CAPITOL HILL CORNER

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, October 21

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Introduction of New DDOT Liaison Andrew DeFrank.

Details on Election to Fill ANC6D Single Member District 05 open seat.

Presentation:  Department of Public Works Director Christopher Geldart – Parking Enforcement Issues in 6D.

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

Presentation:  Capital Experience Lab – Lanette Dailey-Reese.

Presentation:  Revel Moped Sharing – Revel Transit.

80 M Street SE Design Review – Goulston & Storrs/Hickok Cole

New restaurant liquor license:  Thompson Washington DC [Hotel], 215 Tingey Street, SE – 2 interior dining & bar areas & private dining areas; one rooftop summer garden, two sidewalk cafes.

Walters Sports Bar – 10 N Street, SE: Tavern license renewal – noise & parking concerns.

Mission – 1221 Van Street, SE: Tavern license renewal – violation of Settlement Agreement plus noise concerns.

Dacha – 79 Potomac Ave SE: Tavern license renewal – clarify location(s) and number of sidewalk cafes; Blade use of establishment.

1900 Half Street, SW: Modification of Consequence – Douglas Development.

Lyft Presentation on Scooter Corrals in private space.

ANC Comments to DDOT regarding Dockless Bicycle and Scooter Share 2020.

Notice of Intent to Install Cycle Track on P Street, SW, Removal of 26 RPP Spaces.

ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Revisiting the issue of maintaining public access to pocket parks – discussion continued from September 2019.

Presentation of DDOT plans for safety improvements on 15th Street NE corridor.  DDOT invited but not yet confirmed.

Continued discussion of recommendations to improve safety and accountability for shared bikes, scooters and mopeds.  These may include: requiring companies to provide usage and compliance data to DDOT or another City agency, establishment of appropriate parking locations and regulations governing their use, transfer of enforcement to DDOT (to include enforcement of age and occupancy restrictions).  A DDOT representative has been invited – not yet confirmed.

Wednesday, October 23

ANC6B Working Group on DC’s Comprehensive Plan meets at 7:00pm, third floor, Hill Center. 

DC’s Office of Planning has released its proposed changes to the Comp Plan, including the Capitol Hill and Near Southeast Elements. The Working Group will evaluate the changes that might affect our neighborhoods—and propose comments to the ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee for consideration, prior to the Committee making recommendations to the full ANC.

More details, including links to the changes proposed by the Office of Planning, are available at: https://anc6b.org/2019/10/18/anc-6b-planning-and-zoning-committee-comprehensive-plan-working-group-meeting-1/

Residents who are interested in learning more about the proposed changes to the Comp Plan and its potential impact on our neighborhood are encouraged to attend.  To ensure adequate seating, please email Ryan Danks, at  rdanks@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

Saturday, October 26

Harvest Fest at Potomac Avenue Triangle Park, 12:00noon – 2:00pm.    

ANC Commissioner Kelly Waud is sponsoring a Harvest Fest from 12:00noon – 2:00pm, at the Potomac pocket park located at the intersection of Potomac Avenue and K Street, SE.  Harvest Fest will start with a kids costume parade led by the Potomac Gardens marching band, from 14th and K Streets to the splash pad pocket park. Come and participate (bring drinks or desserts and games) and enjoy the new park.

The Society for Science & the Public Hosts National Middle School Science/Engineering Competition – the Broadcom Masters Project Showcase – at the University of DC Student Center (4200 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008), 1:00pm – 3:30pm.  Free admission.

Join 30 of the top middle school scientists in the country as they compete in the Broadcom M.A.S.T.E.R.S., the nation’s most prestigious Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) competition for middle school students. These talented students will be on hand to discuss their science and engineering projects with students, teachers, parents, scientists, engineers and members of the general public who share their enthusiasm for science and engineering during this project showcase.

URL: https://www.facebook.com/events/389029745125626/

Parking & Directions

Enter parking garage located on Van Ness Street NW between International Court and Connecticut Avenue at the Van Ness Main Entrance between Buildings 39 and 44. Proceed to Level C – (Lower Level). Park in the Southeast corner of Level C. Look for Student Center signage with WHITE ARROW. You will enter Building 39 and proceed to bank of elevators past Public Safety. Take elevators to Level A. Proceed to Plaza Deck through GLASS DOORS. Make RIGHT – and proceed to the Student Center / Building 56. Enter Student Center / Building 56 – you will be on Level A. Take elevators to the Ballroom Level on Level One. NOTE: Main entrance of Student Center / Information Desk is located on the lower level – Level B.

Arriving by Metro Rail:

The UDC Student Center is located right outside the Van-Ness UDC station.

Entering the Building:

The main entrance to the building is on Connecticut Avenue. The Project Showcase will be located on the ground floor in Heritage Hall.

Learn more about this year’s top 30 Broadcom MASTERS finalists here: https://student.societyforscience.org/broadcom-masters-2019-finalists

Chander Jayaraman Announces Bid for City Council Seat

By Larry Janezich

ANC6B Chair Chander Jayaraman is running as an independent for a Member-at-Large-seat on the DC City Council.  He filed papers today, and says that he’s running to offer a new vision of leadership across the District.  Elements of that vision are apparent in his work on the ANC which he says is a microcosm of the issues facing the District.

Jayaraman says, “Government has gotten away from its core responsibilities to the tax payer.”  He doesn’t think Jack Evans should be on the city council.  He wants to make government more responsive, and cites the frustration of residents and the ANC in dealing with city agencies on sidewalks, street repairs, trash, and rodents; “Agencies are out of touch and have forgotten who they work for.  Their attitude is, ‘We know better’.”

One of the initiatives he took as Chair of the ANC was the use of liquor licenses to require restaurants to provide for in-door trash storage to address Capitol Hill’s rodent problem.  Another was appointing a Barracks Row Working Group  of stakeholders, co-chaired by an ANC Commissioner, to address quality of life issues on Barracks Row.  A third was asserting ANC6B’s oversight role in the redevelopment of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  He helped block an flawed  DDOT plan to have the Circulator Bus turn-around by driving clockwise around the Metro Plaza, starting a 8^th and D Streets, SE.  This week, he was out front in ANC6B’s unanimous vote to oppose the Department of General Services Public Space Permit for the Eastern Market Plaza redevelopment because of the lack of an opportunity for public review of the associated Transportation Plan and other issues.

Jayaraman says his list of major concerns include:

Crime.  He calls MPD’s Fall Crime Prevention Initiative to increase police presence and supportive services in hot areas “…reactionary, responding to pressure because of a spike in crime.  Black Lives Matter is right; this is not just about providing more police.  It’s a band aid – like a spotlight MPD puts up to deter crime – it doesn’t address the root problem which is lack of economic opportunity.”

Education.  Rather than just continuing to debate the merits of public vs. charter schools, he says, education needs to be reoriented to train youths for jobs.  His solution is fostering a partnership between and industry and the school system, following models established by non-profits like SOME CET (Center for Employment Training).  He supports leveraging the expertise of industry and bringing it into the schools to provide a path for developing job skills for those who don’t go to college.

Affordable housing.  In response to Mayor Bowser’s plan to increase low-cost housing in some of DC’s more affluent neighborhoods – including 1400 affordable units on Capitol Hill – he says we don’t know the specifics about how housing would be made available, but he thinks people on Capitol Hill care and would welcome a variety of residents.   He supports giving DC residents preference for affordable housing required by city statute in new developments over residents of Maryland and Virginia.

Homelessness.  He says the city must meet the homeless where they are and find out why they are living on the street and refuse to go to shelters; “ It’s not just a matter of housing – there are mental health and substance abuse issues where we have to go to them to address the problems.”  He admits that it’s not clear how to house those who prefer to live on the street and refuse to go to shelters, but providing shelters which respect the homeless as individuals will go a long way.

Since he is running as an independent he will skip the primary and go directly to the general election in November.  It takes 3,000 signatures to get on the ballot.  The two top vote getters for the at-large seats win.  At-Large members of the council include the Chair and four council members. Of those, no more than three can be from the majority party.  The At-Large seats held by Dave Grosso, Independent, and Robert White, Democrat, are up this election cycle.

A former Republican, Jayaraman switched parties four years ago:  “This is not about party.  I voted twice for Obama and once for Hillary Clinton.  As an independent I don’t have to be concerned about toeing the party line.  I can do what is right which is what I tried to do on the ANC.”

He says that experience is an important qualification for a council member, but too often it leads to professional politicians.  He cites his own history as evidence that he understands the concerns of small businesses  Nine years ago he started his own business, Strategic Educational Consulting, which creates customized emergency plans and provide scenario-based disaster training.  He has 16 years of experience in emergency planning, training, and consulting, working with emergency planners, risk managers, school directors, and agency officials in the D.C. and the National Capital Region.

Jayaraman was born in India and came to the US when he was in fourth grade.  His mother was a teacher in a Catholic School – though not a Catholic.  It was she who drove the family’s move to the US for better opportunities for the children – Chander and his two brothers.  His father worked in telecommunications.  The family was sponsored by his father’s brother who lived in Kansas City; Jayaraman grew up there and attended the University of Kansas, graduating with a degree in economics.  He got into politics via his godfather who was working on a political campaign in Missouri, which lead to Washington, and a temp job in a law firm. He serves on the Board of Directors of the JOBS Coalition, and is a former Board president and alumni representative at The Hill Preschool.  He is actively involved in Capitol Hill Little League Baseball and tutors middle and high school students in algebra.

He says, “The three attorneys I worked for at my first law firm temp job are still connected to me today.  Doors opened – I found when I took those doors it leads you to what you’re supposed to do.  I feel the same sense with this endeavor; this is what I’m supposed to do.”

The Week Ahead…CM Charles Allen Holds Community Office Hours Friday at Radici – 8:00am

By Larry Janezich

Monday, October 14

ANC6B Barracks Row Working Group meets at 6:30pm, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE – First Floor Conference Room.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation/Questions:  Andrew DeFrank the new Ward Six DDOT Liaison.

Safety:  Questions/ Ideas for Safety Improvements

Positioning/Marketing:

Block Grant Funds – Ideas for usage

Holiday Plan/Ideas for Barracks Row and Eastern Market

How business can connect with future holiday events

4TH ANNUAL CAPITOL HILL HOLIDAY SIP AND SHOP – Monday, December 9^th, 5:30pm to 8:30pm – https://capitolhill.org/calendar-2/#!event/2019/12/9/sip-and-shop

The Holly Days – Eastern Market – Nov 30th to Dec 31st – https://www.easternmarketmainstreet.org/thehollydays

Holiday Tree Lighting – Big George and the Menorah

Collective Business Services:

Collective Snow Removal, rat abatement, alley power washing and other services possibly offered by Barracks Row Main Street for a fixed price.

Tuesday, October 15

ANC 6B will meet at 7:00pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations:

Capitol Hill Village – Presentation on home health care aids for older Capitol Hill residents – tentative.

DGS and City Administrator –tentative.

UPDATE on District Soul Food Restaurant & Lounge, 508 8^th Street, SE, Class “CR” Restaurant License Renewal.

Wisdom, 1432 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Class “C” Tavern License Renewal.

328 Kentucky Ave, SE; Zoning Adjustment Application to allow construction of two story, principal dwelling unit addition on existing retail building.

1421 D Street, SE, Zoning Adjustment Application to allow construction of a rear and third-floor addition on an existing, attached principal dwelling unit.

333 9th Street, SE, Zoning Adjustment Application to allow construction of a two-story rear addition.

339 9th Street, SE; Historic Preservation Application concept approval for rear 2-story addition and interior renovations.

411 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Historic Preservation Application, concept approval for two new row houses, three-stories, brick with mansards.

138 11th Street, SE, Zoning Adjustment Application to allow construction of a two-story accessory structure at the rear of the existing detached principal dwelling unit.

 138 11th Street, SE, Historic Preservation Application, concept approval for a new two-story garage on alley.

Emilie’s at 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Public Space Application for a new sidewalk café.

& Pizza, 405 8th Street, SE, Zoning Adjustment Application –  Minor Modification to extend fast food use for 10 additional years to 2029.

716-718 L Street, SE, Zoning Adjustment Application to allow construction of an addition to the existing detached building, and to convert it into an 18-unit apartment house.

528 1st Street, SE, Historic Preservation Application, concept approval for new front basement entrance.

Eastern Market Metro Plaza Parks, Public Space Application for permanent improvements.

Zoning Commission Case 19-15, Text Amendment: Short Term Rentals; Airbnb Zoning Regulations.

Update on Pennsylvania Avenue Bike Lane Study –Mike Goodno, DDOT Bicycle Program Specialist.

Resumption of discussion on 17th Street, SE, Bike Lane & potential connections to Anacostia River Trail.

Traffic Calming/Control Requests for ANC 6B support.

6th & A Street all way stops (6B02) tentative.

11th & North Carolina signal timing (6B05) tentative.

11th & D calming (6B04).

11th & 395 calming (6B07).

100 block North Carolina hump (6B01).

14th & A Street SE all way stops (6B08).

17th & D Streets SE calming (6B09).

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Discussion of license renewal request for Mythology, Lore & Dirty Water/Beetle House DC at 816 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for Biergarten Haus, at 1355 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for Ella Grace, at 1421 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for Langston Bar & Grille, at 1831 Benning Road, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for Dio Wine Bar at 904 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for The Haymaker at 1015 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for The Queen Vic at 1206 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for Roses Dejavu at 1378 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for Sospeso at 1344 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for Bullfrog Bagels at 1341 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for H Street Country Club at 1335 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for The Elroy at 1423 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for Copycat Co. at 1110 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for Duffy’s Irish Pub at 1016 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar at 1104 H Street, NE.

Discussion of license renewal request for Nomad Hookah Bar at 1200 H Street, NE.

Discussion of anticipated license renewal requests (awaiting placards):

Red & Black, LLC, t/a 12 Twelve DC/Kyss Kyss at 1210 H Street, NE.

Dynamix Lounge, LLC, t/a Dynamix Lounge at 1220 H Street, NE.

On the Rocks at 1242 H Street, NE.

The Pug/Toki Underground at 1234 H Street, NE.

Truth DC 78 at 1220 H Street, NE.

Mexican Grill at 1251 H Street, NE.

Halftime Sports Bar at 1427 H Street, NE.

Hill Prince at 1337 H Street, NE.

Cantina Y Taqueria at 1358 H Street, NE.

Kitsuen at 1362 H Street, NE.

O2, 1350 H Street, NE.

Rock N Roll Hotel at 1353 H Street, NE.

The Outsider at 1357 H Street, NE.

Discussion of substantial change request by Daru at 1451 Maryland Avenue, NE (to change hours of service inside premises.

Be a Volunteer with Good Neighbors Capitol Hill Refugee Resettlement. Tutor and mentor volunteer orientation meeting, 7:00 – 8:30pm at St. Mark’s Church, 301 A Street SE in the Elder’s Room on the lower level.

You can participate in a way that works best for you, whether weekly with tutoring or mentoring or less frequently with apartment set ups or special events or helping with communications. Visit our website: http://www.goodneighborscapitolhill – Tuesday, October 15 (7:00 – 8:30 pm) at St. Mark’s Church – 301 A Street SE in the Elder’s Room on the lower level.

Wednesday, October 16

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

Among items on the draft agenda.

Introduction of the grant recipients for the strategic plan

Capital Improvements Report on Eastern Market Signage

Tenant’s Council Report

Market Managers Report

Lease update

Parking

Friday, October 18

Councilmember Charles will have community office hours on Frida at 8:00am, at Radicci, 7th and C Streets, SE, across from Eastern Market.

 

Youth Stabbed at Capitol South Metro Suffers Life Threatening Injuries – Another Youth Arrested

By Larry Janezich

According to MPD, a teenager was stabbed shortly before 1:00pm today at the Capitol South Metro Station.  According to press reports, he was not breathing when first responders arrived at the scene.

Police were searching for a young female in connection with the incident, described as 14 years old, black, with short dreadlocks and wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt.

At about 1:00pm this afternoon, police arrested an individual matching that description.  (Capitol Hill Corner witnessed the arrest.)  The young person (gender was not clear to the observer) was waiting at the bus stop on Pennsylvania Avenue on the west bound lane at the 8th Street intersection.  Officers approached and asked if s/he had gotten off the Metro.  The response, if any, was inaudible.  The officers instructed the person to kneel and place hands behind his or her back.  As the scene unfolded, more police arrived in marked and unmarked cars, until there were about 8 vehicles in and around the intersection.  It was not clear that this arrest was connected to the Capitol South Metro incident, other than by circumstance of time, place, and description.

Meanwhile, police had closed down the Capitol Hill South Metro Station as they investigated the incident and trains bypassed the station.

A circa 2:20pm, passing by the location of the arrest, police had put yellow crime scene tape around the area where the arrest had taken place.  A homicide detective was among the officers who were on the scene.

 

 

The Week Ahead…

By Larry Janezich

Monday, October 7

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

Agenda not available at press time.

Tuesday, October 8

**The Full ANC 6B meeting has been rescheduled for October 15, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Ave SE).**

Be a Volunteer with Good Neighbors Capitol Hill Refugee Resettlement. Tutor and mentor volunteer orientation meeting, 7:00 – 8:30pm at St. Mark’s Church, 301 A Street SE in the Elder’s Room on the lower level.

You can participate in a way that works best for you, whether weekly with tutoring or mentoring or less frequently with apartment set ups or special events or helping with communications. Visit our website: http://www.goodneighborscapitolhill

Thursday, October 10

(New date) Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C meets at 7:00pm, Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations:

D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority—Emilia Cortes Gomez

D.C. Office of the Inspector General—Jaime Yarussi

U.S. Census Recruiting—Patricia Nelson

201 D Street, NE, The State Room, license renewal, Class C tavern.

1222 First Street ,NE, CitizenM Hotel, new construction application.

601 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Brewpub, Sidewalk café, application pending.

Union Station, west loading dock security—New signage to improve safety.

215 G Street, NE, Capitol Hill Montessori School, School bus staging discussion, continued.

629-631 Florida Ave NE, New construction application, stoops and utilities.

Louisiana Avenue, NE, Protected bike lane, Columbus Circle to Constitution Avenue.

19 4th Street, NE, Two-year extension sought by Hillsdale College.

Discussion: Zoning regulation amendments, short-term rentals, Petition from DC Council.

NoMa Parks Foundation update.

K, L, M Street NE underpass encampments.

Thursday, October 10

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations:

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) – 1D Representative and 5D Representative

DDOT Ward 6 Liaison –  Andrew DeFrank

Letter to the DC Lottery indicating the community’s preference that establishments that offer sports wagering not require significant cash on hand.

1370 H Street, NE, Consideration of committee recommendation that ANC 6A take no action regarding the CT license application of the Gold Room Bar Lounge.

Proposed potential micromobility corral locations: the 1400 block of H Street, NE; at the intersection of H Street, Maryland Avenue; and 15th Street in the existing no-parking striped zone; 10th and H Streets, NE (on 10th Street north or south of H Street); and 8th and H Streets NE (on 8th Street north or south of H) in the no parking zones near the intersections.

802 10th Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment application for special exceptions to allow construction of a new three-story flat with a cellar level, roof deck and a rooftop access penthouse at on the condition the applicant provide a shadow study and making best efforts to get letters of support from the Ninth Street, NE neighbors.

803 Maryland Avenue, NE, Historic Preservation application to permit addition of a brick second story with studio and roof deck to a one-story brick garage,

1363/1365 A Street, NE, Historic Preservation Application to construct two new two-story garages.

Book Talk:  A Well-Read Woman: A Discussion with Kate Stewart, 7:30pm, Northeast Library.

Third generation librarian Kate Stewart will speak on her book A Well-Read Woman: The Life, Loves, and Legacy of Ruth Rappaport, which follows the life of a legendary Capitol Hill resident from Nazi Germany to Seattle, Israel and Vietnam, and the Library of Congress. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing. Prior to the discussion with Stewart, stop by for a brief introduction to the library’s Memory Lab at 7 p.m.

Friday, October 11

Capitol Hill Arts League Results/Reception for GO DARK members juried exhibit.  Reception with Artists Friday, October 11, 5:00-7:00 PM Free and open to the public.

Phil Davis, juror, has selected the following artists to show in Go DARK:

Gregg Adams, Kim Bursic, Judith Capen, Karen Cohen, Marilyn Christiano, Deb Furey, Tara Hamilton, Jim Huttinger, Vince Iannacchione, Fatuma M. Iman, Joann Laboy, Eileen Leahy, Wan Lee, Robert Lipartito, Mike McSorely, Dave Mann, Jane Mann, Charles Martin, Rindy O’Brien, Mai Pham, Ann Pickett, Erika Rubel, Judith Searles and Karen Zens.

Saturday, October 12

Friends of the Southeast Library Book Sale, 10 am—3 pm.  History, biography, mystery, fantasy, literature, photography, cookbooks — many brand  new. Plus, most books are only $1. Proceeds from sales help fund library programs for children.

Book Talk on Capitol Hill’s Legendary Ruth Rappaport – Northeast Library, Thursday, Oct 10

by Larry Janezich

Capitol Hill resident Ruth Rappaport had a remarkable life and career.  Author Kate Stewart – a third-generation librarian – will discuss her book, A Well-Read Woman: The Life, Loves, and Legacy of Ruth Rappaport at 7:30pm on Thursday, October 10, at Northeast Library.

Rapport’s story spans from her childhood in Germany where she was a witness to the devastation of Kristallnacht and a Leipzig book burning to her death in 2010 after retiring from the Library of Congress in the early 1990s.  She worked as an editor of Seattle’s Jewish Transcript, a press photographer for Acme News, and as photo archivist for the Foreign Press Office for the fledgling state of Israel.  She managed libraries for the U.S. Air Force in Okinawa and for the U.S. Army in Saigon.  In 1970 she quit working for the military and went to work for the Library of Congress.

Her first job at the LOC was cataloging the FBI’s collection of confiscated books deemed pornographic or erotic.  Rapport spent a life time fighting censorship and supporting human rights.  She was one of the organizers behind the Library of Congress Professional Guild, a task undertaken when workers felt unfairly burdened by management quotas for cataloging books.  The “loves” in the sub-title refer to details from Rappaport’s journal – which also tells a larger story of gender inequality in a world where the double standard was the standard.

Rappaport continued to be active in the community after retirement, becoming a founding member of Capitol Hill Village and of Hill Havurah on Capitol Hill.  She died in 2010 and her memorial bench is located in Congressional Cemetery.

Everyone Home DC (formerly Capitol Hill Group Ministry) awards the Ruth Rappaport Wisdom Award annually to recognize an individual who “has displayed remarkable warmth, wisdom, and commitment to the Capitol Hill Community.”

Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing.

Emilie’s – A Trendy New Capitol Hill Restaurant – Opens Tuesday, October 10

by Larry Janezich

Emilie’s, Chef Kevin Tien’s upscale eclectic restaurant coming to the new Frager’s Building at 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, is set to open next Tuesday.  The 5,175 s.f. restaurant will seat 110 in the dining areas and 48 in the lounge/bar.  An application for an 80 seat sidewalk café comes up before ANC6B this month and will likely open later in the year.  The main dining room will include at 10 seat communal table and an open kitchen layout with chef’s counter.

In recognition of Tien’s culinary imagination combining Asian, Latin American, and Southern flavors, his first restaurant – Himitsu – was named Eater’s Best New Restaurant in America in 2017 and one of America’s Best New Restaurants in 2017 by Bon Appetit.  Patrons of Emilie’s can expect the same bold approach to his cuisine.

The menu will feature large, family style plates and smaller a la carte menu choices.  In addition, diners will be offered small plate daily specials circulating through the dining area on carts – “tableside” dining.  The menu will change regularly, and feature products from a local community of producers, farmers and ranchers.

Capitol Hill’s latest celebrity chef, Tien is a veteran of Iron Chef Gauntlet and a Finalist in the James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef of the Year, 2018.  He has cooked for chef Aaron Silverstein’s Pineapple and Pearls and chef Jose Andres’ Oyamel, among others. Tien, until recently, was the co- owner of the highly acclaimed Himitsu in Petworth and earlier this year, opened Hot Lola’s, a restaurant specializing in spicy chicken, in Ballston Quarter’s food hall, Quarter Market.

For his new restaurant concept, Tien partnered with the same restaurant group behind JINYA Ramen Bar, Sheesh Grill, and Hot Lola’s: Sam Shoja, restaurant expert;  developer Arris Noble, and inKind’s Johann Moonesinghe.

Initially, Emilie’s will be open for dinner service from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Lunch and brunch services will be added at a later date.  Reservations may be made at https://resy.com/cities/dc/emilies.

Status Report on Eastern Market Metro Park Development

By Larry Janezich

Last Wednesday, the Eastern Market Park Advisory Committee met at Southeast Library where the Department of General Services reported on the status of the $15 million plan to re-do the Metro Plaza and turn it into a community gathering space – activate it as a “town square.”  The session was directed by DGS former project manager Cassidy Mullen. The meetings are held monthly to brief the committee on progress and to receive feedback.

In summary, the community stakeholders comprising the committee, as well as residents who attended the meeting, learned:

• Construction will proceed in two phases, with phase 1 (playground and preliminary work around the metro entrance on Parcel 4) starting in the winter of 2020 and ending by Memorial Day 2020. Phase 2 will launch in October of 2020, with completion forecast for April of 2021. The final design is not complete, but that should have no impact on the construction schedule.
• The project design was presented to the DDOT Public Space Committee last week for preliminary review and will be back for a final review in late October.
• “Big George,” the landmark evergreen on Parcel 4 which commemorates the community contributions of George Didden of National Capital Bank, is on life support and will need to be replaced.
• An entertainment pavilion, fought for by the advisory committee, is in the plan for Parcel 4 (Metro entrance) but has not yet been designed.
• The Commission on Fine Arts has ok’d a shade structure as part of the playground on Parcel 1.
• DDOT has not yet approved a traffic study, but when it does, a Notice of Intent (NOI) will have to be issued, followed by a period for public comment.
• Project Manager Cassidy Mullen is turning over the project to a new manager, Diego Martinez, as Mullen takes on greater responsibilities in managing DGS’ project portfolio.

Advisory Committee member  Commissioner Jerry Sroufe, who represents ANC6B on the committee, distributed copies of a letter to city officials detailing ANC6B’s  concerns on behalf of the community.  Chief among these are 1) the lack of a finalized traffic study 2) the refusal of DGS to engage directly with the residents most affected by the reversal of traffic flow on D Street on the north side of the plaza, and 3) DDOT’s refusal to relocate the Starbucks’ bus stop to the eastern edge of Parcel 4 (Metro entrance).  Other concerns listed included the need to relocate the WMATA bike lockers currently at the northwest corner of Parcel 4, and implementing a photo metric study prior to finalizing the lighting plans in conjunction with reevaluating lighting plans for parcels 1, 3, and 4.

 

The Week Ahead…& a few photos from the Barracks Row Fall Festival

by Larry Janezich

Monday, September 30

CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm, Kirby House, 420 10th Street, SE.

Agenda not available at press time.

Tuesday, October 1

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

Among items on the agenda:

1309 E Street, SE; Update existing MOU between 6B and Opal Development. [Proposed Changes Will Be Posted Before Meeting]

[Tentative] Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, SE; Historic Preservation Application – One-side porch addition and associated paving.

328 Kentucky Avenue, SE; Application for Zoning Adjustment Application – Variance: special exception to construct a two-story, principal dwelling unit addition on an existing retail use building.

1421 D Street, SE; Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception; construct a rear and third-floor addition on an existing, attached principal dwelling unit.

333 9th Street, SE; Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception; construct a two-story rear addition.

339 9th Street SE; Historic Preservation Application – Rear 2-story addition and interior renovations.

411 New Jersey Avenue, SE; Historic Preservation Application for construction of two, three-story new townhouses, brick with mansards. [Plans to be updated before meeting]:

138 11th Street, SE; Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception: construct a two-story accessory structure at the rear of the existing detached principal dwelling unit.

138 11th Street, SE; Historic Preservation Application – New two-story garage on alley.

Emilie’s at 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Public Space Application for new sidewalk café.

716-718 L Street, SE; Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception; construct an addition to the existing detached building, and to convert it into a 18-unit apartment house.

& Pizza, 405 8th Street, SE; Zoning Adjustment Application – Minor Modification to extend fast food use for 10 additional years to 2029.

Eastern Market Metro Plaza Parks. Public Space Application.  Permanent improvements. Hearing Date: 10/15/2019 [Plans to be posted before meeting].

Zoning regulation amendments: short-term rentals – Petition from the Council of the District of Columbia proposing text amendments to authorize short-term rentals in residential zones as permitted under DC Law 22-307.

ANC6C Environment, Parks and Events Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second Street, NE

Agenda not available at press time.

Wednesday, October 2

ANC6B Transportation Committee will meet at 7:00pm, in the Conference Room, Ground Floor, The Yard 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – entrance to 700 Penn is to the left of the Trader Joe’s entrance.

Among items on the agenda:

Update on Pennsylvania Avenue Bike Lane Study (Mike Goodno, DDOT Bicycle Program Specialist).

Resumption of discussion on 17th Street, SE Bike Lane & potential connections to Anacostia River Trail.

Traffic Calming/Control Requests for ANC 6B support.

6th & A Street all way stops (6B02) tentative.

11th & North Carolina Avenue signal timing (6B05) tentative.

11th & D Streets traffic calming (6B04).

11th & 395 traffic calming (6B07).

100 block North Carolina hump (6B01).

14th & A Streets SE all way stops (6B08).

17th & D Streets SE traffic calming (6B09).

Other:

Use of curb space at hydrants for bike racks.

Oversized truck camera for eastbound corner of 8th Street & Independence Avenue, SE.

ANC6C Planning Zoning and Economic Development committee is scheduled to meet at 6:30pm, Northeast Library, 7^th and D Streets, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

19 4th Street, (rear) NE; Zoning Adjustment Application –  Application of Hillsdale College for a two-year time extension of a special exception to permit a one-family dwelling unit in an existing structure on an alley lot.

Zoning regulation amendments: short-term rentals – Petition from the Council of the District of Columbia proposing text amendments to authorize short-term rentals in residential zones as permitted under DC Law 22-307.

Thursday, October 3

ANC6B’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee meets at 7:00pm in the Conference Room, Ground Floor, The Yard, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – entrance to 700 Penn is to the left of the Trader Joe’s entrance.

Agenda:

UPDATE: District Soul Food Restaurant & Lounge, 500 8th Street, SE; Class “CR” Restaurant License Renewal.

Wisdom; 1432 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Class “C” Tavern License Renewal.

ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Agenda not available at press time.

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

Agenda not available at press time.

Update on Eastern Market and Southeast Library

by Larry Janezich

Eastern Market – Speculation on the winner of the bid for the $300,000 grant from office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Development study on the future of Eastern Market is focusing on Nil Buras, principal at the Washington, DC firm of Urban Cloud – Classic Planning.  A decision has been made but not an announcement.  According to Eastern Market Manager Barry Margeson, the Department of General Services is in the process of finalizing the grant agreement for an October project start.  The purpose of the study is how to address the declining vitality of Eastern Market as a community center and resource, in the face of competition from new destinations such as Union Market, The Wharf, numerous farmers’ markets, as well as changing demographics and shopping habits.

Nir Buras is a Washington, DC, based PhD architect and planner with over 30 years of in-depth experience in strategic planning, architecture, and transportation design.  He has worked on the Washington DC Dulles Metro line, the US Capitol, and the Senate and House Office Buildings.  He is the author of “The Art of Classic Planning”– a critique of modern urban design and planning.  For more, see here:  https://classicplanning.wordpress.com/author/classicplanning/

More Eastern Market – Last Wednesday, the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) decided by a vote of 6 – 0 – 2, that the recently-incorporated Eastern Market Development and Preservation “Organization” does not represent “reconstitution” or revived” Eastern Market Preservation and Development Corporation (a duly incorporated entity now defunct) which under statute is entitled to a seat on EMCAC, thus denying the application of the newer organization for a seat on the board.  The vote was 6 – 0 – 2.  The motion to accept a committee recommendation that the application be denied, was made by EMCAC Chair Donna Scheeder, and included language recommending that EMCAC undertake a review of the statute governing Eastern Market to address how certain membership and process issues can be remedied legislatively.

Southeast Library – The selection committee for the new design for Southeast Library, headed up by DC Public Libraries Executive Director, Richard Reyes-Gavilan, heard am hour long presentations from each of four finalists on September 10^th and 11th.  The meeting was closed to the public, and participants had to sign non-disclosure agreements.  The selection committee will decide on the winner in late September or early October.  The winning design/build team will subsequently launch a period community involvement and hold a series of community meetings to solicit input from residents on the final design.

Construction on the $23.5 million renovation and the 2 year closing of the Southeast Library is scheduled to begin at the end of in 2021.  As of now, there is no plan for an interim library and some of the current programming will likely be held at the Northeast and Southeastwest Libraries.

The community is represented on the selection committee by ANC6B Commissioner Jerry Sroufe and Friends of Southeast Library President Neal Gregory.  The rest of the dozen or so members of the selection committee are DC Public Libraries personnel.