CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Race Relations Forum Panelists, (l-r), Denise Krepp, Dr. Douglas Powe,, Jr., Kelly M. Matthews,. and Ward 6 CM Charles Allen

The Week Ahead…and Saturday’s Forum on Race Relations in our Community

The Need Is Evident for Broader and Deeper Community Involvement

by Larry Janezich

Race​ Relations in our Community​:  ​Saturday’s Forum at Liberty Baptist Church

Pastor Anthony Owens of Liberty Baptist Church, launched the “Forum on Race Relations in our Community” on Saturday, at Liberty Baptist Church, by telling the 50 or so attendees that in the aftermath of the recent racially motivated attacks on churches in South Carolina, the Church has been called upon to speak out in an effort to understand the origins of prejudice.

There followed a wide-ranging discussion among the panelists who included Councilmember Charles Allen, Dr. Douglas Powe, Jr., Professor, Wesley Theological Seminary; Denise Krepp, ANC6B 10 Commissioner; and Kelly M. Matthews, owner and principal of MBA Services, LLC.  The forum moderator was Carmen Jones Mitchell, attorney and member of Liberty Baptist Church.

A long discussion of the broad nature of factors contributing to or concerning race relations set the context for a more specific discussion about race relations in our community.

There was a consensus that gentrification and the clash of perspectives between long-time community residents​ and new arrivals was a major factor in contributing to racial tensions in our community.  As one​ panelist pointed out, in such an atmosphere, it’s easy for residents to​ misunderstand or​ lose respect for each other.  ​Several participants expressed a desire to continue a more focused discussion and exchange, including more participation from audience members.

Despite CM Allen listing the ANCs among those civic associations with the potential to promote racial harmony and community building, other than panelist Denise Krepp, only ANC6B Commissioners Brian Flahaven and Nick Burger attended the Forum.  It did not appear that representatives of other civic or social welfare organizations such as the ANC6B’s Hill East Task Force or the Community Action Group (CAG) were in attendance.

It seems clear that for a meaningful dialogue on race relations to take place, it will require much greater participation by community civic organizations and community stakeholders, as well as greater coordination among members of the Capitol Hill faith community.  Asked for his reaction to the forum, Pastor Owens told CHC, “I thought the forum was thought provoking on how we harbor some prejudices.  Obviously, there’s a need for continued dialogue, which I’m open to the community for suggestions.”

In addition to providing a community service by hosting this event, Liberty Baptist Church also serves as the regular site for PSA 108 meetings​.

The Week Ahead…

Monday, September 14

1. ANC6D meets at 7:00pm in the DCRA Meeting Room, 1100 4th St. SW, 2nd Floor, for its regular September meeting.

Agenda:  Not available at press time

Tuesday, September 15

1. CHRS Board of Directors meet at 6:30pm at Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6^th Street, SE.

Agenda not available at press time.

Wednesday, September 16

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

Among items on the agenda:

901 H Street, NE.  Extension of Zoning Commission order to permit redevelopment of H Street Connection site with mixed-use retail and residential structure.

1336 Emerald Street, NE.  Variance from the lot size requirements, the rear yard requirements, the court requirements, and the nonconforming structure requirements, and a special exception from the height requirements, to construct a third-story addition to an existing two-story, one-family dwelling, and a new shed in the R-4 District.

1313 to 1323 Linden Court, NE.  In connection with the planned redevelopment of alley lots, applicant seeks a use variance to permit a commercial use on one of the lots, and area variances from the lot occupancy requirements, the rear yard requirements, the alley width requirement for buildings on alley lots under, and a special exception from the height requirements.

2. RFK Stadium Redevelopment Community Meeting

Events DC will host the first of two community meetings to seek community input for Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (RFK Stadium) Campus redevelopment including DC Armory. The goal is to walk the audience through the RFK study process and to obtain their feedback for moving forward.

6:00pm – 9:00pm, St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue,. SE.

Thursday, September 17

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

Some 60 residents turned out for last night’s ANC6A meeting and education forum at Miner School. Councilmember Charles Allen – standing – attended and discussed his efforts to restore funding for Ward Six school to the city’s budget.

Eastern High School Principal Answers Questions on Flash Mob Robbery

by Larry Janezich

Thursday night, ANC6A held an education conference as part of its regularly scheduled September meeting in an effort to get the ANC more involved in community schools.  Some 60 residents attended the meeting held ​in Miner School.  Also in attendance were CM Charles Allen and Ward 6 State Board of Education Member Joe Weedon​,​ and the principals of most of the Capitol Hill Schools​, a​mong them​ ​Eastern High School Principal Rachel Skerritt.

Skerritt delivered a presentation on the general performance of Eastern High school, focusing on individual programs.  In passing, she mentioned the “rocky start to the football season,” referring to the brawl that broke out among students from Eastern and Ballou High Schools which started in the stands and continued into the streets and around the Stadium-Armory Metro stop.  She assured the community that the school was working closely with MPD and was fully prepared to manage behavior of students and guests as the season moves forward.  She also offered that the school encourages calls to the school from residents regarding the behavior of students, and noted that residents have been surprised at the follow-​up the school has provided regarding their concerns.

During the question and answer period following her presentation, Skerritt was asked if she could provide an update on the alleged participation of Eastern High School students in a flash mob robbery of the Barracks Row 7-11 and, given her previous statement about encouraging residents to call about student behavior off campus, why during  just such a call on the 7-11 incident,​ the caller had been left with the feeling that the concerns were being dismissed, with the reply, “There’s nothing we can do – this is after​-​hours and off the school grounds.”

After being alerted to the incident, CM Charles Allen last week asked representatives of 7-11 to provide video from surveillance cameras to Eastern High to help ascertain whether Eastern High students were involved.  Skerritt said the school had received the video and that it would be viewed by staff who would be ready to identify any Eastern High students who were involved.  She said, “If we can get a clear view it will be easy to follow up” with DPS discipline.

She also said she had had a “strong conversation” with the staff member who had received a call from a witness to the 7-11 incident, and related that the staffer was “mortified” that the caller felt Eastern High had not been responsive to the caller’s concerns.  The staffer, Skettitt said, told her the call had come at 4:15 pm and that the staffer had advised the caller to call the police.  (The 7-11 event occurred at about 3:30pm – the caller alerted Eastern High to the event upon reaching home.)

Skerritt said that the call to the staff “did not get to me,” and that she told staff that in the future she wants to know about such calls.  In addition, she said, staff will think about what else we can do, including more “collective messaging” to reinforce the idea among students that the school is accountable for them until they get home.

Councilmember Charles Allen followed up, saying that students are representative of Eastern High 24 hours a day.  He added that he was​ confident that the principal w​ould​ take ​care of the situation.​​

The 7-11 in the 400 block of on Barracks Row was the scene of a flash robbery last Thursday.

Flash Mob Robbery of Barracks Row 7-11 Last Week

by Larry Janezich

According to an eye witness, last Thursday, September 3, at about 3:30pm, 10 to 15 youths in their teens wearing khaki pants and white shirts converged on and entered the Barrack Row 7-11 en masse.  Some wore insignia – tags – on their shirts depicting an “E” with a wreath around it, possibly indicating an affiliation with Eastern High School.  The group was jovial and laughing and began filling their bags and pockets with candy bars and bags of chips.  While clerks and others in the store stood stunned by the shameless behavior, and perhaps cautious because of the number of youths, the group strode casually out, chatting and laughing, “with impunity,” as an observer put it.

A clerk behind the counter called 9ll, but response was slow, and the eye witness furnishing this account left the store before police arrived.

Reportedly, the attitude of the 7-11 employees was a shrugged shoulders resignation.  “It happens,” one employee was reported to have said, his attitude saying the unstated:  it’s the cost of doing business here.

From Wikipedia:

The term “flash rob” or “flash mob robberies”, a reference to the way flash mobs assemble, has been used to describe a number of robberies and assaults perpetrated suddenly by groups of teenage youth.  Bill Wasik, originator of the first flash mobs, and a number of other commentators have questioned or objected to the usage of “flash mob” to describe criminal acts, however, in a number of reported cases, flash mobs have turned violent or led to criminal activity.

J.O. Wilson Elementary School at 660 K Street, NE Photo credit:  Google Maps

Detail of PSA 104, including K Street and J.O. Wilson School

Map of MPD First District PSAs

Near NE Residents Express Outrage at Prostitutes Ply​ing​ Trade on Elementary School Grounds

by Larry Janezich

A dozen residents of nearby NE showed up at PSA 104 last night to express outrage at the ongoing solicitation of sex by prostitutes in and around the 200 block of K Street, NE.  Residents say that the portico and grounds of J.O. Wilson Elementary School at 660 K Street, NE, are being used for illicit sex and that children attending the schools are confronted with used condoms – and worse – on their way to school.  One resident told Lt. B. Christian of the Narcotics and Special Investigations Division (NSID) that “condoms and latex gloves on streets and school grounds are not acceptable.”  All of the residents present last night wanted city officials to respond more forcefully to the use of school grounds to have sex.  One K Street resident told of arriving home late to find prostitutes in front of his house and being ignored when he asked them to move away.

Residents and police both characterized the trade as male prostitution and in connection with that, presenting distinct patterns – namely in the aggressive behavior of the prostitutes and nature of the detritus left on the street and school grounds.  Lt. Christian said that the ten undercover members of his 16 person Task Force had made 117 arrests in two months and said he hoped continuing pressure would deter prostitutes and their customers.  The Task Force is charged with enforcement of sex trafficking across the city.  He said that 85% of the arrests have been of customers – that it’s harder to arrest prostitutes because a conversation offering sex for money is necessary for an arrest, and the vice officers quickly become known to the prostitutes.  Christian did not say what leads to the arrest of customers for solicitation, whether through surveillance techniques or use of undercover officers being approached by customers for sex, but recent Washington Post coverage has reported on sting operations on K Street, NW, and around Thomas Circle resulting in numerous arrests.  Christian said that a lot of jurisdictions “go the public shaming route”, publishing the names or photos of sex customers, but any such effort in DC would require a law passed by the City Council​ and would likely raise troubling questions​.

​This particular sex market, like others, has proved resilient in the face of enforcement efforts.  ​Prosecution of solicitation and prostitution crimes comes under MPD’s Narcotics and Special Investigations Division.  Prostitutes and their customers are both subject to misdemeanor charges and both carry the same penalty – a fine of $500 and/or 90 days in jail for the first offense.  A misdemeanor charge is not subject to a jury trial, and is decided by a judge.

Assistant US Attorney Doug Klein, who was present at last night’s meeting, says that the prostitutes are relentless – they go back in business right after being arrested.  Detention is subjectively decided by a judge, but, Klein noted detaining prostitutes is not as high a priority as detaining felons.

​Unlike the sale in illicit drugs, the law stipulates no special penalty for prostitution in or around school grounds.​

Asked what residents could do to lobby the City Council to help MPD address the problem, Christian allowed that getting more government agencies involved is certainly a start.  One resident spoke up, saying, “We’ve been complaining forever.  The Mayor and Chief Lanier are both aware of this problem.  The police are working very hard, but it’s not working.”  Asked if he would commit to develop a plan to address the problem and present it at next month’s PSA meeting, Christian replied, “No.  My plan is what I’ve been doing.  Planning is up to the​ First District Command Staff.  The only thing I can guarantee is that we’ll be out there.”

Officer G.L. Brown listens as a Brookland resident describes the attempted bike theft. The bikes (in the background) were leaning against the table in the photo while the owner sat at the table.

Alert Bike Owner and Passersby Foil Brazen Attempted Bike Thefts on Barracks Row Monday PM

by Larry Janezich

An alert mother and two passersby foiled the brazen attempt of two youths to steal two $750 bikes virtually from the grasp of the woman who was standing guard over the bikes while her son was inside a Barracks Row eatery ordering sandwiches.  The attempted theft occurred at about 5:00pm today, Labor Day, on the 500 block of Barracks Row, while the sidewalks were crowded with couples on their way to Barracks Row restaurants.

The woman and her son were biking back to Brookland having just left Nationals Park after watching the Nats vs Mets game.  While the woman was seated at an outside table with the bikes leaning against the same table, a youth ran up and snatched one bike, leaped astride and started pedaling furiously away.  The woman yelled, “Thief,” and pursued the youth.  Two passersby, returning from Nationals Park on foot, also yelled at the thief and immediately gave chase.  The woman, suddenly realizing the other unattended bike was at risk, turned and saw a second youth making off with the second bike.  The youth was trying to lift the bike onto 8^th Street between two parked cars.  The woman grabbed the bike and wrested it from the thief’s hands, whereupon the youth ran to the corner of 8^th and E Streets, following the path the first thief had taken.

Meanwhile, one of the assisting passersby continued pursuing the first youth while the second called 911.  The call was placed at 4:59pm.  After some confusion on the part of the 911 dispatcher as to the relationship between “Barracks Row” and 8^th Street (telling the caller that her information showed Barracks Row was on 9^th Street) the caller was told “Response in on the way.”

The first thief, seeing his partner running west on E Street bike-less, dropped the bike he was riding near the rear of the Barracks Row 711.  The pair fled on foot and were last seen on 7^th Street, heading toward the freeway.  The first bike was returned to its owner.

At 5:10pm, MPD Officer G.L. Brown arrived to take a report on the incident.  Witnesses were able to provide a detailed description of one of the suspects.  Another witness to the attempted bike theft said that the pair of suspects had been hanging out near “bike depots” on Barracks Row for more than an hour.

Capitol Hill Corner has been advocating that the local ANCs strengthen relationships with MPD PSA officials in light of the recent increase in crime.  It would seem that the Barracks Row merchants and restaurateurs and their representative – Barracks Row Main Street – have a substantial interest in the reduction of crime on Barracks Row and would actively participate in the effort to strengthen community policing by reinvigorating the PSAs – or at the very least to demonstrate their interest to the MPD by attending PSA meetings.  To date, however, these entities – and other stakeholders in the Capitol Hill community such as the Capitol Hill BID – have been non-participants in the public undertakings to better community policing.

Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE  Church Forum on Race Relations in Our Community.

The Week Ahead….Race Relations Forum in Hill East

by Larry Janezich

Race Relations Forum in Hill East

On Saturday, September 12, at 12:00 noon, Liberty Baptist Church will host a forum on race relations in our community.  According to the Rev. Anthony E. Owens, M.Div., Councilmember Charles Allen will attend, and panelists will include ANC6B10 Commissioner Denise Krepp; Professor F. Douglas Powe, Wesley Theological Seminary of Washington, DC; and Kelly Matthews, Capitol Hill business owner.  Rev. Owens requests those who wish to attend call or email the Church (202-543-7894 and libertybaptistchurchdc@verizon.net).  The Church is located at 527 Kentucky Avenue, S.E.

The Week Ahead….

Monday, September 7

Labor Day.  No trash/recycling pick up.  Pickups get bumped one day to Tuesday and Friday.

Tuesday, September 8

1. ANC6B meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Among items on the agenda:

Barracks Row Main Street, Support for Public Art Building Communities Grant for two sculptures on Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  (Consent Calendar)

2. PSA 104 meets at 7:00pm at Ludlow Taylor Elementary School, 659 7th Street, NE.

Agenda:

Introduction to PSA 104

PSA 104 Crime Statistician Mattioli’s Crime Report and Statistics

Presentation by Narcotics and Special Investigations Division and Prostitution Unit Commander

Open discussion with Police and Community

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

Wednesday, September 10

1. (ANC6C will meet on Thursday. See below.)

Thursday, September 10

1. ANC6A meets at 7:00pm at Miner Elementary, 601 Fifteenth Street, NE

Among items on the agenda:

Update from Mayor Bowser’s Office

Education Forum – Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, Ward 6 State Board of Education Member Joe Weedon and representatives from local public schools (principals and parent leaders from our community schools, including Eliot-Hine, Maury, Miner, SWS, Ludlow-Taylor, and Eastern) will be present to participate in this community conversation.

Also:

Recommendation: ANC 6A support the request by Kitty’s Saloon, 1208 H Street NE, to seek a summer garden and entertainment endorsement, provided the hours of operation end at 11:00 pm on weeknights, and 12:00 am on weekends.

Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter of support for Vendetta’s public space application provided the owners agree to adhere to the following conditions: no changes to the hours when the front windows are open, no changes to the current settlement agreement, maintenance of the adjacent tree box, and no placement of an umbrella over the table’

Recommendation: ANC 6A support the plan to convert the parking area located in the middle of the square bound by Fifteenth Street NE, C Street NE, Sixteenth Street NE, and D Street NE, into a community garden.

2. ANC6C meets at 7:00pm, Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation:  Planned Parenthood—Diane Conocchioli, community concerns

Presentation:  Mayor’s office, first six months—Frank Maduro

Also:

New Tavern liquor license for Sugar Factory, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

New Restaurant liquor license for Alibi, 237 Second Street, NE.

3. Capitol Hill Restoration Society Zoning Committee meets at 7:30pm, Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE.

Saturday, September 12

1. Forum on Race Relations – Liberty Baptist Church (see above).

Preliminary Concept for Public Art Piece on Eastern Market Metro Plaza (1 of 2)

Preliminary Concept for Public Art Piece on Eastern Market Metro Plaza (2 of 2)

Funds Sought for Eastern Market Plaza Sculptures

Barracks Row Main Street Plans Marketing/Branding/Place-Making Element

by Larry Janezich

Last Tuesday night, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee endorsed a request for support from Barracks Row Main Street (BRMS) for its application for a Public Art Building Communities Grant to create public art for Eastern Market Metro Plaza.

Martin Smith, Executive Director for BRMS (sort of a local Chamber of Commerce for Barracks Row) presented the concept to the committee in a bid for ANC and community support for the project.  He told the committee the current ideas on the drawing board (pictured above) would provide interim beautification of the Plaza pending its redevelopment (See here: http://bit.ly/1duqZJd) and would become part of the design following completion of that redevelopment.  As envisioned, the 36 inch-high letters comprising the pieces would be fabricated from polycarbonate, and would serve a marketing and branding purpose for both Barracks Row and Eastern Market.  Smith said the pieces would be interactive for both children and adults.  The grant requires matching funds, and BRMS would have to raise half the projected $200,000 cost of the project.

While the Committee seemed to be fully behind the idea of public art for the Plaza, the proposal that Smith presented was greeted with some skepticism.  Committee Resident Member Ivan Frishberg said he was “not thrilled with the design” and questioned whether the concept was primarily art or primarily marketing.  He said he was a “little skeptical” about the piecemeal adding of art to the overall concept for redevelopment of the Plaza and expressed concern that an ANC endorsement of the project might end up being represented before city agencies as an endorsement of the design.

Commissioner Oldenburg said she fully supported the idea of sculpture for the Plaza on an interim basis, but that she, too, was “not crazy about the design.”  She said she would support BRMS going after the grant for some kind of sculpture for the Plaza.

Resident Member Ken Jarboe said he didn’t “love the concept”, but “It may be the only thing that gets done given the way things have been going – I hope that’s not the case.”

In response, Smith told the Committee that it would be a long process, that several agencies would have to pass on the project before final approval, and that the concept drawings presented Tuesday night might well bear no relationship to the final design.

The Committee voted to recommend that the full ANC support the grant application provided that if granted, the applicant returns to the ANC for further consultation.  The vote was 8 – 0 – 1 (Frishberg abstaining).

Subsequently, in an email to ANC Commissioners and Smith, Frishberg detailed his concerns about the project.  “As presented, the proposed installations are nowhere close to being a proposal that is ready for approval or consideration by the Commission or community…. I fear that a simple statement of support for public art, even with a request to be involved in the process down the road leaves too much opportunity for problems given the excessively vague nature of the proposal presented to the committee…. My concern is that BRM has not engaged artists or experts in this endeavor, and at present is not yet equipped to present real plans or manage a serious process….I applaud the efforts to do more for the Metro Plaza and to support public art.  However I think to serve both those goals fully the Commission needs to require a greater level of planning and engagement from the advocates of this proposal”

Asked for his reaction, Smith told CHC:  “I did not go into the technical details of the proposal during the Committee meeting given the limited time for presentation and the very full agenda that night, however the proposal is fully developed and I am happy to go over any of the technical elements of the proposal (budget, implementation plan, maintenance plan, etc.) in detail if anyone would like for me to do so….we have engaged an artist that CHAW recommended to us, Charles Bergen of Charles Bergen Studios LLC, who developed the proposals we presented. We are aware, though, that if we were to be selected as a funding recipient, this process is very fluid and the design will likely change over time.”

Crime Concerns Prompt New Attendees at PSA 107 Meeting

by Larry Janezich

Half a dozen concerned Capitol Hill residents showed up at PSA 107 last night to express their concern about the ongoing increase in crime in the city.  “I’m here tonight because of the significant increase in robberies and muggings;” one resident told MPD Sgt. Strassman, “there’s something going on.” He continued, “These things have a momentum.  What is small today will be larger tomorrow.  At some point, we’re out of here.  We chose to live here, but we could choose elsewhere.”  Another said she was concerned about walking home from the meeting last night​ even though she ​lived only a few blocks away.

The attendees – an unusual number by ordinary, lackluster ​standards – expressed concern about hotspots in the community, including 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, the Bank of America ATM on Barracks Row next to DC-3, and the part of Eastern Market Metro Plaza which comprises the park on the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue between 8th and 9th Streets.  In addition, residents cited several incidents involving the sound of gunshots in or near the Potomac Garden neighborhood and the fear brought to the community dirt bikes​ disobeying traffic laws on neighborhood streets.​

Strassman sympathized with residents and responded as follows:

8th and Pennsylvania Avenue – Strassman said there are lots of issues here, including Community Connections which services mental health consumers who may be self-medicating.  If residents see persons lying prone on the sidewalk and unresponsive, Strassman urged calling 911 – “The last thing we want to see is someone pass away from alcohol or drug intoxication.”  He said that a foot beat officer was assigned to the 400 block of Barracks Row and was required to be within a block of that location, either above or below on 8th Street.  That officer – who Strassman said was trained in crisis intervention to deal with substance abusers – is also responsible for the Metro Plaza park on the north side of Pennsylvania.

Eastern Market Metro Park – MPD is looking at more enforcement related activities but Strassman said he couldn’t say too much about that, other than he hopes MPD can start dealing with issues here and at 8th and Pennsylvania by targeting the source of the synthetic drug, K2.

Bank of America ATM – Strassman said he would reach out to the Bank of America to see if they could provide security for the location.

Potomac Gardens – Two officers are assigned to Potomac Gardens in addition to District Housing Authority Police.  District bike patrol units are dispatched to police Potomac Gardens from the main station on an irregular basis in response to need.  Strassman advised contacting Lt. Durbin of PSA 106 and Commander Brown of the First District to request additional police resources.  He agreed with a suggestion from the audience that contacting Councilmember Allen and Mayor Bower’s office could be helpful.  He noted that resources would likely be devoted to areas where crime is occurring.

Dirt bikes – Most are illegal and most of the offenses committed by riders are misdemeanor traffic violations.  Strassman responded to a statement from an attendee who said that by not pursuing dirt bike riders, police sanction their activi​t​i​es.  Strassman said police don’t chase for misdemeanors and that their primary responsibility is preservation of life and property – both of which are put at risk during pursuit.  He said that police do pursue in cases of a felony – homicide, sexual offenses, and robberies.  He said MPD was looking at alternate means of enforcement against dirt bikes, including seizure, offering rewards, and tracking refueling and storage locations.

Strassman noted that the First District is large – and has the highest number of calls for service among the police district.  The reason for the increase in crime remains unexplainable.  Crime, he said, always goes up in the summer, and the Metro stations are nexus points.

Only one ANC Commissioner attended the meeting, and she left shortly after it began.  ​ ​Strassman was unable to provide attendees with the up-to-date crime statistics because the MPD is in the midst of a transition to a new police report and filing system.​

PSA 107 meets at 7:00pm the first Thursday of the month in Southeast Library, lower level.

The Flea Markets Will Remain Under Control of Private Operators, DGS Announced Today

City Backs Off Take Over of Flea Markets at Eastern Market

by Larry Janezich

After the city announced its takeover of the Flea Markets at Eastern Market on August 12 (as first reported on CHC here:  http://bit.ly/1UJdifH ) city officials have decided to retain the status quo.

An email from Eastern Market Manager Barry Margeson today announced the decision as follows:  “DGS, in consultation with the Mayor’s Office, has determined that the District will re-sign license agreements with the two entities currently serving as Flea Market Managers for the 300 block flea markets at Eastern Market. Their current licenses expire this month.”

The reconsideration apparently came after the intervention of the Mayor’s office.

Diversified Market Management Director Mike Berman – operator of the Sunday Flea Market on the 300 block of 7th Street, SE, told CHC that he had learned of the city’s decision in a phone conversation this morning with representatives of the Department of General Services.  He said that he had been told that DGS had decided to grant a six month extension of the license, during which time a longer one year extension would be worked out.

Berman said that the agreement “doesn’t excuse their behavior.  We’ll take what we can get and get back to business as usual.  We collected more than five hundred signatures to oppose the city’s move.  I’m grateful that we did not have to go to the next (legal) level.”  He added, “I think this is a good first step.  I look forward to reviewing, with our counsel, attorney Donald Temple, the contract extension DGS has promised to us by September 14.”

On Friday, August 14, Mayor Bowser named Retired US Navy Rear Admiral Christopher E. Weaver new Director of the Department of General Services.  Interim Director Johathon Kayne, under whose watch the initial decision on taking over the flea markets was made, is transitioning to DGS Chief Operating Officer.

It was also under Kayne that DGS – apparently succumbing to substantial unhappiness in Hill East at DGS’ handling of the development of the Boys and Girls Club – withdrew the Request for Proposal for development of the site after the original RFP was written is a way that precluded financing by private equity firms, and the only bid which seemed to meet the RFP requirements was a proposal by Dante’s Partners for a Low Income Housing Tax Credit project which envisioned mini units for seniors.  The neighborhood had expressed a strong preference for a mixed income housing facility.

A late-August morning in a Capitol Hill garden

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, August 31

1. ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Sugar Factory, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE – application for a Tavern liquor license.

The Alibi, 237 2^nd Street, NW – informational update on application for a restaurant liquor license.

Tuesday, September 1

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

Among items on the agenda:

Barracks Row Main Street, Support for Public Art Building Communities Grant (Commission on Arts and Humanities), two concept sculptures for EM Metro plaza: Martin Smith, Executive Director, BRMS.

1200 Potomac Avenue SE, use variance from the use requirements to allow the use of the basement and first floors as an office in an existing two-story building at 1200 Potomac Avenue, S.E.

761 10th Street SE – Application for a special exception to allow a two-story rear addition and a two-story garage addition to a row dwelling not meeting the zoning requirements for lot occupancy.

2. ANC6C Parks and Events Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 2^nd Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

L and M Street Underpass Art Projects in NoMa – Discussion with Commissioner Stacie West, NoMa Parks Foundation, and possible consideration of recommendation to ANC 6C, concerning NoMa Parks Foundation’s M and L Street underpass projects.

Peace Corps Commemorative Design Competition – Discussion with Roger Lewis, President, Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation, concerning the three finalists in the ongoing design competition to create a commemorative at the National Park Service site between Louisiana Avenue NW, 1st and C Streets NW.

3. Crime and Crime Trends in the First District, by Neighborhood, 7:00pm – 8:00pm at First District Station, 101 M Street, SW. The First District Police Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) will convene the session to discuss how (1) felonies reported to the FBI) and (2) misdemeanor crime are affecting First District neighborhoods.  The CAC has requested a detailed analysis of these crimes from the Metropolitan Police Department.  We are also asking US Capitol Police, US Park Police and Metro Transit Police to weigh in on their crime trends.

Wednesday, September 2

1. ANC6C Planning and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 2nd Street, NE. Among items on the agenda:

315 H Street, N.E. – Revised application for approval of a consolidated planned unit development on approximately 15,813sf of land area on the south side of H Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets., N.E. The Applicant proposes to develop the property with a 90-foot residential building with ground-floor retail. The building will include approximately 87,400sf of residential development and 6,597sf of ground floor retail. The project will include approximately 135 residential units, including over 6,500sf of affordable housing. The project will have a floor area ratio of 5.9 and include approximately 30 parking spaces.

Thursday, September 3

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

Agenda not available at press time.

2. ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Union Kitchen Grocery, (a new “upscale” grocery) at 3^rd and F Streets, N.E., is requesting outdoor seating for a sidewalk café.

16 M Street, N.E. – New construction public space permit, application for a mixed use development in NoMa.

Indigo, fast casual Indian restaurant at 243 K Street, N.E., – application for a new sidewalk café. Neighborhood effects of H Street development.  Open discussion of concerns surrounding existing or potential effects on the neighborhood, possibly including but not limited to noise, parking, traffic, etc. Residents are encouraged to come with issues they have identified, or to send concerns to the TPS Committee chair or their ANC commissioner if they cannot attend the meeting in person. Concerns will be fodder for a future discussion with DDOT to identify possible mitigations.

3. PSA 107 meets at 7:00pm, SE Library, lower level, with Lt. Eddie Fowler.
4. Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) meets at 5:30pm, Southeast Library, lower level.