CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Donatelli/Blue Skye Project for Hill East Wins Support of ANC6B…With Reservations

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday night, ANC6B voted 10 – 0 in favor of letter of support for the Donatelli/Blue Skye plan to develop two mixed use buildings on plum parcels on Reservation 13 next to the Stadium/Armory Metro Stop.  The letter stated that “While ANC6B is very disappointed that the most recent RFEI (Request for Expressions of Interest) received only one response, we urge DMPED to move forward expeditiously with the project.”

The letter went on to list some specific concerns the ANC has, which, among others included the following:

• That the developers pursue a mix of neighborhood serving restaurants and retail stores in the retail plan
• That the current design “falls below the standard of excellent urban design present in other Donatelli projects across the city” and ANC 6B wants to see additional improvements to the building designs
• That DMPED and DDOT  make the project more accessible to residents traveling to the site from east of the Anacostia River
• That ANCs 7F and 6B have an opportunity to weigh in on designs in conjunction with the Zoning Committee design review
• That Mayor Gray and DMPED immediately develop a plan to close the temporary homeless shelter at DC General and begin transitioning homeless families and individuals into better housing options. 

Commissioner Ivan Frishberg expressed his personal concern that since Donnatelli/Blue Skye made the only offer, they have all the leverage and no incentive to make concessions on the project.  He said he felt that the ANC should push extra hard and build political alliances with colleagues in Ward 7 to impress upon the developer that they have an obligation to meet a higher standard.  Justifying his concern, Frishberg said, “I don’t trust them more than I trust any developer…I think that (the city) will take whatever they can get at the lowest possible cost.”

On May 21, WAMU News raised questions about Donatelli Development/Blue Skye Construction in a four part series on the relationship between DC developers, city officials, and campaign contributions. http://wamu.org/news/13/05/21/million_dollar_properties_1_deals

ANC6B Moves Against Nuisance Properties

by Larry Janezich

Update:  An earlier version of this story cited Holy Comforter Cyprian Community Action Group as the owner of 125 15^th Street, NE – one of the nuisance properties targeted by the ANC.  In fact, according to Commissioner Brian Pate, Holy Comforter owns 124 15^th Street, across from 125 15^th Street.  Pate said that the list provided to ANC6B at Tuesday’s meeting was subsequently edited to reflect that fact and the notification letter will be amended accordingly.  .  Pate said, “Both properties (124 and 125) are, indeed problems but we’ll be focusing on the residential property first.”  In a further clarification Pate noted that Reuben Pemberton is no longer the head of DCRA’s Vacant Building Enforcement and has been succeeded by Heather Vargas. 

Last Tuesday night at its regular monthly meeting, ANC6B voted 8-0-1 to send a list of priority problem houses to Reuben Pemberton, Vacant Building Enforcement Unit, DCRA.  Commissioner Brian Pate’s Constituent Services and Outreach Committee has worked for the past several months to survey ANC6B and compile a list of vacant and blighted properties.  The ANC also voted to send letters to owners of six of the worst on the list asking the owner to fix up their properties.  The letter, in part, read as follows:

“ANC6B notes the condition of your property at xxx and respectfully requests your attention to mitigate its vacant, run-down condition.  ANC6B has registered its concern with the City’s Vacant Building Enforcement unit and encourages you to work with this City agency to address the condition of your property.”  The letter also notes that properties in the Capitol Hill Historic District may be eligible for grant programs designed to repair and restore historic properties. 

Commissioner Dave Garrison expressed concern that the ANC might be exceeding its authority abstained from voting.  Commissioner Oldenburg was not present for the vote. 

The list forwarded to Pemberton is as follows:

531 8th Street, SE, owned by Houshang H. Momenian – no address given

1125 Independence Avenue, SE, owned by Jeffrey Bruck – no address given

242 14th Street, SE, owned by Aurelia C. McCauley, Washington, DC

125 15th Street, owned by Mattie Nance – no address given

1247 K Street, SE owner by Geraldine Watkins, Washington, DC

1251 K Street, SE owned by Ruthie B. Buckman, Washington, DC

1257 K Street, SE – owned by 368 LLC, Baltimore, MD

1259 K Street, SE owned by 368 LLC, Baltimore, MD

102 9th Street, SE, owned by Elizabeth D. Lunsford, Washington DC

1616 Potomac Avenue, SE owned by Andrew L. Mealy, Jr., Temple Hills, MD

803 Kentucky Avenue, SE, owned by Gail Sirmans of Mount Vernon, NY

1612 Massachusetts Avenue, SE – owner not listed

Owners Momenian, McCauley, Nance , Buckman, Lunsford, and Sirman were the recipients of the request for mitigation from ANC. 

Residents with concerns about nuisance properties should contact their ANC Commissioner.  Contact information can be found here:  http://www.anc6b.org/

The Week Ahead …..Proposed PA Ave City Dogs Runs Into ANC Trouble

Fragers Opens At Eastern Market – Fund Raising Continues – Photos

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, June 11

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center

Among the items on the agenda:

Consideration of a special exception and a variance to allow City Dogs to board animals and groom pets at 1310 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Some of the nearby neighbors oppose the exception and variance based on compatibility, sound and trash issues.  Andie Moss, head The Moss Group (a consulting firm used by the DC government among others) said she would have to consider relocating her business to Virginia if Dog City opens.  On Tuesday night, the Planning and Zoning Committee voted 11-0 to take no position and bucked the issue to the full ANC for their input.  Commissioner Nicole Opkins is encouraging a conversation between the owners of the proposed business and the neighbors to search for common ground that would allow the business to open under the terms of a to-be-worked-out settlement agreement.  She told the proposed business owners, however, that they had a “high bar” to clear.  City Dogs has a successful and apparently well regarded outlet in Dupont Circle.  According the their website, “City Dogs is a dog daycare, boarding, and training facility designed for dog owners with busy schedules. We understand that most people work long hours and don’t like to leave their dogs alone all day. So, we created an environment where your dog can play and socialize with other friendly dogs in a supervised and caring environment.”

Other items on the agenda:

Liquor License renewals for Sonoma, Talay Thai.

Consideration of a proposed letter to the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development endorsing Donatelli/Blue Skye development plans for parcels F1 & G1, Hill East Development/Reservation 13.

Consideration of Commissioner Brian Pate’s proposed amendment to the ANC Bylaws to expand voting rights for ANC6B resident members.

Wednesday, June 12

Eastern Market Ad Hoc Marketing Committee meets at 6:30pm in the Manager’s Office (2^nd Floor) at Eastern Market.  Open to the public.  Please RSVP to Chuck Burger – cburger@cbmove.com to make sure the space can accommodate the number of attendees.

Thursday, June 13

ANC 6A meets at 7:00pm, Miner Elementary School, 601 15^th Street, NE

Fundraising for Fragers

Meanwhile, Gary Peterson is spearheading efforts of the Capitol Hill Community Foundation (CHCF) to raise funds for 65 Fragers’ employees and 10 employees of Fragers’ tenants once business interruption insurance carried by Fragers runs out.  At the CHCF tent set up on Sunday outside of the temporary Fragers’ plant and pottery outlet across from Eastern Market, Peterson said fund raising was going “very well,” pointing to some $80,000 raised by end of day on Saturday.  He said he would have a new total for release on Monday and emphasized that 100% of the funds raised would go to the employees.  CHCF plans to continue the efforts at Eastern Market on weekends, at least through the end of June.  Peterson is seeking volunteers to help staff the CHRS tent in two hour shifts between 10am and 4pm, Saturdays and Sundays.  He can be reached at pgarylaw@aol.com or at 202-352-0098.

Community Turns Out For Fragers’ Eastern Market Location

View of Fragers’ from Pennsylvania Avenue at 6:40am Thursday

Fragers’ Hardware, June 6, 2013, 6:40am

Fragers’ Hardware, June 6, 2013, 6:45am

Fragers’ Hardware, June 6, 2013, 6:45am

Fragers’ Hardware. Established 1920

Fragers’ Fire Aftermath – Photos

by Larry Janezich

“As late as 8:00 a.m. this morning, water was still being put on the Fragers’ fire,” according to DC Fire Department (DCFD) public information officer Tim Wilson.  Wilson said that the cause of the fire had not been determined and that once there were no more “hot pockets” on site and it was relatively safe to enter, the Fire Marshal (a deputy chief) and his team would enter the site to begin an investigation.   The team will initially identify how the fire started and that will “determine the best course of action.”

Wilson said he believed the DCFD was alerted to the fire by a 911 call, as opposed to an alarm on site.  Three firefighters received minor injuries in fighting the blaze and would be released from the hospital today, if they had not been released already.  Wilson said he did not know if the building had alarms or smoke detectors or if it was equipped with alarms that would notify DCFD directly in case of a fire.

The Fragers’ fire was a four alarm fire which eventually involved more than 200 firefighters on site and dozens of emergency vehicles.  Fires are ranked from one to five with a typical fire being a one alarm fire and each additional alarm representing an additional request for assistance.  Wilson said that the last five alarm fire he could recall was a 2008 five alarm fire involving the four story Deauville apartment building in Mount Pleasant.  The Eastern Market fire of 2007 was a three alarm fire.

Fragers’ Fire Under Control – Early Photos of the Fire

by Larry Janezich

Much – if not all – of Fragers’ Hardware was lost to a four alarm fire that started about 6:35 pm.  There were some 50 emergency response vehicles and 200 firefighters on site to fight the blaze in the 93 year old building.  DC Fire Department has advised residents of Capitol Hill including Lincoln Park, and Hill East to stay inside with windows closed and air conditioners on in order to filter the air.   Hazmat teams are on site to monitor the air quality which has been characterized by some sources as “toxic” owing to the paints, solvents, varnishes and glue which helped fuel the fire.  Two officers were injured fighting the fire but are expected to recover.   Capitol Hill Streets between 9th and 13th and D and G SE – including Pennsylvania Avenue are closed.  Councilmember Wells tweeted at 9:50 pm that the fire is under control and the building – at that point – had not collapsed.

Earlier this evening, Hill resident Mark Shlien was biking past the Tune Inn on Pennsylvania Avenue at 6:35pm and saw a large plume of smoke arising to the east.  He pedaled to the source of the smoke at Fragers’.  When he arrived, he said, there were only a few police cars on site in order to deal with the rush hour traffic.  Shlien said that people were starting to evacuate the store and he saw someone on the second story opening a window.  Additional police on bikes arrived thereafter, and the first fire engine several minutes after that.  At that point, he said, flames had already erupted from the structure’s roof.  Shlien took some of the first photos of the Fragers’ fire posted below.  Shlien contributed the first four photos below to Capitol Hill Corner.

Early photo of the fire showing people still in front of the store

Smoke plume thickens but the area has not yet been cleared

 Add Media

Smoke plume continues to expand

Smoke envelopes the building as fire officials arrive

Photo of Fragers’ Paint Store taken at 8:20pm from 11th and D Streets, SE

Mark Shlien, on left, captured early photos of the fire

Residents of Near Southeast, Lincoln Park, Hill East and Capitol Hill neighborhoods should stay indoors with air conditioning on but windows closed, as prolonged exposure to unfiltered smoke could be hazardous.

Frager’s Paint Store Burns

by Larry Janezich

At about 6:40pm on Wednesday evening, a fire erupted in Frager’s Paint Store.  The fire appeared to originate near the back of the store near the passageway where Frager’s had planned a glass fronted addition opening on to 11th Street.  The second story above the rear of the store was quickly engulfed in flames and thick clouds of toxic smoke poured out of the fire and drifted across Pennsylvania Avenue to the north.  Bystanders said they had been in the store ten minutes before, and “everything was fine.”  At 6:44pm, following a radio directive, firefighters scrambled to their trucks and sounded their sirens.  A police officer standing by taking photos responded to a question, saying that it was a signal to firefighters evacuate the building because “it was going to collapse.”  Councilmember and mayoral candidate was on the scene but was not available for comment.  Fearing an explosion, police acted to push the crowds back across 10th Street to the west.

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Frager’s Fire Sequence

Councilmember Tommy Wells Arrives on the Scene

Wells Confers With Official

The view of Frager’s Paint Store from 11th Street about 6:43pm Wednesday evening

More photos and details to be posted shortly.

Donatelli/Blue Skye Hill East Project Advances

by Larry Janezich

ANC6B’ Planning and Zoning Committee, Chaired by Commissioner Francis Campbell, agreed in principle Tuesday night to support the Donatelli/Blue Skye proposal to build two mixed-use residential/retail buildings on two adjoining parcels next to the Stadium-Armory Metro.  A draft letter of support to Victor Hoskins, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, (DMPED) made public at the committee meeting urged Hoskins to move forward with the project and to take action immediately to prepare the remaining parcels of Reservation 13 for development. 

The Donatelli/Blue Skye proposal – which was the only proposal received by DMPED – envisions a 113 residential units north building and 240 units in the south.  There’s a combined total of 20,000 square feet of retail on the first floors of the two buildings in which the developer plans locate a mix of local and national outlets.

Long-time Hill East resident Pat Taylor pointed out that Donatelli/Blue Skye had been deficient in satisfying DMPED’s  REIF (request for expressions of interest) requirement by failing to present two alternate plans.  Outspoken project supporter ANC6B Commissioner Brian Flahaven implied that DMPED might have made allowances given there was only one response to the REIF but said he would follow up with DMPED to see if an alternate plan – here-to-fore unmentioned – had actually been filed. 

Given that the development is being done in accordance with pre-existing zoning for the site and the fact that it lies outside of the Capitol Hill Historic District this may be the only effective opportunity for ANC6B and the community to weigh in on the project.  To that end, Hill East resident and former Capitol Hill Restoration Society Chair Beth Purcell suggested strengthening the language asserting that the building’s designs needed more work, a concern that was shared by some commissioners, including Brian Pate.  Former ANC6B commissioner Ken Jarboe agreed with Purcell, saying that the developer can do better.  He urged the ANC to push for a better design while endorsing the project.   

It would not be unusual for a project design at this stage to bear little relationship to what is actually built.  Still, given the apparent predisposition of city agencies to favor developers over community concerns, the questionable effect of community input when pressing for design changes even when Historic Preservation Board and Zoning Commission reviews are required (see the Hine redevelopment), and developers’ concern for the financial bottom line, community concern about the final product seems warranted.  For many Hill East residents, however, “something is better than nothing” appears to be the driving force supporting the development.    

At discussion’s end, the consensus of the committee was to take no position pending a reworking of the language of the draft to incorporate concerns raised at the meeting.  The full ANC6B will consider and vote on the letter to Hoskins at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 11, at 7:00pm in Hill Center. 

On May 21, WAMU News raised questions about Donatelli Development/Blue Skye Construction in a four part series on the relationship between DC developers, city officials, and campaign contributions. http://wamu.org/news/13/05/21/million_dollar_properties_1_deals