CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Update/New Location:  Mayor Bowser’s Capitol Hill Walk Is Set for 3:30pm on Wednesday

by Larry Janezich

Mayor Bowser’s Capitol Hill Walk begins at the Rumsey Aquatic Center at 635 North Carolina Avenue, SE, behind Eastern Market, with a public safety press conference at 3:30pm on Wednesday.  This month’s press conference will concern efforts to reduce robberies – PSA 106 is third in MPD’s 1st District for robberies and first for burglaries.  Other issues likely to come up include the behavioral health and substance abuse problems on the 400 block of Barracks Row and encampments and issues related to those experiencing homelessness, especially those who frequent Seward Square.

The walk is an opportunity for community members, businesses, and ANC commissioners to engage the Mayor on pressing issues and concerns, and will include Eastern Market, Seward Square, the Eastern Market Metro Park Project, and Barracks Row, before ending at Tyler Elementary School.  All district agency directors and deputy mayors or their representatives are expected to attend to provide context to problems and propose solutions.

 

Update on Eastern Market Metro Park Redesign – Controversy over Traffic Plan

By Larry Janezich

Last Thursday night the Department of General Services (DGS) updated the community on the development of Eastern Market Metro Park. The format of the meeting included a brief overview of the status of the project, after which attendees broke up into three separate discussion groups: traffic, construction, and materials and finishes.

It was apparent from the crowd at the traffic discussion group that the most controversial aspect of the plan is the proposal to reverse the flow of traffic on D Street on the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue and closing the so-called “slip Lane” in front of Trader Joe’s which allows west bound traffic on D Street to merge onto Pennsylvania Avenue after crossing 8^th Street.  The plan – following a concept developed years ago by architect Amy Weinstein – was incorporated into the current design by DGS. Residents of Southeast Capitol Hill say this will increase result in significant backups of southbound traffic on 8^th, 9^th, 10^th and 11^th streets for those seeking access to Pennsylvania Avenue.  The traffic plan is still awaiting final approval.

Also of considerable interest to the community was the type of playground equipment for the playground.  That decision will be made by the DGS design team – perhaps as early as mid-January – after soliciting input from the community on line or by email.  The options regarding components of the playground installation will be on line at the website (link below), but as of this writing are not currently available.

Regarding construction, the permitting process is in progress and final approval of the plan is expected within the next 45 days.  There have been three significant changes to the plan over the past several months:  shade structures have been added to the playground, the playground on parcel one has been shifted to the south to avoid damage to the critical root zones of trees bordering D Street on the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue, and an entertainment/performance pavilion has been added to parcel 4 near the Metro entrance.

The construction time line has slipped a little on phase 1 of the two-phase process.  Phase 1 (playground and preliminary work around the Metro entrance on Parcel 4) will start in the early spring of 2020 and end by the fall of 2020. Phase 2 – parcels 2, 3, 4, 5 &6 – will launch in October of 2020, with completion forecast for April of 2021.

Upon completion, DGS will assume day-to-day maintenance of the redesigned plaza and the Department of Transportation will assume maintenance of everything in the public right-of-way. The Capitol Hill Bid will continue to maintain the park with respect to trash and litter.

Additional information, as well as the power point presentation from Thursday night’s community meeting are here:  https://dgs.dc.gov/page/eastern-market-metro-park-project

The Week Ahead …. Mayor Bowser Walks Eastern Market/Barracks Row on Wednesday

Monday, December 16

ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm, Eastern High School, Parent Center, 1700 East Capitol Street, NE .  (Enter from East Capitol Street)

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation:  Flavors Hook Kids – Elizabeth Feinstone

Tuesday, December 17

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meeting has been cancelled due to lack of business items.  The next meeting of the ABL Committee will take place on Tuesday, January 21, at 7:00 pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, 10th and G Streets, NE.

Wednesday, December 18

Mayor Bowser’s Ward Six Walk. 

Mayor Bowser ‘s monthly mayoral walk. The walk is the Bowser administration’s opportunity to engage with commissioners and community members on pressing issues and concerns. Every district agency director and deputy mayor is expected to attend mayoral walks (though occasionally they send representatives). This walk will cover Seward Square, Eastern Market, Barracks Row, the Easter Market Metro Project, and the traffic situation at Tyler Elementary.

The walk usually lasts about an hour and a half and begins with a public safety press conference. This month’s conference will be about efforts to reduce robberies – PSA 106 is 3rd in MPD’s First District for robberies and first for burglaries. Other issues of particular concern include behavioral health and substance abuse issues on the 400 block of Barracks Row, the encampments & those experiencing homelessness in Seward Square.

The timing and location for start of the walk and the press conference will be announced.

ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

653 8th Street, NE/ 807 G Street, NE:  Zoning Adjustment application for special exceptions to permit the construction of a fourth apartment and the installation of new rooftop mechanical equipment, in an existing three-unit apartment house.

419 10th Street, NE: Discussion of the request for the installation of a solar panel system at 419 10th Street NE in the Capitol Hill Historic District.

DC Draft Comprehensive Plan Updates: Solicit public input for ANC6A to provide comments and recommendations to the draft Comprehensive Plan update.

Thursday, December 19

ANC6B Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center to set the agenda of the January meeting of the ANC. 

U.S. Botanic Garden Holiday Show – Photo Essay

by Larry Janezich

This year’s annual U.S. Botanic Garden show “Season’s Greenings: All Aboard!” is open through New Year’s Day.

This year, the theme showcases train stations. Plant-based recreations of iconic train stations from across the United States are represented in the train room – New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, Detroit’s Michigan Central Station, Maui’s Lahaina Station, and many more, plus fantasy Dinosaur and North Pole stations.

The Garden Court displays 12 models of Washington’s iconic landmarks, including the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Supreme Court, and Library of Congress – all made from plant materials.  In addition, thousands of 30 varieties of poinsettias are displayed throughout the building.

The U.S. Botanic Garden is open to the public, free of charge, every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On most Tuesdays and Thursdays in December, the Conservatory will be open until 8 p.m. for live seasonal music concerts and after-dark holiday exhibit viewing.

For more information, see here: https://www.aoc.gov/news/seasons-greenings-us-botanic-garden

 

Jayarman Opts Out of Chairing ANC6B 2020

By Larry Janezich

Last night, at ANC6B’s December meeting, Chair Chander Jayaraman opened the session by saying it was the last meeting of the year and his last meeting as chair.  The announcement came as a surprise to some commissioners.  Jayaraman is eligible to serve as chair for one more year under commission by-laws and his election – had he chosen to run in January – was widely regarded as assured.  By all accounts, he is regarded as a highly effective chair having taken initiatives with respect to using alcohol licensing to encourage in-door trash storage and appointing task forces on Barracks Row and the development of the Eastern Market Metro Park among other items.

Asked why he made this decision, Jayaraman said “It’s time for other commissioners to take the helm – I’ve been chair twice – having others move into leadership positions is the only way for them to get the experience to move the work of the Commission forward.”

It is unclear which of those commissioners is interested in the chairmanship – a demanding and time consuming volunteer job.   That fact speaks to an additional reason Jararaman is stepping aside – he is running for the City Council Member-at-Large seat.  Councilmember David Grosso is not seeking re-election, leaving that Member-at Large-seat up for grabs.

Jayaraman says he will continue to serve on the Commission and to chair the Commission’s Alcohol Beverage Control Committee.

For more information see here:  http://bit.ly/31sJuw0

Capitol Hill Corner Marks 10^th Anniversary

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, December 10, marked the 10^th Anniversary of Capitol Hill Corner.

Total number of posts in the past ten years:  1,515

Average number of words per post:  503

Total number of views of posts:  1,409,079

Thanks to community members who read the blog and lent their comments and encouragement.

The Week Ahead….Community Meeting on Eastern Market Metro Park – Thursday

by Larry Janezich

Monday, December 9

ANC6D meets at 7:00pm, at DC Water Headquarters Boardroom, 1385 Canal Street, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Public Safety Report – First District MPD (PSA 103, PSA 105 & PSA 106) Capt. Pulliam, Lt. Donigian, Lt. Anderson.

Presentations:

Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement’s Violence Intervention – Carmen Berry, EOM.

DC Water Lead Pipe Replacement Program – John Deignan, DC Water.

Waterfront Station Update.

Recent loss of District Hardware & Bike, Velo Café, DC Row, ANCHOR, and d/eleven at District Wharf.

Vaping Ban Resolution .

Albi/Maxwell, 1346 4th St, SE; New Tavern liquor license with Entertainment endorsement and summer garden, with stipulated license.

Chopsmith, 11 District Square, SW; protest of liquor license application.

80 M Street, SE; Zoning Application design review.

Akridge/WhyHotel, 2100 2nd Street, SW; Zoning Application design review, modification of significance, authorization of Chair to testify at Zoning Commission.

300 K Street, SW; Zoning Application for 2 year extension of 2nd Phase PUD.

250 M Street, SE; Construction Update – HITT Contractors.

Tuesday, December 10

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Bricklane Restaurant; 517 8th ST SE; Class “C” Restaurant liquor license renewal.

Lola’s; 711 8th Street, SE; Class “C” Tavern liquor license renewal.

411 New Jersey Avenue, SE; Historic Preservation Application for new construction of 2 single family dwellings.

400 3rd Street, SE; Historic Preservation Application for new carriage house, two stories.

400 3rd Street, SE; Zoning Adjustment Application for special exception to construct a two-story accessory structure to be used as a garage with a second-story dwelling unit.

233 ½ 9th Street, SE; Zoning Adjustment Application for special exception to construct a second floor addition to an existing accessory building to accommodate an apartment.

Discussion of 2020 Rock N Roll DC Marathon and Half Marathon – March 28^th.

Letter to DGS and Public Space Committee with ANC 6B input on Eastern Market Metro Plaza.

Letter to Mayor Bowser on Relocation of Heliport to 12th and Water Street, SE.

Wednesday, December 11

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

40 Patterson Street, NE; Public Space Application for addition of two-vehicle passenger load/unload zone.

Menomale NOMA, 35 N Street, NE; new restaurant liquor license and new full service grocery.

Billy Goat DC, Inc., 500 New Jersey Ave NW, restaurant liquor license renewal.

NBC News, 400 North Capitol, NW; Public Space Application for bollards and landscaping.

1212 6th Street, NE; Public Space Application for porch, walk, driveway, fence, etc.

Discussion of ANC6C Testimony on Union Station expansion and Burnham Place projects.

55 H Street, NW, Zoning Application, Georgetown University residence hall and retail space.

19 4th Street, (rear), NE; Historic Preservation Application,  Hillsdale College – demolition and new structure.

50 F Street, NW; Zoning Adjustment Application for penthouse addition and rooftop terrace,

Discussion:  Comprehensive Plan – transportation, housing, economic development, historic Preservation, community services and facilities.

Vote to support ANC 4D action: Extending Comprehensive Plan review timeline.

New Business:  Marijuana sales on H Street, NE – Commissioner Joel Kelty

Thursday, December 12

ANC6A meets at 700pm, at Miner Elementary School, 601 Fifteenth, Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Presentations:  DCPS Chancellor Lewis Ferebee (invited)

Liquor license renewal applications for the following establishments: Ocean Lounge at 1220 H Street, NE; Hill Prince at 1337 H Street, NE;  On the Rocks at 1242 H Street, NE; Twelve DC/Kyss Kyss at 1210-1212 H Street, NE;  Sol Mexican Grill at 1251 H Street, NE; The Pursuit at 1025 H Street, NE; Truth DC 78 at 1220 H Street, NE, The Pug/Toki Underground at 1234 H Street, NE, Rock N Roll Hotel at 1353 H Street, NE.

Request for class change from CR (Restaurant) liquor license to a CT (Tavern) liquor license from Dangerously Delicious Pies, at 1339 H Street, NE.

Letter to DDOT regarding DDOT’s response of November 18, 2019 to ANC 6’s pedestrian safety priority list, requesting additional speed humps on the unit-400 blocks of Tenth Street, NE, with a minimum of two humps on the 200 block of Tenth Street, NE.

Letter to DDOT requesting that trucks be restricted from using both Ninth and Tenth Streets, NE, between Maryland Avenue and East Capitol Street.

Letter of support to BZA for Zoning Adjustment Application for special exceptions to construct a second floor addition to an existing accessory building at 803 Maryland Avenue, NE, to accommodate an apartment

Community Meeting on Development of Eastern Market Metro Park Project

Watkins School.  6:30pm – 8:00pm.  Watkins Elementary School, 420 12^th Street, SE.  DC Department of General Services and DC Department of Parks and Recreation update the community on plans for the development of Eastern Market Metro Park. 

For more information:  https://dgs.dc.gov/page/eastern-market-metro-park-project

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, December 2

ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee usually meets on the first Monday of the month at 7:00pm at Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 Second Street NE.

The agenda was not available at press time.

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

The agenda was not available at press time.

Tuesday, December 3

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

411 New Jersey Avenue, SE; New construction of 2 single family dwellings.

316 2nd Street, SE; Addition, rear, third floor on top of 2-story rear wing.

400 3rd Street, SE; New carriage house, two stories.

400 3rd Street, SE; Special exception to construct a two-story accessory structure to be used as a garage with a second-story dwelling unit.

233 ½ 9th Street, SE; Special exception to construct a second floor addition to an existing accessory building to accommodate an apartment.

2020 Rock N Roll DC Marathon and Half Marathon – March 28^th.

ANC6C Environment, Parks, and Events Committee usually meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm at Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 Second Street, NE.

The agenda was not available at press time.

Wednesday, December 4

ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm in the Conference Room, Ground Floor, The Yard, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Update:  Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Street Lighting Project – Abdullahi Mohamed, DDOT Project Manager.

Update:  Pennsylvania & Potomac Avenue Intersection Improvement Project – Morvarid Ganjalizadeh, DDOT Project Manager,

Traffic Calming/Control Requests for ANC6B Support (tentative):

6th & A Streets all way stops.

11th & North Carolina Avenue pedestrian signal timing.

14th & A Streets, SE, all way stops.

Review of Comp Plan Transportation Chapter (tentative).

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 6:30pm, Northeast Library, 7^th and D Streets, NE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

55 H Street, NW; Zoning Application of Georgetown University requesting voluntary design review approval for a proposed student residence hall with approximately 158 residential units (containing approximately 476 beds), retail space, and student-serving amenity space, with a  height of approximately 110 feet.

19 4th Street (rear), NE; Historic Preservation Application of Hillsdale College to demolish existing structure and for concept review of new two-story building.

50 F Street, NW; Zoning Adjustment Application to construct a penthouse and a rooftop terrace addition to an existing mixed-use building.

Draft amendments to Comprehensive Plan – Review of the following Draft Plan elements:

1. 1. Transportation
   2. Housing
   3. Economic Development
   4. Historic Preservation
   5. Community Services and Facilities

Deadline for ANC comments: Jan. 31, 2020.

Thursday, December 5

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Bricklane Restaurant; 517 8th ST SE; Class “C” Restaurant license Renewal.

Lola’s; 711 8th ST SE; Class “C” Tavern license Renewal.

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Announcement:  DDOT is hosting an open house on Florida Avenue, NE, streetscape (which includes Dave Thomas Circle) on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at New Samaritan Baptist Church.  Formal presentations will occur at 6:20pm and 7:20pm. www.FloridaAveProject.com

NBC News – 400 North Capitol Street, NW;  New security bollards and associated landscaping at existing 8-story building on the corner of North Capitol Street, NW, and Louisiana Avenue, NW. Bollards are required for the security of the NBC News offices. Existing bollards will remain along the property’s frontage on North Capitol St NW. Bollards within the project area will be replaced. This project will expand the bollards along Louisiana Avenue, NW, for protection of a glass wall, a possible target, at the NBC News offices. The design aims to match as much as possible the existing bollard precedent and streetscape elements adjacent to the property.

1212 6th Street, NE;  The property owner of 1212 6th Street, NE, is proposing to perform an addition/alteration repair, 1 story addition above existing 2 story, single family unit to create a two family unit.  New open porch, lead walk with steps, window well, driveway off alley and knee wall with fencing.

Discussion:  Union Station Expansion and Burnham Place Projects; Discuss recommending potential testimony to the upcoming National Capital Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2020.

Draft Comprehensive Plan – Transportation Element. The DC Office of Planning recently published a Draft Comprehensive Plan for public review. The Draft Plan establishes a vision and broad goals to help inform decision making and provide context for residents, officials, and stakeholders and can help guide and inform more fine-grained planning efforts. The Committee will review and make recommendations to the full ANC on the Draft Plan’s Transportation Element.

Friends of Southeast Library meet at 5:30pm, Southeast Library, Lower Level.  

Saturday, December 7

Community Litter Cleanup

1st Saturday, December 7, 9:00 am; Trusty’s and Atlas Vets have 10:00 am cleanup starts. Volunteer bag and glove pick-up locations include Fulcrum Properties – 1328 G Street, SE; Trusty’s – 1420 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; 7-11 – 1501 Independence Avenue, SE; Atlas Vet – 1326 H Street, NE; Chik-fil-A – 1401 Maryland Avenue, SE (offering free breakfast sandwich to volunteers); and Wine & Butter Cafe, 1023 East Capitol Street.  Volunteers return filled bags to any of these sponsors.  At 10:00 am, Fulcrum Properties offers mimosas, coffee and donuts to volunteers. Info on rain cancellation will be available by emailing here: CleanCapHill@gmail.com

 

Residents Ask MPD & City Officials Why It Took Months to Remove Encampment by 7^th and PA Ave CVS

By Larry Janezich

Last night some residents of the 600 block of D Street, SE, asked why it took MPD and city agencies months to remove an encampment behind the CVS at 7^th and Pennsylvania Avenue, even as resident complaints and evidence of illegal activity at the site mounted.  The occasion was a community meeting hosted by MPD in the aftermath of removal of the encampment which had become a nuisance to residents near SE Library.  The complaints to MPD dated back to early September, but it took police and the city until November 14 to resolve the issue.

There were multiple reasons given for the delay.  Lt. Damion Taylor of MPD’s 1^st District cited confusion over who owned the space occupied by the encampment – whether it was public or private.  This appears to be why MPD was initially reluctant to engage residents of the encampment because of the belief the camp was on public space and thus under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  In addition, there appeared to be a lack of coordination among city agencies which were involved in trying to get the tent removed and a failure of communication not only between agencies, but between residents and city officials who failed to return phone calls or follow up on complaints.  Finally, a lack of cooperation and concern by CVS corporate officials contributed to the process which ended up tying the city’s hands.

Taylor said that once it was clear to him that drug activity was taking place at the site – thanks to a video supplied by a resident – MPD began an investigation in early October.  At the same time, were complaining about being threatened by occupants of the camp.  Subsequently, Parking Enforcement officials trying to ticket a vehicle associated with the camp were being intimidated by the camp’s residents.

Jessica Smith from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for HHS told the attendees that the process of removing an encampment on public land is a prolonged one involving first a week to 10 day period when the city assesses the needs of the occupants of a camp and tries to enlist them in city programs and provide other services.  If that fails, the department posts a 14 day warning that the site is subject to dismantlement.  If – as what happened in this case  with the city’s attempt to remove the camp on November 5  – the tent dwellers take down the tent before the city does, and then puts it back up, the process has to start over.  Complicating matters, HHS cannot remove an encampment from private property.

It is not clear how or when MPD learned that the tent had been set up on private property.  But once that happened, and when CM Charles Allen pressured MPD for the tent’s removal in an email to Lt. Taylor, MPD visited the site in mid-November, ordered the removal of the tent and began issuing bar notices, barring anyone associated with the tent from CVS property under threat of being charged with unlawful entry.  Taylor told attendees that since then, every MPD shift checks on the encampment site to assure the tent has not gone back up.

Some residents thought the explanations were not sufficient, pressing for answers to why once drug activity was established it still took more than a month for police to act.   Asked for his reaction to last night’s meeting, Adam Belmar, a resident of the 600 block of D Street expressed his frustration and said, “As a business owner and resident, I’m very concerned that the Mayor’s Office and MPD are not coordinating an approach to deal with public safety.” And, as one of the residents whose calls were not returned, former ANC Commissioner Ivan Frischberg said there was “a total lack of coordination, and it comes back to the Mayor’s Task Force [HHS].  I called and never got a call back.  The [standard response] of a call back within 24 hours is a kind of joke.  The city needs to respond – otherwise you get a meeting like this where people are genuinely pissed off, and rightfully so.”

Residents say that drug activity continues around the SE Library and in the alley on the on the 600 block of D Street.  Taylor said MPD’s narcotic squad continues to investigate activity in the area and urged residents to call 911 to report illegal or suspicious activity.  A follow-up meeting will be scheduled – perhaps next month – at which Taylor expects CVS officials to brief the community on measures they have taken to prevent potential use of their property for illegal activity.

The Week Ahead…MPD Public Meeting Regarding  Recent 7^th and PA Ave Encampment  – Monday

by Larry Janezich

Monday, November 25

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm, Eastern High School, Parent Center, 1700 East Capitol Street, NE. (Enter from East Capitol Street)

Agenda:

Committee business.

Committee Meeting on 7^th Street and PA Ave Encampment, 6:30pm, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, 1^st Floor Conference Room.

Agenda:

To share information and concerns regarding recent events now-dismantled encampment at the 7^th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, and the potential for continued problems at or near the site.

A representative(s) from the Deputy Mayor’s Office (Health and Human Services encampment protocol engagement personnel) is expected to attend this meeting.  Members of the First District team will also be present to answer questions, discuss concerns from a public safety/law enforcement aspect and share future plans to prevent further disorder at the location.  MPD has also invited United States Attorney’s Office, First District Community Prosecutor Doug Klein; CVS management, home owners, residents, local business leaders and other stakeholders.

Tuesday, November 26

ANC6B Executive Committee Meets at 7:00pm, at Hill Center.

Agenda:

To set the agenda for the next full ANC meeting on December 10/

The PSA 106 (Police Service Area) meets at 6:30pm at the Capper Community Center, 5^th and K Streets, SE.   MPD hosts bi-monthly community meetings fo build partnership with the community and to address public safety questions and concerns.