The future home of Bullfrog Bagels. The balcony will hold two tables and four chairs – adjoining neighbors object to late night serving of alcohol a matter of feet from their second story apartments.

Board Hears Protest of Bullfrog Bagel’s Liquor License

May Opening Planned for Shop Near Eastern Market

by Larry Janezich

Last Wednesday, DC’s Alcohol Beverage Review Administration (ABRA) listened to more than 7 hours of arguments and testimony about the concerns of neighbors of 317 7th Street (steps from Eastern Market) – soon to be the home of Bullfrog Bagels.  Owner Jeremiah Cohen told the board that a liquor license is necessary because a bagel shop needs brunch, lunch, and dinner service to make the business viable.  He and partner Matt Frumin hope to open the shop in early May.

Nearby neighbors hired local attorney Ellen Opper-Weiner to press their case that 4:00am deliveries in the alley behind the bagel shop/restaurant and the noisy late night removal of trash from the second story dining area – down outside metal stairs to the indoor trash storage room – would impose an unacceptable burden on their quality of life.  Residents want alley deliveries limited to the same hours for trash pick-up, 7:00am to 7:00pm, and a limit on how late trash can be carried to the indoor storage.

In addition, the immediate neighbors to the right and left of Bullfrog Bagels – Fairy Godmother and Woven History – object to the serving alcohol after 10:00pm at the two tables and four chairs planned for the balcony over the building’s front porch – a distance measured in feet from the windows of second story apartments in those adjoining buildings.

Cohen cited concessions he had already made in the interests of the neighbors, including giving up a deep fryer, and screening mechanicals to reduce noise.  He pointed to the logistical difficulties in delivering carts laden with some 300 bagels up the stairs in the front of the building as opposed to up a ramp in the rear.  He said the second floor dining area would have 34 seats including the four on the balcony and that over time, the four seats on the balcony would amount to a significant portion of his business.

With respect to the hours of service, representatives from Bullfrog Bagels claimed that it was the ANC’s settlement agreement negotiators that encouraged them to extend their weekend operating hours beyond what they requested in their liquor license application.   That may have been a tradeoff for cutting back hours of operation during the week.  The application for a liquor license which Cohen originally filed requested operating hours of 10:00am to 11:00pm, seven days a week.  The settlement agreement negotiated with the ANC ended up specifying 10:00am to 10:30pm weekdays, and 10:00am to 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Alex Golding, who with a brother and his father, Ken – the latter a partner in Stanton Development – who together comprise the entity which owns the 317 7^th Street, told the board that their company had spent $400,000 on renovations, essentially constructing a new building except for the façade.  Golding said, “Tons of restaurants wanted the space, but we wanted someone who would fit into the street a little better.”  Alex Golding, who also works for Stanton Development, told the board “we assembled four buildings and created 11 retail spaces on the block, as well as the Hine development across the street.”  Retail space in the Hine development, he said, would be occupied by “restaurants, shops, and a vibrant mix of retail.”

317 7th Street, was formerly “The Frame Up” – the studio, shop, art gallery and home of prolific artist Richard Sheehy, who died in February, 2014.  The Goldings bought it with the intention of leasing it to a restaurant.  Their initial plan of outdoor storage for trash was modified at the insistence of ANC6B to provide for indoor trash storage.  See here:  http://bit.ly/1XF8Tef

Although the ABC Board did deliberate after the hearing they did not communicate any decision to the parties.  The legal counsel to the board must write a final decision and issue it within 90 days, though it could come sooner.

This ATM in Eastern Market was the target of thieves who took an undetermined amount of money from the machine early Friday morning.

Thieves Target Eastern Market’s ATM Last Night

by Larry Janezich

According to sources, individuals entered Eastern Market last night somewhere around 3:00am and took an undetermined amount of cash from the ATM machine in the South Hall.  MPD was called in immediately upon discovery of the theft; it is believed that police are reviewing videotape for possible identification of suspects.  How the thieves entered the market is uncertain.  The suspects may have been crawling inside the market to avoid being captured on video.  If true, that could indicate a familiarity with the location of security cameras.

Security has been a concern at the market – the North Hall is a popular venue which is rented out to help support market operations and sometimes events last into the early hours of the morning.  In addition, vendors in the North Hall have pressed for and received from the Department of General Services (DGS), greater access to their stalls during off hours.

CHC reached out to DGS public relations some 12 hours after the alleged break-in and received the usual, “I’ll get back to you.”  The reply, when it came, read only:  “MPD was called and came out, conducted their standard procedure, and wrote a report.”

Ray Rothermel, Security Supervisor for UPS (back to camera) was joined by UPS Postal Inspector Maureen O’Sullivan and FeEx Security Specialist Marcus Lyers (both far left) at tonight’s PSA 108 meeting on package thefts.

Package Theft In Hill East – Three Delivery Services Brief PSA 108

by Larry Janezich

MPD District 1 Acting Captain Damion Taylor told residents who attended tonight’s meeting:  “This issue is one of the leading crimes in our service area (PSA 108) – package thefts are killing us.”

It’s a major problem for the three primary services delivering those packages, as well.

Representatives from UPS, FedEx, and the US Postal Inspectors were present to talk about the burgeoning problem of package thefts.  NBC4’s Jackie Benson, who told CHC that the issue was one of prime importance to her viewers, was on hand to cover the meeting.

Despite the compelling subject matter and the number of speakers, the number of Hill East resident who turned out was – minimal.  Those who attended heard the steps the three delivery services are taking to address the problem.

Ray Rothermel, UPS Security Supervisor, (rrothermel@ups.com)  urged residents to visit UPS.com/mychoice (here: http://bit.ly/1TSmOQ1) to give special instructions for delivering a package.  UPS has 400 drivers in DC and Prince George’s County – the top five drivers generating claims of package loss against UPS are called in for a “face-to-face” on a monthly basis.  Rothermel also told residents that UPS employs four armed off duty or retired police officers to follows trucks on routes, switching back and forth throughout the day.

Maureen O’Sullivan, U.S. Postal Inspector, (meosullivan@uspis.gov) told residents that postal inspectors do surveillance in neighborhoods with a high rate of package theft.  She discussed options for delivery, including resident having the post office hold a package for pick up.  “The biggest thing for us,” she said, “is knowing that package theft is an issue in a neighborhood.”

Marcus Lyers, FedEx Senior Security Specialist, (marus.lyers@fedex.com) explained options for customizing deliveries by using FedEx Delivery Manager (here: http://bit.ly/1TSokl3) to customize delivery time, deliver to another address, hold at FedEx location, require signature for a package, provide delivery instructions, and receive delivery notification.

Services are increasingly using electronic scanners fitted with GPS capability to track the delivery times and locations.  A future program to help delivery services reduce package theft is undergoing testing throughout the country; the “locker delivery” would provide access to packages delivered to centrally located lockers, by means of a code received on line.  A similar system is already being used in apartment buildings.

Lt. Damion Taylor reiterated that package theft is a crime of opportunity, and cited a recent incident where alert residents contributed to the arrest of a brazen package thief “with a long record.”  Hill East activist Jim Myers, urged the coordination between MPD and the community to launch a publicity campaign against package thieves, including wide distribution of information and photos of those arrested for package theft.

The meeting was organized by Community Leader and Facilitator for PSA 108, David Bibo.

So, What’s Going On With Results?

Operators Owed Building Owner $737,195

by Larry Janezich

It’s hard to say.  Here’s what we know.

Late Tuesday night, a sign on company letterhead appeared on the door of Capitol Hill’s Results, The Gym, which read:

During the past six months, Results Gym has faced growing economic challenges to its continued operations including extreme pressures arising out of the uneconomic lease for its space on G Street.  While management has worked diligently to address those challenges, it was unable to obtain terms from its landlord that would permit it to continue operating and the landlord has proceeded with eviction.

In light of this, we regret to inform you that Results Gym will discontinue operations effective March 15, 2016 at 11:59 p.m.  At present, we do not know how Results Gym’s remaining assets will be allocated between its secured and unsecured creditors.  As that process plays out, we hope to provide you with additional information.

Please submit all inquiries to: resultsclosing2016@gmail.com

An email with the same content was received by some Results Club members.

Separately, Results staff received an email, as follows:

To the Staff of Results Gym

During the past six months, Results Gym has faced growing economic challenges to its continued operations including extreme pressures arising out of the uneconomic lease for its space on G Street.  While management has worked diligently to address those challenges, it was unable to obtain terms from its landlord that would permit it to continue operating and the landlord has proceeded with eviction.  In light of this, we regret to inform you that Results Gym will discontinue operations effective March 15, 2016 at 11:59 p.m.  Each of you will receive payment for your work through that date on the next scheduled payment date of March 18, 2016 via the normal payroll distribution method.

We thank you for your hard work during these difficult times and are extremely disappointed that we cannot continue offering the first-class fitness experience that Result Gym provided its members.  We wish all of you success in your next professional endeavors.

Peak Performance V, LLC

t/a (trading as) Results Gym

It is not clear who or what “Peak Performance V, LLC” is, based upon a a superficial internet search.

However, court records reveal that proceedings were filed by Giddings Associates LC (the building owner) against Peak Performance V, LLC for unpaid rent last November.  The court awarded Giddings Associates $737,195 plus $22,560 in attorney fees from Peak Performance.  To see the case history, click here:  http://bit.ly/1pvsgMu  then enter Giddings Associates L.C. in the “company” box – then click “select” – then click “case details”

On Wednesday, Cwi Steiman, building owner and principal of Giddings Associates LC sent the following email to Results members:

Dear Members,

As of today, Results Gym DC (RGDC) assumed the management of Results the Gym. Please know that the club will be open on the regular schedule, effective Thursday, March 17, and the change in management will not affect your membership privileges in any way. We will honor all membership commitments made by the previous management, and we will deliver excellent quality of service during the transition.

While there will be continuity in the staff and programs, our greatest priority is member experience, so you will soon see improvement in the club, including new equipment and better value for membership. RGDC directors have over 50 years’ experience operating first class clubs in the Washington area, and we are excited to bring our vision to Capitol Hill. Please contact us at resultsdcreopening@gmail.com with your feedback, questions, and ideas for how we can best serve you.

Sincerely,

Cwi Steiman

Management/Partner

Steiman, who with Forbes Ramsey – who as owners of Sports and Health Club chain in Washington in 2001 – partnered with Results founder Doug Jefferies to launch Results at Giddings School that year.  Jefferies moved on to other endeavors in 2011.

It might be too early to breath that sigh of relief.

Results Capitol Hill Closes – May Reopen Thursday Under New Management

by Larry Janezich

The following photos are self-explanatory and reflect all the information available at this time.  Some Results members on the newhilleast listserv received notices of the gym’s closing, while many did not.

A post-midnight trip to Results revealed that a sign had been posted by “a neighbor” that the gym would re-open on Thursday under new management.  That claim has not yet been confirmed. 

Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish born 19^th Century steel magnate.  His philanthropy included building of 2,509 libraries around the world.  Three are in DC and Southeast Library is one of them.  This library is one of DC’s busiest – it has a large number of programs for children and adults – see here:  http://bit.ly/1poQoQN

The Week Ahead….PSA 108 on Thursday: UPS/US Postal Officials Talk Package Thefts

Monday, March 14

1. ANC6D meets at 7:00pm at 1100 4^th Street, SW, DCRA 2^nd Floor meeting room.

Among items on the agenda:

Resolution re proposed homeless shelter in SW

Zoning request – Wharf 2^nd Stage, 7^th Street Recreational Pier

Zoning request – Wharf Pier 4 2^nd Stage PUD

Tuesday, March 15

1. ANC6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Sherwood Recreation Center, 10^th and G Streets, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Update on status of protest hearing of the license renewal for Touche at 1123 H Street, NE.

Discussion of process for addressing upcoming renewals for liquor licenses.

Nomad Hookah Bar, 1200 H Street, NE – Discussion of request by for extension of closing time of public space patio by one hour, from 11pm weeknights and midnight on weekends, to midnight on weeknights and 1am on weekends.

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

Wednesday, March 16

1. ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, 10^th and G Streets, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

1603-1625 Benning Road, NE (Informational Presentation): The PUD seeks a land use designation change from the existing C-2-A to C-2-B in order to develop the Property into a residential development with a significant portion of the units being dedicated to workforce housing.

920 – 922 H Street, NE – for variances to allow the construction of a mixed-use building with a restaurant and nine residential units in the at premises 920-922 H Street N.E.

2. PSA 106 featuring Lt. Chris Avery meets at 7:00pm at 200 I Street, SE, 1^st

3. PSA 105 meets at 7:00pm at 200 Eye Street SE, First Floor – ID Required –              Government building

Thursday, March 17

1. PSA 108 featuring MPD Acting Captain Damion Taylor, meets at 7:00pm, at Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE.

Among items on the Agenda:

Preventing Package Thefts with MPD, UPS, US Postal Inspector

Friday, March 18

1. 2nd Annual Dick Wolf Memorial lecture will be given Friday evening March 18 at 7:00 pm at the Hill Center at 9th and Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E. The 2016 prize winner, Brook Hill, is a student at Georgetown Law School, and he will address the question: How to Retain Affordable Housing and its Contribution to Maintaining Character of Place.  A champagne reception will follow, and the event is free.

Saturday, March 19

1. Annual Maury at the Market Gala and Silent Auction. 7:00pm – 10:30pm at Eastern Market North Hall.  After party at Tunnicliff’s.  All proceeds go to support classroom aides, programing and supplies at Maury Elementary School.  Follow the link below to buy your tickets in advance, $40 or at the door for $45 each. http://bit.ly/1TZKrGN

Non profit and other association operations in residential townhouses is a serious problem near the US Capitol, according to neighbors. The 100 block of C Street, SE, behind the Madison Building is reported to have many such examples.

Applicant Drops Bid to Expand “Residence” Near Capitol

by Larry Janezich

ANC6B Commissioner Jennifer Samolyk told ANC6B last night at its March meeting that a request to relax zoning regulations to allow expansion of a townhouse close to the Capitol which houses the offices of a non-profit, had been withdrawn by the applicant.  No reason  was given for the decision.  The house in question is in Samolyk’s single member district.

Neighbors had mounted a fierce campaign in opposition to the expansion, claiming that it was being done under the guise of providing more living space for a family, while the real reason was to expand the useable space for the office of the non-profit.  Neighbors claimed that the applicant was not using the townhouse as a primary residence.  An occupancy permit for running a business out of a home is contingent on the primary residence status.  For the original posting on this issue, see here:  http://bit.ly/1SjTeRY

Larry Johnston, who lives adjacent to the property, emerged as the spokesman for more than a dozen neighbors concerned about the issue who were in attendance last night.  He urged the ANC to pay attention to the blocks near the Capitol which are “suffering the inclusion” of businesses in residential neighborhoods.

Samolyk, who last night was elected Chair of the ANC6B Task Force on Outreach and Constituent Services, said she had determined that while it is possible to contest a Home Occupancy Permit from DCRA which allows businesses to operate out of residences, they are rarely overturned.  She also expressed disappointment that DCRA had not responded to calls she had made regarding the current case.

Samolyk said she would convene a meeting of the Task Force and invite a representative of DCRA to attend to discuss the issue.  She also said she would invite ANC6C Chair Karen Wirt to attend the meeting.  ANC6C has similar issues on blocks in residential areas close-in to the Capitol on the north side of East Capitol street.  Other areas where businesses encroach illegally on neighborhoods include New Jersey Avenue, F Street, NE, and on First Street behind the Supreme Court.

Commissioner Denise Krepp pointed out to residents interested in pursuing the issue that another avenue of would be to testify before the upcoming DCRA oversight hearings.

Also in attendance at last night’s meeting was the new Ward 6 representative of the Mayor’s Office, Rachel Mariman.  Mariman succeeds Seth Shapiro, who moved to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation in February.  Mariman offered her assistance to Samolyk in getting the attention of DCRA.

Councilmember Allen addresses the DC Safety Network Coalition at it’s first public meeting last night.

New Hill East Community Public Safety Organization Backs Safety Routes Proposal

by Larry Janezich

Last night, at its first public meeting, a fledgling community public safety coalition drew about 50 community members and stakeholders, including Councilmember Charles Allen and ANC6B Commissioners Chander Jayaraman, Daniel Chao, and Denise Krepp.  Also attending were Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kevin Donahue, MPD First District Lt. Damion Taylor, and representatives of the Guardian Angels.

The DC Safety Network is a grassroots community effort co-chaired by Richard Lukas and the Rev. Kelly Jareaux.  According to their website, the group is a “diverse, nonpartisan coalition of concerned individuals working to enhance safety and reduce violent crime in the District.”  Their over-all goal is to establish partnerships with social justice organizations and the MPD, and local and federal public agencies to help “at risk” individuals and reduce violent crime in high crime areas, in hopes the effort will be adopted in other neighborhoods and communities in the city.

The coalition has arisen, in part, perhaps, because of the sense of some community members that the community policing efforts of the PSA’s (Police Service Areas) under the guidance of MPD First District police lieutenants are no longer effective.  In too many cases, the PSA meetings have devolved into the recitation of relatively meaningless crime statistics without context, and rote repetition of advice on how to avoid being a victim.  Such a program fails to encourage repeat attendance for those who venture to attend one.  Some PSA’s encourage greater engagement – PSA 108 and PSA 104 come to mind – but most do not.

The first public safety initiative the DC Safety Net is sponsoring is the “Safe Routes Program” – the brain child of ANC6B commissioner Chander Jayaraman.  His idea – which DC Safety Network has endorsed and adopted – involves community volunteers occupying corners on routes leading away from Capitol Hill Metro stops in the heavily trafficked 5:30pm – 7:30pm commuter time slot, Monday through Friday.  Jayaraman emphasizes that the message is, “I’m on watch.”  He says, “We don’t want to put people in jail, we are just saying, ‘Don’t [threaten] our neighborhood.’”  Jayaraman issued an appeal for additional volunteers willing to commit to an hour’s service as citizen sentinels to help make the neighborhood safer.

Initially, the effort is being coordinated by Jayaraman and Lukas, who will manage the logistics including distribution of yellow safety vests and battery powered hand held “shrieking” alarms to volunteers.  Jayaraman says he hopes to launch the initial Safe Routes pilot at the end of the month, focusing on 14^th Street starting at the Potomac Metro stop and extending to the 14^th Street’s  intersection with Maryland Avenue, NE.

Councilmember Allen addressed the group, saying them that MPD Chief Cathy Lanier told him she was sending “my best commander” to take over the First District in the wake of the retirement of Commander Brown last month.  Allen said he had talked to the new First District commander – Commander Robert Contee – and told him that the number one issue in Ward 6 was “robberies, robberies, robberies.  I think he got it.”  But, Allen said, “I need your help” in community building to address public safety issues.  Allen did not respond to an email asking whether the PSA’s have outlived their usefulness, leading to a grassroots public safety organization arising outside the PSA network.

For more information on DC Safety Network and to join DC SafetyNet, visit: http://bit.ly/1OZ8CN1 and follow them on Twitter @DCSafetyNet